Lots of Miner news this week!
Hi Miner Community,
November brings a lot of exciting updates. Together, we raised over $3,700, which will go to support Miner families through the Family Food Support Fund in the coming months, and we’re partnering with the DC Food Project to open an on-site food pantry launching in December.
Through our counseling team's partnership, students can now apply for the Student Ambassador Program, a new opportunity to build leadership skills and represent Miner at school-wide events.
And as the holidays approach, don’t miss our 10th Annual Holiday Greenery & Bake Sale, Miner’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Your purchases help fund teacher grants, family support, and school events.
We’re also thrilled to share that the PTO is now recertified on Benevity—check to see if your employer can match donations and give us a bigger boost this year.
Read on for more details below!
—The Miner PTO
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, November 11
Veterans Day: No school for students, teachers, and staff
Tuesday, November 18 (5:30-6:30 PM)
Monthly Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) meeting (Virtual) - all are welcome to join.
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28
Thanksgiving Break: No school for students, teachers, and staff
Wednesday, December 3 (6-7 PM)
PTO General Meeting @ Miner Cafeteria/Virtual; Online pre-orders close for Holiday Greenery Sale
Friday, December 5 (5-8 PM) & Saturday, December 6 (9 AM-2 PM)
Holiday Greenery & Baked Goods Sale
Wednesday, December 17 (Time TBD)
Winter Concert @ Miner ES
Sync to PTO Google Calendar - all events have Zoom information attached.
Miner PTO Meeting Highlights
Here’s what we covered at the November 5 PTO meeting:
Principal’s Update: Attendance is up to 92%, and staffing remains stable with a new 2nd-grade aide, Ms. Hubbard, joining the team. Report cards for the first quarter will be mailed on Nov. 19. Dr. Broquard thanked families for their prompt response to concerns about food insecurity.
Budget Update: The PTO officially voted to add a “Family Food Support” line item to the budget. This ensures that the $3,700+ in community donations received between October 29 and November 2, in response to the urgent risk of losing SNAP benefits, will be used as intended — to support Miner families facing food insecurity.
Community Schools: Our new community school coordinator (in partnership with E/BFSC), Mr. Derrick Ford, announced a partnership with the DC Food Project to launch an on-site food pantry (Dec 2025–June 2026), supported by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. He’s also planning a winter pep rally and exploring a mentorship program for former Miner students to connect with current scholars. [What is a community school?]
Mental Health & Student Leadership: Dr. Charis (3rd-5th Grade Counselor) introduced a Student Ambassador Program to celebrate student leadership and boost family engagement, with two students per class recognized during PTO meetings and special events. Please encourage students to participate!
Music & Events: Ms. Chamberlain (Music Teacher) shared plans for the Winter Concert on December 17, featuring the Glee Club and other student performers.
PTO Updates:
Classroom Grants – Reminder: The majority of the PTO budget goes toward supporting students and teachers. Each teacher is eligible to receive a $200 mini-grant for classroom supplies. Put in your request anytime through May 2026.
Matching Donations – Miner is now on Benevity, so your workplace may match donations. See donation info below for more details.
Paw Print Crews are hard at work planning for our greenery sale, teacher appreciation initiatives, fundraising opportunities, family engagement, and more. Interested in joining us? Reply to this email!
10th Annual Holiday Greenery & Bake Sale – Online Pre-sale Open Now
Get in the spirit of the season and support our school community. This is Miner’s biggest fundraiser of the year — every purchase helps support our students, families, and teachers.
We’re offering trees starting at just $35, small & large wreaths, poinsettias (with proceeds supporting our partner school, Eliot-Hine MS), white pine garland, and a NEW cookie decorating kit — featuring sugar cookies baked by a Miner parent and professional chef (thank you!).
Pickup: Friday, Dec. 5 (5–8 PM) or Saturday, Dec. 6 (9 AM–2 PM) at Miner ES.
Enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, and baked goods while you shop — or just come by to soak up the cheer. All are welcome, whether you’re buying something or not.
Shop online now - We strongly encourage pre-orders to guarantee your picks, open through Dec. 3.
Volunteer with us - We rely on community helpers to make this event shine. Can you lend a hand?
Tree & Wreath Sales: Cutting, trimming, and helping families pick the perfect tree.
Donations: Bring baked goods, coffee, cocoa, cider, or lend a patio heater to keep everyone cozy
Sales & Goods Tables: Setting up, serving, and keeping our treats and drinks stocked.
Crafts & Activities: Helping kids with holiday crafts during the event.
Carolers: Join fellow parents and teachers to sing a few festive tunes (Friday 6:30 PM or Saturday 10:30 AM).
Setup & Cleanup: Before and after each sale day.
Pre-Event Volunteer Need: Can you put up flyers around the neighborhood to promote the sale? Please reply to this email! (We can provide the flyers.)
Support the PTO
The PTO helps bridge the gaps in DCPS funding so that Miner students can enjoy the kinds of experiences that make school feel like a special place to be.
Donate via PayPal Giving Fund, Zelle (QR code on website), check, or Venmo. We prefer PayPal, Zelle, and checks as they are not assessed extra fees.
NEW! Matching Donations on Benevity
The Miner PTO is now (re)certified on Benevity, a workplace giving platform used by many companies (like Google, Microsoft, Capital One, and others) to manage employee donations and volunteer programs. You can check with your HR rep if you’re not sure if your employer is set up.
If your employer uses Benevity, you can:
Log in to your company’s Benevity portal.
Search for “Miner ES Parent Teacher Organization” as a nonprofit or cause.
Make a donation directly through the portal; your employer may automatically match your gift (sometimes dollar-for-dollar or up to a set annual limit).
This means your contribution can go twice as far to support Miner students, teachers, and programs.
Need a Plan for No-School Days?
HoopEd is hosting All Sports & Games Camps at Miner for upcoming no-school days and winter break. Open to ages 5–13 | Aftercare available
Fall Days: Nov 26
Winter Break: Dec 23, 26, 27, 30, 31
Scroll down to ‘Camps’ and/or filter by ‘Miner Elementary’
Community News
Food Assistance
If your family needs immediate support, please reach out to Miner’s administration team or consult this list of local resources: DC Food Project – Emergency Food Access. Also, in December, Miner will launch its own pantry program in partnership with the DC Food Project. More details to come.
Rosedale 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner Feast - 11/21 (2-6 PM)
For the third year in a row, our community is coming together for the Thanksgiving Community Dinner Feast at Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales Street NE. This event is open to everyone, with a special focus on supporting families, seniors, and anyone in need of a warm meal and a sense of belonging during the holiday season.
Interested in donating items or volunteering? Sign up here.
Hill Family Biking Event - 11/22 (10:30 AM-12:30 PM)
Join Hill Family Biking on Saturday, November 22, 2025 (10:30 AM–12:30 PM) for a family-friendly Littles Ride celebrating the grand re-opening of Garfield Park. Starting at Eastern Market Metro Plaza and ending at the park, children ages 3–6 can enjoy either a 0.5-mile ride or a 0.8-mile ride, depending on skill level.
Afterwards, stay to celebrate the newly renovated Garfield Park with DC Book Bike Storytime, and treats for everyone. Older siblings and parents are welcome to join, but we ask that you ride alongside your little ones!
If you’d like to submit an announcement or community news, please email minerpto@gmail.com. Submissions are reviewed and approved by the Miner PTO.