PTA Newsletter
November 25, 2025
Dear Ross Community,
They say happiness is a choice, and while I feel like there's some merit there, gratitude seems like more of an opt-in emotion to me. In fact, this grateful practice is one of the most therapeutic choices I've made in my life (thanks, Dad). This year among the many things we have to be grateful for in our family are excellent health, retained jobs and sanity, children who are one another's best friends, and countless good friends.
This is our fourth year at Ross, and many of these good friendships have indeed been forged at our school. Which brings me to our Super Saturday Holiday Festival, an annual event I haven't missed yet, and a place where I have met new parent friends and formed some wonderful core Ross memories. This year's festival is next Saturday! We have a big day planned and are seeking many parent volunteers for the tree sale (tree sales and deliveries), bake sale (selling and contributing baked goods), book fair (helping out Ms. Juriga), community service project (set-up, moving and delivering assembled bags, as well as donating *lots* of food), and crafting project (helping kids assemble wreaths). Where will you be? I'm all set for a shift at the bake sale, and hope to see many of your familiar faces next Saturday.🎄
We would like to also take a moment of gratitude for the Roadrunner families who contributed so generously to the Diaper Drive and the Teacher/Staff Appreciation Breakfast! Thank you.🙏
May the force be with you for smooth Thanksgiving travel or a calm respite at home,
-Aimee 🍂
Ross's beloved annual Holiday Festival, Super Saturday, is next week! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 6, 10 am to 4 pm, and get ready for our Tree Sale, Bake Sale, Book Fair, Food for All service project, and crafting activity. We need lots of volunteers to make Super Saturday a success!
The Tree Sale will take place in person November 29, 30, and December 6, and 7, with delivery on December 6th and 7th. Pre-order your tree or wreath at this link now! 🎄
Our community service project will be packing grocery bags for Food for All, a non-profit organization providing grocery deliveries to low-income, homebound residents throughout the District of Columbia. Food for All operates out of our neighborhood, just a few blocks from Ross. A speaker from Food for All will be there to tell us more about the organization. Due to capacity constraints, 24 students can participate in each of the two sessions and all spots are currently full. We are still seeking adult volunteers for set-up, moving packed bags, and driving bags to Food for All after the event, and we are in great need of food donations for the project!🙏
Sign up to help today at the following links for the Bake Sale, Community Service Project, Tree Sale, Book Fair, and Crafting Project!
Please keep an eye out for communication from your Room Parent about how teacher and staff holiday gifts will be handled for your class. As in previous years, each class will be assigned staff members in addition to the teachers, and your Room Parent will collect funds to give them gift cards for the holidays.
We are excited to announce that Ted's Bulletin, in partnership with Ross, is offering a free kids' meal with the purchase of an entree to any Ross student who presents their report card (digital or physical, any grades accepted!). This is for the Ted's Bulletin 14th Street location and is valid until December 17.
By the off chance your Roadrunner has misplaced a hoodie this year, it's high time you swung by the Lost and Found to pick it up! Located in the hallway/at the bottom of the stairs just outside of the main office on the basement level, it's a treasure trove of wayward items. There is a build-up since the beginning of the year, so please swing by before winter break, after which the remaining items will be donated.
Winter registration is now open for Volo Kids, which provides free sports programs for kids in eight cities in the US, including Washington, DC. There are multiple sports to choose from (soccer, basketball, flag football, and more) at locations near Ross and throughout the city. Classes are after school and on the weekends. Learn more at their website and register today!
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has reopened and the beloved holiday tradition ZooLights is back to light up the season!
From Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, stroll through a million twinkling lights, hundreds of glowing animal lanterns, live weekend entertainment and festive new additions like a winter light maze and our adults-only Date Night on December 17.
Whether ZooLights is part of your family’s holiday tradition, a night out with your friends, or a moment of seasonal cheer for yourself, there’s no better way to celebrate the season in the heart of D.C. We need your support more than ever and each ZooLights ticket, donation, and membership, supports the animals you love and the conservation work that protects them around the world. Members can also reserve up to six free tickets for Member Nights, Dec. 9–11 with exclusive after-hours access and special holiday treats!
We can’t wait to welcome you to the glow!
This year, the 9th Annual HDCMS Holiday Pop-Up will be along P & 17th Streets NW. We'll have local makers from all over the DMV showcasing pottery, clothing, wellness products and more. Treat yourself or someone you love, and support a small business.
Enjoy hot cocoa, and roving carolers while you shop. There will also be neighboring events at Ross Elementary School (on R St), featuring a tree sale and a Christmas Market at Heurich House (1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW). We can't wait to see you there!
Info: https://www.dupontcirclemainstreets.org/events-1/dupont-circle-holiday-market-1
AU's Cheer and Dance Teams are hosting our annual Jr. Eagles Cheer & Dance Clinic for grades K-6 on Saturday, February 7th.
At the clinic, the participants will practice cheer and dance fundamentals and then learn a short halftime routine, which they will perform later that afternoon at Bender Arena during the AU women's basketball game!
Feel free to register using this link: American University |Athletics Ticketing - Jr. Eagles Cheer & Dance Clinic Registration
Additional information:
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The cost is $50 per participant for early registration ($60 after 12/31/25), which includes the participant's clinic registration, game ticket, commemorative t-shirt, and on-court halftime performance.
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The clinic will start at 9:15 AM on Saturday, February 7th in the Mary Graydon Center building on American University's campus. Sign-in/t-shirt pick-up will start at 8:45 AM.
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The clinic will run from 9:15 - 11:45 AM. Parents/legal guardians will need to pick up their child at 11:45 AM.
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The women's basketball game starts at 1:00 PM. Participants are welcome to cheer on the Eagles in the stands with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the first half of the game. They will perform a short routine with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the halftime of the game, approximately 1:45 PM.
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Space is limited, so don’t wait to register!
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
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.