PTA Updates
Book Drive: This Week I Join the PTA I Re-enroll Now!
Support Ross Reading via Mother’s/Father’s Day Book Drive
Our annual “Mother’s and Father’s Day Book Drive” is happening NOW, and we need YOU to make it a success! NEW THIS YEAR: We're running a class competition for the Book Drive: The class that sponsors the most books will win a popsicle and water balloon party at recess!
How You Can Participate:
- Sign up your family to volunteer at the on-site book drive table. Your child’s class will earn 2 points for every book sponsored during your shift. We need kids (and their grownups) to volunteer to make it a success!
- Sponsor books online here any time between now and Sunday, May 5. Your child’s class will earn 1 point for every book you sponsor. After your donation, watch for the auto-response email with a link to name your honoree(s) and earn your class point!
The on-site book drive will be held at the following locations and dates/times:
Friday, May 3 – On the Ross playground, 8:00-9:00am and 3:00-4:00pm
Saturday, May 4 – In front of Safeway on 17th, 10:00am-4:00pm
Sunday, May 5 – At the Little Flea Market at 19th and Q, from 9:00am-3:00pm
This fundraiser is critical to our ability to buy appropriate and updated books for our children’s classrooms and Ross’s library. Our goal is 200 new books for the 2024-25 school year. How many can you help purchase for Ross’s young readers?
For every $25 you donate, you will sponsor a new book for the Ross library in the name of a loved one or favorite teacher. You can dedicate the book in their honor via a special book plate within, and you can also have a letter sent to them acknowledging the donation—a great gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any other reason to celebrate.
Contact Ross parent, Kathy Crutcher, at kathy@shoutmousepress.org with any questions about volunteering. Thank you for supporting Ross young readers!
Join the PTA Executive Board for the 2024-25 School Year
Before the end of the school year, we will elect the members of next year's PTA Executive Board. Nominations will open soon, and we are looking for more parents to join the Board. Getting involved in PTA activities is an incredible way to support our school and get to know other Ross parents and families. Help us build and strengthen our school community next year!
Ross PTA Executive Board Positions, 2024-2025:
- President
VP Fundraising
VP Events
Treasurer
Secretary
Upper School Representative
Lower School Representative
To learn more about PTA board positions and committees, or if you have other ideas about how you'd like to support Ross, please email Liz Lowry at PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week - May 6-10
Mark your calendars and plan to celebrate our incredible Ross teachers and staff during the week of May 6th! 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!
ISO: Ross Parent to Coordinate Participation in Capital Pride Parade
The PTA is in search of a Ross parent or parents to coordinate Ross family and staff participation in the Capital Pride Parade. Each year, Ross marches in the parade with the DCPS group. Organizing doesn't take a lot of time--and this is often one of the highlights on the Ross calendar. Contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org if you're interested in volunteering.
Survey: DC Strings
Please complete this brief survey regarding a DC Strings enrichment. Ross hopes to launch a partnership for instrumental music lessons next year.
Ross Named #1 Elementary School in DC
Ross is the #1 Elementary School in DC for the second year in a row according to the U.S.News and World Report rankings!
DCPS and DC Government Highlights
Time to Re-enroll in Ross (1 Day Left)!
All returning students must enroll in Ross by May 1, 2024. You can complete the enrollment process online at https://enrolldcps.dc.gov or visit Ross during the week. Please remember the importance of enrolling promptly upon receiving notification. Any questions, please email Ms.Segovia at graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov.
DCPS Seeking Input on Future School Years
DCPS is seeking engagement regarding calendars for school years 2026-29. More information is available here: https://dcps.dc.gov/page/sy-26-29-calendar-engagement.
DCPS Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Board Applications are Open
The DCPS Chancellor's Parent Advisory Board is now accepting applications for school year 2024-2025. The Advisory Board provides a space, on a monthly basis, for parents and caregivers to engage with the Chancellor, DCPS leadership and various teams to learn about and provide input on current or emergent priorities and initiatives. The application closes at 11:59pm on May 6, 2024. For more information, visit: https://dcps.dc.gov/node/1333186.
