Dear Ross Community,
Well folks we're off to the🔥races🔥heading into the last five weeks of school. The calendar is packed and this newsletter is full of May and June updates and activities for you, so please get your agendas ready. Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is off to a smashing start with a couple days of kid-fueled gratefulness, we've got Board and LSAT elections on the docket, before- and after-school registrations coming, and more. Read on for all the deets, and we hope to see you at National Walk & Roll to School Day next Tuesday!
-Aimee
Rainforest Trust is fundraising to preserve critical pangolin habitats around the globe. One of their projects aims to create a wildlife preserve in the African nation of Guinea, in an area home to two endangered pangolin species. Working with Rainforest Trust, the 2nd grade Pangolins have already raised more than $7,000 for Rainforest Trust, and will welcome a representative from the Trust to talk to the kids about pangolins this week. Want to contribute to their fundraising drive? You can chip in here. Questions? Contact sohn.joshua@gmail.com.
Mr. Shegda is participating in the Eagles Autism Challenge this year and has shared this note with the community: "On Saturday, May 17, I will be supporting my nephew Charlie O'Neal as a member of Charlie's Wolf Pack, as a I participate in the Eagles Autism Challenge. Any donations from our community would be greatly appreciated." If you would like to contribute, please visit Mr. Shegda's fundraising page here!
Ross is participating in National Walk & Roll to School Day next Tuesday, May 20! Ross families and staff will walk, bike and/or scooter to school with Ross families and staff. Kindergarten parent Joseph Jones will lead the pack! Rain or shine, meet at 7:50am at the northeast corner of 15th and R streets (in front of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church) and walk/bike/roll together to Ross, departing at 8:00am. Police will be escorting us on our route, and the mounted police will meet us at school! Participants are encouraged to wear Ross gear. Questions? Contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org and Joseph Jones.
DPR’s 2025 summer programming will open on Tuesday, May 13 for aquatics programs and Wednesday, May 14 for all other programs. Registration opens at noon on both days. A full list of offerings is available at DPRprograms.com.
This summer’s offerings include:
- Aquatics: Summer swim league, youth water polo, senior swim team, and learn-to-swim programs
- Cultural Arts: Piano, ballet, hip-hop dance, and musical theater
- Sports & Outdoor Adventure: Cheer, tennis, kayaking, pickleball, and intro to lacrosse
Registration for summer programming is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To manage high demand, DPR will implement a virtual “waiting room” on both registration days. Residents are encouraged to create an account in advance to streamline the registration process. To set up an account, visit dpr.dc.gov/DPRaccount.
Join Moms Clean Air Force this Friday, May 16, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm for their "Pride, Poetry, & Plastics Workshop with Storytelling with Saris":
We're excited to join Storytelling with Saris for the launch of World Pride in DC with a workshop focused on the disproportionate impacts of climate change and sea level rise on the LGBTQ+ community. Join us for an evening of art, pride, poetry writing, plastics education, and a light dinner.
This year's theme is the Fabric of Freedom, and saris are a particularly sustainable garment, traditionally made of cotton or silk, passed down from generation to generation within families. Unfortunately, many types of clothing today are now made from plastic-based products and petrochemicals like polyester, creating a cycle of fast fashion. These materials are derived from fossil fuels and are bad for our health and warm the climate.
This workshop will empower each of us to use art as a form of advocacy as we write poetry and make art on the saris inspired by the courage and rich history of the LGBTQ+ community who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
More info and registration information here.
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!
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.