Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Learning Community Parents and Guardians,
We have an exciting week planned at Rogers this week. We hope to see many of you on campus for our various events. It is always a pleasure to see our community come together. Our Fall Festival last Friday was a big success. Thank you who to everyone who helped make it possible.
If you plan to join us this Tuesday, October 31st for our Halloween Costume Parade, please enter the campus off of 16th street. Parents are invited to dress up too! We will have the bleachers set-up for parent seating. Please do not park in our staff parking lots or double park blocking staff in. Please read street signs within the neighborhood.
Be sure to read your classroom teachers' communication and schedule your Fall Conference meeting.
Together for Will Rogers,
Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC
This week:
- 4th and 5th grade SMC dance performances (Monday and Thursday)
- Costume Parade on Tuesday @ 8:45
- PTA Meeting Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
- Dia De Los Muertos Family Evening Event Thursday at 6:00 pm in the auditorium
October 31st Costume Parade!
We invite families to join our community on Tuesday Oct. 31st @ 8:45 a.m. on the big yard. It will be a fun-filled community event. Students should come to school in their costume ready to parade for their classmates. We encourage everyone to have fun and be creative while still being safe, respectful and responsible. As a reminder regarding costumes:
Parents/Students/Staff may wear costumes that adhere to the following guidelines:
· Age/school appropriate content ( nothing unduly revealing)
· Avoid costumes that may imply cultural appropriation. At Rogers we honor and celebrate diversity and are respectful of all cultures.
· Masks or face coverings can only be worn during the parade and NOT during the school day.
· Face paint is allowed.
· No toy weapons or props that may be used as weapons are allowed.
· Please avoid oversized or inflatable costumes that may make navigating the classroom and school day a challenge.
*Students not dressed appropriately may be provided with loaner clothing or we will request parents to bring more appropriate clothing.
Our annual El Dia de los Muertos Event is just around the corner. El Día de los Muertos, (the day of the dead), is a multi-day holiday that involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. Partnering with the Will Rogers ELAC ( English Language Advisory Committee) parent volunteers are organizing the set-up of the altar (ofrenda). The beautiful ofrenda will be on display for students and our community beginning October 30th – November 3rd. Like all things at Rogers, our partnership with our families helps us bring special events to our students!
Please consider donating:
- Your time: Reach out to Flory Vilafvila@smmud.org if you are available to help with set-up. Many hands make light work!
- Donations: (by the morning of 10/30 to the front office) : fresh marigold flowers, tea lights, pan de muerto (pastry for the occasion), guavas, red apples, bananas, jicamas and oranges.
- A picture: Please bring a picture of a beloved family member and/or a beloved pet that has passed away. Please include your child’s name, grade, and classroom number on the back of the picture.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program of Inquiry Units of Study
IB Unit Planning
Most grade levels are working on either their 2nd or 3rd unit. Here's what each grade level worked on this past week.
Kindergarten - The students finished their first unit - Who We Are by revisiting the provocation 5 senses activity with popcorn.
First Grade - The students started their third by doing a provocation about their light engineering project. The students also did a light hunt.
Second Grade - The students finished their family projects and presented their projects on Friday (see pictures below). Students are continuing to learn about Stellaluna.
Third Grade - The students learned about local leaders in government and compared them to federal leaders government.
Fourth Grade - The students worked on their final project for their Who We Are by creating a PSA about how human choices impact the body.
Fifth Grade - The students began their second unit - How the World Works. Students were introduced to producers, decomposers, and consumers, and will be making connections to the farm ecosystem.
PEACEMAKERS at Rogers!
Will Rogers Learning Community is dedicated to creating a cooperative community where students can learn the value of conflict, strategies for managing conflict, and problem solving skills for win-win solutions to conflict. Near the close of last school year students in 3rd and 4th grades, nominated peers to be trained as a Peacemaker. We encouraged students to apply based on their desire to help others and their school. Peacemakers are current 4th and 5th grade peer mediators who are trained in mediation and negotiation skills in order to assist other students in resolving conflicts peacefully.
Beginning LAST WEEK our student leaders will be available at recess lunchtime to support their peers with playground and friendship conflict.
We are very proud of our Peacemakers for their dedication and support of the community at Will Rogers. They are easy to spot on the yard proudly wearing their Peacemaker jackets ready for service!
If you have any questions about this valuable program you can reach out to our school counselor Khatija Dadabhoy kdadabhoy@smmk12.org who helps facilitate this NEW program!
LOST AND FOUND
"Oops, I forgot!" table
Mornings are busy and sometimes students leave for school without their water bottle, instrument or homework. In an effort to reduce classroom interruptions and to support students with developing responsibility, please use our "Oops, I forgot" table. It is located outside the main office.
Make a plan with your child that if they leave something at home, a parent may drop it off in the office. We will place their labeled item on the "Oops, I forgot table." During their recess or on their way to lunch, they may check the table for a forgotten item.
Please communicate this plan with your child, so they know there is place for parents to drop-off items they may have left at home!
Contact Us
Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM