|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
 A huge thank you to our facilities team! As you see, Cesar, Silvia, & Amma worked tirelessly on our snow days to clear away snow and ice. We truly appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Wednesday, February 4- PTA Community Meeting
Thursday, February 5 - Rescheduled Parent Coffee: Understanding IB-PYP program
February 9-13- Kindness Week
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 Night
Wednesday, March 4- PTA Community Meeting
Thursday, March 12- Spring Picture Day
Thursday, March 19- PTA Sponsored Belvedere Ballers
Friday, March 20- Eid al-Fitr - Division Closed
Saturday, March 21- Special Education Family Conference @ Marshall High School
Tuesday, March 24- Family Language Night
Wednesday, March 25- 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
Friday, March 27- 2 Hour Early Release and End of Quarter 3
Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 - Spring Break (Belvedere Offices Closed)
Monday, April 6 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
Friday, April 10 - School Planning Day - Student Holiday
Dear Belvedere Families,
We hope you are all staying warm despite the frigid temperatures. With so much snow-packed ice still on the ground, digging out and returning to normal routines has not been easy.
We are especially grateful to our custodians and FCPS staff who have worked diligently to clear parking lots, sidewalks, and areas around the school. Their efforts help ensure that our campus is safe and ready when students return.
A full week without school can impact students’ learning, particularly in reading, where consistency matters. Reading regularly helps students maintain skills, build vocabulary, and strengthen comprehension. We ask for your support by having your child read at home each day. Just 20 minutes of daily reading can make a meaningful difference.
Please continue to stay tuned for updates related to weather and school operations. We are hopeful to see everyone back at school on Monday.
Thank you for your continued partnership. Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm.
Warm regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, Kelly Cabezas
Belvedere Elem Admin Team
Due to the snow days, the Parent Coffee was not held on January 28th. It has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 5th from 9:45-10:45 AM in our Parent Center. Margot Hwang our IB-PYP Coordinator will be presenting about Understanding IB-PYP Program at Belvedere. We hope to see you there!
If you can't make it in person, join via Zoom: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99122013266?jst=1
For more information contact Iva Plazas, Family Liaison, at 703-916-6800.
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
-
February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
-
February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
-
February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
-
March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
-
March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Have your child complete some activities from our Winter Fun Choiceboard. Students can access the board on their teacher’s Schoology page. You can also check out Digital Resources for Belvedere Students on our site.
Survey of Preschool Children
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.
🧸 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.
Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible.
FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage.
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.
Parents Can Manage Screen Time on FCPS Devices!
FCPS offers the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help you manage screen time on your child's FCPS device at home. With a Parent Portal account, you can control your child’s access to YouTube and pause website browsing during after-school hours.
Please note that parent controls are active only during after-school hours, defined as Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (including student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday.
If you haven't signed up for the portal yet, use the link at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. To learn more, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page.
💻 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.
 International Night at Justice High School
Justice HS Presents The Quest for the Diamond in the Rough!
Join Justice for International Night on February 7 as they explore and travel across the world, visiting every country represented by their multi-cultural diversity, all in the search of the legendary Diamond in the Rough.
Showtimes: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Tickets: Adults - $10, Students and Children under 18 - $5
Cultural Food Experience
- 1st Show - 4:30 - 5:30 pm (for patrons of the 2:00 pm show)
- 2nd Show - 5:30 - 6:30 pm (for patrons of the 7:00 pm show)
*Prices for food varies
Click the flyer to get tickets or visit the site: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1056295/international-night-alexandria-justice-high-school-athletics
🐺Wolves at the Lodge
Join Justice for the 4th annual PTSA fundraiser, Wolves at the Lodge on Saturday, February 28. Enjoy a night of fun, food, dancing, casino games, prizes, silent auction items and student art raffle. This is sure to be their biggest and best yet.
- Open to all parents, teachers, administrators, friends of Justice High School age 21+.
- Get your tickets now for as little as a $35 donation for parents/friends, $10 for teachers/administrators. https://sholink.to/watl2026
- If you and your significant other are planning on coming, why not join the Host Committee as Aces Sponsors for a few dollars more? Have something to donate to the silent auction or for a prize? Amazing! Contact at watljusticeptsa@gmail.com.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Presented to School Board
- School Board Approves Proposed Boundary Changes
- It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 Join Us Next Week for the February Meeting
The next Belvedere ES PTA community meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 4, starting at 6:30 pm. Meetings last 45 minutes and are offered in a hybrid format – both online and in person in the Belvedere cafeteria. The Zoom link will be shared via email next week to the BES Community. Everyone in the BES community is welcome! We had more than 30 BES community members join the last meeting earlier this month when we discussed the FCPS boundary changes.
At this meeting, we will discuss Family Culture Night and Belvedere Ballers as well as get an update from BES leadership. If you have a topic you would like us to address, please let us know at bespta.va@gmail.com.
Spanish translation is only available as part of the virtual format, so please join us via Zoom if you require Spanish support.
👜Handbag Raffle Opens Next Week!
Looking for the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift or a little luxury for yourself? Support Belvedere PTA and enter for a chance to win a stunning Gucci clutch. Ticket information and photos will be released next week and shared on the PTA Facebook page, Instagram, via email to PTA members and supporters and in next week’s News You Choose.
All proceeds benefit Belvedere PTA initiatives, including classroom support for teachers and upcoming community events like the upcoming Family Culture Night, Movie Night and the annual and very popular VIP & Me breakfasts.
Questions? Contact us at fundraiser.bespta@gmail.com
DABs needed for February & March
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.
Upcoming PTA Events
February:
2-12 - Handbag Fundraiser – photos coming soon!
4 - PTA Community Meeting @ BES + Online
Postponed: Movie Night @ BES (TBD)
26- Family Culture Night @ BES
|
