Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year! Welcome to to 2025! I hope that the winter break was just what you and your family needed! Whether you traveled far or stayed close to home, I hope that you found a slower pace, peace and joy and made lasting memories!

As we step into the next semester of our school year, our teachers are preparing to dive deeper into our IB units of study. I am excited to continue encouraging their incredible work, as they bring inquiry, curiosity, and a love for learning into their classrooms through interdisciplinary units. In January we will have professional development on how to authentically engage our students in student-led inquiry projects. Our IB units of study provide the overarching framework for us to embed the state standards in math, science, writing and reading, they also offer an opportunity for our students to acquire so much more. As we look toward the future, we know that academic skills alone won't be enough to prepare our children for the world ahead. Just as important are the "soft skills" they develop as the collaborate and discovery together with their peers. Skills such as asking thoughtful questions, working in teams, and becoming active, engaged citizens of a global community. At Rogers, we believe these qualities are essential to our students' growth, and through building a strong sense of community and supporting social and emotional wellness, we can help them thrive.

Here’s to a great start to 2025! I’m looking forward to the continued growth and success of our students and our school community this year.

Be gentle on yourself and your children as everyone eases back into the routine of work and school. You may find this article from Parent Magazine helpful as you settle back into your routine. It's a great time of year to reset your morning and bedtime routines!

This Monday we welcome Principal for the Day: TK student Theodore A. Be sure to wave hello to our scholar who has fun day planned for our school.

Together for Will Rogers,

Principal Daruty

Mon. 1/6 First Day back after Winter Break (elementary schools)

Mon. 1/6 Pupil Free Day for (secondary schools)

Mon. 1/6 Winter Crest Enrichment classes begin

Wed. 1/8 PTA Association Meeting 6:00-7:30pm in library

Mon. 1/13 Volunteer Training 8:30am (library), 3:00pm (library)

Mon. 1/13- 1/17 PS Arts Informances ( see your child's time below)

Thurs. 1/16 ELAC Meeting 8:30am in library

Thurs. 1/16 School Site Council Mtg 3:15-5:00 p.m. on Zoom

Fri. 1/17 Peacemaker Monthly Mtg 9-9:45am

Mon. 1/20 No School - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tues. 1/21 Schneider Walking Field Trip - Fairview Library

Thurs. 1/23 TK/Kindergarten Round Up ( for prospective TK/K parents) 9:00am in auditorium

Thurs. 1/23 School Board Mtg at 5:30pm

Thurs. 1/30 Coffee with the Principal 8:30-9:30am in library

WRLC PTA Calendar 2024-2025

SMMUSD 2024-2025 Calendar

Winter Choral Concert: We hope you enjoyed the Winter Choral Concert! It was a packed house. So much joy and celebration felt in the room. A heartfelt thank you for your attendance at this cherished event. We're also incredibly grateful to our amazing teachers who guided their students through song choices and rehearsals.

Our Spirit Week was a tremendous success! A big shoutout to our Student Council for their creative and festive ideas for the week. We look forward to many more! Mrs. Griffin, is the student council advisor and we thank her for helping our school wrap up the year with excitement and flair!

Learning Showcases: Rogers' students had the chance to share their learning with their families. Among the highlights were 2nd grade poetry at the farm, 4th grade student learning portfolios, and 3rd grade animal research presentations through Google Slides. Every time students have the chance to showcase their work, it sparks their curiosity and builds stronger connections within our community!

As an International Baccalaureate Programme School, we believe there is a broad range of capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. We make a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

For January, our learner profile is INQUIRERS. We are inquirers when we are curious and develop skills for inquiry and research. Students will develop their natural curiosity and acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. Inquirers actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Activities for parents:

• Encourage areas of your child’s interest by visiting the library to borrow books that explore these topics.
• Model being an Inquirer. Admit when you don’t know the answer to a problem or a question and seek out answers in front of your child.

We want to ensure that our students arrive to school safely. I acknowledge that mornings are a busy time in our neighborhood please keep the following reminders in mind as you drop-off at WRLC.

• Do not park or leave your car unattended in front of school between 8:00-8:30 a.m. This is our valet lane.
• Be respectful to our neighbors. Do not block driveways.
• Please do not double park.
• Please support students to use the crosswalks, only.

Tuesday is our lunchtime ART CART day. Students are invited to participate in creative art projects and handicrafts during lunchtime. This is possible through the support of our parent volunteers. If you would like to volunteer for lunchtime on Tuesdays, please sign up using the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050445AFAF28A2FB6-51251277-artcart

We would also love donations here is our wishlist for the art cart here.

The school provides the supplies, your support requires:

You are a level 1 cleared volunteer

You are willing to safely supervise students with proper use of art tools and materials

Enthusiasm for working with children

Enjoyment with crafts and art

Join the Will Rogers PTA for $10 to support activities and events that enrich your student's education and strengthen our school community.

https://jointotem.com/ca/santa-monica/will-rogers-elementary-pta

Families wishing to enroll their students should contact our school’s Bilingual Community Liaison, Flory Vila, fvila@smmusd.org, 310 452-2364 x67338, and fill out a Program opt-in form.

Las familias que deseen

inscribir a sus estudiantes en el Programa de Bolsas de Fin de Semana deben comunicarse con Flory Vila, fvila@smmusd.org 310 452-2364 x67338, y completar un formulario para inscribirse en el programa.

• School materials including books, homework, projects, etc.
• Re-fillable water bottle ( We have several refilling stations on campus)
• A morning snack
• Lunch is available to all students free of charge. You may also pack a lunch form home.
• Sunscreen (put on prior to arriving at school)
• Hat
• Layers of clothing (sweatshirt, windbreaker, etc.) Keep an eye on the weather.
• A growth mindset for a successful day!

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students! Make a plan with your child each week about the days they will be eating food prepared at school or bringing lunch from home.

https://www.smmusd.org/domain/476

We encourage all families to submit the Free and Reduced Meals application. Although California provides free meals for all students, this application is crucial for determining eligibility for additional programs and resources, including Title 1 school designations for the 2025-26 school year. The state uses this form to assess which families qualify for benefits beyond free meals, so widespread participation is essential. To support this effort, please share the application link with your families and distribute the flier through your school's communication channels.

Application Link: https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD

The IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM