PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

If you don't know the next line in the song, don't worry, it just means you probably don't suffer from knee pain yet. If the music immediately started playing in your head, you likely had cash burning in your pocket for book fairs and loved having Levar Burton take you through majestic stories on Saturday mornings. The atmosphere of "Reading Rainbow" is undoubtedly matched in our special school library. The first time I saw it, I was touring Ross with my soon-to-be Roadrunner. He saw the space, his jaw dropped, and he ran straight in to the magical area that is our Ross library. It is a truly special part of our school. Our Mother's and Father's Day Book Drive is getting into full swing, and I hope you'll pitch in by sponsoring books and/or volunteering your time to support our library. All details are included below!

A big final thank you to all who came together to make our auction such a success: we raised over $51,000 for our kids and school. You can continue to help the school by volunteering--consider donating some of your time to the Book Drive, the Capital Pride Parade, and/or the PTA Board for 2025-26. Enjoy the glorious spring weather and see you back here next week!

-Aimee

The PTA is in search of a Ross parent or parents to coordinate Ross family and staff participation in the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 7. Each year, Ross marches in the parade with the DCPS group. Organizing doesn't take a lot of time--and this is often one of the highlights on the Ross calendar. Contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org if you're interested in volunteering.

Before the end of the school year, we will elect the members of next year's PTA Executive Board. Nominations will open soon, and we are looking for more parents to join the Board. Getting involved in PTA activities is an incredible way to support our school and get to know other Ross parents and families. Help us build and strengthen our school community next year!

Ross PTA Executive Board Positions, 2025-2026:

• President

• VP Fundraising

• VP Events

• Treasurer

• Secretary

• Upper School Representative

• Lower School Representative

To learn more about PTA board positions and committees, and to nominate yourself or others for these positions and committees, please visit this form. Nominations are due by Tuesday, May 27, and will be voted on during the PTA general body meeting a week later. If you have other ideas about how you'd like to support Ross, please email Melanie Mayhew at PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open! Every class that reaches 90%+ re-enrollment by April 30 will win extra recess and 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!

Our annual Book Drive is underway, and we need your help! This year, the class that sponsors the most books will win a popsicle party at recess—so get involved and help your class win!

Here’s how to participate:

✅ Volunteer at a Book Drive table
Sign up your family to help out. Kids are essential to this fundraiser’s success—who can say no to a child who wants more books?! Every book sponsored during your shift earns 2 points for your child’s class!

✅ Sponsor books online here now through Sunday, May 4
Each $25 donation sponsors a new book for the Ross library. Your class earns 1 point per book! After donating, check your confirmation email (from rossfundraising@gmail.com) for a link to name your honoree(s) and secure your class’s points.

In-Person Book Drive Dates & Locations:

• Fri, May 2 – Ross playground, 8–9am & 3–4pm
  
  

• Sat, May 3 – Safeway (17th St), 10am–4pm
  
  

• Sun, May 4 – Little Flea Market (19th & Q), 9am–3pm
  
  

This fundraiser is essential to keeping our classrooms and library stocked with fresh, engaging books. Our goal: 250 new books for the 2025–26 school year.

Each book you sponsor can be dedicated in honor of a loved one or favorite teacher. Their name will be featured on a custom bookplate, and you can even send a letter letting them know—a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or just because.

Questions? Contact Ross parent Kathy Crutcher at kathy@shoutmousepress.org.
Thank you for supporting Ross readers!

Ross has received 9 tickets for DCPS Night at Nationals Park, which will take place on Friday, May 9. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and you can get yours by emailing ptapresident@rosselementary.org!

Ross is hosting a PK-K transition event and welcome to incoming PK-K families on Saturday, May 31, from 9:00-10:00. This will be for all incoming PK and K plus current PK families.

There will be a playdate on the playground with coffee, bagels, etc, and a meet/greet with staff along with PK-K classroom tours.

Neighborhood restaurant DC Vegan has just opened a brand new yoga studio in their P Street space (located in between CVS and Stead on P Street). They offer a warm, welcoming studio with 28 top-notch instructors. Registration and class schedule can be found here!

Georgetown Library will be offering a free kids' art class this Friday as part of its "Art Attack" series. This week's event will celebrate French painter Claude Monet and kids will create their own art piece inspired by his work.

🎨 Join us for a fun and creative afternoon as we explore the world of Monet's colors, gardens, and water lilies. Kids will create their own masterpieces using art techniques inspired by the famous impressionist artist. All materials will be provided. Age group 5-12 years old. Location: Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street, NW.

DC Public Library invites your family to celebrate singing, talking and reading at this year's STAR Fest!

DC Public Library's Books from Birth and DC Public Library Foundation’s Beyond the Book program proudly presents STAR Fest 2025! STAR stands for Sing, Talk and Read, three of the key early literacy practices. STAR Fest is a FREE family festival that celebrates all the ways you can help your child grow into a confident learner as you complement reading with singing, talking, writing and playing. At STAR Fest your family will learn about all of them as you go to each station to enjoy:

• Live music at the outdoor Sing station outdoors with performances by local family favorites!
• Imaginative play experiences at Talk station that will get you and your little ones creating their own stories, characters, and worlds.
• Fun family story times at the Read station in the Children's Room!
• An interactive Write station where your child can play, scribble, write and draw in exciting ways to build their fine motor skills.
• A Play station wonderland with soft play activities that will allow your child to run, roll and jump around as they build their gross motor skills.
• A great opportunity to connect with local community and education partners at our Partner station where you can speak with experts from Ready for Pre-K, DC Childcare Connections, and more while your child enjoys games and activities, including face painting and a bubbleologist.
• Sign up for Books from Birth to get a FREE book delivered to your home each month and Beyond the Book, DC Public Library's next step for developing readers as they turn five.
• Grab-and-go snacks (while supplies last).
• An exclusive STAR Fest tote bag that you can fill with tips and great giveaway prizes that from each station that will help you incorporate STAR into your everyday routine at home!

Bring what you can, take what you’ll use. No limits (except clothing only.) Brought to you by FMW’s Committee on Peace & Social Concerns. For more info, contact Rozella Apel-Hernandez (Rozella.Apel@gmail.com)

DCPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar

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

Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4: Mother's and Father's Day Book Drive

Tuesday, May 20: Bike & Roll to School Day

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

Saturday, May 31: PK-K Transition and Welcome Event, Ross Playground, 9:00-10:00 am

Tuesday, June 3: PTA General Body Meeting (Virtual), 7:00 pm, Zoom Meeting ID: 851 7244 6836 / Passcode: Xp7N9A / https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172446836?pwd=pe8JsSbQzaaGHSjazbSRfpw7UaGhbZ.1)

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)

Thursday, June 12: End of Year Picnic, 5-7 pm, Stead Recreation Center

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.