A Message from Principal Peterson
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A Day of Remembrance
Twenty-five years ago today, I experienced 9/11 at Fort Belvoir Elementary School as a first-year teacher. I witnessed our community come together, and I experienced a sense of unity, care, and strength that I will never forget. As I reflect on this day, I think about the sacrifices that members of our military community make each day, and I honor and remember those we lost.
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A Culture of High Expectations
At Fort Belvoir Upper, high expectations mean believing in every student and supporting them as they grow. High expectations look like students challenging themselves, taking responsibility for their learning, showing kindness, and persevering when work becomes difficult. They sound like encouragement, respectful communication, positive feedback, and reminders that mistakes are a natural part of learning. Our teachers and staff are committed to creating classrooms where students feel supported while also being encouraged to do their best. Together, we are helping students develop confidence, responsibility, and the determination to keep going. This is how we put kids first and continue Making Waves Together. We invite all families to join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This year, families will experience a “Day in the Life of a Dolphin,” giving you an opportunity to experience school from your child’s perspective and learn more about the learning experiences, routines, and expectations that shape each day at Fort Belvoir Upper. We look forward to learning and making waves together with you!
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Welcoming Our New Family Liaison
We are excited to welcome Mr. Earnest Miles as our new family liaison! Mr. Miles joins us as a 25-year retired veteran, military spouse, and educator. He is ready to work alongside our students, families, and staff to make our school community better than ever. Please be on the lookout for information about an upcoming Principal’s Coffee and Family Liaison Introduction. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families to meet Mr. Miles, learn more about his role, and connect with our school community. Together, we are building a school where every student and family feels known, valued, and supported.
At Fort Belvoir Upper, we put kids first.
#OneFort #OneMission #OneCommunity
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Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.
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September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
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.
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Please support and check out our AMAZING PTA this school year! There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for these fun events to come! :
Bingo Tickets: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/fortbelvoirpta/events/septemberbingo
Bingo Volunteers: https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/6b907e0d906eef
Popcorn Fridays: https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/ed0d38505704
Popcorn Friday Volunteers: https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/38c342bb74228f
All Volunteer Opportunities: https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop?category=30ef8bb2-d229-4bec-914b-565be00bdda4
Reflections Art Contest Chair: https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/9dc35524d21564
Vice President:
https://fortbelvoirpta.givebacks.com/shop/items/bde5b97567
FCPS is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student's unique academic needs.
Identification Cycles for Full-Time AAP Services
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Fall Identification: Students in grades 3–7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring Identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2–7 may be referred by December 15, 2026. (Note: Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year.)
Ability Testing (Naglieri General Ability Tests - NGAT) FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
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All students in Grade 2 take the NGAT.
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Students in Grades 3–6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
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Students in Grades 3–6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Mary Flint, School Testing Coordinator, at mflint@fcps.edu by September 30.
Upcoming Parent Information Meeting Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting led by Blythe Belenky, Upper School's Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART). Topics covered include:
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AAP Continuum of Services: Learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
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Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
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Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
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Location: Fort Belvoir Upper School Cafeteria
Contact Information For more information, please contact Blythe Belenky, AART, at btbelenky@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus! Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
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Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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