Contract Tracing
The Virginia Department of Health recently announced that contract tracing in schools may be limited only to outbreaks. However, the CDC continues to recommend contact tracing, in combination with testing, wearing a well-fitting mask, and quarantine and isolation, as effective strategies to identify people with COVID-19 (cases) and to reduce transmission.
FCPS will continue to implement CDC recommendations to the greatest extent practicable, to prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and to keep our schools open for learning. As a result, FCPS will continue contact tracing until further notice.
For more information, visit the Health and Safety Guidance Document.
School Health and Safety
If you or your family have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you please do not enter the school building. If you are in need of a laptop and/or school assignments, please contact the main office at (571) 982-1300 and a staff member will be available to assist you with retrieving those items.
We thank you for your support!
FCPS Masking Update
Yesterday, Fairfax County Public Schools announced the “Roll Back Plan” with regard to our school system’s universal masking requirement. FCPS will implement the roll back strategy when the Fairfax County community reaches moderate transmission for COVID-19 and remains there for seven consecutive days. Much more information about the roll back plan can be found here.
Understanding ESSER III Funding’s Impact on Student Success
Last fall, FCPS received $188.6 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding. These funds have helped us safely reopen our schools and to keep them open. We have also been able to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. If you are not familiar with ESSER III, here are a few things you should know about how it impacts student success. ESSER III focus areas include:
- Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
- Academic intervention services, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and summer learning programs.
- Professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
- Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
- Additional support for students’ social emotional needs.
Here at Fort Belvoir Upper, ESSER monies have funded intervention teachers in math, reading, and social emotional learning. Funds have also been used for core instructional math and reading resources and Social Emotional Learning supports, such as the use of Calm Corners in our classrooms. There will be two opportunities for you to tell us how well FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements around a safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of learning. Please stay tuned for details! Visit the ESSER III webpage for more information
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Valentine's Day is Coming: It's the perfect time of year to tell your Upper staff member you love them!
Click here to share
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A Gentle Reminder About Birthday Celebrations
Invitations for private parties, including birthdays, should not be distributed at school.
Birthday celebrations should be discussed in advance with your child’s teacher. Due to the ongoing safety measures related to the global pandemic as well as having many students with food allergies on our campus, we are not allowing edible birthday treats this school year. To ensure the safety of all our students, parents may choose to send in non-food treats or donate something to the school to celebrate your child’s special day. Listed below are just a few suggested ways to recognize your child’s special day:
- Donate a book to the school library in honor of your child.
- Share stickers, pencils, erasers, or other small, inexpensive things with the class.
- Donate a plant to beautify the school grounds - flowers, bulbs, trees, or bushes.
- Donate a board game to be used for indoor recess.
- Having the child to share their talent or special skill with the class.
- Work with teacher to possibly schedule some special time in honor of the day such as an extended recess or time in the Maker Space.
 FBES Kids Lab Program
March 2, 2022
We would like to invite you to enroll your children on February 4, 2022 starting at 5:00 PM, by clicking on this link: Kids Lab Program. We are excited to be able to offer this program through our STEAM Grants from DoDEA. We will have fun hands-on activities every Wednesday afterschool for grades K-6 from March 2– April 20, with the exception of April 6 for Spring Break. Buses will be available for regular bus riders, all other students will need to be picked up in the schools at 5:25. Spaces are limited and enrollment will not guarantee your child’s space in the program, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by!
Programming is brought free of charge to our students thanks to DoDEA Grant funds.
Registration will close at 10:00 PM on Sunday, February 13.
Parents, students, and community members have a unique opportunity to help FCPS select important learning resources. These reviews do not happen frequently, so selected resources will be in classrooms for years and are a significant financial investment.
Resources for elementary language arts are being reviewed through February 28. Interested individuals can review and provide feedback on digital resources online. Physical texts can be reviewed at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center in the lobby. Please ask about the books at the reception desk from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. In-person review hours will be extended to 7 p.m. on February 3, 10, 17, and 24. You are encouraged to review both sets of resources for the full catalog of resources under review. Learn more about the elementary language arts resource review here.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Rising 7th Grade Students
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Immunization Requirement Notice
The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Effective July 1, 2021 all students entering 7th grade will be required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), and Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).
Seventh grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Tdap and Meningococcal documentation.
Please provide one of the following documents to the Bush Hill ES Main Office:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the missing immunization(s).
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the vaccine(s) was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/immunization/school or by calling 703-246-2411.
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Plan Ahead For 2022-23
School Year 2022-23 Calendar
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to adopt a calendar for the 2022-23 school year. The first day of school will be Monday, August 22. Read a news release on the new calendar.
Resources for Military Families
FCPS Parent Resource Center Webinar (Recorded December, 2021) -Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family
Did you know military-connected students experience different “seasons” as they navigate their school years?.
Highlights include:
- Mental Health of Military-Connected Kids and Teens
- Storms in Any Season- What parents need to know about
- Deployments, Injuries, Separations, and Loss
- Known and little known resources for military families to get you through storms and everyday life
- How to Prepare for an Off-Cycle Move
View the webinar on YouTube here
Other Military Family Resources:
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Fort Belvoir Elementary School.
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February 21: Holiday (Presidents' Day)
March 3: 2-hour Early Release
March 4: Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)
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Please click here for information about the Mount Vernon High School PTSA Krispy Kreme Fundraiser!
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