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We held our Science Olympiad awards ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate our students’ outstanding accomplishments. Four Belvedere teams earned first place finishes, and we are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Thank you to Ms. Davis for her leadership and support of our Science Olympiad program!
Monday, May 25- Memorial Day- Division Closed- No School
Tuesday, May 26- Teacher Workday- No School for Students
Wednesday, May 27- Eid-al-Adha- Division Closed- No School
Friday, May 29 - PTA Volunteer Breakfast
Wednesday, June 3- PTA Community Meeting
Thursday, June 4- Band Concert
Thursday, June 4- ALL Library Books Due
Friday, June 5- Field Day
Wednesday, June 10- PYPX Community View from 10:00-12:00
Wednesday, June 10- PTA Spirit Night- Jeni's Ice Cream
Wednesday, June 17- 5th Grade Promotion
Wednesday, June 17- Last Day of School-2 HR Early Release
Wednesday, June 17- PTA Popsicles on the Playground @ 2:05
Dear Belvedere Families,
As we wrap up another exciting week at school, I want to take a moment to celebrate the many accomplishments and special moments our students experienced together.
This week, we finished our initial SOL testing. Our students worked incredibly hard and truly showed how much they have learned throughout this school year. We are so proud of their effort, perseverance, and positive attitudes during testing!
We also had the opportunity to celebrate our Science Olympians. Our 5th grade students worked diligently and earned several awards through their participation. Their teamwork, curiosity, and dedication were wonderful to see, and we congratulate them on their success!
In Kindergarten, students said goodbye to their classroom chicks this week. About 10 chicks hatched in our classrooms, creating an unforgettable hands-on learning experience for our students. It was a joyful and exciting opportunity for everyone involved!
As we head into the long weekend, please remember that students will not have school on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. We hope your family enjoys this extended time to relax, recharge, and spend meaningful moments together. We look forward to welcoming students back on Thursday for a short two-day week.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our school community.
Your Belvedere Admin Team
Cecilia Vanderhye, Kelly Cabezas, and Tara Boone
Friendly reminder for families about upcoming school closures later this month:
• Monday, May 25: No School for Memorial Day
• Tuesday, May 26: No School for a Teacher Workday
• Wednesday, May 27: No School in observance of Eid al-Adha
We hope your family enjoys this special time together and has a safe and restful extended break!
A Parent Input Form for class placements for the 2026-2027 school year came home in your child's Friday Folder last week.
This form gives families an opportunity to share information about the type of learning environment and teacher characteristics that best support their child’s success. You may wish to consider your child’s personality, learning style, and the types of adults and classroom environments in which they thrive.
Please note that requests for specific teachers by name will not be considered.
If you would like to submit input please complete and return to office by Friday, June 5.
We appreciate your partnership and thoughtful input as we begin planning for next school year!
All library books are due back to the Belvedere library on Thursday, June 4. Notices of what books are due will be emailed out at the end of the week. Overdue notices of items not returned will also be sent after June 4. Please reach out to Mrs. Zamudio if you have questions or to report a lost book. Thank you for working to return library books!
Field Day is coming up on Thursday, June 5, and we would love your help to make it a fun and memorable day for our students! We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with games, activities, and cheering on our students throughout the day. Thank you for helping make this special event a success for our Belvedere community!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AFA82DA0FCC34-63934634-belvedere
Belvedere Elementary is now enrolling community peers for the 2026-2027 school year in our FREE half-day preschool program!
This inclusive preschool experience allows children to learn alongside preschool students with disabilities in a nurturing, high-quality environment led by licensed teachers.
Program Highlights
• Play-based learning and engaging curriculum
• Licensed preschool teachers
• Focus on social and emotional learning
• Opportunities to build confidence, friendships, and social skills
Who Can Apply?
• Children ages 3-4 who live in Fairfax County or are children of FCPS employees
• Children who are fully toilet trained
Interested Families
- Complete the interest form and return it to the Belvedere Front Office
- Save the date: Monday, June 8 at 4:30 PM
Parents and children are required to attend an Information Session & Play Date at Belvedere.
Today, we say goodbye as our chickens and chicks head off to their new homes on local farms, but the memories and learning will stay with us long after they leave.
This unit sparked so much curiosity, wonder, and excitement across our school. Students eagerly observed, questioned, cared for, and learned from these amazing animals every single day. Along the way, they grew not only in their understanding of life cycles and inquiry, but also in their language, confidence, bravery, and ability to connect with others through shared learning experiences.
What an unforgettable adventure for our young inquirers.
Be sure to click on the image to watch our full Goodbye Chicks Reel.
Order Your Yearbook by June 11
Don’t miss out on the memories from the 2025-26 school year – order your yearbook today! Deadline to order is June 11.
June 3: Final Community Meeting of the School Year
The final Belvedere ES PTA community meeting is Wednesday, June 3, 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!
The meeting will include a Belvedere boundary update, PTA officer elections, end-of-year event updates and more important school news. Everyone in the BES community is welcome to attend, but you must be a PTA member to vote.
At this meeting, 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.
You Scream for Jeni’s Ice Cream on June 10
Mark your calendar: June 10 from 4-7 p.m. is the final Spirit Night of the year at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Shirlington -- 4150 Campbell Ave. in South Arlington.
Order the custom Belvedere Bowl: Brambleberry Crisp and Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flake ice cream scoops in a Buttercrisp Waffle Cone bowl! All sales benefit PTA programs, events and grants for Belvedere Elementary School teachers for the 2026-27 school year.
Upcoming PTA Events
May:
29 - Volunteer Acknowledgement Breakfast, BES - Invitation only
June:
3 - PTA June Community Meeting + Elections, 6:30 p.m., BES + online
10 - Spirit Night @ Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Shirlington, 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington
11 - Yearbook order deadline
17 - End of Year, Popsicles on the Playground, 2:05 p.m., BES playground
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
Looking for a creative and engaging summer opportunity for your child? The FCPS Fine and Performing Arts Camp, Elementary Institute for the Arts, is open to students currently in grades K-5. FCPS students, private school students, homeschooled students, and non-Fairfax County residents are all welcome to attend.
The camp will be held at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax and offers four week-long sessions:
• July 6-10
• July 13-17
• July 20-24
• July 27-31
Camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with early drop-off beginning at 7:30 a.m. New this year, aftercare is available until 5:00 p.m.
Tuition assistance is available as well as free transportation. Registration is open now until June 5th.
For more information and registration details, visit https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-elementary-institute-arts-e-ifta#tuition
Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.
Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.
For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Additional Mental Health Resources
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
Third Annual FCPS Puzzle Hunt Encourages Active Family Fun
The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!
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! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!
Belvedere is seeking individuals who can provide continuity of instructional teaching as a substitute 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 Justice pyramid posting.
☎️Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
📵New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Graduation and Summer Resources
- Check Your Lunch Balance
- Mental Health Support
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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