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Español: Haz clic en tu idioma preferido arriba para traducir este boletín.
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አማርኛ: ይህን ጋዜጣ ለመተርጎም ከላይ የመረጡትን ቋንቋ ይጫኑ።
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中文: 点击上方您选择的语言来翻译本期通讯。
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한국어: 이 뉴스레터를 번역하려면 위에서 원하는 언어를 클릭하세요.
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Tiếng Việt: Nhấp vào ngôn ngữ bạn muốn ở trên để dịch bản tin này.
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اردو: اس نیوز لیٹر کا ترجمہ کرنے کے لیے اوپر اپنی پسندیدہ زبان پر کلک کریں۔
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فارسی: برای ترجمه این خبرنامه، روی زبان مورد نظر خود در بالا کلیک کنید.
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العربية: انقر على لغتك المفضلة أعلاه لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية.
At Belvedere we are always promoting a growth mindset. Students in Ms. West's class explored the concept of growth mindset to creat this masterpiece.
Friday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday - Division Closed
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day Holiday - Division Closed
Wednesday, September 16- PTA Sponsored Movie Night
Thursday, September 17- AAP Continuum of Services Information Session
Monday, September 21 - Yom Kippur - Division Closed
Wednesday, September 23- Back to School Night
Monday, October 12 - Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
Dear Belvedere Family:
Over the past two weeks, we have sent two letters to our school community regarding the use of hate speech and racial slurs at school. We want to take a moment to provide some additional context about these communications.
At Belvedere and throughout FCPS, hate speech and racial slurs are not tolerated. Whenever we learn that a student has used this type of language, we address the situation and communicate with our school community. Our intent in sending these letters is not to alarm families, but rather to keep you informed and give you an opportunity to reinforce at home the importance of rejecting hate speech, racial slurs, and language that demeans or excludes others.
We want all of our students to grow into upstanding citizens who value inclusion, respect, and diversity. This is a responsibility we share with you, and conversations at home can play an important role in helping children understand that words matter and that language can have a lasting impact on others.
We also want to clarify that the two letters we have sent, and any similar communications we may send in the future, do not mean that hate speech or racial slurs are prevalent throughout our school. That is not the case. These communications are sent because we believe our community should be informed whenever an incident involving this type of language comes to our attention.
As you talk with your children at home, you may find the following resources helpful. They offer guidance for having age-appropriate conversations about slurs, racial bias, kindness, inclusion, and respect:
Thank you for partnering with us in helping our students learn not only academic skills, but also how to treat others with dignity and respect. Together, we can help our children understand the importance of using words that build community rather than cause harm.
Warmly,
Cecilia Vanderhye, Tara Boone, and Jess Duvel
Belvedere Elem Administration Team
Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS students and employees.
Virginia legislation requires that schools opening before Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately before Labor Day.
We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
Language Profiles
Inter-cultural understanding and international-mindedness are at the heart of the Primary Years Program. Supporting and promoting multilinguism is one way we highlight this. You can learn more about this in the Belvedere Language Policy..
During the first weeks of school, as teachers are establishing classroom communities and getting to know their students, teachers often take time to do class-wide or individual Language Profiles to celebrate the many languages that are part of their classroom communities. You can support this conversation with reflection at home. Discuss with your family what languages are part of your family life. We are quick the name the languages that we speak, but there may also be languages that you see or hear in your community. Talk about your family’s relationship to different languages and why they matter to you. Celebrate the diversity in your child’s class by asking questions about what other languages your child’s classmates speak.
Please feel free to email our PYP Coordinator, Margot Hwang (mahwang@fcps.edu) if you have any questions about the program.
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Our school nurse at Belvedere is Veronica Carufel. Contact them at vacarufel@fcps.edu for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions.
Visit our school health webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Ms. Rose’s fifth graders had a wonderful time buddy reading with Ms. Davis’s first graders! Our younger readers were thrilled to share a book with their older buddies. 📚💙
Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at jwalsh@fcps.edu by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
AAP Information Sessions:
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by Jaclyn Walsh, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Thursday, September 17th. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Thursday, November 12th. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Jaclyn Walsh, AART, at jwalsh@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:
- Personal laptops and tablets.
- Smartphones and smartwatches.
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-916-6800. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
Join the PTA!
Our goal is to top the membership involvement we saw last school year when 120 members of the BES community joined the PTA. We have 50+ members to go! Belvedere PTA membership is $10 per caregiver or $5 for Teachers/Administrators/Staff. Members have to renew each year to retain their voting rights.
Joining the PTA comes with no commitments or expectations. We simply hope you will join us to further build the Belvedere community. Joining the PTA does not commit you to volunteer time. Your membership means that you support our efforts and our goals. In addition, your membership gives you voting privileges at our general meeting and teacher-members also qualify for the BES PTA mini-grant program, which is funding for projects and other classroom needs.
Annual membership is open now! If you have questions, please reach out to bespta.va@gmail.com and a Board member will be in touch.
Room Parents Are Needed!
BES is looking for room parents. Typical room parents responsibilities include:
- Supporting communication with families
- Coordinating volunteers
- Assisting with teacher-requested needs
The role is generally about building classroom community and helping with logistics, not assisting with instruction or managing the classroom. If you are interested in becoming a room parent, contact bespta.va@gmail.com.
Save the Date for PTA’s First Movie Night
Join us on Wednesday, September 16 for our first movie night of the year. Doors will open at 5:45 and the movie will start at 6:00. More information about Movie Night will go home in Friday folders next week and be shared in next week’s newsletter.
All BES families are welcome, including siblings. ** Parents/caregivers must stay with children at all times -- this is not a drop-off event. **
We need help with set-up, selling concessions and clean-up. Message bespta.va@gmail.com for details.
Join Us for Volunteer Night at Total Wine, Sept. 29
Join the PTA Board for Volunteer Night, Sept. 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Total Wine (Plaza at Landmark, 6240 Little River Turnpike) to learn about opportunities throughout the year. Come take a break with fellow BES parents, grab some snacks and enjoy a (FREE) wine tasting or non-alcoholic beverage while learning more about how to support the PTA. Bring a friend! More information is on our Facebook page and will be going home in Friday
Follow the PTA on Instagram
Come see photos of the many ways the PTA supports the BES community. We plan to share updates, stories and behind-the-scenes looks at what goes into building a volunteer organization like the Belvedere PTA. Follow us @belvedereES_PTA.
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Have Children in Multiple FCPS Schools?
The FCPS mobile app lets you follow updates from all your children's schools in one place! Simply open the app, tap the teal pull-down menu, then tap the gear icon and select every school you want to follow. See this video of how to follow your school.
Find out about more features of the app. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
☎️Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
📲Follow FCPS on WhatsApp
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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- Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
- Weather Safety
- Attendance Resources for Families
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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