PTA Newsletter
November 11, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
Well folks, it's the time for a cold-ish snap and the annual transition from pumpkin to holiday spice. I know you're still nursing some Halloween candy but it's time to give it up for the on-ramp to the holidays. Fortunately the waning pumpkin flavors are being replaced by apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and they really do bring that early holiday spirit into focus. It is time for the wrap-up of our Fall for Ross campaign, which finished with a truly impressive total of $42,883 raised and a 70% family participation rate to support the PTA. Thank you to all the families who contributed, and congratulations to our PreK4 class for winning the class competition with 100% participation! We hope the Llamas enjoy their extra recess and popsicles.
It's time for us to turn to the holiday spice of the season: our Ross Super Saturday event!! This will take place on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 4 pm, and we will have the Tree Sale, Bake Sale, and Book Fair, as well as community service and crafting projects. We will need many volunteers! Please see below for links to sign up to help. It's a really fun day filled with sweets and trees and books and play, and you won't want to miss it. Don't forget to order some new Ross merch online for December pickup, and check out our Thanksgiving and holiday guides for the season in Around Town.
Nutmeggy,
Aimee
Ross's beloved annual Holiday Festival, Super Saturday, is coming up! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 6, 10 am to 4 pm, and get ready for our Tree Sale, Bake Sale, Book Fair, community service project, and crafting activity. The Tree Sale will take place in person November 29, 30, and December 6, and 7, with delivery on December 6th and 7th. Pre-order your tree or wreath at this link now!
We need lots of volunteers to make Super Saturday a success! Sign up to help today for the Bake Sale, Tree Sale, and Book Fair. Additional links and opportunities will be shared as we approach the season!
Get excited: the Ross Holiday Merchandise Sale will take place online from now until November 23! Check out brand-new items including ornaments, updated class notebooks, T-shirts, and more. Opportunities abound to support Ross and show your school spirit. Make sure to get your order in by November 23 and plan to pick up at school December 15-17. Questions? Contact Sarah at rossmerchandise@gmail.com.
Some of you may have seen that our beloved 18th Street Pupatella restaurant suddenly closed this week.😔Pupatella DC was teaming up with Ross Elementary to encourage its students to read. While the 18th Street location has closed, students still have until this Saturday, November 15, to redeem their pizza coupons at the Pupatella Capitol Hill and South Arlington locations. We are sorry for this inconvenience and hope your Roadrunners enjoy their free Bimbi pizza, wherever you may need to go to get it! Thank you for your understanding, and your participation in this challenge!
Join us THIS 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.
3rd grade girls who are participating in Girls on the Run, an afterschool running program coached by Ross teachers, will soon launch a service project to collect diapers, toiletries and other necessities to donate to the Greater DC Diaper Bank. The Greater DC Diaper Bank is the largest diaper bank in the area, and it provides essential baby and hygiene products and expanded access to critical services for families who need them the most.
Here's where you can help: From November 10-21, you can donate any of the listed items in the Ross lobby. The Greater DC Diaper Bank accepts both opened and unopened packs of diapers. Have a few random diapers lying around? Here's your opportunity to make sure they go to good use. Other items include wipes, baby food, bottles, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrushes/toothpaste, lotion, deodorant and much more.
To show our teachers and staff gratitude during the month of Thanksgiving, the PTA is organizing a Teacher & Staff Breakfast Buffet on the morning of Friday, November 21. The PTA will order acai bowls and avocado toast, as well as coffee. But we also need your help! Please sign up here to contribute a delicious treat -- homemade is great, but store-bought is fine, too! We could also use a little help with set up and clean up and you can sign up at that link. All food items must be dropped off the morning of Friday, November 21 by 8:00am in the staff kitchen/lounge. For food donations, assume you're feeding 12, make sure the food is nut-free, and label whether a food item is vegan or gluten free. Questions? Feel free to reach out to PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
If your family has been affected by the shutdown, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Ross Mental Health Team for assistance and resources. Contact information:
Natalie Elmore (natalie.elmore@k12.dc.gov), School Social Worker
Ashlee Adams (ashlee.adams@k12dc.gov), School Psychologist
Jillian Sharkey (jillian.sharkey@k12.dc.gov), School Counselor
Check out Destination DC's handy guide of fun Thanksgiving activities for this year! There’s also a helpful list of local turkey trots for neighbors who want to get some extra exercise!
The holiday season really may be the most wonderful time of the year in DC. You can embrace the spirit around the area with all kinds of festive experiences, many that have become family traditions for Washingtonians. Light displays dazzle as you stroll or drive through them. Local stages come alive with holiday shows. Special markets offer unique gifts along with a good time. And an array of events and extravaganzas, several at iconic spots, bring holiday cheer and activities that thrill and enchant kids -- and the kid in all of us adults. The annual KFDC guide to the holiday season around the DC area, categorized and listed by starting date, will help you plan for it all. Happy Holiday Season! Links to: Light Displays, Holiday Shows, Special Events, Tree Lightings, Hanukkah, Holiday Markets
Come meet your neighbors and learn more about next steps for getting more engaged in Dupont Circle's neighborhood civic association! All are welcome--feel free to invite other Dupont Circle neighbors! RSVP here
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
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, please email me here.