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Dear Will Rogers Learning Community,

I hope you had a restful weekend. Remember there is no school tomorrow, Monday, September 26th.

We are so thrilled to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Year Progamme (PYP) school. This week new members of our teaching staff will participate in PYP Making the PYP Happen; Implementing Agency workshop. We will spend the three days inquiring into our own teaching practices and reflect on how we can develop the capabilities of a PYP teacher. By exploring the PYP framework, we will connect how voice, choice and ownership is recognized and developed in all members of the IB community at Rogers. Teachers and staff will be supported in our understanding of learning and teaching in a transdisciplinary, concept-driven curriculum and how to design this in into how we teach at Rogers. At the October 6th SMMUSD Board Meeting Rogers will be recognized for this outstanding accomplishment. Be sure to attend the meeting to celebrate with us!

September is Attendance Awareness Month. When you miss school, you miss out. Let's work together to be at school, on time and ready to learn!

Reminder that there is no school next Wednesday, Oct. 5th for a local holiday.

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:

• Please complete the 1st day packet registration materials.
• Antigen test kits will go with students every Friday.
• Learn about community enrichment opportunities.
• Emergency Drill Information

Together for Will Rogers,

Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC

Mon. 9/26 Local Holiday -NO SCHOOL

Wed. 9/28 1st ELAC meeting of the year @8:30 a.m.

Wed. 9/28 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Mon. 10/5 Local Holiday -NO SCHOOL

Sun. 10/9 Beautification Day

Wed. 10/12 PTA Association Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/19 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/19 School Site Council @ 3:30 p.m.

Thurs. 10/20 CA Great Shakeout Drill @ 10:20 a.m.

Fri. 10/21 Bike It! WalkIt! Day @ 9:45 a.m.

Fri. 10/21 Farm Fall Festival @ 3:00- 5:00 p.m.

Mon. 10/24 Prk-2nd Picture Day (details and pricing will be shared soon)

Wed. 10/26 3rd- 5th Picture Day (details and pricing will be shared soon)

Wed. 10/26 ELAC meeting @ 8: 30 a.m.

Mon. 11/7 Volunteer Training @ 8:30. a.m.

Mon. 11/28 Volunteer Training @3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

“The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

“The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.”

-source: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html

Last week we held a fire/evacuation drill. Things went well as students took direction from their teacher and exited classrooms safely and quickly. We convened on the yard in our designated evacuation locations. Will Rogers will conduct monthly fire/earthquake drills and twice yearly active shooter drills. Prior to these drills teachers spend time discussing expectations and students learn the procedures for staying safe in an emergency. We appreciate your support in speaking with your children about how important it is to listen to their teachers during drills so they are prepared in the event of a real emergency.

On Thursday, October 20 at 10:10 a.m. Rogers will participate in California’s Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This full-scale earthquake simulation drill will provide our students and staff the opportunity to practice earthquake emergency response. Please note that during drills - as well as true emergencies - the school campus will be locked until the drill/emergency is complete. All adults on campus at the time of the drill are expected to participate.

Please be sure that you have turned in your emergency cards and keep them updated with approved people who can pick up your child in the event of an emergency!

Please review, sign and return the 2022-23 registration documents which are now online. Note that there are 6 items that must be completed and returned to the Will Rogers Office DUE NOW!

https://www.smmusd.org/domain/4328

It is important we have your current contact information on file. Should you need to update your email, phone number or emergency card, please email lisadavis@smmusd.org

or visit the front office.

Every Friday free antigen tests will be sent home in your child's backpack. Please test your children weekly, at home.

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.

***Tests are always available in the Rogers Health Office.

Parents please support your children in arriving to school ON TIME. Several students are arriving late to school. Let's work together to improve on time arrival.

Free Breakfast is served beginning at 7:55 a.m. Enter through the front gate. When students arrive late and still want breakfast they are significantly late to class.

Use the 14th street valet option! Our staff is outside on the curb from 8:10- 8:30 a.m. Mon.-Thurs. and 9: 30 - 9:45 a.m. on Fridays. Once the bell rings, we need our staff to support students in the classroom. When you arrive late, you miss the opportunity to use the valet.

Be mindful of our neighbors. Please do not block residence driveways, as this creates even more congestion and forces neighbors to take up valuable parking spots on the street to avoid being blocked in.

Playground Club (formerly Playground Access) at our campus for on-site supervision after school until 4:30 pm M-F started this week. Pick-up from the 14th street parking lot near the 1st grade yard.

