PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

It's the time of year for robo-calls and reminders: enrollment is open! This is my fifth enrollment rodeo and I have finally learned (more recent than I'd like to admit) to have my residency documents ready months in advance. So with delight and a sigh of relief, I have already received confirmation that both my children are all set for fall 2025. Join me in this euphoria by re-enrolling your Roadrunner today. To sweeten the deal, there is an extra recess and some popsicles looming for the class with the highest percentage of enrollments by April 10!🍧

Some dates to remember or add to your calendar: this Friday, April 4, we will have Term 3 Learning Celebrations at 9:00 am (pick up some Ross merch on your way in!), there is no school this coming Monday, April 7, next week is Spirit Week (see details below), Teacher/Staff Appreciation is coming up next month from May 12-16, and our Spring Bike & Roll to School Day will be Tuesday, May 20! I gave you a few weeks off adding events to your calendar so it was really time to get back to it!

Enjoy this beautiful crisp weather and the most glorious time of the year in this city (but also, I hope you have stocked up on your eye drops and allergy medication!).

-Aimee

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open! The class with the highest percentage of enrollments (including residency verification) by 5:00pm on Thursday, April 10 will win an extra recess on Friday, April 11, with popsicles! Find enrollment details here and check in with Ms. Segovia if you have any questions or need support. If you have a student in 5th grade, please remember to enroll for 6th grade!

Thank you again to those who participated in our recent auction fundraiser! Please watch your inbox for an announcement of our upcoming auction fire sale. We'll be selling, at reduced prices, items and experiences that didn't receive bids at the auction, plus a few items that were donated too late for the auction.

Did you win something that you haven't received yet? Please contact rosselementaryauction@gmail.com to arrange for pickup or e-pickup. Want to help us reach our $50,000 auction fundraising goal? We're just $166 short! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Thank you to the Ross community for your continued support!

There will be an in-person merchandise sale this Friday before the Learning Celebration, from 8:20-9:00 am, outside on the Ross playground. All sizes of shirts and hoodies will be available! Questions? Reach out to Sarah at rossmerchandise@gmail.com.

Next week is Spirit Week! Take note of these themes to get your Roadrunners spirited:

Tuesday, April 8: Ross sportswear day
Wednesday, April 9: Favorite team colors or jersey day
Thursday, April 10: Mismatch/backwards day
Friday, April 11: Hat Day

Common Sense Media and NPR both have excellent articles on explaining the news to our children in age-appropriate ways. Click on the following links to learn more about discussing difficult or scary topics with our kids to help them process events:

"Explaining the News to Our Kids" (Common Sense Media)

"What to say to kids when the news is scary" (NPR)

"Spring in D.C. is all about energy, creativity, and new beginnings—and Jazz & Blossoms brings it all together in the heart of Downtown. Join us on Sunday, April 6 from 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. for live performances, interactive art, and all-day vibes at Franklin Park. Register NOW!

Legendary hip-hop group Arrested Development will headline the main stage. You’ll love the hands-on creative experiences—from graffiti canvas painting to haiku writing. Whether you’re here to roller skate, double dutch, or just soak in the music, this is where art and culture meet in full bloom."

Join fellow DC residents at the Recess at the Capitol, Part 2 this coming Monday, April 7 to advocate for the House to pass the District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025. "Advocacy trainings and family-friendly recess activities happening all day (dress appropriately for outdoor activities)—join when you can and bring friends! "

Put on your bunny ears and come on out to the Stead Park annual Bunny Hop! Featuring games with egg prizes, spring crafts, tasty snacks, face painting and selfies with the Easter bunny. Free with RSVP here.

This year’s The Mother of All Yard Sales will be held on Saturday, May 17. It’s the region’s oldest (since 1987!) and biggest (40+ homes!) community yard sale, held each year in Adams Morgan (and only in Adams Morgan). More information can be found here!

Food Waste Smart Bins are now located throughout the city! You may drop off food waste and food-soiled paper at many convenient locations, including Stead Park (with thanks to ANC Commissioner and Kindergarten Aide Libby Franklin for her advocacy!). For more info on the bins and instructions on how to use/unlock them with an app, visit Zero Waste DC's Food Waste Drop-Off webpage.

Coach Kenny Blakeney of Howard University Men’s Basketball is excited to announce the 3rd annual “Howard University Basketball School” summer camps. This summer, there are 4 different camp options providing a variety of opportunities to get better and have fun.

Skills camps are open to both boys and girls and are designed to help players achieve their potential through fundamentals, coaching clinics, daily game competition, and skill/drill work. Register at www.howarduniversitybasketballschool.com.

• Skills Camp 1: June 23-27 (Ages 6-18)
• Skills Camp 2: July 14-18 (Ages 6-14)
• Skills Camp 3: July 28-August 1 (Ages 6-14)

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

Friday, April 4: Term 3 Learning Celebrations, 9:00 am in your children's classrooms

Monday, April 7: PD/Records Day for Staff, NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 14-Friday, April 18: Spring Break, NO SCHOOL

April 22-May 12: CAPE testing window (All students in grades 3-5)

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

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL

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

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 (rescheduled due to 5th grade promotion)

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

Wednesday, June 18: LAST DAY of SCHOOL!

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.