PTA Newsletter

Dear Ross Community,

I knew I was officially over 40 when the topic of weather crept evermore into my daily conversations, so I truly apologize for my obsession. But oh my goodness this snowcrete can't melt away fast enough--I've taken to hopping on stray snow islands to flatten them for better melting. Soon enough, the playground and field will be ice-free and ready for all-terrain play. (In the meantime, please don't use any snow shovels or tools to remove ice and snow from school grounds--they can damage the playground turf and the field, and the snow will be gone with just a little more sun!)

Bingo Night is finally upon us! Please join Ross friends and community at the Foundry UMC this Thursday at 5:30 pm (details below). It's also very important to note if you haven't already heard the news that DCPS has changed the school year calendar because of the snowcrete: previously scheduled parent-teacher conferences for Thursday, March 12, have been cancelled, and it is now an instructional day for students. The school will follow up with details on the conferences and we will update you accordingly.

Enjoy the melt and Bingo,

Aimee

Only two days left until the Ross Bingo Night, to be held this Thursday, February 19, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Foundry UMC (1500 16th St NW). All families and children are invited to this fun night, which will include bingo, pizza, and prizes! This year's VIP Caller will be Ms. Juriga, and we are seeking volunteers for help with set-up and clean-up--please sign up here to pitch in!

The school's next Open House will be this Friday, February 20, at 9:15 am. Please spread the word to prospective families as lottery season approaches. We are looking for parent volunteers to help give tours; please email Sushmita Jena if you can help!

Please take note of the following changes to the SY25-26 school year calendar due to weather-related closures:

March 12 is now an instructional day for students. *Parent-Teacher conferences, previously scheduled for that day, have been cancelled.

Friday, March 13 will remain a Wellness Day with no school for students or teachers.

Thursday, June 18 will be the last day of school for students.

Monday, June 22 is now the Professional Development / Records Day and will be the last day for teachers.

Did you know the Ross PTA contributes about $100,000 every year to our school? This funding supports classroom supplies and technology, teacher training, field trips, and even everyday essentials like tissues and hand sanitizer—allowing our principal to invest more in teachers and staff. The PTA doesn't just fundraise, though: It also helps make Ross feel like a community, organizing picnics, bingo nights, and teacher and staff appreciation events that bring families together.

Now the urgent part: At the end of this school year, several members of the PTA Executive Board will be stepping down, after years on the board and in various leadership roles. We also urgently need volunteers to take ownership of key projects, including Ross merchandise. Without people stepping into these roles, we won’t have the structure needed to raise funds, support the school, or continue many of the events and perks that make Ross special.

If you can step up—or even want to learn what’s involved—please reach out as soon as possible to PTApresident@rosselementary.org. The future of many PTA-supported programs depends on parents saying yes now.

This year, in partnership with The Story of Our Schools, our fourth graders and Ms. Juriga are uncovering Ross’s history through archival research, oral history interviews, walking tours, and field trips. This hands-on learning is helping students connect deeply with the community and explore the issues and stories that shape where they live and go to school. In recent newsletters, we've been sharing some of these stories.

At the end of the research process, students and teachers—together with The Story of Our Schools—will design and install a permanent, museum-quality exhibit in our school building to share Ross’s story with the broader Dupont Circle community. We look forward to unveiling it at a public celebration.

We are raising funds—we're at about $10,000 now, with a goal of reaching $15,000—to support the production and installation of a history exhibit in our school. The PTA will match every dollar raised. We are grateful to early supporters—including Dupont Circle ANC 2B, Dupont Circle Citizens Association, Friends of Stead Park, Swift Cleaners, and our school community and neighbors for their generous support

All contributing organizations and individuals will be recognized on a permanent exhibit plaque, and we also will promote supporters through our PTA communications.

We would be grateful if you would consider making a tax-deductible donation and helping us preserve and share our neighborhood’s history. We also would be grateful if you would help us spread the word. Donations may be made online here by February 28, 2026, though contributions are still welcome after that date. If you have any questions, please contact PTApresident@rosselementary.org.

It's DC public school lottery season, and the My School DC Lottery is currently accepting applications for both public and charter schools. Please visit myschooldc.org to learn more and apply for SY26-27. Deadlines: March 2: Grades Prek3-8; Feb 2: Grades 9-12

Spring 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!

Friends of Stead Park is excited to host the first ever youth chess tournament at Stead Park. The 2-day event will take place March 28th & 29th and is open to kids from all across the District. This will be a ‘Swiss style’ tournament; elementary age kids will play on Saturday and middle & high school age kids play on Sunday. Scholarship money will be awarded to the winners. The event is free but registration is required. Scan the QR code in the image or click here to register.

Miriam Szubin, Director of the Parenting Center, Edlavitch DCJCC has created a new WhatsApp community for parents who have faced medical challenges as part of their parenthood journey:

"New parenthood is hard enough, but some of you began (or are beginning or will begin) your lives as parents with medically challenging situations that made everything much harder. Through my work with new parents at the EDCJCC, I have frequently served as an informal connector for folks who have gone or are going through these kinds of challenging experiences in the NICU or otherwise, and I have seen the deep value of these kinds of connections.

Therefore, I am excited to announce the formation of a new WhatsApp community for anyone in the DC area whose first days/weeks/months of parenthood were and/or are medically challenging. This group is intended to be a space to share, empathize, and tap into wisdom and resources around supporting both babies and parents through the NICU and way beyond.

If this sounds like something from which you would benefit or be able to contribute, regardless of how recent or long ago your experience, please use this link to join. Once you have joined the group, please take a minute to introduce yourself and share (as far as you feel comfortable) anything you would like us to know about your experience."

Email Miriam at mszubin@edcjcc.org with questions.

EmpowerSTEAM is a hands-on, girl-centered summer program designed to build confidence, belonging, and curiosity through engaging STEAM experiences. Participants explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through creative projects, teamwork, and real-world problem solving in a supportive, empowering environment.

Program Snapshot

• For rising 4th–6th grade girls

• Hands-on STEAM projects and creative challenges

• Focus on confidence, leadership, and teamwork

• Safe, inclusive, girl-centered environment

• Scholarships available for families who need them

Program Link: https://bit.ly/EmpowerSTEAMSummerAcademy2026
Registration Fee Link: https://bit.ly/YWCANCADonate

DCPS School Year 2025-26 Calendar

Key Dates for Ross Families

Thursday, February 19: Bingo Night, 5:30-7:00 pm, Foundry UMC (1500 16th St NW)

Friday, February 20: Ross Open House for prospective families, 9:15 am

Wednesday, February 25: Winter Concert (K-2), Sumner School, 2:00 pm

Thursday, February 26: Winter Concert (3-5), Sumner School, 2:00 pm

Friday, February 27: Floorwide Morning Meetings and Birthday Celebrations

Monday, March 2: MySchool DC Lottery Deadline for Elementary/Middle Schools (PK3-Grade 8)

Thursday, March 5: General Body PTA Meeting (virtual), 7:00 pm, join here

Friday, March 6: Coffee & Content, Grades K–2 Math, 8:15 am, 3rd Floor

Thursday, March 12: Instructional day for students; Parent-Teacher conferences, previously scheduled for this day, have been cancelled.

Friday, March 13: Wellness Day for Teachers, NO 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
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.