Will Rogers Roundup

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At WRLC, we value neurodiversity—including autism—as an essential part of our community. Our goal is to deepen understanding and honor the diverse ways students learn, communicate, and experience the world. When neurodivergent and neurotypical students learn together, they develop empathy, flexibility, and a greater appreciation for each other’s strengths.

We’ve adopted a neurodiversity-affirming approach that shifts from a deficit-based model to one focused on removing barriers and fostering inclusive environments. By adapting teaching methods, classroom structures, and supports, we ensure every student—regardless of neurotype—has what they need to thrive.

Dear Will Rogers Families and Guardians,

Wishing you a meaningful and inspiring day as we celebrate the life and legacy of César Chávez — a champion of justice, dignity, and the power of peaceful change. May his courage and compassion continue to guide us in standing up for the rights of all workers and communities. ¡Sí se puede!

JOGATHON was a HUGE success! A massive shoutout to our amazing PTA JOGATHON chairs —your dedication made this fundraiser an energetic and seamless event for everyone! Thanks to our incredible WRLC families, we are 95% to our fundraising target with only $1,625 remaining! We are so close, and there is still time to make a general donation at Rally-Up If we reach our school-wide goal of 40k, I will take a pie in the face! Thank you to our amazing volunteers, families and community for coming together and making a difference.

Adventure awaits! Our 5th graders are heading off to Pali Institute this week for an unforgettable 3-day overnight camp! From thrilling zip lines and ropes courses to night hikes and team challenges, they’re in for an epic experience filled with growth, confidence, and memories to last a lifetime. Wishing them a fantastic trip and a safe return!

Don't forget to check out the SMMUSD monthly WAVE newsletter for exciting highlights from WRLC and other schools in our district!

Finally, wishing you and your family a joyful, restful Spring Break! We can't wait to see you all back on April 21st! A quick reminder—this Friday is a regular late start day with regular dismissal times.

In partnership,
Principal Daruty

Mon. 3/31 No school - César Chavez Day

Tues.4/1 4th and 5th Grade Math Club Celebration for students and families @4:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Tues. 4/1 Volunteer Training 8:30am (library), 3:00pm (library) and 6:00pm (cafeteria)

Wed. 4/2 5th grade leaves for Pali Camp

Wed. 4/2 PTA Gen. Mtg 6-7:30pm in library

Thurs. 4/3 School Board Mtg 5:30pm

Fri. 4/4 5th grade returns from Pali Camp

Sat. 4/5 Family Farming Day 10:00-1:00 in Regenerative Farm

Tues. 4/22 5th grade SMC Dance begins during PE

Tryouts will begin at the end of this month! Students who wish to participate in this year's show will be asked to send a video of their act (2 minutes or less) between March 24 and April 4.

Tues. 4/22 Talent Show Rehearsal in cafeteria 3:00-4:00pm

Wed. 4/23 Career Day 8:30-11:00 a.m. Are you interested in speaking to a classroom about your job, hobby or passion project? Stay tuned for details!

Wed. 4/23 Field Trip to CA Science Center - all Kindergarten Classes

Thurs. 4/24 SSC Student Forum 8:15-11:30 a.m.

Thurs. 4/24 1st grade field trip Science Center

Thurs. 4/24 Field Trip all 3rd graders-Ms. Alexander, Turbo & Hoffman-Ellis Fowler Museum at UCLA

Thurs. 4/24 School Tour 1:00-2:00 pm

Fri. 4/25 Scholastic Spring Book Fair Begins

Fri. 4/25 EARTH DAY FAMILY FARMING 3pm-5pm

Wed. 4/30 Talent Show Rehearsal in cafeteria 3:00-4:00

WRLC PTA Calendar 2024-2025

SMMUSD 2024-2025 Calendar

WOW! What an incredible turnout at our Open House last week! It was truly inspiring to see so many families come together and witness the ongoing learning happening every day at WRLC. Your enthusiasm and support make our community so special.

And, if you are someone that appreciates a reminder, we are very close to reaching 40% participation from Rogers for the SM Ed Foundation! We need 15 new families who have not had a chance to contribute yet this year, to please consider donating today. All Rogers families who have donated this school year will be entered into a drawing for a Pacific Park Family 4-Pack AND a 4-cone pack from Handel’s Ice Cream! Any amount helps you qualify. Please donate today.

Why do we ask families to donate to the Santa Monica Education Foundation? The Ed Foundation provides a grant to the district that we use to pay for STAFF and key programs at Rogers, that otherwise would not exist. This grant helps to budget for P.S. Arts, the Music curriculum and instruments, 4th and 5th grade dance classes, Instructional Aids and a stretch grant that we use for unique programs including our Regenerative Farm. PTA raises money for STUFF we need throughout the year; Ed Foundation raises money and provides for the STAFF and programs that enrich our students. Both are critical to how Rogers operates. Thank you for making a difference.

Believe it or not, we are already beginning to plan for the 2025–2026 school year. To make the most informed decisions about the number of classrooms per grade and teacher assignments, we rely heavily on accurate projected enrollment numbers. Your input is essential to this process. Please take a moment to inform us of your plans for the fall by completing the enrollment form. We ask that you submit one form per student to indicate your family’s plans for the 2025–2026 school year. Your timely and accurate response helps ensure we are fully prepared to meet the needs of all our students. Thank you for your partnership! RETURNING TO WRLC FORM.

