From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
Thank you to all who attended the virtual PTA meeting this week. We are excited about the strong partnership with the PTA board and with all of you. The support of our PTA contributes to a strong community and to many benefits for students, staff, and families. Thank you!
We have completed a third week of school and learning is in full swing. Students are exploring counting in various ways, such as through counting collections, which are a collection of like items that students can sort, count, and organize in various ways. This helps build students’ flexibility with counting and general number sense. If you have younger students, you may want to try this at home using items such as macaroni, buttons, and small toys. Students are also exploring literature, learning to connect to characters and to understand the various parts of the stories. All children, young and old, love listening to stories. If you can, please consider setting aside time to read with your child at home. Not only will this help your child’s reading and understanding, but it will also build memories that will last a lifetime.
To ensure the safety of all of our students, we are asking families to come in to the office to sign-out your child when you are picking them up before dismissal. Please be prepared to show a photo ID and to sign your child out.
We wish you a wonderful weekend with a little bit cooler weather. As always, thank you for your support.
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal and Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Title I Program
Belvedere Elementary School is a Title I School. Title I is the nation’s largest assistance program for schools. It provides funding to supplement
educational opportunities for children who are most at risk and increasing student achievement in schools selected on the basis of the economic level of families. The primary focus is to provide all children significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. Click here to read read more information about Title I.
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Overview Night!
Please join Mrs. Lynch, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, to learn about the different Advanced Academic Programs, or AAP, in Fairfax County Public Schools. Fairfax County Public Schools offers different levels of service of Advanced Academic Programs for students K-12 that build upon students' individual strengths and skills and maximizes academic potential for all learners. Information will also be provided about our Young Scholars’ Program.
The session will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:00 and Spanish interpretation will be provided. Please plan to attend so that you can learn about the Advanced Academics Programs’ levels of service, including Young Scholars, that FCPS has to offer. A session link will be available closer to the date. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lynch at pmlynch@fcps.edu.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.
Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.
Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or ombudsman@fcps.edu.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students expired at the end of the 2021-22 school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2022-23 school year. Download this flier for more information!
The application for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program is now available online.
We need Community Mentors!
Families, we are in need of community mentors for students at Belvedere. It is a great opportunity to connect with a Belvedere student weekly. We already have fabulous staff members participating and mentoring some of our students. Please contact one of our school counselors, Tracy Ballard, if you are interested! Her email is: Tmballard@fcps.edu
Outdoor Workday - Volunteers Needed
Help us get our outdoor learWe will replant our meadow, clean up the gardens, and improve the trail. Students are welcome with an adult. Sign up now! Questions? Contact Andrea Auerbach at asauerbach1@fcps.edu.
FLE Parent Preview
All parents and guardians now have access to all Family Life Education lessons and resources. You can preview the lessons and resources in our Belvedere All Parents/Guardians course in Schoology.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
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Some of the digital resources your child may use this year require parental consent for student use. Parents must visit the Digital Resources at Belvedere site for information and to provide consent for use. Your child will not have access to certain resources and tools until your consent is provided.
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Buses and Delays
Please be aware that all of us are getting used to new routines at the start of the school year. Thank you for your patience as those routines are established. If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Use code 28982 when registering for Here Comes the Bus.
Service Learning Opportunities
Remembering 9/11 Through FCPS Service Learning and Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax will be facilitating VolunteerFest 2022, a countywide day of service, on September 17. This is a great opportunity for students and families who want to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer. The event will officially kick-off on September 11, Patriot’s Day, with Volunteer Fairfax sharing donation needs and upcoming volunteer opportunities. More information about VolunteerFest 2022 can be found at Volunteer Fairfax’s website. Additional 9/11 Day of Service information can be found at 911Day.org
COVID Diagnostic Testing
COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students on select dates throughout the year when transmission may be highest. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Testing will be available September 12-14. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment.
PTA News
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:
Upcoming Dates
- Thursday, September 22: Back to School Night (Virtual)
- Monday, September 26: No School (Teacher Work Day)
- Saturday, October 1: Outdoor Club
- Wednesday, October 5: No School (Yom Kippur)
- Monday, October 10: No School (Staff Dev.)
- Monday, October 24: No School (Diwali)
- Monday, October 31: No School (Teacher Workday)
Keep in Touch
Daily Health Screening Questionnaire
Health and Safety Guidance Webpage
Visit the Belvedere website
Report student absences
Bus Delay Website
Follow Belvedere on Twitter
Follow our PTA on Facebook
Change your email preferences
FCPS Calendar: 2022-2023
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