Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,
We look forward to seeing you this Friday 4/19 from 3-5 p.m. for our Earth Day Festival in our Regenerative Farm! Come join the community in learning how we are Stewards of the Land! There will be music, art, farm tours and local vendors sharing their sustainable business approaches.
Update on Cinco De Mayo:
Our annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is a cherished tradition, and this year, despite space limitations due to construction, we're determined to make it unforgettable!
With construction altering our plans, we're thrilled to announce a fresh approach: a student-centered educational journey on Monday, April 29th. We are committed to providing our students the cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo with engaging activities and interactive learning stations throughout, the regular school the day.
On Monday, April 29th , during school hours, our students will have the incredible opportunity to explore various aspects of this vibrant tradition, engaging in art, music, and food all while enjoying games and festivities during lunchtime. Knowing that the shift this year is on providing our students with the experience, we do want to extend a call for volunteer support to parents/guardians who would like to facilitate the activities alongside our school staff, making it a true celebration of unity and cultural appreciation. We will provide each classroom a specific schedule for them to experience throughout the school day. This will allow for a more manageable experience with parents/guardians joining as volunteers at different times and locations, spaced, safely throughout the entire campus. Once we publish each classrooms' specific schedule we encourage parents/ guardians to join in on any part of the day, as volunteers. We acknowledge that this change limits the community experience, but hope you understand that our outdoor campus space is limited. The event historically draws hundreds of community partners, students and families which we cannot safely accommodate this year. PTA partners will communicate volunteers opportunities in the next few weeks.
We understand the importance of safety amidst construction, and rest assured, our annual celebration will return in full swing for the 2024-25 school year on our new and improved spacious outdoor area! Next year will afford us the opportunity to invite everyone to our campus, afterschool, safely accommodating the entire community in one large celebration!
Would you like to be part of planning this wonderful experience? If so, please reach out to Flory Vila @fvila@smmusd.org. Your enthusiasm and support are invaluable!
Stay tuned for more details, and let's make this Cinco de Mayo a day to remember as we celebrate diversity, embrace learning, and create lasting memories together.
Warm regards,
Ms. Lila Daruty
Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
IB Learner Profile of the Month: THINKER
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program of Inquiry Units of Study
Most grade levels are working on either their 3rd or 4th unit. Here's what each grade level worked on last week.
Kindergarten - The students started their final unit - Sharing the Planet. This week, students were introduced to the phenomena about caterpillars. They also began thinking about why there aren't any monarch caterpillars since the Field was made into the Garden?
First Grade - The students learned about how we see stars and also did a phases of the moon art project.
Second Grade - The students learned about the different types of heroes.
Third Grade - The students finished their How the World Works unit by writing about their House Building Engineering projects that were tested the previous week.
Fourth Grade - The students finished their How We Organize Ourselves unit by creating Gold Rush towns and doing an opinion writing piece.
Fifth Grade - The students finished their Sharing the Planet unit and shared their learning during Open House.
WRLC CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Will Rogers Learning Community Early Education Building Project
Phase 1 of the Campus Plan
(April 12, 2024 Update)
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is excited to share that construction at Will Rogers Learning Community is underway. The initiative will introduce seven state-of-the-art transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms, alongside a brand-new artificial turf multi-sports field. Additionally, the project encompasses the creation of outdoor natural learning areas adjacent to the new classrooms, as well as the installation of new basketball courts, handball walls and various other amenities.
Update:
Construction commenced in December 2023, resulting in restricted access to the eastern segment of the outdoor play areas. The construction team is diligently working on the development of a new multi-sports turf playing field, slated to be completed by 2024.
