PTA Updates

The Ross PTA annual auction, which culminated in a 90s-themed event on March 2, was all that and a bag of chips! And here's the final tally: $57,821! Thank you to everyone who donated items, experiences, their amazing event space, their time and creativity, and so much more. And thank you for bidding on items to support our school!

Funds raised help support our school budget by covering the majority of our non-personnel expenses such as student supplies, cleaning supplies, soap, paper, trash bags, field trips and much more. Not having to budget for these items gives Principal Searl more funds for hiring staff.

We're seeking a 2025 auction chair. Is that you? Email libbyjanefranklin@gmail.com for more info.

Have photos of the auction? Please share them here. Have questions? Email rosselementaryauction@gmail.com.

The enrichment committee met last week and reviewed current and potential future enrichments. Ross is exploring a partnership with DC Strings for the coming school year for instrumental music lessons. To learn more, please attend the Parent Coffee on Wednesday, March 27 at 8:45am in the Ross Cafe to meet with DC Strings. This will be a fee-based enrichment.

The committee also is exploring use of the new Stead Park facilities to support our programming needs. Please connect with Enrichment Chair, David Alpert and PTA VP for Community Engagement, Becky Ballard if you are able to assist with advocacy. Email: alpert@gmail.com and beckyball@gmail.com.

Are you looking for more fun in your life? Then come check out the Ross Game Library! We have just added a lot of new games! What to know:

• The game library is located in the basement next to the cafeteria.
• Any parent or teacher can stop by anytime to borrow games. Just sign the game in and out in the game library binder.
• All games and the list of games in the binder are organized by age, so please return them to the correct shelf when you bring them back so it's easy for others to find.
• If you drop off games to donate, please email Sarah Roma at sarahandsokol@gmail.com so she can document it and add it to the check out list.
• More information can be found here.

DPR spring registration for aquatics opens at noon on Tuesday, March 12 and for other programs at noon on Wednesday, March 13. Find out more here.

The District’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) will honor and recognize over 200 safety technicians, formerly known as crossing guards, on Friday, March 22. Please feel free to join us in celebrating the safety techs who take their posts every morning and every afternoon during the school year to ensure that student pedestrians and bicyclists make it to school safely.

If you're interested, check out this Change.org petition started by area parents, requesting full funding of DCPS schools: https://chng.it/SFzv22wTtJ.

The Metropolitan Police Department (Second District) invites you to join them for an upcoming Community Walks. These walks offer an opportunity to join MPD, other government agencies, and fellow neighbors to talk about safety issues impacting our communities, and collectively discuss solutions.

PSA 208 Community Walk

Tuesday, March 12 @ 7:00pm

Start Location: 6 Dupont Circle NW

https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2024/02/29/womens-history-month-2024/

Dupont Circle will be celebrating India’s most colorful holiday, the Holi Festival, on Sunday, March 24 from 1:00-5:00pm. Festivities begin in Dupont Circle Park with music and dancing, and then progress to The Ven Hotel at 2:00 p.m. for dancing and powder throwing. The Holi Festival is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the end of winter and ushers in spring – celebrating color, love, and new life. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (full moon day) in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Holi falls on March 24. Click here for more info.

The EDCJCC Parenting Center is hosting a Virtual Workshop, Parenting Without Power Struggles on Tuesday, March 12 at 8:00pm. Power struggles are maddening for parents, and it turns out, not good for children either. This workshop that will provide strategies for how to encourage your child's growing need to assert independence while still maintaining your control and authority. Struggles around mealtime, potty training, cooperation, and others will be addressed. Led by Claire Lerner, a licensed clinical social worker and child development specialist. Registration is required. Read more and register at https://www.edcjcc.org/programs/parenting-workshops/

The DC Teacher Solutions Summit, will be held at Open Gov Hub (1100 13th St. NW, 8th Floor) on Saturday, March 16 from 10:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch and childcare provided. The event is an opportunity to hear from diverse DC educators and teacher leaders who will share their solutions to pressing education challenges in the district through interactive poster presentations and live sessions. Come hear about their research, proposals and recommendations to transform education in DC on issues like global education, mental health, school safety, permanent substitutes, chronic absenteeism and more. Please register in advance using this link.

The Library of Congress will host a monthly series of Family Days throughout the spring and summer, including focused programming for National Library Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Families and visitors of all ages are invited to participate in Family Day creative Library collection-focused activities for budding researchers. Learn more here.

• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Understanding and Supporting Your Anxious Child
• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Kids, Smartphones and Social Media
• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Navigating Friendships through Elementary School
  
• Ross Unofficial Compilation of Summer Camps
• Ross Skiing WhatsApp Group

2023.24 DCPS Calendar and DCPS Google Calendar

Ross PTA 2023.24 Calendar

Thursday, March 14: Parent-Teacher Conferences, NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 15: NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 22: Safety Tech (Crossing Guard) Appreciation Day

Wednesday, March 27: Meeting with DC Strings/Enrichment, 8:45am, Ross Cafe

Thursday, March 29: Online Enrollment for Next School Year Opens

Friday, April 5: NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19: NO SCHOOL

Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5: Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive

Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 22 and 23: Ross School Musical (Day and Evening Performances)

Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL

Friday, May 31: Ross Field Day

Tuesday, June 4: NO SCHOOL

Saturday, June 8: Ross Participation in Capital Pride Parade

Thursday, June 13: Fifth Grade Promotion

Last Day of School Year TBD (Snow Days)

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

If this email was forwarded to you, subscribe to Ross PTA emails here.

Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, email Ross PTA Secretary Melanie Mayhew.