Fort Belvoir Upper News
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Important Dates
May 26 - Memorial Day - Holiday
May 27 - Teacher Workday
May 28 - Eid al-Adha - Holiday
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Dear Families,
Thank you for the wonderful support and participation during our Miles for Heroes tribute this week. It was truly meaningful to come together as a school community to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. Seeing our students reflect with respect, gratitude, and pride made the experience especially memorable, and we appreciate the partnership of our families in helping make this event so special.
As we head into the long Memorial Day weekend, we hope your family has an opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time with loved ones. Moments of connection and togetherness are important, and we wish all of our families a safe and enjoyable weekend.
In light of the recent community message regarding threat assessments, I also want to share something that remains at the heart of our work each day: there is no greater responsibility as a school leader than the safety and well-being of every person in our building. Please know that your children are my children. We are deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive, and caring environment where students feel seen, valued, and protected.
Part of that work includes teaching students how to regulate emotions, build positive relationships, and navigate challenges appropriately through social-emotional learning lessons and daily support from caring adults. We know students thrive when they feel connected, supported, and understood.
As SOL testing begins to come to a close, we continue to be incredibly proud of our students. Beyond their academic efforts, our students consistently show care, compassion, and acceptance toward one another. Our school community is strengthened by the many backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives students bring with them, and it is inspiring to see students support and encourage one another each day.
Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and support. Together, we continue building a school community rooted in safety, belonging, kindness, and care.
Jessica Peterson
Hi Fort Belvoir Families!
We are so excited to announce that it’s time to Save the Date for our upcoming Summer STEAM Kids Lab! Thanks to a generous grant, we are able to offer this incredible hands-on experience to our students this June.
Whether your child is an aspiring engineer, a mini-scientist, or a tech wizard, this is the place to be. Here are the early details you need to know:
Quick Lab Facts
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Dates: Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 26, 2026
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Time: Approximately 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Final times TBD)
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Who: All current Grade K-5 students are invited to apply!
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Where: Fort Belvoir Elementary
What’s Next?
Keep a close eye on your inbox! We will be sending out more information and registration details very soon. This program is designed to propel student learning through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a fun, collaborative environment.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/ah3zLRb7WLHwbPT86
We can’t wait to see our young innovators in action!
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of VA, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend at a Virginia public school.
In addition, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older;
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older;
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Immunization appointments are available. Inspire Health Alliance will be providing immunizations for currently enrolled FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Visit the Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage to schedule an appointment.
Additional Immunization Resources are also available.
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We are excited to invite our rising students to Jump Start, a fantastic opportunity to get a head start on the 2026-2027 school year! This event is designed to help students familiarize themselves with Whitman staff, explore the building, and learn more about our school's expectations and programs.
📅 Event Details
- Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- This is a FREE event!
- Transportation and light snacks will be provided.
✨ Why Attend?
Jump Start helps students make positive connections within the Whitman community, ensuring they feel confident and prepared for the first day of school.
📝 Registration is Required
To secure your spot, please register by scanning the QR code below:
📧 Questions?
If you have any questions, please reach out to our counseling team at whitmancounselors@fcps.edu.
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 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-year-old by September 30 but also accept applications for children 3- year-old by September 30th. Spaces are limited.
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 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
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.
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Now Hiring: Substitute Teachers and Instructional Assistants for the 2026–2027 School Year for Fort Belvoir Upper | Apply Now
Fort Belvoir Upper School is seeking individuals who can provide continuity of instructional teaching as a substitute teacher and/or instructional assistant. Able to inspire, enable and empower students to meet high academic standards. The position offers:
✔ Flexible schedule ✔ Make a difference in your local community ✔ Great for people with a passion for teaching/assisting students
Join our team and support student learning!
Apply today! For details, visit the FCPS Substitute Employment Website. When applying, search “Substitute” and select the Mount Vernon pyramid posting.
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The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt — and it’s only three weeks away!
This FREE event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.
New this year: the school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku!
Please help us spread the word with your students, staff, and families. Add us to your socials and newsletters.
Participants can sign up here: www.solvingfun.com/fairfax
We are in the process of delivering banners, bookmarks, signs, and stickers to your school. Please post them where they are visible to all.
Thank you for supporting joyful learning and puzzle-solving fun across FCPS!
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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!
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.
- 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.
- Discover What’s New on the Menu
FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.
Here’s what students can look forward to:
- New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
- Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
- Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
- Vegetarian options, like the meatless Philly melt, which are available alongside classic favorites.
Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.
Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available.
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!
Principal Talk Coffee
If you're a military family, join the Liaisons for the Principal Talk 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: Fort Belvoir Primary School
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When: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
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Upcoming Dates: April 28, and May 19.
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 Jenn!
FCPS CARES Program
The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of an FCPS employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. To recognize an employee with an FCPS CARES, please view the submission page
Apply for free & reduced meals at: https://www.fcps.edu/frm.
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