From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
In support of our commitment to safety, Belvedere will begin optional COVID-19 screening testing students the week of November 8.
Routine testing is a highly recommended strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission and keep our schools safe. Following recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 10% of students who are not fully vaccinated and have parent/guardian consent will be randomly selected for weekly testing.
Parent/guardian consent is required for students to be part of the testing pool. We will share more information about how to submit your child(ren)’s vaccination status and opt in to testing soon.
Test results will be kept confidential. Parents/guardians will be able to review results through the secure vendor portal. Parents/guardians may select an option to share their child’s test results with FCPS. Sharing results with FCPS is optional.
More information about COVID-19 testing in FCPS can be found on the FCPS website. As always, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal and Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Please Return Impact Aid Forms
The Student-Parent Surveys for Federal Impact Aid were sent home earlier this week in students' backpacks. If you have not already done so, please complete and return your forms to your child's teacher.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Trunk-or-Treat and Storybook Character Day
Belvedere will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event on Thursday, October 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Teachers will have their cars parked and decorated in the side parking lot, ready to receive trick or treaters. All families are welcome to bring their children to enjoy trick or treating! Please note that parking will be limited, so we encourage you to walk or park in the neighborhood surrounding the school. If you would like to donate candy or other items for this event, you can drop them in the bin outside the front entrance through Monday, October 25.
Students are welcome to wear a storybook character costume to school on Friday, October 29. However, due to COVID-19, Belvedere will not be holding our traditional Storybook Character parade this year.
Early Release on October 29 and November 11; Student Holidays on November 1 and 2
Please remember that Friday, October 29 and Thursday, November 11 are 2-hour early release days, so students will be dismissed at 2:05.
Monday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 2 are student holidays.
Seeking Volunteers for Food Pick-Up
Belvedere has been approved to received unsold bakery products from Panera that can be picked up once a week. However, we need a volunteer to handle the pick up and packaging of the products.
Pick up would be at 9:00 p.m. (closing time) one night per week the Panera at 5578 Vincent Gate Terrace, Alexandria, Virginia. Panera requires groups to commit to picking up the donations on a weekly and on-going basis and for the products to be used within 36 hours. Please email Mrs. Ballard at tmballard@fcps.edu if you would like to volunteer for this ongoing program, or if you have any questions.
Attention Kiss & Ride Families
As you pull up in the Kiss & Ride line during dismissal in the afternoons, please do not block the driveways of our neighbors on Whispering Lane and the service road between Whispering Lane and the Belvedere parking lot. If you do find yourself blocking a driveway that a car is trying to enter, please temporarily exit your space in line to allow them to pass.
This can be a source of great frustration for the people living in the homes near our school, and we have received recent complaints on the matter. Thank you for your consideration!
Training Series for Students in Grades 5-8
Youth in grades 5 through 8 are invited to participate in four virtual sessions of CATCH My Breath. Participants will learn healthy habits and build skills. This evidence-based program covers topics such as:
- Resisting their own curiosity
- Peer and advertising pressure to experiment with e-cigarettes
- Understanding that e-cigarettes are addictive, unhealthy, and not as popular as they think; and
- Influencing friends and peers not to use e-cigarettes.
Participants who attend regularly earn gift cards! Session dates are October 27, November 3, 10 and 17, 2021, from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
This program is open to all interested participants. Register at FormedFamiliesForward.org or https://catchfall21.eventbrite.com. Call 703-539-2904 for more information.
Service Dog at Belvedere
A service dog in training will be coming to Belvedere Elementary School with our Guidance Counselor, Tracy Ballard, starting next week. Service animals are highly trained to perform specific tasks, and generally do not need very much additional supervision or care while they are working. Please talk with your child about this animal. It would be helpful for you to emphasize that the service dog in training is a working animal, is not a pet, and should not be petted or fed without guidance from Mrs. Ballard.
We understand that you may have concerns regarding your child’s exposure to an animal on school grounds. Please contact the Belvedere office if your child is allergic to dogs or has a fear of dogs that would prevent him or her from possibly coming into contact with the service dog in training. We believe that a safe school environment is everyone’s right and will work with you regarding your concerns.
Student Rights & Responsibilities: Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement
Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr. After reviewing the information, please help us by filling out the SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form. A separate form must be filled out for each student. Thank you!
Translated versions of the Student Rights and Responsibilities are available here.
Support the Belvedere PTA
Our PTA supports Belvedere in myriad ways: organizing school events, enrichment and outreach activities; providing funding for field trips, library books, and technology in the classroom; and building a school community outside the classroom.
There are several ways to support the PTA:
Glasgow Outdoor Movie Night
The Glasgow PTA will host a FREE movie night on the Glasgow Field on Friday, October 22, featuring Shrek!
The movie starts at 7:00pm so come early to get a good seat. FREE for the whole family!! Jake’s Ice Cream, popcorn & drinks will be available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.
**Students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult during the event.**
We are excited to see everyone there on Friday!
Justice HS Youth Night
Justice High School will be hosting its annual “Youth Night” for Justice Pyramid schools during the Varsity Football Game on Friday October 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Please check this flyer for more details.
Volleyball Clinic at Justice HS
The Justice High School varsity volleyball team will be hosting a one-day volleyball clinic for boys and girls in grades 4 through 7 on Saturday, October 23. The clinic fee is $25. To register, click here.
Parent Center Resources
Our Family Liaison, Ashley Hidalgo, has created this padlet where you can view information from FCPS and outside organizations to help support our families, including information on personal finances, tutoring services for students in grades K-7, FCPS webinars, and more!
Ms. Hidalgo will continue to add resources to this padlet as she receives them. We will highlight noteworthy items in this space as well.
Also, if you are in need of school supplies for your child, please contact Ms. Hidalgo by email or phone (703-916-6824).
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, 10/28: Trunk-or-Treat (Belvedere Parking Lot, 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Friday, 10/29: 2-hour Early Release (End of First Quarter)
- Monday, 11/1 and Tuesday, 11/2: Student Holidays
- Tuesday, 11/9: PTA Meeting (6:30 English / 7:30 Spanish)
Keep in Touch
Daily Health Screening Questionnaire
Health and Safety Guidance Webpage
Visit the Belvedere website
Report student absences
Follow Belvedere on Twitter
Follow our PTA on Facebook
Change your email preferences
FCPS Calendar: 2021-2022
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