From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
We have just finished the first week with the full five days at school in a long time. So much learning took place this week. A big highlight was author Hena Khan’s evening visit this past Wednesday. Ms. Khan is an award-winning children’s book author, including Amina's Voice, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns. We were so excited to welcome her and thank you for celebrating her work with us. You can visit her website here: https://henakhan.com/
As an IB-PYP school, we strive to generate learning spaces and opportunities that spark student inquiry. This means that students have opportunities to deepen their understanding of topics and experiences of particular interest to them. An example of this can be found in the recent kindergarten unit of inquiry where students were learning about community helpers. The kindergarten team called on parent volunteers to come and share about their jobs, and nineteen parents generously gave of their time. Student learned about a broad range of jobs, including engineers, nurses, and drone pilots. Their curiosity was immense, and in each class, students wanted to learn more about different aspects of what they heard. This meant that the classroom teachers tailored the learning opportunities and exploration to the class’s particular interest. In one class, for example, students became extremely curious about fiber optics and how cement is made. Giving space for curiosity to blossom and exploration to follow motivates students to have fun and to love learning.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal, & Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
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, visits Belvedere!
The amazing author, Hena Khan, joined us at Belvedere on Wedenesday evening to share her journey with our students.
Our students created a welcome wall to connect to her books and life in many different ways!
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 TODAY in your child’s Friday Folder.
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.
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.
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.
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)
- December 19-January 2: Winter Break
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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