The December 2, 2025 Newsletter

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break. I hope the long weekend offered your family moments of rest, joy, and connection. As we move into the three weeks leading up to winter break, this is always a spirited and meaningful time of year for our community.

I want to express my appreciation for your partnership around attendance. Your effort to ensure that students are at school each day truly makes a difference. When students are present consistently, they feel a deeper sense of belonging, stay connected to their classmates, and fully engage in the learning and routines that help them thrive.

As a reminder, you can find our attendance guidance and resources here. Please continue to communicate with your child’s teacher and use the Janney attendance email if your child will be out. I also encourage families to review the school calendar when planning personal travel or appointments, helping us minimize missed instructional time.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our value of community. Your partnership ensures that every student feels welcomed, supported, and ready to learn each day.

Wishing you a wonderful start to this joyful season!

Sincerely,

Principal Singh

Dec. 2 | Last day of Gift Drive for DC Foster Kids

Dec. 3, 7am | 4th/5th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts

Dec. 3, 4–9pm | Pizzeria Paradiso Fundraiser

Dec. 6 | Janney Winter Market @ School

Dec. 12, 3:30–4:30pm I IONA card-making event @ Science Room

Dec. 12, 6pm | Janney Winter Concert @ Gym

Dec. 22–Jan. 2 | No School- Winter Break

Jan. 15 | Bingo Night

Jan. 21, 9:15am | Spelling Bee

Jan. 27, 6pm | Math Content Night for 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Parents

Feb. 9 | Clubs/ Teams/ Groups Photo Day
Mar. 26 | Class Photo Day

Mar. 28, 6:30pm | Janney Auction- SAVE THE DATE
May 13 | 5th Grade Panoramic Photo Day

The team is heading into their 3rd game of the season today against Raymond ES after back-to-back victories against Stoddert and Eaton. When these girls step on the court, they don't just play—they dominate with such unyielding hustle that you forget they're only in 4th and 5th grade! Their offense is electrifying and defense impeccable! We're brimming with pride for these incredible young athletes led by Coach Jones. Don't forget to cheer them on as they continue to build an unstoppable momentum! The 4th game will be on Thursday against Brightwood and the 5th and last game of the season is on December 8th against Lafayette.

A pep rally by our Janney Cheer Squad will take place on Thursday afternoon during pick-up for the Girls Basketball Team's final home game. We are also thrilled to shine a spotlight on the incredible energy and dedication of the squad! These young Jaguars are doing an amazing job bringing spirit, enthusiasm, and synchronized moves to our school community this season!

On this Giving Tuesday, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude.

In a season filled with countless worthy causes, we’re deeply grateful for the time, energy, and financial support you’ve already given to Janney. Your generosity is a big part of what makes this community—and our school—so special.

Throughout the year, families contribute to Janney in many different ways, and every one of those efforts helps us:

💝 hire additional staff not covered by the DCPS budget

💝 purchase classroom supplies, technology, and essential custodial equipment

💝 fund programs and resources that enrich our children’s educational experience

💝 support community-building events that bring families together throughout the year

There are so many ways to support our Janney community throughout the year, and whichever ways you choose, we are grateful for your support—whether that’s volunteering your time at Janney, contributing to the Student Support Fund, buying a Winter Raffle ticket, ordering food during our Dining Out Nights, or participating in one of our other fundraisers. All of these efforts truly make a difference—every gift, whether of time or resources, big or small, matters—and we are incredibly thankful for every way you support Janney.

With Gratitude,

Anita and Jackie

Our school thrives because of the extraordinary dedication poured into it every single day. Our entire staff commits their boundless energy, deep compassion, and countless hours to cultivating a safe, enriching, and truly excellent environment where our students can flourish. Our Administrators are the steady anchors of our school, managing intricate logistics, communicating vital information, and often serving as the first reassuring smile for a hurried parent or a child needing comfort. Meanwhile, our Custodial Team works tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring our building is immaculate and welcoming each morning, guaranteeing a pristine and healthy space for learning. Our Cafeteria Team prepares nourishing meals with genuine care, ensuring every student has the vital fuel they need for a successful day of discovery. Finally, our Essential Support Staff (student support services, security, nurse) are our silent heroes—mending scraped knees, providing safety and critical emotional support, and handling unexpected crises.

🫶 The PTA has established our Staff Appreciation Fund with the heartfelt goal of truly showering these remarkable individuals with the recognition and deep gratitude they profoundly deserve. This fund will be equally distributed this December among all Janney staff members who are not traditionally covered by homeroom gift collections.

Ordering holiday cards, gifts, or decor? Shop through Minted and enjoy 20% off your purchase while Minted gives 15% back to Janney to support our school! In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Minted is increasing their donation amount from 10% to 15% for two days only (12/2–12/3).

*This promotion begins 12/2 at 12:00am PT and expires on 12/3 at 11:59pm PT.

👉 Just use our Janney Code: FUNDRAISEJANNEY at checkout and feel great knowing your purchase makes a difference! Let's spread some holiday cheer and a little Janney spirit together!

📍Raffle Drawing: THIS Saturday, December 6 at the Winter Market 10am-12pm (you do not have to be present to win!)

📈 We are in the final week of the raffle and are 63% of the way to our goal of 20 tickets per class! When we reach our goal, every student shares in the win with a school-wide celebration!

📈 We have just 4 more days to reach our goal. There are many ways that we can increase our class participation. Please spread the word to your family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends - anyone can participate!

