PTA Newsletter
September 9, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
We are now at full throttle in Back to School season (the unofficial theme of September). Back to School Nights are tomorrow and Thursday and our Back to School Picnic is next Thursday! Now is the time to enjoy those last-hurrah feelings of summer and long days before we start to slide into spooky and apple cider season.
Please save the dates for National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 8 (details forthcoming) and the Ross Roadrunners Run4MK on Saturday, November 15 (details below). Have a wonderful week and hope to see many of you at BTS Nights and/or the Picnic!
-Aimee
Join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:00 AM at Fletcher’s Cove for the fourth annual Run 4 MK. In partnership with Bishop’s Events, we’ll come together to run in support of ending chronic homelessness in Washington, DC.
Distances: 500 M dash, 5K, and 10K — plus a virtual option if you can’t join in person!
By participating, you’ll support Miriam’s Kitchen’s essential programs and services. The run is scheduled near Veterans Day and at the start of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov 16–22), aligning with the heart of the work and people Miriam’s Kitchen serves in our community.
This year, the Ross Elementary community is lacing up to support Miriam’s Kitchen. You can join us in two ways:
Fundraise/Donate: Anyone can donate or create a fundraiser—whether or not you’re running. Every dollar helps fight homelessness in DC.
Ross Team Fundraising Page
Run (in-person or virtually!): Sign up to run with the Ross Roadrunners team. Registration is required separately from fundraising.
Run 4 MK Registration
Let’s show our Roadrunner spirit by running, fundraising, or cheering from the sidelines! #Run4MK #RossRoadrunners
Questions? Contact Becky Ballard at beckyball@gmail.com.
Ross Back to School Nights will take place at school this Wednesday, September 10, (PK 4, Kindergarten, and 1st grade) and Thursday, September 11, (2nd through 5th grade) from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Back to School Nights are an opportunity for parents and caregivers to meet and connect with their children's teachers and other staff members, see the classroom and school, discuss the curriculum, and ask questions. These are adult-facing events.
This year, the PTA has worked with aftercare partners (iGen, the JCC and Keegan Theater) to extend aftercare programming for children who are already enrolled in these programs on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These three partners will remain open, with PTA funding, until 6:30 pm on both Back to School nights. Please pick up your children promptly by 6:30 pm.
Join students, families, teachers, and staff on Thursday, September 18, from 5:30-7:30pm to celebrate the beginning of a new school year with a potluck picnic at the Stead Park Rec Center and playground! Pizza and sweet (cold) treats 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 very appreciated!
All are welcome to attend two free estate planning workshops provided by June C. Fan, Esq. of Gift of Love Legal PLLC. Registration encouraged but not required. RSVP here! Sept 9 at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library from 6pm - 7:45pm Sept 19 at Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library from 11am - 12:45pm These programs are supported by the Friends of Mt. Pleasant Library and the Friends of Chevy Chase Library. For more information, call (202) 671-3122 or email mtpleasantlibrary@dc.gov. To request a reasonable accommodation for this program, please contact DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call (202) 727-2142
MedStar Health invites your neurodivergent kids to come climb with us! This will be our third event for the MedStar/ DC Bouldering Project collaboration.
Who: Neurodivergent kids ages 5-10 years
What: Climbing activities and games
Where: DC Bouldering Project Eckington
When: Friday, September 12. 5-7 year olds 5:30-6:30, 8-10 year olds 6:30-7:30
All costs and equipment are included. Please fill out the following form to RSVP, and forward to interested kids/ parents!
Join Arena Stage and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy on Saturday, September 13, 2025!
· DC families are invited to Arena Stage to enjoy a free event! Parents, caregivers, and children will participate in fun literacy activities together!
· Be ready to move, dance, play games, and use your imagination. We will explore how we sometimes feel different from others and how we can be brave in new situations with the book The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson.
· Recommended for ages 5-8 years old and their families.
You’ll have a chance to chat with the DC Public Library (Southwest Branch) and Politics & Prose staff.
All families will receive free materials so they can keep reading, learning, and playing together! The first 40 families with a child will receive a special gift!
The next Ward 2 Roll-Off Day will take place on Saturday, September 13th at 10AM at Kennedy Recreation Center: 1401 7th St NW. Bring bulk items & clutter for disposal—let’s work together to keep our city clean! Here's a list of items that will not be accepted.
Please join us on Saturday, September 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Jackson-Reed High School (3950 Chesapeake St NW) for our annual Back to School Block Party! There will be free food and fun activities for all ages including face painting and student performances. Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/DCPSBlockParty2025.
We are also excited to offer immunizations to DCPS students at this year’s event. Spaces are extremely limited, so registration is highly encouraged. Book an appointment at bit.ly/9_13_mobilevaccine. If you are unable to secure an appointment, staff members will be onsite to share future vaccination opportunities.
Celebrate Stamps and the Stories They Tell!
Drop in between 11am–4pm | Free and open to all ages
No registration required.
Join us for Stamp Spectacular, a joyful celebration of stamps and the stories they share! From iconic figures and historic milestones to cultural celebrations and natural wonders, stamps tell rich and surprising tales... one tiny image at a time. This family festival invites visitors of all ages to explore the vibrant world of stamps through hands-on crafts, storytelling, games, and gallery adventures. Whether you're a longtime collector or just stamp-curious, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy.
Festival Highlights include:
- Curator-led stamp tours for kids at 11 am and 1 pm
- Storytime sessions at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
- Live stamp bingo at select times throughout the program
- DIY your own celebration stamp with guest artist Erin Robinson
- Celebrate Kwanzaa with the National Museum of African American History & Culture inspired by Erin Robinson's 2022 Kwanzaa stamp
- Goodnight Moon inspired collage making with the National Building Museum
- Stamp sorting and decoupage activity
- Create-your-own stamp album activity
ASL interpretation will be provided during both Storytime sessions. For questions or to request additional accommodations, please contact us at npmprograms@si.edu.
Don’t miss The Great Zucchini on Sunday, September 14th at 10 AM. An award-winning children’s entertainer and a DC favorite for over 20 years! Perfect for ages 2–6, this belly-laughing show is a family must. Thank you to Peter Crawford at Long & Foster for sponsoring this event!
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.