Fort Belvoir Upper News
What a wonderful first two weeks we’ve had at Fort Belvoir Upper! Our students continue to show excitement about being together, connecting with friends, and building positive relationships with their teachers and staff. It is a joy to see our school community growing stronger each day. Our teachers and staff have also been learning and growing together, collaborating to strengthen instruction and ensure we are getting the school year off to a great start for every student.
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As we move closer to fall, we hope your family enjoys the Labor Day holiday and time together. We are grateful for the partnership and support you provide as we work together to help every student feel welcomed, secure, and ready to learn. Our focus is Building Strong Routines. Predictable routines help students feel confident and prepared throughout the school day. We will continue reinforcing routines for arrival, dismissal, attendance, homework, and communication. We appreciate families helping students arrive on time, attend school regularly, complete homework, and share important information with the school.
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Next week, we will begin our beginning-of-year assessments. These assessments are important because they help teachers understand what students know, identify their strengths, and determine how to best support their learning throughout the year. The results provide a starting point and help us plan meaningful instruction—they are not something for students or families to worry about.
Families can help students prepare by:
- Ensuring students get a good night’s sleep.
- Providing breakfast and encouraging students to drink water.
- Helping students arrive at school on time and ready to learn.
- Encouraging students to do their best and take their time.
- Reminding students that assessments are an opportunity to show what they know and what they are ready to learn next.
Thank you for helping us establish strong routines and for partnering with us to support your child’s success. Together, we are making waves through consistency, connection, and care.
At Fort Belvoir Elementary, we put kids first.
#OneFort #OneMission #OneCommunity
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Your Child’s Presence at School MattersThe 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.
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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.
- Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
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.
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Hosted by Blue Star Families & Wilderness Inquiry
Join us for a day of outdoor fun, canoeing, and hands-on learning with Canoemobile and NCR Blue Star Families!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET
Location: Aquatic Resources Education Center, 1900 Anacostia Dr, Washington, DC 20019
Activities: Canoeing with the whole family, hands-on education stations, and paddling fun for all ages and abilities!
Cost: Free
About the Event: Military Families Outdoors supports the health and wellness of military service members and their families through accessible engagement with nature. Hosted by Blue Star Families and Wilderness Inquiry, this program provides military families with consistent, no-cost access to nature-based experiences that foster belonging and build community.
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