From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
We only have one week left before winter break! How time flies!
All students in grades kindergarten through five will be taking home their laptops and/or iPads (kindergarteners) during winter break, allowing them to access various FCPS approved sites to continue learning. Additionally, should severe winter weather hit our area, and should we have more than five snow days, students will need their laptops to participate in synchronous instruction beginning on the 6th day of no school due to snow.
This year in FCPS, students can explore the online program “Lexia® Core5®”. Lexia is an adaptive blended learning program that accelerates the development of literacy skills for students of all abilities, helping them make that critical shift from learning to read to reading to learn. At Belvedere students in grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be using Lexia in the classroom as a part of their Structured Literacy program. In 3rd through 5th grades students are encouraged to use the Lexia program at home for 15 minutes a night to support their other at home reading assignments. We encourage students to access Lexia a few times per week during winter break.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal, & Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).
FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.
Get Access to the Internet
Cox Connect2Compete
Connect2Compete supplies broadband internet access to low-income, unconnected families who live in Fairfax County, enabling children to have internet access at home for homework help, online educational materials, and job searches. Qualifying families—those who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals and who meet other qualifications—will be offered Internet service for $9.95 per month, a free modem rental, free installation, and a price guarantee for two years.
For more information about the program, call 1-855-222-3252 or visit https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html
Connect2Compete
Connect2Compete (C2C) is a national non-profit organization working in partnership with Internet providers, hardware and software manufacturers, digital content creators, libraries, and nonprofits to deliver free and affordable internet access, hardware, software, and training to all America.
Learn More
Comcast Internet Essentials
Families of children on free or reduced-price meals living in the Comcast service area may be eligible for $9.95 monthly internet access and low cost computers.
Learn More
Community Internet Access Maps
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has maps and a list of community internet access sites in your neighborhood and the surrounding area.
Learn More
Wi-Fi Free Spots
Wi-Fi Free Spot is a directory of local businesses and locations with free WiFi access.
Learn More
From the Math Department
We hope that your Winter Break is a time of rest & relaxation with the ones you love! We wanted to share with you some ways to joyfully engage in mathematics as a family. Please check out the BES Winter Break Math Choice Board. We would love for you to share any pictures or playful mathematics you tried over Winter Break! You can e-mail Mary Beth Dillane at medillane@fcps.edu with any photos or questions!
-Ms. Dillane, Ms. Mundy & Ms. Davis
After-School Enrichment Program
Belvedere’s PTA is once again offering after school enrichment programs! Students can join weekly athletic, academic, and fine arts classes like soccer, fencing/archery, basketball, tennis, yoga, dance, cooking, chess, and STEAM.
The winter session starts Tuesday, January 3, 2023 and ends Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Registration is now open and available on a first come first served basis, with limited spots available. A limited number of scholarships are available for students who qualify for a free/reduced lunch.
Register here: https://www.belvederepta.org/programs
Students will be dismissed directly from their classrooms to their club at the end of the school day. Students must be picked up at the front of the school at 5:15pm. SACC students will be sent to SACC and parents may pick them as usual. Clubs are cancelled during student holidays and early release days. We need volunteers to make the program successful. Email bespta.va@gmail.com to volunteer or if you have any questions.
Dads @ Belvedere
Dads at Belvedere (formerly Watch D.O.G.S.) is a program to help our school be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have you spend at least one day this year at the school to be a positive male role-model. Dads this is your chance to get involved in a fun atmosphere at school!
Dads will volunteer at the school for one full day. School will provide the schedule to include activities such as: recess, lunch, specials, classroom time, etc.
Our kids love seeing the grown-ups in their life at school! Additionally, Dads are demonstrating through their presence that education is important.
Sign up for a day on our calendar using the Signup Genius below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090449A4A722A64-dads
AAP Screening and Identification for Full-Time (Level IV) Services for Grades 2-7
The Full-Time (Level IV) center services of the Advanced Academic Program in Fairfax County are designed for students who are highly motivated and who demonstrate an exceptional ability to apply knowledge and exceptional creative/productive thinking. In Fairfax County, there is a central-selection screening committee which reviews information on each student in grades 2-7 being considered for participation in the Full-Time Advanced Academic Program. This is the time of year to start thinking about whether or not to refer your child in grades 2-7 for Full-Time Services screening. All students need to be referred in order to be screened for services. The window closes on Thursday, December 15, 2022 to submit a referral for Full-Time Services.
