Will Rogers Roundup
For the week of October 3rd, 2022
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!
Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Learning Community,
I hope you had a restful weekend. Remember there is no school Wednesday, October 5th.
Rogers has a full list of activities available to our students after school. Please assist us in ensuring the safety of our students and staff after school. Please note that our school yards are not open for free play after school. When families pick up their children from SAP, CREST or Playground Club we ask that you exit the premises to limit unnecessary people on the grounds. The school is not a city park until the weekends so there should be no additional playing.
Please be sure to read the WILL ROGERS ROUNDUP each Sunday night as it contains important information from the school, PTA, Santa Monica Education Foundation, the City of Santa Monica, and other community partners. Links to each week’s newsletter are posted on our website.
In this newsletter:
- Please complete the 1st day packet registration materials.
- Antigen test kits will go with students every Friday.
- Learn about community enrichment opportunities.
- Digital Citizenship Resources and information.
Together for Will Rogers,
Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC
5th graders in room 507 engaged in counting collections!
Students studying outdoors!
Mr. Avitia-Witt's Class presenting at our Friday Assembly!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Mon. 10/3 DELAC meeting 9:00- 11:00 via zoom
Wed. 10/5 Local Holiday -NO SCHOOL
Thurs. 10/6 SMMUSD Board Meeting Rogers will be recognized for our IB authorization. Agenda has been posted online.
Sun. 10/9 Beautification Day 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Wed. 10/12 PTA Association Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/16 PS arts Family Night 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 10/19 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 10/19 School Site Council @ 3:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10/20 CA Great Shakeout Drill @ 10:20 a.m.
Fri. 10/21 Bike It! WalkIt! Day @ 9:45 a.m.
Fri. 10/21 Farm Fall Festival @ 3:00- 5:00 p.m.
Mon. 10/24 Prk-2nd Picture Day (details and pricing will be shared soon)
Wed. 10/26 3rd- 5th Picture Day (details and pricing will be shared soon)
Wed. 10/26 ELAC meeting @ 8: 30 a.m.
Fri. 10/28 School-Wide Halloween Costume Parade @9:45 a.m.
Mon. 11/7 Volunteer Training @ 8:30. a.m.
Mon. 11/28 Volunteer Training @3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
“The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
“The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.”
-source: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html
Fall Fundraising!
This Friday we announced that the class with the MOST participation in fall fundraising was Mrs. Vazquez's Kindergarten Class. They will get popsicles with our librarian, Mr. Sea!
Safety First! Emergency Preparedness
On Thursday, October 20 at 10:10 a.m. Rogers will participate in California’s Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This full-scale earthquake simulation drill will provide our students and staff the opportunity to practice earthquake emergency response. Please note that during drills - as well as true emergencies - the school campus will be locked until the drill/emergency is complete. All adults on campus at the time of the drill are expected to participate.
Please be sure that you have turned in your emergency cards and keep them updated with approved people who can pick up your child in the event of an emergency!
ECO-FRIENDLY FIRST DAY PACKET!
https://www.smmusd.org/domain/4328
It is important we have your current contact information on file. Should you need to update your email, phone number or emergency card, please email lisadavis@smmusd.org
or visit the front office.
EVERY FRIDAY 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.
Oops, I Forgot!
Mornings are busy and sometimes students leave for school without their water bottle, instrument or homework. In an 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!
Help us make the Will Rogers Auction a success!
The Will Rogers Auction is coming up! Save the dates!!
Online Auction: October 27th - November 13th
Grown-Ups' Night Out: November 5th
Help us make the Auction a success. We need donations! Ask your favorite restaurant or shop. Ask a friend. Ask your employer. A donation can be a unique experience you provide or even a party you host. If every family at Will Rogers donated two items it would make a huge difference.
Popular and unique items
- Restaurant Gift Cards
- Tickets to music / sporting / cultural events
- Memberships or Tickets to museums
- Entertainment Industry experiences
- Lessons or enrichment experiences
- Popular toys & electronics
- Spa packages
- Host a Wine & Cheese Party, Movie Night, Cupcake or Pizza Party!
Bring Donation Requests Forms to all businesses you frequent. Donations are 100% tax deductible. Donations can be dropped off at the Front Office.
Questions? Contact Pamela & Evan at auction@willrogerspta.com.
