PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

Is the Polar Bear Plunge on your Bucket List? Never fear, there is no need to travel--just walk a few blocks to your nearest DPR pool at the very beginning of the season, and you've got your experience. What does an unwilling parent plus two really eager kids make? A neutrally acceptable event! My Road Runner and his protegee insisted that they would love this ice cap swim on Saturday, and smugly, I expected a seven-minute tour through the water and a quick run home. But friends, this Road Runner jumped in and out of that pool so many times it was like watching a waterproof Energizer Bunny. I was on hand like an Olympic coach with six towels per kid for each ice break, and somehow, some way, they stayed there for two hours. Jump in, hyperventilate, repeat, hop out for a towel wrap from Mom, repeat. Unforgettable. Mostly for me, I honestly may have left a frozen toe behind in the pool trailing after them, but oh boy, did they have fun.

You only have a few weeks left in the game, so keep that ball dribbling! It's the first day of our Ross Mental Health Awareness Week--make sure to get your yellow gear ready for tomorrow. Today is the last day to submit your nominations for the PTA Board and LSAT. Yearbooks are on sale, Room Parents are starting to collect End-of-Year Teacher/Staff gifts, and it's almost time to register for before and after school programming for fall (whaaaatt?!). Don't forget to mark your calendars for our final General Body PTA Meeting of the year next Tuesday and our End-of-the-Year Picnic on Thursday, June 12!

Now go get your pool gear ready for next week's ice adventure, and have a great week.

-Aimee

The last day to check out library books is this Friday, May 30. The last day to return library books is Friday, June 6. Did you lose a library book? You can pay $25/book here. Unfortunately, the school cannot accept replacement copies because the books need to come with digital records for its checkout system. The library is in search of a few volunteers to help with library inventory before the end of the year. Contact Ms. Juriga at lisa.juriga@k12.dc.gov for more information and to volunteer.

Make sure to pick up all medications from Nurse Webster and claim all lost and found by the last day of school (Wednesday, June 18).

Review the 25.26 school calendar and mark your calendars for the Ross Sneak-a-Peek (meet your teachers), which is on Friday, August 22 at 2:30pm at Ross, just a few days before the first day of school, Monday, August 25.

Teachers and the PTA are seeking Room Parents for the 2025-2026 school year to serve as liaisons between the classroom and PTA and to support parent relationships and bonding in the classrooms. 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. Please reach out to holly.searl@k12.dc.gov if you would like to volunteer.

Ross yearbooks are now on sale for $25. You can order your student’s yearbook here. (Limit: one per student, please.) Questions? Contact Mrs. Sharkey at jillian.sharkey@k12.dc.gov.

As we do each year at Ross toward the end of the year, Room Parents will soon begin collecting funds to purchase gift cards for the teachers in our classroom and a few staff members who have been assigned to each classroom. This is totally optional, and if you give, you are welcome to give whatever amount works for your family. (Families typically give a total of $50-$100 to be divided among the teachers/staff, with some giving less and some giving more; it's totally up to you!) Please watch your inboxes/classroom chats for more information.

Before- and after-school enrollment for the next school year will open soon. For before-school activities, which are typically available for kindergarten and above, we expect the following before-school options and will communicate more information when we receive it:

• Isabella & Ferdinand Spanish-language sessions: Enrollment is open!
• Chess with Coach Ziko: Enrollment information pending
• **UPDATED** Yoga with Breathing Space (Wednesdays, K-3): Enrollment information pending

Regarding aftercare, most programs expect to open enrollment in June, and most of the below accept students of all ages:

• iGen: Enrollment opening in June
• JCC: Enrollment opening in June
• Keegan Theatre: Enrollment opening in June
• DPR at Stead (age 6 and above): Enrollment opening August 13, 2025
• **UPDATED/NEW** Math Games at the Rock Creek School (Wednesdays): Enrollment now open

  • What: Math Games is an enrichment program where we use card games, dice games, and board games to introduce kids to probability, reinforce core math concepts like fractions and percentages, and build logical reasoning skills.

  • Who: 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

  • Time: Wednesdays 3:45 to 5:30pm

  • Location: Augustana Lutheran (2100 New Hampshire Ave NW)

  • Dates: There are two 8-week sessions, one from August 27 to October 15, and one from October 22 to December 17

  • Cost: Each 8-week session costs $450

  • Website and registration
  
  

The Ross Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) is currently seeking nominations for parents/guardians of current Ross Elementary School students to serve in school year 2025-2026.

The LSAT is a group of parents/guardians, teachers, non-instructional staff members, community members, and occasionally students who meet monthly to advise the principal on school priorities. A diversity of perspectives and experiences is important to a successful LSAT experience, as we want to make sure our school leaders hear from a variety of voices that are representative of the overall school community. This is a commitment that requires joining a monthly meeting during the school year.

