The September 16, 2025 Newsletter

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Back to School Night 2025—one of the most energizing and community-centered events of the year. Whether you participated in the schoolwide session, visited classrooms, chatted with our specialists and support staff, or simply connected with other families, your presence was deeply appreciated. Special thanks to our amazing teachers and staff for creating such welcoming spaces and to everyone who participated in our audience activity during the schoolwide session—it was a joy to engage with you in real time around our theme: Together We Thrive.

• If you missed the schoolwide session, check out Janney BTSN 2025 Presentation.pdf​ .

• And if you’re interested in continuing the conversation at home, we’ve created a one-page Together We Thrive ​coloring page​ you can download and use with your child to reflect on what thriving looks like for them.

As we begin Week 4 of the First Six Weeks of School, we’re seeing classroom expectations and routines truly take root. This Responsive Classroom structure helps us build a strong foundation—so students feel safe, confident, and ready to dive deeper into learning. With those norms in place, we’re now leaning further into academics, peer relationships, and the joy of being part of a caring learning community.

Core Value Spotlight: Community

This week, we’re lifting up the core value of Community—something we felt strongly at both Back to School Night and Friday’s joyful Fall Picnic. Community is the thread that weaves together our families, students, staff, and partners.

Our animal symbol for Community is the meerkat—a creature that thrives through connection, teamwork, and looking out for one another. Just like meerkats, we believe that our strength comes from the way we show up for each other. This is what makes Janney so special.​ Community Meerkat.pdf​

LSAT Parent Representatives

Thank you to all the families who took time to vote! We’re happy to announce our new LSAT Parent Representatives for SY 2025–26: Nicole Crowley and Amy Hammond. The Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) plays a vital role in shaping our school’s priorities, budget, and long-term planning. We’re grateful to these parents for their leadership and partnership. Learn more about Janney's LSAT at https://janneyschool.org/lsat/.

Thank you for all the ways you show up, partner with us, and help Janney thrive.

With Appreciation,

Principal Singh

At Back to School Night, we shared how much the PTA helps make Janney such a special place - supporting teachers and staff, funding classroom needs, and bringing families together. We want every family to know - you’re already part of the PTA. Whatever time or talents you want to share; there’s a place for you. Click here to get more involved.

Making Janney such a special place takes resources too - it costs about $795 per student each year to cover the gap between the DCPS budget and what it really takes for our school to thrive.

One of the most important ways we raise money each year is through the Student Support Fund (SSF) campaign. When families give to the SSF, they are funding staff positions not covered by DCPS, classroom supplies, custodial equipment, classroom technology, and community events like the Fall Picnic, International Night and the 5K/Fun Run. This year, the PTA asks families to make a tax-deductible donation of $795 for each child at Janney.

Families who contribute to the SSF early in the year help us manage our budget forecasting so we can plan our year and activities better.

Last year, thanks to this community’s incredible generosity, we raised $254,000 with participation from more than half of our families. We rely on families who give the full amount that the PTA spends on their student ($795) to help cover costs for families who cannot afford to give to the SSF right now. If you can’t give the full amount, we simply ask that you contribute whatever feels right for your family. Every gift matters - there is no donation too small. Make your SSF contribution here.

We know not every family can give as much as they’d like financially, and that’s okay - your involvement in any way matters. Whether you volunteer your time, donate to the Student Support Fund, or join us at an event, you’re strengthening our school and our community.

Thank you for being part of Janney! We’re so glad you’re here.

~Anita Siegfriedt, mom to William (4th) & Jackie Ross, mom to Jane (4th) and Daschel (K)

Janney PTA 2025-2026 Co-Presidents

We’re especially grateful to Allison Mandich and Tiffany Turner, whose dedication and countless hours of planning once again made this year’s picnic such an incredible kickoff to the school year! We’re also so thankful for the many volunteers who pitched in—from setup and cleanup to running the costume swap and selling drinks. We’d also like to recognize 1st grade parent “DJ” Rich Casey for bringing the music that kept the fun (and the kids) moving, our amazing Merch Committee who made it easy to stock up on some new Janney gear, and the Garden Committee for selling fresh veggies and flower bouquets. Ms. Lauren, Janney+ Associate Executive Director, and the Janney+ team rounded it out with games and activities for kids, making it an unforgettable night.

Anita Siegfriedt (R) and Jackie Ross (L) work tirelessly on our behalf to enrich our student's experience at Janney. You'll hear them say that all Janney grownups are already members of the PTA.. and that's true! We all can make an impact through volunteering, fundraising, and connecting with each other.

