Belvedere News and Announcements - May 9, 2025

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 05/09/2025 05:18 PM EDT

From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

This week has been a whirlwind of accomplishments and heartfelt appreciation at our school.

📚 Celebrating SOL Testing Success

Our third through fifth grade students have demonstrated remarkable dedication and stamina during the reading Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments this week. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and perseverance. While official results will be shared later this year, the enthusiasm and focus displayed by our students have been truly inspiring. These assessments are a testament to their commitment to learning and the support they receive from home and school.

🌟 Heartfelt Thanks to Our PTA

A special thank you to our incredible PTA for making Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week truly unforgettable. The thoughtful gestures have brightened our days and reminded us of the strength of our community. Throughout the week, staff were treated to beautiful plants, delicious Cheryl’s cookies, a delightful lunch from Taco Zocalo, and sweet treats from Mr. Softee’s ice cream truck. These acts of kindness have brought sunshine to our school, and we are deeply grateful for the PTA's unwavering support.

Your generosity and involvement make a significant impact on our school community. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us create a nurturing and inspiring environment for our students and staff.

Warm Regards,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal

Dismissal Schedule for the Last Day of School

On the last day of school, Wednesday, June 11, school will be dismissed at 2:05pm.

Attendance Notifications on Last Day of School

Please note that on the last day of school, June 11, 2025, morning attendance calls, texts, and e-mails will not be suspended.  All schools must follow standard attendance procedures and record student attendance to ensure all students are accounted for and enable timely communication with families regarding any absences.

OC

 

Outdoor Club

Don't miss the last Outdoor Club trip of the school year on Saturday, May 17 to Hidden Pond! All Belvedere students and their families are invited to join this optional field trip. Get the details and sign up at https://forms.gle/MVLmr71QdVZV7Zbc6. 

 

Be a Plant Hero This Summer

Save the date! Join us in the gardens on Tuesday, May 27 at 5:30pm or Saturday, May 31 at 9:30am to learn about summer break garden volunteer opportunities. Please contact our environmental educator, Andrea Auerbach, at asauerbach1@fcps.edu with questions. 

Jump Start Registration (for Rising 6th Graders):

 

Attention rising 6th grade families! Glasgow Middle School is now accepting registrations for their Jump Start program this summer. Jump Start is a time when rising 6th grade students get to meet other peers and staff, participate in fun activities, and get to learn more about Glasgow. To register your student, please fill out the form below.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/BYHpV4sTMmJw7CEi8

We will be offering multiple sessions, so once you register your student, you will be notified of which session your child is assigned.  Registrations will close on Friday, June 6th. Please email Hina Zafar at  hzafar1@fcps.edu with any questions. 

Kiss and Ride Courtesy Reminder

We kindly ask all families using Kiss and Ride—both in the morning and afternoon—to be respectful of our neighboring community. Please do not block driveways while waiting in line. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive relationship with those who live near our school!

A Note from Jaclyn Walsh, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher

FCPS provides a continuum of services to challenge and engage all students. Students are screened annually to asses academic strengths and needs and align those with the level of AAP services through a process called School-based Screening. Belvedere will hold school-based screenings in early May. For more information about the Advanced Academics continuum of services, please visit https://www.fcps.edu/academics/advanced-academic-programs-aap/elementary .

You may also contact Jaclyn Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu.

BES

 

Belvedere Family Fun and Learning Festival! 

What:
Belvedere families are invited to enjoy a variety of fun math and literacy activities hosted by our amazing staff! Students will have the chance to take home math books and independent reading books—and even enter a raffle for a fun prize! Free food will be provided for all families.

Who:
All Belvedere students and their families are welcome!

Where:
Belvedere Elementary School
(Enter through the front parking lot)

When:
Thursday, May 22

Time:
5:30 – 7:00 PM

RSVP here:
https://forms.gle/Nivh1MnWrecqcbBP8

Please note:
Parking at Belvedere is limited. We encourage you to park at John Calvin Presbyterian Church across the street, on Whispering Lane, carpool, or walk if possible.

