From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
We had another great week of learning at Belvedere. If you missed today’s parent coffee with school administrators, please consider coming to the next coffee on May 5 at 3 p.m.
This week our fifth-grade students did a fabulous job singing at the chorus concert. Belvedere music teachers, Ms. Freeman and Ms. Rye, led the group and put on a well-received performance. Parents had not been to a chorus concert at Belvedere since 2019!! We are so proud of our fifth graders.
Second graders presented their research projects, focused on a topic of choice. They mixed across the grade level and presented in each of the second-grade classrooms. The students were so proud to share their research, and classmates were very respectful with their comments and questions. Supporting this project was true team effort, including teachers from all core curricular disciplines.
WIDA testing for English Language Learners has finished! Thank you so much to our ESOL teachers, Ms. Sabol, Ms. Heend, and Ms. Tan for their hard work, and to our parents for making sure our students are at school each day.
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal, & Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Kindergarten Orientation - April 27
Kindergarten Orientation for the 2023-2024 school year will be held on Thursday April 27th at 6 – 7:30pm in the Belvedere Cafeteria. Registration is now open and we encourage parents to bring their paperwork in as soon as possible. No appointment is necessary.
Registration forms can be found at www.fcps.edu/registration/forms or you can stop by the office and we can give you a packet. Please contact our registrar, Mandy Belcher at 703-916-6804 or by email at abelcher@fcps.edu, if you have any questions.
We look forward to welcoming you to Belvedere ES!
Your Views and Opinions Are Important to Us!
On Monday, March 13, Belvedere parents/guardians will be contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, management (human resources and organizational), communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism.
The questionnaire will be collected online between March 13 and March 24. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your opinions matter!
Belvedere is on Facebook!
We are thrilled to announce that we have officially launched our Facebook page! This is an exciting step for us as we look to strengthen our connection with families and the wider community.
Our Facebook page will be a hub for all the latest news, events, and activities happening at our school. We will keep you informed about everything from upcoming events to amazing things happening in our classrooms. We'll also be sharing helpful tips and resources to support your child's learning and development.
We're looking forward to engaging with you all on Facebook and keeping you updated on everything that's happening at our school. So be sure to follow our page, and keep an eye out for our upcoming posts. We can't wait to connect with you!
Thank you for your continued support!
Student Intention Forms for Next Year
All students received an intention form for next year in their Friday folders last week! This form lets us know who is returning or leaving Belvedere next school year. Please complete the top section of the form and return it to your child's teacher or the main office as soon us possible. Many thanks!
Parent Internet Activity Reports
FCPS parents who are interested in knowing more about their child’s Internet browsing activity on an FCPS device can sign up to receive a weekly Parent Report from Lightspeed, our internet content filtering service. The report provides a list of the top sites the child visited that week.
Additionally, if parents wish to get more detailed information, the weekly Parent Report offers parents the ability to self-sign-up to the free Internet Use Parent Portal. Parents who sign up for the Internet Use Parent Portal can log-in any time to see a little more detail about their child’s internet browsing. The portal also offers the parent added ability to “pause” access to the internet during non-school hours on the FCPS device.
Interested parents can submit a request directly from the Technology Support for Families page for weekly Parent Reports. FCPS will validate the enrolling parent’s email in SIS, and once processed, the parent will receive a weekly report over each weekend from our internet content filtering service, Lightspeed. Feel free to include this information in any newsletters or informational outreach to FCPS parents.
Costume Jewelry Donations Needed
The Belvedere PTA will be hosting its annual “Jewelry Shop” in early May. Every Belvedere student will be able to earn a ticket to “shop” for one free piece of costume jewelry for their mother, stepmother, grandmother, or other special person in their life.
We’re collecting donations of gently used:
• necklaces
• bracelets
• pins
• pierced or clip earrings
If you have any costume jewelry you no longer wear, we’d be grateful to have it. The jewelry doesn’t have to be fancy – just something in good condition that might make a student and his or her chosen recipient smile.
We need about 1,000 pieces of jewelry to give the students a wide selection to choose from. We’re also accepting monetary donations to help pay for supplies – tissue paper, gift bags and card tags. Checks can be made payable to “Belvedere PTA” with “jewelry shop” in the memo line.
There’s a donation box in the Belvedere front office or you can contact Ann Sisson at 703-945-0228 or 2esisson@gmail.com to arrange a pick up.
Please submit all donations by May 1st!
Thanks!
PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Want to help? We have many ways
Silent Auction this April!
