PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

We celebrate Christmas in our family and some of my fondest childhood memories are of this time of year. Fast forward a few decades, and I suffer through blood, sweat, and tears trying to pull off similar superhuman feats and memories (looking at you, Mom) for my kids. Someone had the nerve to say to me today that "Christmas doesn't have to be perfect; be kind to yourself." I find it really annoying when people give spot-on, perfect advice. I mean, on reflection, how many times do you think something exploded in our garage while the dog knocked down my mom's perfect tree? I'll let you believe it was once, but I'll bet that Christmas was the best Christmas in my eyes. Whatever holiday you celebrate, give yourself some grace, run screaming from the mirage of perfection, and have a really good time!

Don't forget to contribute to teacher and staff gifts through your Room Parent if you'd like to, and that next week is Spirit Week! We have a fun event in the new year you should save the date for: Imagination Stage's Community Day on February 1. Please enjoy all the fun holiday experiences around town and have a wonderful time with your families this month.

-Aimee

Makeup portraits and class photos have been postponed to the spring (date TBD) due to last Friday's cold weather. Please reach out to Freed Photography at support@freedphoto.com or 301.652.5452 with any questions.

You've been counting the days until Spirit Week?! Wait no further...mark your calendars for the week of December 16 to 20, right before the winter break.

Monday, December 16: Winter Wonderland, wear blue and white

Tuesday, December 17: Dress like a teacher!

Wednesday, December 18: Wacky Wednesday, backwards/mismatch day

Thursday, December 19: Roadrunner Thursday, wear Ross gear

Friday, December 20: Cozy Friday, pajama day!

Please keep an eye out for communication from your Room Parent about how teacher and staff holiday gifts will be handled for your class. As in previous years, each class will be assigned staff members in addition to the teachers, and your Room Parent will collect funds to give them gift cards for the holidays.

Effective next fall (SY 2025-6), the feeder middle school for Ross Elementary School students will change to only John Francis Education Campus (formerly named School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens). Students previously had rights to attend Cardozo as well, but Cardozo is reverting to a traditional high school over the next few school years. If you would like more detail, please see the attached communication from Chancellor Ferebee.

From 10 am to 4 pm this Saturday, the National Building Museum will be offering free admission to all! Tickets include access to all exhibitions; special programs may be sold separately. Register here!

Celebrate Chanukah with the JFamily team! Join us at the EDCJCC for our annual Chanukah celebration featuring music with Mr. Gabe, arts and crafts, a bounce castle, a photo booth, stories, snacks and more! The Chanukah party is geared toward ages 1-5 but all are welcome. This year, join us just for the Chanukah party, or make it a double feature with our Theater J performance of Tiny Lights, geared towards ages 4-11. More details and registration here.

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Monday, December 16 to Friday, December 20: Spirit Week (see above for details)

Monday, December 23 to Wednesday, January 1: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL

Friday, January 17: Professional Development Day for Teachers, NO SCHOOL

Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and Inauguration Day, NO SCHOOL

Friday, January 24: Learning Celebration (9:00am in your child's classroom), End of Term 2

Monday, January 27: Professional Day and Records Day, 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.