PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

You made it! We are a few weeks into school, things are in full swing, and this week's newsletter contains just one new event and a few reminders. You're welcome! 😉

Have a wonderful week full of settled-in routines and (somewhat) cooler early-fall weather.

-Aimee

Three times a year, Ross hosts open houses for prospective Ross families. We are in search of parents to help give tours and speak with families on October 24, December 7 (also the day of the Ross tree/bake sale) and January 24 from 9:30-10:30am. These open houses are very important for prospective families and for our school, and they require just an hour or two of current parents' time. If you are interested in volunteering at one or more open houses, please sign up here. Questions? Contact Sushmita at sushmitajena@gmail.com.

The Enrichment Committee helps facilitate before- and after-school activities for Ross students. The first meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, October 1, from 8:00-8:30 am in the Ross library. All are welcome. The agenda will include a discussion of art-related enrichments. If you have any questions, please email Zeke Hill (zeke.hill@gmail.com).

We are still in search of one parent to run the Spooktacular Halloween celebration at Ross on Oct. 31. This Spooktacular will be different from previous years because it will happen on Halloween, which means that we won't organize a specific trick-or-treating event for Ross students, but there will be other fun Halloween activities and pizza, before heading to trick-or-treat in surrounding neighborhoods. Interested? Email hollykilness@gmail.com and ptapresident@rosselementary.org.

Come join the Ross Roadrunners at the Run 4 MK, taking place at the gorgeous C&O Canal path in Georgetown the morning of Saturday, November 16th! Kids and adults are both welcome to join in the fun. The run includes distances suitable for a range of age and ability levels, including a 500 meter at 9:00 am, 5k at 8:00 am, and 10k at 7:45 am. You do not need to be a runner to join, as you can walk all or part of the race amidst the beauty of the natural surroundings on the light gravel flat trail, however the terrain is not suitable for biking. This should be a great community building event as we support each other in getting across the finish line while advancing Miriam’s Kitchen’s critical work to end homelessness in our community.

You can find out more information on the race and register here. If you register please also sign up for the Ross team and the Ross Run 4 MK team WhatsApp groups. And if you have any questions please reach out to Becky Ballard (PK4 and 2nd grade parent) at BeckyBall@gmail.com.

The Back to School Picnic is next Thursday, September 26!! Please come and enjoy the evening with friends new and old to celebrate the new school year. The event will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Stead Park Rec Center. We are excited to announce we will again have a shaved ice truck for all to enjoy at the picnic!

We are always looking for help: you can bring food and drinks, serve pizza, or help set up and clean up. Please sign up here to volunteer today, and many thanks to those who have already signed up!

Don't forget about National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9! Ross families and staff will walk, bike and/or scooter to school with Ross families and staff. Kindergarten parent Joseph Jones will lead the pack! Rain or shine, meet at 7:50am at the northeast corner of 15th and R streets (in front of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church) and walk/bike/roll together to Ross, departing at 8:00am. Participants are encouraged to wear Ross gear. Parents are welcome to stay longer for a PTA-sponsored coffee hour on the playground. Questions? Contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org and Joseph Jones.

The Cox Farms Fall Festival kicked off this past weekend, and it is a family favorite for us. There are pumpkins galore, multiple slides, swings, games, mazes, picnics, live entertainment, farm animals, and much more. The weekends can get pretty crowded so I recommend going earlier if you can. You can also find the typical fall fare: apple cider, donuts, kettle corn, etc. Enjoy! Learn more and get tickets here.

Moms for Clean Air Force has two upcoming events this week. The first is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 17: a press conference with Members of Congress about electric school buses and electric trucks. There will also be an electric ice cream truck giving out ice cream to kids until 5pm. The event will be outside on the corner of Maryland Ave SW and 3rd St SW in front of the Capitol. RSVP here. The second event is a postcard-writing party to remind friends and relatives of the importance of voting before November 5. This event will be hosted this Friday, September 19, from 5:00-6:30 pm on the office rooftop at 555 12th St NW. Pizza will be served! RSVP here.

Join WABA & woom bikes for a discussion with Coach Sam Balto (the TikTok bike bus guy) & Jessica Hart from DC Families for Safe Streets. Cycling is growing in DC and nationwide but many families hesitate due to very real safety concerns. Bike buses are one way communities can come together to support kids on bikes AND instill an active transportation mindset in the next generation. Advocating for safer streets is another, one that organizations like DC Families for Safe Streets are embracing. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 25, from 7:00-8:00 pm at the City-State Brewing Co in NE. Register here!

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday, September 24: DC Strings Parent Coffee, 8:45 am in Cafe

Wednesday, September 25: PK4-Grade 2 Parent Coffee with Mental Health Team, 8:30 am on Attic Level

Thursday, September 26: PTA Back to School Picnic at Stead Park, 5:00-7:00 pm

Monday, September 30: Portrait and Class Photo Day

Tuesday, October 1: Enrichment Committee meeting, 8:00-8:30 am in school library

Wednesday, October 2 to Friday, October 4: JCC Closed for Rosh Hashana, no aftercare

Wednesday, October 2: Grades 3-5 Parent Coffee with Mental Health Team, 8:30 am on Attic Level

Wednesday, October 9: National Walk & Roll to School Day

Friday, October 18: Grade 2 Bike Trip (during school day)

Sunday, October 20: Garden Clean-up at Ross, 10:00 am

Friday, October 25: Learning Celebration, 9:00-9:30am (PK4 from 8:30-9:00am); subsequent Learning Celebrations scheduled for Fridays January 24, April 4, and June 13

Thursday, October 31: Ross Spooktacular Celebration

Saturday, November 16: Miriam's Kitchen 5K/10K

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

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, please email me here.