From the School Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
We are thrilled to kick off the new school year on Monday, August 19th! Our teachers and staff have been working diligently to prepare for the first day, and we can't wait to see our students walk through the doors on Monday morning.
Thank you to all the families who attended our Open House yesterday. The energy and excitement throughout the building were palpable. It was wonderful to see friends reconnecting, meeting their teachers, and taking advantage of the resource fair in the cafeteria, along with the free food from the food truck.
Here are some highlights from the event:
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250 meals were given away.
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100 haircuts were provided.
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100 Free and Reduced Lunch applications were completed.
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120 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed.
This remarkable event would not have been possible without the hard work of our family liaison, Iva Plazas, and our dedicated volunteers. Thank you all for your efforts!
As we begin the year, there is a lot of important information to share, and we need family responses to various forms. Please carefully review this newsletter and any other school communications to ensure we have a smooth and successful start to the year. We truly value our families and their partnership.
We want to start the year off strong with attendance. Regular attendance is crucial for student success, starting from day one. It has a significant impact on academic performance, so please ensure your child is present and ready to learn each day.
Finally, a quick note about dismissal procedures for kiss and ride and walkers. Starting at 3:15 pm, we will place cones to block access to our back parking lot, ensuring the safety of our walkers as they exit the building and directing all car riders, including Pre-K students, through kiss and ride. This is a change for our Pre-K families, who previously picked up their children at the door. We appreciate your cooperation in making our pickup process safe and smooth.
We look forward to an amazing school year together!
Sincerely,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
 Mr. Bowles, P.E. Teacher, helped our food truck distribute over 250 meals during our Open House event on Thursday, August 15th.
First Day of School
Monday, August 19, is the first day of school. See the complete school year calendar.FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtag #FirstDayFairfax. We will share some of the photos on FCPS Facebook and Instagram.
Family Responses Needed by Monday, August 19th! Early Release Mondays
This is an important reminder regarding the Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools. These early releases are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early on seven occasions throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.
However, we understand that Early Release Mondays may create childcare challenges for many of our families. To address these concerns, we are offering student supervision for those who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:
- September 16
- October 21
- November 18
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21
- May 12
To help us effectively plan for our school’s childcare needs on these dates, we need all families to complete this form: Childcare Needs Form by Monday, August 19th. The form covers the first two Early Release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024, and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children enrolled at Belvedere Elementary, please submit a separate form for each child. Staff will confirm the after-school supervision plan for each student.
Your timely response is crucial in ensuring that we can accommodate the needs of all our students.
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back-to School!
As summer winds down, our school and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Before the first day of school, make sure you have completed the following:
Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar [add contact info] if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS 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 SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.
Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. Please log in to SIS ParentVUE to see what immunizations your child has recorded.
Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia as soon as possible. If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services.
Remember to request your child’s immunization record and bring that to the school’s front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
Prepare for Meals at School
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
The best way to purchase meals and additional food items is to use MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account.
Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Important Back to School Forms!
The new Parent Digital Consent site is live!
Student consent forms previously available on ParentVue have been moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log into the PDC using their ParentVue credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. If you have a new ParentVue account, you must wait 24 hours after it is created to use the PDC.
Forms available include:
- School Counseling Opt-out
- Digital Resources Consent
- SEL Screener Opt-Out
- Family Life Education Opt-out
- SOL Retest Permission
- Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
- Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations
Outdoor School Workday - Volunteers Needed
Help us get our outdoor learning spaces back in shape on Saturday, August 24! We’ll be working in the gardens and meadows behind the school from 9am-11am; drop by for any amount of time. Students are welcome with an adult. RSVP appreciated, but not required. Questions? Contact Andrea Auerbach at asauerbach1@fcps.edu. We’ll be outside the entire time so please dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Popsicles on the Playground
Beat the summer heat and celebrate the end of our first school week! Join the PTA for Popsicles on the Playground on Friday, August 23rd, right after school dismissal. Let's cool down and connect with our school community. Adults must accompany and supervise their child. See you there!
School Supplies
View the list of recommended school supplies for each grade level on our website.
Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.
In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.
Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.
🔖 Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
Here Comes the Bus Mobile App
Know when your bus is approaching your stop. You will need the FCPS school district code 28982 and an active Student Information System (SIS) ParentVue Account.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)
Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
School Board Welcome Video
Please watch this video from Ricardy Anderson, the Mason District Member on the Fairfax County School Board.
What Is a School Board?
The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve school board members are elected by county voters every four years.
A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member. They are chosen by their peers each year.
The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education.
Learning about your local school board is important. Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.
Learn more about the school board, how to participate in their meetings, and where to watch school board meetings.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Food and Nutrition Services Career Opportunities
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services is hiring. Please learn more about opportunities by clicking here.
PTA News
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!
The first PTA meeting of the 2024-2025 school year will be on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 6:30 pm. All subsequent PTA meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. We can't wait to see you at our meetings and at school!
Visit belvederepta.org for more information about our PTA or to make a donation.
Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, August 19 - First Day of School (Kinder-5th)
- Friday, August 23 - Popsicles on the Playground after dismissal.
- Friday, August 30 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)
- Monday, September 2 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day Holiday)
- Wednesday, September 4 - PTA Meeting 6:30 pm
- Thursday, September 19 - Back to School Night
Keep in Touch
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Report student absences
Bus Delay Website
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