From the School Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
We are on the homestretch before winter break, and it has been a fantastic week here at Belvedere! Justice the Bulldog has been greeting students each morning as they arrive, bringing smiles and setting a positive tone for the day. Our goal is to promote regular attendance and help students look forward to coming to school each day.
We’d like to remind you that absences can add up quickly, and every day of learning counts. Your continued support in ensuring students attend school daily—unless they are unwell—makes a big difference in their academic growth and success.
Winter break is a time for students to rest, enjoy family time, and reenergize for the new year. It’s also an opportunity to keep their reading skills sharp. We encourage you to spend time reading with your child during the break. This can include reading together, listening to your child read aloud, or even taking turns reading. Every little bit helps to maintain their progress and foster a love of reading.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s education. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on January 6.
Warm regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu.
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Staying Safe and Calm Over Winter Break and Beyond!
Formed Families Forward is pleased to offer a new training for parents and caregivers to boost family safety and wellness as you prepare for all of the excitement and disruptions of your children’s break from school and their expectations for winter holiday celebrations. Join us for an interactive workshop and get new strategies for managing the winter break and for starting the new year strong!
December 16, 2024
11:45 am-1:00 pm (with a light lunch provided) OR
6:45 - 8:00 pm (with a light dinner provided)
Location: Charles Houston Recreation Center
Address: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Simultaneous SPANISH interpretation is available upon request.
Register Here: Staying Safe and Calm Over Winter Break and Beyond / Mantente seguro y tranquilo durante las vacaciones de invierno y más allá
Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Beginning in January 2025, rising 6th – 12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students).
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:
- Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
- SEL Screener Results
- New Accessibility Resources
- Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
- Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
- VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
- Executive Functioning Webinars
- Early Literacy Resources
- ESY and Assessment Webinar
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
⛄Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review
If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.
View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
If you need further assistance please contact either Jeffrey Hewitt, Social Worker, or Belvedere's Family Liaison, Iva Plazas.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
Free Birthday Cakes for Youth
Cake4Kids is a nonprofit that delivers free, custom homemade or any other celebratory sweets to at-risk and underserved youth in the Northern Virginia area.
Contact Mrs. Plazas for more information.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
- Join Our Teacher Team!
- Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Need a Special Gift? Handbag Raffle is About To End
Looking for the ultimate holiday gift or a little luxury for yourself? Support Belvedere PTA and enter for a chance to win a stunning Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM
handbag! This timeless piece is perfect for making someone’s season extra special or treating yourself to a well-deserved indulgence.
Tickets: $10/each, 3 for $20 or 8 for $50
⏳ Sales End: December 18, 2024, at 5:59 PM
📅 Drawing Date: December 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM
Where to Buy Tickets: Online. If you want to pay with cash or a check, click "Contact Organizer," or reach out to any of the PTA Board Members, and we'll take care of you.
This holiday season, give the gift of luxury while giving back to your community. This would also be a great gift for your child’s teacher as an end-of-year thank you! All proceeds benefit Belvedere PTA initiatives, including classroom support for teachers and upcoming community events like the Fun Run and Family Culture Night.
Questions? Contact us at fundraiser.bespta@gmail.com
Come Cheer the BES Fun Run Saturday!
Bring your Belvedere Bulldogs to the return of the Fun Run. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the school to do some stretching, running and hot chocolate drinking! We are STILL looking for volunteers to help donate and/or serve hot chocolate, hand out lap counters, cheer the runners and clean-up. Sign up here to help. The PTA will be collecting gift cards for BES community members in need this holiday season – please bring one to donate!
Volunteer Opportunities: A Few Hours Can Help
We are looking for volunteers to help with leading these upcoming activities. Don’t want to go it alone? Any of these volunteer needs can be shared.
Restaurant Night Coordinator: Connect with local restaurants and food trucks to create Restaurant Nights for the BES community every other month. Time commitment: 2-3 hours every other month until June 2025.
VIP & Me: Volunteer to set up continental breakfast and help plan two morning family-student events on Jan. 22 + 23. Time commitment: Less than 4 hours total, including event time (before school).
Movie Night Coordinator: Work with PTA leaders to coordinate our next Movie Night in late February. Time commitment: Less than 6 hours total, including day-of Movie Night needs.
School Directory Coordinator: Explore this opportunity to create a much-requested school resource. Time commitment: A few hours a month during the school year.
Interested in any of these opportunities or other PTA volunteer needs? Send a note to 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/
Upcoming Dates
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Winter Break (Student Holiday)
As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.
Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.
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Wednesday, December 25 - Christmas
🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the person who stands at the heart of the Christian tradition. It is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world, most commonly by the joyous giving of gifts. Learn more about Christmas.
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Wednesday, December 25 - Chanukah
Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25. See the complete school year calendar.
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