The April 28, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Janney Families,

It is hard to believe that we are already entering the final week of April! As we continue moving through this busy and exciting spring season, we are especially looking forward to this week’s performances of Shrek the Musical. This beloved annual tradition is a wonderful showcase of the talent, creativity, and hard work of our 5th grade students. We are incredibly proud of the cast, crew, staff, and families who help bring this production to life each year.

We are also now in full swing with DC CAPE testing and want to send a special shine to our students in grades 3–5. We are proud of their hard work, perseverance, and growth throughout the year and are cheering them on as they continue to showcase their learning.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many families who joined us for International Night last Friday. It was a joyful evening filled with delicious food, music, dancing, and cultural celebration. Events like these remind us of the richness of our Janney community and the importance of continuing to build connection, understanding, and belonging for all students and families. Thank you to our International Night co-chairs for leading this event!

As we move deeper into the spring, we remain focused on strong teaching and learning, supporting student attendance, and ending the school year strong together.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

With Appreciation,

Principal Singh

Apr. 29 | Millie's Dining Out Fundraiser

May 1 | Janney Enrollment/Re-enrollment Target Due Date

May 1 | Fancy Sparkly Day

May 1 & 2 | 5th Grade Musical: Shrek!

May 6 | National Bike to School Day

May 12 | Five Guys Fundraiser

May 13 | 5th Grade Panoramic Photo Day

May 25 | No School (Memorial Day)

May 27 | District Tacos Fundraiser

June 5 | Spring Picnic

June 16 | No School

June 18 | Last Day of School

Reminder: Janney Enrollment for 2026-2027 is OPEN and ALL FAMILIES must re-enroll!

We’ve officially hit 41% enrollment, and we need your help with a final push to reach our 60% goal by Friday, May 1st! This early enrollment push (by May 1) is to secure our budget funding and clarify staffing needs for the new year. Today, login to your ASPEN account to access your parent portal.

💡Helpful Tips:

• Locked out of Aspen? If you’re having trouble logging in, send Ms. Reid an email. Password resets must be initiated by the school, and we'll get you back in Aspen.

• Double-Check Your Documents: The residency verification upload button can be a bit tricky to find. If you’ve submitted your enrollment but haven't received a confirmation email, please double-check that your DC residency documents were successfully attached.

• Re-Enrollment Documents: Good news for returning families! Since we already have proof-of-age documents on file for our current students, you only need to provide those for new students joining the Janney family for the first time.

• Health & Dental Forms: As you schedule your spring check-ups, remember that health and dental forms remain valid for one full year from the date of the appointment.

Here is a tutorial should you need further assistance; you can also reach out to Ms. Reid or Mr. Barnhart.

As Staff Appreciation Week (May 4–8) approaches, we are excited to celebrate the entire Janney team, including teachers, aides, specialists, and staff whose dedication makes our school a truly exceptional place. You should have received updates from your Room Parents regarding optional daily themes and class-specific staff assignments. Our goal is to make this celebration meaningful and inclusive, featuring a PTA-hosted staff lunch and simple, optional ways for families to show their gratitude.

Reach out to our PTA VP's with questions: ptavp@janneyschool.org

Looking to get more connected, give back, and play a meaningful role in our school community? We’re beginning to build our PTA leadership team for the 2026–2027 school year—and we’d love to hear from you. Our PTA brings together the energy, ideas, and talents of our families to create the programs, events, and support that make our school such a special place for students, teachers, and families.

We are currently seeking interest in: Executive Committee Roles

⭐ Vice Presidents (3-year term | 2 positions open)
A three-year leadership pathway supporting the Presidents, leading the Room Parent community, and helping ensure strong continuity across PTA leadership—including future presidential leadership.

⭐ Secretary (2-year term | 2 positions open)
Keep the PTA running smoothly by managing meeting notes, records, and key communications.

⭐ Treasurer (3-year staggered term | 1 position open)

Oversee the PTA budget and finances, ensuring strong stewardship and continuity across years.

⭐ Committee Chairs

Lead specific programs and events (auction, 5K, staff appreciation, community events, and more)—a great way to get involved in a focused, flexible way.

Interested in learning more or raising your hand? Reach out to our current Presidents or VPs to start the conversation.

Not sure about a leadership role? There are many ways to get involved! Committee roles offer flexible opportunities to contribute based on your interests and availability.

Beth Kuhnhein + Jennifer Records

ptavp@janneyschool.org

2025-2026 PTA Co-VPs

International Night was a vibrant celebration of the many cultures that make up our Janney community, and it truly would not have been possible without all of you! Thanks to our families, we shared traditions from 30 countries, a powerful reminder of the diversity and connection that make Janney so special.

A special thank you to the International Night team for bringing it all to life. From planning and coordination to setup and all the behind-the-scenes details, this evening took an incredible amount of time, thought, and care. We are so grateful to Amira Boland, Deanna Lizas, Deena Said, and Omar Ayyub for making it such a meaningful experience for our community. We’re also so thankful to all the volunteers who helped set up, clean up, and run concessions, and to our dedicated staff who supported the event throughout the evening.

