PTA Updates

Thanks to all who joined the June 13 PTA meeting. If you weren't able to join, check out the slides and the recording. During the meeting, the Ross community elected its PTA Executive Board for the 2024-2025 school year:

• President - Melanie Mayhew

• Treasurer - David Rhodes

• VP Fundraising - Liz Lowry

• VP Community - Mahana Weidler

• Secretary - Aimee Stoltz (Contact Aimee with PTA newsletter updates.)

• Upper School Representative - Ruchi Shewaramani

• Lower School Representative - Chrissy Frey

Huge thanks to the 2023-2024 Executive Board (Liz Lowry, David Rhodes, Becky Ballard, Melanie Mayhew, Ruchi Shewaramani and Nikki Chan Lee).

During the meeting, the Ross community elected two members to the Ross LSAT committee, including Marissa Piropato and Mawadda Gartner. There are two slots remaining on the LSAT committee. Interested or want to learn more? Contact marissa.piropato@gmail.com. Huge thanks to the 2023-2024 LSAT committee (David Alpert, Rachel Glickman, Ali Matbouli and Marissa Piropato).

Additionally, thank you to the following volunteers who have agreed to take the lead on specific PTA activities next year:

• Ilvina Mann - Spring Auction Fundraiser

• Nikki Chan Lee - Teacher & Staff Appreciation

• Kathy Crutcher - Mothers’ & Fathers’ Day Book Drive

• Liz Lowry - Holiday Tree Sale & Bake Sale

• TBD - Library Committee (year-round)

• TBD - Spooktacular Halloween Celebration (October)

Getting involved in PTA activities is an incredible way to support our school and get to know other Ross parents and families. Help us build and strengthen our school community next year! Interested in leading the library committee or Spooktacular? Contact PTAPRESIDENT@rosselementary.org. Interested in volunteering through the PTA? Fill in this form.

Teachers and the PTA are seeking a room parents for the 2024-2025 school year to serve as a liaison between the classroom and PTA and to support parent relationships and bonding in the classrooms. Room parents help the teachers identify chaperones for field trips and also communicate about monthly birthday celebrations and class events such as the Valentine's Party. Much of the role can be done via email. Please reach out to holly.searl@k12.dc.gov if you would like to volunteer.

Let's send off the 2023-2024 school year and start the summer on a high note! Before everyone departs for their summer plans, please join Ross families at next week's open piano/open mic evening on Thursday, June 20 from 6:00-7:30pm in the upstairs performance space at the Saloon (1205 U St. NW). Open Piano/Mic is an inclusive space for all young musical artists to share their talents, and for the adults and friends and family who love them to celebrate and enjoy it with food and adult beverages as well.

The PTA Enrichment Committee is compiling information about before- and after-school activities for Ross students as a resource for Ross families. The current list of activities can be found here. If you have additional activities to add, please do so!

Isabella & Ferdinand's before-school Spanish program at Ross is open for fall enrollment (grades K-5 only). The 15-week, 30-session program will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ross from 7:55am-8:40am. Enroll here (click drop-down to select fall session).

Did you lose a Ross library book? You can pay for it here: https://square.link/u/gzKzQNn4. Otherwise, please return any Ross library books that haven't been returned this year.

Want a Ross yearbook? Yearbooks are still available for online purchase only (https://square.link/u/t49xTeZo); the cost is $30. Yearbooks may be picked up from Officer Woodley; simply show your receipt. They are available until they are sold out.

Join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and the DC Department of General Services for a community meeting on Monday, June 24 from 6:30-7:30pm at the Stead Recreation Center (1625 P Street NW) to discuss the athletic field replacement project at Stead Park Recreation Center.

For more information including the on-line link and to RSVP, please visit: https://steadfield.splashthat.com/

To sign up for updates about these, please visit

http://dpr.dc.gov/stakeholder

For individuals needing accommodation, please contact Christopher Dyer at christopher.dyer@dc.gov or by telephone at 202-702-9453.

Want to learn more about Discover Summer with DC Public Library, which runs from June 3 - August 31?. Discover Summer is an all-ages city-wide celebration of reading and learning. With Discover Summer you will enjoy great reads, fun events and activities that encourage you to explore your neighborhood and D.C. Everything you need to Discover Summer can be found at your neighborhood library! Use this companion guide to enhance your Discover Summer experience:
Companion Guide (Birth - 5)
Companion Guide (Ages 6-12)

The World & Me: Pollinator Celebration
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10:00am-12:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum for an early celebration of Pollinator Week! See pollinator specimens up close, meet scientists and horticulturists studying and providing habitats for local pollinators, create your own print inspired by pollinators, and more! Smithsonian Gardens and USDA Forest Service will be there to share about pollinators, too. Drop in to the event at any time.

Capital Book Fest
Where: Wilson Plaza | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm
Admission: Free
Join local non-profit, Turning the Page, for a day of learning and fun! Over a dozen children’s authors and illustrators, including many from the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. Authors and illustrators will be bringing their books and fun art activities for families to take home. Wilson Plaza is located outside the Ronald Reagan Building in Downtown DC.

https://adventuretheatre-mtc.org/shows/professional-shows/knuffle-bunny-a-cautionary-musical/

Learn more and buy tickets here.

• Parent Ed Workshop Recordings and Documents:
• Understanding and Supporting Your Anxious Child
• Kids, Smartphones and Social Media
• Navigating Friendships through Elementary School
• Sensory vs. Behavior Needs in Students
• Ross Unofficial Compilation of Summer Camps
• Ross Enrichment Activities
• Ross Skiing WhatsApp Group

2023.24 DCPS Calendar and DCPS Google Calendar

Ross PTA 2023.24 Calendar

Monday, June 17: Last Day of School for Students

Thursday, June 20: Ross Piano/Open Mic Night, Saloon (1205 U Street NW) 6:00-7:30pm

Friday, August 23: See Your Classroom and Meet Your New Teacher (2:30-3:30pm)

Monday, August 26: First Day of School for K-5

Thursday, August 29: First Day of School for PK4

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 Aimee Stoltz.