From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As we transition into the colder months, we want to ensure the safety and comfort of our students. Although temperatures have been relatively warm so far, we anticipate colder air will be descending upon us soon. Please take a moment to check that your child is equipped with appropriate winter clothing, including a warm jacket, hat, gloves, and suitable shoes. It's crucial that they are prepared for the changing weather to stay comfortable during outdoor activities. We understand that providing winter outerwear can be challenging for some families. If you find yourself in need of assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school. Our dedicated parent liaison, Ms. Plazas, is available to help connect you with resources to ensure your child has the winter gear they need.
Additionally, we are excited to announce our Thanksgiving/Harvest Luncheon, which will take place next Thursday, November 16. We invite families to join us for this special occasion. Meals will be available for purchase at the school, and we hope you can make it to share in the festivities with us.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the school office. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you at the Thanksgiving/Harvest Luncheon.
Best regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Veterans Day
Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
Diwali
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. This year's Diwali artwork was created by Chantilly High School student Rijuta D. as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students.
American Education Week
For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our Belvedere community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
Family Survey on IB Program
Dear Belvedere Families,
Belvedere Elementary School is approaching the International Baccalaureate evaluation, which happens every five years after a school has been authorized as an IB world school. During evaluation, IB staff will be visiting Belvedere and will assess the school’s implementation of the IB program. In preparation for the IB evaluation, the entire school community is asked to reflect on the school’s implementation of the Primary Years Program. To support this process, we kindly ask for your feedback and thank you in advance for completing the following survey. Below are links to the survey both in English and in Spanish. We sincerely appreciate your time and reflection.
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DYMNCKS
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/FQSSSN6
A note from Jaclyn Walsh, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher
FCPS provides a continuum of services to challenge and engage all students. Full-time AAP services support students in grades 3-5. To learn more about full-time AAP services, please join me Wednesday, November 15th from 6:00-7:00 PM.
A virtual session is scheduled for Monday, November 20th from 12 - 1 PM. Link below.
Additional information can be found at the FCPS AAP site using this link. Please note parent referrals are due by Dec 15, 2023.
Topic: Parent Orientation for Screening and Identification for Full-Time AAP Services
Time: Nov 20, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Phone one-tap: US: +13126266799,,92495915433#,,,,*968205# or +16469313860,,92495915433#,,,,*968205#
Join URL: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92495915433?pwd=cElSaGxNTElEYU40a0FLMzRhMUFwdz09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 924 9591 5433
Passcode: 968205
Family Literacy Information Night
Thursday, November 16
6pm-7pm
School divisions across Virginia, including FCPS, are transforming literacy instruction to align with the findings of research about how children best learn to read and write. Come join us to hear from Dr. Diane Leipzig, FCPS Principal in Residence for the Equitable Access to Literacy plan, about what this means for teaching and learning at Belvedere. Get an overview of the related changes to the Language Arts progress report and learn how you can support your child at home in building strong foundations for literacy.
Upcoming Author Visit - Last Day to Order Books is TODAY!
We are looking forward to welcoming local author, Laura Murray, to Belvedere on Friday, November 17th! Students in grades K-3 will get to hear from Ms. Murray about writing strategies and using one’s imagination to inform story creation. Ms. Murray is best known for her Gingerbread Man Loose in the… books, such as The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School. Any families that wish to order Ms. Murray’s books may do so BY November 10th at https://bardsalley.square.site/school-visits Ms. Jopeck will bring the books for author signing from the book shop.
Our thanks to the Office of Title I for supporting this visit. Upper grades will have their own author visit on December 5th, with Sue Fleiss.
Justice Girls Lacrosse Fall Clinic
Justice Girls Lacrosse is hosting a Fall Clinic on November 13, 14, 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Justice High School! This clinic is open to anyone, but we are targeting girls in grades 5th – 8th in the Justice Pyramid. No experience or equipment is required. The cost is $52 and includes a t-shirt! Lacrosse is a growing sport in the country and will be a part of the 2028 Summer Olympics! We are hoping to grow the sport in our community and give girls the opportunity to try a new sport and express themselves in a new way! In the past five years, our Varsity team has made history and we are hoping to continue the success each year! We most recently finished our season as National District Runner-Ups and Occoquan Region Semi-Finalists and with the National District Player and Coach of the Year!
If you are interested in registering, please complete the form HERE.
Here is the flyer for you to review all the details.
Beauty and the Beast Character Party and Performances
Presented by the WP Theatre at Justice HS
There will be performances November 9th through November 11th. Download the flyer for more information and to purchase tickets
Also, meet your favorite characters from Beauty and the Beast at the character party on Saturday, November 11th after the 2pm show!
Dads at Belvedere (DAB)
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-dads1#/
Download the flyer!
Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online from November 15, 2023, until noon on December 15, 2023. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review website. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the website during the review period.
Hard copies of instructional materials will be available for review at:
Pimmit Hills Center, Room 207 7510 Lisle Avenue Falls Church, VA 22043
Materials may be reviewed at Pimmit Hills Center Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors should enter through door #4 and check in at the main office or with the building coordinator on duty.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
🎨 Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge
In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays starting with Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 12. See the full list of winners.
Family Engagement Month
November is Family Engagement in Education Month! When schools and families work together to support learning and healthy development, everyone benefits! Check out this calendar for ideas of how to stay involved with your child's education.
Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed
Thank you to the Fairfax citizens who supported the 2023 Bond Referendum. Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County.
Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.
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
Belvedere November Read-a-thon (November 8-22)!
The Read-a-thon fundraiser is off to a strong start! Please review the email from 99Pledges and share your child's personalized fundraising page with family, friends and colleagues! Also do not forget to fill out reading logs with your child each day - classes with the most minutes will earn prizes!
Enjoy dinner from the Saté Food Truck on November 16 to support our school!
Use this link (and below) to order dinner from the Saté Food Truck for pickup at Belvedere on Thursday, November 16 between 4:30-6:30pm.
https://www.sate.co/
Thanksgiving Lunch (November 16) - Volunteers Needed!
On Thursday, November 16 students' families can enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving lunch at school. Sign up to volunteer at the Thanksgiving Lunch via the embedded link.
International Night (December 6) - Volunteers Needed!
On the night of the last PTA meeting for the year, we will be hosting an International Night for students and families. If you are interested in volunteering, please email bespta.va@gmail.com directly! Stay tuned for more information coming soon....
Become a Member of the PTA and/or Support Belvedere with a donation
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 through events like movie night, teacher appreciation, international night, read-a-thon, and more.
To purchase a membership or make a direct donation, please go to https://www.belvederepta.org/membership 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!
Visit belvederepta.org for more information about our PTA or to make a donation.
Save the date for our next meeting, Wednesday, December 6, 6:30 pm.
Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates
- November 8-22 - Read-a-thon
- November 16 - Thanksgiving Lunch
- November 22-24 - No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)
- December 6 - International Night/PTA Meeting
- December 18 - January 1 - Winter Break
Keep in Touch
Visit the Belvedere website
Report student absences
Bus Delay Website
Follow Belvedere on Twitter
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FCPS Calendar: 2023-2024
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