Fort Belvoir Upper News
End of Semester:
January 28 - 2 Hour Early Release
January 29 - Student Holiday
January 30 - Student Holiday
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❄️ Bundle Up and Enjoy the Snow!
With the anticipated arrival of snow, it’s the perfect time for some winter magic! Whether your family is going to build the ultimate snowman, heading to the sledding hills, or just catching snowflakes, we hope you have a wonderful time making memories together.
Once the outdoor adventures are done, there’s nothing better than a warm blanket and a big mug of cocoa. Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the winter wonderland!
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.
Have you ever wondered exactly how we teach reading in the classroom? We invite you to join us for a special "crash course" on our literacy curriculum!
Come hear from both Primary and Upper literacy coaches as they break down how we teach phonics, fluency, and comprehension. You will get a chance to see the curriculum materials up close and even watch parts of a literacy lesson in action.
Questions? For Primary, contact: malarson@fcps.edu For Upper, contact: kowakeley@fcps.edu
- Did Your Student Get a New Phone or Device?
For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 571-982-1300.
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
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.
- 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.
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Spanish:Eventos de Vacunación para los Estudiantes de FCPS
FCPS, en asociación con la organización Inspire Health Alliance, estará ofreciendo sin costo alguno vacunas obligatorias para la escuela y vacunas opcionales contra la “flu” o influenza a todos los estudiantes de FCPS. Se realizan múltiples eventos en lugares determinados de FCPS. Se programarán fechas adicionales a lo largo del año escolar. Padres y tutores podrían revisar las fechas de los próximos eventos y programar citas para vacunar a sus estudiantes. La participación es completamente voluntaria.
Hay disponibles recursos adicionales para la vacunación.
Is Your Favorite Hoodie, Coat or Water Bottle Missing You?
Our Lost & Found is currently overflowing with coats, sweatshirts, and enough water bottles to hydrate a marathon!
Come take a look—your long-lost North Face is waiting for you!
- Meal Accommodations Provide 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.
2-3 Volunteers are needed to organize the Clothing/Hygiene Room 232 at Upper for the Social Worker. Volunteers will fold and organize clothing by sizes, and organize miscellaneous items. Ms. Murphy would like to meet Wed., 21 January at 9:30. Please use the link for more information and to sign up! Thank you!
https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/opp_details/2873
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2026-27!
We are High Quality Early Childhood Program for eligible families. PreK is a full day M-F program that prioritizes children 4-years-old by September 30 but also accept applications for children 3- years-old by September 30th. Spaces limited.
Come Learn About and Apply In-person –
January 27 (9am-11am) and (1:30pm-3:00pm) @ Fort Belvoir Primary
February 3 (9am-11am) and (1:30pm-3:00pm) @ Fort Belvoir Primary
February 5 (9am-11am) and (1:30pm-3:00pm) @ Fort Belvoir Primary
To Apply In-person please bring:
-Child’s birth certificate
-Address Verification Letter
Proof of Income (2025 taxes, W2 or 1-month paystubs)
For more information or to apply online after February 2 scan QR code
Visit our website – www.fcps.edu/PreK
Call PreK Office-English: 703-208-7900 Spanish: 703-208-7901
Email- fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
Application
PreK & Early Headstart Overview
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Upcoming AAP Mini PDs: January 30!
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📢 Upcoming AAP Mini PDs: January 30!
AAP Mini PD Flyer
FCPS Teachers, are you looking to dive deeper into our AAP resources? Join us on January 30 for two focused "Mini PD" sessions! We will be exploring two essential components of the AAP curriculum: Michael Clay Thompson (MCT) Vocabulary & Grammar and Document-Based Questioning (DBQ).
These sessions are designed for grades 3–6 and offer practical ways to challenge your students’ thinking. The AAP Mini PD Flyer will have session times, MyPDE registration links, and the Zoom link for the day!
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Spring 2026 Academy Course Registration
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🖥️ Spring 2026 Academy Course Registration 🖥️
Please access the Spring 2026 AAP Academy course offerings using the AAP Academy Courses Spring 2026 Link. The following courses still have openings:
- Strategies for Challenging and Engaging Advanced Learners
- Differentiating Instruction for Advanced Learners
- Differentiating Up - Shifts in Practice to Support Advanced Learners in Any Classroom
- Understanding and Supporting 2e Learners
- Young Scholars 2
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Did you know Fort Belvoir Elementary has dedicated Family Liaisons to help you and your family connect with the school?
Fort Belvoir Upper Volunteers
Beginning January 12th, all Upper volunteers will need to check-in on the visitor's kiosk and sign-in using the Volunteer Log Book located in the blue basket. We appreciate your support and time!
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. All families are invited!
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Where: PX Starbucks
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When: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
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Upcoming Dates: 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: 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 January.
Jan 23 : Bingo Night 6:00 - 8:00 PM Upper School Cafeteria
Jan 26 : New Family Orientation
Jan 28 : 2 Hour Early Release
Jan 29 - Feb 1 : No School
📚💙 Families, please join us for Healthy Minds, Strong Readers on January 20, 2026, at Groveton Elementary from 7 - 8:30 PM at 6900 Harrison Lane in Alexandria. 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!
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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