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 Library teacher Mrs. Zamudio reads The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig as second grade students from Ms. Bamford’s class explore different versions of stories. By comparing multiple versions of familiar stories, students learn how point of view shapes a story and deepens their understanding of characters and events.
This Week's Topics
Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - Division Closed
Wednesday, January 21- VIP & Me, Grades K-2
Thursday, January 22- VIP & Me, Grades 3-5
Wednesday, January 28 - 2 Hour Early Release and End of 2nd Quarter
Wednesday, January 28- Parent Coffee: Understanding IB-PYP program
Thursday, January 29 - Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
Friday, January 30 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
Wednesday, February 4- PTA Community Meeting
Thursday, February 5 - PTA Sponsored Movie Night
Monday, February 16 - Presidents' Day - Division Closed
Tuesday, February 17 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
Wednesday, February 25- 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
Wednesday, February 25- Parent Coffee: Responsive Classroom and Second Step
Thursday, February 26- International Family Culture Nighthis placeholder text.
Dear Belvedere Family,
This week has been a busy one at Belvedere, with several assessments taking place across grade levels. January is a key assessment window, during which students retake the i-Ready Reading assessment and the MAP Math assessment. In the primary grades, some students also participate in the VALLS assessment. In addition, students continue to complete their regularly scheduled reading and math unit assessments.
These assessments provide valuable information that helps teachers monitor student progress and plan instruction that best meets students’ needs. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring that students arrive at school on time, well rested, and ready to learn.
During this week’s PTA meeting, there was discussion regarding the proposed district boundary study and the potential impact on the Belvedere attendance area. Since that meeting, the district has shared an updated proposal that includes postponing until January 2027 the boundary changes related to middle and high school placement affecting Belvedere. This extended timeline is intended to allow for additional community engagement and opportunities for stakeholder input before decisions are finalized.
In addition, we would like to remind families that the police department will begin issuing warnings in the kiss and ride line next week. Beginning February 2, tickets will be issued for violations. We ask for your continued cooperation in supporting our neighbors by being especially mindful not to block private driveways while waiting in the kiss and ride line. These efforts help ensure student safety while also maintaining positive relationships within our surrounding community.
Thank you for your attention to these important updates and for your ongoing partnership and support of Belvedere.
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, Kelly Cabezas
Belvedere Elem Admin Team
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-5, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day on February 26 or February 27. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Please complete the Survey of Preschool Children form if you have a child who will be 5 years of age as of September 30, 2026. You can access the form in multiple languages at this link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it112.pdf
Please complete and return the form to your local elementary school by March 31, 2026.
This will allow for FCPS to estimate the number of incoming kindergartners to plan for staffing and resource needs.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
😷Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
❄️😊Keep Kids Active and Healthy This Winter!
As the temperatures drop, it can be challenging to keep children active and healthy. Here are some simple tips to help your kids thrive during the winter months:
🏃➡️Create an Indoor Workout Routine:
Set aside time each day for fun, active games or simple exercises indoors. Dancing, jumping jacks, or yoga can keep energy levels high and bodies strong.
📵Limit Screen Time:
Encourage kids to take breaks from phones, tablets, and TVs. Replace screen time with creative activities like drawing, puzzles, or family board games.
🍎Choose Healthy Snacks:
Remind children to make healthy choices when snacking. Fresh fruits and vegetables are great options!
🍇🍊Enjoy Unlimited Fresh Produce at School:
All students in the lunch program have unlimited access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the school cafeteria. Encourage your child to take advantage of these nutritious choices every day.
By making small changes at home and school, you can help your child stay healthy, active, and happy all winter long!
🛌Strategies for Better Sleep
Sleep is essential to good health, and getting enough sleep has big benefits to your physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep is restorative, allowing your body time to recover and repair.
This is true for your child, too. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, and memory consolidation, as well as their mood. And it is important for a strong immune system and the prevention of infections. Read about how much sleep a person needs and get some sleep strategies you can use with your family.
💉Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.
Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.
 Mason District Health Fair
Save the date for the upcoming Mason District Health Fair on Saturday, February 7th from 10am-12 pm at the James Lee Community Center. A variety of community groups, organizations, and county departments will provide valuable health-related information, services, and resources:
- Vaccine appointment registration and information
- Medicaid enrollment assistance
- Hearing and vision screenings
- Substance abuse prevention training and resources
- Child development screenings and information
- Breast cancer awareness information
- HIV screening and prevention information
- Information on the importance of healthy eating
- And more!
