Belvedere News and Announcements - January 22, 2024

From the Administration

Dear Belvedere Family:

We hope this message finds you well. We trust that the unexpected snow days last week brought joy and excitement to your families. Managing the students' enthusiasm about the winter weather was a delightful challenge in such a short school week.

As we embark on another brief week, please be reminded that Thursday is an early release day, and Friday will be a teacher workday with no classes for students. Our dedicated staff will be diligently finalizing progress reports, marking the conclusion of the first half of the school year. It's astonishing how quickly time flies, and February is just around the corner.

This week also brings an opportunity for some special moments with our PTA-hosted VIP and Me Breakfasts. On Wednesday, from 8:40 am to 9:15 am, we invite Kindergarteners through third graders to join a special parent, grandparent, or dear family friend. At that same time on Thursday morning, this heartwarming event extends to fourth and fifth graders. We encourage you to participate and make these breakfasts memorable for both you and your children.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to making the most of the remaining days in this school year's first half.

Warm regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal

Quarter End, Early Release, and Student Holiday Thursday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Friday, January 26, for a teacher work day. See the complete school year calendar.

Need Help with Food, Financial Assistance, or Medical Assistance?

You may qualify for federal benefits, such as Medicaid, Food Assistance (SNAP), TANF (Temporary Financial Assistance for Families), Energy Assistance (Fuel, Cooling), and more. Visit https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/ or call 1-833-522-5582 to apply. Call 703-324-7500 or visit Fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/financial-and-medical if you need help applying.

Children who do not qualify for Medicaid may qualify for the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP), a reduced-cost healthcare program for children under 18 from low-income families. Call 703-324-7315 for more information.

Please click here for more information about food, financial and medical assistance available to students and families.  If you need support or have questions, please contact the Belvedere parent liaison, Ivanova Plazas, at 703-916-6824 or at implazas@fcps.edu.  We are here to support you and want to support all who may qualify to access this assistance.

Important Form for Parents of Rising Kindergartners!

We sent home a form in Friday folders for parents with a rising kindergartner for the 2024-25 school year.

Completing this form is crucial for the enrollment process, and we kindly ask all eligible parents to take a moment to fill it out and send it back to our dedicated Student Information Assistant, Ms. Belcher. Your cooperation ensures a smooth transition for your child into the upcoming school year.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our school office. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to welcoming the newest members of our Belvedere community!

Thank you for your cooperation.

Families of Rising 6^th grade Glasgow Students

You are invited to attend our Rising 6^th Grade Middle School Transition night on January 24th^th from 6:00 – 8:30 pm (snow date January 31^st from 6:00 – 8:30 pm).  This is an opportunity for families and students to learn more about Glasgow, the course selection process as well as the English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), Special Education, Advanced Academics, and the AVID programs.  We will also have electives teachers available to talk about class options for students to choose from for 6^th grade.  The evening will allow families to attend sessions during the following times:

Students are invited to attend and must be accompanied by an adult.

Bus transportation is available for families who need it.  Buses will pick up  and drop off at the following locations:

• Baileys Elementary 6111 Knollwood Dr, Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
• Skyline 5599 Seminary Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041
• Willston Community Center 6131 Willston Dr, Falls Church, VA 22044

Buses will pick up for the even at 5:45 pm and will leave Glasgow at 8:30 pm.

Snow Days This Winter

For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather. 

During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):

• Elementary school instruction: Red Apple 21.
• Middle school instruction: Channel 25.
• High school instruction: Channel 99.

Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.

❄️ 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’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. 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 for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16. 

A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.

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!

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

What can families do?

• Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. 
• Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
• Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage. 
• Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors. 
• Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

Visit the FCPS website for more information.

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 

Save the Date Bingo Night Feb 8 from 5:30-7:30

The 5th graders are hosting a Bingo night for the school to help raise funds for their end of the year celebration.  Please mark your calendars and join us as we bring back this tradition.

There will be prizes for winning, pizza, and snacks to purchase, and a couple fun raffles.

Read-a-thon Results

Congratulations all Our Bulldog Readers!  We surpassed our goal this year and will be giving out the prizes within the next two weeks.  Stay Tuned 

VIP and Me

Every student gets to invite someone special to them to have a breakfast treat.  We hope to see everyone at their allotted times.

Kindergarten through 3rd grade Wednesday, Jan 24 from 8:40 to 9:15 am

4th and 5th grade Thursday, Jan 25 from 8:40-9:15 am

Download the flyer for the event here!

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, February 7, 6:30 pm. 

Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.

Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, January 24 - VIP and Me (Kinder-3rd Grade) 8:40-9:15 am
• Thursday, January 25 - VIP and Me (4th-5th Grade) 8:40-9:15 am
• Thursday, January 25 - Quarter End / Early Release
• Friday, January 26 - Teacher Work Day (No School) 
• Wednesday, February 7 - PTA Meeting
• Thursday, February 8 - Bingo Night from 5:30-7:30 pm
• Monday, February 19 - President's Day (No School)

Keep in Touch

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Bus Delay Website

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FCPS Calendar: 2023-2024

6540 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 | Office: 703-916-6800
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