Fort Belvoir Upper News
End of Semester:
March 20 - Holiday (Eid)
March 27 - Quarter end 2 Hr Early Dismissal
March 30-April 6 - Spring Break
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This month, we are excited to launch a schoolwide attendance campaign to reinforce the importance of daily attendance. Classes will earn one letter for each day that every student in the class is present. Our goal is to earn 15 days of perfect class attendance this month so we can spell:
D O L P H I N S A T T E N D !
We look forward to celebrating our students' commitment to showing up and supporting one another. Soon, families will also receive attendance report cards with an update on your child’s attendance record. This is an opportunity to review attendance patterns and ensure students are on track.
As a reminder, any student who misses 10% or more of the school year — for any reason (excused or unexcused) — is considered chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism may require additional support or intervention to include attendance conferences to help students stay on track. If your family is experiencing challenges that impact attendance, please contact us so we can partner with you. Please take a moment to review the full FCPS Attendance Policies.
Together, we can ensure that all students are present and positioned to succeed.
Bus Expectations & Student Safety
We also want to remind families about important bus conduct expectations outlined in the FCPS Students’ Rights and Responsibilities handbook. Riding the bus is a privilege, and students are expected to:
- Recognize that the bus driver is the authority on the bus and obey and be courteous to them and fellow students.
- Go directly to a seat and remain seated unless otherwise directed by the driver.
- Not tamper with the emergency door.
- Not slap others or wave or shout at pedestrians or other vehicles.
- Not throw objects about the bus or from a window (or throw objects at the bus from outside).
- Carry onto the bus only unbreakable objects that can be safely held in a student’s lap.
- Not share, sell, or consume food or beverages.
- Not talk on the cell phone, except in the case of an emergency. Texting or listening to music or video is permissible with earphones.
- Present a written request from parents or guardians, subject to approval of the school principal, to go home on an alternate route.
At this time, conduct on some buses is not meeting these expectations. School administration will be reviewing bus expectations with students. Disciplinary steps will include reteaching expectations with administration, assigned seats, and, if behaviors continue, bus suspension.
Safe transportation is a shared responsibility. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately, and we will continue to support them in understanding these expectations. Our priority is ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, and has a sense of belonging while riding the bus.
Thank you for your continued partnership in reinforcing attendance and behavior expectations at home. When students attend regularly and follow expectations, everyone benefits.
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New Visitor Management System We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office.
But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Fort Belvoir Upper and Primary Families,
Join us at the Primary School on March 18th from 5:30-7:30 for our annual STEAM FAIR! We'll have our Community Partners here with fun STEAM activities, games, and demonstrations. Night Vision, The Army Museum, ASNE, AFCEA, Fairfax Waterworks, and more!
The PTA will have food and soft drinks for sale in the cafeteria. The Kids Lab Showcase will have even more fun displays and activities to show you what our Kids Lab students have been learning in class!
Register for an evening of family fun at: https://forms.gle/h7CrmxdT3tpUAvtz5
Celebrating Read Across America by inspiring every student to be themselves!
We are excited to share information about our Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) — a dynamic summer enrichment program serving students currently in grades K–5. Students currently in grade 6 are eligible for our secondary program, Institute for the Arts (IFTA).
Our programs offer students daily experiences in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance in a fun, supportive environment designed to nurture creativity and confidence. To ensure access for all families, we provide:
- Tuition assistance
- Transportation
- After care options
We would greatly appreciate your help sharing this opportunity with families in your school community. Flyers for all programs — including translated versions — are available here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qX_RLDLyI5_U81c3kF34ZbR87G98KG3O?usp=drive_link
Please feel free to print, post, include in newsletters, send home in folders, or share digitally with families.
Thank you for helping us expand access to high-quality arts experiences for our elementary students. We are grateful for your partnership!
Spark Your Future at the CTE Summer Academy!
Is your student ready to build, create, and explore this summer? Registration is now officially OPEN for the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) CTE Summer Academy!
This enrichment program is a fantastic way for students to dive into Career and Technical Education through hands-on learning. Whether they want to program a robot, cook a gourmet meal, or learn the basics of medical science, there is something for everyone.
📅 The Essentials
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Who: Current 6th to 11th graders.
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When: Weekly sessions from July 6 to July 31.
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Time: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm (Early drop-off and After Care available!).
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Where: Robinson Secondary School.
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Cost: $300 per week (Tuition assistance is available—check the website for details).
🛠️ What Can Students Do?
Students get to be the architects of their own summer! Each week, they create a unique schedule by selecting 4 classes from a wide variety of program areas, including:
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Business + Information Technology
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Health + Medical Sciences
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Technology + Engineering Education
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Family + Consumer Sciences
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Trade + Industrial Education
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Marketing
Note: Classes repeat each week, so students attending multiple weeks can choose different subjects every time!
The F.B.E.S. Family Food Market’s new location is at F.B.E.S. Upper School! Starting March 12 from *Noon-3:00 PM you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, a protein, and non-perishables at no cost to Primary and Upper families and Ft. Belvoir Homeschoolers. Mark your calendar for market dates: March 12, April 9, May 14, and June 11 from Noon-3:00 PM. The opening time may change due to our protein temperature requirement.
We desperately need volunteers to help unload the truck (arrival time between 8:00-10:00 AM) and with help takes about 15-20 minutes. A parent suggested we call volunteers when the truck arrives, so you don’t have to commit to two hours of waiting. I’m happy to do so! Please contact Dolores Elliott DElliott@fcps.edu or call 571-982-1419 for more info.
Fort Belvoir Upper Parents,
We are in need of volunteers for our growing Chess Club!
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.
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.
- 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.
It is time to scoop up some school spirit! Our PTA Membership Drive Contest is in full swing, and the competition is heating up.
Who is in the Lead?
Currently, we have two classes leading the pack toward that delicious prize:
How to Win
The first class in each school to reach 100% PTA parent membership will earn an Ice Cream Party! There will be two winners in total—one for each school.
Don’t Wait—Sign Up Today!
The contest ends on February 27th, so be sure to register soon to help your student's class win.
Would you like me to draft a quick reminder email or a social media post to help boost sign-ups for your specific class?
Spirit wear is officially on sale NOW and will run through February 27th.
Check out this link to order yours now! : Fort Belvoir Spiritwear 2026 | Custom Sportswear | powered by OrderMyGear
PTA NEWS:
Mark Your Calendars
School Schedule Changes:
Upcoming Events & Deadlines:
PTA Membership Drive Contest
Help your student’s class win an Ice Cream Party! The first class in each school to reach 100% PTA parent membership wins.
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 – @ 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
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: 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!
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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