This Week at Miner + A Small Thanksgiving Ask
Hi Miner Community,
We’re heading into a busy stretch of the season, and there’s a lot happening across our school (be sure to read Dr. B’s email, too, as it covers a lot of items we don’t)—from teacher appreciation plans and the Holiday Greenery Sale to upcoming performances and a new fundraising dinner at Belga Cafe.
And with Thanksgiving approaching, we also encourage you to show a little extra gratitude to our amazing teachers and staff. A handwritten note from you, a drawing from your child, a warm email, or a simple “thank you” goes a long way. If you feel inspired, we’d love for each family to take one small moment this week to let a teacher know they’re appreciated. It matters more than you know.
—The Miner PTO
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, November 18 (5:30-6:30 PM)
Monthly Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) meeting (Virtual) - all Miner families are welcome to join.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83457341465?pwd=euVtMCcBbYbawhXFQaV3OU2yPcyYjO.1
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 - please join us for a Brighter Bites kids cooking demo! 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 - we are still looking for volunteers to make this a success!
Wednesday, December 10
Teacher Appreciation Event - we need a few volunteers in the morning & afternoon! Please see below.
Wednesday, December 17 (Time TBD)
Winter Concert @ Miner ES
Thursday, December 18 (6:30p)
Winter Wine Dinner & Fundraiser @ Belga Cafe
Sync to PTO Google Calendar - all events have Zoom information attached.
New: Teacher Appreciation Event on December 10
The Teacher Appreciation crew has a few fun surprises in the works, starting with one next month. (If you’re a teacher, don’t click the link so we can keep the magic alive.) For everyone else, we’d love a few volunteers to help with short morning and afternoon tasks.
Sign up to volunteer and show our teachers & staff how much we care
New: Fundraising Dinner at Belga Cafe on December 18
Looking for something special to enjoy before two weeks of winter break? Enjoy a chef-crafted four-course Wine Dinner at Belga Cafe on December 18 at 6:30 PM—complete with pairings curated by guest sommelier and Miner PK3 parent Raquel Torres O’Brien. 50% of all ticket sales support Miner.
Explore the incredible menu and buy your tickets today! (And please share with friends & neighbors — all are welcome)
10th Annual Holiday Greenery & Bake Sale – Online Pre-sale Open Now
Sale update: We’ve had about 65 pre-orders come in so far, and we still have plenty of items available. However, these usually move fast the week after Thanksgiving so place your order now to make sure you get exactly what you want.
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!).
All are welcome to attend this event, whether you’re buying something or not.
Pickup: Friday, Dec. 5 (5–8 PM) or Saturday, Dec. 6 (9 AM–2 PM) at Miner ES.
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?
Tell your friends & neighbors! Copy and paste the flyer below - our sale is open to the community.
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? (New camp/discount code)
HoopEd is hosting All Sports & Games Camps and all NEW! HoopEd Create (Art and Active Games) 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
Use promo SNOWBALL for 10% off (ends 11/30)
Learn more & register (Scroll down to ‘Camps’ and/or filter by ‘Miner Elementary’)
Email info@hoopeducation.com if you have any questions.
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.