PTA Updates

Our annual Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive is less than two weeks away, and we NEED YOUR HELP to make it a success! We have 15 volunteer slots that need to be filled. Please sign up for a 2-hour shift -- kids are encouraged to join!

This fundraiser is critical to fund the purchase of appropriate and updated books for our children’s classrooms and Ross’s library. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to buy books for Ross.

Please volunteer for a shift during one of the available times:

• Friday, May 5 – On the Ross playground, 8-9am and 3-4pm

• Saturday, May 6 – In front of Safeway on 17th, 10am to 4pm

• Sunday, May 7 – In front of TD Bank on P St., 10am to 4pm

What is the Mothers' & Fathers' Day Book Drive?

For this annual Ross fundraiser, participants donate $25 to purchase a book for the Ross library in honor of a loved one. The PTA sends the honoree a letter informing of the gift in his or her name and places a bookplate inscribed with the names of the donor and honoree in the book selected.

Donating a book is the perfect Mother’s or Father’s day gift or is also a wonderful way to honor a favorite teacher or a loved one for any occasion. Learn more and donate here!

Contact debbie.h.sundberg@gmail.com with any questions about volunteering.

The GenOUT Youth Chorus will present a special performance for students and families from Ross and Garfield elementary schools at 11:30am on Sat. May 6th at St. Thomas Parish (18th & Church St NW).

Please RSVP using this form by noon this Friday (4/28) if you can make it.

The GenOUT Youth Chorus is the Washington, DC area’s only vocal ensemble for LGBTQ+ and allied youth. An outreach ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, GenOUT operates under the two-fold mission: (1) to give LGBTQ+ and allied youth a voice through song, and (2) to connect that voice to community. The ensemble is open to all singers between the ages of 13 and 18.

Mark your calendars and plan to celebrate our incredible Ross teachers and staff during the week of May 8th! The PTA will organize activities to help families and students show their appreciation for our teachers and staff throughout the week.

If you're able to help coordinate activities, please email PTApresident@rosselementary.org to get involved!

If you missed the April 12th parent info session on Understanding Executive Function, you can access the recording here and a parents' guide to executive function is attached below.

Understanding Executive Function and its Impact at Home and School

with Educational Specialist Donna Kincaid, M.Ed

This presentation helps parents understand executive function (EF) and its impact on social-emotional behavior and academic performance. We focus on why children struggle with EF processes and what practical strategies can be used to help them to build independence, persistence, and academic success.

Learn strategies to help your child improve their:

• Independence
• Organizational skills
• Flexibility and persistence

If you missed our PTA general body meeting on April 13th, you can access the presentation and recording online.

Meeting agenda:

• Principal's Update
• School Budget Advocacy
• Vote on Budget Adjustments
  
• Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive
• Upcoming Events

A number of Ross parents are interested in engaging in advocacy to reverse the DCPS budget cuts for the upcoming school year and onward. The PTA and LSAT have put together information, including talking points, to support individuals in contacting DC Councilmembers and DCPS Chancellor Ferebee.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Becky Ballard, PTA VP of Community Engagement (BeckyBall@gmail.com).

The next meeting of the Ward 2 Education Council is Wednesday, Apr. 26 at 7 pm. Register HERE to attend the meeting on Zoom. Advance registration is required. Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn will join for a timely discussion about school budgets. Also, the W2EC officers are proposing a set of changes to the bylaws to bring them in line with the organization's actual practice. You can review the draft changes here and a clean version here.

Annie’s invites the Ross community to their 75th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 29th from 12 pm - 6 pm. There will be a special drag queen performance at 1 pm and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will be performing at 3:30. All Ross students will receive a free ticket to play carnival games, and tickets are available to purchase for things like soda, popcorn, and more!

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

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.

Come join the Ross community with complimentary tickets to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC's 3pm matinee performance of Dolly on Sunday, June 3rd at nearby Lincoln Theatre!

Grab your boots and cowboy hats! GMCW closes out their 22-23 season with a salute to none other than country music legend Dolly Parton. With a career spanning over 50 years and a record-setting 25 #1 songs on the Billboard Country Music charts (tied with Reba McEntire), she is known for her inspiring lyrics and incomparable melodies. Songs include “Here You Come Again,” “Islands in the Stream,” “Jolene,” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”

Please RSVP using this form by Thursday, May 25th if you can make it.

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