The Cardinal Connection
April 29th, 2025
At J.O. Wilson Elementary School, we are SOARing to success every day in every way by creating an environment in which joy, pride, positive interactions, and growth mindsets lead students to comfort in taking risks, self-advocating, and facing adversity.
Important Dates:
April 30th: DCIAA East ES Challenge (Outdoor Track) - 12 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 1st: Pathways to Wellness: Community Conversation on Mental Health @ Miner 6PM-7PM
April 30th: DCIAA East ES Challenge (Outdoor Track) - 12 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 2nd: Cardinal Auction Night 609 H Street 6PM to 10PM
May 6th: J. O. Wilson-Browne vs. Burroughs (Flag Football Game) - 5 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 7th: J. O. Wilson vs. School-Within-School @ Goding (Soccer Match) - 4:30 PM @ School-Within-School @ Goding
May 9th: J. O. Wilson vs. Ludlow-Taylor (Soccer Match) - 5 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 12th: J. O. Wilson vs. Payne (Soccer Match) - 4:30 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 13th: In-Person PTA Meeting
May13th: JOW's Annual Art Show 5:30PM-6PM
May 16th: J. O. Wilson vs. Watkins (Soccer Match) - 4:30 PM @ Watkins ES
May 17th: Song in My Heart: Art & Music Experience 1PM–4 PM
May 20th: DCIAA ES East Championships (Outdoor Track) - 12 PM @ Spingarn Field
May 23rd: The Cardinal Drama Players present...Beauty and the Beast Jr. @7PM
May 24th: The Cardinal Drama Players present...Beauty and the Beast Jr. @1PM and 5PM
May 26th: Memorial Day...No School for Students or Staff
May 30th: Career Day
Celebrating are Neurodiversity at J.O. Wilson!
DC CAPE Testing This Week – Grades 3–5
Our J.O. Wilson Cardinals in grades 3–5 will begin DC CAPE testing starting Tuesday, April 29. Please ensure your child arrives on time by 8:45 AM each day to avoid missing testing sessions.
Let’s work together to help our scholars soar—well-rested, prepared, and present each day!
Pathways to Wellness: Community Conversation on Mental Health at Miner ES
Join DC Public Schools for an important discussion on managing emotional regulation in children. The session, "Is Your Child Often Angry, Cranky, or Irritable?", will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6:00–7:00 PM at Miner Elementary School. Learn to identify behavioral signs of underlying mental health challenges and gain practical strategies to support your child’s well-being. Register at tinyurl.com/dcpswellness
Buy your tickets to attend the event and RSVP for free childcare.
Organized annually by the J.O. Wilson Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Cardinal Auction Night celebrates our school's achievements and raises funds for the upcoming academic year. We warmly invite you to join us for an evening filled with excitement, camaraderie, and philanthropy to benefit the Cardinal community.
Tickets are still available, but don’t wait any longer to purchase your ticket(s)!
Regular pricing: $45/person through Thursday, May 1
Day-of pricing: $50/person (if capacity allows)
Teacher/Staff: $25 for 2 (or $12.50/person)
Each auction ticket includes dinner and drinks. We don’t want anyone to stay home from the party because of the ticket price. If you would like to come but the cost is preventing you from joining us, please reach out to Ms. Winter (Victoria.Winter@k12.dc.gov) or Ms. Stephenson (Talisa.Sutton-Stephenson@k12.dc.gov)!
**FREE CHILDCARE -- for current J.O. Wilson students only -- will be offered. Childcare will be provided by J.O. Wilson staff at Pilgrim Baptist Church from 5:30-10 p.m. Pizza and snacks will be provided.
Space is limited to 30 students. To reserve auction night childcare, please go to tinyurl.com/JOWAuction2025Childcare to register no later than Wednesday, April 30.
Sign up to volunteer
This event is one of the PTA’s biggest fundraisers of the year and we rely heavily on volunteers to make the evening a success. We can still use some hands to help with registration or break-down; please sign-up to help if you can spare 45 minutes from the party.
Bid on items now and help share the word
Online bidding for over 150 incredible items and experiences is open NOW until 9 p.m. this Friday, May 2. All are welcome to participate. Winning bidders do not need to be present at the event.
Here is a sampling of the many items available:
Sports memorabilia, including AUTOGRAPHED Washington Capitals Ovechkin Jersey
Party packages from Flag Star Football, Labyrinth Games, and Miracle Theatre, and more!
DC United vs Philadelphia Union Suite Tickets for Sept. 27th
Gift baskets, cooking classes, and wine tastings from Old City Market and Oven
Classes from Orange Theory, Jade Fitness, Yoga District, Bouldering Project and more!
