PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

A couple weeks ago you may recall we had a NatGeo experience on our windowsill, as two baby pigeons were born, and one went missing soon after. In a confluence of surprising events which involved my using kid binoculars and executing a Cirque du Soleil act out of my neighbor's window, I successfully thwarted attempted squabicide by rescuing our missing pigeon (who'd fallen three stories and landed in a pile of leaves). But Nature had other plans, and when I tried to save him a second time, my anxious children in tow, our baby pigeon had not survived. There are a lot of metaphors in this story, but in the moment we celebrated Fluffy Fluff's life with an elegant pigeon funeral, tears staining all of our faces, I realized that as hard as I try, I can't save pigeons--or my children--from everything. Both kids learned a lot in this moment and emerged mostly unscathed as we huddled in close and talked it out. 2025 hasn't been the easiest year for any of us, and I hope in these trying moments you too can huddle in close and emerge intact.

I think it's time we talk about something like celebrations, and we have a fun one coming up: the End-of-Year Picnic. Did someone say shaved ice truck?! We are looking for lots of volunteers for this potluck-style event: appetizers, main dishes, drinks, utensils, set up, clean up, you name it. Please lend a helping hand and get in the summer spirit by signing up to volunteer today! Read on for this week's news and updates, and we'll see you back here next week.

-Aimee

Join students, families, teachers, and staff on Thurs, June 12 from 5-7pm to celebrate the end of the school year with a potluck picnic at the Stead Park Rec Center and playground! Pizza and sweet treats (shaved ice!) will be provided by the PTA.

Please sign up here to contribute food and/or beverages for the event. We also need a few volunteers to help set up, serve pizza, and assist with clean-up. Your support is appreciated!

The Ross PTA will hold the third and final general body (open to everyone) meeting of the year Tuesday, June 3, at 7:00 pm virtually via Zoom (link to join; Meeting ID: Zoom Meeting ID: 851 7244 6836 / Passcode: Xp7N9A).

Nominations are open for the Ross PTA Executive Board for 2025-2026. Positions include: President, VP Fundraising, VP Community Engagement, Treasurer, Secretary, Upper School Representative, and Lower School Representative. Nominations are currently being accepted for all positions. For position and committee descriptions, and to nominate yourself or others, please visit this form. Nominations are due by Tuesday, May 27, and will be voted on during the PTA general body meeting. Questions? Email PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

Yesterday morning's Walk & Roll to School event was another success! Students walked, biked, and scooted along R Street, escorted by the U.S. Park Police on horseback, Kindergarten parent Joseph Jones, and many other parents and Ross staff. Thank you to all who attended and showed up bright and early in Ross gear!

Before- and after-school enrollment for the next school year will open soon. For before-school activities, which are typically available for kindergarten and above, we expect the following before-school options and will communicate more information when we receive it:

• Isabella & Ferdinand Spanish-language sessions: Enrollment is open!
• Chess with Coach Ziko: Enrollment information pending
• Yoga with Breathing Space: Enrollment information pending

Regarding aftercare, most programs expect to open enrollment in June, and most of the below accept students of all ages:

• iGen: Enrollment opening in June
• JCC: Enrollment opening in June
• Keegan Theatre: Enrollment opening in June
• DPR at Stead (age 6 and above): **UPDATED** Enrollment opening August 13, 2025

This past week, a representative from Rainforest Trust came to talk to the 2nd grade Pangolins about their namesake animal. Rainforest Trust is fundraising to preserve critical pangolin habitats around the globe. One of their projects aims to create a wildlife preserve in the African nation of Guinea, in an area home to two endangered pangolin species. The 2nd grade Pangolins raised more than $7,500 for this project! The fundraiser is open until the end of this month; if you would still like to contribute, you may do so here. Questions? Contact sohn.joshua@gmail.com.

The Ross Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) is currently seeking nominations for parents/guardians of current Ross Elementary School students to serve in school year 2025-2026.

The LSAT is a group of parents/guardians, teachers, non-instructional staff members, community members, and occasionally students who meet monthly to advise the principal on school priorities. A diversity of perspectives and experiences is important to a successful LSAT experience, as we want to make sure our school leaders hear from a variety of voices that are representative of the overall school community. This is a commitment that requires joining a monthly meeting during the school year.

Parents/Guardians will nominate and then vote on 4 representatives. You may nominate as many individuals as you would like, as well as self-nominate, but please try to confirm others' interest in advance. Nominations and elections for the teachers and non-instructional staff members are handled by the union representatives. Community members and student representatives are asked to join by consensus once the other LSAT members are determined. The nomination form is available here.