FOR RETURNING WRLC STUDENTS: We share in your commitment to placing your child in a classroom environment and with a teacher that supports their growth and development. As part of this process, we are offering you an optional opportunity to share information about your child that may assist us in making thoughtful placement decisions for the upcoming school year. This is not required. You may choose to provide insights about your child as a learner and the type of learning environment in which they thrive. Please note: we do not accept requests for specific teachers or specific friends. All information you wish to have considered must be included in the form provided. CLASS PLACEMENT PARENT INPUT FORM. If you have more than one child at WRLC, please use a different form for each child.

Please submit these forms on or before APRIL 25th. TRANSLATION: Click on the link for the form. Right Click anywhere on the form and several options will appear. Click on “Translate” or “Translate to ( to select a different language)

This is the seventh year that the Santa Monica College Dance Department will be providing World Dance for the SMMUSD Elementary Schools. The fourth graders at Will Rogers Learning Community are receiving 12 lessons, and will be learning both a Mexican Dance and an Hawaiian Dance. The SMC Dance Academy is an instructional program taught during the school day. This program is a part of an Arts in Education course that will conclude with a Culminating Event on the twelfth lesson. This program is brought to you by Santa Monica College, SMMUSD, and the Santa Monica Ed Foundation.

This specialized college pathway program is designed to encourage students to think independently, to be able to work with others, to value creative thought and diversity, and to be responsible global citizens. Our faculty members instruct using both the California and LAUSD Standards in dance and are trained to offer instructions according to these standards.

The SMC Dance Academy’s goal for delivering dance instruction to SMMUSD’s students is based on our mission to nurture the development of a skillset that students will use to build fulfilling lives for themselves and their community. According to the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), dance is a powerful ally for developing every aspect of elementary age children. Dance helps children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

Performance Presentations:

4th Grade May 20th performance at 2:15PM

Coming soon: 5th grade begins on 4/23 and our performance is on June 4th@ 2:15PM

Join us for a celebratory evening honoring all students and parents/guardians of our Math Club! The event will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Students will receive a certificate of completion and a Math Club T-shirt! We hope to see you there and look forward to celebrating this achievement together!

We are excited to announce an opportunity to be a mentor for one of our 5th-grade Exhibition groups this year! As part of our culminating event, the Exhibition is a celebration of all that our students have learned as IB scholars during their years at Rogers. This year's exhibition is scheduled for Friday, June 6th, from 10:15-11:30 am and is open to our community. It’s a special moment for them, and we need your support to make it an unforgettable experience!

As a mentor, you will play a vital role in guiding your assigned group through their Exhibition journey. Here’s a look at what the responsibilities will include:

Mentor Responsibilities:

• Weekly Meetings April 28-June 2: Meet with your group weekly for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your availability. These check-ins will provide valuable support as the students work on their projects.

• Support Student Research: Help students dig deeper into their topics and strengthen their research. They will come with materials organized in a student journal.

• Writing the Group Essay (To be determined by classroom teacher): Work with students to organize and write a group essay that reflects their findings.

• Editing the Presentation: Assist with refining their presentation, ensuring it’s clear, polished, factual, and impactful.

• Action Component: Guide students as they create their action component, whether it’s a poster, model, or another project that brings their research to life!

Why Get Involved?

This is not just a group project—it’s a community celebration! As a mentor, you will contribute to a meaningful moment in the lives of our 5th graders, helping them develop their IB learner profiles and celebrate the knowledge and skills they’ve gained throughout their time at Rogers. Your involvement will also inspire them as they take ownership of their learning and demonstrate all they have achieved.

We believe that your support as a mentor will make a world of difference to our students, and we would love for you to be part of this incredible experience!

Interested in Mentoring?
Please fill out the mentor interest Google Form and include your availability. Please note that you must be Level 1 Cleared (Attend volunteer training, submit volunteer application, TB test or waiver, and your name must be cleared through Megan’s Law Website) before meeting with groups. Google Form: https://forms.gle/mSBYNuK9o36cpvQ66

Thank you for considering this exciting opportunity! Together, we can make this Exhibition a truly memorable event for our students.

With Gratitude,
Courtney Hayes and the 5th Grade Team

READ MORE: Parent Mentor Letter and Parent Mentor Google Form

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.

This month our Learner Profile is Thinker. A thinker can imagine many solutions to a question or challenge. Thinkers make good decisions and can predict the outcomes of their actions. They think creatively and critically.

How can parents help to develop students who are Thinkers at home?

Encourage your child to try to think of solutions to problems independently. Pose different real-life problems and questions to your child:

• “I’m not sure how to arrange the glasses so they can all fit in the cupboard.”
• “I wonder how much the groceries in the cart will cost… how can we make an estimate?”
• “We need enough cookies for the 20 people in your class. What kind of change should we make to our recipe?”

Ask your children questions when they are working on a problem:

" Do you have any ideas about how we might begin?"

