Will Rogers Roundup
For the week of March 20, 2023
Translation Feature
To read the Will Rogers Roundup in another language please look to the right of the newsletter and click "TRANSLATE NEWSLETTER". You can now choose from 100 languages!
~ ¡NUEVA OPCIÓN DE TRADUCCIÓN A 100 IDIOMAS! ~
Para leer la WILL ROGERS ROUNDUP en otro idioma, mire a la derecha del boletín y haga clic en "TRADUCIR EL BOLETÍN". ¡Ahora puede elegir entre 100 idiomas!
Why is Women's History Month celebrated?
Women's History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women's history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States.
Great books to read with your children!
Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,
Thank you to our PTA for hosting another fun, movie night! Even though it was cold, it was a highly attended event. This highlights how much Will Rogers' families appreciate an opportunity to come together!
It will be another rainy week, so please be sure to send your children dressed for the rain! If you happen to be missing your rain coat, check the lost and found!
This week, Christine Holley from Teachers College will be at Will Rogers working with our kindergarten through second grade teachers Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
I acknowledge that the news I shared last week was concerning for many families and students. Our staff is prepared to speak to children who may may ask questions. We will acknowledge their feelings and remind them that safety at school is a priority. Last week, we had several mental health providers on campus to offer support as needed. If you would like some ideas on how to speak with your children please refer to this helpful resource and reach out to your classroom teacher. We have a layered system of support for students and parents who may need it!
Please know that I committed to ensuring the safety of our community.
Together for Will Rogers,
Principal Daruty
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tues. 3/21 4th grade Dance Culmination will be rescheduled due to expected rain and space issues. (new date TBD)
Wed. 3/22 ELAC meeting @ 8: 30 a.m.
Wed. 3/22 School Site Council Meeting @ 3: 30 p.m. zoom link
Thurs. 3/23 5th Grade Field Trip to JAMS 9-1:00 p.m.
Thurs. 3/23: 4th grade Gold Rush Day
Sun. 3/26 Campus Beautification Day! 9:00a.m.- 12:00 p.m
Mon. 3/27 NO SCHOOL: CESAR CHAVEZ HOLIDAY
Thurs. 3/30 2023-24 LCAP meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m. Via zoom
Thurs. 3/30 Minimum Day TK/K @ 12:10 p.m. and 1st - 5th @ 1:00 p.m.
Thurs. 3/30 Open House 6:00- 7:00 p.m.
Fri. 3/31 No Late Start (School begins at 8:25 a.m.) and Minimum Day TK/K @ 12:10 p.m. and 1st - 5th @ 1:00 p.m.
Fri. 3/31 Jog-A-Thon (SCHEDULE)
Fri. 4/21 Earth Day Festival at the Farm 3-5 pm
Mon. 4/3-Fri 4/14 NO SCHOOL: Spring Break
Wed. 4/19 4th Grade field trip to SMC
Wed. 4/19 PTA association Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 4/21 ISPE applications due for incoming 6th graders to JAMS for 23-24 school year
Fri. 5/19 Career Day 9:45 a.m.
JOG-A-THON!
Our annual Jog-a-Thon is coming up March 31st and registration is now open online! This is a fun event for every student at Will Rogers, and an important way for us to raise funds to help our school.
Please visit https://www.willrogerspta.com/jogathon and click to sign up. Registration is free, and with your assistance, your child can create their very own Jog-a-Thon page to start collecting pledges and donations.
Every student who creates their Jog-a-Thon page online will have their name entered into a weekly raffle where one lucky student will be chosen to win a Wacky Arts & Crafts Basket!
Congratulations to Gwen in Ms. Turner's class who was last week's winner!
WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS! PLEASE SIGNUP TO HELP CHEER ON OUR RUNNERS AND MAKE JOGATHON-A-THON a SPECIAL DAY!
5th Graders heading to JAMS next year!
The new Independent Study PE (ISPE) applications are live districtwide. Below you will find a link to the application for those interested in applying.
The applications are due on April 21st.
Here's the link:
English: https://www.smmusd.org/cms/lib/CA50000164/Centricity/Domain/551/ISPE2324-Gr.6-8.pdf
Spanish: https://www.smmusd.org/cms/lib/CA50000164/Centricity/Domain/551/ISPE2324-Gr.6-8SP.pdf
LOST and FOUND! Please claim your items they miss you...
Our racks are outside the main gates on most days so please stop by and browse. There are water bottles, lunch boxes, some bags, some hats, jackets galore, about a dozen black hoodies, a dozen grey hoodies, a dozen blue hoodies, …you get my point. There’s a lot.
We will bring the racks to the big yard on Friday Assembly days!
CAlKIDS Savings Program
Learn about the state’s CalKIDS savings program benefitting SED students and all newborns. News release in English and Spanish.