Please join us in making this year's silent auction the best yet! We are looking for people to help us get donations, set up the website, and even help organize an in person portion. If you can help with anything, even have some suggestions for some auction items- LET US KNOW! Join us in bringing in some funds to help our incredible school and hopefully have some fun too. I am hoping to have a "party" during the last hours of the auction for all volunteers so we can enjoy our hard work together. If interested in joining Maddie and Theresa please email at theresacanopa@gmail.com or snowbird_105@yahoo.com
Family Center Needs
The Family Center is running low on boys and girls pants, especially big sizes (8, 10 , 12) . We would appreciate any new or gently used donations.
Update Your Emergency Care Information Through weCare@school
Fairfax County Public Schools provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, to parents/caregivers who have registered for their own parent account. weCare helps manage emergency medical information by allowing parents to enter and update their children’s medical data online at their convenience. That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school. eNotify is the communications tool for FCPS emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closings and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent via email, text, and occasionally phone.
Learn more about updating your emergency care information.
Registration Open for Virtual Strategic Planning Community Forums
We invite parents/caregivers, students, employees, and community members to join us for a virtual community forum to discuss the first draft of proposed goals for the new Strategic Plan. Forums are scheduled for Monday, April 10, at noon; Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (in Spanish); and Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Click on the date to register for the event. Your participation is important to this work that will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student. Get more information on our Strategic Planning webpage.
Early Childhood and PreK Registration
Fairfax County Public Schools offers programs for the youngest learners through several programs.
Community liaisons are available to assist families with the registration process and answer any questions. For more information, visit the Early Childhood Registration webpage.
Does Your Child Qualify for PreK or Early Head Start?
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Programs provide a quality preschool experience with no cost to qualifying families who live in Fairfax County. Your family may qualify for preK or Early Head Start if you:
- have a child who will be age 3 or 4 by September 30,
- receive free or reduced-price school meals, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Income, and/or are considered homeless per definition of the McKinney Vento Act, or
- receive resources such as from a shelter and/or the FCPS homeless liaison office.
Though many families may qualify, spaces are limited. Selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with pre-K priority given to 4 year olds. It is important for all families to apply as soon as possible.
Early Head Start is for children 2 years of age and younger, and pregnant women who live in the Reston, Herndon, and Springfield areas.
Visit the Pre-K and Early Head Start webpage for more information, or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…There’s an easy five-step process outlined for parents looking to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.
Summer Learning Opportunities
Tech Adventure Camps Summer 2023
This weekly summer program gives students the opportunity to explore exciting paths in Career and Technical Education, including STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and computer science.
Open to students in grades K-6 during the 2022-23 school year. Students currently in grades 7-11 may participate in CTE Summer Academy. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled.
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Host School: Lake Braddock Secondary
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Tuition: $275 per week
- Students eligible for free and reduced lunch: No tuition.*
*To be eligible, students must apply on Free and Reduced Meals website. You must allow your benefits to be shared or submit the Consent to Share Information Form.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA): Camps and Institutes
A summer exploration of the arts for elementary school students currently in grades 2-5.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary-aged students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theatre, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging.
Registrations open February 1st
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Program Cost: $265 a week (week one is a reduced week $159).
- Students eligible for free and reduced lunch: No tuition.*
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Program Dates: July 5-28, 2023
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Program Times: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Host School: Lake Braddock Secondary
*To be eligible, students must apply on Free and Reduced Meals website. You must allow your benefits to be shared or submit the Consent to Share Information Form.
For more information contact: EIFTA@fcps.edu
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
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is April 3-7. We will be eager to welcome your children back in school on Monday, April 10. Their attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
Proposed Updates to the SR&R
Last week, we shared information about the Department of Special Services’ virtual meetings regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation for the 2023-24 school year. The meeting scheduled for Monday, March 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. is currently on hold. Please check the event webpage for updates. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website.
Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students Starting April 10
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to begin offering virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Starting Monday, April 10, parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior will be able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist.
Teletherapy services for students are short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive. Teletherapy is available on any device, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Therapists will be locally-licensed clinicians; 50% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC); and 40% of whom are bilingual. More than 15 languages are available.
Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students who are experiencing:
- Mood/behavior changes, lack of motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Bullying, sexual identity challenges, challenging peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Monday, March 13, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives. The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
Spring Junior Academy Soccer
This co-ed program offers players of all levels an opportunity to stay active, make new friends, and have fun developing their soccer skills thoughout the spring season with our PSA coaching staff. Contact Admin@thepsasports.com.
If interested, read more and find registration information here!
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
- Monday-Friday, April 3-7: Spring Break
- Thursday, April 13- Early Release
- Friday, April 14 - Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
- Friday, April 21 - No School (Eid al Fitr)
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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