Belvedere News and Announcements - October 14, 2022

From the Administration

Dear Belvedere Family:

Thank you to all who attended the PTA Meeting on Wednesday evening.  Our IB Coordinator, Ellen Rogers, shared information about Student Led Conferences.  Over the next few weeks, you will have the opportunity to attend a Student Led Conference with your child.  Teachers will share highlights about what students have been learning, but more importantly, you will have a chance to hear from your child and see the learning they have been engaged in.  We hope that you find this way of learning about your child valuable and that it gives you a greater insight into the learning that goes on in the classroom. If you haven’t yet scheduled a student-led conference with your child and his or her teacher, please reach out to the teacher to find a time to meet.

We are looking for volunteers to help in the cafeteria during lunchtime (11:30 am-2:00pm).  If you are interested, please email Kelly Cabezas, kmcabezas@fcps.edu.  We welcome all families and look forward to seeing you!

We are thrilled to welcome author Hena Khan next Wednesday, October 19 from 6:30-7:30 in the gym. We hope to see you all at this exciting event!  Please see below for more information.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal, & Kelly Cabezas


Trunk-or-Treat

BES Staff will pass out treats to students in the BES Parking Lot on October 27th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.  Families can park on Whispering Lane or the service road that night.

We are collecting candy and treat donations all month.  Please drop off any donations to the office or send them with your child. 

Open this flyer for all the details!


Celebrated author, Hena Khan, comes to Belvedere!

Join us Wednesday, October 19th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Belvedere Gym for a presentation of why cultural representation matters in children’s books. Suitable for the whole family, Ms. Khan will deliver remarks and sign her books during the time with us.

Bus transportation will be provided to and from Barcroft View starting at 5:45 p.m. Parking is also available at the school. Enter through Door #2.

Families wishing to purchase any of Ms. Khan’s books at a discount can visit: https://bardsalley.square.site/belvedere-elem-author-event  Pre-orders may be picked up at the event for signing.

This event is sponsored by the Title I Office and hosted by the Belvedere Library. Open this flyer for all the details! Questions should be directed to our librarian, Ms. Jopeck. We hope to see you there!


Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

Beginning on October 18, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All results are confidential. Belvedere will be sending home these forms on Friday, October 21 in your child’s Friday Folder.


COVID Diagnostic Testing

COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS students, teachers, and staff at five locations across the county on October 17, 18, and 19. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information

Vaccine card

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Overview

For an overview of the continuum of AAP services, click here. The overview is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese.


From our School Counselors

Click here for the October Counselors' Corner Newsletter!

The school counselors need a weekly or 2x/month volunteer to man and organize the Family Center. Please email Mrs. Ballard if you are interested. tmballard@fcps.edu


Superintendent Community Conversations

Please save the date for a very special event! Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at Justice High School on November 21st, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This event will be a unique opportunity to help Dr. Reid get to know our school community and learn more about her vision for our district.

Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as child care and light refreshments. Please register to attend.


FCPS Multilingual Podcast

Fairfax County Public Schools produces a multilingual podcast every two weeks to highlight relevant information for families in their own languages. It is produced in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean. 

The latest episode introduces the FCPS Trust Policy and reminds families to review the Student Rights and Responsibilities document. Learn more about the Podcast.

Welcome in many languages

Tutor.com

FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, 1-to-1, online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families during the 22-23 SY. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology.  Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.


FCPS Strategic Plan

Fairfax County Public Schools is launching the engagement phase that will help us develop our brand new Strategic Plan.

During her Community Conversations listening tour in each high school pyramid, Superintendent Michelle Reid has heard from many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our students. That feedback will become part of our proactive strategic plan that will serve as our North Star—or guide—for the future.

Starting in October, we will be inviting the entire FCPS community to engage in building our shared future. This includes hearing from our parents and caregivers, students, and broader community, as well as surveying students in grades three and above. You will have an opportunity to have your voice heard in one of many sessions (both in-person and virtual) during November and December. We encourage you to join us in this journey by actively participating in the conversation.

The goal is to have the final strategic plan by June 2023. For a more detailed overview, visit FCPS’ Strategic Planning webpage.

Strategic plan icon

Model Policy Comment Period

A new proposed model policy (pdf) was recently proposed by the Virginia Department of Education regarding the “privacy, dignity, and respect for all students and parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” A 30-day public comment period on the model policy began September 26 and closes October 26. You may provide feedback to the Virginia Department of Education on the new drafted policy. If you missed Superintendent Reid’s message regarding the new proposed model policy, please view it on our website.  


Social and Emotional Learning Activities and Screener 

Students in grades K-2 will no longer participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener. Instead, the Child Behavior Rating Scale administered in kindergarten, existing attendance, and behavior data will be used to determine necessary social emotional instruction and supports. School teams will use these measures alongside family input, as they develop their understanding of students’ needs and strategies to support them.

Students in grades 3-12 will be able to participate in the SEL screener. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally. This year, students will participate in the screener in the fall (October/November) and spring (March). Parents are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL and signature practices online.


Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health 

Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:

  • Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
  • Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
  • Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
  • Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.
  • A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
  • Alcohol or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
  • Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:

  • Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.
  • Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
  • Call 911.

Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new FCC program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.

Visit our Free and Reduced-Price Meals website for more information on the criteria to be eligible and how to apply. 


Buses and Delays

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. 


PTA News

Join the PTA!

The QR Code in last week's PTA Membership / Direct Donation Flyer is no longer working.  Please do not use the QR code.  In order to purchase a membership or make a direct donation, please go to belvederepta.memberhub.com/store and choose your membership type (Staff $5 or Parent $10) and/or select Direct Donation to make a one-time or recurring donation. Thank you again for supporting the Belvedere PTA!  

Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.

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

  • Monday, October 24: No School (Diwali)
  • Thursday, October 27: Trunk-or-Treat (5:30-6:30 p.m. - BES Parking Lot)
  • Friday, October 28: Early Release (End of Quarter)
  • Monday, October 31: No School (Teacher Workday)
  • Tuesday, November 8: No School (Election)
  • Friday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day/School Planning)
  • Wednesday-Friday, November 23-25: No School (Thanksgiving)

Keep in Touch

Daily Health Screening Questionnaire

Health and Safety Guidance Webpage

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Bus Delay Website

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FCPS Calendar: 2022-2023