From the Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
We wish everyone a wonderful long weekend filled with quality time together. Safe travels to anyone heading out of town.
This week was a blast! We were thrilled to have 123 Andres perform a concert for our students and families on the field. The turnout was fantastic, and it was a truly memorable event. A huge thank you to our incredible PTA for making experiences like this possible for our school community. Speaking of fantastic performances, a big shout-out goes to our talented fifth graders and their devoted music teacher, Mr. Dietz. Their hard work and dedication throughout the year culminated in a phenomenal band concert that left everyone impressed.
Get ready for some exciting events in the coming weeks! We have field day and the 5th grade culminating Primary Years Programme exhibition on the horizon. These activities are a fantastic way to celebrate the hard work and learning that has taken place throughout the year.
Warmly,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
 Join us for Field Day on Friday, May 31, 2024! Don't forget your essentials: bring a water bottle, wear clothing that can get wet, and apply sunscreen. We're also in need of parent volunteers to oversee each station. Sign up via our SignUpGenius link or reach out to our PE teachers, Abby Novak (anovak@fcps.edu) or Dan Bowles (dbowles@fcps.edu), for any inquiries. Check out the grade-level schedule: 3rd – 5th grade activities run from 9:40am to 12:10pm, while K-2nd grade events take place from 1:30pm to 3:20pm. Save the date for our "Rain Date" on Friday, June 7th!
Download the flyer for all the details!
Calling All Plant Heroes!
Be a plant hero by keeping Belvedere's gardens and trees growing over summer break! You can “adopt” an area (for any amount of time) and work at your convenience or join us in the gardens for scheduled workdays. We need help watering, weeding, mulching, and harvesting (you can keep or donate any produce). No experience is necessary and students are welcome with an adult. Instructions, tools, and support will be provided.
Please contact our Environmental Educator, Andrea Auerbach, if you are interested in volunteering or you have questions.
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📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.
📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.
In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring.
The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year.
Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact Mandy Belcher (abelcher@fcps.edu) for an activation letter.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.
Apply for Early Learning for Children Six Weeks to Four Years Old
The FCPS PreK and Early Head Start program is accepting applications for SY 2024-25. FCPS PreK and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying income-eligible children ages six weeks to four years living in Fairfax County. Watch this video to learn more (also available in Spanish).
- Pre-K prioritizes children who turn 4-years-old by September 30 and also accepts applications for 3-year-old children.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools - Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood - and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and based on income and educational risk factors, not first come, first served. Applications are accepted online, by email (fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu), or in person at FCPS’ Leis Center location in Falls Church. For questions about your application or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Resources for Newly Registered Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
Register Your Children Online
Online registration is available for new and returning (re-enrolling) FCPS families! Apply today to help us plan for the 2024-25 school year.
PTA News
Fifth Grade Celebration June 6th!
Please remember that to attend the celebration on June 6th (this is not the graduation just the celebration party), you must sign up to volunteer! Use the sign-up genius link below and we look forward to celebrating our graduating 5th graders!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BA9AA2EA4F49-49057205-5thgrade#/
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.
Please note the date for our final PTA meeting: Wednesday, June 5, 6:30 pm.
Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.
Buy Your Yearbook now before they sell out!
The yearbook is still for sale until May 25th. Purchase your 2023-24 Belvedere Yearbook online for just $11 or return order form with cash or check.
Order here:
https://app.memberhub.gives/fce11e/Campaign/Details
There will be a buy yearbook button, then list amount under "donation", in the next steps you will list your child's name and teacher.
We will distribute them before the end of the school year.
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Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
🎓 Calling All Alumni and Friends!
Educate Fairfax is proud to introduce FCPS Alumni & Friends, an online network of alumni, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members with ties to Fairfax County Public Schools. Whether you are a recent FCPS graduate or you’ve returned to Fairfax to work or raise your own family, this network will celebrate our alumni and friends of FCPS through stories, news and events, reunions, homecoming, and other activities. It’s also a great way to rekindle old friendships and build new ones. Join FCPS Alumni & Friends today!
🥗 Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!
It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer.
If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.
☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza
Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats.
Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.
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!
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.
SoCo Summer Strings
Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!
Register Today for FCPS Summer Camps
Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 7. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Bus transportation is available from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Learn more about Summer Learning and Fun for Students.
⛱️ Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers
All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs.
Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, May 27th - No School (Memorial Day)
- Friday, May 31st - Field Day
- Wednesday, June 12 - Last Day of School! Early Release
Keep in Touch
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Report student absences
Bus Delay Website
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FCPS Calendar: 2023-2024
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