Will Rogers Roundup
For the week of August 28, 2023
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Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Learning Community Parents and Guardians,
What a wonderful opening of school! Students showed excitement and optimism as they reconnected with friends and met their teachers. Our staff and teachers enjoyed the hustle, bustle, and energy of our students filling the school once again!
It was wonderful to reconnect at our Welcome Back Picnic, the first of many PTA sponsored events. We look forward to many more. Our Farm to Table event this past Saturday, in the Regenerative Farm was a blast. We hope you will join us in the farm for our Fall Festival in just a few weeks.
This Tuesday 8/29 is a minimum day. Parents of students in grades TK-2nd are invited "Back to School" Tuesday evening for BACK TO SCHOOL. We will begin the auditorium at 5:30 p.m. with the principal's address. Followed by teacher presentations in your child's classroom from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Childcare will be provided in the library.
This Friday is our FIRST last start of the year. Students in grades TK-5th begin school at 9:45 a.m. with regular dismissal.
There is no school on Monday, September 4th, in observance of Labor Day. Have a wonderful week and an even better long weekend!
In this newsletter:
Learn how to log-in to your Aeries Parent Portal and complete the 2023-2024 Data Confirmation process.
Review our drop-off and pickup procedures.
Review CREST enrichment class offerings.
Learn how you can support the SM Ed foundation!
Consider joining our School Site Council.
Together for Will Rogers,
Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC
First Day of School!
Welcome Rogers' students and families!
It's going to be a remarkable year!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
8/28 Student Assemblies on Composting: school-wide organic waste program
8/29 Minimum Day TK-Kinder: 8:25-12:10 p.m.1st-5th: 8:25-1:00 p.m.
8/29 Volunteer Trainings 8:30 a.m and 5:00 p.m.
8/29 Back to School Night Grades (TK-2) 5:30- 7:00 p.m.
9/1 First Late start Friday of the year. School begins at 9:45 a.m. for grades TK-5th.
9/1 Every Friday is Spirit Wear Day! Show your love for Rogers and wear your WRLC t-shirt!
9/4 NO SCHOOL- Labor Day
9/5 Minimum Day Grades TK- 5th TK-Kinder: 8:25-12:10 p.m.1st-5th: 8:25-1:00 p.m.
9/5 Volunteer Training 8:30 and 5:00 p.m.
9/5 Back to School Night (3rd- 5th) 5:30- 7:00 p.m.
9/6 PTA Association Meeting in the library @ 6:00 p.m.
9/12 Picture Day!
9/13 Coffee & Conversation with the Principal @ 8: 30 a.m.
SMMUSD 2023-2024 Calendar
First Day Packet - Annual Forms to Complete are Now Digital!
Will Rogers Learning Community's annual registration process is now completed in the Aeries Parent Portal. We have many important documents and plenty of information for your family within the online registration site, accessed via your Aeries Parent Portal.
Note: You must FIRST complete data confirmation for each student.
Beginning August 24, 2023:
- Log in to your aeries parent portal.
- Be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student.
- Very Important: We need to gather information from you for emergency contacts. Please add at least two non-parents. While there are many boxes to fill, at minimum include name, relationship, and phone number.
- We also need to gather information from you for health documents.
Note: You may decide to print some of the documents for future reference. For a tutorial on how to complete this process, please click here English
Again, Will Rogers Learning Community and SMMUSD have worked to digitize the compliance and document portions of the “First Day Packet.” The Data Confirmation process is easy for you and your student through Aeries Parent Portal in place of our previous process. This includes items like Emergency Cards, Parent Handbooks and Policies and Authorizations. We have many important documents and plenty of information for your family within the online registration site, accessed via your Aeries Parent Portal. Note: You must complete data confirmation for each student. Please be sure to read, review, and discuss all the materials with your student.
Will Rogers Learning Community Bell Schedule 2023 - 2024
Morning Procedures
Monday-Thursday Arrival
8:00-8:15 Breakfast in cafeteria
8:10 Yards open
8:20 First Bell Rings. Students line up for class.
8:25 All students TK to 5th grade in classrooms
Late Start Friday Arrival
9:10-9:40 Breakfast served and yard opens
9:40 First Bell Rings. Students line up for class.
9:45 All students TK to 5th grade in classrooms
Recess
PreK Kindergarten Yard
10:20 -11:20 Preschool (M-F)
Grades TK/K Kindergarten Yard
9:45-10:05 TK/Kindergarten #1 (M-Th)
9:55-10:15 Kindergarten #2/Kindergarten #3 (M-Th)
Grades 1-5
9:55-10:10 1st and 2nd (M-Th)
10:15-10:30 3rd and 4th (M-Th)
10:35-10:50 5th (M-Th)
*No morning recess on Fridays
Lunch
Grades TK/K
11:30-12:15 TK/Kindergarten #1
12:00-12:45 Kindergarten #2/Kindergarten #3
Grades 1-5
11:25-12:10 1st / 2nd Grades
12:10-12:55 3rd / 4th Grades
12:35-1:20 5th Grade
Dismissal
1:45 TK/Kindergarten
2:55 1st to 3rd Grades
3:00 4th and 5th Grades
Minimum Day Bell Schedule
TK-Kinder: 8:25 -12:10 p.m.
1st-5th: 8:25-1:00 p.m.
*Minimum Days: 8/24, 8/25 (no late start), 8/29, 9/5, 11/7, 11/8, 11/9, 3/21, 3/22 (no late start) and 6/12.
PARENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
**Students enrolled in morning care through CDS, enter on 14th street beginning at 7:00 a.m. using the gate code provided at enrollment. This is different from last year as our morning care room has moved locations.
- Supervision on the yard begins at 8:10 a.m.
- Morning Drive-up Valet is available 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.
- Walk-Up Drop off- Parents and guardians may drop-off and say their goodbyes at the gate(s). There will be staff stationed at ALL gates to assist.
- TK/Kinder use the designated gate on 14th street.
- 1st - 5th may use 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 either staff parking lot or in a neighbor's driveway!
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 in 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 of this plan.
If it is raining: 1st-3rd pick-up location will be the front of school, under the covered awning.
School Site Council at Will Rogers
An effective school requires a joint effort of parents, students, teachers, administrators, and school staff. Therefore, we would like to invite you to participate by becoming a member of the Will Rogers Learning Community School Site Council (SSC). We have 2 openings this school year for parents to serve a 2-year term from 8/2023-8/2025.
What are some of the SSC responsibilities?
Developing and revising Bylaws;
Analyzing and evaluating the academic achievement of students;
Obtaining recommendations from other school-site advisories and committees;
Developing or revising and approving our school plan and proposed expenditures in accordance with all state and federal laws;
Participating in all local, state, and federal reviews of school’s programs for compliance;
Member Attendance is important as a quorum is required for voting.
SSC meets Thursdays from at 3:45 pm -5:00 p.m. Meeting dates can be found online.
If you are interested, please download and email Principal Daruty (ldaruty@smmusd.org) your statement of interest by Sept. 8th.
Names and statements will be compiled onto an electronic ballot and voting will take place from Sept 10th-18th. More information regarding the election will follow.
"Oops, I forgot!" table
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. 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!
Free School Guarantee
As you prepare for the start of the school year, it is important you know that state law requires us to provide a public education free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions, the right to a free public education means we cannot require students or their families to purchase supplies. Will Rogers Learning Community will provide all necessary supplies for your child to have a quality educational experience. However, many parents/guardians choose the option of purchasing their own supplies, not only for use at home, but for their child to use in the classroom. We encourage you to wait to hear from your teachers at Back to School Night regarding supplies should you prefer your child to have a set of personal supplies in the classroom.
Additionally, I am often asked whether parents/guardians may donate supplies and other items for use in the classroom, and the answer is yes - we are always appreciative of donations. You may choose to assist the class by purchasing items for use in the classroom. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Again, your teachers will provide this wish list at Back to School Night!
You may elect to provide your child:
- A backpack ( we have backpacks to provide) please contact our community liaison Flory Vila @ fvila@smmusd.org for more information. We were gifted free backpacks from the SM Assistance League!
- A snack for morning recess. Please pack in a re-usable bag. No glass bottles.
- A lunch from home. Lunches will be provided at school at no cost. Please refer to the lunch menu, which is subject to change.
- A re-usable water bottle. We have several re-filling stations and water fountains on campus.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH are free of charge for all students!
LUNCH: Students may elect to bring a lunch from home or eat at school. Teachers will take a lunch count each morning to help the cafeteria plan for the day. You can find the lunch menu (subject to change daily) here.
We are a peanut free campus. Please be sure that you do not pack food items that contain peanuts.
SM Education Foundation!
The Ed Foundation welcomes you to the new school year at Will Rogers! Your students at Will Rogers will be benefiting from Ed Foundation-funded staff and programs such as classroom aides, P.S. ARTS classes, teacher professional learning opportunities, additional library books and materials, music lessons for qualifying students and more this year, all thanks in part to donations made to the Ed Foundation. The Ed Foundation is the non-profit foundation to the district that exists solely to support Santa Monica’s public schools and students with Academics, Arts and Athletic programs. We’re aiming for 100% of Will Rogers families to give what you can to both the Ed Foundation and the PTA. If you haven't already donated, please make your donations today! Donations to the Ed Foundation are being matched up to $25,000 thanks to Kilroy Realty. If you’ve already made your donation, thank you! If you'd like more information or would like to volunteer, please reach out to our Will Rogers Ed Foundation Liaison Lisa Glasser at laglasser@outlook.com, or Heather Epps at heather.epps@smedfoundation.org.
We are looking for volunteers!
If you are looking for a way to volunteer or want more information please fill out our volunteer form. If you have any questions please email our Volunteer VP Jessica Lew at
volunteers@willrogerspta.com. https://forms.gle/CRHSPjfZymg2c846A
Instructional Assistants Needed!
We are looking to hire 3-4 Instructional Assistants for the 23-24 school year (Job Duties).
The position is for 3 hours / five days (5) week position, paid $16.00 - $20.45 Hourly. Ideally the hours are 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
The Personnel Commission will be scheduling interviews soon. Click here to apply. If anyone may be interested, please apply! Parents and community members make great classroom assistants. Instructional Aides are critical to helping teachers differentiate instruction, prepare supplies, and supervise children at play.
Yearbook Preorder!
Don't miss out on your chance to save 10% on the Will Rogers Community Yearbook! Order yours before October 31st to save! You'll get two free custom pages to customize by April 15th. Any questions, please reach out to wrlcyearbook@gmail.com
https://web.treering.com/create-account/1013782539131906?PassCode=1013782539131906
Will Rogers Communication - Stay connected and informed!
Wednesday PTA Emails: Stay informed and connected with our PTA. Use this LINK to sign-up for PTA emails.
About Us
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM