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A Note from your BES Administration
Dear Belvedere Families,
It’s been a short but full week at Belvedere! Our teachers have been hard at work holding conferences, and we hope you enjoyed hearing directly from your child during their student-led conference. It’s always a joy to see students take pride in sharing their learning and growth.
We also had a wonderful PTA meeting this week where we discussed several exciting upcoming events and fundraisers. Our Read-a-Thon returns for the second year in a row and will begin on Monday, November 10. Then, starting November 17, we’ll kick off our Book Fair, which will run through the following week. Families are invited to join us for Nature Night and an evening visit to the Book Fair on Tuesday, November 19—more details within this newsletter.
There’s so much to look forward to as we head into November. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Belvedere such a vibrant learning community.
Warm regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, Kelly Cabezas
Belvedere Elem Admin Team
AAP Information Session
Understanding the Full-Time AAP Screening and Eligibility Process: Full-time AAP services support students in grades 3-5. To learn more about the Screening and Identification process for students in grades 2-5, please join us.
Translation Services are available. Please email jwalsh@fcps.edu or implazas@fcps.edu with the language needed.
Additional information can be found on the FCPS AAP site. Please contact the AAP office at AAP@fcps.edu or Ms. Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu with questions
☕Parent Coffee on November 19th
Join us in Belvedere’s parent center on Wednesday, November 19th from 10:00am-11:00 am for coffee and a presentation. This presentation will focus on understanding school-wide assessments your child will take this school year.
Can’t make it in person? You can join via the Zoom Link.
If you happen to miss, don’t worry we will have a recording of the presentation available in the All Parents/Guardians: Belvedere Elementary School Schoology Course. Head over there now to check out the recording from the last parent coffee about Literacy & Math at Belvedere.
⏰Early Release November 19th
A reminder that Wednesday, November 19th is a 3 hour early release day for grades K-5. Your student will be dismissed at the same time as the previous 3 hour release day. Students will dismiss at 1:05. Students that have opted-in to stay will dismiss at 4:05. Please notify the front office by November 18th if you need to change your child’s dismissal for this day.
📖The 2025 Read-a-Thon Kicks off This Monday, November 10!
Belvedere's annual Read-a-Thon kicks off this Monday, November 10 and runs through November 30. This event raises funds for school field trips and classroom supplies while encouraging students' reading habits. Friends and family members near and far can easily support our students as they commit to reading or being read to! Please see the detailed packet in your student's Friday folder today. You will also receive an email from our fundraising platform, 99 Pledges this weekend, which makes it easy to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the class rooms with the most reading minutes logged!
🌲Get Outside with Belvedere!
Outdoor Club
Explore Lubber Run Park (Arlington, Virginia) with Outdoor Club on Saturday morning, November 15, 2025. This optional field trip is a great opportunity for all students and their families to connect with nature. You can ride the bus from Belvedere or Barcroft View or meet us directly at the park. Register and get the full details at: https://forms.gle/1RHdJLXNSiFQ4Wxm9.
🌙🦉Nature Night
Connect with the outdoors and the school community at Nature Night at Belvedere on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 pm!
 
📚Bookfair at Belvedere!
We’re so excited the Scholastic book fair is coming back to Belvedere Elementary! The book fair will be held November 17-21 in the library, with set-up taking place Friday, November 14. Each class will visit the book fair twice throughout the week. Once on Monday or Tuesday to preview the selection and a second time Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to purchase items. The book fair will be open for families on Wednesday 11/19 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (remember to bring your ID to sign in) and during Nature Night from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm! We will also be open Thursday 11/20 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.
The book fair will accept cash, check (payable to the school), debit/credit cards and eWallet. eWallet is a cashless payment option where money can be added to a virtual account for students to use. Please note that tax WILL NOT be charged on items. More information about setting up an eWallet account and our fair is available at the book fair homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/belvedereelemschool This link can also be used to shop the fair online from 11/14 - 11/27.
The book fair is always in need of volunteers. There are a variety of positions available, including assisting students, cashiers, set up, and clean up. Sign up for a slot at https://bit.ly/besbf25. Students in grade 5 or older are welcome during set up and clean up slots for assisting. Mrs. Zamudio can sign off on community service forms for middle or high schoolers as needed. Mrs. Zamudio is also looking for volunteers that can help with a handful of tasks before the fair including making copies and counting flyers, which can be done at home! Interested? Please email her at rhzamudio@fcps.edu. ALL adult volunteers will get a free item of choice for their volunteering. Remember all proceeds from the book fair support our school’s classroom libraries and the school library. Any questions about the book fair can be directed to the librarian, Rachel Zamudio at rhzamudio@fcps.edu. Thank you for your support of our book fair!
🦃Thanksgiving Lunch
Belvedere Elementary School cordially invited you to join your child at our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Friday, November 21, 2025. If you would like to purchase lunch, we ask that you purchase lunch in advance. Thanksgiving Lunch for school age children will be $3.25 and for adults $5.00. Alternatively, parents and students can both use the student’s lunch account to pay for lunch in the cafeteria line. Please note that exact change is appreciated. We do not have the ability to make change. We are NOT accepting checks, check payments will be returned. Tickets are non-refundable.
In last week’s Friday Folder you should have found your invitation, the lunch menu, the lunch schedule, and an RSVP sheet. We ask that RSVPs are returned to school by Friday, November 14th! Reach out to your child’s teacher if you need another invite form.
We look forward to seeing you!
🩹💉Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are available. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
💖November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
☕FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
💫Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Resources for Families Impacted by the Government Shutdown
🥪Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources available to families.
🌟Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
If your child is struggling to come to school, please reach out to our School Counselors, pesimpson1@fcps.edu & tmballard@fcps.edu, or School Social Worker, JBHewitt@fcps.edu, for assistance!
✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting 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” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
📰FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- State Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes
- PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
- Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 📚Read-a-Thon Kicks off this Monday, Nov. 10!
Belvedere PTA’s biggest fundraiser, the annual Read-a-Thon, kicks off this coming Monday, Nov. 10! This event raises funds for school field trips and classroom supplies while encouraging students' reading habits. Please review the information packet in your student's Friday folders today. You will also receive an email from our fundraising platform, 99 Pledges, this weekend. This will provide an easy way for you, your friends and family members near and far to support this fundraiser and your student reading (or being read to!). Prizes will be awarded to the classes with the most reading minutes logged.
👟Lace up Your Sneakers – Fun Run is Dec. 6
The Belvedere Fun Run is open to all BES students! Come to Belvedere to do some stretching, running around the field and hot chocolate drinking. The race begins at 10 a.m. We are looking for volunteers to count laps, provide course support and help with motivating the runners (i.e., yelling into a bullhorn!). Sign up today!
Upcoming PTA Events
November10-30 - PTA Read-athon (virtual)
December
3 - PTA Community Meeting, BES and online
6 - PTA Fun Run, 10 a.m., BES (sign up to volunteer)
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