The Cardinal Connection

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.

July 27th: Community Play Date 9:30AM-11:30AM

August 6th: New and Returning Family Tours and Orientation 10AM & 5PM

August 8th: New and Returning Family Tours and Orientation 5PM

August 22nd: Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet and Greet

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

September 2nd: Labor Day Holiday...No School for Students and Staff

September 3rd: First Day of After School Programming

Greeting Cardinal Families,

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer! As we gear up for the exciting 2024-25 school year at J.O. Wilson Elementary School, I am thrilled to welcome both new and returning families to our vibrant community. This year marks my 6th year as an administrator here, and I couldn't be more excited to embark on another academic journey with you and your children.

Our mission at J.O. Wilson Elementary School is to ensure that 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. At J.O. Wilson, we live by our mantra of SOAR: Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect, which forms the cornerstone of our school culture.

We have several exciting events lined up to kick off the school year:

• July 27th: Community Play Date from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
• August 6th: New and Returning Family Tours and Orientation at 10 AM & 5 PM
• August 8th: New and Returning Family Tours and Orientation at 5 PM
• August 22nd: Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet and Greet from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

And, of course, the first day of school for Kindergarten through 5th Grade is Monday, August 26th, while our youngest learners in PK3 and PK4 start on Thursday, August 29th. We can't wait to see all the bright and eager faces ready to start the new school year!

We believe that education is a collaborative effort between the school, families, and the community. We encourage you to get involved by attending school events, joining our Parent-Teacher Association (email the PTA at info@jowilsonpta.org) and maintaining open communication with your child’s teacher. Together, we can create a nurturing and thriving educational environment for all our students.

Staying connected is key to a successful school year. Be sure to regularly visit our school website, check your emails for important announcements, read our newsletters, and participate in parent-teacher conferences and school events. We will also be using The Cardinal Connection (Smores), Class Dojo and Blackboard Ed. Connect to keep you informed and engaged. Your involvement and feedback are invaluable to us.

As we look forward to the new school year, I want to thank you for your unwavering support and trust in J.O. Wilson Elementary School. I am confident that, together, we will make this year a remarkable and successful one for all our students. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education, and let’s make this school year an enriching and memorable experience for everyone.

Mitchell V. Brunson
Principal
J.O. Wilson Elementary School
#StillSOARing

We understand that many families are eager to know their child’s teacher for the upcoming year and that some parents may have preferences for specific teachers. While we value and appreciate your interest and involvement in your child's education, we must inform you that we are unable to accept requests for specific teacher assignments.

Our primary goal is to create balanced and equitable classrooms that provide the best possible learning environment for all students. When forming class rosters, we consider a variety of factors to achieve this balance, including:

• Academic needs and learning styles
• Social and emotional development
• Peer relationships
• Teacher recommendations
• Class size and composition

Each of these factors is carefully weighed to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Accepting specific teacher requests would compromise our ability to maintain this balance and meet the diverse needs of all our students. Additionally, we are still in the process of building out class rosters as we continue to enroll more students. Once rosters are complete and finalized, we will provide families with a date on which teacher assignments will be announced.

We trust in the professional judgment of our dedicated educators and administration team to make thoughtful and informed decisions regarding class placements. Rest assured that every teacher at J.O. Wilson Elementary School is committed to providing a high-quality education and a supportive, nurturing environment for your child.

We understand that this may be disappointing to some families, but we ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Our focus remains on delivering the best educational experience for every student and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to soar academically, socially, and emotionally in accordance with our mantra of SOAR: Safety, Ownership, Acceptance, and Respect. Thank you for your continued support and trust in J.O. Wilson Elementary School.

The PTA is hosting a community play date on Saturday, July 27th from 9:30-11:30 am. Come out to the playground to meet new and returning families and stock up on swag for the upcoming school year. We’ll also have building tours at 10:00 and 11:00. All are invited to join! Questions? Email the PTA at info@jowilsonpta.org.

At J.O. Wilson Elementary School, we offer a large and diverse after-school program utilizing three different partners to cater to our students and families.

• Polite Piggy's: Provides after-school programming for students in PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten.
• DCPS: Offers after-school programming for students in 1st and 2nd grade.
• Kid-Power: Delivers after-school programming for students in 3rd to 5th grade.

Registration Details:

• Polite Piggy's: Registration is now open and must be completed by August 9, 2024, to guarantee enrollment. A waitlist will open on August 10, 2024.
• DCPS: Registration for students in 1st and 2nd grade opened on June 6th.
• Kid-Power: Registration for grades 3rd-5th is anticipated to open in the coming week. We will provide families with information as soon as it becomes available.

Please note that space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis for all three programs. Additionally, students must be enrolled for the next school year to register.

For more details on Polite Piggy's and DCPS registration, please refer to the graphic below

Mark your calendars! We're thrilled to welcome all new and returning families with special tours and orientations. Join us on August 6th at 10AM or 5 PM, and again on August 8th at 5 PM. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to get acquainted with our school, meet the staff, and kick off the new school year with excitement! See you there!

Join us on Thursday, August 22nd from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM for our annual Ice Cream Social and Teacher Meet & Greet sponsored by Communities in Schools in conjunction with J.O. Wilson ES! Come out and meet our wonderful teachers and staff. We will have vendors, raffles, and giveaways. Don’t miss the chance to meet representatives of our amazing PTA and purchase J.O. Wilson SWAG as well. It's a perfect opportunity to connect with the school community and enjoy some delicious ice cream. We look forward to seeing you there!

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to ensure that all students are equipped with the necessary supplies to support their learning experience. Below, you will find the school supply list for each grade level. Please note that all students will need a book bag in addition to the items listed. Additional specific items may be shared at Back to School Night. If your family needs any assistance in obtaining school supplies, please call the school directly at (202) 698-4733.

DC Way Soccer is thrilled to offer an exclusive 50% discount on our exciting DC Way Summer Camps for J.O. Wilson families! Sign up now and use the code WILSON50 at checkout to receive this special offer. The discount is valid for Weeks 5-10, running from July 15 to August 23.

DC Way Summer Camps offer a wonderful opportunity for boys and girls aged 4 to 13 to engage in fun, skill-building activities under the guidance of our experienced coaches. Each week is filled with soccer games, new friendships, and unforgettable memories.

Don't wait! Register now to secure your spot and take advantage of this incredible discount. Simply enter the code WILSON50 at checkout to receive 50% off. Go to https://dcway.com/summer-camp for location and registration info. (Options for Weeks 9-10 include programming at the J.O. Wilson field.)

Progressive tour of schools around the northern part of the Hill plus a block party at Maury Elementary to celebrate the new school year!

It’s time for the Back to School Ride - a 4.5 mile bike ride touring Capitol Hill schools on the northern part of the Hill! Join the ride at a school of your choice or start with us at Maury Elementary.

We’ll end back at Maury for a block party to celebrate the new school year including a bouncy house, a giant chalk art mural, DJ Paul Spires, Maracas Ice Pops tricycle and a food truck (TBD).

Go to https://hillfamilybiking.org/events/2024-08-31-kidical-mass/ for more information and to register.