
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 amazing school and 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 help instill an ethic of community service in our children and to harness the generosity and resources within our community for those less fortunate. 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.
SCHOOL events

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
Winter
Book Exchange
Ice Skating Night
Science Fair
Wizard of Oz
Fall
Back To School Picnic
Walk to School Day
Bingo Night (PEP-Grades 2)
Dance Party (Grades 3-5)
ESOL Coffee Meeting
Spring
Art Festival
Big Train Baseball Night
International Night (alternating years)
Space Night (alternating years)
JogFest
For dates, visit the calendar on our PTA Homepage. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit our “How to Help” 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 three wonderful vendors to offer a range of after-school enrichment classes. These fun and engaging programs give students the opportunity to explore and develop lifelong skills. Registration is required. Classes will fill up very quickly, so be sure to enroll ASAP!
Attending couldn’t be simpler. All classes meet on-site directly after school. 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 pickup by parents/guardians. And NEW this fall extended hours are available Monday, Thursday, Friday from 4:30-5:30pm!
Big Learning: https://biglearning.asapconnected.com/ contact: krhodes@biglearning.org
Chess Academy: https://chessacademy.com/products/wood-acres-elementary-school-chess
AristocraftsDC: www.https://www.aristocraftsdc.com/. Password for sign-up: Woodacres25 (case sensitive)
Calendar for Fall 2025
Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri |
---|---|---|---|---|
CHESS Chess Academy 3:30-4:30pm |
SCIENCE Big Learning 3:30-4:30pm |
SPANISH Big Learning 3:30-4:30pm |
YOGA Aristocrafts 3:30-4:30pm |
SINGING Aristocrafts 3:30-4:30pm |
ART Aristocrafts 3:30-4:30pm |
LEGOs Aristocrafts 3:30-4:30pm |
LEGOs Aristocrafts 3:30-4:30pm |
||
AFTER CARE Aristocrafts 4:30-5:30pm |
AFTER CARE Aristocrafts 4:30-5:30pm |
AFTER CARE Aristocrafts 4:30-5:30pm |
||
It is important to note that if classes do not meet the minimum enrollment numbers, they may need to cancel that activity. The most successful activities have plenty of friends participating, so let’s work together to ensure we have the best enrollment possible.
Big Learning, Chess Academy, and Aristocrafts are not directly associated with Wood Acres administration or teachers. All program questions must go directly to the vendors.
Planetarium HUB
38 deg 59’ N, 77 deg 5’ W

There are many reasons to love Wood Acres Elementary School, but our local Planetarium is really out of this world. Our Osceola Sexton Planetarium was created in 1975 by the parent community and has been going strong ever since — through PTA funds and parent volunteers!
We currently have over one hundred parent and grandparent volunteers who teach the curriculum in the Spring season. No experience or prior knowledge is necessary — just a willingness to reach for the stars!
Are you a current volunteer? Check for lesson plans, training dates, and classroom coordinator information on Google Drive. For questions or more information, directly contact Planetarium chair: Nicole Cohen.
We will be recruiting volunteers in the October 2025 time frame, and SAVE the DATE for SPACE NIGHT on Friday, April 10th from 6PM-8PM.
Fun Fact
Wood Acres ES won Best of Bethesda, Kids & School Cool Spaces Award for our Planetarium! The community values the dedication of Planetarium Committee Chair Nicole Cohen for her passion and energy to make this unique resource thrive. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who teach our students and to our wonderful school staff, teachers, and Principal for supporting the Planetarium year in and year out.