At J.O. Wilson Elementary School, we are SOARing to success every day in every way by creating an environment in which joy, pride, positive interactions, and growth mindsets lead students to comfort in taking risks, self-advocating, and facing adversity.

February 13th: February 13th PTA General Body Meeting and Parent Yoga Night @6PM

February 16th: Professional Development Day...No school for students

February 19th: President's Day Holiday...No school for students and staff

February 19th: Family Trivia Night 5:30PM-7:30PM

February 21st: Basketball game vs. Brightwood ES @4:30PM (game will be played at Savoy ES)

February 21st: Girl Scout Cookie Sale 3:30-6PM

February 23rd: Basketball game vs Garrison ES @4:30PM (game will be played at Burville ES)

February 24th: DCIAA Cheer Championship at Coolidge HS 11AM-2PM

February 26th: Virtual Principal Chat @6PM

February 27th: Basketball game vs. Tubman ES @4:30PM (game will be played at Walker-Jones ES)

Cardinal Families! We are thrilled to announce and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Esperanza Tran, Roxie Horn, and Gidget Horn, who have magnificently represented J.O. with pride and distinction at the Cluster Spelling Bee. Their dedication, hard work, and spelling prowess have truly set them apart, making our school community beam with pride!

A special shoutout to Gidget Horn, whose exceptional spelling skills secured her a place among the Top 3 Finishers! Gidget is not just a winner in our hearts; she's now advancing to the prestigious CITY WIDE SPELLING BEE, where she will showcase her incredible talents on an even grander stage. Let's rally behind Gidget as she prepares for this exciting next challenge!

And to our bright young stars in K-2, get ready to shine! Your Spelling Bee is right around the corner, scheduled for April 24th. This is your moment to sparkle and show everyone the amazing spellers you are. We can't wait to see the magic you bring to the stage with your words and wits. Start preparing, keep practicing, and most importantly, have fun! Let's keep the cheers going for all our participants and future contenders. Go, team J.O.! Your dedication and spirit inspire us all.

The Cardinal Drama Players at J.O. Wilson Elementary School are setting the stage for an ambitious goal: to raise $10,000 in just 16 days. This year, our talented group of young performers is diving into the whimsical world of "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR.," promising to deliver a performance brimming with magic and imagination that will captivate our community. But to transform this dream into a dazzling reality, they need your support. Your donations will ensure that we have the spectacular props, costumes, and sets necessary to bring the fantastical chocolate factory to life.

Beyond the stage, we’re also providing our kids with an invaluable experience: a trip to New York City to attend a live Broadway Musical. This annual expedition is more than just a trip, it's a profound opportunity to expose our young actors to the pinnacle of theatrical performance, inspiring them with the boundless possibilities of the arts. This production of "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR." is a monumental undertaking that promises not only to entertain but to educate and inspire our students. By contributing, you're not just funding a school play, you're investing in the future of our children, encouraging their creative passions, and giving them a taste of the professional world of theater.

Let’s come together as families and community members to support the Cardinal Drama Players. Your donation can help turn their hard work and rehearsals into a golden ticket for our kids, offering them unforgettable experiences both on and off the stage. Support the Cardinal Drama Players today, and let’s make "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR." a sweet success! Please consider making a donation of any amount as well as sharing the link to donate within your network of friends, family, and colleagues. Please see below for the link to donate.

https://app.99pledges.com/fund/JOWdrama24

Join us at J.O. Wilson in celebrating Black History Month all month long! Every Thursday during February will be a special Spirit Day, where we honor and explore the rich history and contributions of the African American community. Let’s come together to learn, commemorate, and celebrate this important part of our nation's history. Don't miss out on the chance to show your spirit and participate in this meaningful celebration! See the graphic below for the dates.

Thursday, February 15th: Throwback Thursday...Wear attire from the following decades: 1st floor 70's, 2nd floor 80's, 3rd floor 90's.

Thursday, February 22nd: African Pride Day...Waer your African prints

Friday, February 29th: Black Out...Wear All Black

We counted over 360 attendees representing more than 30 DC-area schools that came to meet with representatives from 30 camp programs. We are especially thankful to our partner, HillRag, and our sponsors Northeast Stars Montessori and Headfirst Summer Camps.

