From the School Administration
Dear Belvedere Family:
What an amazing first week of school this has been! Belvedere is alive with students’ smiles, curiosity, friendships, and new learning. We love our community and thank you for your support.
We appreciate your flexibility this week. Kiss and ride has been going smoothly with all students who are not bus riders or walkers being picked up in the line. We value everyone’s patience as we ensure the safety of all students during dismissal.
If you need to make a change in the way your child will be going home on a given day, please call the office at 703-916-6800 no later than 3:45 p.m. You can also email this information at belvedereoffice@fcps.edu. Please do not use Talking Points with your child’s teacher to communicate this information as teachers are not necessarily checking Talking Points throughout the day.
If you need to pick up your child before dismissal, please do so no later than 3:45 as finding parking is difficult and office staff is busy with dismissal procedures at that time.
In the next coming weeks, we will be visiting classrooms to review the students’ rights and responsibilities. One item we will highlight relates to smart watches and cell phones. Please note that cell phones are not allowed during the school day and must be off and put away in backpacks. Smart watches must be on airplane or school mode while in school. If a child misuses the smartwatch, teachers will have the watch put away and we will ask that the child not continue to use a smart watch at school. Our goal is for students to be engaged in learning and not distracted by these tools. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Outdoor Workday - Saturday, August 24
From our environmental educator, Andrea Auerbach: Kick off the new school year by helping 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. We’ll be outside the entire time so please dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle. Questions or interested in future workdays? Contact Andrea Auerbach at asauerbach1@fcps.edu.
Family Responses Needed for Childcare Needs on 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. You must fill out the Childcare Needs Form for each child that will need supervision.
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.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.
Popsicles on the Playground TODAY!
Beat the summer heat and celebrate the end of our first school week. Join the PTA for Popsicles on the Playground today, Friday, August 23, after school dismissal at 4:05 p.m. Cool down and connect with our school community. Adults must accompany and supervise their students.
Join the first PTA meeting of the year: Sept. 4
The first PTA meeting of the 2024-2025 school year will be on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 6:30 pm. We’ll be focused on planning for the year ahead and want you to share your ideas. All subsequent PTA meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Most meetings last about an hour and are in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the BES cafeteria. Anyone in the BES community is welcome to join and volunteer, but you must be a PTA member to vote on any financial decisions that come out of a meeting.
Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE
Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.
Update Contact Information
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.
Complete Permission Forms
Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Submit Absences
Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office.
Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Updated Laptop Policy for Students in Grades 3-5: Taking Laptops Home
Based on feedback from last year, we are adjusting our device policy for students in Grades 3-5. Moving forward, families will have the option to opt-in for their child to bring home a school-issued laptop.
Key Points:
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Opt-In Process: If your child needs to bring their laptop home regularly, please complete this opt-in form or let your child's teacher know that you'd like for them to bring their school-issued device home on a daily basis.
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Default Option: If you do not opt-in, your child’s laptop will stay at school unless a specific assignment requires it to be taken home. The teacher will give families notification when laptops are being sent home with your child.
This change aims to protect our devices while ensuring that all students have equitable access to the technology they need. We will also provide MiFi devices for families who need internet access at home. Please reach out to Mr. Downing (kwdowning@fcps.edu) or your child's teacher if you have any questions.
🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office.
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. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form.
Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.
Belvedere is on Instagram
Welcome back, Belvedere families! 🎉 New school year, new Instagram account! 📸 We’re thrilled to share all the incredible moments ahead. Stay tuned and follow along!
https://www.instagram.com/belvedereelem/
Student Accident Insurance Program
Fairfax County Public Schools does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. Parents can purchase “at school” accident insurance or “24 hour” accident insurance (12 months a year). This is a low-cost insurance program for families to defray medical or dental expenses that results from an accident involving their child. More information can be found on the FCPS public site at Voluntary Student Insurance.
✨ Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student
As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses.
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. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2050 with any additional questions. For any concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.
Special Education Workshop Series - Fall 2024
*PRESENTED IN SPANISH*
PEATC presents this virtual workshop series for parents and professionals who want to learn more about special education in Virginia. Register once to attend some or all of the informative workshops. -- bit.ly/4fUAhEd
Those who attend all or more than three workshops will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card!
September 10: Understanding Special Education
October 1: From Referral to Eligibility
October 22: Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
November 12: Ten Things You Need to Know about IEPs
December 10: Your Voice Matters!
LOCATION: Zoom :: bit.ly/4fUAhEd
Each workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. These sessions will not be recorded.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)
Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
Food and Nutrition Services Career Opportunities
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services is hiring. Please learn more about opportunities by clicking here.
Show PTA support & become a member
Our PTA supports Belvedere in so many ways including organizing major school events, enrichment and outreach activities; offering teacher grants and providing funding for field trips, library books and technology in the classroom; and building a school community outside the classroom through fun events like movie nights, teacher appreciation, international night, read-a-thon and more.
To become a member 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 Direct Donation to make a one-time or recurring donation.
Visit https://www.belvederepta.org/ for more information about our PTA or to make a donation.
Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.
Have a few hours? We have volunteer needs!
- Supply closet clean-out: We are looking for 1-2 volunteers to help a couple members of the board clear out the closet and organize supplies. This will be a 2-3 hour one-time commitment.
- Late-day-learners: We are seeking a co-lead for this very popular after-school activities program. This position should require approximately five hours per week of volunteer time during the school year.
- We also have volunteer needs around events such as teacher-appreciation, 5th grade promotion, movie nights, Election Day bake sale, Bingo night, VIP & me, International Night and more.
Please contact the PTA at bespta.va@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these opportunities and we will share details.
Upcoming Dates
- 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 (6-8 pm)
Keep in Touch
Visit the Belvedere website
Report student absences
Bus Delay Website
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