Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear WRLC Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to February!

We are excited to kick off this month by celebrating Black History Month—a special time dedicated to highlighting the accomplishments, contributions, and vibrant culture of Black Americans. To honor this month, we have scheduled a special KRUMP Dance Assembly and a visit to the Living Civil Rights Museum presented by our 5th grade scholars. We hope you can join us for these enriching events! (Please see the specific details and schedules listed below).

This month is also a wonderful time to reset and remind ourselves of the importance of kindness. THIS week, we will participate in a school-wide Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, providing daily opportunities for students to practice thoughtful and caring actions. Thank you for supporting our efforts to build a kind and connected community.

Finally, as we prepare for our Valentine’s-themed activities, please note that students may not bring candy with their Valentine’s cards. To ensure our celebrations are inclusive—especially for students with allergies or dietary restrictions—we warmly welcome small gifts of kindness instead, such as pencil toppers, stickers, or other school supplies.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Warmly,

Together for Will Rogers,

Principal Daruty

Mon. 2/9 WRLC Student Council Spirit Week!

Mon. 2/9 Random Acts of Kindness Challenge Week

Wed. 2/11 Math Club in room 508 @ 7:45 a.m.

Thurs. 2/12 Earthquake Drill @ 2:00 p.m.

Thurs. 2/12 5th grade parent planning committee@ 6:30 p.m. via zoom

Fri. 2/13 5th Grade SMC Dance Performance @1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria ( see suggested student dress below)

Mon. 2/16 NO SCHOOL President's Day

Wed. 2/18 Math Club in room 508 @ 7:45 a.m.

Wed. 2/18 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Tues. 2/19 ELAC Meeting @ 8:30 a.m. in the library

Thurs. 2/19 SSC Meeting @ 3:10 p.m. via zoom

Fri. 2/20 Peacemaker Meeting Group #1 @ 9:00 a.m.

Mon. 2/23 School Tour for prospective Parents@ 8: 30 a.m.

Mon. 2/23 Black History Month: KRUMP Dance Assemblies ( 8:30 a.m. TK- 2nd and 9:10 3rd - 5th)

Tues. 2/24 UCLA Dental Students Visit 1st grade @ 1:00 p.m.

Wed. 2/25 Math Club in room 508 @ 7:45 a.m.

Wed. 2/25 Fire Drill @ 9:30 a.m.

Thurs. 2/26 5th Grade Civil Rights Living Museum Parents Welcome (schedule TBD)

Fri. 2/27 Peacemaker Meeting Group #2 @ 9:00 a.m.

SMMUSD Calendar 2025-26

At-Home Risk-Taker Ideas for Parents:

• Intellectual & Skill Risks: Encourage children to take up a new hobby, learn a new language, or start a difficult project without fearing failure.
• Encourage Independence: Allow kids to take calculated, safe risks like riding bikes in new places, cooking/using tools, or navigating public spaces.
• Normalize Failure: When a child makes a mistake, focus on what they learned rather than the negative outcome.
• Voice Opinions: Encourage children to respectfully speak up for their beliefs or share unconventional ideas.
• Try New Things: Make a pact to try new foods, visit new places, or play games that are outside their usual comfort zone.
• Problem-Solving: Present open-ended, challenging problems and ask "What's the hard part?" to encourage brainstorming solutions.
• Reflective Discussions: Read stories about historical risk-takers (e.g., Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela) to discuss courage.

zoom link below:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87163317167?pwd=DePTIatzjdvk6grrDQu9cRzobRDNEe.1
Meeting ID: 871 6331 7167 Passcode: 2026

The Culminating Event will be held at Will Rogers Learning Community in the cafeteria at 1:30PM on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Please send students to school wearing the following attire or have them bring the attire with them to change into:

• Bright solid color top (t-shirt or long sleeve shirt, with no logo or image).

• Black or navy solid color pants, leggings, shorts or full skirt (w/shorts underneath) - no logo or image.

• Shoes that are comfortable to dance in (sneakers suggested).

This program is brought to you by Santa Monica College, SMMUSD, and the Santa Monica Ed Foundation.

We Did It! A Huge Thank You for your support of SMEF !

We are bursting with pride for our amazing community. You truly came together, showing up and SHOWING OUT for your love and support of the SMEF. Because of your generosity and spirit, we met our goal! Your donations make a massive difference, and we are incredibly grateful to every single family that contributed.

💦 Get Ready for the SPLASH ZONE!

Now comes the best part... it’s time to plan our SPLASH Zone Celebration! We can't wait to celebrate this success with the students.

We are thrilled to announce that 1st Grade has taken the top spot for the highest participation!

While 1st Grade took the lead, every single grade is a winner in our eyes for helping us achieve this milestone.

Every year, our community is asked to complete the Climate and Culture Survey. It is an anonymous, confidential survey of school climate and safety, student wellness, and youth resiliency.

