Will Rogers Roundup
For the week of August 29th, 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,
We completed our first full week of the 2022-23 school year. As families settle into your new schedule and routines we appreciate you arriving to school on time. School begins at 8:25 a.m. Monday -Thursday. We are asking that parents say their goodbyes at the gates, so that teachers may start the school day on time. If your child arrives late, they will need to visit the office to get a late slip. On Fridays, school begins at 9:45 a.m. parents are welcome to attend our weekly outdoors assembly on the grassy field.
It was wonderful to see our TK-2nd grade parents at Back to School Night last Tuesday. I look forward to seeing our 3rd- 5th grade parents this Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. starting in the cafetorium.
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:
- Be invited to our Back to School Night for 3rd-5th families.
- Be asked to complete 1st day packet registration materials.
- Find out how you can contribute to a PTA sponsored Staff Appreciation Breakfast
- Find out about volunteer opportunities and trainings.
- Be invited to attend our 1st PTA Association meeting of the year!
- Learn about community enrichment opportunities.
Together for Will Rogers,
Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Tuesday, Aug. 30th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for parents with children in grades 3rd-5th grade
Tues. 8/30 is a Minimum Day TK/K dismissed @ 12:10p.m. 1st-5th @1:00p.m.
ECO-FRIENDLY FIRST DAY PACKET!
HELP donate items for a PTA sponsored STAFF BREAKFAST for 9/2 @8:00 a.m.
Here is the sign up link for parents to donate items for breakfast on 9/2/22.
PS arts (visual arts) programming begins this week for students in grades 3rd-5th.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS TRAININGS!
Would you like to volunteer in your child's classroom? Please join us by attending the first volunteer training of the school year. On Monday Aug. 29th @ 3:00 p.m. in the cafeteria, you can learn how to be an active member of our community!
SMMUSD Level 1 clearance is valid for 4 years. Parents who hold a valid level 1 clearance issued either at Rogers or at John Muir will NOT need to attend the training. We are working on obtaining the John Muir volunteer records. If you are unsure if you are cleared, please contact Marlen Avalos@marlenavalos@smmusd.org.
Additional Training Opportunities:
Thursday, Sept. 8th @ 8:30a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (new time added) in the cafeteria
Monday, Sept.12th @ 8:30a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (new time added) in the cafeteria
STUDENT/STAFF FREE AT-HOME ANTIGEN TESTS
Please read a message from Dr. Drati regarding COVID testing for the 2022-23 school year.
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.
In an effort to reduce office traffic, please try to pick-up on these days. ***If you are unable we always keep kits in the office.
School Supplies and Materials
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 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 for information.
- 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.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Mon. 8/29 Volunteer Training @ 3:00p.m. in the cafeteria.
Tues. 8/30 Minimum Day TK/K dismissed @ 12:10p.m. 1st-5th @1:00p.m.
Tues. 8/30 Back to School Night @5:00 p.m. for grades 3rd-5th
Thurs. 9/1 Regular board meeting agenda has been published online.
Mon. 9/5 Labor Day: No school
Wed. 9/7 PTA Association Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
Thurs. 9/8 Volunteer Trainings @8:30 a.m.,3:00p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Mon. 9/12 Volunteer Trainings @8:30 a.m.,3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 9/16 Movie Night @7:30 p.m.
Wed. 9/21 School Site Council Meeting @ 3:30 p.m.
Thurs. 9/22 Coffee and Conversation with Principal @ 9:00 a.m.
Mon. 9/26 Local Holiday -NO SCHOOL
JOIN US FOR OUR 1st PTA MEETING of the year on Wednesday, September 7th@6:00 p.m.
Childcare will be provided. Translation support will be offered.
Silent Auction + Grown-Ups' Night Out Auction Party Kick-Off Meeting 9/1 @ 6:30pm
Please join us for a happy hour in the backyard of a local Rogers family (near 14th & Pacific) or online, as we kick-off our big Fall Fundraiser! It truly takes a village. We invite everyone to participate - even if you just have a couple of hours to give or ideas on how to ensure the event is a success. We have many roles and they allow for flexibility. It's a great way to get to know the Rogers Community and support our kids!
Contact auction@willrogerspta.com or text 916-WRLC-PTA for address & call-in link
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
There are vacant two-year seats for parents on our (2022-2023 & 2023-2024) School Site Council. We need parent-candidates to run for office. This is the single most important committee at school in steering school improvement goals. The committee consists of parents, teachers, support staff member, & the principal. The principal helps the committee to analyze needs, set direction, and evaluate progress. The Board of Education sets expectations for the Site Council and establishes criteria for the approval of the School Improvement Plan (also known as the School Plan for Student Achievement / SPSA) and School Safety Plan (SSP). Throughout the school year the committee reviews progress and discusses next steps. At the end of the year an assessment of progress and an adjustment or confirmation of goals occurs. We meet on Wednesdays once a month 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. and obviously some additional reading beyond meeting times will be needed in order to be an informed representative. Are you interested in running for office? Please download and email your official nomination form to principal Daruty by Friday, Sept. 2nd.