Folklórico Program for the 2022-2023
We are pleased to announce the beginning of our folklórico program for the 2022-2023 school year. This is a joint effort by Santa Monica Malibu School District and Teocalli Cultural Academy. The response to the program has been great! We grew from two sites to four for the current year. We will be offering classes at McKinley Elementary School, Edison Language Academy (Last semester sites) and adding Will Rogers Learning Community and Roosevelt Elementary School this year. If you know of a student who would still like to enroll, please share this link:
The schedule for the upcoming year, beginning the week of September 19 is:
Rogers 9/22 Tuesdays-Thursdays 3:30-5:00 pm
Performance opportunities. Students perform at least three times during the year, once the students are ready. These opportunities will be announced via “Band”, make sure that you add “Band” as soon as it is convenient. The biggest performance of the year will be on May 6 and 7, (Cinco de mayo weekend) during Mexico Magico, a SMMUSD sponsored festival that brings together groups from all over the state, New Mexico and Baja California.
Do I have to buy a costume or shoes? No, costumes will be provided by TCA and shoes and practice skirts by the district. The only thing we will ask you to get is your own child’s accessories.
Attendance policy? Students with 85 % attendance will be considered for upcoming performances. Students with 65-84 % will only be considered if the students make up the absences by documenting practices at home. Students with less than 55% will not be considered.
Digital Citizenship Week Oct. 17th-21st
Common Sense celebrates Digital Citizenship Week on the third week of October every year. Rogers teachers will provide lessons in their classrooms.
English: Parent Digital Citizenship Spanish: Parent Digital Citizenship-Spanish Translation
Citizenship Week is a week-long celebration promoting digital well-being within K–12 schools, advancing Common Sense’s mission of helping students thrive in a world of media and technology.
Every year, Common Sense Education provides activities that educators can do with their students based on lessons from the research-backed and award-winning
SAMOHI ORCHESTRA Concert
Experience the amazing Samohi Orchestras and enjoy an evening of popular Disney theme songs such as The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Frozen. Young musicians will connect with the familiar sounds as movie clips are projected above stage! Concessions open at 5:30 - food by Shores Kitchen and baked goods for sale. Dress in your favorite Disney Character and join the costume contest at 6:30. Concert begins at 7:00pm. Pre-sale tickets only $10 students/$20 adults. Purchase tickets now at samohiorhestras.com
REGENERATIVE FARM
Volunteer Saturdays have resumed! Saturdays from 10am-2pm. You can stay for the whole time or just stop by. The volunteer days at the farm are a great way to get a sense of what your children are so excited about while connecting with both each other and the earth. Be sure to bring sunscreen, plenty of water and a snack if you think you may need one. Bring your small gardening tools as well. We hope to see you there!
The Weekend Bag Program
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.
Pick-up Procedures for Playground Club, CREST, SAP and CDS
Playground Club (formerly Playground Access) at our campus for on-site supervision after school until 4:30 pm M-F started this week. Pick-up from the 14th street parking lot near the 1st grade yard.
CDS, SAP and CREST
Pick-up using the 16th street gate ( using the gate code). Please do not share this code with your children or other parents. It is meant to be provided ONLY to our CDS early express parents, and after school CDS and Crest parents.
Donate to the Will Rogers PTA and Santa Monica Education Foundation Today!
DONATE HERE:https://www.willrogerspta.com/direct-donation-will-rogers-fund
Please consider donating to the two organizations that enhance education for all Rogers students: the Santa Monica Education Foundation and Rogers PTA. Your donations are so important. Check out the crucial staff, programs, technology, and materials funded by your donations in this chart!
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!
LA Metro’s GoPass Fareless System Pass
For Year 2 Metro is requiring both new enrollees and renewals to register with a unique Eligibility Code (One code per student). Please submit the form to reactivate your TAP card OR register for the first time: https://bit.ly/MetroGoPass22-23form One form per student please.
ATTENTION: Free Big Blue Bus rides for all SMMUSD students (8/18/22 - 8/25/22) Effective August 18, 2022 through August 25, 2022, Big Blue Bus will provide a grace period for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) students who need to obtain or renew their GoPass TAP cards. During the grace period, courtesy rides will be given to SMMUSD students. Students with school-issued ID cards are encouraged to present them to the driver when boarding the bus, but no student will be denied a ride during the grace period. After August 25, 2022, students will be required to pay a fare on Big Blue Bus, and there will be no exceptions. Questions? Please email Austin Toyama, Sustainability Manager (atoyama@smmusd.org)