The January 27, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Janney Families,

I hope you and your loved ones are doing well as we continue to manage the aftermath of this recent winter weather. With snow and ice still impacting conditions, and another snow day anticipated on Wednesday (1/28), I hope families are staying warm and safe.

I want to take a moment to uplift our core value of Community and extend special thanks to our Director of School Logistics, Mike Barnhart, and our custodial team (Hulon Adams, Rosalina Canas de Penate, Minerva Cruz de la Rosa, Richard Lindsay, and DJ Vaughan) . Even on days when DCPS is closed, they have been on site working to ensure our building and grounds are safe and ready for staff and students to return. We are deeply grateful for their time, care, and commitment!

We look forward to warmer days ahead and to coming back together soon as a Janney community.

Sincerely,

Principal Singh

Do you have a rising PK4 student or know of other incoming PK4 students ready to become a Janney Jaguar for the 2026–27 school year? Be sure to submit a lottery application through MySchoolDC, as all Janney PK4 seats are filled via the lottery. Don’t forget to select sibling preference if you have a Jaguar currently in grades PK-4th.

📅 March 2, 2026: Deadline for PK3–8th grade lottery applicants

📅 March 27, 2026: Lottery results and waitlist positions become available in your MySchool DC account

The Janney LSAT is preparing to advise Principal Singh on budget priorities for the 2026-2027 school year, though the budget has not been released yet. Please take a moment to complete the Budget Priorities Survey, to share what you value most for the upcoming year. Learn more about each priority by reviewing this resource. Thank you for helping us shape Janney’s future! Click here to take the survey and submit your answers by Feb 2.

Alice Deal Middle School is hosting a Virtual Open House for Janney families on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6:30-7:30pm. Principal Neal, Deal Educators, Deal Students, and the Alice Deal Community Association will be online to give an overview of the transition to Deal and answer any questions.

Join the virtual open house here.

A huge round of applause for all the students who participated in this year’s Spelling Bee! It was an incredible display of focus, courage, and "paws-itive" determination. After many impressive rounds of navigating some truly challenging words, we are thrilled to recognize our top spellers: Jojo Veysey (grade 5), Ashwin Cohen (grade 5), and Abby Samenow (grade 4). We are so Jaguar Proud of your achievement!

This month, our first grade classes collaboratively named Janney's newest chickens to the flock!

👋 Meet Chocolate Chip, Chicken Cocoa, and Chocolate Banana Spark.

As a reminder, flock members and wanna-be flock members can get involved. In preparation for Janney's First Ever CHICKEN WEEK to be held in May, join us on Wednesday, February 4, 8:40am - Science Room (door nearest to the greenhouse). Questions? Email Lisa the Chicken Flock Leader. No experience needed - just a sense of humor and willingness to pitch in. It will be egg-cellent!

Brrr… DC is in a deep freeze this week, with highs in the teens and 20s. Are you all set with your firewood for the week ahead? If you’re not, here’s a friendly reminder: ordering through the Janney Firewood Sale supports our school! Thanks to everyone who has already purchased — we’ve raised more than $1,300, all of which goes right back to our Janney community.

⭐ We’d be remiss not to offer an extra-special thank you to Dave van Leeuwen, who has organized the Janney Firewood Sale for years and whose youngest is in their final year at Janney. Dave has been a devoted volunteer for more than a decade, including serving as a former PTA Treasurer, and he continues to step in wherever help is needed. We’re so grateful for everything you’ve given to this community, Dave, and we hope you’ll keep coming back, because you’ll always be part of Janney. 💙🐾

👉 Shop our high-quality, seasoned firewood straight from West Virginia!

• Half-rack (4’ x 4’): $200 for 125 pieces
• Full-rack (8’ x 4’): $300 for 250 pieces

🛻 DELIVERY IS FREE!
Deliveries will reach a limited area and occur whenever an entire truckload has been ordered or every two weeks, whichever comes first. Note: When ordering, please indicate in the notes where on your property you would like your order delivered. Example: “Place all firewood in the wood rack at the end of the driveway,” or “Pile it up under the big ‘firewood here’ sign hanging off of the back fence above our parking pad in the alley between 47th and 48th Street.”

With gratitude, Anita Siegfriedt and Jackie Ross, PTA Co-Presidents

Thanks to an amazing team of Janney volunteers and their grownups, who packed more than 150 lunch bags for our neighbors living in shelters and permanent supportive housing. Thanks to everyone who dropped off supplies, beautifully illustrated bags, and made sandwiches. Your enthusiasm and hard work made a real difference!

We're excited for our next fundraiser with Silver and Sons Barbecue. This fast casual location features Jewish-Mediterranean barbecue. Orders can be placed online or in-person. For online orders, select the menu button in the specials menu for Janney Elementary Dine-Out. You can also place your order for takeout in-person by mentioning Janney. Note: there is limited seating, best for take out!

Join us in an enchanted hideaway on March 28th! Early bird tickets ($100) to the 2026 Auctionare available until January 31! - purchase yours today at the Auction Website

For those feeling particularly generous, Patron Tickets are also Available Now. You can join an exclusive group of Janney’s most generous supporters as an Auction Patron. The $200 Patron Ticket includes admission to the auction; a tax-deductible donation; and an invitation to a Patron-only thank you reception on Friday, February 27.

And don’t forget to also add-on the new and exclusive Vine & Barrel Tasting Room as you check out with your ticket! Warm your spirits with a private guided tasting of five premium whiskeys in an intimate tasting room. Only a limited amount available!

Together, we can make a lasting impact—buy your tickets today.

