"The Belle View Beat"-Belle View ES's Weekly Newsletter-November 21, 2025

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A Message from the Principal


Dear Belle View Families, 

We hope to see many of you today at our Thanksgiving Luncheon and perhaps this evening at our annual bingo night! 

During this week, our students have spent meaningful time reflecting on what they are grateful for during this season. I want to take a moment to share my own gratitude as well.

I am deeply thankful for our dedicated staff, who come to work each day committed to doing what is best for our students. I am also grateful for our families and community, who consistently rally to support those in need and contribute to our school events, classroom initiatives, and each child’s growth and progress. And finally, I am thankful for our students, who bring curiosity, joy, and purpose to everything we do.

Have an awesome weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!

I will see you around the View! 🐾

Principal Pluntke

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Kinders in Mrs. Fannon's class "writng" around the room--working on three sounds and short vowels.


Thanksgiving Luncheon-TODAY!

Thanksgiving

BINGO NIGHT IS TONIGHT!

Fun for the whole family.  The event is from 6-8pm in the cafeteria and gym.  Pizza and sweet treats available for purchase.  Game tickets and pre-orders are available at the door.  See you there!

bingo

sped night

Save the Date-STEAM NIGHT 12/11


steam

Join us for STEAM Night on Thursday, December 11, from 5:30-7pm for an evening of hands-on learning and family fun! We’ll explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through interactive stations — from navigating robots to building the tallest tower, solving math puzzles and conducting experiments. Every student gets a STEAM Passport at check-in. Visit at least 10 stations to earn stamps and trade a completed passport for a prize. Grab a slice of pizza, purchase a baked good from the SCA, and participate in some fun STEAM activities!

 

We need volunteers! We are looking for some volunteers to lead a station. This is a great opportunity for middle or high school students looking for volunteer hours, or a family member who wants to donate a bit of time to support all our students. All materials and directions will be provided. Sign up to lead a station and reach out to Charity Risko (cmrisko@fcps.edu) with any questions.

 

We can’t wait to see you for a night of creativity, curiosity, and community learning!


Full Time AAP Referrals Due 12/15


Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15

Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Abby Betz @mabetz@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.

Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.

Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services. 

Next Steps for Parents

Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Abby Betz at mabetz@fcps.edu.

At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year. 

At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.  


pics 3

Kinder student in Ms. Fannon's reading poetry and identifying short vowels.


*Early Release Wednesdays*

Early Release Wednesdays for the 2025-2026 school year.   Belle View students will be dismissed at 12:55. Students will go home their usual way.  SACC is open for those registered for afternoon SACC.  Please contact the administration if you have a childcare hardship.

  • December 17
  • February 25
  • March 25
  • April 29
  • May 20

A message from our Family Liaison, Mrs. Bartolome

The FCPS Family Resource Center offers in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs. Below is a list of upcoming sessions along with local events. For those unable to attend FCPS webinars on the scheduled date, please feel free to register for access to the recordings.


Improving Routines: Morning, Evening, and In Between Friday, November 21st from 10-11:30 a.m.  Where: Virtual You know things run more smoothly when you have morning, evening, and in between routines. But how can you maintain routines when your days all look different or when your kids push back? In this workshop, you'll learn how to create effective routines that reduce drama and resistance in your family – even when life is unpredictable or chaotic. Register Here

Annual Thanksgiving Community Lunch Friday, November 21st at 12:00 p.m.  Where: Lorton Community Center Join us to celebrate Thanksgiving with the community and family members and enjoy a light meal. Friends of the Martha Washington Library Book Sale Saturday, November 22nd from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Where: Martha Washington Library Come out and support the library next to Belle View! Browse the large selection of books and media for all ages and interests! Proceeds benefit the Martha Washington Library and related activities. Register Here

Loving Hands Ministries Inc. Food Distribution Saturday, November 22nd from 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  Where: Hybla Valley Community Center All families are welcome. FREE food distribution every Saturday. While supplies last

Special Education Night Thursday, December 4th from 6-7:30 p.m.  Where: Belle View Elementary Cafeteria Belle View ES is hosting a special education night to inform families about the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process and the Pulley Center’s post-secondary resources. A Spanish interpreter will be available. Light refreshments and childcare will be provided.