CDS, SAP and CREST

Pick-up using the 16th street gate ( using the gate code). Please do not share this code with your children or other parents. It is meant to be provided ONLY to our CDS early express parents, and after school CDS and Crest parents.

Mornings are busy and sometimes students leave for school without their water bottle, instrument or homework. In an an effort to reduce classroom interruptions and to support students with developing responsibility, please use our "Oops, I forgot" table. Make a plan with your child that if they leave something at home, a parent can drop it off in the office. We will place their item on a table outside the office. During their recess or on their way to lunch, they may check the table for their forgotten item.

Please communicate this plan with your child, so they know there is place for parents to drop-off items they may have left at home!

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!

We are pleased to announce the beginning of our folklórico program for the 2022-2023 school year. This is a joint effort by Santa Monica Malibu School District and Teocalli Cultural Academy. The response to the program has been great! We grew from two sites to four for the current year. We will be offering classes at McKinley Elementary School, Edison Language Academy (Last semester sites) and adding Will Rogers Learning Community and Roosevelt Elementary School this year. If you know of a student who would still like to enroll, please share this link:

The schedule for the upcoming year, beginning the week of September 19 is:

Rogers 9/22 Tuesdays-Thursdays 3:30-5:00 pm

Performance opportunities. Students perform at least three times during the year, once the students are ready. These opportunities will be announced via “Band”, make sure that you add “Band” as soon as it is convenient. The biggest performance of the year will be on May 6 and 7, (Cinco de mayo weekend) during Mexico Magico, a SMMUSD sponsored festival that brings together groups from all over the state, New Mexico and Baja California.

Do I have to buy a costume or shoes? No, costumes will be provided by TCA and shoes and practice skirts by the district. The only thing we will ask you to get is your own child’s accessories.

Attendance policy? Students with 85 % attendance will be considered for upcoming performances. Students with 65-84 % will only be considered if the students make up the absences by documenting practices at home. Students with less than 55% will not be considered.

The Weekend Bag Program (WeB) will provide SMMUSD students experiencing weekend food insecurity with nutritious, easy-to- prepare bags of food containing 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 snacks for the weekends. The Fall 2022 startup date is September 16th. The Weekend Bag Program will serve students whose families have special situations resulting in food insecurity in the home. Student names are not identified to Weekend Bag Program volunteers to ensure participant privacy. Bags are packed by volunteers with enough shelf-stable food (including UHT milk) for breakfast, lunch and snacks for two days, and then brought to the schools. Participating students pick up the food bags, usually from the school office, and stick them in their backpacks after school on Fridays. The menus have been evaluated by a dietitian to meet federal school nutrition standards and provide a balance of healthy, nutritious non-perishable foods. Families wishing to enroll their students should contact our school’s Bilingual Community Liaison, Flory Vila fvila@smmusd.org and fill out a Program opt-in form.

ARRIVAL:
***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.

DONATE HERE:https://www.willrogerspta.com/direct-donation-will-rogers-fund

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!

We encourage all families to donate to the PTA and SMEF to support our programs and school! We are hoping to get 100% participation.This Friday we will announce the classroom with the MOST participation at our Friday Assembly. The winning class will get popsicles with our librarian, Mr. Sea!

As you may know, SMMUSD is enrolled in Year 2 of LA Metro’s GoPass Fareless System Pass Program, which provides free public transit rides and TAP cards for all K-12 students through 06/30/2023.

For Year 2 Metro is requiring both new enrollees and renewals to register with a unique Eligibility Code (One code per student). Please submit the form to reactivate your TAP card OR register for the first time: https://bit.ly/MetroGoPass22-23form One form per student please.

ATTENTION: Free Big Blue Bus rides for all SMMUSD students (8/18/22 - 8/25/22) Effective August 18, 2022 through August 25, 2022, Big Blue Bus will provide a grace period for Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) students who need to obtain or renew their GoPass TAP cards. During the grace period, courtesy rides will be given to SMMUSD students. Students with school-issued ID cards are encouraged to present them to the driver when boarding the bus, but no student will be denied a ride during the grace period. After August 25, 2022, students will be required to pay a fare on Big Blue Bus, and there will be no exceptions. Questions? Please email Austin Toyama, Sustainability Manager (atoyama@smmusd.org)

Students who participate in the Rogers Breakfast Club will still arrive at school under the same procedures as all students. Parents will drop their children off at the main gates by 7:55 AM so that there is ample time to eat and walk to their classrooms by 8:25 AM.

Will Rogers PTA Website

Instagram

Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/willrogersLC/?ref=share&fs=e&s=cl
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM

Stay informed and connected with our PTA. Use this LINK to sign-up for PTA emails.