Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

Labor Day honors the hard work and contributions of people across the country. It’s a time to recognize the strength and dedication of workers—including so many in our own school community. As the unofficial end of summer, this long weekend is also a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends.

We have a short week ahead. No school on Monday and a minimum day on Tuesday. That evening, we invite you to join us for Back-to-School Night for 3rd-5th grade. We’ll start together in the auditorium at 5:30 p.m., where you’ll hear from me, our amazing PTA, and SMEF as we welcome you to the new school year. Then, at 6:00 p.m., you’ll head to your child’s classroom to hear from their teacher. Childcare will be provided.

Thank you to our amazing PTA who hosted a breakfast for us last Friday. We are so grateful for such a warm welcome to start the year. Thank you so much!

Warmly,
Ms. Lila Daruty

Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
ldaruty@smmusd.org

Mon. 9/1 No School. Labor Day

Tues. 9/2 Minimum Day Dismissal for TK/K @ 12:10 p.m. and 1st-5th @ 1:00 p.m.

Tues. 9/2 Volunteer Training 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Tues. 9/2 BTSN 3rd- 5th grades 5:30p.m. ( 6-7pm teacher presentations)

Tues. 9/9 SPED Team meet and Greet with Families @ 5:00 p.m. in the library

Thurs. 9/11 Picture Day!

Fri. 9/12 New Early Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Fri. 9/12 (NEW) 4th and 5th graders Peacemakers training in cafeteria 10-3 p.m.

Wed. 9/17 (ALL) 4th and 5th grade Peacemakers Training 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Wed. 9/17 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. in the library

Thurs. 9/18 School Site Council Mtg. @ 3:10 p.m. via zoom

Tues. 9/23 NO SCHOOL- Local Holiday

Fri. 9/26 RODEO Family Dance @6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria

Mon. 9/29 Monday Meet-Ups with the Principal ( in front of school) @ 8:30 a.m.

Tues. 9/30 Prospective Parent School Tour @ 9:00 a.m.

SMMUSD Calendar 2025-26

WRLC PTA Calendar 2025-26

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

During our student Expectation Tours, students get to meet and connect with the amazing adults who help make our school a safe, supportive, and joyful place to learn—from our custodians and cafeteria team to our office staff, nurse, and more!

Each staff member:

• Introduces themselves

• Shares something fun or interesting about who they are

• Explains their role at WRLC

• Reviews the behavioral expectations specific to their area (e.g., the lunch area, office, restrooms, hallways)

These tours are part of our Positive Behavior Framework program, and serve as an engaging way for students to get to know the team that supports them every day—while reinforcing positive behavior expectations across all areas of our campus. It’s a powerful way to help students feel connected, supported, and clear about what’s expected in every space at school. You might ask your child: “Did you meet anyone new this week during the Expectation Tour?”

Thank you for helping us build a strong, respectful, and connected school community—together!

The IB Learner Profiles are the qualities we strive for all students to develop. For the month of September, our focus is on being principled. We are principled when we act with integrity and honesty. Principled people treat others with justice, respect, dignity, and fairness. They take responsibility for their actions and understand how their choices impact others.

At home, you can support this trait by having conversations with your child. You can also model principled behavior by showing your child how you handle mistakes, keep promises, or speak up when something isn’t right. Recognizing and praising principled behavior when you see it at home goes a long way in helping kids internalize this value.

Looking for books that showcase principled characters? Here are a few great stories to explore together—all available in our school library:

• Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells

• Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

• One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul

• One by Kathryn Otoshi

• Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

• Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

Every Friday this month we will reflect on what it looked and sounded like to be principled. Students will honored at our assemblies. Thank you for partnering with us in building a strong community of principled learners!

Every Late Start Friday, we gather together as a school community to kick off the day with joy, connection, and celebration! Right after arrival, we head to the track and field for a school-wide gathering. These Friday assemblies are a time for us to connect as one WRLC community—students, staff, and families alike. Grown-ups are always welcome to join us!

During our assemblies, we:

• Sing and dance together

• Enjoy performances from students

• Hear updates from student leadership groups like the school newspaper, Peacemakers, or Student Council

• Watch classes share their learning

• Invite the community to upcoming events

• Celebrate student success and growth

• Recognize our IB Learner Profile winners, students who are showing the values and character traits we strive to embody at WRLC

Fridays are truly a time of celebration, connection, and community spirit. Our first assembly of the year is this Friday—come check it out and experience one more reason WRLC is such a unique and vibrant place to learn and grow!

Arrival to school: Gates open at 8:10 a.m.

• TK/Kinder use the designated TK/K gate off of 14th street. Students and families may play, and wait for pick-up from their teachers on the (old) TK/K yard. @ 8:25 teachers will meet and walk students and accompanying grown-ups to the new early learning building.
• 1st - 5th may use either the front gate on 14th street or the pedestrian gate on 16th street. Students and families should proceed to their classrooms.

Dismissal from school: (All teachers will escort students to these areas)

• TK/Kinder meet your children at the designated TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street.
  
• 1st - 2nd meet your children the TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street
• 3rd should be picked-up from the front gate on 14th street.
• 4th and 5th should be picked up from 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 or block driveways of our neighbors. We will continue to offer a valet on 14th street in front of the school.

• At WRLC, we make every effort to avoid interrupting instructional time and therefore do not allow cellphones and other electronics to be used during the instructional day. Students are not permitted to wear smartwatches or Gizmos in the classrooms. If your child wears a smartwatch, or has a smartphone, please remind them they are to be kept in their backpack turned off or on school-mode during the school day. We encourage parents to support us by leaving these items at home.
• Students are never permitted to use cell phones on campus. In the event of an emergency, the administration carry radios, teachers have cellphones and there is a school phone in every learning space. Under the advisement of our SMPD school resource officers, individual student cellphone use can actually hinder the delivery of important messaging necessary in a true emergency.
• Other personal electronics from home, such as Nintendo Switches, iPads, Kindles etc. are not permitted on campus. 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.
• Please help us ensure that our students have an electronics free learning zone at school.

• 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 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