At J.O. Wilson Elementary School, we are SOARing to success every day in every way by creating an environment in which joy, pride, positive interactions, and growth mindsets lead students to comfort in taking risks, self-advocating, and facing adversity.

September 3rd: First Day of After School Programming

September 10th: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) General Body Meeting 6PM

September 11th: PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten Back to School Night @6:30PM

September 14th: DCPS Block Party at Jefferson MS 11AM-2PM

September 16th: First day of Girls On The Run

September 18th: 1st grade through 5th grade Back to School Night @6:30PM

September 23rd: DCPS Back to School Block Party at Jefferson Academy MS (11:00-2:00)

September 27th: PTA Movie Night @ 7PM

We are excited to announce that our After-School Programs for the 2024-2025 school year begin today, Tuesday, September 3, 2024! Programs are available for students in grades PK-5.

• Polite Piggy’s: For Grades PK - K
• DCPS: For Grades 1 and 2
• Kid Power: For Grades 3, 4, and 5

Please note that students must be registered for their respective program in order to participate. Programming runs from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM and will end promptly at 6:00 PM. Please ensure that you have made arrangements for your student(s) to be picked up at or before 6PM. We look forward to a fantastic start to the year and seeing our students thrive in these engaging after-school activities!

Please join us in-person for the first PTA meeting of the year. Meet the Board members, learn about what we do and how to get involved, and share your questions, concerns, and hopes for the year ahead.

Dinner will be provided starting at 5:30 pm. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided for current J.O. students only. An RSVP is not required to attend, but if you respond below, that will help us plan for childcare and dinner.

https://forms.gle/3SCgk2Nte3bZxdV47

PTA membership is free and open to all parents, grandparents and legal guardians of students at J.O. Wilson. Fill out a membership form to tell us how you want to get involved.

At our September meeting, we will hold PTA Board elections for the following positions:

• 2nd Vice President - Emily Badger, interim appointee

• Secretary - Tiffany Payne, interim appointee

• Fundraising Director - Sheena Gay, interim appointee

• Assistant Membership Director - Open

The interim appointees currently occupying these positions intend to seek permanent election, but any J.O. Wilson parent, grandparent, guardian, or staff member is eligible to be nominated for these positions. Please submit your nomination(s) here! Also, feel free to reach out to the PTA info@jowilsonpta.org with any questions, or to learn more about the positions.

We are excited to celebrate National Attendance Awareness Month here at J.O. Wilson Elementary School! Consistent school attendance is the key to student success—every day of learning counts. Regular attendance helps students stay on track academically, build strong social connections, and develop good habits that will serve them for life. Last year, we made great strides in improving our attendance rates, and we’re eager to continue this positive trend.

Throughout September, we’ll be highlighting the importance of being present in school and recognizing the efforts of our students, families, and staff in making every day count. Next week, we will be announcing all the exciting ways we plan to celebrate student attendance, not just this month, but throughout the entire school year. Be on the lookout for more details, and let’s work together to ensure all our students are here, on time, and ready to learn every day. Together, we can achieve even greater success this year!

For the 2024-2025 school year, DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the "60/40" attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This means if your child attends school for less than 60% of the day, it will be tracked as a 60/40 absence. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. (See 5-A DCMR § 2199.1.)

To support your child being marked present for the full day, please make sure they arrive on time and stay until the close of the school day every day. Please note that the following late arrivals and/or early dismissals will result in your child being considered legally absent for the day:

• Students arriving after 11:25 a.m.

• Students leaving before 12:35 p.m.

• Students arriving late and leaving early and missing more than 40% of the scheduled school day.

The 60/40 attendance policy will continue to be implemented at the secondary level, meaning students must attend at least 60% of their class periods to be marked present for the day. You can review the complete DCPS Attendance and Truancy Policy here Attendance and Truancy Policy | dcps for additional information.

Join us on Saturday, September 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM at Jefferson Middle School (801 7th St SW) for the District of Columbia Public Schools' Back to School Block Party! It’s going to be a day filled with fun, games, and community spirit as we kick off the new school year. Don’t miss out on this exciting event—come celebrate with us and get ready for a fantastic year ahead!

Many J.O. Wilson teachers have projects on the Donors Choose platform that enables community members to financially support supplemental activities and supplies in the classroom. Cardinal teachers are stocking up for the year, planning new hands-on activities and expanding technology and arts supplies. View all J.O. projects here, and share with family and friends.

The Girl Scouts troop at J.O. Wilson meets at school during aftercare, has some weekend events, plus COOKIES this winter!!! Currently, we have room for new kindergartners and first graders, but we're glad to put older girls on a waitlist. If any parents or caregivers are able to volunteer, that can help us open up more spots. Email larissahorn@gmail.com if you're interested in joining or volunteering.

Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.

Join the PTA on the blacktop and field for the first movie night of the school year on Friday, Sept. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. Playground gates open at 6 p.m. Movie starts at sundown. Refreshments (pizza, popcorn, snacks and drinks) will be available for purchase. Closed captions will be provided. This event is open to all; please help spread the word to friends and neighbors. If you can help with set-up, concessions, or clean-up, please email the PTA info@jowilsonpta.org. Join us at the Sept. 10 PTA meeting to vote on the movie!