Recognizing, Understanding, and Responding to Impact Traumatic Stress Friday, December 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.  Where: Virtual Come learn how trauma impacts the brain and gather valuable information to help you recognize what is happening, why it is happening, and how to effectively respond in ways that promote safety and support. Registration will also grant access to the webinar recording if you are unable to attend. Register Here

Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for All Learners Friday, December 12th from 10-11:30 a.m.  Where: Virtual This presentation explores how trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) support student well-being and academic success. We discuss the impact of stress and trauma on children, how it can manifest in their behavior, and the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments. We will highlight protective factors that foster student resilience and growth. Additionally, we will showcase helpful practices at school that teach and reinforce essential skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship building. Finally, we will explore practical strategies families can use at home to strengthen these skills and nurture resilience in their children. Register Here

FCPS Early Literacy Program Fall Session: October to December - Open Now! Where: In-Person (Various schools and community sites)

The Early Literacy program helps families, and their preschool-aged children prepare for kindergarten.  Children and families meet with their class for 2 hours, 2 days a week to participate in fun "school-like" experiences together. These programs support parents and families as their children's first and most important teachers. Early Literacy fosters strong family-school partnerships using interactive activities. Early Literacy programs are organized around four cultural/linguistic affinity groups: African Heritage/English, Arabic/English, Hispanic/Spanish, and Korean. Families and their 1-5 year old children are welcome to enroll. Early Literacy Programs are FREE for Fairfax County residents. Children and families in the Early Literacy program participate in fun "school-like" experiences. The 37-topic curriculum aligns with evidence-based instruction and FCPS’ Portrait of a Graduate. Parents and families also learn from each other during discussions led by the instructor. For more information, contact Laura Cook at lecook@fcps.edu or 703-204-4330.

African Heritage Early Literacy Interest Form Arabic Early Literacy - Email Gigi Hammond Hispanic Early Literacy Interest Form / el formulario de interes Korean Early Literacy Interest Form

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) 2025-26 School Year: October to May - Open Now! Where: In-person Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) partners with parents to prepare their children for success in school. Adult family members of 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds meet with their instructor for 1 hour each week to learn more about instructing their children at home.

For more information, please complete the interest form.

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) colabora con los padres para preparar a sus hijos para que tengan éxito en la escuela. Los padres o tutores de niños de 2, 3 y 4 años se reúnen con una instructora durante 1 hora cada semana para aprender más sobre cómo instruir a sus hijos en casa.  Año escolar 2025-26: octubre-mayo – ¡INSCRIPCION ABIERTA

Para más información, complete la forma de interes.

Inova Cares for Families Who: All Ages Providing primary care for all ages, including Medicaid, FAMIS, financial assistance, and uninsured patients. Please call the clinic to schedule an initial well-adult or well-child visit. Locations:

  • Mount Vernon 8101 Hinson Farm Rd., Suite 415 Alexandria, VA 22306 Phone: 703.664.7005 Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Alexandria 4700 King Street, Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22302 Phone: 571.665-6599 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Belle View's Season of Giving


The holiday season is a magical time, and we want to ensure every student and family can participate in special traditions. To make this possible, I compiled Belle View’s Season of Giving. The PTA and members of the community have graciously signed up to donate, but there are still slots available. You can make your voluntary donation in the signup sheet link.

For any gifts purchased, please ensure they are wrapped, labeled, and dropped off at the front office by Friday, December 12th so we have time to deliver before the winter break. Feel free to reach out to Roselie Bartolome at rcbartolome@fcps.edu if have any questions.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.

Season of Giving


❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.

⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.


TODAY!!!  Students may use their lunch numbers for purchase.  Parents/Guests can purchase a ticket in the lobby for $4.75.  This is a cash-only operation. See the schedule above for class lunch times, as they have shifted due to allowing for additional time. 

turkey

A message from our PTA

PTA

Parents, Families, and Teachers can join today!!

$11 for Individuals/$20 for a Family

Join Today!



Weekly Student Academic Update

Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports 

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener last month, providing information on skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported. 

Individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE the week of November 17. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be shared by our school.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to school staff.

Monitoring Support for Your Child in ParentVUE

All FCPS schools use an approach called Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to make sure every student gets the help they need to learn. 

MTSS helps school teams deliver high-quality instruction for all students and provide extra time, support, and interventions as needed. Families are partners in this process. We will share information about your child’s individual learning, needs, and progress.

If you child is receiving support, you may view your child's intervention plans and progress in SIS ParentVUE. Expect progress to be updated quarterly, with report card due dates.


Have a question?  Want to share your students' success? Click Here


calendar reminder graphic

Friday, Nov. 21-Thanksgiving Luncheon

Friday, Nov. 21-Bingo Night in the Gym-6pm

Dec. 4-Special Ed Family Night-6-7pm in Cafe

Dec 11-STEAM Night 5:30-7pm in the cafe and gym

 


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