PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

There is nothing better than a fundraiser that is truly fun. Ask my husband--I'm counting the days until my flower-arranging workshop! 😆The Ross Auction just hits different, as the kids say, because you get a package deal: a fun party out if you wish, so many exciting things to bid on, and you get to support your children's education while doing so. Thank you to all who have already secured their tickets, made bids, donated items, and helped in innumerable ways. If you haven't participated yet, now's your chance to dive in--get tickets or bid here today!

Another big thank you goes to Ross families for their incredible advocacy this past week. There is still much ground to cover, and we are so appreciative to be part of such a dedicated community that fights fiercely for children's well-being and education.

Aimee

There are just four days left to bid on hundreds of Ross auction items and experiences! You can bid anytime until the evening of March 22–and many auction items are currently a fraction of their market value.

You can buy your tickets here for the adults-only event, which is at Toolbox Pilates Art Studio from 7-10pm. (Shoutout to Ross parents Alex and Iva Gotzev for donating the space!) Tickets cover pizza and other food and an open bar. (Note: There is a code to bypass the ticket cost if needed.) Don’t forget: If you sponsor the auction at $250, you receive two tickets (value: $120), and the contribution is tax-deductible. Thank you to our growing list of sponsors!

Some highlights:

• Win a $500 dinner at Obelisk in our raffle. Buy raffle tickets here.

• Dinners hosted by Ross families and a in-home cooking class by a Ross parent/private chef

• Full-class experiences designed by Ross teachers and staff, which parents in each class can coordinate on to bid together (some highlights: beach party, campfire party, biking and fishing adventure for grades 3-5)

• Family membership to The Phillips Collection

• A $250 gift certificate to The Commodore (currently going for $140)

• Dinner for four at Pupatella

• Ross merchandise swag bag

• Ticketed experiences (no bidding required) to a Champagne master class at District Champagne and a flower-arranging class at Blooms Collective

• Three-night stay or 1-week stay during winter break in AirBnB in Dupont

• Bucks to spend at iGen aftercare

• Family portrait sessions

• $100 to Swift cleaners

• Gel manicures at Nail Saloon and pedicures at Tipsy Nails

• One week of half-day chess/soccer camp with Coach Ziko and MANY other summer camp options

• LEGO sets

• Lessons for your kids: ukelele, piano, swim

• Tickets to tons of museums and theatre productions

• Beat the Bomb experience for ages 8 and up - 4-6 players wear hazmat suits and go through 5 hi-tech video game rooms, then attempt to disarm a paint, foam or slime bomb

• Tons of wine tasting experiences in the countryside

• A large and colorful beach tote

• Lavender self-care package

• Want to try acupuncture?

• And so much more…

All proceeds benefit our school. More than $100,000 of funds the PTA raises each year directly support our school (science and technology investments, teacher training, field trips, library books, and a lot more). Thank you for bidding and supporting in so many ways!

Class photos will be taken at school tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19. You may pre-order here; enter code ROSS25CL, follow instructions, and enter the student's name. Please contact Freed Photography with any questions at support@freedphoto.com or (301) 652-5452.

On Friday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that will allow the government of the District of Columbia to continue using funds from its congressionally approved fiscal year 2025 budget. This was tied to a bill that would have immediately cut $1 billion from DC’s operating budget, affecting schools, public services and more. Read the amendment here, which the U.S. Senate passed, and the U.S. House of Representatives still needs to pass. It is unclear if the House will pass the bill (see more on this in Politico). Thank you to the MANY in the Ross community–including, and especially, our students–who showed up to talk to senators, called senators and their staff, or made their voices heard in many other ways. We may need your voices again in the coming weeks as the bill moves to the House.

What: Open piano! It's like open mic night, but especially geared for pianists. Any performer can sign up to play 2-3 songs. While any type of instrument is welcome, the venue only offers a piano and mic. For singers, we can usually provide an accompanist (please bring sheet music) or plan to sing a capella.

Who: Any and all kids with musical interest! There will be a sign up sheet upon arrival. If you and your kid simply want to listen to the musical stylings of their friends and peers, please join too!

When: EVERY 3rd Thursday of the month - 6:30 7:30pm! This month's will be held this Thursday, March 20.

Where: The Saloon (upstairs) 1205 U Street NW, more info on standing open piano night here.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off in just two days! There are a head-spinning number of events to choose from this year, including a Cherry Blossom Festival at the Children's Science Center in Fairfax, a kite festival, a festival parade, and more. A full list of events can be found here.

Please join Steph Carlock, Member Specialist, and other local families for a playdate at Stead Park playground on 3/22 at 10am to talk about starting a Dupont Circle neighborhood troop! Girl Scouts can be ages 5-18 (starting Kindergarten in 2025-2026 school year is OK!), and the program is open to any female-identifying youth who is looking to make new friends. If you have any questions in the meantime, or if you can't make it but want to learn more, feel free to reach out to Steph at scarlock@gscnc.org!

Celebrate National Reading Month with a pizza party and super fun reading games at Comet Ping Pong! This is a family event for kids aged 5-9. Please RSVP here before March 20!

Spring is right around the corner and that means Flower Mart will be here before you know it! If you are spring cleaning, moving, or purging unwanted household items, Flower Mart’s White Elephant committee will happily take your donations. All donations are tax deductible. Gift tax receipts available at drop-off. See details below.

ACCEPTED ITEMS: dishware, glassware, silverware, barware, china, crystal, serving platters, bowls & trays, home décor, table linens, jewelry, purses & fashion accessories, decorative pillows & throws, artwork, small kitchen appliances in working condition w/all parts

NON-ACCEPTED ITEMS: furniture, lamps, clothing, books, children’s toys, bed linens, curtains, personal hygiene items, clear vases, food

DATES: Saturdays – March 22, 29, & April 5

TIME: 10 am to 2 pm

LOCATION: Bishops Library on South Rd., behind the National Cathedral. This is the same drop-off location as last year. Signs will be posted along South Rd. Volunteers available to unload cars. Parking available along South Rd. & directly in front of the library.

MORE INFO: www.flowermartwe.com

Flower Mart is May 2 & 3, 2025, rain or shine, on the National Cathedral grounds. All proceeds from white elephant donations go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the National Cathedral grounds, Bishop’s Gardens & Olmsted Woods. All Hallows Guild & the White Elephant committee greatly appreciate your support & donations.

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Wednesday, March 19: Freed Photo Class photos (rescheduled)

Saturday, March 22: Ross Auction, Toolbox Pilates Art Studio, 7-10 pm

Friday, April 4: Term 3 Learning Celebrations

Monday, April 7: PD/Records Day for Staff, NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18: Spring Break, NO SCHOOL

April 22-May 12: CAPE TESTING WINDOW (All students in grades 3-5)

*please do not schedule any appointments or trips during the testing window to avoid your child having to complete make-up testing which will interfere with their regularly scheduled school day

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.