We are a volunteer, parent-run organization committed to bringing our school community together! We collaborate with school administrators, teachers, families, and representatives in our Whitman Cluster to promote an enriching school community for our students. We organize fun events for our students and families as well as community support programs. We help purchase equipment for classroom and recess support, staff and maintain our one-of-a-kind planetarium, and so much more! 

Community Support

Throughout the year, the PTA hosts events to highlight an ethic of community service. Our goal is to recognize and harness the resources within our community, be it man hours or food, and share them with communities that have larger needs. These events include: 

• Dine Out to Donate (Fall and Spring)

• Martha’s Table Food Collection (Monthly)

• Warm Clothing Drive (October)

• Halloween Candy Drive (November)

• Thanksgiving Food Drive (November)

• Holiday Gift Drive (December)

• Book Drive (April)

• Shoe Collection (Spring)

Many of our community support events benefit the families of our sister schools, New Hampshire Estates ES (K-2) and Oak View ES (3-5) in Silver Spring.

To bring our school community closer together, the PTA organizes a variety of school events for students and their families! There is something for every family. Whether you like to dance, play bingo, shop for books, jog, or ice skate: Come join the fun!

Summer

• Newcomer Welcome Playdates in the Park

For dates, visit the detailed events calendar. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit our dedicated Volunteering page.

Some events are year round or occur on an ad hoc schedule: 

• Visiting Artists and Assemblies - committee volunteers are always on the lookout for artists of all stripes to share their expertise and perspective with our students!

• Fifth Grade Farewell - a year full of activities including: A Wider Circle community service project, creating memory books, a pool party and the ceremony at year’s end.

After School Enrichment classes

The PTA has partnered with fantastic vendors** to offer a range of after-school enrichment classes. These fun and engaging programs give students the opportunity to explore and develop valuable skills.

Attending couldn’t be more simple. All classes meet on-site directly after school and run from 3:30pm to 4:30pm unless otherwise noted. Students will be directed to their class after regular school dismissal by a WAES staff member. Following the class, they will be escorted to the front of the school for dismissal, unless otherwise they have made other arrangements.

New this Fall: Aristocrafts After-Care from 4:30-5:30pm! Details below.

Register for classes through the links in the table below. Please note that classes start on different dates, so be sure to review each program's start date before registering.

Questions should be directed to the vendor using the follow addresses:

Aristocrafts: Registration Password: Woodacres26. Direct questions to: aristocraftsdc@gmail.com

Chess Academy: Direct questions to: deb.rubba@chessacademy.com

Big Learning: Direct questions to: science@biglearning.org or fles@biglearning.org (Spanish)

Amore Learning: Direct questions to: maura@amorelearning.com

Active Play: Direct questions to ActivePlayLLC@gmail.com

Calendar for fall 2026

AFTER-CARE

Families have the option to add separate extended care from 4:30-5:30pm for each student enrolled in enrichment, beginning on September 14th. Aftercare will be available through Aristocrafts, following both Aristocrafts classes and classes run by our other enrichment vendors.

• If your child is enrolled in an Aristocrafts class, please register for the "Aftercare Add-On" option.

• If your child is enrolled in a class offered by another vendor (Silver Knights Chess, Big Learning, Amore, or ActivePlay), please register for "Aftercare Only." ** Note that class dates may differ. Kindly refer to your respective vendor's calendar for the most accurate schedule.

• Registration. IMPORTANT: There are ten links, be sure to click on the correct day of the week and the correct option for “Add-on” vs “Aftercare-only”

**Our vendors, Big Learning, Chess Academy, ActivePlay!, Amore Learning, MoneyBee, and Aristocrafts are not directly associated with the PTA, Wood Acres administration, or teachers. All program questions must go directly to the respective vendors.