Environmental Safety Note:
Most school construction projects, both in the state and nationwide, incorporate an asbestos abatement phase. We adhere strictly to environmental regulations, which mandate testing prior to commencement of construction. In a recent case, asbestos was detected within the tar content, sandwiched between layers of asphalt. Similar to older homes or buildings where asbestos remains inert and occupants live without health risks, the asbestos found in this instance posed no threat as there was no potential pathway for exposure. The asbestos content originated from adhesive used to bind a layer of asphalt to another during a maintenance endeavor conducted decades ago. Proper removal procedures necessitate that workers adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, donning protective suits and masks. Importantly, students and staff are not exposed to this material as it is encapsulated within the tar of the asphalt. Site monitors diligently record air samples and dust contents, and work halts whenever wind speeds exceed 15 mph.
Current Construction:
The contractor has successfully completed the removal of asphalt from the play area and basketball courts, requiring a total of 40 truckloads. Subsequently, they have begun excavating and removing soil from the grass field to prepare for the foundation of the new building. These initial steps are crucial for the installation of the new artificial turf field and the establishment of foundations for the upcoming early elementary building.
Unfortunately, progress was temporarily halted for six days due to heavy rain from March 28, 2024 to April 2, 2024. However, crews have since received permission from the receiving dumpsite on April 3, 2024, allowing the disposal of approximately 300 truckloads of soil excavated from the school's old grass field.
Currently, the contractor has commenced hauling soil at a rate of about 70 truckloads per day, with work expected to continue for the next two weeks. Simultaneously, excavation and recompacting for the artificial field and drainage system are underway, ensuring steady progress towards our construction goals.
Continued Work:
A. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ramp and Access: A new pathway has been established for teachers and staff to access the school from the 16th street parking lot directly to the classrooms. The entrance gate will be positioned adjacent to the garden fence line, providing convenient access to Buildings U and Q. The contractor is currently fabricating a state-of-the-art entry gate and an ADA-compliant access ramp from the staff parking area. Completion of the ramp and paving is anticipated by the end of April 2024. This newly constructed pathway will serve as the primary entry point for teachers, staff, and students accessing the garden in the short term. Additionally, the entry gate will be equipped with a card reader and buzzer for added security and convenience.
B. Temporary Restrooms: On March 23, 2024, a semi-permanent restroom building was delivered to the school site to accommodate children and parents during after-school activities. This facility will feature four separate restrooms: boys, girls, staff and adults, and all-gender, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all users. It serves as a replacement for the restroom that was previously situated near the basketball courts and ball walls area. The contractor has diligently connected essential utilities such as water, power, fire alarms, sewer, and ramps to the new restroom building. The restroom is scheduled to be available for use by mid-April 2024, pending approval from inspectors regarding the fire alarms.
C. Site Demolition: The process of asphalt removal began on Feb. 26, 2024 and concluded on March 15, 2024. Currently, the team is continuing the removal of any remaining asphalt along the edges of the worksite. Additionally, soil excavation and removal commenced last week and are ongoing this week. To address concerns about dust, the contractor is implementing effective control measures, which are being monitored daily.
D. Site Dirt Import: Dirt and gravel will be imported using 100 trucks to replace the insufficient soil that was removed from the location where the future new building will be constructed, specifically the area of the large field.
E. Site Utilities: The contractor is building pathways for the electrical feed to the new Elementary Building and exterior light poles. Water meters and sewer lines are being connected from the street to the site.
F. City Utilities Service: The construction team has collaborated with the City of Santa Monica to reposition pedestrian crosswalks, driveways, and connections for site utilities along the 16th Street roadway. This endeavor was successfully completed during spring break. Sidewalks and new markings will be finalized at a later date, in alignment with the city's schedule.
During demolition and construction there may be instances of loud noise, often due to the use of heavy equipment. However, please rest assured that the construction team is dedicated to minimizing disruptions as much as possible. They are committed to working swiftly to reduce the duration of any noise disturbances.
To address concerns about dust and noise, contractors are working diligently to implement control measures. Crews are pleased to report that assessments have shown that noise levels remain within safe limits, not exceeding the 90 decibel safety standards.
We value your patience and understanding as we progress through the construction phase.
