Principal's Bulletin

Dear Ross Roadrunner Families,

We look forward to welcoming our new and returning families for the 2023.24 school year.

We hope to connect with you at our "Sneak a Peek" open house on Friday, August 25 from 2:30-3:30pm. Meet the teachers, check out the classrooms and enjoy a popsicle on the playground with Ross staff and PTA leaders.

First Day of School for K-5 is Monday, August 28. Morning recess begins on the field at 8:20am.

First Day of School for PK4 is Thursday, August 31. Drop off directly in the classroom begins at 8:30am.

Once school is in session, you will receive a weekly Principal's Bulletin from me.

We also use the Remind App to share announcements.

Learn more here (Spanish) and (English)

You can receive PTA communications by registering through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmJ0TW6JVxvAypPxDUeVKcBWi_JO6G4Ycjozkh6lflslFosg/viewform

Warm Regards,

Holly Searl, Principal

holly.searl@k12.dc.gov

2023.24 DCPS Calendar

Thursday, August 24: Back to School Check-in with Principal Searl (virtual, 7:00pm)

Click here to join the meeting

Friday, August 25: Sneak a Peek Open House and popsicles on the playground (2:30-3:30pm)

Monday, August 28: First day of school (K-5); PK4 home visits (Mon/Tues/Wed)

Thursday, August 31: First day of school (PK4)

Monday, September 4: Labor Day Holiday, No School

Thursday, September 14: Back to School Night (all grades) 6:00-7:30pm

A note from PK4 Teacher, Ms. Chelak and PK4 Aide, Ms. O'Connor

Welcome, PK4 families! We are excited to welcome your child to Ross in the coming weeks. To make the transition smooth, please complete all three below:

1. Send a picture of your child to Ms. Chelak at Kristen.chelak@k12.dc.gov. It will be posted in the room to help your child access materials and locations, such as their cubby.

2. Sneak-A-Peek is Friday, August25@2:30-3:30pm.
   Each student will need a small blanket and small stuffed animal for quiet time. Bring your blanket and stuffed animal to Sneak-A-Peak to reduce the first-day bags.

3. Monday, 8/28–Wednesday, 8/30 are home visits.
   Sign up for a 30-minute home visit HERE (linked).
   Sign up using your child’s name.
   Indicate in the comments if you would like to meet at your home, at Ross, or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

   Home visits are an opportunity for us to get to know your child and for your child to see us all as one team, making the transition smoother.

All students are offered free breakfast every day in every school.

You may pack a home lunch (NO NUTS) or your child may purchase lunch.

You can learn more about school meals and setting up your payment account here.

If your child has dietary restrictions, you can find information here.

Your child should bring a labeled water bottle (for water only) every day.

If your child's class will have a daily scheduled snack, you will learn more from your child's teacher.

Please ensure your child's health forms and immunization documentation are current. You can find the necessary forms here. You can also get the forms from Ms.Segovia in the Ross Main Office.

If your child requires medication in school, you must bring the doctor's orders and unopened medication to Ms. Segovia. Please note that teachers may not administer any medication, including over the counter meds.

The Department of Health is in the midst of school nurse/health tech transitioning. Once we know who will be assigned to Ross and in what capacity, we will share the information with you.

Cross Country for Grades 4 & 5 will begin on Wednesday, September 6.

The deadline for submitting all forms is September 15. They must be submitted electronically. We are NOT accepting paper forms.

https://www.thedciaa.com/participation-forms

Students should wear their practice clothes to school on Wednesdays. We do not have space or time for individuals to change after school. Students should bring a healthy snack and water bottle.

Again, this fall, we are only accepting forms electronically. If there are any questions, please contact Mr. Shegda at jason.shegda@k12.dc.gov.

Ms. Cirillo and Ms. Nagorski are coaching the team while Mr. Shegda is on leave.

We love parent volunteers and count on you to help chaperone the many wonderful field trips during the year. Please begin the volunteer clearance process soon so you can be cleared to help us. Your clearance is good for two years.

