A Message From The Principal
Our annual Book Character Parade was an incredible success! The energy and enthusiasm from both students and parents created a joyful atmosphere that highlighted our school community's love for reading. Seeing our students dressed as their favorite book characters was a delightful experience, bringing those beloved stories to life in the most creative ways.
This event truly brought so much joy to everyone involved. The smiles on the students' faces as they proudly displayed their costumes, and the excitement in the air as they paraded through the school, were unforgettable. It was heartwarming to witness the positive energy shared between students, staff, and parents, all united in celebrating a love for reading
We are especially grateful for the overwhelming support and large turnout of parents who came to watch the parade and cheer on their children. It is our goal to inspire a love for reading, and this event not only ignites excitement in our students but also strengthens the connection between school and home in promoting literacy. Thank you all for your continued support in making events like this so special!
Together we are and will continue to be Fort Belvoir strong!
Dr. LaZedrick (Zed) Jemison, Principal
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Upcoming Dates
October 31: End of 1st Quarter- 2hr Early Release
November 1: Holiday- School/Office Closed
November 4 & 5: Student Holidays
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Pink Out Day as a School Community!
Fort Belvoir is known not only as a "purple" military base, where families from all branches of service come together, but also as a compassionate assignment base, offering support for families facing unique challenges. At Fort Belvoir Elementary, we witness this compassion daily, rallying around students and families navigating difficult situations. Last year, our community supported two brave students fighting cancer, and we’re thrilled to share that both are now cancer-free and have joyfully rung the cancer-free bell, a celebration of their strength and resilience. Their journeys remind us all of the power of community in times of hardship.
This year, we continue to stand alongside those still battling illnesses, as our mission to support and uplift one another remains unwavering. To show our solidarity, we’re inviting everyone to wear pink on Wednesday, October 30th, as a symbol of our collective hope and determination to overcome cancer. In our close-knit military community, when one person is impacted, we all feel it deeply.
Together, we believe that by supporting one another, we can face and conquer any challenge. Families can find additional talking points linked HERE.
Federal Impact Aid Survey
Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
PROPEL STEAM Grant Awarded to FCPS
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) through the Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs (MCASP). The funding will support the implementation of PROPEL STEAM (Promoting Rigorous Opportunities, Programs, and Education in STEAM Learning), a program designed to elevate mathematics and science education at Fort Belvoir Primary and Upper Elementary School.
PROPEL STEAM aims to enhance students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills through innovative STEAM enrichment programming and hands-on learning experiences. By fostering engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), the program seeks to provide students with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.
This initiative will benefit all students at the two schools, with a particular focus on supporting the needs of military-connected students, ensuring they receive high-quality educational opportunities in mathematics and science.
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Celebrating Attendance with “Leo the Lion” |
We are thrilled to bring back the excitement of our attendance competition at Fort Belvoir Elementary! Our goal is to inspire students to be enthusiastic about coming to school every day. Each month, classrooms proudly display a sign on their door when everyone is present. The classroom with the highest number of perfect attendance days will receive a special award. Last month’s winners were treated to a fun-filled bubble party!
This month's winners—Ms. Willis, Ms. Dutton, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Hooper, and Ms. Aguon—got the chance to dance with our school mascot, "Leo the Lion." Our very own principal, Dr. Jemison, dressed up as Leo to help boost school spirit and get everyone excited about being in school!
We can’t wait to see what exciting reward November’s winners will receive. As we continue fostering this positive environment, we ask families to keep sending their students to school whenever they are healthy. Let's keep the momentum going!
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow is a saying we emphasize to students in FCPS! We encourage families to read more FCPS stance on attendance linked HERE.
Coffee with the Principals
The FCPS Department of Transportation will attend our upcoming Principal Coffee, providing a valuable opportunity for families to share concerns and ask questions about bus services. This session allows parents to voice their thoughts directly to the team as we work together to address each concern collaboratively. We look forward to seeing you there!
Families can learn more about FCPS Department of Transportation using the link HERE.
Fort Belvoir Elementary School Food Market
We are thrilled to have hosted our first Food Market of the year, a wonderful initiative designed to support our Fort Belvoir families and enhance community bonds. This event allowed us to extend resources to families who benefit from additional assistance, reinforcing our commitment to a nurturing, inclusive school environment. We were honored to have Fort Belvoir’s Garrison Commander, COL Stewart, join us in recognizing the efforts and dedication of our school community in this endeavor.
