PTA Newsletter
September 23, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
This much I know about Ross: we sure do know how to throw a party. ICYMI, the Back to School Picnic was a bash in every sense of the word--shaved ice (aka syrup conduit), balloon makers, pizza, cakes/pies, and let's be fair, more mosquitoes than you could shake a stick at. Many thanks to all the volunteers, to Joseph Jones for organizing, to all the families who contributed food and drink, and to our partners Pupatella and Commodore for their generous food donations.
We have flown headfirst into our Fall for Ross campaign with great success, inching toward 1/3 of our goal as we speak! Thank you to those who have contributed--every donation helps us get to our goal. Please save the dates for the Little Goblins Parade and Festival on Saturday, October 25, and our first General Body PTA meeting of the year on Tuesday, October 28. If you're like our family, you're already booking all your fall festivals and activities now! Here's a great list of all the autumn and pumpkin shindigs in the DMV. Hope to see you at the pumpkin patch. 🎃
Pumpkin spice and everything nice,
-Aimee
We had a phenomenal first week of Fall for Ross, raising the first 29% of our $50,000 goal! Let's keep the momentum going!
Everyone belongs! At Ross, every family, every teacher, and every staff member is a valued member of the Ross PTA. Instead of an annual membership drive, every fall we invite all members of our community to Fall for Ross.
We encourage families to consider a financial donation of $50/month ($600 annually) to help the PTA maintain its strong programs and investments in school operating costs. We understand this isn’t possible for every family. Please give as you’re able. Small or large, every donation is important and contributes to improving the learning environment for every student at Ross.
What does the Ross PTA Do?
- Hosts events to build community
- Supports Ross teachers and staff
- Raises significant funds to offset school operating costs and non-personnel expenses. This enables Principal Searl to increase Ross staffing beyond the school's DCPS budget allocation.
Our engaged school community is an essential part of what makes the Ross environment such a welcoming, supportive place for our children to learn and grow.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 this fall and to connect with every Ross family. Please join us today!
**All classes that reach 100% participation, or the class with the highest participation rate when Fall for Ross ends, will win a popsicle party and an extra recess!**
The Story of Our Schools project is officially underway!
Led by Ms. Juriga, our 4th grade students are beginning their year-long research quest to uncover Ross’s deep history. The students will have the opportunity to conduct archival research and oral history interviews, as well as participate in walking tours and field trips. At the end of the school year, their findings will be transformed into a permanent, museum-quality exhibit that will be installed in our school (slated for fall 2026). We need your help! Personal stories and photographs from school community members not only fill in research gaps, but they also give the final exhibit a true voice. If you’d like to participate, please answer our digital questionnaire or reach out to marybeth@storyofourschools.org or Lisa Juriga at lisa.juriga@k12.dc.gov. Do you know organizations or businesses in our community that would be interested in contributing financial resources to the installation of The Story of Our Schools exhibit? Contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org.
Join us on Wednesday, October 8, as we celebrate bicycling and walking to school during our first of two National Walk & Roll to School Day events this year!
Students can ride their bicycles or scooters or walk with their classmates or parents. With a police motorcycle escort leading the parade, we will meet at the corner of 15th and R St NW at 7:50 am and make our way to Ross at 8:00 am. We will be joined by a representative from the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) and are looking for as many parents on bicycles to join the parade as we can find. If you are interested in riding or have more questions, please email Joseph Jones at (mwcumd@icloud.com).
Once the parade concludes at Ross, we will be greeted by refreshments, and WABA will be handing out bicycle safety and advocacy swag. Please join us!
In celebration of 250 years of American Freedom, the entire U.S. Constitution and the original Bill of Rights is surrounded by 17 Constitutional amendments, filling the Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, DC in a dramatic and highly visual display.
This marks the first time in history the entire U.S. Constitution is on display. This historic, special display will also include the rarely displayed "fifth page" of the U.S. Constitution. This original document outlines a set of instructions to the States on how to implement the Constitution, signed by George Washington as President of the Constitutional Convention.
The display will open to the public in the Rotunda on Tuesday, September 16 and remain open through Wednesday, October 1. Visitors can view and experience the entire Constitution during regular museum hours: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Those visiting within those dates should anticipate longer than usual wait times, and visitors are encouraged to reserve timed-entry tickets.
To provide more opportunities to see the special display, the National Archives Museum will be open extended hours until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, as well as Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28.
The display of the entire U.S. Constitution is part of the National Archives’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Other upcoming activities at the National Archives include the opening of a new permanent exhibition space, The American Story and Discovery Center, in October 2025. The new galleries at the National Archives Museum will be the first and only museum experience in Washington, DC to use artificial intelligence to bring visitors individualized opportunities to explore American history.
Join us for a dynamic, all-inclusive, positive day of training and education, where you'll improve your skills under the guidance of talented Georgetown Soccer players. With our rotational program, participants are grouped by age and skill level where they will learn from each of our athletes, focusing on a specific skillset. We’ll conclude with a fun session of scrimmages and an educational portion on life as a student athlete and pursuing collegiate athletics. All skills levels welcome!
Boys & Girls, Ages 8-17. Participants are separated by age and skill level to form the appropriate training groups. Limited spots available. Register 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
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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.