PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

I must have a short-term memory (and I do), but has it been so frigid for so long that yesterday felt like summer? 47 was like a balmy respite, and I did not mind it. In 2020, our family did some renovations and I was on the fence about getting a new fireplace, but I must say that this has been a delightful treat on the coldest days. Watching the kids warm their fingers and toes in front of the fire after a wintry tour outside will forever be in my favorite moments of their childhood. Please enjoy this rare actual photo of my kids who create the ridiculous-but-true content for my weekly anecdotes.

Now on to some serious business: the auction! We need you, yes you, to pitch in to make this fundraiser and event the rip-roaring fun success it has been in years previous. We are two months out and desperately in need of volunteers. There are many different ways to volunteer, from behind your computer, to bopping around the neighborhood, to chatting up your friends and colleagues to see what they might be able to donate. Email rosselementaryauction@gmail.com to volunteer or with any questions.

In today's edition we have some updates and news, events, and of course: calls for volunteers. Go, Roadrunners, go!

-Aimee

Every year, the Ross PTA organizes an auction to raise about a third of the money the PTA needs to support the school and community-building events. The PTA spends more than $100,000/year–which is the majority of its funds–on school operational expenses. A successful auction is essential to the PTA continuing to be able to fund curricular and custodial supplies, as well cover some field trip costs, teacher training and much more.

This year’s auction will be held at Toolbox Pilates Art Studio (thanks to Ross parents and Toolbox owners Alex and Iva Gotzev) on Saturday, March 22 at 7:00pm. The online auction will open in February. This adults-only event is a lot of fun–but we can’t do an in-person event, or reach our auction goal, without volunteers.

We have no auction volunteers at this time. The auction chair, parent Ilvina Mann, is leading the charge with some help from the former chair and PTA executive board members–but this is not enough. There are many ways to help, big and small, several of which can be done from behind your computer. Here’s how you can help:

• Send emails to a list of 15-20 local businesses (list provided by auction committee) to follow up to ask them to donate
• Stop by 15-20 local businesses (list provided by auction committee) to follow up to ask them to donate
• Be an auction sponsor, starting at $250
• Donate items to the auction, such as unused gift certificates or goods, services or items from your business, etc.
• Reach out to your friends who own businesses to see if they’d be willing to donate to the auction
• Help with event planning and logistics in advance of the auction
• Run errands either on foot or by car to pick up items in March
• Help with day-of set-up and logistics

Do you have questions or are you interested in contributing in one of the aforementioned ways? Write to rosselementaryauction@gmail.com.

(And don’t forget to book your babysitter!)

The Ross PTA will hold the second general body (open to everyone) meeting of the year Wednesday, February 26, from 7:00-8:00 pm virtually via Zoom. The link to join is forthcoming. Reminder: Every Ross parent/guardian is a member of the PTA. Join us to hear from the principal and about the latest updates, events and activities!

Ross Winter Concerts are scheduled for February 5 & 6 at the Sumner School (1201 17th St NW)! Wednesday, February 5 will feature Kindergarten and Grades 1 & 2 at 2:00pm and Thursday, February 6 presents Grades 3, 4 & 5 at 2:00pm. All students should wear black on the bottom and white on top. Casual shoes/sneakers are fine, and comfortable shoes are indeed recommended, as students will be walking to and from Ross to the Sumner School (permission slips will go home this week).

Parents are invited to attend this musical showcase of children's work from music class with Ms. Hailu. The concert should last about 40 minutes and will be similar to last year's concert at Garrison ES. The nearest Metro station is Dupont Circle, and there is a Colonial Parking lot about one block west on Rhode Island.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made a surprise visit to the Clever Crows' first grade on Thursday! Special thanks to parent Cristobal Alex for arranging this exciting visit. When Secretary Cardona asked some of our students what makes Ross a great place to learn, the Crows were eager to engage and told him they love reading, writing, math, and the great teachers at Ross.

Can't commit? Here is when the library needs you the most and how you can help. No pressure, engaging, and joyful environment; plus YOUR kids LOVE to see YOU at school! It is easy to learn the basics, we promise!