We would also love help spreading the word about the auction itself. Please share the link with extended family, neighbors, church networks or anyone who might be interested in bidding–
Join the Phelps ACE High School Community Pop-Up Shop!
Looking for a fun way to shop local and support the community? Stop by the Community Pop-Up Shop on Friday, May 3rd from 10 AM–2 PM at 704 26th St NE, Washington, DC. Enjoy music, raffles, and a variety of vendors selling cookies, clothes, crafts, hair products, and more! Interested in being a vendor? Spots are just $25, including a table and two chairs. Contact phelpsptoprez@gmail.com or brenda.hottle@k12.dc.gov for more info.
Vendors Wanted for the Phelps Community Pop-Up Shop!
Phelps ACE HS PTO & FELT are hosting their inaugural Community Pop-Up Shop on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 AM–2 PM in the Phelps parking lot. Vendor spots are just $25 and include a table and two chairs. To join as a vendor, contact phelpsptoprez@gmail.com or brenda.hottle@k12.dc.gov.
PTA Meeting and Elections from 6 to 7 p.m. (Pizza at 5:30!)
At our May meeting, we will hold PTA Board elections. Per our Bylaws, in odd years, we hold elections for the following positions:
President
1st Vice President
Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Secretary
Fundraising Director
Membership Director
Assistant Membership Director
These positions each have a two-year term. Any J.O. Wilson parent, grandparent, guardian, or staff member is eligible to be nominated for these positions.
Know someone who would be a great candidate? Please submit your nomination(s) here! https://tinyurl.com/JOWPTAMay2025Nominations Also, feel free to reach out to the PTA info@jowilsonpta.org to learn more about the position
🎨 J.O. Wilson Art Show – You’re Invited!
Come celebrate the creativity of our Cardinals at the J.O. Wilson Art Show on Monday, May 13th from 5:00–6:30 PM at the school (810 26th St NE). Bring the whole family to enjoy student artwork and support our amazing young artists! Questions? Contact marie.amegah@k12.dc.gov.
🎨🎶 Song in My Heart: Art & Music Experience – Sat, May 17, 1–4 PM 🎶🎨
Hosted by 8th & I Young Marines in partnership with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). Join Young Marines for a creative and inspiring hands-on art workshop that blends the power of music and visual expression! The 8th & I Young Marines proudly present The Song in My Heart Workshop, an intergenerational event designed to foster creativity, connection, and community.
Participants will create personalized art tiles inspired by the song that holds special meaning in their lives. This workshop is the Behind the Uniform exhibition curated by Kasse Andrews-Weller and Moira McGuire, celebrating the stories of service members, veterans, and their families through artistic expression.
Why Attend?
Express Yourself: Transform your favorite song into a unique piece of art.
Connect Across Generations: Engage with veterans, active-duty members, and young leaders.
Support a Great Cause: Every donation helps fund art supplies, outreach efforts, and community engagement programs led by the Young Marines.
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; 200 I St SE #1400, Washington, DC 20003
Tickets: Free & Donation-Based Options Available
Make an Impact! Your participation and support will help empower the next generation of leaders while honoring the voices of those who serve. Can't attend? Consider making a donation to keep this initiative thriving!
Reserve Your Spot Today & Join Us in Celebrating Art, Music, and Service!
🎭 Tickets for Beauty and the Beast Are Now on Sale!
We’re excited to share that tickets for our Spring Musical, Beauty and the Beast Jr., are officially on sale now through the Atlas Performing Arts Center!
This magical production features our incredibly talented students bringing a beloved classic to life on stage — and tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so don’t wait!
🎟 All ticketing is handled through the Atlas Performing Arts Center box office:
👉 Purchase Tickets Here
📅 Showtimes:
• Friday, May 23 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 24 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Come out and support our amazing cast and crew! We can't wait to see you there!
We are Excited to Host Career Day on Friday, May 30 — And We Need Your Help!
We are looking for parents, family members, and community professionals to share their careers and experiences with our students. This is a wonderful opportunity to inspire the next generation and help them explore different career paths.
WHEN: Friday, May 30, from 8:50 to 10:40 a.m.
If you or someone you know is interested in presenting, please contact Massiell Guzman (Massiell.GuzmanFrias@k12.dc.gov) or Victoria Winter (Victoria.Winter@k12.dc.gov). We are currently seeking volunteers to help make both days a success! Parent participation is especially appreciated — the more, the merrier! Please contact Ms. Guzman if you are interested in volunteering. We appreciate your support in making this a fun and meaningful event for our students!