DC Citywide Annual Truck Touch Event
The Department of Public Works invites you to DC's Citywide Annual Truck Touch event on Saturday, June 1 from 8:00am-2:00pm at RFK Stadium (lot 8). It's a day of fun and learning, bringing the community together to explore the vehicles that keep our city moving. Whether it's climbing aboard a fire truck, marveling at a snowplow, or getting hands-on with some of the city's equipment, there's something for every member of the family to enjoy. The 12th annual DC Electric Vehicle Grand Prix will be held on a purpose-built race track from 9:00am-3:30pm alongside Touch Truck. Cheer on high school students from DC, Maryland and Virginia as they strategize and race their hand-built electric vehicles! Get your free tickets here!
News and Events around Town
Stead Park Grand Re-Opening
Now that the Stead Park renovations are complete, we are over the moon excited about the new facility. There's no better way to celebrate than to throw a party on May 4 from 11:00am-3:00pm that is free to the community, with lots of fun, and jam-packed with space-themed activities. Join us on May the 4th for:
* Galaxy games and prizes
* DJ
* Catering from local restaurants
* Space crafts
* Balloon twist artists
* Face painters
* Sending a message to the moon
* Activities to help you become a Jedi master
By RSVPing to the event, you can help us plan better for the crowd. Please do so at https://forms.gle/L9VvJXRwXMT6cVzM8
Congressional Cemetery Kids History Hunt
Congressional Cemetery just launched a Kids History Hunt geared toward young visitors (K-12). The challenge has cemetery explorers find locations marked with a number on a History Hunt map and answer as many questions as possible to win a prize. There are also interesting tidbits about the sites as well as prompts for related discussions. You can pick up a free history Hunt packet from the gatehouse (just knock on the back door and ask for one). When you have finished as much of the hunt as you can, return it to an educator at the gatehouse to receive your reward.
Smithsonian Temple of Invention AR Experience
Before it was the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), the building at 8th & F NW housed the Patent Office. And SAAM just launched the Temple of Invention AR Experience that lets guests explore it in a new way. You can "meet" inventors, artists, architects, presidents, and more fascinating people who walked the storied halls. As you play the game, collect cogs, restore the temple’s heart, and see how this building is still a place where exploration, creativity, and change are celebrated. The experience is recommended for families with elementary school-age children, but all are welcome to play. Registration is encouraged; walk-ins welcome on a limited basis.
Auditions Open for the National Children's Chorus
Auditions are open now for the National Children’s Chorus Fall 2024 season. The GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus, with weekly rehearsals in Thomas Circle, provides children ages 5 to 18 the opportunity to learn and grow in an extraordinary musical environment. The country’s leading music educators work with students weekly to develop their vocal and musicianship skills from the most basic concepts through the college level. Children ages 5 to 18 are invited to apply. Apply now on the NCC website to book an audition and attend the online information presentation on Sunday, May 5th.
Resources
Key Dates
2023.24 DCPS Calendar and DCPS Google Calendar
Tuesday, April 30: No EDCJCC Afterschool
Wednesday, May 1: Deadline to Re-enroll in Ross for the 2024-2025 School Year
Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5: Mother's and Father's Day Book Drive
Saturday, May 4: Build Day at the Hirshhorn (Ross Artwork on Display
Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 16: Ross Piano/Open Mic Night, Saloon (1205 U Street NW) 6:00-7:30pm
May 22 and 23: Ross School Musical (Day and Evening Performances)
Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL
Friday, May 31: Ross Field Day
Saturday, June 1: Playdate for Incoming PK4 Families
Tuesday, June 4: NO SCHOOL
Saturday, June 8: Ross Participation in Capital Pride Parade
Thursday, June 13: Fifth Grade Promotion
Monday, June 17: Last Day of School for Students
Thursday, June 20: Ross Piano/Open Mic Night, Saloon (1205 U Street NW) 6:00-7:30pm
About the Ross PTA
Email: PTApresident@rosselementary.org
Website: http://rosselementary.org/pta-board/
Location: 1730 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.673.7200
If this email was forwarded to you, subscribe to Ross PTA emails here.
Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, email Ross PTA Secretary Melanie Mayhew.