• Mondays/Thursdays: Stop by in the morning at 8:15 to catch up on shelving books.
• Mondays/Thursdays: Arrive around 8:45 to collect new returns from the book boxes outside the classrooms.
• Mondays/Thursdays: Perhaps you would like to check in the returned books with the scanner.
• Is art your thing? Help prepare materials for an upcoming art project.
• Straighten/Organize shelves.
• Fridays: Plant care.

Need more information, have a question or a comment? You can reach Ms. Juriga at lisa.juriga@k12.dc.gov. Even better, stop up and chat IN PERSON in the library.

Note: If you are coming to see Ms. Juriga about something other than volunteering please email her to arrange an appointment.

Our January 24 Open House has been canceled and will be rescheduled for February or March. We will update you when we have a new date!

The next W2EC meeting (virtual) will be tonight (Tues 1/14) at 7:00pm. The featured speaker will be Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, discussing school facility and capital funding in Ward 2 schools, budget priorities, and sustainability inside and outside our school buildings. Please come prepared with your school budget asks--she will also be available to take questions. Registration is required; you can register for the meeting here.

A small coalition of parents has been working to improve indoor air quality in DCPS schools. Their announcement of the State Board's meeting on the topic follows:

"DC Parents and Friends —Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for an important public meeting with the D.C. State Board of Education! This is your chance to help shape indoor air quality standards for both new and existing schools across our city. Improved indoor air quality can reduce illness spread among students and teachers, translating to better attendance at school for students and fewer missed workdays for parents, less reliance on substitute teachers, and better learning outcomes.

Here’s what you need to know:

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM

Where: Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building (441 4th St NW) and virtually online

Focus: Improving indoor air quality in DC public schools to create healthier, safer, and more effective learning environments for our kids.

We’ll explore how poor air quality impacts illnesses and student attendance, and discuss solutions to make classrooms healthier for everyone. The panel will include parents, administrators, and ASHRAE experts sharing insights on HVAC systems, classroom health, and the connection between air quality, learning, and attendance.

If you would like to submit written testimony, email it at any time to: sboe@dc.gov.

Let’s come together to make a difference"

The DC Camp Fair brings together the finest camps in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, ranging from traditional camps to academic, arts, music, and special interest camps. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to meet camp representatives and learn about the diverse options awaiting your children this coming summer. More info here.

At this clinic, elementary-aged participants will practice cheer and dance fundamentals and then learn a short routine from AU's Cheer and Dance Teams, which they will perform later that afternoon at Bender Arena during the AU women's home basketball game!

· The cost is $45 per participant, which includes the participant's game ticket, commemorative t-shirt, and on-court halftime performance.

· Discounted game tickets for family and friends will be available for purchase.

· The clinic will start at 9:30am on Saturday, March 1st in the Mary Graydon Center building on American University's campus. Sign-in/t-shirt pick up will start at 9:00am.

· The clinic will run from 9:30am - 12:00pm. Parents/legal guardians will need to pick up their child at 12pm.

· The women's basketball game starts at 2:00pm. Participants are welcome to cheer on the Eagles in the stands with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the first half of the game. They will perform a short routine with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the halftime of the game, approximately 2:45pm.

Email spirit@american.edu with questions.

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Friday, January 17: Professional Development Day for Teachers, NO SCHOOL

Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and Inauguration Day, NO SCHOOL

Friday, January 24: Learning Celebration (9:00am in your child's classroom), End of Term 2

Monday, January 27: Professional Day and Records Day, NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, January 29: Grades 4/5 Ski Trip

Friday, January 31: Floor-wide Morning Meetings and January birthdays

Saturday, February 1: "Community Day" at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, showing of "Petit Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood" Use code RedRoss20 for 20% discount

Wednesday, February 5: Winter Concert for Grades K-2 (2:00pm at Sumner School)

Thursday, February 6: Winter Concert for Grades 3-5 (2:00pm at Sumner School)

Thursday, February 13: Valentine's Day Parties in class (coordinated with teachers and Room Parents)

Friday, February 14: Professional Day for Teachers, NO SCHOOL

Monday, February 17: President's Day, NO SCHOOL

Monday, March 3: Deadline for MySchoolDC lottery for PK-8th grade

Saturday, March 22: Ross Auction, Toolbox Pilates Art Studio

About the Ross PTA

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

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Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, please email me here.