Field trips are an integral part of classroom activities which align with each grade’s curriculum and provide fun experiences for students. The field trip fee includes not only the costs of the outside school trips, but also some assemblies that occur at Janney. Whenever possible, Janney takes advantage of free events, applies for grants, and uses creative ways to reduce the costs of these events.

On Monday mornings from 8-8:30am, students and their grownups are welcome to visit the Janney Library. It's a great time to return your books and borrow new ones!

Janney Girls Basketball Team is holding its Parent Interest Meetings and Tryouts this month!

Want to Join?

• Your child must be a 4th or 5th Grader
• Come to a Parent Interest Meeting held by Ms. Robyn Nelson and Mr. Jason Jones:

Sept. 17, 8:40am | Girls Basketball Parent Interest Meeting under the mulch tents

Sept. 17, 6pm | Girls Basketball Parent Interest Meeting in the Art Room

• Come to Tryouts:

Sept. 24 & 25, 7am-8:20am | Girls Basketball Tryouts @ the School Gym

• The season typically starts in November
• Practices are twice a week
• The team plays against other DCPS schools, see DCIAA Game Schedule

DCPS student athletes are required to submit a Participation Packet and a Universal Health Certificate before try-outs. DCIAA (DC Interscholastic Athletics Association) Forms must be cleared by DCIAA Athletic Trainers before students can participate in athletic contests.

Learn more about DCIAA’s mission and policies here.

Looking for a way to get involved this school year? We're looking for volunteers to support Ms. Epperson in the library and Ms. Leed in the art room! These are amazing spaces for our young artists and bibliophiles, and your help keeping things in order would make a huge difference. If you're interested in volunteering during the 2025-2026 school year or just want to learn more, please email Maureen Perrone at maureenhperrone@gmail.com with your name and contact information. Thank you for your support!

We're looking for families to help care for our school's chickens on weekends and holidays. No prior chicken experience is needed—just a willingness to learn and have fun! The first training session is Friday, September 19. This is a great chance to learn the ropes and find out about future training opportunities. Once you're trained, you'll be an official member of the Janney Chicken Flock! Ready to get started? Sign up here for training.

On Monday, October 13th, DCPS is closed for Indigenous Peoples Day. Join other Janney families for a volunteer shift with We Are Family DC, a local organization offering food delivery and support to more than 1,000 seniors in need. We'll gather to assemble bags of healthy, nourishing food to be delivered across DC. Kids of all ages are welcome! From 2-4:30PM(ish), meet in the Salvation Army parking lot (3335 Sherman Ave. NW) to volunteer. Please reach out to PTA Community Service Co-Chairs Liz Scheier & Arie Rubenstein at communityservice@janneyschool.org with any questions.

Throughout the year, Janney PTA hosts fundraisers with local restaurants. It's a great way to support our school and community in-person or for takeaway.

Note: For your Potomac Pizza online order to count towards our Janney Fundraiser, you must go to the "FUNDRAISER" tab on the far left menu panel, select the fundraiser button, and add it to your cart prior to checkout.

Head over to any location of Politics & Prose on October 18 and 19, 9am to 9pm

Show the flyer at checkout and 20% of the proceeds will come back to Janney!

NORTHWEST DC

5015 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

UNION MARKET

1324 4th Street NE

Washington, D.C. 20002

THE WHARF

610 Water Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20024

Are you following Janney on social media? Our PTA Comms uses Instagram and Facebook posts and stories to share helpful reminders, upcoming events, and informative updates. Search for Janney Elementary School on Facebook and janneyelementary on Instagram. Be sure to follow us!

In celebration of Janney's Centennial, the Janney community contributed to the tile wall mosaic in the 204-2025 school year. If you haven't done so already, check out the tile walls in the school's atrium. We're loving the pop of color!

Sept. 17, 8:40am & 6pm | Girls Basketball Parent Interest Meeting

Sept. 24, 4-9pm | Potomac Pizza- Dining In Fall Fundraiser

Sept. 24 & 25, 7am-8:20am | Girls Basketball Tryouts

Sept. 29 | Picture Day (Individual Portraits)

Sept. 30 | Five Guys Fundraiser

Oct. 9 | Parent-Teacher Conference/ NO SCHOOL

Oct. 10-13 | NO SCHOOL

Oct. 13, 2-4:30pm | Community Service Project with We Are Family DC on Indigenous People's Day

Oct. 18-19 | Politics & Prose Book Sale Fundraiser

Oct. 22-23, 4-9pm | Ledo’s Pizza- Dining In Fall Fundraiser

Oct. 25 | Fall Project Day

Nov. 5 | Chipotle Fundraiser

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