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.

Join us in celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans throughout the month of April. This is a time to honor the diverse stories, heritage, and achievements of Arab American communities across the United States. From literature and science to art, activism, and beyond, Arab Americans have helped shape our nation in countless ways.

Dear Will Rogers Families and Guardians,

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful two-week Spring Break—whether you spent it relaxing, making memories with loved ones, or heading off on an exciting adventure. As we step into this new season, we also recognize that it’s a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration for many in our community. To all those observing Passover and Easter, we send warm wishes for peace, joy, and meaningful moments with your loved ones. May your day be filled with light and happiness!

It’s hard to believe, but we only have 7 weeks left in the school year! The time is flying by, and we have so many exciting things coming up.

This week, we have two special events:

🎉 Cinco de Mayo Planning Meeting – Tuesday
We’d love for you to join us in planning this exciting event! It takes a village to bring these celebrations to life, and we need your help. If you're available, please come be a part of the planning team. Parent Planning Meeting on zoom at 6:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 740 600 0734.

🌟 Career Day – Wednesday! We’re looking forward to a fun and inspiring day as students learn about different professions from our amazing guests. We still need a few more speakers—please reach out if you're interested!

🌎 Earth Day – Tuesday! And on Friday, in celebration of Mother Earth, we open our Regenerative Farm for a special Family Farming Afternoon! Families and the community are invited to join us in learning and practicing land stewardship and discovering the many ways we can reconnect with nature and where our fresh food comes from. JOIN US for this very special event!

Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make these last few weeks of school some of the best yet!

In partnership,
Principal Daruty

Mon. 4/21 Welcome Back!

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

Tues. 4/22 Cinco De Mayo Festival parent planning meeting on zoom at 6:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 740 600 0734

Wed. 4/23 Career Day 8:30-11:00 a.m.

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

Thurs. 4/24 SSC Student Forum 8:15-11:30 a.m. in room 303

Thurs. 4/24 Field Trip all 1st grade Underwood Farms

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 Earth Day Family Farming 3pm-5pm

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

Thurs. 5/1 Volunteer Training 8:30am (library), 3:00pm (library) and 6:00pm (cafeteria)

Thurs. 5/1 SMMUSD School Board Mtg 5:30 (agenda)

Fri. 5/2 Cinco de Mayo Festival 3-5:30 p.m.

Mon. 5/5 Teacher Appreciation Week begins

Mon. 5/5 School Tour 9:00-10:00am

Mon. 5/5 Talent Show Rehearsal in cafeteria 3:00-4:00

Wed. 5/7 PTA General Association Meeting 6-7:30pm in library

Thurs. 5/8 Talent Show Rehearsal in cafeteria 3:00-4:00

Fri. 5/9 Talent Show Performance in cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

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

Tues. 5/13 Coffee with the Principal 8:30-9:30am in library

Thurs. 5/15 School Board Mtg 5:30p.m

Fri. 5/16 Peacemaker Monthly Mtg 9-9:45am

Wed. 5/21 Volunteer Tea & Honorary PTA Service Awards 3:15-4:00 K Yard

Thurs. 5/22 ELAC Meeting 8:30am in library

Thurs. 5/22 Site Council Mtg 3:15 on Zoom

Mon. 5/26 No School - Memorial Day

Tues. 5/27 4th and 5th grade Spring Music Concert

• 4th gr at 6:00pm

• 5th gr at 7:00pm

Thurs. 5/29 School Yard Rap Assembly for 4th and 5th grade @ 8:30 a.m.

WRLC PTA Calendar 2024-2025

SMMUSD 2024-2025 Calendar

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

Thanks to our PROP 28 funds, we secured a 5 week dance program for our youngest learners. We start this week with classes on Wednesday or Friday for each TK and K class. We hope your children find this opportunity enriching. Read more about the offering below!

Classes will be held from April 21st - May 30th

In celebration of mother EARTH this Friday, we open our Regenerative Farm for a special FAMILY FARMING afternoon for families and the community to join us in learning and practicing land stewardship and the many ways we can re-connect with NATURE and where fresh food comes from. JOIN US for this very special event!!

Sustainability at WRLC

Environmental learning and action are embedded throughout the year at WRLC. Key programs and events include:

• Regenerative Farm instruction focused on sustainability and climate

• Family Farming Days

• School-wide Compositing Program

• STEAM lessons using recycled materials

• Amplify Science Curriculum

• IB units of Study across all grades

• STEM Challenges

• Bike It, Walk It events

• Pali Science Camp (5th grade)

Our Spring Scholastic Book Fair starts next Monday, April 28, 2025! Click HERE (https://www.scholastic.com/bf/WRLC) to set up e-wallets and check the dates. In addition to students visiting with their class, select days will have before and after-school family shopping hours. Volunteer opportunities are now open, email bookfair@willrogerspta.com to coordinate!

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 Santa Monica College Dance Department is providing twelve lessons of dance through our SMC Dance Academy for our 4th and 5th graders. The SMC Dance Academy is an instructional program taught during the school day. This program is a part of an Arts in Education curriculum that will conclude with a Culminating Event (see dates below). 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 students have been working hard on their dances. Each grade has a different focus:

4th grade is learning both a Mexican Dance and a Hawaiian Dance

5th grade is learning musical theater/jazz dance with the theme of Westside Story and also elements of Salsa, Waltz, and a Hip Hop dance

Please save the date to attend the Culminating Events to be held on the soccer field at Will Rogers Learning Community on:

4th grade – Monday, May 20th at 2:15PM Link to 4th grade letter

5th grade - Wednesday, June 4th at 2:15PM Link to 5th grade letter

Students in grades 3-5 will take the CAASPP/CAST tests beginning May 5 through May 30. Please make sure that students get enough sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time, so that they can have the best chance to do well on these assessments. We don’t want this to be a stressful time for anyone, so please encourage students to simply do their best. For more information, visit this link. If you have any questions, please contact Gabriela González, assistant principal, at ggonzalez@smmusd.org

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?"

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.

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

Science at JAMS starts in the summer with a two-day summer science camp for all incoming 6th grade students. This year the summer science camp dates for all incoming 6th graders will be Thursday and Friday, August 14-15, 2025 from 8:30am to 2:30pm at JAMS.

The summer program will be the first science classes for all incoming students. In the two-day session, each student will attend classes, learn new lab skills, become familiar with JAMS campus, and meet other incoming students. The summer science camp for sixth graders is NOT mandatory.

Summer science camp will cost $150 per student for the two-day camp which includes lunch. We also have many payment options for students on the free or reduced lunch plans. At JAMS, we ask that you pay what you can for science camp, We also appreciate donations for students in need.

Spaces are limited!

Sign-ups are online:

https://jamssciencemagnet.org/summer-science-camp

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