PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

I'm not sure who came up with idea of first day photos, but trying to achieve this on our front stoop each year is like trying to put a cat in a swimming pool. I have marked myself safe from this yearly ordeal and hope if you partake in the same shenanigans that you can do the same.

This week's newsletter is mainly dedicated to our search for people, and by people, we mean you. The beginning of the year is a great time to think about what you have to offer and how you can make a meaningful contribution to Ross--small or large. The involvement of Ross's community is something that truly sets us apart. I hope you'll take a moment to lend some time, expertise, or muffins this year. Read on for reminders for the School Supplies Fundraiser and Back to School Night, as well as updates on Ross Portrait Day, our crossing guards, Friday's merchandise sale, and other items of interest.

-Aimee

The PTA is in search of committee leads for two events happening in October!

First, if you're an enthusiastic biker, we need one parent to lead the Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day on October 9. This doesn't involve much work, but we do need someone to lead the pack on their bike, and do some light organizing around the event. (We are also looking for someone to be the PTA committee lead for Safe Transportation, which helps organize these walk/bike to school events, as well as organizing and delivering PTA-funded gifts to our crossing guards on their appreciation day. The lead also is the Ross point of contact for the ANC transportation committee and Safe Routes to School work.) Interested in either or both volunteer opportunities? Email ptapresident@rosselementary.org.

Second, if you love Halloween, we need one parent to run the Spooktacular Halloween celebration at Ross on Oct. 31. This Spooktacular will be different from previous years because it will happen on Halloween, which means that we won't organize a specific trick-or-treating event for Ross students. Instead, we'll have a Halloween carnival at Ross and then students will go on their normal trick-or-treating routes. Interested? Email hollykilness@gmail.com and ptapresident@rosselementary.org.

The Ross cross-country team is looking for an assistant coach. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Shegda by emailing him at jason.shegda@k12.dc.gov.

Sign up here to express your interest in and learn more about these PTA efforts: Safe transportation, Spooktacular, book drive, open houses, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), tree and bake sale, Story of Our Schools, teacher appreciation, Ross merchandise, and the Ross auction.

We are at $9,685 of our $14,000 goal for the school supply fund. If you haven't already contributed for your Roadrunner(s), please do so today at this link!

Families who are able are asked to contribute $100/student to cover the cost of school supplies. This money is distributed to teachers, who purchase supplies directly for their classroom. This system saves parents a trip to the store as well as ensuring equity among students. You may also donate additional funds to help cover the costs for families who are unable to cover the full amount.

This year, the intersections of 17th and R and New Hampshire and R will be covered by safety techs/crossing guards. Unfortunately, a safety tech for the 17th and R intersection has not yet been secured, so the intersection will not have coverage for at least the remainder of this week.

Freed Photography will be at Ross on Monday, September 30, for fall student portraits and class photos. Schedule your haircuts and get your outfits ready! After the session you will receive a link to a digital gallery with a variety of photos to choose from.

If you haven't seen the new Ross merchandise designs, you are missing out! Make sure to stop by this Friday, August 30, from 8:20 to 9:00 am out front of school to pick up your new swag and refresh your family's Ross gear.

Ross's merchandise website is always available at this link! Questions? Contact Sarah Berglund at rossmerchandise@gmail.com.

Ross Back to School Night will take place at school on Thursday, September 5, from 5:00-6:30 pm. Back to School Night is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to meet and connect with their children's teachers and other staff members, see the classroom and school, discuss the curriculum, and ask questions. There will be rotations with identical programming like last year.

The PTA is still working with aftercare vendors to extend aftercare programming or provide childcare at Ross, but at this time we cannot confirm that this will be available. We will provide updates as soon as we have them!

Ward 2 Education Council: Officer Elections

The Ward 2 Education Council is now holding its election for officers for the 2024-25 school year. This election is happening via virtual ballot.

Voting is open to parents and guardians of a student at a Ward 2 DCPS school, or to students attending a Ward 2 DCPS school. (Note that you do not have to live in Ward 2; the ward where the school is located is what is relevant.) If this applies to you, please vote by 8 pm on Wednesday, August 28 via the ballot form here.

For the coming year, our meetings will be on Tuesdays once a month (rather than Wednesdays as before). Meetings are currently scheduled for the following Tuesdays (on Zoom unless otherwise noted): September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17, January 14, February 18, March 18, April 22, May 20, June 3 (in person happy hour). We will be sending out more information about the September 20 meeting in early September.

Volo Kids

Fall registration is now open for Volo Kids, which provides free sports programs for kids in eight cities in the US, including Washington, DC. There are multiple sports to choose from (soccer, basketball, flag football, and more) at locations near Ross and throughout the city. Classes are after school and on the weekends. Learn more at their website and register today!

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Wednesday, August 28: JCC Open House (3:30-4:30)

Monday-Wednesday, August 26-28: Parent/Teacher Conferences for incoming PK4

Thursday, August 29: First Day of School for PK4

Friday, August 30: August Birthday celebrations (coordinated with Room Parent and teacher)

Monday, September 2: Labor Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 3: First Day of JCC After School programming

Wednesday, September 4: First Day of iGen After School programming

Thursday, September 5: Back to School Night 5:00-6:30pm

Thursday, September 26: PTA Back to School Picnic at Stead Park

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.