Parents/Guardians will nominate and then vote on 4 representatives. You may nominate as many individuals as you would like, as well as self-nominate, but please try to confirm others' interest in advance. Nominations and elections for the teachers and non-instructional staff members are handled by the union representatives. Community members and student representatives are asked to join by consensus once the other LSAT members are determined. The nomination form is available here.

Ross Elementary School's nomination period will be from May 6, 2025, to May 27, 2025. Afterward, we will share additional communication detailing how to vote. Thank you!

The Ross PTA will hold the third and final general body (open to everyone) meeting of the year Tuesday, June 3, at 7:00 pm virtually via Zoom (link to join; Meeting ID: Zoom Meeting ID: 851 7244 6836 / Passcode: Xp7N9A).

Nominations are open for the Ross PTA Executive Board for 2025-2026. Positions include: President, VP Fundraising, VP Community Engagement, Treasurer, Secretary, Upper School Representative, and Lower School Representative. Nominations are currently being accepted for all positions. For position and committee descriptions, and to nominate yourself or others, please visit this form. Nominations are due by today, Tuesday, May 27, and will be voted on during the PTA general body meeting. Questions? Email PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

Join students, families, teachers, and staff on Thurs, June 12 from 5-7pm to celebrate the end of the school year with a potluck picnic at the Stead Park Rec Center and playground! Pizza and sweet treats (shaved ice!) will be provided by the PTA.

Please sign up here to contribute food and/or beverages for the event. We also need a few volunteers to help set up, serve pizza, and assist with clean-up. Your support is appreciated!

Summer registration is now open for Volo Kids, which provides free sports programs for kids in eight cities in the US, including Washington, DC. There are multiple sports to choose from (soccer, basketball, flag football, and more) at locations near Ross and throughout the city. Click here for more info and to register!

Join the Children's Law Center training "Allies for Immigrant Rights" tomorrow at 6:00 pm at Fedwell by Farm to Feast, located at 821 Upshur St NW. Use the QR code in the image to register. Discounted adult food and 1/2 price kids' meals will be available for this event.

This summer, ignite your child’s curiosity with STAMP Camp — a fun, free virtual program designed to bring STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) right to your inbox!

What is STAMP Camp?
S.T.A.M.P stands for Science, Technology, Art, Math, and Problem-solving — and this free virtual camp delivers hands-on activities straight from the National Postal Museum, all through email. STAMP Camp is fully digital and free, making it accessible to everyone, everywhere. Each week of activities connects postal history with STEAM learning, using real objects and stories from Smithsonian Museums.

How It Works:

1. Sign up for free here!

2. Receive five weeks of activities in your e-mail inbox throughout June, July, and August.

3. All activities are emailed directly to you -- easy to share and explore at home.

4. Complete at your own pace — whenever, wherever.

+ Perfect for kids ages 6–12 (with adult support).
+ Registration is required by a parent or guardian.

STAMP Camp starts June 25, 2025 – don’t miss out on this creative, curiosity-fueled summer!

Join us at Stead Park for a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and pride! This inclusive and joyful event is designed for families and children to enjoy a day of fun, connection, and laughter. Explore a variety of activities, including games, crafts, face painting, story time, an inflatable obstacle course, photo ops, and more!

Hosted by Friends of Stead Park and our dedicated partners.

This festival is a welcoming space for all ages—while especially enjoyed by children ages 2–10, everyone is invited to take part in the festivities.

Register here today!

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Tuesday, May 27: LSAT (5:00pm, virtual)

Thursday, May 29: Field Day (K-5), Marie Reed Field

Friday, May 30: Coffee meet/greet with our new Assistant Principal, Mr. Miller, on the Ross playground 8:15-8:40am. Floor-wide Morning Meetings and May birthday celebrations.

Last day to check out Ross Library Books (see Ms. Juriga if you have questions)

Saturday, May 31: PK-K Transition and Welcome Event, Ross Playground, 9:00-10:00 am

Tuesday, June 3: PTA General Body Meeting (Virtual), 7:00 pm, Zoom Meeting ID: 851 7244 6836 / Passcode: Xp7N9A / https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172446836?pwd=pe8JsSbQzaaGHSjazbSRfpw7UaGhbZ.1)

Wednesday, June 4: 4th grade extended day trip to Hard Bargain Farm

Thursday/Friday, June 5-6: 5th grade overnight trip to Hard Bargain Farm

Friday, June 6: Last day to return library books

Monday/Tuesday, June 9-10: 4th/5th Ross Musical at Keegan Theatre (evening performances, details will follow)

Thursday, June 12: Term 4 Learning Celebration, 9:00 am (rescheduled due to 5th grade promotion)

Thursday, June 12: End of Year Picnic, 5-7 pm, Stead Recreation Center

Friday, June 13: 5th Grade Promotion at 10:00am at Sumner School

Wednesday, June 18: LAST DAY of SCHOOL! Please remember to pick up all medications from Nurse Webster.

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-board/
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.