Fort Belvoir Upper News
Dates to Remember:
EARLY DISMISSAL: 12/17 @ 1PM
NO SCHOOL: 12/22-1/2 -
Christmas Break
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Dear Fort Belvoir Upper Families,
Students in grades 4-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
- Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
- City of Fairfax Regional Library – lessons only. Media is not available.
You are invited to attend an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at Fort Belvoir Upper in the cafeteria. All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, a paper opt-out form may be requested from the main office. Opt-out for students accessing the modified FLE curriculum is only available by using a paper form that will be provided to you or may be accessed online at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle/fle-opt-out-request-forms Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s school principal in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for students who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Instruction occurs at various times during the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for specific dates of FLE instruction. We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Quigley, Interim Principal
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.
Important message from our art teachers, Ms. Tavarez, Ms. Bridges and Ms. Parnell:
Welcome to the Square1 Art Fundraiser! Last week, students at Fort Belvoir Upper School received their personalized Square1 Art catalogue. Please check their backpacks and ask your child about their “Name Tower” art project. DEADLINE: Friday, December 12!
Your students created a very special art masterpiece that you may purchase on unique gifts and keepsakes to enjoy for a lifetime! Every order made will help you preserve the special memories of your child’s creative growth in a fun and inspiring way! Imagine the excitement and fun of sharing your child’s awesome art with friends and family. . Take a look at https://shop.square1art.com/Shop/view-all-products
NOTE: Students come and go frequently at Fort Belvoir but you can leave a little part of your student behind. We’d like to make Fort Belvoir more beautiful with a giant tile wall featuring Square1 student art over the years. So, please consider adding a Ceramic Wall Tile to your Square1 order.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Tavarez at ytavarez@fcps.edu . Thanks!
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team (MCY PAT) identifies the unique academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of military-connected youth and families, and ensures faculty and staff are informed and prepared to meet those identified needs. The team partners with FCPS and community stakeholders as appropriate to achieve these goals.
The MCY PAT strives to include family representation, and highly encourages military-connected family members to apply to be part of our team.
The team meets virtually on the first Thursday of each month at 2 p.m.
As a military-connected family member, if you would like the opportunity to be selected to participate, please complete this Google form by Friday, December 19, 2025.
For more information, please contact Katie Server, Family Partnerships Specialist, Military-Connected Youth & Families, at kaserver@fcps.edu.
Don't miss our monthly food market, offering fresh items at no cost to our families!
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When: Thursday, December 11th
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Time: Noon – 3:30 PM (Note: May open earlier to maintain protein temperature)
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Where: Primary Family Liaison Office
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What's Available: Fresh produce, non-perishables, and one protein item.
The Food Market is open to all Upper and Primary families.
If you have questions, you can contact Dolores Elliott (Upper) or Jeannette (Primary).
Get ready to clean out those closets and swap some toys! Fort Belvoir Elementary School is hosting a Toy Swap just in time for the holidays.
This is a chance to exchange gently used toys for new-to-you treasures—all at no cost!
Here's How to Participate:
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Toy Drop-Off: You can drop off your gently used toys, books, and games now through December 9th.
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Please only bring items that are clean, safe, and in good working condition.
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The drop-off location is the Upper School Lobby.
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The Swap Day: Families will be able to come in and "shop" for free toys on Wednesday, December 10th from 9:30-3:30 in the Primary Family Liaison Office.
Any toys that are not selected will be donated to a local charity.
If you have any questions, please contact the Family Liaisons, Dolores Elliott or Jeannette Little. Happy swapping!
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. 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 comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, physical or sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
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 Susan Lattuca, AART, 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 Susan Lattuca at salattuca@fcps.edu.
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by our 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.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Did you know Fort Belvoir Elementary has dedicated Family Liaisons to help you and your family connect with the school?
Blue Star Welcome Coffee
If you're a military family, join the Liaisons for a Blue Star Welcome Coffee! It's a relaxed way to meet new families, share your ideas, and discuss topics that matter to you.
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Where: PX Starbucks
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When: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
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Upcoming Dates: October 21, November 18, January 20, February 18, March 24, April 21, and May 19.
New Family Orientations
New to Fort Belvoir Elementary (FBES) or FCPS? We host monthly New Family orientations to help you learn the ropes. If you need help with school apps like ParentVue, Schoology, or MySchoolBucks, stop by or call!
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When: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
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Upcoming Dates: October 27, November 24, December 15, January 26, February 23, March 18, and April 28.
PCSing? We're Here for You!
If your family is moving or PCSing, the Liaisons can support you by:
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Providing new school district Points of Contact.
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Reaching out to the community for resources.
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Connecting you to Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs).
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Setting up a virtual meeting.
Don't hesitate to reach out to Dolores or Jeannette!
Good afternoon, PTA will place a monthly newsletter in teachers’ mailboxes to help improve communication of upcoming events to families. These are the events that we know of for December & January.
Dec 4 : Domino's Spirit Night
Dec 10 - 11 : Toy Swap
Dec 10 : PTA Meeting 5:30pm
Dec 11 : Food Market , 12pm - 3:30pm
Dec 11 : Jolly Grams
Dec 12 : Popcorn Palooza
Dec 15 : New Family Orientation 10 -10:45am
Dec 15 - 19 : Holiday Market
Dec 15 - 16 @ Primary
Dec 17 - 19 @ Upper
Dec 17 : 3 Hour Early Release Winter Break :
Dec 22 - Jan 4th School Returns
Jan 5th Jan 8 : Domino's Spirit Night
Jan 8 : Food Market 12 - 3:30pm
Jan 13 : Chick Fil A Spirt Night @ Kingstowne 5pm - 7pm
Jan 14 : PTA Meeting 5:30pm
Jan 16 : Popcorn Palooza
Jan 19 : No School
Jan 20 : Blue Star Coffee @ PX Starbucks
Jan 26 : New Family Orientation
Jan 28 : 2 Hour Early Release
Jan 29 - Feb 1 : No School
Apply for free & reduced meals at: https://www.fcps.edu/frm.
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Dear Parents,
Please be sure to make childcare arrangements on our early dismissal Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. each month! 😊
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