Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear WRLC Families,

Welcome to a new year and new possibilities! I hope your winter break offered everything it had to give—meaningful memories, restorative time with loved ones, moments of rest, and space for rejuvenation.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our school and community. As we begin this new year together, it’s a wonderful time to pause and reflect on how the year has gone so far for your child. You might consider reflecting together on questions such as:

• What is something new your child learned last year?

• What is something they are looking forward to learning this year?

• What was a favorite school memory?

• What was something you felt proud achieving? And something you haven't achieved quite yet?

• Is there someone you would like to thank this year and why? Is there someone they hope to spend more time with in the new year?

• What was something that felt challenging—and what was a moment that made them laugh?

As an IB school, we continue to grow as a learning community that values curiosity, reflection, and inquiry in all its forms. You can help nurture this by continuing to spark curiosity at home—by asking questions, wondering together, and celebrating the learning process.

I wish you and your family a joyful and hopeful new year. We are so ready and excited to welcome our students back to school and begin this next chapter together.

Warmly,
Lila Daruty, Principal Will Rogers Learning Community

WINTER BREAK 12/22- 1/2

January 2026- HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mon. 1/5 First Day Back after Winter Break. Happy New Year!

Wed. 1/7 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508

Wed. 1/7 PTA Association Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Mon 1/12 Volunteer Trainings 8: 30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Mon- Fri. 1/12-1/16 PS Arts Informances all week during classroom at art times ( see flyer below)

Wed. 1/14 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508

Wed. 1/14 2nd Grade Field Trip to Getty Villa

Wed. 1/14 Avitia- Witt Field Trip to A26 LA

Wed. 1/14 No 3rd grade music today

Wed. 1/14 PS Arts Family Night @ 6:00 p.m.

Thurs. 1/15 Trubo Field Trip to 826 LA

Thurs. 1/15 No 4th or 5th grade music today

Thurs. 1/15 SSC meeting @ 3:10 p.m. via zoom

Thurs. 1/15 ELAC Meeting @ 8:30 a.m. in the library

Mon. 1/19 NO SCHOOL MLK Holiday

Wed. 1/21 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508

Wed. 1/21 Schneider Field Trip to 826LA

Thurs. 1/22 TK/K Round-up 9:00- 11:00 a.m. in cafeteria and around campus

Fri. 1/23 Peacemaker Meeting Group #1 @ 9:00 a.m. in room 508

Fri. 1/23 Movie Night @ 6:00 p.m.

Mon. 1/26 Monday Meet-Up with the Principal @ 8:30 a.m.

Wed. 1/28 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508

Wed. 1/28 Alexander Field Trip to 826LA

Wed. 1/28 5th Grade JazzReach Assembly @ JAMS @8:45 a.m.

Fri. 1/30 Peacemaker Meeting Group #2 @ 9:00 a.m. in room 508

SMMUSD Calendar 2025-26

New sweatshirts are coming soon! We’ve heard all your hoodie hype, and we’re getting ready to order in time for the holidays. Help us pick the styles and sizes by filling out our quick pre-order interest survey (no money required to take the survey). Your input helps us make sure everyone stays warm (and stylish!) once the temperatures drop.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545A5AE23A7F5C25-59313411-popsicle#/

Below please find a list of links to local, seasonal happenings, including special events featuring technology, arts/culture, civics, and literacy, application support for social services and government benefits, and free ESL and citizenship classes via SMMUSD Adult Education

• Santa Monica Events/Activities/Opportunities

We’re excited to announce the return of ART CART at lunchtime! Starting this year, students can enjoy creative art projects and hands-on crafts every:

• Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. for grades 1st-5th

• Fridays from 11:30 -12:45 p.m. for grades TK/K

ART CART offers students a chance to express their creativity, relax, and connect with others—all thanks to the support of our incredible WRLC Wellness Team of counselors. We need your help!

Many hands make light work, and we’re looking for parent volunteers to help supervise and support our young artists. If you’re interested in volunteering on Mondays or Fridays, please email Mariela at mmartinez@sewi.org.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Level 1 volunteer clearance

• Willingness to supervise students using art tools and materials safely

• Enthusiasm for working with children

• A love of crafts, creativity, and fun!

Let’s make lunchtimes a colorful, creative experience for all our students!

Have you done your AERIES student data validation this year? If no, log in now to complete.

https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/Student/LoginParent.aspx

Data Validation Flyer - English

Data Validation - Spanish

• Score reports for CAASPP, ELPAC and Star Renaissance are available to parents in the Aeries Parent Portal. Hard copy score reports are no longer mailed home. These videos help explain to students & parents/ guardians on how to access their portals. Student Portal and Parent Portal.

• This guide with help parents ocate their Test Scores and State Test Scores Reports: Parent Portal: Test Scores [Aeries]-attachment.

• 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 Parents/Guardians Regenerative Farm Committee that we are forming for the 2025-26 school year. The Committee's tasks are to:

• Support the stewardship of the Regenerative Farm.
• Help organize the Regenerative Farm Events ready in the school calendar (monthly Family Farming Days, Earth Week Farming Day), in addition to organizing harvests and other school community engagement activities.

For any questions, contact:

Paola Vezzulli, Program Director - Regenerative Initiatives [Cayton Children's Museum] email: pvezzulli@caytonmuseum.org

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