Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

What a fantastic first two days of school we had last week! The minimum days gave us all a gentle way to ease back into our routines, and we’re feeling the excitement of a new year ahead.

We have another minimum day this Tuesday. That evening, we invite you to join us for Back-to-School Night for TK–2nd 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. Afterward, you're invited to join the first PTA meeting of the year! We’ll have childcare for both events, on the former TK/K yard so you can participate comfortably.

As we settle into our daily arrival routines, here are a few friendly reminders to help us all start the year strong at arrival time:

• Please do not park in staff lots—our team needs those spots each morning.

• The 14th Street valet will be open for drop-off.

• Please be respectful of our neighbors—don’t block driveways.

• For safety, always use crosswalks, avoid double parking, and follow the crossing guards’ directions.

And most importantly, please begin establishing morning routines now so that your children arrive on time. School starts at 8:25 a.m., and regular, on-time attendance sets a positive tone for the entire year!

We had such a great time at our Back-to-School Picnic, and we’re already looking forward to many more joyful PTA events in the weeks to come. Thank you for your continued support and partnership—we’re off to a great start!

Warmly,
Ms. Lila Daruty

Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
ldaruty@smmusd.org

Tues. 8/26 Minimum Day: Arrival at 8:25 a.m. TK/K dismissal @12:10 1st-5th @1:00 p.m.

Tues. 8/26 Volunteer Training @3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in the library

Tues. 8/26 Back to School Night Grades TK- 2nd @ 5:30 p.m.

Tues. 8/26 First PTA Association Mtg. of the year 7:00 p.m. in the library

Thurs. 8/28 New Peacemaker Parent Information Meeting@ 7:00 p.m. via (zoom)

Fri. 8/29 First late start of the year. School begins @9:45 a.m.

Fri. 8/29 First Friday Assembly-of-the-Year on the track/field. Grown-up welcome! @ 9:45 a.m.

Fri. 8/29 New Peacemaker Parent Information Meeting @9:45 a.m. in the library and via (zoom)

Fri. 8/29 PTA sponsored Staff Breakfast @8:00 a.m. ( THANK YOU IN ADVANCE)

SEPTEMBER

Mon. 9/1 Labor Day- NO SCHOOL

Tues. 9/2 School-wide Expectations Tours with students

Tues. 9/2 Minimum Day (Dismissal for TK-2 @12:10 p.m 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)

Thurs. 9/11 Picture Day!

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

Will Rogers Learning Community

Morning Procedures

Monday-Thursday Arrival

8:10 Breakfast in the cafeteria. Yards open.
8:20 First bell rings. Students line up for class.
8:25 All students TK to 5th grade in classrooms.

Late Start Friday Arrival

9:20 Breakfast in the cafeteria. Yards open.

9:40 First bell rings. Students line up for class.

9:45 All students TK to 5th grade in classrooms.

Recess

*No morning recess on Fridays, if it is a late start.

PreK/TK/K Early Learning Yard

9:40-10:10 TK/PreK (eat 9:40-9:55/play 10:00-10:15)
10:15-10:45 Kindergarten (eat 10:15-10:30/play 10:30-10:45)

*TK/K students use bathrooms in room 804

Grades 1-5 Playground and Track/Field
9:50-10:10 1st & 2nd grades (eat 9:50-10:00/play 10:00-10:10)
10:15-10:35 3rd & 4th grades (eat 10:15-10:25/play 10:25-10:35)

10:40-11:00 5th grade (eat 10:40-10:50/play 10:50-11:00)

Lunch

Grades TK/K Early Learning Yard

11:30-12:15 TK (eat 11:30-11:50/play 11:50-12:15)

12:00-12:45 Kindergarten (eat 12:00-12:20/play 12:20-12:45)

*TK/K students use bathrooms in room 804

Grades 1-5 Playground and Track/Field

11:30-12:15 1st & 2nd grades (eat 11:30-11:50/play 11:50-12:15)

12:00-12:45 3rd & 4th grades (eat 12:00-12:20/play 12:20-12:45)

12:30-1:15 5th Grade (eat 12:30-12:50/play 12:50-1:15)

Dismissal

1:45 TK/Kindergarten

2:55 1st to 3rd Grades

3:00 4th and 5th Grades

Aftercare

1:45 Kindergarten Dismissal - CDS School Age Program (SAP) staff meets students on K yard
2:55 Grades 1-3 Dismissal - CDS School Age Program (SAP) students walk to their classrooms
3:00 Grades 4-5 Dismissal - CREST students walk to their classrooms

MINIMUM DAYS: 8/21, 8/22 no late start, 8/26, 9/2, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7 no late start, 12/19 no late start, 3/26, 6/11

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!

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!

• Beginning, Monday, Aug. 25th, we ask that you say your goodbyes at the gates! We know this may be an adjustment for our youngest learners and we will support families with a separation plan, if needed.
• Parents are welcome to eat in the cafeteria for breakfast.

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