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Look at our preschooler getting ready to deliver some mail! If you're nice maybe she'll send you a Valentine's Day Card!
 Fun thing happening in our Parent Center, working together to make some Valentine's Day Cards.
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: Understanding IB-PYP at Belvedere
Thursday, February 26- 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
Thursday, April 9- Kindergarten Orientation
Friday, April 10 - School Planning Day - Student Holiday
Dear Belvedere Family,
This has been a fun and very welcomed full week of school. FCPS supported us by sending a bobcat to clear the snow from our blacktop, making it possible for students to return outside for recess over the last two days. They had been eagerly waiting for that moment, and the excitement was clear. Across the building, there has also been a wonderful buzz as students celebrated the one hundredth day of school and enjoyed Valentine’s Day activities with their classmates.
Last night, our PTA hosted Movie Night for families. The event was very well attended, and it was wonderful to see our community gathered together enjoying time with one another. In addition, the PTA-sponsored purse raffle was a huge success, and one lucky Belvedere parent is taking home the winning prize. Thank you for your continued support of both our school and our PTA.
Please remember that this coming Monday is Presidents’ Day and Tuesday is a teacher workday. Students will enjoy a four-day weekend. We hope you have the opportunity to relax, spend time together, and recharge.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support.
Warm regards,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, Kelly Cabezas
Belvedere Elem Admin Team
Join Margot Hwang, our IB-PYP Coordinator, on Wednesday, February 25th from 10:00-11:00 AM in our Parent Center. We will be talking about Understanding IB-PYP program at Belvedere.
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.
A reminder that Wednesday, February 25th is a 3 hour early release day for grades K-5. Your student will be dismissed at the same time as the previous 3 hour release day. Students will dismiss at 1:05. Students that have opted-in to stay will dismiss at 4:05. Please notify the front office, 703-916-6800, no later than February 25th at 12 pm if you need to change your child’s dismissal for this day.
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. Please note important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
 We are so excited to welcome your child to Belvedere Elementary! We hope to see parents and rising kindergarten students at our Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, April 9 at 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Cafeteria. Registration is open and we encourage you to register your child prior to April 9th.
Please contact Mandy Belcher at 703-916-6804 or at abelcher@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Date: Thursday, April 9th 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: Belvedere ES Cafeteria.
Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Now Open for All Families and Middle and High School Students
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
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.
Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. Families will have the opportunity to hear from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources and other families, and participate in afternoon sessions.
FCPS families are invited to register to attend this year’s conference. Childcare, accommodations, and language interpretation are available.
Families are also invited to register to serve as event volunteers by Friday, February 20. Volunteer hours will be awarded to student volunteers.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for updates and more details.
5th graders working with Ms. Walsh. Ms. Walsh is an expert at using different types of thinking routines to engage students and expand their learning.
Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
March 4, 2026 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
The schedule for the evening is:
6:00– 6:30 PM: Exhibitor and Participant Registration
6:30- 6:45 PM: Opening Session (Auditorium)
6:30 – 8:30 PM: Resource and Exhibitor Fair (Cafeteria)
7:15 - 8:15 PM: Family Panel (Auditorium)
A questions/answer session will follow the family panel.
Click here to register for the event.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
 Sign Up for Family Culture Night - Feb. 26
Would you like to share a food dish, art, music, dance or other activity or performance with the Belvedere community that represents your family's cultural heritage? Join us for Family Culture Night on Feb. 26 to celebrate our school community’s cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity. Sign up today!
Everyone at Belvedere is welcome to attend the event on Feb. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m., and we also need volunteers to set up and clean up after it concludes.
👜And the Winner Is …
Thanks to everyone who entered the handbag raffle this year. The winner -- a fifth grade parent -- has been notified.
This fundraiser was a huge success, helping to raise more than $1,200 for key needs like teacher grants and field trip support and funding for upcoming community events like Family Culture Night and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Can you Donate to the Spring Auction?
We are preparing for the Belvedere PTA Spring Auction - one of our biggest events of the year. Proceeds from this fundraiser help fund field trip buses, teacher appreciation support and community events like this week’s Movie Night and Family Culture Night later this month.
Do you have a donation you can contribute to the auction? Let us know by emailing BelvederePTAauction@gmail.com.
Donations can range from:
- Tickets for events, shows, movies or experiences
- Complimentary lessons or discounts on lessons
- Unique gift baskets
- Restaurant and business gift cards
- Services for fitness, beauty, health and wellness
- Art
- Sports memorabilia
- And more! We love creative ideas
Want to help? We need volunteers NOW who can spare **60 minutes** to e-mail local businesses for donations. We'll give you the template and the contacts. If you can help, please us know by emailing BelvederePTAauction@gmail.com.
Upcoming PTA Events
February:
26- Family Culture Night @ BES
March:
4 - Community Meeting @ BES
19 - Belvedere Ballers @ Glasgow Middle School
International Night Date Change - Now Saturday, April 18 - Tickets on Sale!
Justice HS Presents The Quest for the Diamond in the Rough!
Join Justice for International Night on April 18! Join our school as we explore and travel across the world, visiting every country represented by our multi-cultural diversity, all in the search of the legendary Diamond in the Rough.
To purchase tickets, please visit here.
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
🐺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 us at watljusticeptsa@gmail.com.
🌞🌴Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Black History Month Celebration
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS at the Olympics
- Coaches Making History
- Divisionwide Spirit Day
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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