PTA Updates

Calling all Ross Families to join us for the PTA's 6th Annual Family Bingo Night on Wednesday, April 3 from 5:30-7:30pm at Foundry United Methodist Church, Community Hall (1500 16th St NW). RSVP here to help and attend (so we order enough pizza). As in past years, we’re planning for another fun evening of bingo, prizes, pizza and good times for Ross students and their families! And we are so lucky to have Mr. Eickmeyer emcee the event once again. Please join us for some fun with the Ross community.

On March 29, enrollment opened for the 2024-2025 school year. All students must enroll by May 1, 2024. You can complete the enrollment process online at https://enrolldcps.dc.gov or visit Ross during the week. Please remember the importance of enrolling promptly upon receiving notification. Any questions, please email Ms.Segovia at graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov.

Note: Recently, DCPS centrally reset passwords for users who had not accessed the ASPEN Parent Portal. The email is titled "Welcome to the ASPEN Parent Portal". Families will use the same log-in ID email and password to access the online enrollment platform.

The yoga spring before-school session offered by Breathing Space started last week. There's still time to join the session, which costs about $20/class, on Wednesday mornings 8:00-8:40am in the Ross Cafeteria for K - 5th graders (March 27 - June 6). Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Registration is open for Keegan Theatre's All Day PLAY Days during the DCPS Spring Break, April 15-19. There are slots available for each day during the week. You can register for the whole week, or just whichever days work best for your plans. If financial assistance is needed, please email jgraham@keegantheatre.com. Register here: https://keegantheatre.com/prk/education/

The LSAT (Local School Advisory Team) is a group of parents, teachers, and staff at each DCPS school who advise the principal on topics like the school's academic performance, curriculum, budget and more. The Ross LSAT meets monthly, currently alternating between in-person morning meetings and virtual afternoon meetings. Four parent members will be elected for the 2024-25 school year, likely in May.

Any Ross parent is welcome to run for a position on the LSAT. Nominations will begin on April 15 and end on April 30. Anyone interested in finding out more about the LSAT should email LSAT chair David Alpert (alpert@gmail.com) and/or attend the next meeting, in person at Ross on Monday, April 8 at 7:30am in the library.

DCPS has confirmed that the last day of school will remain as Monday, June 17, 2024. Given the additional instructional hours built into the school year calendar, DCPS will not have to extend the school year for SY 23-24 to accommodate snow closures.

On April 13 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Georgetown Library, bring along your plants or seeds to exchange with fellow enthusiasts, take part in various gardening activities and engaging kids' crafts. Receive a complimentary gardening starter kit to kick start your green journey. Be sure to explore the new art exhibition opening at the library, complete with printmaking demonstrations.

The DC History Conference from April 4-6, 2024, is a forum for original research on and engagement with the history of the Washington, DC metropolitan area—prioritizing the local city but including nearby Maryland and Virginia, and the federal government. The DC History Conference is co-presented by the DC History Center, DC Public Library and HumanitiesDC. Register here.

https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2024/03/25/where-to-go-and-what-to-do-during-spring-break-2024/

Girls in Gear, a non-profit that teaches girls age 5-13 social and emotional skills through biking, has opened registration for its eight-week season starting in April.

The organization has a no-questions-asked scholarship policy to ensure that programs are accessible to all, and it also offers free bikes and helmets to those who need them to participate in the program. Register here.

Join a live conversation on Friday, May 1 from 12:00-1:00pm on Zoom with Krystal Lewis, PhD of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on the topic of anxiety and effective strategies to support kids and families. Key topics that will be covered include:

• The science and biological roots of anxiety
• Signs and symptoms of child anxiety
• Treatment options and strategies for youth with anxiety
• The role of parents and caregivers

This event is open to parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals or anyone passionate about children’s mental health. Through this interactive discussion, Dr. Lewis will address participants’ questions and comments. If you have a question or comment you'd like to submit before the webinar, please do so on the registration form. You can also ask questions during the webinar. Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/hquq5p56tu

Next Level Up Counseling Services put together a series of three workshops for parents on how to support children during childhood, middle childhood and adolescence. See them here.

https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2024/03/28/live-netertainment-spring-2024/

Spring sports are right around the corner with Volo Kids. Check out where they play and reserve your spot today. Registration closes April 11.

Thursday Soccer at Stead Park| 4:30pm - 5:30pm | April 18 - May 23

Saturday Soccer at Walter Pierce Park| 11:00am - 12:00pm | April 13 - May 25

Saturday Flag Football at Walter Pierce Park| 12:00pm - 1:00pm | April 13 - May 25

All Volo Kids programs are free and include a player shirt, safe equipment, coaches, post program snack, and so much more! View their full lineup HERE.

• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Understanding and Supporting Your Anxious Child
• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Kids, Smartphones and Social Media
• Parent Ed Workshop Recording: Navigating Friendships through Elementary School
  
• Ross Unofficial Compilation of Summer Camps
• Ross Skiing WhatsApp Group

2023.24 DCPS Calendar and DCPS Google Calendar

Ross PTA 2023.24 Calendar

Wednesday, April 3: Ross Family Bingo Night, 5:30-7:30pm, Foundry Church

Friday, April 5: NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 8: LSAT Meeting, 7:30am, Ross Library

Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19: NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, May 1: Deadline to Re-enroll in Ross for the 2024-2025 School Year

Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5: Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive

Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 22 and 23: Ross School Musical (Day and Evening Performances)

Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL

Friday, May 31: Ross Field Day

Tuesday, June 4: NO SCHOOL

Saturday, June 8: Ross Participation in Capital Pride Parade

Thursday, June 13: Fifth Grade Promotion

Monday, June 17: Last Day of School for Students

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

If this email was forwarded to you, subscribe to Ross PTA emails here.

Do you have updates or announcements that you think would be of interest to our school community? If so, email Ross PTA Secretary Melanie Mayhew.