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) Testing Schedule

Below is the schedule for Virginia Standards of Learning for grades 3 through 5. Please strive to ensure that your child is present on the days that they will be testing.

Thank you!

May

Information from the Registrar

If your student is not returning to Belvedere ES for the 2025-26 school year, please be sure to contact our Registrar, Mandy Belcher at abelcher@fcps.edu or at (703) 916-6804.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-26 School Year is Now Open!

If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the upcoming year. 

Registration paperwork can be downloaded at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/Enroll_Pre-Kindergarten_Experience.pdf.  Once you have completed the paperwork and gathered the required documents, please come into the front office to meet with our registrar, Mrs. Mandy Belcher (abelcher@fcps.edu).

Alternatively, you can now choose to use our online registration tool https://www.fcps.edu/online-registration.  If you choose the online option, you will then have to come into the office with the child’s original birth certificate, your proof of residence (deed/lease) and your ID.

Please note the Commonwealth of VA medical form (showing immunizations and physical exam) can be submitted at a later date, as long as we have this by August 15, 2025 at the latest.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Belcher.

Early registration is strongly encouraged.

PTA Updates Banner

 

May Restaurant Spirit Night - Taco Zocalo, May 14 

Back by popular demand – the May Restaurant Spirit Night will be held at Taco Zocalo's location in Barcroft Plaza (6343-D Columbia Pike, Falls Church) on Wednesday, May 14, from 5-8 p.m.  

ALL dinner orders – including to-go and dine-in -- will count toward our event total. Take a look at their tasty menu and share the news with your neighborhood: https://zocalotaco.com/. Be sure to mention Belvedere ES when you place your order. 

Time to Order Your Yearbook

Get those Sharpies ready! It's time to close out another school year and look back on all of the memories from 2024-25. Order your yearbook today for $12 each. Yearbooks should be delivered in June with enough time to have classmates and friends sign them in the final days of this school year. 

Save the Date: Jeni’s Ice Cream, May 28

Our last Restaurant Spirit Night of the school year will be held at Jeni’s Splendid ice Cream in Shirlington (4150 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA) on Wednesday, May 28, from 5-8 p.m. Come after dinner, practice or just to celebrate summer being right around the corner. There will be a special Belvedere flavor too! Take-out or dine in – all orders from 5-8 p.m. will benefit the Belvedere PTA.

FCPS Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Public Hearing

The School Board will hold a public hearing on final budget adjustments on Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Sign up to speak by Monday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m.

Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings

Families, staff, and community members will soon be able to explore and visualize potential boundary scenarios using a customized Boundary Explorer Tool. The tool will be accessible from the FCPS website. You are also invited to participate in another series of community meetings in order to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break.

Each meeting will be hybrid, meaning that you may attend in person or via Zoom. Childcare for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. Registration links will be shared soon. Another round of community meetings will be held in the fall.

Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review page for more information.

Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in the U.S. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:

  • High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.

The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.

✅ Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health Services

The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.

School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.

Additionally, the school health room staff:

  • Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
  • Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
  • Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning. 

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools.

☀️ Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning and fun! At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

An FCPS Student Program Marketplace will feature student-made goods for sale. Proceeds will support the students’ programs. 

Learn about summer programs and resources available from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and much more! For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

🌱 Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports to include medication assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and more. 

Contact CSB Entry and Referral by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.

📞 FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance

The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Attendance

 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.  

This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Visit the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage to access the nomination information form.

Increasing Access to Middle School Algebra 1 

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade. 

With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for. 

Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity. 

Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage.

Pre-K Program Accepting Applications for Fall

The FCPS PreK Program serves 3 and 4 year old students with a high quality, full-day preschool program with no cost to families at 78 Fairfax County elementary schools. 

Students may qualify with a variety of economic or educational risk factors. Learn more about the Pre-K and Early Head Start Program by watching this video (English) or video (Spanish).

Spaces fill quickly, so complete an application online now or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) for more information.

🏫 Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten

We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Explore the resources on FCPS’ School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage for ways to help ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.

🍲 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.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • FCPS Budget Update
  • Summer Internships for Students
  • Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

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/

Heritage

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Mental

Upcoming Dates

May 26 - Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

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