For more information on Rogers campus projects, please contact Simpson & Simpson Consultant Senior Construction Operations Liaison Chris Emmett at cemmett@smmusd.org.
FIFTH GRADE UPDATES and INFORMATION
Wed. 4/17 5th grade Panoramic Photo @ 11:00 a.m. Wear a big smile!
The 5th grade is scheduled to attend Pali Camp May 1-3, 2024 (Wednesday-Friday).
Final day for donations for Pali camp are due NOW. Make checks payable to WRLC. You can send them to the office or with your classroom teacher. Please consider making a donation to WRLC, if you have not already. If you were unable to attend the Pali Camp Information meeting . Watch the Recording Passcode: 5.4Gn86P
Join the 5th grade Parent Planning Committee. We need your voice and volunteerism. Sign-up here
Save the date! Summer Science camp for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at JAMS! Registration IS OPEN Spaces are limited.
6TH GRADE CAMP (2 DAYS): MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AUGUST 12-13, 2024.
7TH AND 8TH GRADE CAMP (3 DAYS): WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, AUGUST 14-16, 2024.
https://jamssciencemagnet.org/summer-science-camp
Camps are open to ALL incoming JAMS 6-8th graders as long as space is available. Please contact your current science teacher for more information. Incoming 6th grade parents can email tlevin@smmusd.org with questions.
We're also looking for parent volunteers to help with lunch. "
Student Council Newspaper!
We are proud to publish the Student Council Newspaper! Read all about Will Rogers from the student perspective! Great job students!
WRLC Cell Phone and Electronics Policy
This is a friendly reminder regarding students who wear Smartwatches. At WRLC, we make every effort to avoid interrupting instructional time and therefore do not allow cellphones and other electronics in classrooms. If your child wears a smartwatch, please remind them that they are to keep it in their backpack or on school-mode during the school day.
Students are not permitted to have cell phones on campus. If it is an emergency, students can go to the main office and call home. Other personal electronics from home such as Nintendo Switches, iPads, Kindles etc. are not permitted on campus. WRLC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 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.
IMPORTANT: During our upcoming 3rd- 5th grade state testing, students may not wear iwatches, gizmos etc. in the classroom. Students will be asked to place electronics watches in their backpacks or better yet, please leave them at home.
ED FOUNDATON
Although Ed Foundation funding for Instructional Assistants has been secured for next year, schools’ discretionary Stretch Grants and P.S. ARTS are at risk of having less funding or not being funded at all next year. WRLC uses its discretionary Stretch Grant funding to fund our Regenerative Farm!
The time is now to donate! I am challenging everyone in Rogers Learning Community to make a donation today to the Santa Monica Education Foundation so that we can be sure to fund all of this in the coming school year!
Please visit the Santa Monica Education Foundation's website to be part of your child's success.While we’ve seen a surge, still more is needed to ensure retention of Ed Foundation-funded programs at Rogers - and at all Santa Monica public schools.
If you haven’t had a chance to contribute, please donate today at:
Please do not forget to send with your child every day:
- School materials including books, homework, projects, etc.
- Water bottle
- Snack and/or lunch (lunch available to all students free of charge for the 2023-24 school year.)
- 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!
"Oops, I forgot!" table - PLEASE SHARE AND USE
We have had an increase in requests from parents asking us to call classrooms to relay messages or have their child pick-up an item they left at home. Each time we call, we interrupt instruction which is disruptive to the students. Help us reduce these interruptions.
Please communicate the "Oops, I forgot table" plan with your child, so they know there is place for parents to drop-off items they may have left at home!
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. 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.
Counseling Services at WRLC
We have several community partnerships affording us the opportunity to provide school-based therapy services to the students at Rogers. If you are interested in this service, please reach out to your classroom teacher. We are fortunate to expand our services by offering free, tele-health counseling service through Hazel. Read more about this service below.
Contact Us
Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM