PTA Newsletter
November 4, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
There are a couple of adulthood perks one gives up upon having children (ha!) and one of them in this household was the joy of the Fall Back time change. I used to sleep in that extra hour with absolute delight, and then entered two humans who for some reason did not receive this memo, arriving each year at the crack of dawn like always. Until, friends, The Crossover, which finally happened this weekend at the ripe ages of five and seven. We have now transitioned to two Roadrunners who understand the assignment, and have taken to sleeping in, because somewhere along the way my husband and I did something right and the Universe is rewarding us. If you've already experienced The Crossover, you lucky ducks--why didn't you tell me, and if it's yet to come, hang in there. You'll get your Fall Back again.
I hope you enjoyed Halloween because the winter rollercoaster alarm went off at midnight that night: we are heading into holiday season so get your calendars ready for overdrive! This is your very last chance to contribute to Fall for Ross if you have not already--at about 50% family participation, we still have time to get that number up! Please save the date for our annual Ross Super Saturday, on December 6. We'll have an amazing Bake Sale, our annual tree and wreath sale, as well as a Book Fair and a community service opportunity. We will need MANY volunteers to make this event a success, so please keep your eyes peeled for sign-ups (ready now? Sign up for the Bake Sale here!). And as we head into the giving season, please consider bringing diapers for our Girls on the Run Diaper Drive and sign up to help or bring a tasty treat for our Staff Gratitude Breakfast.
Well rested,
Aimee
FALL FOR ROSS FINAL APPEAL: LET’S REACH 100% FAMILY PARTICIPATION BY NOVEMBER 7TH!
U.S. News and World Report announced on Friday that Ross is the #1 public elementary school in Washington, DC. We hope that you take a moment to feel pride in this accomplishment, of which you all are a part.
There is no doubt that Ross is a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow, and the Ross PTA works hard to support the programs, events, and resources that promote our school's incredible success. At the beginning of the year, our PTA set a $50,000 fundraising goal for our Fall for Ross campaign.
What makes the biggest difference isn’t just the total dollars raised–it’s how many families take part. Our goal is simple: We want every family to participate. We also recognize that this season has brought financial uncertainty for many families, especially with the government shutdown and other economic pressures. Please know that we understand–every family’s situation is different, and every form and level of support matters.
Whether your contribution is $5, $10, or even $1, your participation matters. When every family joins together, it sends a powerful message to our students and teachers that we’re all in this together, that we believe in our school, and that we’re here to help it thrive. You can make an anonymous contribution of any amount, as many families have done.
The funds we raise support classroom projects and curricular supplies, teacher appreciation, student enrichment, and community events–investments that benefit every child at Ross Elementary School. But reaching close to 100% family participation will mean even more: it shows that our entire community stands together for our kids. Right now, we are at around 50% family participation and are about $38,000 of the way to our $50,000 goal.
If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, please take a moment today to make your gift in any amount. And thank you to the many families who have already given!
PLEASE GIVE HERE: givebutter.com/FallForRoss
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.
Don't forget that Pupatella DC is teaming up with Ross Elementary to encourage its students to read! Until November 15, after students have read for a combined total of 200 minutes, they can bring in a slip signed by their teachers and parents to a Pupatella location in DC to receive a free Bimbi pizza! Teachers sent home a paper version of this coupon a few weeks ago for kids to redeem. Happy reading! 📚
Students Interview Ms. Juriga
Students asked Ms. Juriga about her time at Ross and how she became interested in being a librarian.
“When I was four, I was already playing teacher. And I was playing teacher-librarian. I had my own books—I had a bookshelf in the hallway outside my room. And in the back of my books, I would put an envelope here [points to the back page of a book]… and it would have a card in it. You would write your name on it, and the librarian would stamp your book with a date stamp of when it had to come back…
…I played teacher and librarian with my friends in my neighborhood. They came over for ‘school’ in the summer. I had desks in my basement, a chalkboard, and I would make worksheets. I had a little record player that I would take out to my driveway and play records… Then they would check out my books and bring them back. I was like a neighborhood library.”
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About Story of Our Schools: Led by Ms. Juriga, our 4th grade students are continuing their year-long research quest to uncover Ross’s history. The students are conducting archival research and oral history interviews, as well as participating 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). Below, you can read an excerpt from their interview with our longtime librarian, Ms. Juriga.
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.
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.
Registration for the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) winter programming started today, November 4, 2025, for aquatics programs and will open tomorrow, November 5, 2025, for all other programs. Registration opens at noon both days. To register, you must first create an account on the DPR website and can find a full list of programs on the DPR Programs website. Remember to complete the online reduced rates application before registering if you qualify for discounted pricing. Register here!
Join DCPS for a fun and interactive evening of hands-on math activities, practical tips, and family connections! DCPS Family Math Night will be hosted at Noyes ES (2725 10th Street NE) on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30-7:30 PM (complimentary dinner served from 5:30-6:00 PM). This event is part of the DCPS Parent University series, designed to support student success by partnering with families. All are welcome!
Join us on November 16th for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in DC as we honor the 1.35 million people killed globally each year in preventable traffic crashes and work for change. This year the DC chapter of Families for Safe Streets is honoring World Day of Remembrance by continuing to post crash sites at locations throughout the District. We will also gather as a community and walk in solidarity to the Lincoln Memorial, to join our friends and neighbors who participate in the Ride For Your Life. RSVP here
Join Families for Safe Streets chapters from across the region for a 1/2-mile walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro to the Lincoln Memorial. At the Memorial, we will join participants from the Ride for Your Life bike ride for a rally with members of Congress and civil society leaders to honor victims of road traffic violence and demand change. For more information on the Ride for Your Life, visit waba.org/rideforyourlife2025.
- Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
- Time: Meet at 11am
- Start location: Outside of Foggy Bottom Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver) / George Washington University Hospital at Eye St NW and 23rd St NW
- End location: Lincoln Memorial
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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