The Cardinal Connection
August 21st, 2024
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.
Important Dates:
August 22nd: Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet and Greet
August 22nd: DCPS Back to School Information Session with Chancellor Ferebee
August 24th: Youth Sports Day @ The Fields at RFK
August 26th: First Day of School for Students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade
August 29th: First Day of School for Students in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K4
August 31st: Hill Family Biking Back to School Ride
September 2nd: Labor Day Holiday...No School for Students and Staff
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 18th: 1st grade through 5th grade Back to School Night @6:30PM
Communities In School & JOW Presents...Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet & Greet
We are excited to invite you to our annual Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet & Greet, happening tomorrow, Thursday, August 22nd, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, sponsored by Communities in Schools in partnership with J.O. Wilson ES. This event is a wonderful opportunity to kick off the new school year by meeting our dedicated teachers and staff, who are eager to connect with you and your family.
In addition to mingling with our educators, the event will feature a variety of vendors offering unique products and services, exciting raffles with fantastic prizes, and plenty of giveaways. Don’t miss the chance to connect with our amazing PTA representatives, who will be on hand to share how you can get involved and support our school. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase some J.O. Wilson SWAG to show your school spirit.
To make the event even sweeter, we’ll be serving a delicious cold treat provided by Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard—perfect for enjoying on a warm summer afternoon. Whether you’re a returning family or new to our community, this is the perfect occasion to build connections, learn more about the upcoming school year, and simply have fun. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in the excitement of the new school year!
Show Our Teachers and Staff Support for a Strong Start to the School-Year
The PTA is looking for families to donate snacks and drinks for our fabulous J.O. Wilson Cardinal teachers and staff. Sign-up for a week-long shift. During your week of providing treats, families will check-in at the office, and Ms. Stephenson, Ms. Bishop and Ms. Winter will assist them in bringing snacks to the staff lounge. For more information, please contact Ms. Winter at victoria.winter@k12.dc.gov or 202-698-4733. Thank you for your support!
DCPS Back to School Information Session (8/22)
Join Chancellor Ferebee and DCPS leadership on Thursday, August 22 at 6 pm for a virtual information session to learn important updates for the coming school year. Topics include attendance, early childhood, immunizations, digital citizenship, safety, and more! Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available. To register and get more information, please click here.
Save the Date: PTA General Body Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m.
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.
PTA membership is free and open to all parents, grandparents and legal guardians of students at J.O. Wilson. Fill out a membership form here 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 to learn more about the positions.
DCPS Back to School Guide Now Available!
Get ready for the new school year with the DCPS Back to School Guide! This comprehensive resource is packed with everything you need to prepare, including important dates, key resources, and details on upcoming events. Whether you’re looking for information on school supplies, transportation, or new programs, this guide has you covered. Visit https://backtoschool.dc.gov/guide to access the guide and ensure a smooth start to the school year.
DCPS Volunteer Clearance Information
In order to provide field trip opportunities for our scholars throughout the year, we are always in need of chaperones to keep all of the kids safe and supervised! All field trip chaperones and classroom volunteers MUST complete the DCPS Clearance Application. Once the DCPS Clearance Application is completed, you will be directed to FieldPrint, the outside partner who handles fingerprinting. Instructions on how to complete the FieldPrint application will be found in your clearance confirmation email from DCPS. The clearance process can take several weeks, so we recommend completing it as soon as possible. Volunteer clearance is valid for two years. Some classes, including the PreK grades, are already planning fall field trips. So, plan now to become a chaperone in time to join them!
J.O. Wilson Elementary School Back to School Nights!
We are excited to announce that J.O. Wilson Elementary School will be hosting two separate Back to School Nights this year to better accommodate our students and families.
Pre-K & Kindergarten Back to School Night:
- Date: September 11, 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
1st - 5th Grade Back to School Night:
- Date: September 18, 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Both events will provide an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn about the curriculum, and explore ways to support your child’s success this school year. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more details, visit our website at www.jowilsondcps.org and follow us on social media:
- Facebook: J.O. Cardinals
- Twitter: @JOWilsonDC
- Instagram: @jowilsoncardinals
Note: J.O. Wilson is a Title I school, which allows us to receive additional support and resources to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.