The February 3, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Janney Families

I hope you are doing well as we settle into February, a month that holds special meaning at Janney. Throughout the month, we will be celebrating Black History Month, uplifting the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in our country. As with other heritage celebrations, we value opportunities to partner with families, so please reach out if you are interested in sharing ideas, experiences, or resources with our school community.

February also brings moments of joy and connection as we celebrate friendship, kindness, and care for one another around Valentine’s Day, as well as the excitement of reaching the 100th day of school. While snow days have required a few adjustments, we look forward to celebrating 100 days of learning and growth soon, please be on the lookout for more details.

Thank you for your continued flexibility over the past week as we navigated winter weather and schedule changes. We are glad to be back on a regular schedule today. At this time, there are no changes to the school calendar, including the last day of school. Should that change, we will share updates as soon as information is available.

I also want to share a brief facilities update. Scaffolding is now in place in the atrium area, and construction work will continue as planned. The space is fully secured, student movement throughout the building remains uninterrupted, and safety continues to be our top priority. As this work continues, we are also exploring ways to incorporate student artwork and visual displays, so the space continues to reflect Janney’s culture, creativity, and values.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We are grateful to be learning and growing together as a Janney!

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

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.

Last 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!

As our city continues to dig out from the recent snowstorm, a special Janney Jaguar shout-out goes to Mike Barnhart and our amazing custodial crews. Not only did they come into school on days when DCPS was closed, they worked tirelessly to prepare the building for our students’ return and continue to put in the extra time to make sure our school is ready each morning. A heartfelt thank-you as well to Principal Singh, our teachers, and our staff for trekking into school and showing up for our community.

We’re so grateful for all you do!

With gratitude,

Anita Siegfriedt and Jackie Ross, PTA Co-Presidents

While you may have missed your chance to buy an early bird ticket to the 2026 Janney Auction, you can still buy a bird ticket! (see what we did there?) Ok, kidding! Advanced Canopy tickets are now on sale on the Auction Website for $125, which includes dinner, beer and wine, and a chance to bid on dozens of items all while hanging out with Janney parents - and not a kid in sight! If you’re feeling extra generous, you can buy a Patron Ticket and still get early-bird ticket pricing plus exclusive access to a Patron Party plus a $100 tax-deductible donation plus all the bragging rights of still getting the worm. Join us Beneath the Canopy on March 28th by purchasing your ticket today.

Host a Janney Parent Party!

Want to support the PTA by hosting a Janney Parent Party but still have questions? We created a Janney Party Planner that answers all your questions! It’s a great way to help raise funds for Janney while at the same time having a blast with fellow Janney parents. Host on your own or grab some friends to plan and cohost! For questions or more info, contact Jenn Lucey.

Want to help with the Auction, but don't know where to begin?

1. Help the Decor Team by purchasing items from our Amazon wish list!

2. 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.

3. There are plenty of ways to volunteer your time and talents to the event, or donate items/experiences to auction off. Please reach out to auction@janneyschool.org.

Did you stock up on wine before the snowstorm? Do you have leftovers? If so, impressive! Please donate bottles (priced $20 or higher) to the Auction Wine Cellar! Bottles can be dropped off at 4426 42nd St NW, right across from Janney! Every bottle counts to help build the cellar, which will be raffled off at the auction…and may also be turned into a fun game of ring toss at the event!

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!

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.

👉 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.

👕 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 winter!

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

Will you be in town on Presidents' Day? Wondering what you're going to do with no school and no JAC camp? Join us for a day of service with Comfort Cases, helping assemble and pack backpacks for children and youth entering the foster care system. Comfort Cases can accommodate 20 volunteers, so please RSVP to communityservice@janneyschool.org. We hope to see you there!

When: Monday, February 16th, 10am-12pm

Where: 9300 Gaither Road Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

If your child is 5 or under, Comfort Cases ask that you have one adult attending per child to assist them.

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.

Feb. 3 | Glee Club Practice

Feb. 4 | Boys Basketball Game

Feb. 4 | Silver and Sons BBQ Dining Out Fundraiser

Feb. 4 | First Ever Chicken Week Planning Meeting

Feb. 9 | Clubs/ Teams/ Groups Photo Day

Feb. 10 | Boys Basketball Game

Feb. 11 | Math Content Night

Feb. 13-16 | No School

Feb. 17 | Literacy Night

Feb. 20 | Talent Show

Feb. 20 | Boys Basketball Game

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

Feb. 25 | Boys Basketball Game

Mar. 4-5 | Ledo Pizza Fundraiser

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

Mar. 28, 6:30pm | Janney Auction -- Advanced Canopy + 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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