Link for volunteer clearance here.

The city must undergo a school boundary study every ten years. If you would like to learn more, visit

dme.dc.gov/boundaries2023

Ross Parent and LSAT member David Alpert is on the advisory committee. alpert@gmail.com

The DME will offer opportunities for parent engagement over the next few months.

Mr. Eickmeyer and Ms. Sawyer are excited to welcome their students to Kindergarten. Both teachers co-plan and follow the same curriculum. Both classes will have recess and lunch together every day. We are seeking a Room Parent for each class. Teachers do not report back to school until the week of August 14 and they will be in touch with classes once they are back at school.

Mr. Eickmeyer's Class

Vivienne A

Milo B

Bizhan D

Eames D

Ellis E

Angie G

Kiran J

Trinity L

Gene M-S

Hayes P

Bruna R

Julian R

Magnolia S

Jete S

Hailey V

Ms. Sawyer's Class

Samantha D

Thomas D

Celia F

Niko H

Everett h

Reina I

Victoria I

Gael M-F

Jillian M-S

Jasmi R

Camilia R

Yael R

Lena S

Nyomi S

Niam S

Celine W

Please find the Ross Family handbook linked here.

You can find and access DCPS policies here.

Teachers and the PTA are seeking Room Parents to help serve as liaison between the classroom and PTA and to support parent relationships and bonding in the class. Room parents help the teachers identify chaperones for field trips and also communicate about monthly birthday celebrations and class events such as the Valentine's Party. Much of the role can be done via email. We are seeking Room Parents for all classes except Grades 2 and 5 (thank you Karrin and Auri for volunteering for those classes!) Please reach out if you would like to volunteer.

The Ross PTA asks for a voluntary contribution of $100 per child to cover the costs of school supplies for the year. The PTA provides all teachers with funding to purchase supplies for the entire class.

You may pay for supplies here. The PTA would like all supply payments by August 25 and encourages families to consider an extra donation to offset families who are unable to contribute.

Please give a warm welcome to the following new staff members!

Ms. Ashley Neubert is joining us as our new 5th Grade teacher.

Ms. Amy Hailu is returning to Ross in a new role as our Music teacher.

Ms. Jillian Sharkey is joining us as our new School Counselor.

Ms. Chase Jackson is joining us as a Kindergarten Aide.

We are still seeking another Kindergarten Aide and long-term subs.

A full staff roster will be shared at school opening.

In addition to Cross Country for Grades 4-5, we currently have two Ross-based enrichment classes scheduled for before school in the fall with more in the works and a new after school offering. Many thanks to our parent-led enrichment committee for their leadership. Confidential scholarship support is available if your family qualifies for free/reduced meals. Reach out to Principal Searl directly for support.

Chess: Monday and Friday mornings from 8:00-8:40am

Register directly with Ziko at zikochess@gmail.com

Spanish: Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:55-8:40am

Register directly with:

https://www.isabellaandferdinand.com/new-products/ross-elementary-washington-dc

NEW! Growth Club (After School)

Contact parent Andrea Doughty directly with questions. andreajdoughty@gmail.com

Contact Principal Searl for confidential scholarship information.

As a Ross parent who has greatly enjoyed tutoring my daughter in math and ELA outside of school hours for the past five years, this year I decided to obtain the necessary DC authorizations to provide home-based coaching for small groups of students after school. I will collect students from Ross at 3:15 pm and walk them to my home (1417 Q ST NW, which is one block east of the DCJCC on Q ST), with the following sessions available for the Fall semester (September 7 through November 17):

Mondays: 4th and 5th grade math

Thursdays: 3rd and 4th grade math

Fridays: 4th and 5th grade math + journaling

All sessions will run until 6:15 pm with parents or caregivers collecting their students from 1417 Q ST NW. Please register directly with me at: andreajdoughty@gmail.com

Email: holly.searl@k12.dc.gov or graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov

Website: http://rosselementary.org/
Location: 1730 R Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: (206)-673-7200
Twitter: @rossesdc