Will Rogers Roundup
April 20, 2026
Translation Feature
Near the top right of the newsletter click "translate." Use this feature to translate the newsletter to your desired language. Cerca de la parte superior derecha del boletín, haga clic en "traducir". Utilice esta función para traducir el boletín a su idioma deseado.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Mon. 4/20 Rainbow Spirit Week ( see flyer below)
Mon. 4/20 5th Grade Panorama Picture@ 8:30 a.m.
Tues. 4/20 UCLA Dental students visit 1st grade classrooms
Wed. 4/22 EARTH DAY!
Wed. 4/22- Fri. 4/24 5th grade @ Pali Camp
Wed. 4/22 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 4/22 Restaurant FUNdraiser with Wing Stop on Pico. Wing it for Rogers and let dinner do the FUNdraising! The more you order, the more our school soars! Show this flier at Wingstop on Pico anytime from 10:30am to midnight and 20% will fly straight back to support our PTA.
Thurs. 4/23 Sticks and Stones event scheduled on April 23 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Samohi Cafeteria.( flyer below)
Thurs. 4/23 SMMUSD Board Meeting agenda online.
Fri. 4/24 Earth Week Family Farming Day @ 3:00- 5:00 p.m.
Fri. 4/24 Class Placement Feedback for 2026-27 due today https://forms.gle/XS8zHoM9qj7dojK9A
Sun. 4/26 Join us under the iconic Fig Tree at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel for the 11th Annual Santa Monica Wine Auction. This unforgettable evening benefits our public schools.
Mon. -Fri. 4/27- 5/1 Spring Book Fair in the library
Mon. 4/27 School Tour for prospective parents @ 9:00 a.m.
Tues. 4/28 Family Talent Show submissions due!
Wed. 4/29 Career Day 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Thurs. 4/30 Volunteer Trainings @ 8:30, 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 5/1 Cinco De Mayo Festival 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Mon. 5/4 3rd- 5th grade CAASPP Testing begins 8:30-10:15 a.m. (Mon- Thurs.)
IB Learner Profile for April is: THINKER
Ways to Foster a Thinker at Home:
Instead of lecturing, ask questions that require reasoning, such as "How did you solve that?" or "What do you think will happen if...?".
Create a "Wonder Wall" or notebook where children can jot down questions they have throughout the day.
Encourage your child to try new things, even if they might fail, and then discuss what they learned from the experience.
Model "thinking" by showing how you solve problems, research questions, and learn from mistakes.
Encourage your child to find connections between what they are learning in school and everyday life.
Provide resources (books, websites, materials) that enable children to explore their interests and answer their own questions.
Allow for downtime, which stimulates imaginative thinking.
When your child completes a task, ask about the strategy they used, rather than focusing only on the correct answer.
Ask your child to reflect on their learning by asking, "What was challenging today?" or "How could you do that differently next time?".
Let your child make choices about their learning, such as deciding what to read or how to structure their study time.
TK- 1st Grades Enjoy Dance Instruction with Ms. Melinda
We’re excited to kick off an 8-week dance program for our TK–1st grade students, made possible through PROP 28 funding. This enriching experience will support students’ growth through movement, music, and creative expression.
Program Highlights:
This dance program is thoughtfully aligned with the California Physical Education Standards and the SMMUSD VAPA Curriculum, ensuring it supports both academic goals and students’ physical and emotional well-being. Through engaging instruction, students will:
- Build rhythm, counting, and music recognition skills
- Learn to coordinate movement with music
- Participate in centering and breathing exercises for self-awareness
- Strengthen confidence, self-expression, and self-esteem
- Engage in meaningful physical activity in a fun, supportive environment
We look forward to welcoming families to a culminating performance at the end of the program to celebrate all that students have learned.
About the Instructor: Ms. Melinda
Ms. Melinda Fornero is a highly experienced dance instructor and child development specialist with over 24 years of experience working with young children. She has developed engaging, age-appropriate dance programs for students ages 2–6, both in schools and at home, with a focus on helping children grow in confidence, creativity, and self-expression.
Her curriculum is aligned with the California Physical Education Standards and the SMMUSD VAPA Framework, ensuring that students benefit both physically and emotionally while meeting academic goals. Through her program, students build musicality, rhythm, coordination, teamwork, and self-esteem in a joyful, supportive environment.
Melinda is also the creator of the “Mama Watch Me Dance” platform, extending her work beyond the classroom to families and educators worldwide. Her teaching approach emphasizes imagination, playfulness, and empowerment—helping every child feel seen, valued, and successful.
In addition to her work in dance, Melinda is a sound journey practitioner who brings mindfulness, balance, and wellness into her practice. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that support the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
Miss Melinda, Founder
Music ’N Motion, Inc.
SAVE THE DATE: WRLC Career Day is coming up April 29. Come to school and share your passion or career with the students. We'd love to have a wide variety of occupations represented! More information and sign ups here.
Santa Monica Ed Foundation
Santa Monica Wine Auction
Going, going, nearly GONE!
Don’t miss the chance to join us for one of Santa Monica’s most anticipated events of the year - the 11th Annual Santa Monica Wine Auction on April 26th! This event will sell out! Santa Monica’s finest restaurants will be showcasing the best they have to offer paired with premium wines and spirits and of course, great families! It will be another unforgettable evening benefiting our public schools.
Our Silent Auction goes live on Monday April 20th and closes on April 27th at 8pm. We have everything from vacations to art to cat cafes, we got you! Register NOW and make sure you don't miss out on bidding for a great cause!
Purchase Tickets + Auction Registration
Have an auction item to donate?
A bottle of wine or a case, gift card to a local business, or anything else you would like to contribute. Please email info@smedfoundation.org if you can donate or fill out the online form.
SMEF DONATION CAMPAIGN
Some schools are still on their way, but here are a few that have already met their goals and celebrated in style (shoutout to the brave principals and staff!).
Upcoming CAASPP State Testing for grades 3rd- 5th
Dear 3rd-5th grade Will Rogers Families,
Beginning Monday, May 4, students in grades 3–5 will begin taking the state test, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).
This assessment is only one method we use to measure our students’ academic growth. Throughout the year, our teachers gather data in multiple ways on student progress and adjust their instruction accordingly. Please read this letter for more information about the CAASPP. If you have any questions, please contact our assistant principal, Ms. González.
This is not a test you can study for, but you can help your child by doing the following:
Ensuring a good night’s sleep before testing days.
Providing a healthy breakfast to keep their energy up.
Encouraging them to do their best—remind them that this is a chance to show what they've learned, not something to be stressed about!
Arriving to school on time each day - testing will begin by 8:45 a.m. on Monday-Thursday
Resources for Families:
Practice Tests: You can see what the test looks like at caaspp.org.
Starting Smarter: Visit ca.startingsmarter.org to understand your child’s score reports.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education!
5th grade Families headed to JAMS next year
- Tues. 3/24 Incoming 6th graders to JAMS Info night RE: Math Pathways @ 5:30 p.m. hosted by Dr. Chacon via zoom Spanish Interpretation will be available. See presentations:
English:
- If you missed the Parent Information night held on March 17th you can view the presentation here.
- Please let us know if you would be interested in JAMS PTSA positions for the 2026-27 school year?
- Interested in joining the JAMS science board for the 2026-27 school year? Join here:
🎨 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://rogers.smmusd.org
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364