Cinco De Mayo Festival
Our Cinco de Mayo festival is coming up in a few months and we need your help! Please start saving your cracked and rinsed eggs so we can make cascarones or you can make them at home and send them in. Or… they should start appearing at stores soon if you would like to buy them. I typically see them at the 99 cent store. Thank you!!!! Here’s a link for how to make them:
2023 District Sumer School Locations
4-week programs (June 20-July 14)
Grant ES: IISS, ESY and SLA (two weeks only)
5-week programs (June 20-July 21)
Franklin ES
Pick-up your enrollment packets!
If you have an TK or K incoming student for the 2023-24 school year and were unable to attend the TK/K Roundup event you can review View the presentation here.
For incoming TK/K students enrollment packets are NOW available. Information and next steps can be found on our WRLC website.
Please visit our office between 9:00-2:30 to avoid heavy, traffic times.
SMMUSD Permits
Intradistrict permit applications are due April 30, 2023 and Interdistrict Permit applications are due June 30, 2023.
In addition, a district-wide notification was sent out to ALL district families to remind them to fill out a Verification of Continuing Enrollment. If your student is on an interdistrict permit please submit this form!
Oops, I Forgot!
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. Make a plan with your child that if they leave something at home, a parent can drop it off in the office. We will place their item on a table outside the office. During their recess or on their way to lunch, they may check the table for their 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!
PLEASE DO NOT HAVE FOOD DELIVERED TO YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOL THROUGH A FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE. This brings unfamiliar adults and more traffic to our already busy office.
Please do not forget to send with your child every day:
- Backpack with necessary classroom materials (teacher will communicate)
- Re-useable water bottle. We have filling stations on campus.
- Morning recess snack
- Lunch (lunch available to all students free of charge for the 2022-23 school year.)
- Sunscreen (put on prior to arriving at school)
- Hat
- Layers of clothing (sweatshirt, windbreaker, etc.) Keep an eye on the weather.
*Please do not bring toys, Pokemon cards or PE equipment to school. We will provide your children all the learning tools needed to have a great day!
AT-HOME ANTIGEN TESTS sent home in your child's backpack!
We will no longer require COVID testing at school. Instead, we will provide free, at-home test kits. Negative test results do not need to be shown to school staff for admittance to school. If your child tests positive please stay home and contact our school nurse.
With this decision comes the expectation that parents and staff will be cooperative in weekly antigen testing at home. It is in our collective best interests to maintain in-person instruction without disruptions of class or school closures due to outbreaks. We want everyone to recognize that we are part of a school community that relies on each other to do the right thing, which is to support the health and safety of all students, staff and visitors to our campuses and offices, by taking these weekly tests.
***Tests are always available in the Rogers Health Office.
REGULAR ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
***Students enrolled in morning care through CDS, enter on 16th street beginning at 7:00 a.m. using the gate code provided at enrollment.
We will pilot a morning valet on 14th street between 8:10-8:30 a.m. M-TH and 9:30-9:45 a.m. on Fridays. Will Rogers staff will support children to exit cars and enter school through the front school gates. You can help by ensuring that your children are ready to exit with their backpacks on, ready to go! Parents, please do not park in the valet zone and leave your car unattended, the area will be marked with cones. We kindly ask that you take direction from our staff who will help keep the line moving and our students safe.
Parents and guardians may drop-off and say their goodbyes at the gate(s).
- TK/Kinder use the designated gate on 14th street. There will be staff stationed at the gates to assist.
- 1st - 5th may use either the front gate on 14th street or the pedestrian gate on 16th street.
REMINDER: Parent parking can be found on the neighborhood streets. Be sure to read the street signs! Please do not park in the staff parking lots.
DISMISSAL: All students will be walked to their dismissal gate by their classroom teacher. Students who have not been picked-up shortly after dismissal, will be asked to wait near the office.
DESIGNATED DISMISSAL GATES:
- TK/Kinder: Pick-up students on the TK/K yard (on 14th street)
- 1st and 2nd: Pick-up students on the TK/K yard (on 14th street)
- 3rd: Front of the school (on 14th street)
- 4th and 5th: Pick-up students at the 16th street pedestrian gate
**If you have multiple children, please pick-up at the designated gate of your youngest student. Be sure you inform your child's teacher.
If it is raining: 1st- 3rd pick-up location will be the front of school, under the covered awning.
Donate to the Will Rogers PTA and Santa Monica Education Foundation Today!
The Ed Foundation’s January campaign has begun at our school! For those of you who have donated this year, thank you. For those families who have not yet made a donation, please consider it. Every dollar counts. Please visit www.smedfoundation.org/donate.
Our goal is for 100% of Rogers families to give to PTA and the Ed Foundation. ANY amount makes a difference to our kids. If you have already donated, thank you!