From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
Winter break is here! We wish you and your family a wonderful winter break and holiday season. As we shared earlier, all students in grades K-5 will be taking home laptops and iPads (kindergarten only) during winter break.
Students have multiple ways to engage in learning while at home. Click here to access our digital resources page for students. We encourage you to ask your child about the learning platforms they are using. Also, our Math Department 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!
Happy Holidays!
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal, & Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Winter Break: December 19 - January 2
As a reminder, winter break will be held December 19 to January 2. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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
Belvedere Web Resources for Students
From typing and coding, to math and reading activities, students have multiple ways to engage in learning while at home. Click here to access our Digital Resources page for students.
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
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.
Speed Cameras
On December 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to launch a pilot program that will have 10 speed monitoring devices (speed cameras) installed throughout the county. These cameras will be in nine school zones and one construction zone. Thanks to our county partners for helping to improve the safety of our students and staff.
Studies show that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents, and injuries. Read more about the school zone speed camera pilot program.
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.
Tutor.com
Tutor.com Testimonials
Are you wondering what experience other FCPS families have had with Tutor.com? Read some comments below:
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“As a parent, I logged in for the first time to see what my student could expect here. The tutor I chatted with was very helpful with my questions and gave me some great tips to try with my child. Next time, I will log in with my child and hopefully match with a tutor that will help him realize learning can be done in different ways.” -Elementary school parent
- “My child used tutor.com last night and said her math tutor was EXCELLENT. She was happy and so now I'm happy, too, as she's been grinding it out solo in the hardest math.” -High school parent
Unless they have been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
Attendance
Give Your Student the Gift of Education
We recognize that holidays are an important time to reconnect with family and expose children to their heritage and culture, whether they grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. If your family’s holiday plans include extended travel, please remember the impact to your children’s education if they miss too much school. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
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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