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.
Raptor System
Raptor Security System
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will use the Raptor visitor management system to strengthen our campus safety programs for students and staff. All schools currently have this system installed.
An important aspect of keeping students and staff safe is for site staff to know who is on our campuses at all times. The Raptor system achieves this interest as it allows office staff to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers, in our schools and provides us with a safer environment for students, staff, and approved volunteers.
Upon entering campus, visitors will be asked to present identification such as a driver’s license, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian does not have a US government-issued identification, for any reason, the visitor may submit an alternative form of identification for school staff to enter into the Raptor system.
The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the identification is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency. The Raptor system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not allowed on our campuses. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item at the front gate.
Donate to the Will Rogers PTA and Santa Monica Education Foundation Today!
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!
REGENERATIVE FARM
Welcome back to those who are returning and welcome to those who are new! The Farm Committee has been working hard all summer (with the help of many of you!), collaborating with nature to keep our farm thriving. We cannot wait to show you what has been growing and what we are planning!
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!
With great care,
The Farm Committee
Paola Vezzulli, Chair
Jodi Strock, Vice Chair
Austin Toyama, SMMUSD
Laura Simon, STEM/IB Teacher
Mark Abraham, Farmer
Mayra Herrera, Teacher
Oliver English, Common Table Creative
Lila Daruty, Principal Will Rogers
~A MESSAGE FROM THE BOYS' & GIRLS' CLUB~
As you may be aware Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club (SMBGC) have had a strong response to the on-site Playground Club (formerly Playground Access) at our campus for on-site supervision after school until 4:30 pm M-F.
In the interest of safety, we had waitlisted some families, but as we continue to hire & prepare, we are now able to open that enrolment up to a total of 50 students per site.
*This will relieve the vast majority of currently waitlisted enrollees.
Our Playground Club supervision program will operate at a 25:1 ratio (student: staff). Anything above 50 will be temporarily waitlisted until we can meet the need safely with staff, but we have also hired a recruitment firm to expedite this process. The maximum potential enrollment per site will be 75 students.
Enrollment is first come first served, scholarships are available for qualified members so don’t hesitate to register now: https://www.smbgc.org/memberships/become-a-member/
More comprehensive, structured programming is available, with transportation, at our Main Branch on Lincoln Blvd.
We appreciate your support and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Nina Kiefer the program lead will respond to families on August 31st nkeifer@smbgc.org
**Elementary sports Flag Football and Volleyball are also still available for grades 2-5 enrolment this Fall starting Sept 12th. For more information, please visit https://www.smbgc.org/sports/
Hola,
Como saben, El Club de Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club (SMBGC) ha tenido una muy positiva respuesta para el Playground Club en el sitio (anteriormente Playground Access) en nuestras instalaciones para la supervisión en el sitio después de la escuela hasta las 4:30 p. m. de Lunes a Viernes.
Por razones de seguridad tuvimos que poner en lista de espera a algunas familias, pero a medida que continuamos contratando y preparándonos, hemos decidido abrir esa inscripción hasta un total de 50 estudiantes por escuela.
*Esto aliviará que la mayoría de los que estaban en la lista de espera actualmente pueden entrar en el programa.
Nuestro programa de supervisión del Playground Club operará en una proporción de 25:1 (estudiante: personal). Mas de 50 estará temporalmente en la lista de espera hasta que podamos satisfacer la necesidad de manera segura con el personal, pero también hemos contratado a una empresa de contratación para acelerar este proceso. Nuestra meta es que las inscripciones llegue a 75 estudiantes.
La inscripción es por orden de llegada, hay becas disponibles para miembros calificados, así que no dude en registrarse ahora: https://www.smbgc.org/memberships/become-a-member/
Hay disponible una programación más completa y estructurada, con transporte, en nuestra sucursal principal en Lincoln Boulevard
Agradecemos su apoyo y no dude en comunicarse si tiene alguna pregunta.
Nina Kiefer, líder del programa, responderá a las familias el 31 de agosto
**Los deportes de primaria Flag Football y Voleibol también están disponibles para la inscripción de los grados 2-5 este otoño a partir del 12 de septiembre. Para obtener más información, visite https://www.smbgc.org/sports/