A Message from the Principal, Dr. Jemison
Dear Fort Belvoir Primary Families,
This past Tuesday was a momentous day as we welcomed Dr. Reid, our superintendent, to our school. Upon arrival, she received a warm greeting from our family ambassadors and the PTO president, followed by a touching gesture from our student ambassadors who presented her with purple tulips, symbolizing the military’s unity color - purple.
She and I engaged in a lengthy conversation about our shared experiences as military children. Her father’s service in the United States Army during the Korean War and my own father’s service during the Vietnam War provided a common ground for understanding. It was evident that she harbored a profound passion for all students, particularly those from military backgrounds. Our discussion highlighted the unique challenges and resilience cultivated within military families, fostering a sense of empathy and connection between us.
Dr. Reid’s visit provided her with firsthand insight into the dynamic academic environment within our classrooms, where she observed engaging learning experiences. Impressed by the evident dedication and progress, she acknowledged the high praise our school has received from others this year, prompting her desire to witness our continued success in meeting the diverse needs of our students, both academically and emotionally.
During her tour, she witnessed kindergarten students confidently reading and writing complete sentences, showcasing their early literacy skills. Additionally, she observed the critical thinking abilities of several second-grade students as they tackled some challenging word problems in math, articulating their problem-solving strategies with clarity and confidence. Their thought process exemplified the depth of our educational approach here at Fort Belvoir Primary and why we continue to excel as a school.
Together, we are Fort Belvoir strong!
In partnership,
Dr. LaZedrick (Zed) Jemison, Principal
 
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March 25-29: Spring Break- School/Office Closed
April 1-2: Student Holidays
April 10: Holiday- Eid al Fitr: School/Office Closed
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National Pi Day at Fort Belvoir Primary - 3.14
What a fantastic way to commemorate National Pi(e) Day! Our school set an ambitious target for our students to read 100 books, and they not only achieved it but surpassed our expectations. To mark this achievement, the PTO generously provided pizza pies for the entire school community. As students indulged in delicious slices, they also learned about the mathematical concept of Pi, its value of 3.14, and its significance as the circumference of a circle. It was a fun and educational celebration for all involved. A BIG thank you to our outstanding PTO!
Irish Staff, Lucky Workplace!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In the spirit of this festive occasion, we celebrate the rich heritage of our Irish and Irish-descended staff members. Their vibrant culture and traditions infuse our workplace with an extra dose of luck, creating a sense of camaraderie and warmth throughout the building. Today, we raise a toast of milk. May the luck of the Irish continue to shine upon us all!
Attention Fort Belvoir Families!
The You-Seum is looking for curators to create an exhibit of their collections. The exhibit will be in the display case by the cafeteria and will be up for two weeks. Families can sign up using this sign up genius: http://bit.ly/3RvSWfz.
For more information please email Jennifer Kalletta (jakalletta@fcps.edu).
FCPS Features our Amazing
Dining Room Assistants!
Congratulations! We are extremely proud of Ms. Erin Gallatin and Ms. Pearla Dearth for being recognized as employees who show that FCPS Cares.
We are so fortunate to have two amazing cafeteria hostesses! Erin and Perla take the time to get to know the students, respond to their needs and ensure a positive lunch time experience. They have high expectations for the students, and also understand how to accommodate many unique needs. They use affirming language, acknowledge appropriate behavior and support students in reflecting when they make "less than positive" choices. These two amazing women make certain that more than 700 young learners (ages 5 - 8) have a safe and enjoyable time eating lunch and socializing with friends. We are very grateful for their hard work and commitment to our school community.
This information is posted on the February 2024 FCPS CARES webpage, accessible at https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-cares-february-2024 . Thank you for your excellent service to FCPS and best wishes for continued success.
Bubble Gum Party for Attendance Success!
 We are elated by our attendance data, which is showing a positive trend. Currently, only 15% of our student body has been frequently absent, compared to 26% at this time last year. This improvement is fantastic news, and we are eager to sustain this progress. To incentivize our students, the class with the highest attendance will enjoy a fun bubble gum party. Additionally, we’ ll organize an alternative celebration for our preschool students.
Let’s continue to work together to uphold this momentum, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring our students fully realize their learning potential. This celebration will take place on Friday, March 22nd right before spring break. Each month we will find a way to celebrate our accomplishments as a school. Your continued support is invaluable in this endeavor.
