PTA Updates

Join us on the playground Thurs AM after drop-off to learn about middle school at Francis-Stevens. We will be joined by several parents of former Ross students who attend(ed) School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens for middle school.

Ross is (currently) an official feeder to Francis-Stevens, meaning all students who graduate from Ross have the right to attend. Francis-Stevens is getting a full renovation, and the brand new building will open in fall of 2024. This event is organized by the Ross LSAT and Ross PTA.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Fall for Ross fundraising drive -- we are 83% of the way to our goal of raising $50,000! We're almost there!

The class competition doesn't have any winners yet, so we've extended the deadline until this Friday. Every class that reaches 100% participation by Nov 4 will win an extra recess! (100% participation means that all families from that class have made a monetary donation of any amount through the Fall for Ross drive.) Below are current standings.

Fall for Ross Participation by Class:

• Amazing Alicorns (K-Eickmeyer) - 67%
• Kind Corgis (PK4) - 60%
• Cheerful Cheetahs (2nd) - 60%
• Friendly Falcons (3rd) - 48%
• Joyful Jellyfish (4th) - 48%
• Excellent Eagles (1st) - 47%
• Champion Cheetahs (K-Hailemicael) - 38%
• Divine Dolphins (5th) - 22%

We ask all Ross families to consider giving at least $600 ($50/month) to help the PTA continue to deliver strong programs in support of Ross and our community. If $600 isn't possible for your family, please contribute what you can. Everything helps!

Does your employer match your charitable donations? If so, you could double your impact at Ross. Check here to see if your employer has a matching program!

St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church is collecting Halloween candy to donate to children in Ukraine. We will have a donation box set up by Officer Woodley's desk, for Ross students who would like to contribute candy. Please get all candy in by Friday!

As you may have heard in our last general body meeting, this year, the Ross PTA will be helping our school community to build a partnership with Miriam's Kitchen (MK), a local nonprofit dedicated to ending chronic homelessness in DC. By collaborating on volunteer projects and supporting MK's work throughout the year, we hope to help our children and school community to better understand and take action on this important issue.

• Nov 12 - Ross Runs 4 MK - Ross is running in Miriam's Kitchen's annual Run 4 MK race. The event will drive awareness and raise funds to help end chronic and veteran homelessness in DC. Races include a 5K, 10K, and a Kids Fun 500M Dash. Register to join the Ross team, Ross Runs 4 MK, or donate here!

• Dec 3 - MK Volunteer Project - Lead Needed! We're organizing a Dec 3 volunteer project with MK for our community, as part of the annual Ross holiday fest and tree sale. We will be putting together supply kits for the MK outreach team. We're looking for a volunteer to help organize the project (~5 hours total). Please reach out if you're interested: PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

• Recommended Reading -- To help us explore the topic of homelessness with our kids, MK has provided us with a list of recommended children's books that touch on this theme. See the list attached below.

We've started planning for a potluck teacher appreciation breakfast on Nov 22, the Tues before Thanksgiving. Details to come soon!

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: rosselementary.org
Location: 1730 R St NW, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: (202) 673-7200

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