👉 Tickets are $50 each (we've cut the price in half from last year)

👉 Buy 3, Get 1 FREE! Buy 5, Get 2 FREE! Buy 8, Get 3 FREE!

👉 Prizes are $1000, $750, $500 and three $150 bonus prizes

👉 Tickets are available online and we encourage you to share with family, friends, and neighbors who are ages 18+

Your participation matters more than ever — especially as the PTA faces major unexpected funding challenges this fall. Every ticket you purchase helps keep Janney’s traditions strong and supports the programs that make our community shine. Let’s rally together, reach our school-wide goal, and make this year’s raffle our most spirited one yet!

Don't miss the holiday cheer!

📍Indoors at Janney Elementary School, enter through the main entrance

🔔 This year’s Janney Winter Market is chock full of amazing wares and fun times for the whole family! Come to kick off your winter market voyage and cruise through tables offering gently used toys, beautiful florals, crafts, tasty treats, and more. Stay for performances by the Janney Cheer Squad, Band, and Glee Club, and catch the thrill of the Janney Raffle!

A half-rack is 4’ x 4’, $200 for 125 pieces
A full-rack is 8’ x 4’, $300 for 250 pieces

Note: When ordering, please indicate in the notes where on your property you would like your order delivered. E.g. “Place all firewood in the wood rack at the end of the driveway,” or “Pile it up under the big ‘firewood here’ sign hanging off of the back fence above our parking pad in the alley between 47th and 48th Street.”

Accepting Donations NOW for Bingo Night on Thursday, Jan 15, 2026.

👉 Please consider donating any unopened toys/games to use as prizes.

Contact: Email carolyn.hoef@gmail.com or text 314-704-0922 to coordinate a pick up or you can leave them on the front porch at 4308 Ellicott St NW (near GDS playground)

Dec. 3, 7am for 4th & 5th graders

If you missed yesterday's tryouts, don't fret!

The next one will be Wednesday in the gym. Go Jaguars!

The Janney Winter Concert will be on Friday, December 12th at 6:00 pm in the Janney Gym. Doors for the concert open at 5 pm and will feature the Janney Band and the Janney Glee Club.

Every May our Janney 5th graders have the opportunity to participate in one of our most beloved traditions: the 5th Grade Musical! Putting on the event takes a team of amazing volunteers, many of whom are not 5th grade parents. If you want to get involved, we are looking for two key volunteer positions to help us get started:

1. Producer

Our longtime volunteer producer Michael Wietzner is no longer at Janney because his kids graduated, so we need someone who can serve as a general right-hand to the Director (5th grade teacher Ms. Jordan):

• Attend parent meetings
• Liaise between Director and Parents
• Liaise between Director and Vendors
• Co-coordinate smaller committees with Director
• Lead other parents on implementing/purchasing materials/building/and breaking down the musical sets
• Serve as a backstage manager during the show

*Note: The producer does NOT need to attend all the rehearsals but does check in regularly to ensure that rehearsals are on track.

2. Grant Writer

Renting equipment for the musical each year is costly and purchasing permanent lighting and sound reinforcement would be a big help to our annual performances (including the musical) and other enrichment programs. The PTA is looking for volunteers to help apply for grants through DC's Commission on the Arts & Humanities (CAH) to help us plan and expand Janney's capabilities!

Jan. 21, 2026, 9:15am for 4th & 5th graders

What a fantastic group of spellers we have this year! 4th and 5th grade students who attended the interest meeting were given copies of the ​​word study list​​ and​​ etymology guide​​. If your child was unable to attend the meeting, they can still sign up to participate and receive the study packets.

👉 This is a ​​word study list with definitions​​ that your child might find helpful. Optional study sessions will be held on Thursdays during 4th/5th grade lunch (11:45–12:15pm in Room 316).

Contact Ms. Yedwab with any questions.

🚌 Field Trip Fees | Field trips are an integral part of your child's learning experiences that align with each grade’s curriculum. The field trip fee includes not only the high cost of transportation, out-of-school programs and logistics, 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 opportunities. Pay the Field Trip Fee.

👪 Chaperones | DCPS requires chaperones to complete a volunteer clearance application, after which you will receive an email with background check instructions. Fingerprinting is also required as part of the process but this can now be done remotely with instructions. DCPS Volunteer Clearance is valid for 2 years. List Michael Barnhart, michael.barnhart@k12.dc.gov, (202) 282-0110, as your contact and email him your clearance letter once received.

🎨 The Art Room | The Art Teacher is collecting hardcover book jackets all year round for the newly opened Collage Center in the art room, bring them in and put them to good use!

👕 Lost & Found | Our Lost & Found is bursting with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more-- most of them unlabeled! Please come fetch before they're carted away for donations.

When: Friday, December 12, 3:30–4:30pm in the Science Room on the lower level

Please join us to make holiday cards for IONA! Our friends there have asked us to prepare 100 cards for their senior community, and for local adult day care centers. Just bring yourselves and your creativity - we'll have all the materials you need to bring some new year's joy to our neighbors across Albemarle.

👉 All ages welcome - grownups please accompany your kids. - Liz Scheier and Arie Rubenstein, Janney community service co-chairs communityservice@janneyschool.org

Check out our Weekly Mental Load Helper! Stay on top of Janney activities by reading our weekly newsletter and following janneyelementary on Instagram!

Do your little Janney Jaguars say the funniest, silliest, or most profound things? Don't let those gems be heard only by the Janney chickens (or just you)! Share these memorable moments with the whole community! Submit elementary school-appropriate quotes from your kids here. All contributions are posted anonymously. 👇

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