Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

Summer has come to a close, and we are ready to launch a new school year together! Our teachers and staff have spent the past three days in professional training, enthusiastically preparing for the return of our community of learners. Classrooms are being set up, lessons are being planned, and engaging activities are ready to welcome both new and returning students. We are looking forward to a year filled with growth, discovery, and learning.

We can’t wait to see you on Thursday morning at 8:25 a.m. Our gates will open at 8:10 a.m., and our staff will be ready to welcome you. Parents and guardians are welcome to walk onto campus and drop off students at their classrooms. Both Thursday and Friday (no late start) are minimum days, so please plan accordingly!

Don’t forget to join us for our annual “Boo Hoo / Yahoo” Coffee Social in the library at 8:30 a.m. (or just after drop-off) Thursday, Aug. 21st This is a special time for families to come together, say farewell to summer, and support one another in the transition back to school. We’ll have tissues and pom-poms on hand!

Please plan to join us for an exciting PTA sponsored Welcome Back Picnic from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22nd on our track/field. Please bring a chair or blanket, we will have some extra tents for shade available if needed. Please do not bring umbrellas onto the track or field, as they can puncture the turf. Easy-ups are welcome.

A few reminders for a smooth start:

• Please do not park in staff lots, as it’s important our staff have spaces available each morning.

• The 14th street valet will be open.

• Neighborhood parking restrictions will be relaxed to assist with our return.

• Be mindful of our neighbors—please do not block driveways.

• For the safety of our children, always use crosswalks, avoid double parking, and follow the directions of our crossing guards.

We look forward to reconnecting with you and beginning this school year with joy and excitement. Together, let’s make it a great one!

Warmly,

Ms. Lila Daruty
Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
ldaruty@smmusd.org

Wed. 8/20 TK/K Meet and Greet @ 10:30 a.m. meet in front of school on 14th street

Thurs. 8/21 First Day of School! Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:10 1st-5th @1:00 p.m.

Thurs. 8/21 Boo Hoo/Yahoo Coffee Social @8:30 a.m. in the library.

Fri. 8/22 Second day of school! No Late start. Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:10 1st-5th @1:00 p.m.

Fri. 8/22 Welcome Back Picnic on the track/field @1:00-3:00 p.m. ( bring a chair or blanket)

Tues. 8/26 Minimum Day: Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:10 1st-5th @1:00 p.m.

Tues. 8/26 Volunteer Training @3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in the library

Tues. 8/26 Back to School Night Grades TK- 2nd @ 5:30 p.m.

Tues. 8/26 First PTA Association Mtg. of the year 7:00 p.m. in the library

Thurs. 8/28 New Peacemaker Parent Information Meeting@ 7:00 p.m. via (zoom)

Fri. 8/29 First late start of the year. School begins @9:45 a.m.

Fri. 8/29 First Friday Assembly of the Year on the track/field. Parents/Guardians welcome! @ 9:45 a.m.

Fri. 8/29 New Peacemaker Parent Information Meeting @9:45 a.m. in the library and via (zoom)

Mon. 9/1 NO SCHOOL- Labor Day

SMMUSD Calendar 2025-26

We are so excited to welcome our students into their classrooms! It is incredibly important that parents show support and confidence in their child’s class placement. Children feel our enthusiasm and take their cues from us—your positivity helps set the tone for a great year.

Please know that careful thought and consideration went into every placement decision. No class changes will be made during the first two weeks of school. This adjustment period is essential, giving your child time to settle in, get to know their teacher, and begin building strong relationships with classmates.

You should have received an email on August 19th sharing your child’s teacher name and classroom. If for some reason you do not receive a notice, or if you have twins, please contact the front office so we can share the information with you.

We are confident in the skill, dedication, and care of all our teachers, and we know that each child will be supported, challenged, and inspired in their classroom. Together, let’s start the year with excitement and optimism!

Will Rogers Learning Community

Morning Procedures

Monday-Thursday Arrival

8:10 Breakfast in the cafeteria. 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

9:20 Breakfast in the cafeteria. Yards open.

9:40 First bell rings. Students line up for class.

9:45 All students TK to 5th grade in classrooms.

Recess

*No morning recess on Fridays, if it is a late start.

