From the School Administration

Dear Belvedere Families,

What an amazing time we had last week! On Wednesday, our school hosted a Nature Night that brought together over 150 families for an unforgettable evening of learning and fun. Huge thanks to Ms. Auerbach, our environmental education teacher, for planning and leading such an enriching event! Families had the opportunity to dive into exciting activities like learning about flying squirrels and bats, observing fluorescent lichen, creating mandalas, experiencing forest bathing, enjoying a guided nighttime nature walk, and crafting beautiful art with leaves. To top it all off, the SEVA food truck served over 100 delicious meals, ensuring no one left hungry. A special thank-you to the staff who came out to support this event—it was truly a team effort!

On Thursday, we continued the celebration with a fantastic Thanksgiving lunch! Families filled the cafeteria, enjoying a delicious feast lovingly prepared by our amazing cafeteria staff. The table decorations made by our talented preschoolers added a festive and heartwarming touch. A big shout-out to all the staff who helped serve, supported during lunch, and ate with their classes. Thank you to all family members who were able to join us.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for you. Your participation and support make our school such a special place.

As we move into the colder months and holiday season, let's work together to keep our school community healthy. Here are a few important tips to reduce the spread of germs:

• Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
• Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach students to use a tissue or their elbow to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and always wash hands afterward.
• Avoid Touching Faces: Remind students to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Hand Washing Prevents The Spread of the Flu 

Your Health Is In Your Hands with the Help from a Shark

By working together, we can help ensure everyone stays healthy and enjoys the upcoming holiday season to the fullest.

Thank you for being such a vital part of our school family, and we look forward to creating even more wonderful memories together!

We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Vanderhye, Principal

Tara Boone, Assistant Principal

Kelly Cabezas, Assistant Principal 

Join us for our upcoming monthly Parent Coffee on December 13!

Reminder:  Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jaclyn Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jaclyn Walsh at jwalsh@fcps.edu. 

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school. 

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.