Principal's Bulletin
Ross Elementary, August 28 2022
Principal's Message
Dear Ross Roadrunner Families,
Click the "Translate" button on the right for other languages.
It was wonderful to see so many families at Friday's Open House.
We look forward to welcoming all K-5 students tomorrow for the first day of school.
Upload your negative rapid test results here.
Please reach out if you have any questions or needs.
Warm Regards,
Holly Searl, Principal
First Day Arrival Procedures
All K-5 students will line up on the R Street sidewalk by grade starting at 8:15am. Staff will be on the sidewalk with signs. DO NOT enter at the alley gates. You must use the R Street gate entrance on the first day. If you arrive early, please DO NOT enter campus until you have been cleared by Ross staff. If your child will miss the first day, please notify us and note you must still test to return before entering campus.
Students will be admitted to campus in this order:
1. Students with uploaded test results
2. Students with photos of test results
3. Students without test results will need to wait to be tested by the Patient Care Tech on-site before being allowed to attend class. We will have one Patient Care Tech and they are the only person permitted to test students to enter.
What to bring on the first day of school? Backpack, water bottle with name on it, safe, closed-toe shoes for recess and PE, medical/dental forms and any required medicines in original packaging with doctor's orders. Questions regarding meds? Contact Nurse Gordon cdelancygo@childrensnational.org
What to leave at home? Toys, personal electronics, valuables, gum, candy and soda. If a student brings a cell phone, it must remain in the backpack with the ringer off and may not be used during the day. Ross is not responsible for lost property.
Arrival and Dismissal and Walkers 🚸🎒
Daily Arrival
Arrival begins at 8:20am and students enter school with classroom lines at 8:40am. Breakfast is served to all who choose it at 8:40am.
Parents/caregivers do not enter the building with children at arrival. Please prepare your child that you will say good-bye at the gate or fence.
K-2 students play on the playground
3-5 students play on the field
PK4 students are checked into the front garden.
Daily Dismissal
K-5 students will be in class lines on the field between 3:20-3:25 for pick-up. Come to the fence along the field on the playground side and the teachers will match children to parents. Please be patient at the beginning of the school year as teachers work to learn names and faces at pick up. If someone who is not on the enrollment documents is picking up, we must have a note from you and we will require ID. Please advise of any custody issues.
Walkers
If your child is walking home on their own or with friends, please notify teachers and reach out to Ms. Segovia for the permission form and a walker's pass. graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov
The EDCJCC provides us with a daily list for aftercare. If your child's name is on their list, we will send them to the EDCJCC.
PK4 students will be ready for dismissal from the garden at 3:15pm.
If someone who is not on the enrollment documents is picking up, we must have a note from you and we will require ID. Please advise of any custody issues.
Teacher Assignments and Kindergarten Class Lists
PK4: Ms. Chelak and Ms. Barber
K: Mr. Eickmeyer and TBD
K: Ms. Hailemicael and TBD
1st: Ms. Emminger and Ms. Mehta
2nd: Ms. Fogarty (Humanities) and Ms. Kim (Humanities & STEM)
3rd: Ms. Barnett & Ms. Fogarty (Humanities) and Ms. Greene (STEM)
4th: Ms. Barnett (Humanities) and Ms. Greene (STEM)
5th: Ms. Meyer
Welcome Andrew McLin, Educational Aide, who will be supporting the upper grades along with Ms. Chafetz, who is returning. Adam Odomore has resigned from DCPS.
After School Care and Enrichment Options
The EDCJCC offers traditional aftercare and enrichment classes at their site Monday through Friday.
EDCJCC staff walk students from Ross to the site daily. Registration opened today. Contact Arielle Bodner regarding registration.
Arielle Bodner | Director of Camp and Afterschool Programming
(pronouns: she, her, hers)
Edlavitch DCJCC
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW | Washington, DC 20036
Office: 202.777.3245 | Mobile: 410.474.8683 |abodner@edcjcc.org
The Keegan Theatre offers a variety of after school enrichment programming. Keegan staff walk students from Ross to the site for classes.
Ross will offer Track & Field for Grades 4/5 after school on Wednesdays through DCIAA when school begins. Contact Coach Shegda with questions. jason.shegda@k12.dc.gov
Ross offers a variety of before and after school enrichments and academic supports throughout the year based on teacher availability. Most offerings are free of charge and will begin in mid-October.
PK4 News Linked
Kristen Chelak is our PK4 teacher at Ross.
No Shots, No School Immunization Updates
Please note that all health and dental forms should be turned into Nurse Gordon and Ms. Segovia. Kindly review the immunizations flier and note that children who are not in compliance with immunizations will not be permitted to remain in school until updated. You will have 20 days from the first day of school to be in compliance.
For more information on obtaining immunizations by the first day of school, visit https://dcpsstrong.com/vaccines/
Questions?
Nurse Gordon cdelancygo@childrensnational.org
Ms. Segovia, graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov
School Meals🍎
Breakfast will continue to be FREE for all DCPS students. Breakfast is served in the classroom each morning after the children enter the building.
Lunch is priced at $3.00 per student this year. You must set up a declining balance lunch account through MySchoolBucks for your child to purchase meals. You will need your child's ID number which you can get from Ms. Segovia. You can also find it on your child's report card, if your child is returning to DCPS.
Please complete the Free/Reduced Meal application for a reduced or free rate, based on family income.
If you need help with the application, please see Ms. Segovia. graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov
Link to school menus
Link to information about dietary accommodations
School Supplies✏️📓🖍️
Pay for school supplies here.
This saves you a shopping trip and ensures equity among students in the classroom.
The PTA encourages you to purchase as soon as possible and to consider an extra donation to help support families who are not financially able to contribute.
Fall Athletics👟
Kids Ride Free Cards🚇
The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator while travelling within the District.
- SY22-23 KRF cards will be distributed upon parent request by Ms. Segovia. We use KRF cards for many field trips. If you request a card, please ensure you send it in on field trip days, if asked.
- SY21-22 KRF cards will remain valid through September 30th
- Always tap the KRF card before rides
- Don’t leave home without the KRF card
- The DC Student Ride Guide flyer is available in multiple languages
- There is no fee for replacement cards
- For more information, visit KidsRideFree.dc.gov or call (202) 673-1740.
KEY DATES🗓️
Monday, August 29: First Day of School for K-5 students.
Thursday, September 1: First Day for entire PK4 class.
Monday, September 5: Labor Day Holiday, NO SCHOOL for students or staff
Wednesday, September 14: Back to School Night for PK, K, Grade 1 from 6:00-7:00pm. Adult facing program.
Thursday, September 15: Back to School Night for Grades 2-5 from 6:00-7:00pm. Adult facing program.
Thursday, September 22: Back to School Picnic sponsored by the Ross PTA
Ross Elementary
Email: holly.searl@k12.dc.gov or graciela.segovia@k12.dc.gov
Website: http://rosselementary.org/
Location: 1730 R Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: (206)-673-7200
Twitter: @rossesdc