The success of this event was made possible by the collaborative efforts of many generous volunteers. Members of the Fairfax County Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Fort Belvoir Elementary Family Ambassadors, and our devoted parent volunteers all played essential roles in ensuring the smooth distribution of food. Together, they unloaded the food truck, organized supplies, and extended a warm welcome to families.
We are deeply grateful for their contributions, which helped make the Food Market a meaningful experience for everyone involved.
Art Contest Winner!
Congratulations to Eloise Collins! She is the proud winner of the Fort Belvoir Firefighters' Art Contest. October is Fire Prevention Month, and Eloise’s incredible artwork demonstrates how families can take proactive steps to prevent fires. Her creative and thoughtful drawing will be displayed alongside other winners’ works in the metro area, spreading important fire safety messages far and wide. Great job, Eloise!
Family Resource Center Workshops and Webinars
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs. They will:
- Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
- Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
- Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
- Play games and have fun!
November 5, 2024, 9 a.m.- noon
Pulley Center 6500 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
Register Online
5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families
Plans go awry, your child gets disappointed or doesn’t get their way. They begin getting upset. Rational talk doesn’t work. Nothing does. Now your child is in full meltdown mode and doesn’t hold back. What do you do?
Calm Parenting Podcast founder, Kirk Martin will show you:
- How to calm kids with big emotions.
- Exactly what to say in the moment and how.
- Why intensity is critical and why to avoid eye contact.
- How to stop the cycle of shame and embarrassment.
November 11, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Accessing an Adapted Curriculum
Join us for an information session on the K-6 language arts and literacy curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities who access an adapted curriculum. This will include an overview of programming available to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students.
Webinar Highlights:
- Virginia Literacy Act updates
- Components of evidence-based literacy instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities
- Language arts and literacy programming for students who are accessing an adapted curriculum
Join the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction, Adapted Curriculum Team for this important webinar.
November 12, 2024 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Register online
Animal Shelter Donation Drive
Our Multi-age classroom, together with their buddy classroom, is excited to collect items for a local the Lorton Animal Shelter in Lorton, Virginia. It is located a short distance outside of Fort Belvoir Military Base. This special project holds a meaningful place in our students' hearts, as the shelter has been an invaluable partner in supporting their growth and fostering a love for learning. We kindly ask everyone to join us in this effort by donating the items listed below. Your contributions will make a positive impact, both for the shelter and for our students, as they learn the value of compassion and community support.
Thank you for helping us make a difference!
Teaching Acts of Kindness at Fort Belvoir Primary
As we embark on the season of thanksgiving, it is essential to teach our children the importance of supporting fellow Americans impacted by recent hurricanes. We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross to assist military families and other communities in need.
Many affected families include service members stationed in Florida and North Carolina, and we are kindly asking each family to consider donating $1 or more using the QR code below. Please remember, individuals do not have to be local to contribute to this cause. Thank you in advance for supporting this important effort.
Red Ribbon Week at Fort Belvoir Primary
Students were thrilled to participate in Red Ribbon Week! The excitement was palpable as they engaged in activities and discussions promoting healthy choices and drug-free lifestyles. A big thank you to the Fort Belvoir Army Substance Abuse Program for providing essential learning materials that made this week possible. With their support, our students were empowered with valuable information to help them make positive, healthy choices now and in the future.
Families can learn more about Red Ribbon Week using the link HERE.
Calling all Veterans!
We are seeking Veterans to join us in reading to our students on November 7th. This is a meaningful opportunity to share your experiences, connect with young minds, and help shape their understanding of service and sacrifice. Your stories and insights can inspire and educate our future generation, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
Gearing Up for Veterans Day at Fort Belvoir Primary
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Veterans Day celebration! Fort Belvoir Primary Elementary School will be honoring our Veterans on Friday, November 8th. This day is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the bravery, dedication, and sacrifice of our Veterans. Families are invited to participate in our celebration!
We are currently putting together a heartfelt presentation to share with the community. If you would like to participate by having a Veteran honored in this tribute, please click on the link HERE to submit their information and photo. Families will no longer be able to submit photos after Tuesday, November 5th.
Thanksgiving Luncheon - Save the Date November 20th
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 20th, as we gather for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! We warmly invite families to join us in enjoying a specially prepared lunch with their student(s), creating cherished memories together.
This special occasion is filled with meaningful moments, and we would love for you to be part of it. Please don’t miss out on this wonderful event! We are looking forward to seeing everyone.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click on a date below to register:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
❤️Follow Fort Belvoir Primary on Facebook and Instagram
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Facebook at this link HERE
Instagram at this link HERE
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Please see the FCPS 2024 - 2025 calendar linked HERE.
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