From the School Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
What a wonderful way to close out the school year! This final week has been packed with memorable events and celebrations of student learning.
Our 5th graders shined as they presented their PYPX projects — the culminating capstone of the Primary Years Program. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, research, and commitment to taking action on topics they are passionate about. Well done, 5th grade!
A huge thank you to Mr. Bowles and Ms. Novak for organizing another amazing Field Day! It was a fun-filled day for all students — full of energy, laughter, and community spirit. We are especially grateful to the 100+ parent volunteers who made this day possible. We truly couldn’t do it without your support.
A quick reminder: our Lost and Found is overflowing! If your child is missing any clothing, water bottles, or other personal items, please stop by the cafeteria to check. Any unclaimed items will be donated on Thursday, June 12.
To support continued student learning during the summer, FCPS is offering a variety of digital resources for elementary students. If you would like your child to bring home their laptop this summer to access digital resources, please fill out this form.
Thank you again for a fantastic school year. We feel so fortunate to be part of such a caring and supportive community. Wishing you all a joyful and restful summer!
Warmly,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal
Tara Boone, Assistant Principal
Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal
🎒 Planning Ahead for 2025-2026? Let Us Know!
If your child will not be returning to Belvedere Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year, please help us prepare by contacting our Registrar, Mandy Belcher, as soon as possible.
📞 Call: (703) 916-6804
📧 Email: abelcher@fcps.edu
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.
Jump Into June: Spirit Month at Belvedere!
🏥 A Note from the Clinic! 🏥
As we wrap up another amazing school year, it's time to clean out the clinic! If your student has medication stored at school, please plan to pick it up before 10:00 AM on the last day of school, June 11—even if they’ll be back next year.
The clinic will be open from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, but all medications must be picked up by 10:00 AM on the last day (Wednesday, June 11). Any leftover medications will need to be disposed of per district policy.
Thanks for helping us keep our clinic clean and ready for another great year! 💊🎒😊
Don’t Let the Books Take a Summer Vacation! Return Library Books by May 27!
Digital Resources for Elementary Students
To support continued student learning during the summer, FCPS is offering a variety of digital resources for elementary students. Starting today, families can visit the Summer Learning Resources webpage to access grade-level, flexible, and engaging activities in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies for families to use at home.
Students will have access to familiar digital tools such as:
- Science A-Z
- PebbleGo
- Gizmos
- Newsela
- MyOn
- Britannica Elementary
- ST Math
- Benchmark Universe
Technology and Support for Families
Families can visit the Families: Tools and Technology page on the public website for:
- The summer device check-in/check-out form
- Technology support information for summer
Summertime Laptop Checkout Program!
We're pleased to share that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will again offer a summertime laptop checkout program for students. This program aims to ensure all students have access to digital learning resources in math, language arts, science, and social studies throughout the summer months. If your child needs a laptop to access these resources at home, you can request one by completing this form: https://forms.gle/cTrAaQiqphfiwVGa8
 
Still Need a Yearbook?
There are LIMITED yearbooks available for purchase in the BES front office until they run out. Please bring either exact cash (no change can be made) or a check and include the student’s name and their teacher’s name so the yearbook can be delivered to their classroom. Yearbooks are $12 each.
Congratulations to the new PTA Board
Special thanks to the 2024-25 PTA Board, all of whom ran again for the same positions in the coming school year and were re-elected by the PTA membership during the June 4 community meeting. In addition, the community elected Laura Nunneker to a newly created Board position of Volunteer Coordinator. The new volunteer Board is:
- Maddie Greiner, President
- Lauren Geres, Vice President
- Natalie Cronin, Treasurer
- Jessica Strelitz, Secretary/Communications
- Laura Nunneker, Volunteer Coordinator
Special thanks to everyone who volunteered for ANY event or fundraiser this year. Belvedere values our support, and we couldn’t do any of it without you. Thank you! If you’d like to be sure to get involved next year, please reach out to bespta.va@gmail.com and we will add you to the list for when we begin planning events for late August.
