PTA Newsletter
September 30, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
There is nothing better than festival and costume season, when pumpkins abound, candy is thrown around with reckless abandon, and everything has some sort of spice to it. My Roadrunners have dedicated themselves to wearing costumes around the house until Halloween and I'm all in. We are counting the days to the Little Goblins Parade (Oct 25), the Mitchell Park Fun Day (Oct 26), and our family trips to Butler's Orchard Pumpkin Festival (yes, trips, not trip 😂). My Roadrunners are gearing up for their usual over-the-top wardrobe changes for what always ends up being multiple costumes.
Speaking of wardrobes and costumes, collection started yesterday for our Clothing Swap and Costume Exchange! I hope you threw in a size 7 inflatable alien and a size 5 granny costume (inspired by Bluey grannies, obvs) cause those are the current requests. You may not be surprised to hear I've got some extra costumes to throw in for you. But enough about costumes--we are collecting all types of clothing, including seasonal accessories like hats, gloves, and snowsuits, as well as everyday wear, and maybe an extra set of goggles if you might have some for third grade. The bin is located on the school's lower level and the swap event is Friday, October 17. All details below!
Perusing the internet for alien and granny 'fits,
-Aimee
Fall for Ross is continuing strong this past week, reaching 39% of our $50,000 goal!
Everyone belongs! At Ross, every family, every teacher, and every staff member is a valued member of the Ross PTA. Instead of an annual membership drive, every fall we invite all members of our community to Fall for Ross.
We encourage families to consider a financial donation of $50/month ($600 annually) to help the PTA maintain its strong programs and investments in school operating costs. We understand this isn’t possible for every family. Please give as you’re able. Small or large, every donation is important and contributes to improving the learning environment for every student at Ross.
What does the Ross PTA Do?
- Hosts events to build community
- Supports Ross teachers and staff
- Raises significant funds to offset school operating costs and non-personnel expenses. This enables Principal Searl to increase Ross staffing beyond the school's DCPS budget allocation.
Our engaged school community is an essential part of what makes the Ross environment such a welcoming, supportive place for our children to learn and grow.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 this fall and to connect with every Ross family. Please join us today!
**All classes that reach 100% participation, or the class with the highest participation rate when Fall for Ross ends, will win a popsicle party and an extra recess!**
PK4 has taken a commanding lead at 40% participation this week, followed closely by 3rd (31%), and K (27%). Keep it up!
Pupatella DC is teaming up with Ross Elementary to encourage its students to read! Between now and November 15, after students have read for a combined total of 200 minutes, they can bring in a slip signed by their teachers and parents to a Pupatella location in DC to receive a free Bimbi pizza! Teachers will send home a paper version of this coupon this week for kids to redeem. Happy reading! 📚
Join us next Wednesday, October 8, as we celebrate bicycling and walking to school during our first of two National Walk & Roll to School Day events this year!
Students can ride their bicycles or scooters or walk with their classmates or parents. With a police motorcycle escort leading the parade, we will meet at the corner of 15th and R St NW at 7:50 am and make our way to Ross at 8:00 am. We will be joined by a representative from the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) and are looking for as many parents on bicycles to join the parade as we can find. If you are interested in riding or have more questions, please contact Joseph Jones (text 202-375-9859/email mwcumd@icloud.com).
Once the parade concludes at Ross, we will be greeted by Krispy Kreme donut holes and coffee, and WABA will be handing out bicycle safety and advocacy swag. Please join us!
**We are looking for a volunteer to pick up a lot of donut holes and coffee from the Dupont Circle location of Krispy Kreme around 7:30am on the morning of walk/roll! Please contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org if you can help!**
The PTA is excited to announce two new local discounts for Ross teachers and administrators — one with Pupatella and one with Ted’s Bulletin 14th Street. At Pupatella, enjoy 20% off! Teachers and administrators just need to show their badge when requesting the discount. At Ted's Bulletin, there is a 10% discount, available M-F from 4:00 to 10:00 pm at the 14th Street location. Please ask for the teacher discount when ordering!
Recent cuts to federal programs and increased hardships across the District have affected many of our neighbors, and our friends at So Others Might Eat (SOME) are facing critical food shortages. We want to help.
So this 9/30 DAY, from 10am to 7pm, you’re invited to come down to 9:30 Club with your donation of at least FIVE non-perishable items for a spin of our prize wheel!
Win concert tickets, I.M.P. gift cards, 9:30 and Atlantis merch, Friends with Benefits points, and more, including prizes from our partners!
PLUS! Everyone who donates will also be entered to win the Grand Prize – a pair of tickets to every show at 9:30 Club in October 2025!
For SOME's donation wishlist and more information, click here
First meeting of SY 2025-2026: September 30, 2025! 7:00-8:00pm (virtual)
Please join us for the inaugural meeting of the Ward 1 AND Ward 2 Education Council (formally just the Ward 2 Education Council). We will be kicking off the 2025-2026 school year with:
- new officer elections
- discussion of upcoming DC Council hearings and legislation
- updates from the new "Euclid" middle school community working group (CWG)
- conversation about top issues facing DCPS families, staff, students and community members this school year
Register for the meeting here
Join a family-friendly running event on Sunday, October 19, from 8am-11am at Anacostia Park (1500 Anacostia Dr, Washington, DC 20020)! Registration is free for the 400m and 1-mile fun run for kids. If grownups want to run there is also a 5K race. Whether you choose to run or not, enjoy food, coffee, music, a giant jenga, corn toss, face painting, jugglers, an airbrush tattoo artist and more. Please note that even though race entry is free, all runners must pre-register here. The event is to benefit Run Hope Work, a local nonprofit whose mission is to help youth and young adults transform their lives through physical fitness, mental well-being and industry-recognized workforce training.
About the Ross PTA
The mission of the Ross PTA is to support the education of all Ross students, to support Ross faculty and staff, to foster relationships among parents, staff and community members, and to assist faculty and staff to provide a safe and nurturing environment where all students, families and faculty can thrive and grow.
Email: PTApresident@rosselementary.org
Website: http://rosselementary.org/pta
Location: 1730 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.673.7200
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Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, please email me here.