Want to help with the Auction, but don't know where to begin? Here are some easy ways to get started:

1. Help the Decor Team by purchasing items from our Amazon wish list!
2. Reach out to auction@janneyschool.org to learn more about hosting Janney parties (with your friends) to support the school, the Auction, and your kids!
3. Volunteer your time to the decor team and cut leaves out of cardstock to help us build our canopy! Email Libby Deal to pick up materials, including leaf templates.

If you have any questions or ideas for how you could support, email auction@janneyschool.org.

Audition Submissions Now Open!

Janney’s Talent Show is coming up Friday, February 20th — and audition video submissions are now open!

Audition Videos Due: Monday, February 10 at 8:00 PM

Submit your child's audition video here

• Solo acts: max 90 seconds

• Group acts: max 4 minutes (groups max 5 students)

• Please name your file Grade + Teacher + Child Name (example: 4Q–LissyMelia.mp4)

Families will receive an email on Tuesday, February 11 confirming participation details and next steps.

To help the show run smoothly, families with participating students will be asked to sign up for a 10–30 minute volunteer shift (either in advance or on the day of the event).

More event details coming soon. In the meantime, please email here with any questions.

janneytalentshow@gmail.com

The 5th Grade Musical is one of Janney’s most beloved traditions, and this year’s show is Shrek the Musical KIDS, taking place May 1 & 2. We still need volunteers to help bring it to life!

You don’t need to be a 5th grade parent to help — we’d love anyone who’s excited to jump in, whether you enjoy building, painting, organizing, or cheering students on behind the scenes. Our biggest need right now is a Producer, but there are many other roles available as well.

Producer (Top Need!) | Serve as the right-hand to the Director (Ms. Jordan). Responsibilities include parent/vendor liaison, set coordination, and backstage management. (Rehearsal attendance is flexible.)

👉 Sign up here and contact Anna Jordan with any questions.

Math Content night will now be on February 11, 2026. Geared for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade parents, you'll learn about the progression of math learning throughout these years and how to support students at home.

Janney+ is gathering family feedback to help us strengthen our programs and plan for an even better 2026. Our Family Survey takes less than 10 minutes, and your insights truly shape the future of Janney+. All participants will be entered into a raffle to win a free enrichment class in the Spring!

Take Survey Here

Save the date for Janney's Family Movie Night on March 11.

More details will come in our February newsletter, but as you are bookmarking this on your calendars, we could use your help...

Are you available to volunteer that night? We need you!

Do you have new or very gently used toys, games, books, scarves, jewelry, or spa essentials we can use to make baskets for our raffle? (Think about the holiday gift you KNOW you will never use or that your kid still hasn't played with!) We need you! Please reach out to amy.blaszyk@gmail.com to donate time or treasures. Can't wait to see you there!

🚲 Join the Janney Bike Bus | Join Janney students and parents on Friday mornings for a fun bike bus to school! Kids on parents' bikes and kids that can bike independently are welcome to join. The group leaves 48th and Davenport at 8:20 am sharp and travels together to Janney. Join our Janney Bike Bus WhatsApp group for updates and info.

🚌 Field Trip Fees | Field trips are an integral part of your child's learning experiences that align with each grade’s curriculum. The field trip fee includes not only the high cost of transportation, out-of-school programs and logistics, but also some assemblies that occur at Janney. Whenever possible, Janney takes advantage of free events, applies for grants, and uses creative ways to reduce the costs of these opportunities. Pay the Field Trip Fee.

👪 Chaperones | DCPS requires chaperones to complete a volunteer clearance application, after which you will receive an email with background check instructions. Fingerprinting is also required as part of the process but this can now be done remotely with instructions. DCPS Volunteer Clearance is valid for 2 years. List Michael Barnhart, michael.barnhart@k12.dc.gov, (202) 282-0110, as your contact and email him your clearance letter once received.

🎨 The Art Room | The Art Teacher is collecting hardcover book jackets all year round for the newly opened Collage Center in the art room, bring them in and put them to good use!

👕 Lost & Found | Our Lost & Found is bursting with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more-- most of them unlabeled! Please come fetch before they're carted away for donations.

🦠 Communicable Diseases | Check out our Mini Guide to Communicable Diseases and stay healthy this holiday season!

🚨 Lice Guide | Please pass on this link: Download our Suggested Lice Guide

There are two community events focused on National Girls & Women in Sports Day! Check it out!

• February 3 @5:30PM: Join the Women's Sports Foundation, Delta Air Lines, and the local DC Sports community for a special girls sports clinic in honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day! The event will include professional athletes, women sports leaders and giveaways to inspire girls to play and be active.
• February 7 @ 1:00PM: American University Athletics is excited to once again celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) with a free postgame clinic on Saturday, February 7, following the 1 p.m. women's basketball game against Navy. Learn more here.

Jan. 28 | Silver and Sons Fundraiser

Feb. 4 | First Ever Chicken Week Planning Meeting

Feb. 9 | Clubs/ Teams/ Groups Photo Day

Feb. 17 | Literacy Night

Feb. 20 | Talent Show

Feb. 23 - Mar. 8 | Read-a-thon

Mar. 4-5 | Ledo Pizza Fundraiser

Mar. 11 | Movie Night
Mar. 26 | Class Photo Day

Mar. 28, 6:30pm | Janney Auction -- Early Bird + Patron Tickets available online

Apr. 24 | International Night

May 1 & 2 | 5th Grade Musical

May 13 | 5th Grade Panoramic Photo Day

June 5 | Spring Picnic

Check out our Weekly Mental Load Helper! Stay on top of Janney activities by reading our weekly newsletter and following janneyelementary on Instagram!

Do your little Janney Jaguars say the funniest, silliest, or most profound things? Don't let those gems be heard only by the Janney chickens (or just you)! Share these memorable moments with the whole community! Submit elementary school-appropriate quotes from your kids here. All contributions are posted on the Janney Instagram anonymously. 👇

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