" How can we do this differently?"

" I had never thought of that. Tell me more about it."

" What other ways can we show that?"

" Why do you think that?"

" How did you figure that out?"

Join us for WRLC's Career Day on April 23, from 8:30-10am

Do you have a fun job, passion project or deep hobby to share with the kids? Have you always wanted to talk to students about what you do all day? Career Day is here for you!

Sign up here and we will match you with a classroom: https://forms.gle/5CQ6uZik4gDwQuuFA

Are you interested in learning more about Physical Education / Independent Study P.E. at JAMS next year? Below is a shareable link to the ISPE application for next year that incoming families need to complete.

https://www.smmusd.org/Page/824

ISPE affords students the opportunity to extend physical education learning activities beyond the school campus and regular school hours. Grading and Credit Policy

www.smmusd.org

The Will Rogers Family Talent Show is May 9 at 6:00pm! Because of the rehearsal schedule and Spring Break, tryouts will begin at the end of this month! Students who wish to participate in this year's show will be asked to send a video of their act (2 minutes or less) between March 24 and April 4. FIRST, please SIGN UP let us know that your child will be participating! Please use this form to provide details about your student's Family Talent Show act, and we will send a follow up email with the upload link and instructions.

All kinds of talents are welcome! Singing, dancing, comedy, juggling, magic...we've seen so many amazing acts grace the stage at WRLC over the years.

Tips for helping your kids develop their Talent Show ideas:

- We really do love family acts. Moms, dads, siblings, cousins, come on down! This element of our show is a special tradition, and a unique opportunity to share the stage with your kiddo. Don't be shy!

- Small group acts are audience favorites! Working on an act with a friend or two (or more!) is a great way to ensure a crowd-pleaser. Solos are ok, but we especially love to see students collaborating and sharing the stage.

- When an act involves music (especially singing), upbeat songs are encouraged. Everyone loves a good ballad, but not everyone loves 20 ballads in one show. Just something to keep in mind when steering your little one toward a song choice.

- We usually have a lot of participants, so please be sure to manage expectations. Most acts will be asked to cut their time to 2 minutes or less.

- Everyone is asked to have a second choice ready if they're singing a song. Sometimes it happens that multiple acts will want to do the same song and we do our best not to have repeats, so our singers (and sometimes dancers) may be asked to perform their second choice.

- Students are limited to participating in one or two acts only.

We look forward to supporting our talented Will Rogers students in this wonderful annual showcase! Please email wrlctalentshow@gmail.com with questions.

Help WRLC have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo Festival event! Come to our next parent planning meeting on April 22nd on zoom at 6:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 740 600 0734

We are looking for parents who would be willing to help:

Help with set-up ( 8:00- 9:45 a.m.) on the morning of the event.

Help with Clean-up (5:30-6:30 p.m.)

Organizing the purchase and resale of watermelons, tamales, nachos or other foods etc.

Face painting

Dates: June 23- July 25, 2025

Location: Franklin Elementary School

Scholarships are available for qualifying SMMUSD students.

After-care is available with CDS for an additional fee.

Online registration begins March 3 at 7:30 a.m.

Need registration support? In-person assistance is available on March 3, 7:30am-11:30am at Lincoln Middle School (1501 California Avenue).

NEW THIS YEAR: You must fill out the Medical Information Form during registration. You will need the name and contact info for your child's doctor and dentist, the name of your insurance company, and information about allergies and medications.

Visit us at summer-adventure.org

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their immigration status, has access to a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment. Please know that students are safe at school. We have been instructed not to let anyone on campus unless they possess a judicial warrant for a specific person. Even if they have a judicial warrant, they will not be allowed on campus until our Director of Student Services and district legal council have been consulted.

We want to ensure that our students arrive to school safely. I acknowledge that mornings are a busy time in our neighborhood please keep the following reminders in mind as you drop-off at WRLC.

• Do not park or leave your car unattended in front of school between 8:00-8:30 a.m. This is our valet lane.
• Be respectful to our neighbors. Do not block driveways.
• Please do not double park.
• Please support students to use the crosswalks, only.

Tuesday is our lunchtime ART CART day. Students are invited to participate in creative art projects and handicrafts during lunchtime. This is possible through the support of our parent volunteers. If you would like to volunteer for lunchtime on Tuesdays, please sign up using the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050445AFAF28A2FB6-51251277-artcart

We would also love donations here is our wishlist for the art cart here.

The school provides the supplies, your support requires:

You are a level 1 cleared volunteer

You are willing to safely supervise students with proper use of art tools and materials

Enthusiasm for working with children

Enjoyment with crafts and art

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

Families wishing to enroll their students should contact our school’s Bilingual Community Liaison, Flory Vila, fvila@smmusd.org, 310 452-2364 x67338, and fill out a Program opt-in form.

Las familias que deseen

inscribir a sus estudiantes en el Programa de Bolsas de Fin de Semana deben comunicarse con Flory Vila, fvila@smmusd.org 310 452-2364 x67338, y completar un formulario para inscribirse en el programa.

• 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 form 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 all families to submit the Free and Reduced Meals application. 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 2025-26 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

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://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM