Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

It is my honor and joy to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year! We are so excited to welcome our students and families back to Will Rogers and begin another great season of learning, growth, and community. We are grateful to have you as our partners as we help every child learn, grow, and thrive.

This year, SMMUSD is kicking things off with a baseball theme: “Perfect Pitch.” Just like a great team, we know that a successful school year takes everyone—students, teachers, staff, and families—working together, supporting one another, and celebrating the wins along the way. We are ready to step up to the plate and make this a great year!

Please find our first Will Rogers Roundup of the year! Each Sunday, you will receive the Roundup with important updates, upcoming events, calendars, reminders, and information to help you stay connected and informed throughout the year. As we get ready for our first day next week, please take a few minutes to read through this week's information carefully.

We are excited to try a new way of sharing classroom assignments this year. Class assignments will be available through the Aeries Parent Portal beginning Tuesday, August 18 at 3:30 PM. When you log in, you will be able to see your child's teacher assignment. Please use your parent account and parent email address, rather than your student's account. While you are in Aeries, please also complete the annual data confirmation and all required electronic first-day forms. This must be completed for each of your children. If you have forgotten your password, simply select “Forgot Password” and follow the prompts using the parent email address we have on file.

We know that trying something new can sometimes bring questions, so we've got you covered! Staff will be available on the first day with class lists and campus maps to help families find their classrooms and navigate any questions that come up.

As we begin another year together, I am excited about all that is ahead. Our work is rooted in a simple belief: every child deserves to feel known, valued, challenged, and supported. Will Rogers is at its best when our staff and families come together as a caring and compassionate learning community. Every great team needs every player, and your partnership is an important part of ours.

So, let's step up to the plate, support one another, celebrate our students, and make this a perfect pitch of a school year!

Here’s to a fantastic season filled with learning, connection, teamwork, and lots of reasons to celebrate our students!

In partnership,

Lila Daruty
Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
ldaruty@smmusd.org

Mon. 8/17 All SMMUSD Staff Convocation Event @ SAMOHI 8-3 p.m. (Rogers office closed)

Tues. 8/18 Classroom/teacher assignments will be available to view in Aeries by the end of the day.

Wed. 8/19 TK/K Meet and Greet @ 10:30 a.m. meet in front of school!

Thurs. 8/20 First Day of School! Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:15 and 1st-5th @1:15 p.m.

Thurs. 8/20 Boo Hoo/Yahoo Coffee Social @8:30 a.m. in the library.

Fri. 8/21 Second day of school! Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:15 and 1st-5th @1:15 p.m.

Fri. 8/21 Welcome Back Picnic on the track/field @1:15-3:00 p.m. ( bring a chair or blanket) We will have canopies for shade with grade level signs so you can sit with your new friends!

Mon. 8/24 First regular schedule day of school.

• TK/K 8:25-1:45 p.m.
• 1st-3rd 8:25-2:55 p.m.
• 4th-5th 8:25-3:00 p.m.

Tues. 8/25 Minimum Day: Arrival at 8:25 a.m. Minimum Day: TK/K dismissal @12:15 and 1st-5th @1:15 p.m.

Tues. 8/25 Volunteer Training @3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in the library

Tues. 8/25 Back to School Night Grades TK- 2nd @ 5:30 p.m. meet the auditorium and from 6-7 p.m. in your child's classroom.

Wed. 8/26 First early release of the year. Dismissal for TK/K @ 1:00 p.m. and 1st- 5th @1:15 p.m.

Fri. 8/28 PTA Sponsored Breakfast for staff in the Staff Lounge 501 7:50 a.m.

Tues. 9/1 Minimum Day all grades (Dismissal for TK/K @ 12:15 p.m. and 1st-5th @ 1:15 p.m.)

Tues. 9/1 Volunteer Training @ 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. in the library

Tues. 9/1 Back to School Night (3-5)5:30 p.m. auditorium 6:00-7:00 in classrooms

Wed. 9/2 First PTA meeting of the year @ 8:45 a.m. in the library

Mon. 9/7 NO SCHOOL- Labor Day

Tues. 9/8 Back-to-School Music Night (Zoom), 6 pm-8 pm

SMMUSD Calendar 2026-2027

WRLC PTA Calendar

Will Rogers Learning Community

Please review the new BELL SCHEDULE.

The FIRST two days of school are minimum days.

Please refer to the minimum day schedule for these modified days.

For the first two days of school Grown-Ups are invited onto campus to drop off at their child's classroom.

Arrival to school: Gates open at 8:10 a.m.

• TK/Kinder use the designated TK/K gate off of 14th street. Students and families may play, and wait for pick-up from their teachers on the (old) TK/K yard. @ 8:25 teachers will meet and walk students and accompanying grown-ups to the new early learning building.
• 1st - 5th may use either the front gate on 14th street or the pedestrian gate on 16th street. Students and families should proceed to their classrooms.

Dismissal from school: (All teachers will escort students to these areas)

• TK/Kinder meet your children at the designated TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street.
  
