Dear Ross Community,
'Tis the season for gratitude! Yesterday we thanked our dedicated teachers and staff with a Gratitude Breakfast, where they dined on delicious treats and hot drinks before being mowed down by our children all day. A special thank you to Nikki Chan-Lee for organizing, and to the many parents who contributed food, flowers, and a snazzy thank-you banner.
We have officially kicked into holiday high gear, folks! We have many holiday-related items in today's newsletter, including the holiday merchandise sale and expanded Super Saturday details. Don't forget that JCC and Keegan aftercare registrations open the day after tomorrow, November 21, at 11 am. The Freed Photo makeup day (including class photos) is coming up on December 6 so add that to your calendars as well.
In the interest of gratitude, I will sign off with this article 10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids from the Child Mind Institute. My Roadrunner generally says he's thankful for presents, so we have some headway to make, but he's got some time to work on it. 😉
-Aimee
A huge thank you to families, teachers and staff for their contributions to our Fall for Ross fundraising campaign. We’re pleased to share that we raised more than $45,000 including monthly donations. The families of 70% of students gave! Congratulations to the Mighty Monarchs PK4 class, who reached 100% participation and won a popsicle party and extra recess! Please see below for the class-by-class results. If you haven’t given and would still like to, you can do so here. Thank you!!!
Get excited: the Ross Holiday Merchandise Sale will take place online from now until December 1! Check out brand new items including ornaments, updated class notebooks, and more. Opportunities abound to support Ross and show your school spirit. 🎉 Make sure to get your order in by December 1 and plan to pick up at school December 18-20. Questions? Contact Sarah at rossmerchandise@gmail.com.
The Ross Community will partner with Miriam's Kitchen for the volunteer activity Giving Back, to be held on Super Saturday, December 7. From 10 am to 12 pm, stop by the Ross building to help sort and assemble necessity kits for those experiencing homelessness and make cards welcoming newly housed residents. Our students will also have the opportunity to hear from leaders at Miriam's Kitchen about their mission and how our students can get involved.
How you can help:
1) Necessity kits: Purchase and donate items from this Amazon list, which will be used to create kits distributed by Miriam's Kitchen staff. Please drop off your donations at the Ross building by Wednesday, December 4.
2) Coat Drive: Have a gently used adult coat to donate? Drop it off at Ross during the week of December 2nd or bring it with you on Super Saturday, December 7.
3) Toiletry Donations: Got extra soaps, shampoos, or other toiletries from recent hotel stays on your travels? Bring those items to Ross during the week of December 2nd or on the morning of Super Saturday, December 7.
Your support can make a difference in the lives of those in need this winter! Questions? Reach out to Kindergarten parent Chrissy Frey at chrissyfrey@gmail.com.
Add flour and butter to your shopping lists and brush off that holiday apron--it’s Bake Sale time!
Please sign up to bake your family’s secret recipe, to bring your favorite bakery’s famous goodies, to serve a shift at the sales table, or all of the above. We can’t make this beloved Ross and neighborhood tradition a success without you!
Baked goods should be dropped off at Ross on Friday, Dec. 6, between 3 - 3:30 pm, or no later than 9 am on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Shift volunteers will serve in two-hour increments. Responsibilities include making sales, packaging items, keeping the area clean, and helping with set-up and break-down.
Questions? Ideas? Reach out to Katie Swafford at klmgrills@gmail.com.
The Tree Sale will run Sat Nov 30, Sun Dec 1, Sat Dec 7, and Sun Dec 8. We need volunteers to sell trees onsite and deliver trees, for 2-3 hour shifts these days. Children are welcome to join for volunteer shifts! We also need volunteers for the Book Sale, the Miriam's Kitchen Volunteer Event, and ornament making.
The athletic field at Stead Park was closed starting yesterday, November 18, to replace the synthetic turf field. The field will remain closed until construction is finished; it is expected to be completed in approximately three weeks. For additional information, please visit the project website here.
What: Open piano! It's like open mic night, but especially geared for pianists. Any performer can sign up to play 2-3 songs. While any type of instrument is welcome, the venue only offers a piano and mic. For singers, we can usually provide an accompanist (please bring sheet music) or plan to sing a capella. We often host a kid-led sing-a-long as well!
Who: Any and all kids with musical interest! There will be a sign up sheet upon arrival. If you and your kid simply want to listen to the musical stylings of their friends and peers, please join too!
Where: The Saloon (upstairs) 1205 U Street NW, more info on standing open piano night here.
"Our popular Gingerbread Workshop is back! Get in the holiday spirit and construct your own gingerbread house with your family and friends. Turn gingerbread walls and royal icing into a delicious masterpiece while enjoying hot chocolate and treats. Tickets are sold per house (1 ticket = 1 house), and there is a limit of two kits per group to allow as many families and friends as possible to participate in this beloved holiday tradition. Each kit includes one gingerbread house, colorful candy for decoration, and icing." Register for the morning and afternoon sessions at the highlighted links.
If you were looking for just about anything to do this holiday season, this guide by Kid Friendly DC has you covered. Click here for a comprehensive listing of Light Displays, Holiday Shows, Special Events, Tree Lightings, Hanukkah, and Holiday Markets!
About the Ross PTA
The mission of the Ross PTA is to support the education of all Ross students, to support Ross faculty and staff, to foster relationships among parents, staff and community members, and to assist faculty and staff to provide a safe and nurturing environment where all students, families and faculty can thrive and grow.
Email: PTApresident@rosselementary.org
Website: http://rosselementary.org/pta-board/
Location: 1730 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.673.7200
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Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, please email me here.