PreK/TK/K Early Learning Yard

9:40-10:10 TK/PreK (eat 9:40-9:55/play 10:00-10:15)
10:15-10:45 Kindergarten (eat 10:15-10:30/play 10:30-10:45)

*TK/K students use bathrooms in room 804

Grades 1-5 Playground and Track/Field
9:50-10:10 1st & 2nd grades (eat 9:50-10:00/play 10:00-10:10)
10:15-10:35 3rd & 4th grades (eat 10:15-10:25/play 10:25-10:35)

10:40-11:00 5th grade (eat 10:40-10:50/play 10:50-11:00)

Lunch

Grades TK/K Early Learning Yard

11:30-12:15 TK (eat 11:30-11:50/play 11:50-12:15)

12:00-12:45 Kindergarten (eat 12:00-12:20/play 12:20-12:45)

*TK/K students use bathrooms in room 804

Grades 1-5 Playground and Track/Field

11:30-12:15 1st & 2nd grades (eat 11:30-11:50/play 11:50-12:15)

12:00-12:45 3rd & 4th grades (eat 12:00-12:20/play 12:20-12:45)

12:30-1:15 5th Grade (eat 12:30-12:50/play 12:50-1:15)

Dismissal

1:45 TK/Kindergarten

2:55 1st to 3rd Grades

3:00 4th and 5th Grades

Aftercare

1:45 Kindergarten Dismissal - CDS School Age Program (SAP) staff meets students on K yard
2:55 Grades 1-3 Dismissal - CDS School Age Program (SAP) students walk to their classrooms
3:00 Grades 4-5 Dismissal - CREST students walk to their classrooms

MINIMUM DAYS: 8/21, 8/22 no late start, 8/26, 9/2, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7 no late start, 12/19 no late start, 3/26, 6/11

For the first two days of school Grown-Ups are invited onto campus to drop off at their child's classroom.

Arrival to school: Gates open at 8:10 a.m.

• TK/Kinder use the designated TK/K gate off of 14th street. Students and families may play, and wait for pick-up from their teachers on the (old) TK/K yard. @ 8:25 teachers will meet and walk students and accompanying grown-ups to the new early learning building.
• 1st - 5th may use either the front gate on 14th street or the pedestrian gate on 16th street. Students and families should proceed to their classrooms.

Dismissal from school: (All teachers will escort students to these areas)

• TK/Kinder meet your children at the designated TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street.
  
• 1st - 2nd meet your children the TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street
• 3rd should be picked-up from the front gate on 14th street.
• 4th and 5th should be picked up from 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 or block driveways of our neighbors. We will continue to offer a valet on 14th street in front of the school.

Beginning, Monday, Aug. 25th, we ask that you say your goodbyes at the gates!

• At WRLC, we make every effort to avoid interrupting instructional time and therefore do not allow cellphones and other electronics to be used during the instructional day. Students are not permitted to wear smartwatches or Gizmos in the classrooms. If your child wears a smartwatch, or has a smartphone, please remind them they are to be kept in their backpack turned off or on school-mode during the school day. We encourage parents to support us by leaving these items at home.
• Students are never permitted to use cell phones on campus. In the event of an emergency, the administration carry radios, teachers have cellphones and there is a school phone in every learning space. Under the advisement of our SMPD school resource officers, individual student cellphone use can actually hinder the delivery of important messaging necessary in a true emergency.
• Other personal electronics from home, such as Nintendo Switches, iPads, Kindles etc. are not permitted on campus. If a student uses their cell phone during school hours, it will be confiscated and held until the end of the school day and must be picked up by a parent. In no event or circumstance, will the district or its staff be held responsible or liable for the loss, theft, or damage to any such device.
• Please help us ensure that our students have an electronics free learning zone at school.

• School materials including books, homework, projects, etc.
• Re-fillable water bottle ( We have several refilling stations on campus)
• A morning snack
• Lunch is available to all students free of charge. You may also pack a lunch from home.
• Sunscreen (put on prior to arriving at school)
• Hat
• Layers of clothing (sweatshirt, windbreaker, etc.) Keep an eye on the weather.
• A growth mindset for a successful day!

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students! Make a plan with your child each week about the days they will be eating food prepared at school or bringing lunch from home.

https://www.smmusd.org/domain/476

We encourage you to pack a snack for your children for morning recess.

Please send your child to school with a re-fillable water bottle! We have water stations located throughout campus.

Join the Will Rogers PTA for $10 to support activities and events that enrich your student's education and strengthen our school community.

https://jointotem.com/ca/santa-monica/will-rogers-elementary-pta

As an International Baccalaureate Programme School, we believe there is a broad range of capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. We make a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them. We do this through the development of students according to the IB learner profile. The profile aims to develop learners who are:

Inquirers

Knowledgeable

Thinkers

Communicators

Principled

Open-minded

Caring

Risk-takers

Balanced

Reflective

The IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

We encourage all families to submit the Free and Reduced Meals application by Friday, October 4. Although California provides free meals for all students, this application is crucial for determining eligibility for additional programs and resources, including Title 1 school designations for the 2026-27 school year. The state uses this form to assess which families qualify for benefits beyond free meals, so widespread participation is essential. To support this effort, please share the application link with your families and distribute the flier through your school's communication channels.

Application Link: https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD

Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364