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 Kindergarteners in Mrs. Symolon’s class displaying the work they are proud of in Ms. Guzman’s art class. Students were creating paper playgrounds and thinking about how playgrounds have looked in the past, present, and future connecting to their current PYP unit!
Tuesday & Wednesday March 10 & 11- Seed Sale
Thursday, March 12- Spring Picture Day
Saturday, March 14- Outdoor Club
Friday, March 20- Eid al-Fitr - Division Closed
Tuesday, March 24- PTA Sponsored Belvedere Ballers
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
Saturday, April 18- Special Education Family Conference @ Marshall High School
Dear Belvedere Family,
It has been a wonderful and full week here at Belvedere! Our classrooms have been buzzing with learning, collaboration, and excitement as students continue to grow each day. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the PTA meeting on Wednesday, we truly appreciate the continued partnership and support from our families.
Please be sure to mark your calendars for one of our favorite school traditions: the Belvedere Ballers basketball game on March 24 at 6:00 PM at Justice High School. This fun event features our 3rd–5th grade students taking on a team of Belvedere staff and parents in a friendly and exciting game. It’s always a great night filled with school spirit, laughter, and community support.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the warm weather!
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, Kelly Cabezas
Belvedere Elem Admin Team
Spring Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 for all students in preschool through 5th grade. Order forms are being sent home with your student on Friday, March 6th—please check their backpack to find it! If you would like to purchase pictures, your child should bring the completed form and payment with them on Picture Day to give directly to the photographer. Please note: late payments cannot be accepted, and there will be no re-take day for Spring Pictures. We can’t wait to see all those bright smiles!
The annual 3rd Grade Seed Sale is almost here! Stop by the school lobby on Tuesday, March 10 & Wednesday, March 11 from 9:50–11:30 a.m. or 2:10–3:00 p.m. to purchase your favorite flower, herb, fruit, and vegetable seeds. Everything is first-come, first-served with prices from $0.75 to $2.50 (cash only). Student purchases are limited to $5 without an order form, which you can find in this week's Friday Folder, to make sure everyone gets a chance to shop.
Get Outside with Belvedere
The weather is warming up, and Outdoor Club is heading to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park on Saturday, March 14! This optional field trip is open to everyone—we’d love for you to join us as we explore the pond, hunt for vernal pools, and search for signs of new amphibian life. You can ride the bus from Belvedere or Barcroft View or meet us directly at the park. Get all the details and sign up online at https://forms.gle/hJb3myrzFsDUzwwq5.
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Who will be the champions? Belvedere Teachers & Parents or Belvedere Students (grades 3-5)?
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 24th. PTA sponsored Belvedere Ballers will be happening from 6-8 PM in the Justice High School Gym, 3301 Peace Valley Ln, Falls Church, VA.
Sign up today!
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The INOVA Health Plate Club visited Belvedere for a fun cooking activity. Mentees and their mentors shared in creating “Apple Donuts” and learning about nutrition.
   
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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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.
Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
😴Sleep Awareness Week
The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.
Sleep isn’t “extra,” it’s essential. 😴
Sleep Awareness Week is a great reminder how sleep supports physical and mental health, helps the body recover and repair, and supports learning, memory, and mood.
A few strategies that can help people sleep longer and sleep better:
- Same bed/wake times each day
- A calming wind-down routine
- A dark, quiet, cool room (60-67° is ideal)
- Exercise earlier in the day (not within 2 hours of bedtime)
Students in Mrs. Eckert's 3rd grade class had an amazing time exploring how innovations and technology has changed. They even discovered how to find radios stations on an old boom box!
    
Special Education Family Conference- Rescheduled
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
 Get Orders in by Monday
The Spring Spirit Wear sale closes Monday. Both youth and adult sizes are available for t-shirts, shorts and sweatshirts. Check out the new tie-dye! Order today.
A portion of all sales supports year-round PTA family engagement activities, funds for field trips and teacher grants. Please allow approximately 3-to-4 weeks for delivery.
Help Wanted: Grade-Level Baskets For Spring Auction
We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to coordinate grade-level baskets for the spring auction. If you – or you and some friends – would like to gather themed items for your student’s grade for the auction, these baskets are very popular with bidders! We can share ideas for you to choose from (like gardening, books, fitness, etc) or you can create your own theme.
Do you have donations you can contribute? Let us know by emailing BelvederePTAauction@gmail.com.
Want to help? We need volunteers NOW who can spare an hour this month to e-mail local businesses for donations. We have a template and contacts. If you can help, please let us BelvederePTAauction@gmail.com.
DABS needed for March + April!
Calling all male caregivers - we need your support. Come brighten your student’s day volunteering as a Dad at Belvedere (DABs). And no, you don’t have to be a dad! 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! Sign up today for March and April.
Upcoming PTA Events
March:
26 - Spirit Night, 2fifty BBQ (School drop - pre-order link coming soon!)
April:
13-25 - Silent Auction
30 - Spirit Night, TBD
Supporting a Smooth Transition
Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.
Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Read more about the registration process.
Belvedere Kindergarten Orientation
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.eduIf you have any questions.
Date: Thursday, April 9th 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Where: Belvedere ES Cafeteria.
 Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair
30,000 FREE BOOKS for Families and Educators!
• Books are available on a first-come, first served basis, so arrive early!
• Parents and guardians are welcome to choose up to 10 FREE BOOKS per child for home libraries, with a 30 books maximum limit per family.
• Educators and school staff may choose up to 50 FREE BOOKS for their classrooms.
• Fun family activities including DJ and free arts and crafts.
• Hundreds of LEGO brick boxes available while supplies last!
Saturday, Mar. 14
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lorton Community Center
9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079
For more information, please contact Jack Delaney at jdelaney@fcft.org.
School and community program staff must be registered with First Book to receive free books. Registration is free and on-site registration will be available. To register in advance, please go to www.firstbook.org/AFT
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.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 9
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- School Board Adopts Budget
- New Date for Special Education Conference
- Celebrating Our Schools
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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