Final Popsicles on the Playground of the Year: June 11
Caregivers can bring students to the Belvedere playground after the last day of classes to enjoy popsicles – provided by the PTA – and have a little more time to sign yearbooks with friends. School will be dismissed two hours early on June 11 at 2:05 p.m. All students must have a caregiver with them to attend; family members are welcome!
💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!
Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Learn more about attendance resources.
📍 Community Boundary Review Meeting
The final community meeting to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before summer break will take place Friday, June 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Click on the date to register. The meeting will be hybrid (in-person and virtual). Child care for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed.
If you register to attend online, you will receive a Zoom link within 24 business hours. The email will come from “no-reply@zoom.us.” Check your spam folder if you do not receive the link.
At the meeting, an online tool will allow participants to submit feedback. Comments will be displayed in real time, and all collected input will be compiled, analyzed, and uploaded to our Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage.
✅ End-of-Year Reminders
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 11! Please see some important reminders below:
- Remind your child to return all school library books and FCPS laptops.
- Check your child’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any balances.
- Pick up any medications your child has been taking at school. A parent/guardian must pick them up in person.
- Bookmark the 2025-26 school year calendar to be ready for next year.
Please contact our front office with any questions.
🌞 Summer Resources Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy
FCPS’ Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests from camps to health and safety resources.
Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added.
🌻 Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation — and Neither Does Fun!
FCPS’ Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
🍽️ Summer Meals for Students: Details Coming Soon
FCPS’ Summer Meal Service Program provides breakfast and lunch free of charge to all children aged 18 and younger. Check FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services webpage and the USDA Meals Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder in mid-June for specific dates, times, and locations.
Please note that no meals will be served on the June 19 and July 4 holidays. If you have any questions regarding the Summer 2025 meal service, please contact us at SummerMeals@fcps.edu or at 703-813-4800.
💚 Free Virtual Mental Health Consultations for Parents and Secondary Students
This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer free virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from June 23 through August 1. Any FCPS parent, or middle or high school student, will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. Learn more in the latest Healthy Minds blog.
🥗 Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!
As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2025-26 school year will be available this summer.
If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2024-25 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price meals.
🩹 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Additional immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grades:
- All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations before the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age seven or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide not to have your child receive the HPV vaccination. If that is the case, the school does not require documentation.
- All students entering 12th grade are to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) before the beginning of school.
- To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the Fairfax County Health Department.
End of Year/Summer Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education: Summer Academy
- Extended School Year (ESY)
- Be a Special Education Teacher
- Planning for Life after High School
- Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Moving this Summer
- Exploring Summer Fun Without Leaving Your Home
- Social Emotional Learning in the Summer
- Self-Care Resources for Parents, Family Members, and Caregivers
- Self, Health, and Relationship Education (SHaRE)
- Preparing Your Student with Disabilities for College Board Exams
- Fairfax County SEPTA News
- Accessibility on the FCPS Website
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
Language Arts Summer Learning: Magazines, Weekly Plans, Activities, and More
We will be sending students home with two Benchmark magazines to help them practice their reading and writing skills during the summer. You will also receive a letter from our school with weekly learning plans and activities.
Find more ways to support your child's literacy skills on FCPS’ Summer Learning Resources webpage. All of these activities are optional, but we encourage families to help their students practice reading and writing during summer break, so that they can start strong next school year.
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Throughout May and June, you will receive your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, there is a list of tests by grade level on the FCPS website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be delivered in SIS ParentVUE or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about how test results are reported to families. Individual test websites provide report translations and help for interpreting test results. Please contact us with any testing questions or for additional information about how we use test results to support student success.
Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success! Caregivers can view important information like attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores through ParentVUE.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. Find more information and an FAQ online.
📞 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.
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.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
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- End-of-Year Reminders
- New Speed Cameras
- SAT Accommodations Deadline
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/
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we reaffirm and uphold the dignity of LGBTQIA+ people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Visit our LGBTQIA+ Student Resources and Supports webpage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Upcoming Dates
June 11 - Last Day of School
The last day of the school year is Wednesday, June 11, and students will be dismissed early. Check with your child's school for its individual dismissal time.
June 19 - Juneteenth (Holiday)
Wednesday, June 19, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed.
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