PTA Updates

A number of Ross parents are interested in engaging in advocacy to reverse the DCPS budget cuts for the upcoming school year and onward. The PTA and LSAT have put together information, including talking points, to support individuals in contacting DC Councilmembers and DCPS Chancellor Ferebee.

We are also in contact with local leaders like Allister Chang, our DC State Board of Education Rep, and Meg Roggensack, the Chair of the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). If you have questions, feel free to contact Becky Ballard, PTA VP of Community Engagement (BeckyBall@gmail.com). We will also discuss advocacy around budget cuts at our upcoming PTA General Body meeting on April 13th.

Join us for our next PTA General Body meeting next Thurs. evening, April 13th at 7:30pm. The agenda will include:

• Principal's Update
• School Budget Advocacy
• Vote on Budget Adjustments
  
• Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive
• Upcoming Events

Login Details:

• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83073666057?pwd=WDA4eEVMSWxhRVpTZVFFaURsYjFkZz09
• Meeting ID: 830 7366 6057
• Passcode: 869629

Our annual “Mothers' and Fathers' Day Book Drive” is right around the corner, and we need YOU to volunteer to make it a success! This fundraiser is critical to fund the purchase of appropriate and updated books for our children’s classrooms and Ross’s library. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to buy books for Ross.

We will be holding this event at the following locations and dates/times this year:

• Friday, May 5 – On the Ross playground, 8-9 am and 3-4 pm

• Saturday, May 6 – In front of Safeway on 17th, 10 am to 4 pm

• Sunday, May 7 – In front of TD Bank on P St., 9 am to 3 pm

Please click here to sign up and volunteer for a shift!

Ross students are encouraged to help at this event! They are fantastic at getting people to donate, and we have a flier just for them to distribute.

Please contact debbie.h.sundberg@gmail.com with any questions about volunteering.

What is the Mothers' & Fathers' Day Book Drive?

For this annual Ross fundraiser, participants donate $25 to purchase a book for the Ross library in honor of a loved one. The PTA sends the honoree a letter informing of the gift in his or her name and places a bookplate inscribed with the names of the donor and honoree in the book selected.

Donating a book is the perfect Mother’s or Father’s day gift or is also a wonderful way to honor a favorite teacher or a loved one for any occasion. Visit the Ross book drive link to donate now!

Understanding Executive Function and its Impact at Home and School

with Educational Specialist Donna Kincaid, M.Ed

Wed. April 12th at 7PM

Learn strategies to help your child improve their:

• Independence
• Organizational skills
• Flexibility and persistence

This presentation will help parents understand executive function (EF) and its impact on social-emotional behavior and academic performance. We will focus on why children struggle with EF processes and what practical strategies can be used to help them to build independence, persistence, and academic success.

Zoom meeting ID: 826 2183 3529

Annie’s invites the Ross community to their 75th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 29th from 12 pm - 6 pm. There will be a special drag queen performance at 1 pm and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will be performing at 3:30. All Ross students will receive a free ticket to play carnival games, and tickets are available to purchase for things like soda, popcorn, and more!

Kids, Smartphones, and Social Media - Why Waiting is Best (and What to do if you Didn't)

One source of stress for parents today is around when to give their kids smartphones and social media, and then managing the fallout. If this is something your family is thinking about or grappling with, please join local DC parent Jeremy Joseph for a virtual presentation on May 8 at 7:30 pm geared towards busy parents/caregivers of elementary and middle school kids.

Jeremy will help address common questions and concerns about kids, smartphones and social media with the latest research, expert opinion, and universally recommended best practices. Jeremy has presented to over 600 families at 13 different schools, and fellow parents and principals have commended Jeremy’s presentation for being clear, concrete, and actionable.

Meeting Details:

• Time: May 8 at 07:30 PM ET
• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86974531827?pwd=OHFSaHhFbnpqNy9JblhacVQ1YUQxUT09
• Meeting ID: 869 7453 1827
• Passcode: 995210

Back by popular demand! The Ross PTA has reserved a block of discounted tickets ($27 ea) for the DC United soccer game vs. LA Galaxy on Sat. May 20 at 7:30PM.

If your family would like to attend, but is unable to cover the cost, please let Principal Searl know. The PTA has set aside funds to make it possible for more families to join.

Come join the Ross community with complimentary tickets to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC's 3pm matinee performance of Dolly on Sunday, June 3rd at nearby Lincoln Theatre!

Grab your boots and cowboy hats! GMCW closes out their 22-23 season with a salute to none other than country music legend Dolly Parton. With a career spanning over 50 years and a record-setting 25 #1 songs on the Billboard Country Music charts (tied with Reba McEntire), she is known for her inspiring lyrics and incomparable melodies. Songs include “Here You Come Again,” “Islands in the Stream,” “Jolene,” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home.”

Please RSVP using this form by Thursday, May 25th if you can make it.

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
Facebook: facebook.com/RossElementarySchool/
Twitter: @RossESDC