PTA Newsletter
February 3, 2026
Dear Ross Community,
Do we need to call Guinness? Because DC may be going for a record for the world's longest, most insane snowstorm aftermath. In my nearly 20 years of DC history, I have never seen anything like this. But heroes have emerged in this crazy story, including a kindergarten parent who managed to wrangle a midnight plow to come to Ross mere hours before school reopened. Without her work, Ross teachers and staff would have had nowhere to park. Thank you to the (many) parents who scrambled to help find solutions to parking and other challenges so our school could reopen.
Please take a moment from your arctic-tundra hopping to read this week's newsletter, chock full of the usual can't-miss events (*cough* BINGO), a few updates, and key dates for your calendar. I wish you and perhaps your cars good luck this coming week. My car sent a sad emoji from its ice-encrusted spot, hoping to be used once more this winter. Should you own a vehicle, I hope it has fared better. 🥶
See you on the rink,
Aimee
Just a couple weeks until the Ross Bingo Night, to be held on Thursday, February 19, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Foundry UMC (1500 16th St NW). All families and children are invited to this fun night, which will include bingo, pizza, and prizes! This year's VIP Caller will be Ms. Juriga, and we are seeking volunteers for help with set-up and clean-up--please sign up here to pitch in!
This spring, join the school's content leaders—Mr. Levin (Math) and Mr. Miller (ELA)—for a new Coffee & Content series designed to help families better understand grade-level expectations and learn practical strategies to support learning at home. Each session includes coffee, a short presentation from the coaches, and time for questions and conversation.
The second session of the series will be next Friday, February 6, 8:15–9:00 AM in the Professional Development Room (former music room) on the 3rd floor and the topic will be Literacy in Action: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Language in Grades 3–5: Partnering with Families to Support Growth at Home and School.
This session will dive into the Science of Reading in upper elementary (grades 3-5) and beyond. After reviewing recent research and debunking common myths around literacy, we will discuss the instructional implications at school. We will also discuss the important role that families play outside of school. Please fill out this survey before the session to submit questions you'd like to see answered.
Mark your calendars for upcoming sessions, same time and location:
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March 6: Grades K–2 Math
April 3: Grades K–2 ELA
We hope you can join these helpful and engaging morning sessions!
Crossing Guard Appreciation Day is this Friday, February 6. Our fourth grade class will be gifting our longtime crossing guard Officer Tate ("Mr. Tommy") with a signed photo from his Story of Our Schools interview and a gift card. Please take a moment to extend your thanks and love to Mr. Tommy when you see him on Friday!
This year, in partnership with The Story of Our Schools, our fourth graders and Ms. Juriga are uncovering Ross’s history through archival research, oral history interviews, walking tours, and field trips. This hands-on learning is helping students connect deeply with the community and explore the issues and stories that shape where they live and go to school. In recent newsletters, we've been sharing some of these stories.
At the end of the research process, students and teachers—together with The Story of Our Schools—will design and install a permanent, museum-quality exhibit in our school building to share Ross’s story with the broader Dupont Circle community. We look forward to unveiling it at a public celebration.
We are raising funds—we're at about $10,000 now, with a goal of reaching $15,000—to support the production and installation of a history exhibit in our school. The PTA will match every dollar raised. We are grateful to early supporters—including Dupont Circle ANC 2B, Dupont Circle Citizens Association, Friends of Stead Park, Swift Cleaners, and our school community and neighbors for their generous support
All contributing organizations and individuals will be recognized on a permanent exhibit plaque, and we also will promote supporters through our PTA communications.
We would be grateful if you would consider making a tax-deductible donation and helping us preserve and share our neighborhood’s history. We also would be grateful if you would help us spread the word. Donations may be made online here by February 28, 2026, though contributions are still welcome after that date. If you have any questions, please contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
From Councilmember Pinto's office:
Councilmember Pinto is hosting her annual budget forum on Tuesday February 3rd at 7pm virtually over Zoom. You can register to attend/and or testify via this form on our website: https://www.brookepintodc.com/events/ward-2-budget-forum-for-fiscal-year-2027 Join us virtually [to] share your budget priorities in a hearing-style discussion with an opportunity to testify.
Each year, the Council of the District of Columbia, in conjunction with the Mayor and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, passes into law the Local Budget Act and the Budget Support Act. Together, these measures provide a financial framework through which the District government – and all of its various agencies, commissions, and boards – will operate over a five-year period.
As we prepare our budget asks and continue to advocate for the needs and priorities of our community, Councilmember Pinto invites the Ward 2 community to attend her office’s sixth annual Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting. The format for this meeting will allow residents an opportunity to sign up to testify – similar to a Council hearing – in order to allow as many neighbors as possible to be heard.
Each witness will have 2 minutes to share their thoughts. Comments shared during the meeting will help to inform Councilmember Pinto's budget priority letter, which she will send to the Mayor.
Please send any written comments by Friday February 6th to Iboyd@dccouncil.gov and make the subject line "Budget Priorities".
If you wish to attend, please fill out the survey and a zoom link will be sent before the meeting. You are welcome to attend to testify or just to listen to neighbor’s budget priorities, please indicate your preference on the last question of the form.
Not yet sure about your camp and child care plans for summer? Join us for the DC Camp Fair, hosted by the J.O. Wilson PTA. This FREE event brings together camps from the DMV-area (and beyond), ranging from traditional camps to academic, arts, music, and special interest camps. It's your chance to visit camp exhibitors representing a wide variety of summer activities, ranging from traditional camps to academic, arts, music, sports, early childhood, and special interest camps.
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Stuart-Hobson Middle School (410 E St NE, use 4th St. entrance)
Why: Learn about summer camp (and day-off) options and sign-up for camp on the spot (if you wish!)
We are inviting schools and families from throughout Capitol Hill, Ward 6, and beyond to join us at the only camp fair in the city.
For more information, email DCCampFair@jowilsonpta.org or go to DCCampFair.com.
Please join us for a virtual EJCDCC discussion about various paths to building your family through adoption. Hear from an adoption lawyer and representatives from an adoption agency and the foster care system. After the brief formal presentations from our professionals, we will spend most of the evening in breakout rooms for more intimate conversations with our panelists and with parents who have built families through domestic, international, private, agency, and public routes. LGBTQ and straight, couples and singles, Jewish and non-Jewish, people of all colors — are all warmly welcomed. Come prepared to ask questions, get support, and connect to other people on the path to adoption.
Free to attend, but RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Miriam at mszubin@edcjcc.org.
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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