COVID Diagnostic Testing in January
Mark your calendars! COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county January 3-5 from 5 to 8 p.m. 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.
From the Counselors
Click here to read the latest newsletter from our school counselors.
Many of you have inquired about students who are in need holiday assistance this year. The counselors have a list of 333 students who qualify for free and reduced meals and are using that list to identify students for holiday assistance as well. To date, we have two organizations who will be providing gifts to 8 families and we have 19 gift cards. But many more will need help.
If you are wishing to donate, or wanting to support, we would love $25 gift cards to either Target, Walmart, Aldi or Giant. If we get enough we can provide a gift card to each of the remaining students on the list. Also, if you are part of an organization that might be able to sponsor a family or families, please let Paige or Tracy know and we can coordinate.
Paige Simpson, School Counselor - pesimpson1@fcps.edu
Tracy Ballard, School Counselor - tmballard@fcps.edu
Mental Health, Coping & Addiction
One in four Americans suffers from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental illness will receive no treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 47.6 million adults (19% of the country) had a mental illness, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). There are many reasons why a person may turn to drugs or alcohol initially, including using these mind-altering substances as a coping mechanism for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary respite from reality and everyday life. They can enhance pleasure and decrease inhibitions and anxiety. Drug use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage situations or stress levels. Not all coping mechanisms are maladaptive or destructive; however, addiction is both.
Before using drugs as a coping strategy, here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. See your Primary Care Physician and a therapist if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in a healthy mind. Surround yourself with good people and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Substance Use Disorder info
FCPS Social Work
For further Information & support:
Anna Teeter
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Email: amteeter@fcps.edu
ESSER III Community Conversation on December 13
A Community Conversation on ESSER will be hosted on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. The event will be hybrid, offered both on Zoom or in-person at the Gatehouse Administration Building in the café. All are welcome. Please register to attend.
Watch the video above to see how Poe Middle School used funds to support positive behavior interventions, and how fun and games support values of respect, accountability, and positivity.
Learn more about the ESSER III grant.
Strategic Planning
Beginning in late January 2023, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our strategic planning process. View the schedule on our Strategic Planning website. We will add more details as they become available.
Multicultural and Language Resources for Families
FCPS’ Office of Family and School Partnerships would like to remind families of some of the many resources available to them:
- Bilingual community liaisons support student registrars by providing families with information about school and community services offered in Fairfax County. Liaisons are available to help families speaking Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. Once registered at a school, families can contact their family liaison for assistance.
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Early literacy programs are available to Fairfax County residents for parents of children up to 5 years old. These programs help prepare children for school and build confidence in parents as their child’s first teacher. They also help parents become active partners in their child’s education. Programs are available in African-Heritage, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean.
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Parent Information Phone Lines are available in eight languages for parents who speak languages other than English.
- A Multilingual Family Podcast is produced by the offices of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family and School Partnerships, and Professional Learning and Equity. It covers important information for parents in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean.
- ESOL services are available in Fairfax County not only for students, but also for adults and families. Information on Spring classes will be posted in March 2023.
Visit the Family Engagement webpage for more resources.
Tutor.com
Does your child need homework help or feedback on their writing? How about a practice quiz to get ready for a test? Tutor.com is open to FCPS students in all grades, on-demand, 24/7, at no cost to families. Learn more.
Staying Healthy this Cold/Flu Season
Although the community level of COVID-19 in Fairfax County is currently low, cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses are on the rise. It continues to be important to wash your hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, monitor your health daily, and stay home if you are sick. For more tips, visit our Return to School website.
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!
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
- December 19-January 2: Winter Break
- Monday, January 16: No School (MLK Jr.'s Birthday)
- Wednesday, January 25: Early Release (End of Semester)
- Thurs-Fri, Jan. 26-27: No School (Staff Dev. and Teacher Workday)
- Monday, February 20: No School (Presidents' Day)
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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