PTA Updates

The Ross "Starry Night" Auction is tomorrow night, and there's still time to register, bid on items, and buy raffle tickets and tickets for special parties. You can:

• Register to attend the party tomorrow night (March 18th) from 6-10pm. (Sparkly, galactic, and otherwise stellar attire is encouraged!)

• Bid on more than 200 silent auction items and experiences.

• Buy $10 raffle tickets to win either a dinner at Iron Gate and babysitting, or $50 at Annabelle and two tickets to a show.

• Buy tickets to special events hosted by Ross families (Kentucky Derby party, rooftop wine tasting, etc.).

How to find the party tomorrow night: Toolbox is a bit hidden. Access the entrance via the alley next to 1632 19th St. NW. See map here.

Need more info? Visit https://one.bidpal.net/rossauction2023/welcome.

Our LSAT Chair, David Alpert has been getting lots of questions about DCPS school budgets from concerned and engaged members of our Ross community. In an attempt to provide answers, he's put together this helpful Budget FAQ webpage. Feel free to send David additional questions you might have (at alpert@gmail.com) or post them directly in the comments on the page.

All young writers grades K-4 are invited to the FREE Virtual 2023 WETA PBS Kids Writers Workshop! This hour-long workshop will feature New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Lulu Delacre.

Ms. Delacre will:

• Share her personal experiences creating books.
• Answer questions from the youth participants.
• Offer tips for inventing the best stories ever.

Every participant will receive a signed copy of one of Ms. Delacre’s books.

Date and time: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. EST.

Location: From Wherever You Are!

Register here for this Zoom event.

Also, the deadline to submit a story to the 2023 WETA PBS Kids Writers Contest is April 21, 2023! It’s open to children grades K-4 in the Washington D.C. area. Learn more here.

Kids, Smartphones, and Social Media - Why Waiting is Best (and What to do if you Didn't)

One of the biggest sources of stress for parents today is around when to give kids smartphones and social media, and then managing the fallout. As a busy parent, do you:

• Know about the new, safe (and less expensive) alternatives to smartphones?
• Know the latest research showing the many ways smartphones and social media harm your child's mental and physical health, development, and physical safety?
  
• Worry about apps and ads addicting and manipulating your kids?
• Want to learn concrete, specific digital best practices and solutions we can all adopt for healthier and safer kids and community?
  
• Want to connect with other families to delay adoption together?

Perhaps this tech is already a source of friction or stress in your family?

If so, please join local DC parent Jeremy Joseph for a Zoom presentation on May 8 at 7:30 pm geared towards busy parents/caregivers of elementary and middle school kids entitled "Smartphones and Social Media: Why Waiting Is Best (and What to Do If You Didn't)" where he will help answer these questions with the latest research, expert opinion, and universally recommended best practices. Jeremy has presented to over 600 families at 13 different schools, and fellow parents and principals have commended Jeremy’s presentation for being clear, concrete, and actionable.

Meeting Details:

• Time: May 8 at 07:30 PM ET
• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86974531827?pwd=OHFSaHhFbnpqNy9JblhacVQ1YUQxUT09
• Meeting ID: 869 7453 1827
• Passcode: 995210

Back by popular demand! The Ross PTA has reserved a block of discounted tickets ($27 ea) for the DC United soccer game vs. LA Galaxy on Sat. May 20 at 7:30PM.

If your family would like to attend, but is unable to cover the cost, please let Principal Searl know. The PTA has set aside funds to make it possible for more families to join.

Attached below are summer camp brochures collected by a Ross parent who attended the summer camp fair at J.O. Wilson ES a few weeks ago.

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
Facebook: facebook.com/RossElementarySchool/
Twitter: @RossESDC