• 1st - 2nd meet your children the TK/K gate (adjacent to the old TK/ K yard) on 14th street
• 3rd should be picked-up from the front gate on 14th street.
• 4th and 5th should be picked up from gate on 16th street or the front gate

GOOD NEIGHBOR REMINDER:

• Parent parking can be found within our neighborhood streets. Be sure to read the street signs!
• Please do not park in the staff parking lots or block driveways of our neighbors.
• We will continue to offer a valet on 14th street in front of the school.
• Please be courteous and kind to our amazing crossing guards who help our students arrive safely at school each day!

Beginning, Monday, Aug. 24th, we ask that you say your goodbyes at the gates!

We are so excited to welcome our students into their classrooms! It is incredibly important that parents show support and confidence in their child’s class placement. Children feel our enthusiasm and take their cues from us—your positivity helps set the tone for a great year.

Please know that careful thought and consideration went into every placement decision. No class changes will be made during the first two weeks of school. This adjustment period is essential, giving your child time to settle in, get to know their teacher, and begin building strong relationships with classmates.

We are confident in the skill, dedication, and care of all our teachers, and we know that each child will be supported, challenged, and inspired in their classroom. Together, let’s start the year with excitement and optimism!

Students are never permitted to use cell phones on campus. In the event of an emergency, the administration carry radios, teachers have cellphones and there is a school phone in every learning space. Under the advisement of our SMPD school resource officers, individual student cellphone use can actually hinder the delivery of important messaging necessary in a true emergency.

Other personal electronics from home, such as Nintendo Switches, iPads, Kindles etc. are not permitted on campus. If a student uses their cell phone during school hours, it will be confiscated and held until the end of the school day and must be picked up by a parent. In no event or circumstance, will the district or its staff be held responsible or liable for the loss, theft, or damage to any such device.

Please help us ensure that our students have an electronics free learning zone at school.

• 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!

To maximize instructional time, we will be moving our weekly staff professional development time from Friday mornings to Wednesday afternoons. Instead of a weekly late-start Friday, students will have an early release on Wednesdays.

Mon.- Fri. school begins @ 8:25 a.m. (all grades)
TK/K dismissal @1:45 p.m. M, T, TH and F and Wednesdays @1:00 p.m. and minimum days @12:15 p.m.
1st - 3rd dismissal @2:55 p.m. M, T, TH and F and Wednesdays/minimum days@1:15 p.m.
4th and 5th dismissal @3:00 p.m. M, T, TH and F and Wednesdays/minimum days@1:15 p.m.

Why the Change?
Protecting valuable learning time: By maintaining a consistent morning schedule five days a week, students will benefit from uninterrupted instruction during the part of the day when they are often most focused, engaged, and ready to learn.
Supporting strong attendance: Consistent schedules help establish predictable routines for families and students. This change supports our ongoing efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and maximize student participation in daily learning.
More classroom support for students: Instructional aides will be available to support students during all five morning instructional blocks, increasing assistance during classroom instruction, interventions, and small-group learning.
Easier for families: We have heard from many families that arranging morning childcare on late-start days can be challenging. An early-release schedule is often easier to manage, especially for families already utilizing after-school programs and care options.
Greater consistency and predictability: A regular start time each day creates a simpler, more predictable routine for students and families while eliminating confusion around late-start and minimum-day schedules.
District alignment: The early-release model aligns with other elementary schools in our district, creating opportunities for cross-site staff collaboration and expanded after-school programming partnerships.
Staff-approved: In alignment with the provisions of the SMMCTA contract, this change was voted on and approved by certificated staff.

We are excited about the benefits this change will bring to both students and staff.

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.

MENU HERE

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.

Hi! My name is Bri, or Ms. Bri! I lived in Brooklyn, New York for the last 8 years, but I’m originally from Northern California. I love reading, hiking, and pretty much anything that gets me outdoors. I’m so excited to be back in California and to be part of such an amazing school community at Will Rogers! I’m especially looking forward to being back in the classroom and spending this year with our TK students!

My name is Niko Baker, and I’m excited to join the Will Rogers community as a Physical Education teacher. I enjoy sports, fitness, golfing, and spending time with family, friends and my dog Kooli. This year, I’m looking forward to building relationships with our students and staff while creating a fun, positive environment where students can stay active, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love for physical activity.

I’m looking forward to a great school year!

Hi! I’m Ms. Gainza, and I’m very excited to be co-teaching TK this year! I’m originally from Queens, New York City, and moved to Los Angeles about a year and a half ago. I have been teaching special education for over a decade and am passionate about creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where all students can thrive. Outside of the classroom, I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, as well as hiking, camping, reading at the beach, and dancing. Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve also been taking salsa lessons, which has quickly become one of my favorite ways to spend my free time. I am thrilled to join this school community and especially excited about the working farm. I used to grow my own herbs and vegetables and can’t wait to rediscover that hobby alongside our students. I’m looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection!

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.

Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://rogers.smmusd.org/

Location: 2401 14th street Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310-452-2364