From the School Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
What a fantastic week filled with sunshine and learning! Both the third and fifth grades enjoyed field trips this week. Third grade walked to Mason District Park and Fifth grade visited the Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C. The students were eager to share all the amazing things they saw and learned!
We also celebrated a successful first Bingo Night hosted by the PTA and the Fifth Grade Team. The cafeteria was packed, and families had a wonderful time playing together. This event will help fund the end-of-year fifth grade party. Way to go team!
We would like to take a moment to apologize for sending home the incorrect FLE Opt-Out paperwork in the beginning of the school packets. We mistakenly included the paperwork for the modified FLE curriculum. A message with the correct information was sent out on Monday. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and restful weekend.
Sincerely,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
Storybook Character Parade
On Thursday, October 31, we invite students to dress up as their favorite storybook character for our annual Storybook Character Parade. The students will parade around the school starting at 9:45 am. Families are invited to come stand in the lobby and line the front hallways to watch the parade. We hope to see you then!
Title I Presentation
If you were not able to come to Wednesday's community meeting, please see the attached presentation (in English and Spanish) delivered by Principal Vanderhye on Title I.
Please scan the QR code on the first slide to register that you reviewed.
Title I Presentation
Digital Citizenship Week
Digital Citizenship Week is October 14, 2024, through October 18, 2024. On the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, families can learn how to:
- Find Free WiFi
- Borrow a Computer
- Visit Fairfax Access Locations
- Take Free Tech Classes
- Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount
As a reminder, families can access the Media Balance and Wellbeing Toolkit to support the healthy use of technology. FCPS will continue leading efforts to promote a positive culture of media and technology use, supporting both students and their families.
Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.
📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
From Our School Counselors
Career Day is coming up on November 15th. We are seeking parents, family members, or neighbors of students from any grade level who are interesting in sharing about their careers. Please read this flyer for more details about the event and how to sign up.
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
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 immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your family's health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs a vaccine to complete their records, 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. Be wise and immunize!
Elementary School Immunization Clinics to Be Held on Early Release Days
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for elementary students on early release Mondays. All school-required immunizations will be free of charge at Health Department clinics by appointment only.
Schedule your appointment today by calling 703-246-7100.
Clinics will be held Monday, October 21, and Monday, November 18, 2-7 p.m., at the Joseph Willard Health Center, Mount Vernon District Office, and Springfield District Office. Learn more about these clinics.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Transportation options are available.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
SEL Screener Upcoming
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
Students in grades 3-5 will take the fall SEL Screener on October 16th. Through the screener, the student provides information on their skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful.
Please view the FCPS SEL this website for more information : Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) or reach out to Paige Simpson, Screener lead for BES with any questions or concerns : Pesimpson1@fcps.edu
Justice Pyramid Night
Justice High School will be hosting our annual “Youth Night” for our Justice Pyramid at our Home Varsity Football Game on Friday, October 25th @ 7:00 PM vs Edison High School. All staff, families, and students are invited from our feeder schools! We are looking forward to an awesome night with our community.
We have some fun activities being planned by our activities office and SGA: Tunnel Run with the team, Pregame Trick or Treat, Pyramid Chorus National Anthem and more!
 
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
You are invited: PTA Volunteer Night, Oct. 22
The PTA Volunteer Celebration will be held at Total Wine (Plaza at Landmark, 6240 Little River Turnpike) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. This is an adult-only event. Learn about opportunities to support future PTA events and fundraisers like the Election Day Bake Fundraiser, International Night, Silent Auction and Belvedere Ballers, or become a part of ongoing activities including Late Day Learners or DABs. No commitment is expected! If you have 2 hours to give total or two hours a week year-round, we welcome it. All BES caregivers and staff are welcome to come, learn about opportunities and get to know other families. Light refreshments and something to sip on will be provided. No RSVP required.
Order Lebanese Taverna for pick-up on Oct. 24
Skip cooking and join us for our first food truck night of the year on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Lebanese Taverna, a woman-owned, locally-based Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, will be serving up delicious dishes like hummus, salmon, roasted lamb, shawarma and baklava. Portions are huge -- one order could feed your family for days.
Order for pickup at Belvedere (side parking lot) at 4:20 p.m. on Oct. 24. All orders MUST be picked up by 4:45 p.m.: https://www.giftrocker.com/secure/Order/?h=67f3c5b9
The order deadline is Oct. 23 and all proceeds benefit year-round PTA activities, like funding school field trips and teacher grants. Share with your neighbors!
Vote … and pick up cupcakes
Sign up for the Election Day Bake + Wrapping Paper Fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 5. We have tons of opportunities open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and you can also donate (or purchase) baked goods or wrapping paper. Details:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA9A822A4FC1-51192210-election
DABs: A way to give back to BES
The Dads at Belvedere program gives a targeted opportunity for male caregivers – fathers and father-figures – to be a part of the entire BES school day! DABs are on campus from 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., helping with kiss-and-ride, assisting in the classroom, playing on the playground and eating lunch with students. Learn more and sign up today:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B49AEAF22A7F85-51536574-dabs#/
Visit belvederepta.org for more information about our PTA.
Questions or concerns? Email bespta.va@gmail.com.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM)
Learn more about the criteria and process to apply for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
If you need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Meal application, please visit Belvedere's Family Liaison, Mrs. Plazas in the Parent Center or you may call her office at (703) 916-6824
FCPS CARES Program
The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition.
Please take note of the following before submitting an FCPS CARES:
- A notification email, with the submission text included, will be sent to the recipient(s) and copied to the recipient's supervisor(s).
- All submissions will be posted to our FCPS CARES webpage and shared via other FCPS news outlets.
- Submissions containing personal or sensitive information may be edited to protect individuals' privacy.
- Feel free to compose your submission using a text editor such as Microsoft Word, and then paste it into the text box provided.
For questions, please email employeeawards@fcps.edu.
Read more and Submit an FCPS CARES today!
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/
Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
Upcoming Dates
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October is National School Principals Month! Make sure to send your appreciation to our incredible FCPS principals!
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October 14-18: National School Lunch Week
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October 14-18: Digital Citizenship Week
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Monday, October 14: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
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