Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,
We have an exciting week ahead at Rogers!
Monday, we will host our Cinco De Mayo Celebration during school hours. Our students will have the incredible opportunity to explore various aspects of this vibrant tradition, engaging in art, music, and food all while enjoying games and festivities during lunchtime. Knowing that the shift this year is on providing our students with the experience, we do want to extend a call for volunteer support to parents/guardians who would like to facilitate the activities alongside our school staff, making it a true celebration of unity and cultural appreciation. We still need one big volunteer request to set-up the booths Monday morning and clean-up afterschool. Sign-ups here. We are offering a special hot lunch menu, free to all students!
We understand the importance of safety amidst construction, and rest assured, our annual celebration will return in full swing for the 2024-25 school year on our new and improved spacious outdoor area! Next year will afford us the opportunity to invite everyone to our campus, afterschool, safely accommodating the entire community in one large celebration!
Stop by the Scholastic BOOK FAIR (Mon. - Wed.) in the library. Classes will each visit during the school day and the Fair is open afterschool as well. Use the QR code below to set-up your child's e-wallet
Wednesday morning our 5th graders will be headed to Pali Camp! We wish them a safe and fun outdoor, learning experience!
The Family Talent Show is scheduled for Friday, May 31st in our auditorium. Please see below for sign-ups and practice dates!
Warm regards,
Ms. Lila Daruty
Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
IB Learner Profile of the Month: THINKER
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program of Inquiry Units of Study
Most grade levels are working on either their 5th or 6th unit. Here's what each grade level worked on this past week.
Kindergarten - The students learned about animal habitats.
First Grade - The students came the the STEM Lab and created solar water heaters and conducted a materials test (see pictures below).
Second Grade - The students students completed their 5th unit by learning about what they can do to be hero.
Third Grade - The students learned about the Native American Tribes in California.
Fourth Grade - The students finished their How We Organize Ourselves unit by creating Gold Rush towns and doing an opinion writing piece.
Fifth Grade - The students learned about the Declaration of Independence.
WRLC CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Will Rogers Learning Community Early Education Building Project
Phase 1 of the Campus Plan
(April 26, 2024 Update)
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is excited to share that construction at Will Rogers Learning Community is underway. The 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 late December 2023, and currently, access to the eastern section of the outdoor playing areas is restricted. The construction team is diligently working towards the completion of a new multi-sports turf play field, scheduled for delivery later this year for school activities. Additionally, the kindergarten building is set to be completed in the 2024-2025 school year.
Noise and Dust Control:
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the noise and dust. We understand that demolition and construction activities generate both, and they take place during daytime hours, on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We acknowledge that this time frame coincides with school hours, and construction crews are mindful of this.
To address concerns about dust and noise, contractors are working diligently to implement control measures. Crews are pleased to report that assessments have shown that noise levels remain within safe limits, not exceeding the 90 decibel safety standards.
Environmental Safety Note:
Most school construction projects, both in the state and nationwide, incorporate an asbestos abatement phase. We adhere strictly to environmental regulations, which mandate testing prior to commencement of construction. In a recent case, asbestos was detected within the tar content, sandwiched between layers of asphalt. Similar to older homes or buildings where asbestos remains inert and occupants live without health risks, the asbestos found in this instance posed no threat as there was no potential pathway for exposure. The asbestos content originated from adhesive used to bind a layer of asphalt to another during a maintenance endeavor conducted decades ago. Proper removal procedures necessitate that workers adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, donning protective suits and masks. Importantly, students and staff are not exposed to this material as it is encapsulated within the tar of the asphalt. Site monitors diligently record air samples and dust contents, and work halts whenever wind speeds exceed 15 mph.
Current Construction:
The contractor has finished removing the asphalt from the play area and basketball courts, although there are still some concrete footings underground that are being demolished and cleared with jackhammers. Additionally, three hundred truckloads of poor-quality soil from the old grass field have been removed to create space for the foundations of the new building. These initial steps are crucial for preparing the ground for the installation of the new artificial turf field and laying the foundations for the new early elementary building.
Unfortunately, heavy rain on March 28, 2024 to April 2nd and again from April 14th to April 16, 2024 caused a delay of nine-days in this process.
Excavation and recompacting are currently underway for the area beneath the artificial field, drainage basin, and the foundation of the new building. The contractor is now focusing on recompacting and spreading soil, combining it with new imported gravel to create a stronger sub-base for both the building and the turf field. On-site, a Geotech engineer is continuously monitoring the soil for appropriate moisture levels and compaction. Once the soil meets the required standards, a technician will provide a report confirming its readiness for building foundations.
As part of the project, old underground utilities are being relocated and capped off within the work zone, while some new underground utilities are being installed.Top of Form
Continued Work:
A. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ramp and Access: A new pathway has been established for teachers and staff to access the school from the 16th street parking lot directly to the classrooms. The entrance gate will be positioned adjacent to the garden fence line, providing convenient access to Buildings U and Q. The contractor is currently fabricating a state-of-the-art entry gate and an ADA-compliant access ramp from the staff parking area. Completion of the ramp and paving is anticipated by the end of April 2024. This newly constructed pathway will serve as the primary entry point for teachers, staff, and students accessing the garden in the short term. Additionally, the entry gate will be equipped with a card reader and buzzer for added security and convenience.
B. Temporary Restrooms: On March 23, 2024, a semi-permanent restroom building was delivered to the school site to accommodate children and parents during after-school activities. This facility will feature four separate restrooms: boys, girls, staff and adults, and all-gender, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all users. It serves as a replacement for the restroom that was previously situated near the basketball courts and the ball wall areas. The contractor has diligently connected essential utilities such as water, power, fire alarms, sewer, and ramps to the new restroom building. The restroom is scheduled to be available for use by mid-April 2024, pending approval from inspectors regarding the fire alarms.
C. Site Demolition: The process of asphalt removal began on Feb. 26, 2024 and concluded on March 15, 2024. Currently, the team is continuing the removal of any remaining asphalt along the edges of the worksite. Additionally, soil excavation and removal commenced last week and are ongoing this week. To address concerns about dust, the contractor is implementing effective control measures, which are being monitored daily.
D. Site Dirt Import: Dirt and gravel will be imported using 100 trucks to replace the insufficient soil that was removed from the location where the future new building will be constructed, specifically the area of the large field.
E. Site Utilities: The contractor is building pathways for the electrical feed to the new Elementary Building and exterior light poles. Water meters and sewer lines are being connected from the street to the site.
F. City Utilities Service: The construction team has collaborated with the City of Santa Monica to reposition pedestrian crosswalks, driveways, and connections for site utilities along the 16th Street roadway. This endeavor was successfully completed during spring break. Sidewalks and new markings will be finalized at a later date, in alignment with the city's schedule.
We value your patience and understanding as we progress through the construction phase.
For more information on Rogers campus projects, please contact Simpson & Simpson Consultant Senior Construction Operations Liaison Chris Emmett at cemmett@smmusd.org.
FIFTH GRADE UPDATES and INFORMATION
The 5th grade is scheduled to attend Pali Camp May 1-3, 2024 (Wednesday-Friday).
Final day for donations for Pali camp are due NOW. Make checks payable to WRLC. You can send them to the office or with your classroom teacher. Please consider making a donation to WRLC, if you have not already. If you were unable to attend the Pali Camp Information meeting . Watch the Recording Passcode: 5.4Gn86P
Join the 5th grade Parent Planning Committee. We need your voice and volunteerism. Sign-up here
Save the date! Summer Science camp for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at JAMS! Registration IS OPEN Spaces are limited.
6TH GRADE CAMP (2 DAYS): MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AUGUST 12-13, 2024.
7TH AND 8TH GRADE CAMP (3 DAYS): WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, AUGUST 14-16, 2024.
https://jamssciencemagnet.org/summer-science-camp
Camps are open to ALL incoming JAMS 6-8th graders as long as space is available. Please contact your current science teacher for more information. Incoming 6th grade parents can email tlevin@smmusd.org with questions.
We're also looking for parent volunteers to help with lunch.
Please do not forget to send with your child every day:
- 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!
"Oops, I forgot!" table - PLEASE SHARE AND USE
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.
Counseling Services at WRLC
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.
Contact Us
Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364
Twitter: @WillRogersSTEM