Will Rogers Roundup
For the week of February 20, 2023
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Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are enjoying a long weekend. There is no school on Monday, Feb. 20th in observance of Presidents Day.
Last week we had several school-wide opportunities for our students to learn about Black Heritage. Got Rhythm, a musical troupe, came to campus for three learning assemblies! We learned how the creativity and innovation of African slaves brought forth the indigenous American tap invention. Slaves who were not allowed to participate in their traditional rhythmic dance and song forms, began to express themselves through more acceptable social forms of European step dancing, like the jig and clog. Our students were moving, tapping and clapping through this interactive, learning experience~! Last Friday, our 5th grade students hosted a Living Museum. The entire school visited our students as they presented what they learned about historical, civil rights leaders from American history.
Will Rogers is truly a learning community. This upcoming week, alongside a group of Rogers teachers, I will be in Tokyo, Japan. We will be studying at the Tokyo International School for a Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop Training at an International Baccalaureate School. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn how TCRWP integrates with the IB philosophy of teaching and learning. I am very excited for what I hope to be a rich leadership and learning experience. We look forward to sharing our learning with you when we return!
Should you need anything while I am away, please reach out to our assistant principal, Ms. Gabriela Gonzalez. In addition, Steve Richardson, our elementary pathway executive director will be visiting Rogers and available for support. You are in good hands š
Sunday, February 26th please join us for Beautification Day from 9:00-12:00 p.m.
Together for Will Rogers,
Principal Daruty
President's Day on Monday February 20th
Presidents Day is one of 12 federal holidays in the US, celebrated each year on the third Monday of February. The holiday was first established as Washington's Birthday in 1879 to honor President George Washington. It was commemorated on Feb. 22 until 1971, when it was moved away from Washington's actual birthdate to give federal workers another three-day weekend.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sun. 2/19 Volunteer Farm Day (10-12:00p.m.) Farm to Table Event ( see below)
Mon. 2/20 NO SCHOOL: Presidents' Day
Fri. 2/24 5th Grade Pali Camp: Final Day for donations!
Sun. 2/26 Campus Beautification Day! 9:00a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Mon. 2/27 Read Across America Spirit Week!
Mon. 2/27 Cinco De Mayo Festival Planning meeting in room 206 or zoom from 3-4 p.m.
Tues. 2/28 Volunteer Training 8:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium
Wed. 3/1 PTA Meeting 6 p.m. via Zoom
Thurs. 3/2-3/6 Read Across America Spirit Week!
Fri. 3/3 Staff and Student Photographs Re-take @8:30 a.m.
Wed. 3/8 Kindergarten Field Trip Cayton Museum
Thurs. 3/16 Coffee and Convo with the principal @ 8:30 a.m.in room 508
Fri. 3/17 Spring Movie Night 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. 3/23: 4th grade Gold Rush Day
Mon. 3/27 NO SCHOOL: CESAR CHAVEZ HOLIDAY
Thurs. 3/30 Minimum Day
Thurs. 3/30 Open House
Fri. 4/21 Earth Day Festival at the Farm 3-5 pm
JOIN THE PTA for 2023-24
President: Sarah Wahrenbrock
Executive VP: Ana Evangelista
1st VP, Volunteers: Jessica Lew
2nd VP, Community Events: Rosie Gutierrez
3rd VP, Fundraising: OPEN
4th VP, Communications: OPEN
5th VP, Enrichment: OPEN
6th VP, Community Concerns: OPEN
Recording Secretary: Irene Campos
Treasurer: Roxy Jimenez
Auditor: Erinn Lalezari-Watt
Financial Secretary: Roxanna Patton
Historian: Erin Inatsugu
Please note that there are additional executive board and committee chair positions which are appointed, rather than elected. If you are interested in an open position please email our nominating committee at nominations@willrogerspta.com to find out more.
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!
Cinco De Mayo Festival. Join the planning committee!
Our Cinco de Mayo festival is coming up in a few months and we need your help! We will have planning meetings Monday, Feb 27th from 3-4 pm in the STEM lab room 206. If you would prefer to attend via zoom, hereās a link:
Also, a favorite tradition at the event are cascarones. Please start saving your cracked and rinsed eggs so we can make cascarones or you can make them at home and send them in. Orā¦ 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!!!! Hereās a link for how to make them:
FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES!
* Weather may permit us from having the assembly (rain or excessive heat).
**Our PTA sells spirit wear on Fridays in the front of school! Drop-by and pick-up your WRLC T-shirt!
Black History Month February 1st - March 1st
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. This year's theme for Black History Month, "Black Resistance", takes a look at how African-Americans have fought repression from America's earliest days. African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in many forms. Actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, and walk outs, by Black people and allies are rooted in the fight for justice against discrimination in all parts of society from employment to education to housing. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified, self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond. 2023 Black history month celebrations are a call to everyone, to study the history of Black Americansā responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained and respected.
All Things Rogers Events - Tickets Still Available!
It's not too late! A few of the events promoted during the auction still have space available. If you're interested in joining, please reach out toauction@willrogerspta.com and we will get you on the list!
Venice Beach House Evening Out - An Event for Grown-Ups - THIS Saturday 2/18!
Enjoy wine and appetizers while mingling with your fellow Rogers' parents at this beautiful beach house in Venice on Saturday February 18t at 6pm!
Snowball Fight, Movie and Pizza w Herrera, Fujiwara, Prevett and Schneider - 5/17
Ms. Herrera, Mrs. Fujiwara, Mrs. Prevett and Mrs. Schneider will host a movie and snowball fight after school on May 17th, 3-5pm
Open to all grades, TK-5
After school students will meet in the library for a quick snack of a slice of pizza and view a movie while being interrupted a few times to have a controlled and safe snowball fight!
Whiskey & Scotch Tasting Party - April or May (Date to be decided with attendees)
Join other Will Rogers Parent Whiskey & Scotch Aficionado (WRPW&SA) for a custom, guided backyard tasting of Whiskeys & Scotch From Around the World! Participants will have at least 5-6 high-value aged whiskeys from all over the world, with an emphasis on small label Scotch. We'll explore the differences between Lowland, Highland, Speyside, and Islay scotch and come into the New World to show off the differences and similarities. All of these whiskeys will be paired with snacks and sparkling conversation about all things whiskey, wine, or beer in a beautiful and intimate backyard setting. Thanks to Kate & Evan Gammon for donating and hosting!
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
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 Foundationās 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!