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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. It is going to be another great week at Will Rogers. We thank you for your continued partnership with our school.

We hope that you can attend this week's PTA Association Meeting:Wednesday, March 6th @ 6:00 p.m. We will be voting on your PTA officers for 2024-25 and hear important updates on construction from the SMMUSD Facilities Improvement Projects (FIP) Office. You can participate in-person in the library or log on to Zoom (meeting ID: 825 1859 0225; passcode: willrogers).

We are so excited that our WRLC JOG-A-THON is almost here. On March 14th we welcome you to campus to cheer on our runners as we raise money for our beloved school. We hope to reach our goal of raising 30K with your support and lots of fun!

In partnership,

Ms. Daruty

Principal, WRLC

Parenting is a joyful and humbling experience. And the widespread adoption of smartphones and the rise of social media has introduced a new wrinkle to the challenges of parenthood. In fact, a majority of parents in the United States (66%) – who include those who have at least one child under the age of 18, but who may also have an adult child or children – say that parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many in this group citing technology as a reason why, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2022. One of the most highly discussed and debated topics among parents today is screen time. How much is too much? And what impact will screens have on children’s development? Amid these growing questions, we invite you to several upcoming opportunities to dialogue with other parents and hear from panel experts about digital wellness. Partnering with PTA throughout the district we invite WRLC parents to attend two upcoming events. (see flyers below)

• Tuesday, March 6th from 6-8 at Grant Elementary
• Thursday, March 14th via zoom from 12-1 p.m.

Mon. 3/4 5th Grade Human Growth and Development Lesson with Nurse Julie (Gonzalez/Griffin)

Tues. 3/5 Smartphone Town Hall @ Grant Elementary ( open to all SMMUSD families) 6-8 p.m.

Wed. 3/6 PTA Association Meeting in the library and on zoom @ 6:00 p.m. Topics: Voting on our Exec. Board officers for next year, and a construction update from the FIP Office.

Thurs. 3/7 5th Grade Human Growth and Development Lesson with Nurse Julie (Brizuela/Benitez)

Thurs. 3/7 SMMUSD Board Mtg. at 5:30 p.m. at the district office and via Zoom. The agenda here.

Mon. 3/11 Volunteer Training 8:30 a.m., 3:00p.m (6:00 p.m. is cancelled)

Tues. 3/12 Coffee with the Principal @ 8:30 a.m.

Tues. 3/12 WRLC Parent Support group session @ 7:00 p.m. via zoom.

Tues. 3/12 Incoming Grade 6 to JAMS parent mtg. @ 6:00 p.m.

Thurs. 3/14 JOG-A-THON! Parents are invited to be spectators and volunteers!

• 8:30 - 9:10 4th grade
• 9:10-9:50 5th grade
• 10:50-11:15 TK/Kindergarten
• 1:20-1:45 1st grade
• 1:50-2:15 3rd grade
• 2:20-2:45 2nd grade

Sat. 3/16 Stairway Concert @4:00 p.m. Purchase tickets: www.StairwayoftheStars.org

Sun. 3/17 Family Farming Day and Beautification Day 10-1 p.m.

Wed. 3/20 5th Grade student tour at JAMS 9:00-1:00 p.m.

Thurs. 3/21 Minimum Day: TK/K dismissed @ 12:10 p.m. 1st - 5th @ 1:00 p.m.

Thurs. 3/21 Open House Grade TK- 5th @ 5: 30 p.m.

Sun. 3/31 Cesar Chavez Day

Fri. 3/22 NO LATE START school begins at 8:25 a.m. AND Minimum Day TK/K dismissed @ 12:10 p.m. 1st - 5th @ 1:00 p.m.

3/25-4/5 Spring Break- NO SCHOOL.

Mon. 4/8 School resumes from Spring Break

SMMUSD 2023-2024 Calendar

Join your PTA at its association meeting to vote on your PTA officers for 2024-25 and to hear an update on construction from the SMMUSD Facilities Improvement Projects (FIP) Office. you can participate in-person in the library or log on to Zoom (meeting ID: 825 1859 0225; passcode: willrogers)

• School materials including books, homework, projects, etc.
• Water bottle
• Snack and/or lunch (lunch available to all students free of charge for the 2023-24 school year.)
• 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!

Our parking lots on 14th Street, 16th Street and on the corner of 16th Street and Maple St. (next to the farm) are for staff only. These lots are not for parent drop off and/or pick up near arrival and dismissal time. Please help us ensure that our staff has a place to park each day they arrive to work. Parents and guardians may use neighborhood parking, please check the signs.

