PTA Updates

DDOT has announced it intends to install a speed table on the 1700 block of R Street NW. Below is a list of DDOT’s actions:

• DDOT completed a Traffic Safety Investigation on speed and traffic calming concerns along the 1700 block of R Street NW
• Based on DDOT's evaluation, a speed table will be installed between 1727-1731 R Street NW
• DDOT anticipates installing a flashing school beacon with driver’s feedback in a year

The new speed table will address speed and traffic concerns on the block in furtherance of DDOT’s Ross Safety Plan to improve the safety of students and parents who walk and bike to school.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto is working with DDOT and the ANCs to facilitate the expeditious implementation of this speed table and additional recommendations in the safety plan, including around signage and school crossing zones.

It's time to buy your tickets for the 2024 Ross Elementary Auction: The Mixtape! Join us on March 2 at 6:00pm at Toolbox Pilates Art Studio. Online bidding has already started, with more than 100 items and experiences online, and more added every day. We also just added the raffle item: A tasting experience for two at The Bazaar by José Andrés. Here are some of the latest:

• Fishing with Mr. Shegda
• Gel manicure at Nail Saloon
• 90-minute Facial at Paris Alexander Day Spa
• Barre, Yoga, and Infrared and Float Therapy, Stretching, Acupuncture, and Botox Sessions
• Pizza, Pizza! $100 to Lupo Pizzeria, Dinner for Six at Pupatella, $25 to Pizzeria Paradiso, $40 to Two Amy's
• Magnums of Champagne and Montalcino
• $300 to Lauriol Plaza
  
• A Dozen Cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake
• $50 to Regent Thai
• $40 to Slipstream
• $100 to GoodWood
• $25 to Lee's Flower Shop

• $25 to Compliments Only Subs
• $50 Gift Card, Tote and Tee from Solid State Books
• Candlelight Christmas with the Washington Chorus
• Caps, Wizards, Bowie Baysox, Nationals Tickets
• Pet Pampering, Boarding and Veterinary Services
• Rock Climbing Passes
• Kids' Birthday Parties and Camps
• Chinese Lessons
• Salsa Lessons

Friday, February 23 @ 8:45am - Meet with SWWFS Parents: Join us after dropoff to chat with parents of students who attend middle school at School Without Walls Francis Stevens. We'll meet for coffee on the playground with SWWFS middle school parents, including Ross alumni parents whose children currently attend SWWFS. Get your questions ready!

Thursday, March 7 @ 8:45am - Meet with SWWFS Principal & AP: SWWFS Principal Young and Assistant Principal Eaves have agreed to come meet with us to talk about the middle school experience at Francis Stevens and answer parent questions. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear about the school directly. We look forward to seeing you on the playground after drop off.

The PTA is in search of volunteers for two quick (and not time-consuming) tasks:

• The PTA is working to organize our annual Family Bingo Night event, to be held on an evening in March or April. This is not a fundraiser-- t's just a fun night for Ross families to gather, eat some pizza and enjoy some exciting Bingo entertainment! The PTA is looking for a couple of parent volunteers to help organize the event (order prizes and supplies, help set up, etc.). It should be a pretty light lift, but additional hands would be appreciated. Please let Liz Lowry know if you're available to support: PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
• Following the successful Ross fall clothing swap, the PTA is keen to organize a spring/summer clothing swap in March, and is in search of a volunteer to organize the swap. This involves working with the PTA secretary to encourage the Ross community to donate unused items, organize the collection of these items at Ross, put the items out a few mornings before school and help people "shop", and then donate any remaining items to a nearby elementary school. Contact Becky Ballard (beckyball@gmail.com) and Melanie Mayhew (melanie.mayhew@gmail.com) if you're interested in helping with this effort to reduce our environmental and financial footprints!
  

Summer camp registration is happening now! If you haven't signed up and need to, check out our unofficial compilation of summer camps. The newest we've added: Howard University basketball camp.

DCPS report cards are now available to view and download in Aspen. You can access your report card on the Aspen Portal Homepage under the Published Reports section. If you have any questions regarding your report card, please reach out to Principal Searl or Ms. Segovia.

Please click here to log into your Aspen account

Please click here to watch a short video on accessing the report card in Aspen

Join neighbors for a free screening of the beloved animated film “An American Tail” on Sunday, February 25 at 10:00am, in the EDCJCC's movie theater at 16th and Q Streets NW. This childhood classic is a musical story of the Jewish immigrant experience in the early 20th century as seen through the eyes of a little mouse and his family. Read more and register at https://www.edcjcc.org/jxj/show/family-film-fun-an-american-tail/.

The Edlavitch DCJCC Parenting Center is hosting a virtual workshop, Estate Planning 101 for Parents of Young Children on Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00pm. Rose Whelan, an estate planning attorney and mom of two young kids, will discuss the things that every parent should know about estate planning. This workshop will cover the estate planning process and explain what parents need to do to make sure their children are protected, and also leave lots of time for Q&A. Read more and register at https://www.edcjcc.org/calendar/intro-to-estate-planning-for-parents-of-young-children/

• Recording: Workshop on understanding and supporting your anxious child
• Ross unofficial compilation of summer camps
• Ross skiing WhatsApp group

2023.24 DCPS Calendar and DCPS Google Calendar

Ross PTA 2023.24 Calendar

Wednesday, February 14: Classroom Valentine's Day Parties (Room Parents/Teachers coordinate)

Friday, February 16: NO SCHOOL

Monday, February 19: NO SCHOOL

Friday, February 23: Meet with School Without Walls Francis Stevens parents, Ross Playground, 8:45am

Saturday, February 24: Ross/Imagination Stage Theater Trip (1:00pm; use "Ross15 for 15% off)

Friday, March 1: MySchoolDC Lottery Closes (PK3 - Grade 8)

Saturday, March 2: Ross Auction (6:00pm, Toolbox Pilates Art Studio; learn more here)

Thursday, March 7: Meet with School Without Walls Francis Stevens Principal and Assistant Principal, Ross Playground, 8:45am

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

Friday, March 15: NO SCHOOL

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

Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, June 4: NO SCHOOL

Saturday, June 8: Ross Participation in Capital Pride Parade

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.