We Did It! $7K Raised + Garland Raffle, Belga Dinner & Food Distribution
Hi Miner Community,
As we head into the final week before winter break, we want to start by celebrating. Thanks to the incredible success of the Holiday Greenery & Bake Sale, our community raised over $7,000, exceeding our goal and spreading holiday cheer well beyond Miner (more details below!). It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together.
Building on that momentum, this week’s Buzz highlights two festive opportunities supporting Miner students and programs:
• Our new Garland Raffle, debuting at the Winter Concert this Wednesday, December 17, where families can admire student-created garlands and enter to take one home.
• The Belga Café Wine Dinner this Thursday, December 18, our final fundraiser of 2025, with 50% of every ticket supporting the Miner PTO. We have about 15 tickets remaining - get yours now!
We’re also sharing important information about winter break food bag distribution on Sunday, December 21 and 28 to support Miner families during winter break.
To make all of this possible, we are seeking a couple of volunteers for both the Garland Raffle (just right before the performances, you can still attend!) and the food bag distributions during winter break.
Thank you for your generosity, your time, and the care you show for one another. We appreciate you!
— The Miner PTO
Upcoming Dates
Monday, December 15 - Friday, December 19
Winter Spirit Week (see flyer below)
Tuesday, December 16 (5:30 - 6:30 PM)
Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) Meeting @ Virtual/Zoom — open to the public, and we encourage Miner families to attend
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83457341465?pwd=euVtMCcBbYbawhXFQaV3OU2yPcyYjO.1
Wednesday, December 17 (1:45 PM & 6:00 PM)
Winter Concerts @ Miner ES + Garland Raffle! - see flyers below
Thursday, December 18 (6:30 PM)
Winter Wine Dinner & Fundraiser @ Belga Cafe
Sunday, December 21 & December 28 (10:00 - 11:30 AM)
Winter Break Food Distribution @ Miner ES
Monday, January 5, 2026
Return to school after winter break
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (6:00 -7:00 PM)
PTO Meeting @ Miner Cafeteria / Zoom
Sync to PTO Google Calendar - all events have Zoom information attached.
Update: 10th Annual Holiday Greenery & Bake Sale – Success!
We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Holiday Greenery and Bake Sale a HUGE success!
Together, we raised over $7,000, exceeding our original goal by more than $1,000. Because of the generosity of our community, we were also able to give away more than a dozen Christmas trees and wreaths to Miner families this season.
In addition, through the poinsettia sale, we raised over $2,500 in support of Eliot-Hine Middle School, extending the impact of this effort beyond Miner and into our broader school community.
The funds raised will directly support the PTO’s spring programming, including the school musical, spring dance, Teacher Appreciation Week, student field trips, teacher grants, and other events and activities that enrich the Miner experience.
This was truly a team effort. From the planning and coordination, to the generous baking, to the many hours spent unloading and moving trees and wreaths, to the warm welcome our volunteers extended to our neighbors—your time, energy, and care made this possible. We are also grateful to Miner’s administrative and custodial staff for their incredible support.
Thank you again for showing up for our school and one another.
PTO Garland Raffle @ Winter Concert - Wed, Dec. 17
This year, each classroom has created a one-of-a-kind holiday garland, designed and decorated by students. The garlands will be on display in the hallways during the Winter Concert on December 17, and families will have a chance to take one home through our Garland Raffle.
Each garland is unique, featuring student-made ornaments, artwork, poems, handprints, and other festive creations, making them a special keepsake from this school year. (The garlands themselves are not real, so they will last.)
Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for just a couple of helpers to support the PTO at the raffle table on Wed, December 17 @ 1:00-1:45pm & 5:15-6:00p (right before the performances start - you can still attend!)
Last Call for Tickets: Fundraising Wine Dinner at Belga Café - Thur, Dec. 18
We have 15 tickets remaining!
Treat yourself to a special night out before winter break. Head to Belga Café on Barracks Row / Eastern Market on December 18 at 6:30 PM for a four-course dinner with curated wine pairings from guest sommelier and Miner PK3 parent Raquel Torres O’Brien. 50% of every ticket goes directly to Miner Elementary PTO, supporting our community of Miner Bears & their families.
Come enjoy this incredible menu crafted by Executive Chef Bart Vandaele (of Top Chef fame!!) — and celebrate the season with friends, family, and neighbors.
• Amuse Bouche: Tuna tartare taco with citrus and spice, paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio
• First Course: Stuffed mushroom ravioli with wild mushrooms, sage, and truffle notes, paired with Willamette Valley Chardonnay
• Second Course: Braised short ribs with red wine sauce, lobster béarnaise, and creamy polenta, paired with a mature Bordeaux
• Dessert: Belgian chocolate sampler with berry and pistachio accents, paired with Zinfandel
Explore the incredible menu and buy your tickets today
Winter Break Food Bag Distribution: Sunday, Dec. 21 & Dec. 28
Thanks to funds raised by the Miner community, the PTO will be distributing supplemental food bags to Miner families who would benefit from extra support during the break. The bags will be packed by Miner’s very own Student Ambassadors this upcoming week and distributed on Sunday 12/21 and Sunday 12/28 (10:00-11:30a).
Distribution will take place at Miner ES-16th Street doors.
Food bags are pre-packed and include basics such as pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, and other dry goods.
Bags are reserved for current Miner families.
Families may receive one bag per family, per distribution day.
To help plan accordingly, please RSVP by Tuesday 12/16 if you would like to receive a bag.
Volunteers Needed
We are also looking for 2-3 volunteers each day to help with greeting families and managing the flow at pick-up.
Teacher Appreciation Update: Hot Cocoa Bar
Our Teacher Appreciation Hot Cocoa Bar this past Wednesday was a truly delightful moment for our school.
Throughout the day, many teachers shared how meaningful it was to pause, enjoy a warm drink, and feel recognized. Several commented on how appreciated and seen they felt, a reminder that small, thoughtful gestures can have a big impact.
We are grateful to the PTO’s Teacher Appreciation Crew for planning, shopping, setting up, and cleaning up. And of course, so grateful for all of our teachers & staff!
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.
Community News
Hill Family Biking event TODAY! (4:30-6:30p)
Join Hill Family Biking for a special holiday, nighttime event: the Holiday Lights Ride! Starting at Watkins Elementary School (Parking Lot on D St SE) - 420 12th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003.
Adorn yourself and your bikes with lights to tour some of the best holiday light displays on Capitol Hill. Hill Family Biking will provide some lights for those that need them, but please make sure your bike has lights to help us light up the night on this 4- mile ride that ends at The Roost where we'll have secure bike parking, free hot chocolate to warm our bodies, and more!
Winter Break Camp @ Miner ES
All Sports and Games OR HoopEd Create! Camp Winter Break Camp
Ages 5-13, 9:00a-3:00p with aftercare available until 5:30p and drop off as early as 8:30a. Choose your day(s) as needed.
Winter Break: Dec 22-26; Dec 29-Jan 2
Learn more & register (Scroll down to ‘Camps’ and/or filter by ‘Miner Elementary’)
Email info@hoopeducation.com if you have any questions.
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.