

PTA Newsletter
December 3, 2024
Smooth Sailing
Dear Ross Community,
We survived our first family trip with everything going quite smoothly. Or at least that's how I perceived it, because I managed to strain my back a week before and was prescribed muscle relaxers the day before we left. I do recall my husband dying of stress next to me as our children rode the moving walkways like feral cats, but all I know is, I was calm. So calm. Truly a confluence of events that had its pros and cons. 😜
Now we're back and ready to party this Saturday at the Ross Holiday Festival! We are still in need of some volunteers for the tree, bake, and book sale, so please scroll down to the signup links and lend a hand where you can. Thank you to all the families who have already donated time to the tree sale!! Even if you can't volunteer, please stop by and enjoy the festivities. It will be a great, festive time for all. See you there!
-Aimee
School News and Updates
Spirit Week: December 16 to 20
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!
Still Seeking Holiday Gifts for Families in Our Ross Community!
Thank you so much to the many Roadrunner families who have already offered to donate holiday gifts to those facing challenges this holiday season. There are only four families remaining who need your help. If you’re interested in helping by donating holiday gifts, please reach out today to Mrs. Sharkey at jillian.sharkey@k12.dc.gov for more information.
Teacher and Staff Holiday Gifts
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.
Repeat Announcements
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.
Makeup Photo Day: This Friday, December 6
Makeup portraits and class photos will be taken this Friday, December 6. Please reach out to Freed Photography at support@freedphoto.com or 301.652.5452 with any questions.
School Events
Holiday Festival: Dec 7
Holiday Tree Sale: Dec 7 & 8
We Still Need Volunteers For 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: this weekend, 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! Click to purchase and pick up at school.
- 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
Santa Photos at Framebridge 14th Street: Sunday, December 8, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Visit Framebridge 14th Street this holiday season for photos with Santa. Kids, pets, and grown ups are all welcome to pose for a professional photo with Santa. Receive a free digital photo when you purchase any frame. Click here for more details.
Key Dates
DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar
Saturday, December 7: Ross Super Saturday (tree/bake sale, book fair, volunteer activity + more)
Sunday, December 8: Holiday Tree Sale, Ross Field
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.