Ross Elementary School's nomination period will be from May 6, 2025, to May 27, 2025. Afterward, we will share additional communication detailing how to vote. Thank you!

DCPS is seeking input on the proposed ECE and Elementary School Grading Policy. Parents and families will be asked to share their feedback on the proposed policy, including grading, reporting progress and grades, and transfer policies. There are two ways families can share feedback by May 23, 2025.

1. Complete the survey. Parents and caregivers can complete the survey independently at bit.ly/ES_Grading.

2. Attend a live virtual feedback session. Join me, along with members of the DCPS Social Emotional Academic Development (SEAD) Strategy Division, to share your input live on either of the following dates:

• Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. on Zoom - Register at bit.ly/Parent_5-13

• Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. on Zoom - Register at bit.ly/Parent_5-14

• Please note: The content covered in the live sessions will match the survey—only presented in a live format. Both sessions will also cover the same content, and families only need to register for one.

Please complete the survey by May 23, or join us [this] week to ensure your response is captured!

Art Attack: Free Art Class for Children!

Join us for a fun and creative afternoon as we explore the world of Yayoi Kusama's art--full of vibrant colors, polka dots, bold patterns and imagination. Children are invited to learn and create hands-on art inspired by one of the world's most imaginative artists. Materials will be provided. Age group 5y-12y old. Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street, NW.

Join us at Stead Park for a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and pride! This inclusive and joyful event is designed for families and children to enjoy a day of fun, connection, and laughter. Explore a variety of activities, including games, crafts, face painting, story time, an inflatable obstacle course, photo ops, and more!

Hosted by Friends of Stead Park and our dedicated partners.

This festival is a welcoming space for all ages—while especially enjoyed by children ages 2–10, everyone is invited to take part in the festivities.

Register here today!

Get your family ready for summer by learning how to protect your kids in the pool and at the beach! This Red Cross Basic Water Rescue course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to many types of aquatic emergencies. This course will also prepare you for aquatic emergencies by teaching you how to protect yourself while assisting others.

This training is 4 hours, in person, on Sunday June 8 from 1:00-5:00pm. Upon successful completion of the Basic Water Rescue course, you will receive an American Red Cross certificate indicating Basic Water Rescue that is valid for 3 years.

Register at https://www.edcjcc.org/calendar/basic-water-rescue-for-parents-and-caregivers/. Email mszubin@edcjcc.org with any questions!

Are you looking for a fun way to keep your family engaged in reading this summer?

Come check out Cleveland Park's Family Literacy Night series in June, July, and August! Learn best practices for teaching beginning readers to become fluent, and practice what you learn with fun games and activities. There will be prizes and lots of FUN!

Registration is not required, but is encouraged. It is not required to attend all 3 sessions, but you are welcomed to. For questions about the program, please email clevelandparklibrary@dc.gov

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Wednesday, May 21: DC Music Festival (grades 3-4)

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, May 27: LSAT (5:00pm, virtual)

Thursday, May 29: Field Day (K-5), Marie Reed Field

Friday, May 30: Coffee meet/greet with our new Assistant Principal, Mr. Miller, on the Ross playground 8:15-8:40am. Floor-wide Morning Meetings and May birthday celebrations.

DUE DATE for ALL Ross Library Books (see Ms. Juriga if you have questions)

Saturday, May 31: PK-K Transition and Welcome Event, Ross Playground, 9:00-10:00 am

Tuesday, June 3: PTA General Body Meeting (Virtual), 7:00 pm, Zoom Meeting ID: 851 7244 6836 / Passcode: Xp7N9A / https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172446836?pwd=pe8JsSbQzaaGHSjazbSRfpw7UaGhbZ.1)

Wednesday, June 4: 4th grade extended day trip to Hard Bargain Farm

Thursday/Friday, June 5-6: 5th grade overnight trip to Hard Bargain Farm

Monday/Tuesday, June 9-10: 4th/5th Ross Musical at Keegan Theatre (evening performances, details will follow)

Thursday, June 12: Term 4 Learning Celebration, 9:00 am (rescheduled due to 5th grade promotion)

Thursday, June 12: End of Year Picnic, 5-7 pm, Stead Recreation Center

Friday, June 13: 5th Grade Promotion at 10:00am at Sumner School

Wednesday, June 18: LAST DAY of SCHOOL! Please remember to pick up all medications from Nurse Webster.

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-board/
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.