PTA Updates

Our annual book drive ends tonight! If you haven't donated yet, there's still time.

Donating a book is the perfect Mothers' or Fathers' Day gift and is also a wonderful way to honor a favorite teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week. Donate online now! After making your donation, watch for the auto-response email with a link to name your honoree(s).

For every $25 you donate, you’ll purchase a book for the Ross library in honor of a parent, teacher, or loved one. The PTA sends the honoree a letter informing them of the gift in their name, a bookplate inscribed with the donor and honoree’s names is placed in the book purchased, and Ross students enjoy quality literature for years to come – a win for everyone!

We will show our deep appreciation for Ross Teachers and Staff this week, May 8-12. See below for our schedule of organized activities for our incredible Ross teachers/staff and ways for your family to contribute:

• Monday: Catered breakfast for teachers and staff provided by the PTA.
• Tuesday: "Thanks for Helping Me Bloom This Year" - PARENTS: Please send students to school with a few flowers to contribute to teacher and staff bouquets (assigned by class). Cards, notes, and art for teachers and staff are also encouraged.
• Wednesday: "Thanks-A-Latte; You’re Tea-rrific" - Drinks for staff, provided by the PTA
• Thursday 4-6PM: Happy Hour for teachers and staff at Commodore (PTA-sponsored)
• Friday: Catered lunch for teachers and staff provided by the PTA

Other Ways Families Can Contribute:

• Anytime During the Week: Families are invited to bring snacks/treats for teachers to enjoy throughout the week. Leave snacks in the teachers' lounge with a note explaining what they are (if not packaged).
  
• Before Friday AM: Students and families are encouraged to contribute messages and videos to our school Kudo board, which will be shared with teachers and staff on Friday, May 12.

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

One source of stress for parents today is around when to give their kids smartphones and social media, and then managing the fallout. If this is something your family is thinking about or grappling with, please join local DC parent Jeremy Joseph for a virtual presentation on May 8 at 7:30 pm geared towards busy parents/caregivers of elementary and middle school kids.

Jeremy will help address common questions and concerns about kids, smartphones and social media 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

This year at Ross, we would like to figure out a way to recognize Neurodiversity Pride Day on June 16th. If you would like to help with this initiative, please reach out to Ruchi Shewaramani at rshewara@gmail.com.

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