Will Rogers Learning Community Early Education Building Project

Phase 1 of the Campus Plan

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is excited to share that construction has commenced at Will Rogers Learning Community. This initiative will introduce seven state-of-the-art transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms, alongside a brand-new artificial turf multi-sports field. Additionally, the project encompasses the creation of outdoor natural learning areas adjacent to the new classrooms, as well as the installation of new basketball courts, handball walls, and various other amenities.

UPDATE: Construction commenced in December 2023, resulting in restricted access to the eastern segment of the outdoor play areas. Our team is diligently working on the development of a new multi-sport turf playing field, slated to be completed by 2024, exclusively for school use. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the construction period.

Current Construction:

Continuous heavy rainfall has slowed down the work progress significantly. However, with sunny weather forecasted, the contractor was able to resume operations. Notably, crews have successfully demolished and cleared the exterior restroom along with two classroom buildings. Furthermore, on Feb. 17, 2024, the contractor completed saw-cutting of the asphalt in the playground. The removal of the asphalt is set to begin on Feb. 24, 2024 and will extend into the following week. Following this, excavation of the soil in the grass field is planned for the upcoming week. These preparatory steps are crucial for laying the groundwork for the new artificial turf field and establishing foundations for the new early elementary building.

Continued Work:

A. Temporary Restrooms: The contractor trenched and installed underground utilities to service a portable restroom located on the north side of the school. The restroom building is scheduled to be delivered at the beginning of March 2024, weather permitting.

B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ramp and Access: The contractor is currently engaged in the installation of a new entry gate and ADA-compliant access ramp, connecting to the staff parking lot.

C. Site Demolition: The removal of asphalt and soil is scheduled to start on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 and will extend into the week of Feb. 28. This activity is anticipated to generate significant noise. The construction team will make efforts to minimize disturbances and will work swiftly to reduce the duration of the disruption.

D. Site Utilities: The contractor is in the process of constructing pathways to accommodate the electrical feed for the new elementary building.

E. City Utilities Service: The construction team is collaborating with the City of Santa Monica to relocate pedestrian crosswalks, driveways and connections to public utilities. This project is scheduled to commence in March and April of 2024.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding during the construction process.

For more information on Rogers campus projects, please contact Simpson & Simpson Consultant Senior Construction Operations Liaison Chris Emmett at cemmett@smmusd.org.

Jog-A-Thon Registration is now open!

Volunteer to help out on the day of the event:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040544A5A822A5F94-48334855-wrlc#/

Let friends and family know about your student’s participation in this favorite school event coming up March 14th. Every student participates and registering for a page is FREE!

• Classes with 100% of students signed up get a popsicle party! So far Mrs Trubo's class is the closest to 100%

• Class with most money raised earn a pizza party! Ms Vasquez's class is in 1st place right now!
• 4th and 5th grade classes with the most sign ups make the playlist when their grade runs!

Every student who registers online is also entered into a raffle to win prizes and tickets to events including Pacific Park, Virtual Reality, and Knotts Berry Farm!!

And…If we reach our 30k goal, we celebrate by pie-ing the principal in the face at a school wide assembly!

Last week classes completed:

Kindergarten - The students came to the STEM Lab to optimize 'Save the Town From Falling Rocks,' which is an activity that combines force and motion (See pictures below). The students also learned about how to make an object change directions.

First Grade - The students completed their biomimicry projects and their writing about the invention they created.

Second Grade - The students learned about how to protect land from erosion.

Third Grade - The students came to the STEM Lab to investigate how to measure temperature (See pictures below).

Fourth Grade - The students reflected on how power transforms communities and cultures.

Fifth Grade - The students participated in the Living Museum to share about the knowledge they gained from their 'How we express ourselves' Civil Rights Movement Unit (See pictures below).

The 5th grade is scheduled to attend Pali Camp May 1-3, 2024 (Wednesday-Friday).

If you were unable to attend the Pali Camp Information meeting last week below is the recording.

Topic: Pali Camp Zoom Meeting

Date: Jan 25, 2024 6:21 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Watch the Recording

Passcode: 5.4Gn86P

Join the 5th grade Parent Planning Committee. We need your voice and volunteerism. Sign-up here

Assistance League of Santa Monica (ALSM) is a non-profit whose volunteers are dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs. These programs include providing camp scholarships, backpacks with school supplies, eye examinations and glasses, and over $100,000 in college scholarships annually.

Many students at Will Rogers Elementary School have been recipients of these programs. This year, for example, ALSM is sponsoring winter science camp for several of Will Rogers's 5th graders.

ALSM funds its programs through its Thrift Shop, which has consistently been voted the best in Santa Monica by the SM Daily Press. Please check out the shop at 1453 15th Street from 11-3 Thursday and Friday, and 10-2 Saturday. Stop by to find great bargains and help support Will Rogers's students.

We greatly appreciate Mrs. Susan Ferrell, from the Santa Monica Assistance League for her genuine care and interest in all our students in helping them fulfill their dreams experiencing the great outdoors camping, connecting with nature and being with their friends. We are grateful to announce that once again the SM Assistance League will donate funds for our 5th grade trip Pali Camp.

Mar 4: Registration Opens for Summer Adventure (English and ESP Fliers)

Are you starting to think about your student's summer activities? Summer Adventure offers a 5-week enrichment program for children entering TK - 6th grade. This year it will be offered at Roosevelt Elementary June 24 - July 26th. There’s something for everyone including a *NEW* 6th grade transition program. Cost for 5 weeks is $715. Scholarships are available for qualifying students. Online registration begins March 4th at 7:30am. Contact 310-450-8338 x70420 or email info@summeradventure.org for more information.

The Santa Monica Education Foundation’s Annual Wine Auction Event takes place Sunday 4/21 benefitting Santa Monica public schools and students. We are currently seeking in-kind donations which are tax-deductible and will be featured in the online auction, open to the entire community. Here's how you can help: Request donations from businesses you frequent or with whom you have a connection including restaurants, exercise classes, services, hotels, and experiences. Items featured in the auction provide valuable exposure for area businesses. Businesses can complete the donation form here. Please email items to Attn: Yolanda Lewis at info@smedfoundation.org or send your donation to: Santa Monica Education Foundation, 1717 4th Street, # 132, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Please reach out to Deb Burgin with questions at deb.burgin@smedfoundation.org.

We have had an increase in requests from parents asking us to call classrooms to relay messages or have their child pick-up an item they left at home. Each time we call, we interrupt instruction which is disruptive to the students. Help us reduce these interruptions.

Please communicate the "Oops, I forgot table" plan with your child, so they know there is place for parents to drop-off items they may have left at home!

Mornings are busy and sometimes students leave for school without their water bottle, instrument or homework. In an effort to reduce classroom interruptions and to support students with developing responsibility, please use our "Oops, I forgot" table. It is located outside the main office.

Make a plan with your child that if they leave something at home, a parent may drop it off in the office. We will place their labeled item on the "Oops, I forgot table." During their recess or on their way to lunch, they may check the table for a forgotten item.

We have several community partnerships affording us the opportunity to provide school-based therapy services to the students at Rogers. If you are interested in this service, please reach out to your classroom teacher. We are fortunate to expand our services by offering free, tele-health counseling service through Hazel. Read more about this service below.

If you would like to help us with art cart during Tuesday lunchtime, please volunteer using the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848ADA72EA0FF2-44895972-wrlc

• March 12th at 4:30 p.m. at Webster Elementary “How to prepare for your child to transition to their next school”
• May 15th at 5:30 p.m. at Grant Elementary “Special Education Year in Review”

Fechas de los talleres de educación especial para los padres

• 12 de marzo a las 4:30 p.m. en Webster Elementary "Cómo prepararse para la transición de su hijo a su próxima escuela"
• 15 de mayo a las 5:30 p.m. en la primaria Grant Elementary "Resumen del Año de Educación Especial"

We could use your support at recess lunchtime! If you would like to volunteer your time to support our students during recess or lunch, please complete this Google Form. We can really use your help and it can be a lot of fun! You can facilitate an organized game and just be there to support students as they play with each other. If you have already been cleared as a volunteer, you’ll meet with our assistant principal, Ms. González, to review yard expectations before starting. If you have not been cleared, you’ll need to complete the process to be a volunteer. Yard expectations will now be included as part of the volunteer training. Our volunteer training dates are listed on our school calendar.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Gabriela González, M. Ed, NBCT

Assistant Principal

ggonzalez@smmusd.org

If you are looking for a way to volunteer or want more information please fill out our volunteer form. If you have any questions please email our Volunteer VP Jessica Lew at

volunteers@willrogerspta.com. https://forms.gle/CRHSPjfZymg2c846A

Don't miss out on your chance to save 10% on the Will Rogers Community Yearbook! Order yours before October 31st to save! You'll get two free custom pages to customize by April 15th. Any questions, please reach out to wrlcyearbook@gmail.com

https://web.treering.com/create-account/1013782539131906?PassCode=1013782539131906

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