Will Rogers Roundup
January 20, 2026
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Mon. 1/19 NO SCHOOL MLK Holiday
Wed. 1/21 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508
Wed. 1/21 Schneider Field Trip to 826LA
Thurs. 1/22 TK/K Round-up 9:00-11:00 a.m. in cafeteria and around campus
Fri. 1/23 Peacemaker Meeting Group #1 @ 9:00 a.m. in room 508
Fri. 1/23 Move Night @ 6 p.m. doors open 6: 30 p.m. movie starts
Mon. 1/26 Monday Meet-Up with the Principal @ 8:15-9:00 a.m.
Mon. 1/26 Luciano/Hoffman-Ellis Field trip to CA science center
Wed. 1/28 Math Club @ 7:45 a.m. in room 508
Wed. 1/28 Alexander Field Trip to 826LA
Wed. 1/28 5th Grade JazzReach Assembly @ JAMS @8:45 a.m.
Wed. 1/28 SMMUSD/SPED Parent Workshop @8:45 a.m. in the board room. This presentation will cover the different types of diploma options students with IEPs have. Flyer is attached and all ages are welcome. finalparentflyer.pdf
Fri. 1/30 Peacemaker Meeting Group #2 @ 9:00 a.m. in room 508
DONATE TO SMEF TODAY!
Why give — even a little? Because when everyone chips in, every kid benefits.
Your donation to the Santa Monica Education Foundation directly supports Will Rogers by funding essential programs like arts, STEM, enrichment, and mental health, including:• P.S. Arts with Ms. Heather
• Music for all grades (recorders in 3rd, instruments in 4th–5th)
• Dance curriculum in 4th & 5th
• Instructional Aides in TK–3rd
📣 January is the final push of the year, and participation matters just as much as dollars. SMEF uses family participation numbers to secure major corporate sponsors — so even the smallest gift makes a big difference. Our goal is to get 60 families who haven’t given yet to participate this month.
💦 Hit the goal = SPLASH ZONE!
If we reach our school-wide goal, Principal Daruty and teachers will take a seat in the Splash Zone at an outdoor assembly — and students get to soak them with water balloons! The more families who participate, the bigger the splash.
• Top grade level (by participation) gets first toss
• Reach 60 families = up to 2 minutes with the giant hose
• Reach 100 families = Principal Daruty gets the ice bucket finale!🪣❄️
Ultimate goal: End the year as the school with the highest participation and land the Golden Airplane at Rogers.
The sky’s the limit — let’s make it happen together!
Don’t miss Dr. Shelton’s video announcement at the bottom of our linked email introducing the Golden Plane Award. Thank you for helping motivate and inspire our families to participate.
A note from the WRLC Health Office!
Clothing donations welcome! We are currently in need of long pants and sweatpants (all sizes) to replenish our replacement clothing supply. If you have gently used bottoms you’d like to donate, we would be grateful to receive them—thank you for supporting our students!
As we head into wetter weather, please be mindful on rainy days to send students in shoes that will help keep their feet dry if they step in a puddle. Wet socks are no fun! For example, Crocs or sandals can allow water to seep in, so waterproof or closed shoes are best when possible.
Finally, please remember to dress students in layers and send them with a jacket so they’re comfortable throughout the day. Thank you for your continued support!
IB Learner Profile for January is: INQUIRERS
Students who are INQUIRERS are curious about the world. They can conduct research independently. They love learning and discovering new things and will carry this love of learner with them throughout life.
How can parents develop students who are inquirers at home?
- Encourage areas of your child’s interest by visiting the library to borrow books that explore these topics.
- Develop an understanding of the websites and internet informational resources. Work with your son or daughter when the Internet is being used and try to instill the understanding that some Internet sites are not reputable.
- Model being and inquirer. Admit when you don’t know the answer to a problem or a question and seek out answers in front of your child.
🎨 ART CART is Back! 🎨
We’re excited to announce the return of ART CART at lunchtime! Starting this year, students can enjoy creative art projects and hands-on crafts every:
- Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. for grades 1st-5th
- Fridays from 11:30 -12:45 p.m. for grades TK/K
ART CART offers students a chance to express their creativity, relax, and connect with others—all thanks to the support of our incredible WRLC Wellness Team of counselors. We need your help!
Many hands make light work, and we’re looking for parent volunteers to help supervise and support our young artists. If you’re interested in volunteering on Mondays or Fridays, please email Mariela at mmartinez@sewi.org.
Volunteer Requirements:
-
Level 1 volunteer clearance
-
Willingness to supervise students using art tools and materials safely
-
Enthusiasm for working with children
-
A love of crafts, creativity, and fun!
Let’s make lunchtimes a colorful, creative experience for all our students!
Please do not forget to send with your child every day:
- 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!
LUNCH MENU
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.
WRLC REGENERATIVE FARM
JOIN the Parents/Guardians Regenerative Farm Committee that we are forming for the 2025-26 school year. The Committee's tasks are to:
- Support the stewardship of the Regenerative Farm.
- Help organize the Regenerative Farm Events ready in the school calendar (monthly Family Farming Days, Earth Week Farming Day), in addition to organizing harvests and other school community engagement activities.
For any questions, contact:
Paola Vezzulli, Program Director - Regenerative Initiatives [Cayton Children's Museum] email: pvezzulli@caytonmuseum.org
WRLC is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years School (PYP)
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.
Contact Us
Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364