PTA Updates

As You Oughta Know, Ross auction planning is underway for a 90’s themed mixtape celebration, and we need your help! The auction, which will be held on March 2, 2024 at 6:00pm at Toolbox Pilates Art Studio, is one of the PTA's biggest fundraisers of the year and we Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg. Here's how you can help::

• Consider sponsoring the auction.
• Have a gift card that you haven't used and that doesn't expire, or doesn't expire for awhile? Consider donating it to the auction. Find out more here.
• Local businesses are donating items to the auction. Volunteer to pick up the items they've committed to the auction. Email rosselementaryauction@gmail.com to learn more.
• Have friends who own local businesses? Please encourage them to donate to the auction.
• And of course, Come as You Are and attend the auction! You can buy your tickets here.

Have questions? Contact rosselementaryauction@gmail.com.

Parents of elementary school children are invited to attend a virtual workshop coordinated by Ross school counselor Jillian Sharkey on Monday, January 22, from 7:00-8:00pm with Dr. Francois Williams, focusing on childhood anxiety. This online session will help you identify anxiety in children and provide you with effective strategies for support both at home and in collaboration with their schools.

Dr. Williams completed his studies at Xavier University of Louisiana and Morehouse School of Medicine, with further training in adult psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. His expertise in group psychotherapy and DBT is complemented by his current role as a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at Georgetown University Hospital and his private practice, where he leads parenting groups.

Workshop highlights:

• Differentiating normal behaviors from signs of anxiety in children
• Parental roles in easing childhood anxiety
• Practical strategies for home and school environments
• This virtual workshop is a fantastic opportunity to gain insight and tools for supporting your child's emotional development and mental health

Zoom link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/92840430765

Below, please find a recording of the Ross winter concert, with thanks to the staff and students who made it a success. Reminder: Please do not share this link on social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9cWtYqBDig

Trying to find somewhere for your kids to go while they're out of school this summer? Here's an incomplete list of some options around the DMV area. These are not affiliated with Ross. If you have a camp to add to the list, contact melanie.mayhew@gmail.com and we'll include it in the next newsletter.

Additionally, J. O. Wilson Elementary School is hosting a DC Camp Fair on Saturday, February 10 from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Registration open:

• Treehouse Atelier Art Camp
  

• Lessans Camp JCC

• HeadFirst Summer Camps
  

• MadScience
  

• Camp Barrie

• Keegan PLAY Summer Theatre Camp for grades 1-3 (Jun 24-28, Jul 8-Aug 23, July 1-5)

• Imagination Stage

• Sidwell Summer

• Georgetown Day School Camp

• Valley Mill Camp

• Steve & Kate's Camp

• Calleva Camp

• DC Sails

Registration opening later this month:

• Camp Beauvoir (January 24)
  
• CASA at Sheridan School (January 26)

Registration opening in February:

• National Building Museum (for non-members on February 5)
• Smithsonian (for general public on Feb. 16)
• PedalHeads (February 27)

*DPR summer camp information has not been posted yet for 2024; registration likely will be in the early spring.

DCPS launched its new five-year strategic plan. It focuses on:

• ONE Equity Imperative: We will ground the success of this plan in our ability to serve students furthest from opportunity.

• TWO Commitments: We will advance student success by valuing our people and partnering with our community.

• THREE Strategic Priorities: We are committed to ensuring students are succeeding academically, connected to school, and prepared for what’s next.

Not only are we lucky to have a wealth of world class museums in DC, many also offer special programs to explore them even more. Among them are sessions especially for kids that take place on a regular basis. There are story times, art activities and all kinds of opportunities to discover the museums' collections and related topics in new, fun ways. So, if you're looking for a weekday activity with little ones or something for the whole family on the weekend, there are a bunch of great options.

Congratulations to Ross parent Libby Franklin, who won the special election for the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B07 seat! Now, there is another vacancy in 2B04, which is between 17th and 15th streets, south of Corcoran (see map). If you live in 2B04, consider joining Libby on the ANC to advocate for neighborhood issues including Ross, Stead Park, and more.

From the notice: "Any resident of district 2B04, a map of which can be found here, who has an interest in running for the vacant seat can pick up petitions to run for the seat by emailing: candidate@dcboe.org or by visiting the Board of Elections at 1015 Half Street SE, Suite 750. Residents must collect the signatures of at least 25 voters registered in district 2B04 in order to run for the seat. The beginning of the petition pick-up period is Monday, January 8th and the completed petitions are due back to the Board of Elections by 4:45 pm on Monday, January 29th."

Email Libby Franklin at libbyjanefranklin@gmail.com or David Alpert at alpert@gmail.com to find out more about the ANC or the process.

The town of Dustbin is known for two things: rules and dust, the kind you get when it doesn’t rain for years and years. One day, Raina spies a cloud in the sky—but no one believes her. Determined, the young girl embarks on a great adventure to bring the cloud back home. Along the way, she crosses paths with Calamity Jane, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, Rip van Winkle… and a thunderstorm! Check out the Kennedy Center performance, The Girl Who Became Legend, from February 2-11.

2023.24 DCPS Calendar

Friday, January 26: NO SCHOOL

Friday, February 2: Ross Learning Celebrations (9:00am)

Wednesday, February 14: Classroom Valentine's Day Parties (Room Parents/Teachers coordinate)

Friday, February 16: NO SCHOOL

Monday, February 19: NO SCHOOL

Saturday, February 24: Ross/Imagination Stage Theater Trip (1:00pm; use "Ross15 for 15% off)

Friday, March 1: MySchoolDC Lottery Closes (PK3 - Grade 8)

Saturday, March 2: Ross Auction (6:00pm, Toolbox Pilates Art Studio; learn more here)

Thursday, March 14: Parent-Teacher Conferences, NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 15: NO SCHOOL

Friday, April 5: NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19: NO SCHOOL

Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, June 4: NO SCHOOL

Monday, June 17: Last Day of School Year

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

If this email was forwarded to you, subscribe to Ross PTA emails here.

Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, email Ross PTA Secretary Melanie Mayhew.