Principal's Bulletin

November 7, 2021

Week 1 of Term 2

Dear Ross Families,

It is difficult to believe we just completed the first quarter of our school year. Time flies when you're having fun. I am so proud of the progress our students have made over the past ten weeks. You will receive your child's report card in late November via U.S. Mail. K-5 parents can also view reports online on the Aspen parent portal starting November 19. Mr. Salazar is the Ross POC for the Parent Portal.

Many thanks to our PTA for coordinating our Spook-tacular! It was a joyful event for the children and adults. Our next event is "Super Saturday" on December 4. Mark your calendars now and consider volunteering. Details will follow from the PTA.

Warm Regards,

Holly Searl, Principal

holly.searl@k12.dc.gov

Information on sites in DC receiving initial vaccine doses for children.

Please find the DCPS attendance policy attached.

Include Mr. Salazar on any communications regarding absence/tardy notices.

Family travel is not excused per DCPS policy.

The Mayor's travel guidance does not require quarantine or testing after travel out of DMV, but it is recommended.

DCPS is hosting a budget hearing for the FY23 budget (22-23 school year) on Tuesday, November 9 from 6:00-8:00pm. The purpose of the hearing is to gather input from the public about the upcoming school year budget.

View the online meeting here: bit.ly/dcpsbudgethearing23

Ms. Chafetz's Grade 3 Write Away! group ends on December 22.

Mrs. Sawyer's group updates:

K-1 MakerSpace group ends on November 18. The new K-1 group begins December 2.

2-3 Coding Club ends on November 16. The new 2-3 group begins November 30.

Ms. Sawyer will be in touch with families who were waitlisted with details about starting.

Afternoon Academy will NOT MEET on Tuesday, November 23 (last day of school before Thanksgiving Break).

All other groups will continue until further notice.

While supply chain issues are nationwide, the Food & Nutrition Services team is committed to adapting their menu and operations to ensure meals are delicious and maintain high standards in quality and nutrition. Currently, menus are subject to change. We apologize for any inconvenience that these product shortages might cause and sincerely appreciate your patience. As always, we welcome your questions and feedback.

POC: food.dcps@k12.dc.gov or (202) 299-2159

Per DCPS policy, Physical Education, Recess and Outdoor Dining will move indoors to classrooms if the temperature drops below 35 degrees or if there is thunder/lightning.

DCPS will now test 20% of the student population every week.

NEW: Starting November 8, Ross testing day is now on Mondays at 10:00am

If your child successfully tests, you will receive a letter in backpack mail.

Shield T3 Helpdesk Phone # 833-762-0762

Let's continue to keep our community healthy by ensuring children are wearing well-fitting masks and only attending school if they are healthy. Please do not send your children to school if they are ill or displaying symptoms. If you answer "yes" to any of the "Ask, Ask, Look" health screening questions, that means your child should not attend school. If your family has a positive case, or is a close contact and needs to quarantine, please reach out me directly. As Principal, I am the COVID POC for Ross. When we have a case, we will follow all guidance and protocols from OSSE and DCPS. Protocols can be found here.

Free DC COVID Testing is Readily Available for ALL!

We encourage families and students to utilize the city's free and accessible COVID-19 testing regularly. Consider adding this as part of your family's back to school checklist! Did you know that there are options that can do rapid tests at your home? Thank you for helping keep our community safe!

How to Test at Home

Ready Responders

For at-home, on-demand care and COVID testing, call (202) 602-0814. Ready comes to your home, is open 8am to 8pm, seven days per week, and serves all 8 Wards. Ready is currently offering rapid antigen testing only, with results in 15 minutes. If you require a PCR test, please utilize another testing option.

Pixel by LabCorp

Home test kits are available for no out of pocket costs to be delivered to your door: https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-test-kits/covid-19-test

Safeway Pharmacy

Safeway Pharmacies are now offering quick and easy COVID-19 at home saliva tests through Phosphorus Diagnostics at scheduletest.com

Walk Up Testing Locations

DC also has robust options for walk up COVID-19 testing at sites across the city. The locations and times change regularly, but you can find an overview of the options HERE (scroll down until you see the large graphic with a table underneath it).

Sunday, November 7: Daylight savings, turn clocks back one hour

Tuesday, November 9: DCPS Budget Hearing for FY23 (22-23 school year--see above)

Thursday, November 11: No School, Veteran's Day

Monday, November 15: LSAT (virtual) 7:00pm

Tuesday, November 16: Last day of current 2-3 Coding Club

Thursday, November 18: Last day of current K-1 MakerSpace

Friday, November 19: Freed Photo Picture Make-up Day

Tuesday, November 23: No Afterschool Academy programs. Term 1 Report Cards mailed

Wednesday-Friday, November 24-26: No School, Thanksgiving Holiday break

Sunday, November 28: First night of Hanukkah

Saturday, December 4: Ross Super Saturday Holiday Tree Sale, Bake Sale and other activities

Email: holly.searl@k12.dc.gov
Website: http://rosselementary.org/
Location: 1730 R Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: (206)-673-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossElementarySchool/
Twitter: @rossesdc