Please click on the link below or use the QR code to take the parent/guardian survey. The deadline is February 27, 2026.

https://edu.sogolytics.com/r/2026SMMUSDFamilySCC

Please read this letter for details.

For everyone’s safety, please do not enter, park, or block the faculty parking lot during drop-off and pickup in BOTH the 14th and 16th Street lots. These lots are reserved for staff only, and unauthorized use has created a serious safety hazard, especially as children walk through the area during dismissal and staff are exiting after school hours.

You may use the lots AFTER 3:15 p.m. if you are picking-up for aftercare classes, as space is available.

Thank you for helping keep our campus safe for all students and staff.

Tickets can be purchased here.

ABOUT Nallely:

I am Nallely the community liaison that will be assisting at WRLC. I am a mother of 3 (Recent Grad from UCI -Mrs. Gonzales’ former student, a 5th grader and a 3rd grader at Edison). I am a product of what is now called the immersion program. I am a Zapotec indigena who speaks Zapotec, Spanish and English. My husband is a former Roger’s student and we have been part of this community before we left to college and came back. We lived in Monterey County for 15 years and we have now been back for about 11 years. I worked for UFW and Dolores Huerta Foundation, and as a medical interpreter for the farm workers in the county. Just a little intro to who I am.

Currently, I will share time between WRLC and LMS. I will be in in room 501B. Please feel free to stop by so I can meet you! I hope to meet you all little by little. Just because I am not on campus daily, doesn’t mean you cannot reach me. You can send me an email and I will get back to you or come see you on the days that I am on WR’s campus.

My schedule beginning Feb 2nd will be as follows:

Monday, Wednesday- Will Rogers

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday- Lincoln

Hours: 8:30 am-5:0pm.

Please do not hesitate to email me or call me at any point and leave a message. I am fast on email but will get back to your phone call pretty fast.

Nallely Gutiérrez

Bilingual Community Liaison

n.gutierrez@smmusd.org

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545A5AE23A7F5C25-62055415-5thgrade#/

Science Camp Overview

• Dates: April 22–24, 2026

• Location: Pali Institute, San Bernardino Mountains

• Focus Areas: Outdoor Education, Science, Leadership

• Cost: $450 per student (suggested donation to cover transportation, meals, accommodations, camp staff, and student support)

• No student will be excluded if unable to donate. Participation is open to all Rogers students.

Important Deadlines

• SMMUSD Field Trip Forms: Due by March 6, 2026

• Medical Forms: Due by March 27, 2026 (for any student taking prescribed or over-the-counter medication)

If You Decide Not to Attend

If any family decides to opt out of the science camp field trip, your child will report to school as usual and go to their designated 5th-grade classroom. Their classroom teacher will have prepared classwork for them during the time the 5th graders are away.

Please let us know if you would be interested in JAMS PTSA positions for the 2026-27 school year?

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCkbCKTS80JgEKnw1_CUNHQRYnV_aClY2KBm8ycFZoHBrVPQ/viewform

Interested in joining the JAMS science board for the 2026-27 school year? Join here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyo58U3BzCez6aHYDm1oIHHpcuVgowxouByAaA5o0MpccC9Q/viewform

Pick‑Up & Safety Policies

To uphold our safety standards and ensure every member leaves Playground Club safely:

• All authorized pick‑up persons must be physically present at pick‑up and must sign the member out on the official sign‑out sheet. Staff cannot release a member to anyone who is not present or who has not signed out.

• Authorized pick‑up adults may be asked to present ID. This helps ensure member safety—especially when new staff are working or when a staff member has not previously met the adult picking up.

• Only individuals listed as authorized pick‑up contacts in My Club Hub may sign out your child. If someone is not on your list, they must be added; we cannot release your child to them.

• Please ensure that your primary and emergency contacts are current and able to respond promptly. We encourage adding at least one local emergency contact as a backup.

Biddy Basketball Season

Biddy Basketball season is underway! Find updated schedules and standings at:
https://www.smbgc.org/programs/sports/basketball/

Spring Break Day Camp: March 30 – April 10

Registration for Spring Break Day Camp is now open! This is a safe, engaging environment where club members explore interests and build friendships while accessing Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s signature arts, STEM, and sports programs, supported by experienced, caring staff and comprehensive all‑day activities—with breakfast, lunch, and snack provided daily. Camp hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can register by logging in to My Club Hub and select the Spring Break Day Camp course option. We encourage early enrollment to secure your child's place. Login Home

Please share attached flyer with families and school communities. ​MB Spring Break​

Parent Handbook

For additional policies and guidance, please refer to our Parent Handbook: https://smbgc-parent-handbook.my.canva.site/

We’re Here to Help

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, and I am happy to assist you with anything you may need.

Thank you for your support and partnership!

Have a great day!

-Roson

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!

JOIN today for $11 HERE

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

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.

Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://rogers.smmusd.org

Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364