Special recognition goes to our Cardinal Contributors: DC Way Soccer Camp, Camp Rim Rock, Theatre Lab, Northeast Stars Montessori, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Pedalheads, Mad Science, Polite Piggys, Breathing Space Yoga, Joy of Motion Dance Center, Bravo Zulu Chess, The Future Stars Enrichment Program, Steve and Kate’s Adventures on the Hill, HoopEd, Wise Little Owls, Headfirst, Diamond Cubs Enrichment Program, and RDU Tennis.

Each of these camps donated a free camp week for a J.O. student! If you need camp scholarship assistance and are interested in having your student matched with a Cardinal Contributor camp, please reach out to Ms. Stephenson at talisa.sutton-stephenson@k12.dc.gov.

If you were not able to attend, please visit DCCampFair.com and click on the 2024 DC Camp Fair Program for information about all of the participating camps.

Dinner and childcare will be provided. (Childcare is for current J.O. students only.)

• 5:30 p.m. Dinner & Valentine making

• 5:45 p.m. PTA meeting (note earlier start time)

• Get updates and learn survey results about the upcoming modernization.

• Hear about exciting upcoming events.

• Sign-up for the Auction Planning Committee.

• Vote to approve minutes from January’s PTA meeting, available here.

• 6:15 to 7 p.m. Parent Engagement & Wellness

We are excited to partner with DCPS Out of School Time Programs and LaShone Wilson from Hot Yoga Capitol Hill to bring parents strategies to help unwind after those long days at work and the evening shift with kids. We hope this event will allow parents to take a moment for themselves and learn ways to stay relaxed and balanced.

Keep an eye out in February for the J.O. Wilson Girl Scout cookie booth! They will be selling cookies at the Camp Fair this Saturday, Feb. 10, and again on Wednesday, Feb. 21, during pickup time from 4 to 6 p.m. (weather permitting). The girls are raising money for a fun end-of-year celebration and bridging ceremony. Stop by and get your favorites!

To ensure equity and fairness, DPR uses a lottery system for families accessing DPR Summer Camp. All lottery registrations submitted during the registration window have an equal chance of selection. For details, including program locations, dates, and costs, please visit https://dprsummercamp.com/.

Important Dates:

• Feb. 12-26: In-Person Registration Assistance

• Feb. 12: Summer Camp Lottery Opened

• Feb. 26: Summer Camp Lottery Closes

• By March 1: Notification via Email of Lottery Selection

• March 6: Deadline to confirm camp slot and payment due

Come enjoy an evening of fun and facts. The winning trivia team will receive a $50 Queen Vic gift card. This event is free and open to all Cardinal families, teachers, and staff. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Reserve your team table before Feb. 28!

Who: All Cardinal families, teachers, and staff

What: Trivia featuring 3 rounds of 10 questions (Current Events & Black History Month, J.O. Wilson Facts, Kids Round)

Where: The Queen Vic (upstairs), 1206 H St NE

When: Thursday, Feb. 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Trivia will begin at 6 p.m., but we suggest you arrive early if you plan to order and eat before the fun begins.

Why: To have fun with other Cardinals (and compete to win a $50 Queen Vic gift card!)

How: Build a team of 2-4 and reserve your table. There will be some limited standing space for walk-ins.

Join Cardinal parents and guardians for dinner and dancing on H Street in partnership with CHAMPS' Old School Dance Party. Location TBA. Dancing starts at 8:30. For participating parents and guardians, JOW PTA will provide childcare at school for J.O. students from 6 to 10 p.m.

J.O. Wilson families, staff, and creatives are invited to sell their second-hand treasures and original creative works at the first annual J.O. Wilson Market and Yard Sale. This FREE event will feature fun for the whole family, so mark your calendars, get ready to clean out your closets, and keep an eye out for more details.

The Committee of the Whole will hold the following performance oversight hearings:

• Feb. 27, at 9 a.m. - Performance oversight hearing for UDC, the DC Public Charter School Board, State Board of Education, Office of the Student Advocate, Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, and the DC State Athletic Association. Register to testify or submit written testimony here.

• Feb. 28, st 9:30 a.m. - Performance oversight hearing for the Deputy Mayor for Education, DC Public Schools, and Office of the State Superintendent for Education. Register to testify or submit written testimony here. If you anticipate testifying, you are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Hill Family Biking will host a Community Clean-up Ride on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.