
PTA Newsletter
November 26, 2024
Ready for Takeoff
Dear Ross Community,
How my family has made it since Covid without getting on a plane is beyond me, but this evening we embark on our maiden post-pandemic voyage through the skies. If you've seen my kid today, he probably already high-fived you to tell you all about it. I don't know how you all have been doing this with tiny people, but kudos to you: I will pass out when I reach the other end of this indubitably chaotic event.
Just a few announcements as we gear up for the holiday: holiday merchandise is hot and ready to go, we have some lost and found items that need their homes back, and our tree sale and Holiday Festival loom large in the very near future (the tree sale kicks off this weekend!).
My family wishes you the most drama and politics-free Thanksgiving ever, with a meltdown-less journey from here to there.
Until December,
-Aimee
School News and Updates
Ross Holiday Merchandise Sale Online Now!
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.
School Health Parent Advisory Group
DC Health has agreed to establish a parent advisory board on school health suites issues (e.g., school nurses, the cluster model, medication training, etc). They would like representation from all wards. Interested? Please fill out this interest form!
Lost and Found
By the off chance your Roadrunner has misplaced a hoodie this year, it's high time you swung by the Lost and Found to pick it up! Located to the left of the main office on the basement level, it's a treasure trove of wayward items. There is a build-up since the beginning of the year, so please swing by before winter break, after which the remaining items will be donated.
School Events
Holiday Tree Sale: Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, & 8 and Holiday Festival: Dec 7
We Need Volunteers Starting This Weekend - Tree Sale & Dec 7 Holiday Festival
⛄🎄 Your help is critical to make these events a success! 🎄⛄
The annual Ross Tree Sale & Holiday Festival are important fundraising events for Ross and fun, festive community-building activities for our school, Ross families, and our neighbors! But we need help from the entire Ross community to make them happen.
When: Weekends of Nov 30-Dec 1 and Dec 7-8
Where: On the Ross field and playground
How You Can Help:
- Sign up to volunteer here! Volunteers are needed to sell trees onsite and deliver trees, during 2-3 hour shifts. Kiddos are welcome to join and can play on the playground during shifts!
- Buy your holiday tree or wreath from Ross! Pre-order by Nov 29th for a discount.
- Share this link to spread the word among local friends, family, and neighbors!
Questions? Email PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
December 7th Holiday Festival Activities
Help with the Bake Sale (9am-4:30pm)
Our annual Bake Sale will be held Sat Dec 7, 10am-4pm on the Ross playground, as part of the Holiday Festival and Tree Sale.
Are you ready to show off your baking skills?
We need families to donate baked goods and volunteer to cover shifts to staff the table and help with set-up and clean-up.
Questions? Reach out to PK4 parent Katie Swafford at klmgrills@gmail.com.
Help with our Volunteer Project (10am-Noon)
As part of the Dec 7 Holiday Festival, we'll host a volunteer project with Miriam's Kitchen.
Ross students will pack bags of supplies (like socks, snacks, etc.) for the Miriam's Kitchen outreach team and write welcome cards for newly housed residents.
How you can help:
- Donate supplies for bags (see MK wishlist) and drop off in the Ross lobby the week of 12/2 or bring to the project on 12/7.
- Help manage the project on Dec 7!
Questions? Reach out to kindergarten parent Chrissy Frey at chrissyfrey@gmail.com.
Decorate Holiday Ornaments (1-3pm)
As part of the Dec 7 Holiday Festival, Treehouse Atelier will be hosting an ornament-decorating station from 1-3pm on the Ross playground!
After you pick out your holiday tree and wreath, stop by to create your own unique decoration!
Collecting Additional Donations for Miriam's Kitchen
To further support the work on Miriam's Kitchen to end chronic homelessness in DC, we are accepting donations from the Ross community:
1) 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 to the Ross Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 7.
3) Toiletry Donations: Got extra soaps, shampoos, or other toiletries from recent hotel stays on your travels? Drop off those items at Ross during the week of December 2nd or bring them to the Ross Holiday Festival on 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.
Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! Starting on Super Saturday, December 7 from 10:30-4:00, Monday, December 9, before and after school, and ending Tuesday, December 10, with a last opportunity before school. Start exploring together here!
Around Town
Volo Kids: Winter Registration Now Open
Winter registration is now open for Volo Kids, which provides free sports programs for kids in eight cities in the US, including Washington, DC. There are multiple sports to choose from (soccer, basketball, flag football, and more) at locations near Ross and throughout the city. Classes are after school and on the weekends. Learn more at their website and register today!
Key Dates
DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar
Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1: Holiday Tree Sale, Ross Field
Saturday, December 7: Ross Super Saturday (tree/bake sale, book fair, volunteer activity + more)
Sunday, December 8: Holiday Tree Sale, Ross Field
Monday, December 23 to Wednesday, January 1: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL
Saturday, February 1: "Community Day" at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, showing of "Petit Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood" Use code RedRoss20 for 20% discount
Saturday, March 22: Ross Auction, Toolbox Pilates Art Studio
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.