Round Table Talk with the Principal -
Dr. Jemison
On Monday, March 18th at 9:30am in the cafeteria, we are excited to host a round table conversation with families to discuss the implementation of the new attendance mandates. This meeting serves as an opportunity to provide clarity on the expectations surrounding attendance and, more importantly, to provide an opportunity for collaboration with families.
Our goal is to address the unique needs of each family and work together to ensure their child is in school consistently as much as possible. We look forward to engaging in an open dialogue that enhances communication and strengthens the partnership between our school and the families we serve.
Purple Up! Shirts are Available
We are encouraging families to join our school community in turning our school purple on Purple Up Day! - Wednesday, April 17. Wear purple in recognition of our military-connected students. Fort Belvoir Elementary School(s) are the only FCPS school located on a military installation.
We want to have the largest student participation in the district! Website for ordering:
https://fbespurpleup.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Principal Performance Feedback
On Monday, March 18, Fort Belvoir Primary families will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
Thursday, March 21: Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day!
Fort Belvoir Primary students and staff will be recognizing World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday, March 21 with “Rock Your Socks” where students may wear their favorite, wackiest, silliest, most colorful, fun socks! At Fort Belvoir Primary we want ALL students to be seen, valued, heard, and appreciated for their uniqueness. Did you know according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 722 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition!
Family Engagement Survey
Fort Belvoir Primary Families should have received the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey this past week via email from an independent research firm K12 Insight. We are asking families to participate - your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students. Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. The survey closes on March 22nd. Your voice matters!
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Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04pm. and end around 4:32pm. With the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20pm. Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices.
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We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
Spring Break - No School
We are reminding families that on Friday, March 22 students are in school for a full day. It is not an early release day. Additionally, there is no school from March 25-29, 2024. We hope families enjoy their spring break! Rest, read, and relax. Schools within the district will be closed and our front office will be closed.
Student Holiday for Teacher Work Days - Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2, 2024. We are excited to welcome students back on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Save the Date - April 17 is Purple Up!
 We are asking families to join us on Wednesday, April 17 for Purple Up! On this day we will be clapping-in our students. Our parent line up will start at 8:45am at the front entrance. Please join us as we celebrate our military children. This day is special for ALL of our students!
Advanced Academic Program Spring Information AAP Spring Screening for Subject-Specific Advanced Differentiation (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) Services
This spring, students in grades K-5 will be screened for Advanced Academic Subject-Specific Advanced Differentiation (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) services. Our school-based committees will review data to determine services for the start of the next school year.
Parents or guardians can submit the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form by April 15, 2024 as an email attachment to Dorothy Stafford, AART at Primary (dlstafford@fcps.edu) for students in grades K-2 or to Alex Nietert, AART at Upper (annietert@fcps.edu) for grades 3-5.
The AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form may be found at
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPSchoolBasedServicesReferralForm.pdf.
Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by the local elementary school of their student’s eligibility status by early June.
Subject Specific Advanced Differentiation, Grades K-6 (Level II)
Some students require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in at least one specific subject area. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction for students in these areas by:
- Providing different assignments and resources in those subjects.
- Grouping students by their strengths, interests, and readiness.
- Providing additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework.
Student needs for subject specific differentiation are re-evaluated each year at the local school.
Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)Some students have advanced academic abilities in multiple subject areas and require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in multiple content areas.
- Students work with other students that have similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or weekly co-taught lessons with the AART and classroom teacher.
- Teachers provide frequent opportunities to use materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, social studies, and/or mathematics.
Part-time services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.
If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Stafford directly (dlstafford@fcps.edu).
A Message from Our Family Liaison, Ms. Elliott
 
$20 per book
Deadline to order: April 12, 2024
Please click here to order!
Primary's access code: 0037114YB
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2024-25!
We are an income eligible program that prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accept applications for children 3- years-old by September 30th.
Apply for FCPS PreK and EHS Now
Email: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
Visit our PreK office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22042
For more information call our main line: 703-208-7900
Nominations Open for First Class Award for Inclusion
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First Class Awards. The awards are presented annually to educators, administrators, and students who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The ACSD will recognize award winners at the Family Summit on Saturday, April 20.
Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools by Friday, March 22. Email SpecialEdConf@fcps.edu with questions.
FCPS Cares!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Fort Belvoir Primary ES. We love our Primary staff members, let's tell them how we feel!
Fairfax County Public School 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
We are encouraging families to review the FCPS 2024-2025 School Year Calendar linked HERE.
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