Will Rogers Roundup
May 11, 2026
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Mon. -Thurs. 5/11 3rd- 5th grade CAASPP Testing 8:30-10:15 a.m. (Mon- Thurs.) Campus quiet hours
Mon. 5/11 Special Ice-Cream Party for TOP Jog-a-thon fundraisers @ 1:15 p.m. ( invite emailed)
Tues. 5/12 Luciano and Hoffman-Ellis Field Trip @8:45 a.m.
Tues. 5/12 Nurse Appreciation Day!
Wed. 5/13 2nd Grade Field Trip to the Natural History Museum
Wed. 5/13 Talent Show Rehearsals @ 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium
Thurs. 5/14 SPED Parent Workshop "Anxiety and School Refusal." Dr. Hoover will present this engaging workshop on May 14 at 8:45 a.m. in the board room. All are welcome to attend. Flyer is attached ParentWorkshopMay.pdf
Thurs. 5/14 Volunteer Tea @ 3:15 p.m. on the TK/K yard
Fri. 5/15 Math Club Celebration for students and families @ 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria
Fri. 5/15 Student Council Field Trip 11:30 a.m.
Mon. -Thurs. 5/18 3rd- 5th grade CAASPP Testing 8:30-10:15 a.m. (Mon- Thurs.) Campus quiet hours
Mon. 5/18 Monday Meet-up with the Principal @ 8: 30 a.m. in front of school
Mon. - Fri. 5/18 Spirit Week! (See below)
Wed. 5/20 Prospective Parent School Tour @ 9:00 a.m.
Wed. 5/20 PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. via zoom
Wed. 5/20 Talent Show Rehearsals @ 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium
Thurs. 5/21 4th Grade Mini-Exhibition @ 10:45 a.m.
Thurs. 5/21 ELAC Meeting @ 8:30 a.m. in the library
Fri. 5/22 Peacemakers Meeting @ 9:00 a.m. Group #1
Fri. 5/22 JOG-A-THON Celebration Assembly ( Principal Daruty eats a bug!)
Mon. 5/25 NO SCHOOL Memorial Day
Tues. 5/26 4th and 5th grade Spring VAPA Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 5/27 Hoop Bus Assembly for 4th and 5th graders @ 1:00 p.m.
Thurs. 5/28 Talent Show Rehearsal @ 3:00 p.m.
Fri. 5/29 Peacemaker Meeting @ 9:00 a.m. Group #2
Fri. 5/29 5th Grade Exhibition @ 10:45 a.m.
Fri. 5/29 WRLC Family Talent Show @ 6: 00 p.m.
JUNE
Tues. 6/2 Fire Drill @ 9:30 a.m. ( please do not plan to check-out students at this time)
Tues. 6/2 Getting to Know You Day ( for incoming TK/K students) @ 2:00 p.m.
Wed. 6/3 5th Grade Pool Party @ 12- 3:00 p.m. @ SMC
Thurs. 6/4 1st Grade Field Trip @Marine Park
Thurs. 6/4 Peacemaker Celebration for students and families @ 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 6/5 2nd Grade Caine's Arcade
Fri. 6/5 TK End of the Year Celebration @ 1:00 p.m.
Fri. 6/5 5th Grade Promotion Practice @ 2:00 p.m.
Mon. 6/8 5th Grade Promotion Practice @ 9:00 a.m.
Mon. 6/8 Kinder End of the Year Concert @ 8:45 a.m.
Mon. 6/8 SAMOHI Graduates Clap-Out @ 1:15 p.m.
Tues. 6/9 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony @9:00 a.m.
Wed. 6/10 SAMOHI Graduation
Thurs. 6/11 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
- 5th grade Kickball Tournament VS. Staff @9:00 a.m.
- Minimum Day
- Unofficial Beach Day
Thurs. 6/11 JAMS Promotion Ceremony @ 2:00 p.m.
Our FIRST ( of many to come) BIKE IT WALK IT DAY BLOCK PARTY with JAMS!
Upcoming CAASPP State Testing for grades 3rd- 5th
Dear 3rd-5th grade Will Rogers Families,
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!
Mr. B's scholars host SOAPSUDS our mascot this week!
We are so excited to celebrate an amazing year of Math Club with our incredible Mathletes! Your students have shown dedication, perseverance, and enthusiasm by arriving each Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. ready to stretch their minds, tackle challenges, and grow as mathematical thinkers.
Please join us THIS FRIDAY 5/15 @ 8: 30 a.m. for a special Math Club celebration featuring bagels, brews, fruit, and juice as we honor all of their hard work and problem-solving power. Families will also have the chance to participate in a fun-filled “Are You Smarter Than a 4th or 5th Grader?” math challenge against the students. Our Mathletes are ready… are the grown-ups?
Shhh… every Mathlete will also receive a special Math Club t-shirt to celebrate their accomplishments in this number-crunching, brain-boosting club! We hope you will come enjoy the fun, celebrate our students, and see firsthand how these young mathematicians have been challenging themselves, building confidence, and discovering the joy of math.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Warmly,
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.
Rogers hoodie pre-orders are open through April 17! Order your favorite style online, select PICKUP at checkout, and be sure to enter your student’s teacher/classroom name in the “COMPANY” field so we can get it to you. Every purchase supports the PTA — grab yours before the order deadline!
Looking for volunteers through the end of May!
Looking for 5th grade parent volunteers to sell! Sign-up below
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:
SMEF Summer Adventure
Monday, June 22 - Friday, July 24 (no July 3)
8:30am - 12:30pm
Roosevelt Elementary School
Registration opens on Monday, March 2 at 7:30am at www.summer-adventure.org.
Please note that Summer Adventure is open to IISS- and ELOP-eligible families; they were notified this week about their summer options.
Please reach out if you have any questions. I have copied SA Principal Barry Yates and Administrative Assistant, Dinora Duarte, on this email.
school passcode:1013782539131906
Family Engagement
Below please find a list of links to local, seasonal happenings, including special events featuring technology, arts/culture, civics, and literacy, application support for social services and government benefits, and free ESL and citizenship classes via SMMUSD Adult Education
🎨 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
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Willingness to supervise students using art tools and materials safely
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Enthusiasm for working with children
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A love of crafts, creativity, and fun!
Let’s make lunchtimes a colorful, creative experience for all our students!
Parent Access to Score Reports
Score reports for CAASPP, ELPAC and Star Renaissance are available to parents in the Aeries Parent Portal. Hard copy score reports are no longer mailed home. These videos help explain to students & parents/ guardians on how to access their portals. Student Portal and Parent Portal.
This guide with help parents ocate their Test Scores and State Test Scores Reports: Parent Portal: Test Scores [Aeries]-attachment.
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