The Fair is for all ages and is free entry for all.
💻 Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome Browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your student(s) can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store.
Please review and provide your consent for these two new options through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system:
- Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
- Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students.
For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with our Technical Support desk.
💻Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology.
Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.
Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.
Providing Safe, Nutritious Meals
FCPS’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to school meals that are safe, nutritious, and meet their individual dietary needs.
FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school. To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.
Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a menu for your child.
 📚💙Healthy Minds, Strong Readers
Families, please join us for Healthy Minds, Strong Readers on January 20, 2026, at Groveton Elementary. Learn how supporting children’s well-being strengthens reading and learning.
✔️ In-person or Zoom
✔️ Spanish interpretation
✔️ Childcare & snacks provided
We hope to see you there!
Justice High School presents International Night, “The Quest for the Diamond in the Rough,” on February 7, 2026. The event invites the school community to explore cultures from around the world represented by Justice High School’s multicultural diversity. Showtimes are at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. A cultural food experience will be available, with food service from 4:30 to 5:30 PM and 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Food prices vary.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Superintendent Updates on Boundaries and AI
- Healthy Habits to Avoid Illness
- Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
To allow for additional community engagement and input, proposed changes to some FCPS school areas -- including Belvedere Elementary -- will be reviewed with recommendations provided to the School Board by January 2027. The proposed boundary changes for BES, which would have impacted families zoned for Belvedere ES as their students moved on to middle and high school, will not take effect in the coming school year.
Read the full presentation and the executive summary of the proposed changes. All updates made yesterday are in red. Information specific to Belvedere ES boundary changes can be found on page 12 of the summary and slide 37 of the presentation. The FCPS Comprehensive School Boundary Review page is updated. The boundary tool is NOT yet updated to reflect proposed changes made this week.
The proposed plan for students coming from Parklawn ES to Belvedere ES has not changed: SPA 6127 will be reassigned from Parklawn ES to Belvedere ES, adding 78 ES students. This will increase BES capacity to 99% but likely will also allow Belvedere to retain its Title I status for federal funding.
What’s Next?
Thursday, Jan. 22, 6:15 p.m.: The School Board will hold a public hearing on the superintendent’s revised proposed changes to school boundaries at Jackson Middle School. If you would like to register to speak, please do so by Tuesday, January 20, at 4:30 p.m. The School Board Office will notify speakers via email no later than the morning of Jan. 21.
Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.: The board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s amended recommendation for proposed boundary changes and implementation.
The PTA will continue to keep the BES community updated in the months to come on these proposed changes and share ways for you to learn more and be a part of the process.
Mark Your Calendar for VIP + Me Next Week
Join us for VIP & Me on Jan. 21 and 22 when BES students are invited to bring the most special people in their lives to have breakfast with them before the school day starts. We are looking for volunteers to help set-up and clean-up as part of these events. You will need to be available to be at school from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on one (or both) of the days to help with setting out food and cleaning up after the event. Your students can come with you and then head to class. This is a great opportunity for families to come to school and wish their students well as we start the new year! Active time is 8:15-9 a.m. We are also looking for donations for the breakfast including fruit, pastries, yogurt, juice and other continental breakfast items. Sign up today for K-2 donations and grades 3-5 donations and volunteer opportunities.
DABs needs for late January & February
Calling all dads, uncles, grandpas and other male role models: come volunteer as a Dad at Belvedere (DABs) and show your support of education. DABs work in their student’s classroom, play on the playground and greet students at the kiss and ride line! It’s a fun-filled day that your student will never forget – and neither will their classmates! Sign up here.
📞Answer the Phone … an Hour a Week!
The Belvedere ES front office staff is looking for volunteers to help run the office for an hour a week while the administrative team hosts their weekly meeting. They are seeking a few volunteers and can be flexible with the day of the week and time, as long as it is between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you have a flexible schedule and may be able to help (even if it's not every week!), please connect with Tasha Floyd at tnfloyd@fcps.edu.
Upcoming PTA Events
January
21 - VIP & Me, K-2, 8:15-8:50a
22 - VIP & Me, Grades 3-5, 8:15-8:50a
February
2-12 - Purse Fundraiser
5 - Movie Night @ BES (TBD)
26- Family Culture Night @ BES
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