The Cardinal Connection

At J.O. Wilson Elementary School, we are SOARing to success every day in every way by creating an environment in which joy, pride, positive interactions, and growth mindsets lead students to comfort in taking risks, self-advocating, and facing adversity.

August 29th: First Day of School for Students in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K4

August 30th: J.O. Swag Sale After School

August 31st: Hill Family Biking Back to School Ride

September 2nd: Labor Day Holiday...No School for Students and Staff

September 3rd: First Day of After School Programming

September 10th: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) General Body Meeting 6PM

September 11th: PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten Back to School Night @6:30PM

September 18th: 1st grade through 5th grade Back to School Night @6:30PM

The PTA will be selling J.O. swag after school this Friday, Aug. 30. Look for the tables on the blacktop during dismissal! We have plenty of kids’ short-sleeve t-shirts in sizes 3T to XL, as well as limited quantities of kids’ long-sleeved t-shirts and hoodies, mostly in size large. For adults, inventory is limited mostly to long-sleeved t-shirts and hoodies. We will also have gently-used uniform tops and bottoms that have been donated; please feel free to take what you can use.

Please join us in-person for the first PTA meeting of the year. Meet the Board members, learn about what we do and how to get involved, and share your questions, concerns, and hopes for the year ahead.

Dinner will be provided starting at 5:30 pm. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided for current J.O. students only. An RSVP is not required to attend, but if you respond below, that will help us plan for childcare and dinner.

https://forms.gle/3SCgk2Nte3bZxdV47

PTA membership is free and open to all parents, grandparents and legal guardians of students at J.O. Wilson. Fill out a membership form here to get involved. At our September meeting, we will hold PTA Board elections for the following positions:

• 2nd Vice President - Emily Badger, interim appointee

• Secretary - Tiffany Payne, interim appointee

• Fundraising Director - Sheena Gay, interim appointee

• Assistant Membership Director - Open

The interim appointees currently occupying these positions intend to seek permanent election, but any J.O. Wilson parent, grandparent, guardian, or staff member is eligible to be nominated for these positions. Please submit your nomination(s) here! Also, feel free to reach out to the PTA info@jowilsonpta.org to learn more about the positions.

The Hill Family Biking annual back-to-school ride this Saturday will be touring neighborhood schools, including J.O. Wilson. The event starts at Maury Elementary at 10:30 a.m., or families can join the 4.5-mile route mid-way at J.O. Wilson by 10:50 a.m. Volunteers will be escorting riders to ensure everyone’s safety. The ride ends with a block party at Maury. See more details here.

In order to provide field trip opportunities for our scholars throughout the year, we are always in need of chaperones to keep all of the kids safe and supervised! All field trip chaperones and classroom volunteers MUST complete the DCPS Clearance Application. Once the DCPS Clearance Application is completed, you will be directed to FieldPrint, the outside partner who handles fingerprinting. Instructions on how to complete the FieldPrint application will be found in your clearance confirmation email from DCPS. The clearance process can take several weeks, so we recommend completing it as soon as possible. Volunteer clearance is valid for two years. Some classes, including the PreK grades, are already planning fall field trips. So plan now to become a chaperone in time to join them!

Many J.O. Wilson teachers have projects on the Donors Choose platform that enables community members to financially support supplemental activities and supplies in the classroom. Cardinal teachers are stocking up for the year, planning new hands-on activities and expanding technology and arts supplies. View all J.O. projects here, and share with grandparents and family.

The PTA is looking for families to donate snacks and drinks to stock the staff lounge for our fabulous J.O. Wilson Cardinal teachers and staff. Sign-up for a week-long shift.

During your week of providing treats, families will check-in at the office, and Ms. Stephenson, Ms. Bishop and Ms. Winter will assist them in bringing snacks to the lounge. For more information, please contact Ms. Winter at victoria.winter@k12.dc.gov or 202-698-4733. Thank you for your support!

The Girl Scouts troop at J.O. Wilson meets at school during aftercare, has some weekend events, plus COOKIES this winter!!! Currently, we have room for new kindergartners and first graders, but we're glad to put older girls on a waitlist. If any parents or caregivers are able to volunteer, that can help us open up more spots. Email larissahorn@gmail.com if you're interested in joining or volunteering.