We’d be remiss not to offer an extra-special thank you to Deena, as she and her family leave Janney this year. For the past four years, she has helped lead International Night, and her leadership and dedication to making this event possible have meant so much, along with all she has given across so many efforts during her time at Janney. We are so grateful for everything she and her family have given to our school and hope they will continue to come back, as they will always be part of Janney!

With gratitude,

Anita Siegfriedt & Jackie Ross

PTA Co-Presidents

Last week, Mr. Ifill and our talented Janney Chorus representatives hit a high note at the DCPS All-City Chorus, joining forces with fellow young vocalists from across the District. After weeks of diligent preparation at school, these nominated students participated in a full day of collaborative rehearsal and an inspiring live performance that beautifully showcased the power of their collective voices.

Janney's 5th grade students are excited to present Shrek the Musical, Kids with performances on May 1st and May 2nd. Join us as these talented performers bring everyone’s favorite fairytale characters to life with humor, heart, and plenty of fun. Purchase tickets for the performance you would like to attend. Ticket sales go to continuing to fund this special Janney tradition!

Join your Janney friends and dress up for Fancy Sparkly Day on May 1st 🌟. On this special day, everyone is invited to dress in whatever makes them feel beautiful—especially your most extra fancy or sparkly outfits. We are hoping to roll out the red carpet at recess again for some high-fashion fun!

Wednesday, May 6 is National Bike to School Day which promotes healthier habits, safer routes, and active transportation. This is a great day to ride your bike to school or join the Janney Bike Bus! Join our WhatsApp for our regular Friday morning rides.

Millie’s Spring Valley 4866 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW Wednesday, April 29, 5-9:30pm Mention Janney fundraiser when calling to order takeout or at the takeout and ice cream windows, or hand your dine in receipt to the host/hostess that evening.

Janney is partnering with Goods for Good to collect essential cleaning supplies for local low-income families and young adults. Please consider dropping off new, unopened items—such as Lysol wipes, paper towels, and dish soap (travel size), sponges, and soft soap—in the marked bins in front of the gym during pickup from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on May 6th, 7th, and 8th. Your simple donation will provide critical support to our neighbors in need!

Looking for a dinner option? Order from Five Guys, 4537 Wisconsin Ave NW, Tuesday May 12, 4-8pm to support Janney PTA. Mention the Janney PTA fundraiser when ordering or picking up in store, or enter it in special instructions online.

After two seasons of selling savory pockets and biryani at Janney's winter market, Juju (5th grade) and her family officially launched Zachi this year. Zachi means "delicious" in their rural Arabic dialect. They bring Palestinian delights - homemade with love, their own imported olive oil, and the freshest, organic ingredients - to your local farmers market and catered events. Celebrating our school and Arab American Heritage month, Zachi will donate 5% of the proceeds of any orders initiated this month (April) to Janney. Contact Safa at sufaabdk@gmail.com for more information.

The 2026 Janney Auction was a joyous success thanks to the incredible energy and generosity shown by our community both in person and from home. We are deeply grateful to our attendees and the dedicated volunteers whose hard work brought this event to life. To ensure the 2027 Auction continues this momentum, please take a moment to complete our feedback survey and help us shape the future of this beloved community tradition.

Alice Deal Middle School prospective families are encouraged to visit Deal for one of our in-person open houses. You will meet current students, connect with Principal Neal for a welcome and FAQ session, be able to purchase Deal Gear, and participate in a student guided tour. Families who wish to attend should sign up here to help us plan. The next session is Wednesday, May 20 from 5:00 - 6:30pm. Alice Deal Middle School is located at 3815 Fort Drive NW, Washington DC.

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• Our Newsletter drops every Tuesday, see the SY25-26 Archive
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Do your little Janney Jaguars say the funniest, silliest, or most profound things? Don't let those gems be heard only by the Janney chickens (or just you)! Share these memorable moments with the whole community! Submit elementary school-appropriate quotes from your kids here. All contributions are posted on the Janney Instagram anonymously. 👇

• Join the Janney Bike Bus | Join Janney students and parents on Friday mornings for a fun bike bus to school! Join the Janney Bike Bus WhatsApp group for updates and info.
• Field Trip Fees | Pay here for Field Trip Fee.
• Chaperones | DCPS requires chaperones to complete a volunteer clearance application, after which you will receive an email with background check instructions. Fingerprinting is also required as part of the process but this can now be done remotely with instructions. DCPS Volunteer Clearance is valid for 2 years. List Michael Barnhart, michael.barnhart@k12.dc.gov, (202) 282-0110, as your contact and email him your clearance letter once received.
• Communicable Diseases | Check out our Mini Guide to Communicable Diseases to stay healthy!
• Lice Guide | Please read and share: Download our Suggested Lice Guide.