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The Cardinal Connection
October 10th, 2023
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.
Important Dates:
October 10th: Virtual PTA Meeting @ 6PM
October 12th: The Early Childhood Education committee will meet IN-PERSON from 5-6 p.m. in the parent center at school, across the hall from the main office.
October 13th: Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Out...Let's Paint J.O. Wilson Pink
October 14th: DCPS School Night at D.C. United on Saturday, Oct. 14th, at 5 p.m.
October 18th: JOW Swag Sale 3:15PM-8PM
October 18th: Fall Festival, Hispanic Heritage Celebration and Outdoor Movie Night
October 19th: Parent Teacher Conference Day...No School for Students
October 20th: Professional Development Day...No School for Students
October 25th: Fall 23-24 Picture Day JOW
October 25th: The Facilities and Modernization committee will meet virtually from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88151863854?pwd=aXBKeDI4ajFNQ3RxQTZ4S0lralNFZz09
October 28th: The Literary Feast
October 30th: Virtual Principal Chat 6PM
November 2nd: JOW Swag Sale 3:15PM-6PM
VIRTUAL General Body PTA Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m.
Please join the PTA for our monthly General Body Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m.
This meeting will be virtual. Register in advance here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdOqsrz4iGtbV3nyjBuH6odY26wXMC_QN
Membership in the PTA is free and open to all parents, guardians, and staff. Please fill out our membership form to let us know if you're interested in roles like volunteering during events or serving on a committee. To stay up-to-date, visit the school website jowilsondcps.org, follow us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) @jowpta and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/JOWPTA.
Agenda highlights for tonight's meeting
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Vote to approve last month's meeting minutes https://tinyurl.com/s4jr3s9a
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Special guests: Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen and Spanish teacher Ms. Guzman
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Discuss plans for the Fall Festival next Wednesday, our new Cardinal Grant program to support classrooms and enrichment, and other upcoming events.
Upcoming PTA Committee Meetings:
Thursday, Oct. 12: The Early Childhood Education committee will meet IN-PERSON from 5-6 p.m. in the parent center at school, across the hall from the main office.
Wednesday, Oct. 25: The Facilities and Modernization committee will meet virtually from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88151863854?pwd=aXBKeDI4ajFNQ3RxQTZ4S0lralNFZz09
Purchase your pumpkins from J.O. Wilson and support the PTA!
All proceeds from the sales of pumpkins support activities that benefit students and teachers. Please complete the pre-order form no later than Wednesday, Oct. 11. Limited quantities will be available for day-of purchase at the Fall Festival.
Fall Festival, 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration and Outdoor Movie Night — Wednesday, Oct. 18
Join the Cardinal Community for:
Pumpkin decorating
Fall-themed activities and games
Bake sale
Refreshments (pizza, popcorn, snacks and drinks)
A viewing of Encanto or Hotel Transylvania - YOU pick! Please vote for the movie you (and your kids) want to watch!
Festivities will start at 4 p.m. Movie begins at sundown. Closed captions will be provided. This event is open to all; please help spread the word to friends and neighbors.
Volunteers needed!
Do you like to bake? Please sign-up here to contribute baked goods to the bake sale! All items must be individually packaged/wrapped and NO NUTS please.
Can you work a shift during the afternoon/evening of Wednesday, Oct. 18 (or help with unloading pumpkins the morning of Oct. 17)? Please sign-up here to assist with set-up, concessions, and clean-up.
If you would like to be involved with planning events like this, please reach out to info@jowilsonpta.org so we can add you to the Events and Fundraising Committee email list.
Girl Scouts has kicked off for another year at J.O. Wilson!
This year, we expanded to girls in K-4th grade! We have a few girls on the waiting list already, but need to find another adult volunteer to join us on Thursdays before we can open it up to more. Email larissahorn@gmail.com if you're interested in being on the waitlist or volunteering.
Let's Paint J.O. Wilson Pink
October is breast cancer awareness month. This Friday, October 13th, we are asking our entire school community (students, staff, and parents) to wear pink to help us raise breast cancer awareness. The class that wear the most pink will receive a special treat.
DCPS School Night at D.C. United on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m.
Come out to Audi Field to watch the D.C. United vs. Medeama SC with DCPS friends and families! DC United’s School Night includes:
20% off single game tickets
Block seating
Exclusive fan experience options
Tickets start at $20 per ticket. Purchase tickets here. For groups of 10 or more, reach out to Emma Cohen-Dumani (group sales account executive).
DC Teacher Voice Festival
EmpowerEd is holding its 2023 DC Teacher Voice Festival in Ward 6 this year! ALL DC RESIDENTS are invited to join DC educators for family-friendly fun at the 2023 DC Teacher Voice Festival. RSVP now for the event at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PLEASE bring family, friends, and colleagues. The event will include:
Go-Go music
Carnival-like games
Food truck
Kids face painting
Balloon animals and more
Explore tables hosted by local educators to discuss action on things like reforming standardized testing, school ratings, teacher retention, culturally responsive education, ending child and family poverty and more. Register here
Do you need more J.O. Swag?
Thanks to everyone who continues to show school pride by purchasing J.O. Wilson apparel! You can purchase additional swag and pick up pre-ordered swag at the following upcoming swag sales:
Upcoming Swag Sales
Wednesday, Oct. 18: 3:15-8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 2: 3:15-6 p.m.
You may pre-order shirts, hoodies, and yard signs by completing the order form at our Swag Store. To help expedite orders, we ask that you use CashApp, Zelle, or PayPal if possible.
Fall Picture Day Happens on October 25th
Cardinal Families,
We will be taking our fall pictures on Wednesday, October 25th. Please see the PDF file below for ordering details and information. Students ARE NOT required to wear uniforms. Please contact Ms. Bishop on 202 698-47-33 if you have any questions.
Announcing the Cardinal Grant Program!
The J.O. Wilson PTA is pleased to offer the Cardinal Grant Program, which makes additional funding available for academic and extracurricular enrichment and community-building. For 2023-2024, the following types of Cardinal Grants will be available:
Classroom (up to $100 per grant)
Grade Level (up to $500 per grant)
Enrichment & Community (up to $500 per grant)
Apply for a Cardinal Grant here. Review the Cardinal Grant Policy here. Email info@jowilsonpta.org with any questions.
Help Support a J.O. Partner - Join the Literary Pumpkin Walk and Get on the Map
Transform your yard or stoop into a festive fall display and sign up for inclusion in the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s Literary Pumpkin Walk map. Choose a book or favorite character, and design a single pumpkin or an entire yard scene. Each year, neighbors vote for their favorite entry, and the Foundation donates $1,000 to a school selected by the winner.