A Message From The Principal, Dr. Jemison
This past Wednesday, as a nation, we honored Patriot Day and our Gold Star families. At Fort Belvoir Primary Elementary School, we took the time to educate our students on the significance of this day and what it means to be a proud American. Through lessons and activities, students were taught the importance of unity, sacrifice, and the values that shape our nation. Every day, students stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance, but on this special day, we emphasized the deeper meaning behind the words they recite, especially within the context of the sacrifices made by so many.
Although our school is located on a military installation, it remains essential that our students understand what makes our country a great place for all. By discussing the diversity, freedom, and opportunities that define the United States, we hope to foster a sense of pride and appreciation in each student. In addition to our lessons, mini United States flags were placed throughout our campus as a visual reminder of the sacrifices made by our Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one in service to our country.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a Gold Star family is one that has experienced the loss of a service member who died in the line of duty. As a school, we feel a deep sense of pride in honoring both the families who continue to serve and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. By teaching our students about Patriot Day and its significance, we aim to instill in them an understanding of the values and sacrifices that help protect the freedoms we enjoy.
Families can find additional talking points linked HERE. All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills.
Together we are and will continue to be Fort Belvoir strong!
Dr. LaZedrick (Zed) Jemison, Principal
 |
|
Upcoming Dates
September 16: Early Release Monday
October 3: Holiday- School/Office Closed
October 4: Student Holiday- Teacher Workday
|
On September 17th, schools across our country will come together to celebrate and learn about the United States Constitution. At Fort Belvoir Primary, we recognize that although our students are young at heart, they possess a great capacity for curiosity and learning. We believe in creating meaningful opportunities that ignite their interest, helping them understand the importance of our nation's founding document in ways that resonate with their budding minds.
Resources are listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day website. Information about citizenship and civics is also available at other websites such as the National Constitution Center.
FCPS Social Studies has developed a Constitution and Citizenship Day resource to support teachers and families with specific ideas for social studies instruction.
Early Release Monday at 1:00 pm Dismissal on
September 16
We will have our first 1:00 pm dismissal on Monday, September 16. There are some students who have a childcare hardship and will be supervised at school until 4:00pm. For those students, there will be a second dismissal at that time.
Please make sure your child knows how they are going home on that Monday. We will be confirming with families this coming week to ensure that the plan you indicated in our survey still matches your intended plan.
Dismissal 1 will be at 1:00pm. Students whose families are using this dismissal time will go home by Kiss & Ride, walking or riding the bus.
Dismissal 2 will be at 4:00pm for those students whose families indicated that supervision was needed. Again, there will be a Kiss & Ride, walkers dismissal and bus service at this time.
Thank you in advance for your flexibility and communication. If you have any questions and/or changes to your plan for September 16, we need to know them now. Please contact our Office Team at 703-781-2700.
 We are thrilled to announce Blue Star Welcome Week at Fort Belvoir Primary Elementary! This special week is dedicated to helping new families connect with one another and feel at home in our community. Throughout the week, we will be celebrating our students who are new to our school and to Fort Belvoir. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to meet and bond while supporting their children as they adjust to a new environment.
As part of the celebration, on Friday, September 27th, families are invited to join us for light refreshments in our Family Liaison office at 9:00 am, located near the front of the school.
Later that evening, we will host a family movie night on the blacktop behind the school, beginning at 6:30 pm. Please bring lawn chairs for seating. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for families to relax, chat, and make connections with other Fort Belvoir Elementary families. We hope to see you there!
Save the Date for our Veterans’ Day Luncheon
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 8th! We are excited to announce our annual Veterans' Day celebration event, and this year, we are adding a special family luncheon. All parents are invited to join their children for a delicious turkey lunch. Stay tuned for more information about purchasing meal tickets and opportunities to volunteer.
We look forward to celebrating this special day with you!
Sibshops is fundamentally about fostering connections among siblings of children with disabilities. It offers a community-building space where participants engage in fun physical and creative activities while also having meaningful discussions. Through games, art, and conversation, Sibshops creates an opportunity for siblings to bond, share experiences, and support one another. The program normalizes the unique experiences of being a ‘sib’ and helps participants feel validated, understood, and connected to others in similar situations. Ultimately, Sibshops strengthens their sense of community and provides a safe space for them to express their thoughts and feelings.
At Sibshops, participants engage in a wide variety of activities based on the Sibshops model. These include recreational games like tag or balloon races, where siblings can run, jump, and have fun together. They also participate in creative activities like making glitter jars for emotional regulation or crafting frames to hold pictures of themselves and their siblings. Additionally, there are discussion sessions that offer the chance for siblings to share their thoughts and provide peer support regarding their shared experiences. Every workshop also includes a “snacktivity,” making the experience both enjoyable and nurturing
Sibshop Interest Form
Advanced Academic Program
Please click on this link to view the attached newsletter with information regarding our Advanced Academic Program. The newsletter also includes the dates of our two upcoming AAP Family Meetings. Questions? Reach out to Ms. Stafford (dlstafford@fcps.edu).
 Click here to sign up!
September is Attendance Awareness Month
Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
❤️Follow Fort Belvoir Primary on Facebook and Instagram
 |
|
Facebook at this link HERE
Instagram at this link HERE
|
|
