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.

January 23rd: LSAT Meeting @4PM (rescheduled from Jan. 16th)

January 25th: Last day to complete JOW's modernization survey ( take this brief survey)

January 26th: No School for Students...PD/Records Day for Staff

January 29th: Virtual Principal Chat @ 6PM

February 10th: DC Camp Fair 10AM-1PM

February 13th: February 13th PTA General Body Meeting and Parent Yoga Night @6PM

February 16th: Professional Development Day...No school for students

Join us for an engaging and informative Virtual PTA Meeting via Zoom! This is a fantastic opportunity for you to connect with other families, share ideas, and stay updated on what's happening in our school community. Together, we can make a difference in our children's educational journey. Don't miss out! Please see below for the Zoom link to join us. We can't wait to see you there!

Agenda Items:

• Bike lane updates from ANC Commissioner Kwan

• Giving Drive

• Camp Fair

• Modernization

• Cardinal Grants

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuce2rpjwqHtFiLdtrMcEcJf_7_y5o9rVn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Here are the minutes from December’s General Body Meeting, which we will vote to approve.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVaDEwLPCBKclphHPA4iKVen_1d9yjP8/view?usp=sharing

Our parent YOGA Night has been rescheduled for the next in-person PTA meeting, on Tuesday, February 13th. Please save the date and make plans to attend. The PTA will provide dinner and childcare. Stay tuned for reminders as that date approaches.

Attention Parents: For your convenience during dismissal, please remember that parking is available on 6th Street. This designated parking area ensures a smooth and safe end to the school day for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation! Reminder, please make sure that you are not double parking on K. Street.

J.O. is getting a complete renovation and modernization, starting during the 2024-25 school year, and now is our time to have input in the process. Please take this brief survey organized by the PTA to help inform what we want our community to advocate for in the design of our new school. The survey will close on Jan. 25, so this week is your last chance to weigh in!

Due to the inclement weather, the DC Camp Fair has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 10 from 10 am-1 pm. Thanks for your understanding. Sign-up to volunteer here, or email us DCCampFair@jowilsonpta.org if you have questions!

Please update your calendars, help spread the word, and most importantly, make plans to attend! Rest assured that our camp exhibitors are excited to participate and share information about their programs with the community.

WHAT: DC Camp Fair

WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: J.O. Wilson Elementary School

This event is free and open to all; please help spread the word to neighbors and other interested families.

For information on participating camps, please visit DCCampFair.com. Also, new for this year, we want to formally recognize camps who have generously offered free camp sessions to offer deserving members of our school community. These Cardinal Contributors include: DC Way Soccer Camp, Camp Rim Rock, Theatre Lab, Northeast Stars Montessori, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Pedalheads, Polite Piggys, Breathing Space Yoga, Joy of Motion Dance Center, Bravo Zulu Chess, The Future Stars Enrichment Program, Adventures on the Hill, HoopEd, and Headfirst.

Please consider supporting the H Street restaurants that help make our neighborhood strong. Many of them support J.O. Wilson, through partnerships and donations to our annual auction fundraiser. Now is our chance to support them in return, especially during the slow winter season. Due to the weather, Restaurant Week specials have been extended to Jan. 28.

1. W6PSPO Meets February 20, 7pm - 8:30pm - At our February meeting, we will be joined by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Antonio Nunes, Legislative Director for Councilmember Charles Allen, to talk about the recent education-related hearings, the upcoming performance oversight hearings, and the City's education budget. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOqsqDorHdOqNZKiWVfvLL0TPp_az3Wp

2. D.C. Council Performance Oversight Hearings - The Committee of the Whole will hold the following performance oversight hearings:

- February 27, 2024, 9 am - Performance oversight hearing for UDC, the DC Public Charter School Board, State Board of Education, Office of the Student Advocate, Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, and the DC State Athletic Association. Register to testify or submit written testimony here.

- February 28, 2024, 9:30 am - Performance oversight hearing for the Deputy Mayor for Education, DC Public Schools, and Office of the State Superintendent for Education. Register to testify or submit written testimony here.

3. Educational webinar on how to deliver effective, persuasive Council testimony, January 23: If you're planning to testify at one of the performance oversight hearings you may be interested in an educational webinar sponsored by the Ward 6 Democrats to help you learn everything you need to know to testify effectively at DC Council hearings. The webinar will be on Tuesday, January 23, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen will discuss the entire process, including how to sign up to testify and he will offer advice on creating compelling testimony. Bring your questions to this interactive session. RSVP here.

4. DC Teachers' Night: An Environmental Education Evening, February 29, 6 - 8 pm - The US Botanic Garden will be hosting the 17th annual DC Teachers' Night where teachers can connect with environmental organizations to learn field trip experiences, professional development opportunities, and classroom resources. The event is free and light refreshments will be served. Please spread the word to your teachers. Register here.