Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,
Happy Earth Day! Thank you to everyone who helped plan and volunteer at our Earth Day Festival last Friday in our Regenerative Farm! Community support was on full display as we had supporters of our farm from PTA, SMEF, local vendors, Tree People, SAMOHI's Team Marine and Full Circle Compost to name a few! Enjoy a slideshow of the event here.
During the month of April our entire school staff will be trained on Restorative Justice Practices. Our first of four cohorts participated in the training last week. This training marks a shared commitment among Rogers' staff to continue growing and fostering a climate of belonging and community throughout our campus. The training is facilitated by Rob Howard the district coordinator of Restorative Justice. We look forward to extending the training to our parent partners in the new school year.
What is Restorative Justice? Restorative Justice is a philosophy and practice rooted in the belief that a healthy community requires healthy interpersonal connections. Restorative Justice focuses on two areas: 1) Building and strengthening healthy, respectful, and inclusive group relationships (prevention) and 2) Repairing and restoring relationships when there has been harm or conflict that impacts them. You can learn about this district-wide initiative here!
We are getting ready for our Cinco De Mayo Event on Monday, April 29th, during the school day. Teachers will share your child's specific schedule for this special day. We are excited to offer tacos and churros for hot lunch this day! Please look for volunteer opportunities to run the carnival games throughout the day in the PTA email on Wednesday!
We hope to see you all at MOVIE NIGHT this Friday evening. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. movie begins at 7:00 p.m.
Lastly, its hard to believe we are beginning the process of planning for the 2024-25 school year. We appreciate your timely response ( by April 30th) completing the from regarding your plans for the 2024-25 school year.
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 went to the farm to observe pill bugs in their natural habitat (see pictures below).
First Grade - The students did an activity in class to learn about the seasons.
Second Grade - The students students completed their 5th unit by learning about what they can do to be hero.
Third Grade - The students started their 5th unit - Where we are in place and time. The students learned about regions in California and did a scavenger hunt to understand local temperatures.
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 started their final unit - How We Organize Ourselves. The students learned about what was the American Revolution. The students also went on a field trip to the Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (see pictures below).
WRLC CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Will Rogers Learning Community Early Education Building Project
Phase 1 of the Campus Plan
(April 19, 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 play 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 the 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, which involved the removal of 40 truckloads. Currently, some underground concrete footings are still undergoing demolition with jackhammers before being removed. Following this, the soil in the old grass field is being excavated and hauled away to prepare the ground for the foundations of the new building.
These preparations are crucial for laying the groundwork for the new artificial turf field and establishing the foundations for the new early elementary building. However, this work experienced a nine-day delay due to heavy rain occurring from March 28th to April 2nd, and again from April 14th to April 16th. On April 3, 2024, the contractor obtained permission from the receiving dumpsite to accept approximately 300 truckloads of exported soil from the school’s old large grass field. Currently, the contractor is transporting about 70 large truckloads of soil per day, which amounts to one truck being loaded every 10 minutes! Soil removal is expected to continue for the next two weeks. Excavation and recompacting for the area under the artificial field, drainage basin, and new building foundation are currently in progress.
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 area. 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 to 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