New PTA Officers and Volunteer Nominations needed for the 2024-2025 school year!
Our PTA nominating committee is currently seeking applicants to consider for next year's leadership. We need to fill all positions to maintain programs we love, including movie nights, dances and fundraisers that support every classroom. There are lots of ways to help, from Career Day, STEM Expo and Book Fair (VP Enrichment), to building community with Incoming Kindergarten Events, Movie Nights, and Family Dances (VP Events), and more. Our PTA has several talented and tenured Committee Chairs supporting open VP positions. Please consider nominating yourself and others to help shape the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Nominations will prompt outreach providing more specific information to help you determine what may work. Please complete this form and submit it to the main office, or email with information from attachment to historian@willrogerspta.com.
4th and 5th Grade MATH CLUB OPPORTUNITY!
Calling all 4th and 5th grade Mathematicians! Does your child enjoy cracking codes, solving puzzles, and unraveling the mysteries of numbers? If so, we've got an exciting invitation. Join the Will Rogers Learning Community Math Club!
WHEN: Math Club will meet once a week, every Thursday morning from Feb. 15th - May 2nd, 2024.
WHERE: Room 505
TIME: We'll gather at school for math magic between 7:45 a.m.- 8:20 a.m.
What to Expect:
We promise you thrilling challenges, brain-teasing puzzles, and a fresh perspective on the world of mathematics.
We will offer breakfast and healthy snacks to keep those brain cells fueled and ready for action.
The culminating event for Math Club is participation in a local Math Olympiad Contest. Students will have an opportunity to compete against other schools in our area.
Classes will be held before school once a week for 10-12 sessions.
There is no cost associated. All the materials needed will be provided by the school.
Math Club will be facilitated by a WRLC teacher and parent volunteers.
Why Join: Because math is not just about numbers; it's an adventure waiting to be explored! Get ready to embark on a journey filled with fun, friends, and fascinating mathematical discoveries.
Permission slips were emailed home to ALL 4th and 5th grade families. Hard copies are available in the front office and with your classroom teacher! Please return a permission slip to participate by Friday, February 9, 2024.
Muir/SMASH Campus Update: Water Intrusion Project Update for January 2024
The John Muir ES/Santa Monica Alternative School House Water Intrusion Project is an extensive campus-wide initiative designed to secure and enhance this educational facility. The project encompasses the complete overhaul of the roofing systems, stucco, windows, doors and interior finishes as well as significant structural upgrades to meet current building code requirements. A pivotal aspect of this renovation is the alignment of all classrooms and restrooms with the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance standards. These enhancements are currently under the review of the Division of the State Architect.
The project aims to ensure the entire campus is thoroughly waterproofed and structurally modernized. This involves meticulous attention to the integrity of building envelopes, ensuring all structures are environmentally secure.
Project Progress:
Interior Demolition and Mold removal: The removal of interior drywall and mold is progressing as planned, with completion anticipated by the end of January 2024.
Termite Treatment: The campus is being treated for termites between Jan. 29. and Feb. 6, 2024.
Approval of Plans: Division of the State Architect should approve plans for the first two buildings in the next two weeks, this will allow construction to commence.
The project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025, and will offer a rejuvenated, safe and state-of-the-art educational environment for our students to enjoy.
Thank you for your on-going patience and understanding during the construction process.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program of Inquiry Units of Study
Most grade levels are working on either their 3rd or 4th unit. Here's what each grade level worked on this past week.
Kindergarten - The students learned that forces happen between two objects. They also heard an read aloud Rosie Revere Engineer which relates to the IB Learner Profile Inquirer.
First Grade - The students learned about animal structures that help them survive and they began their animal research projects.
Second Grade - The students learned about the properties of soil and how it can break down from bigger things. They also came into the STEM Lab to observe and compare soil samples (See pictures below).
Third Grade - The students learned about how environment affects survival. They also continued working on their research projects.
Fourth Grade - The students reviewed CA geography and Native American Communities. They also began a discussion about identity and power and how this relates to the various ways in which Native Americans are identified in our country.
Fifth Grade - The students began their fourth unit - How we express ourselves. The students focused on building an understanding of what is the civil rights movement with several provocation activities to be their background knowledge.
5th Grade Pali Camp Updates
The 5th grade is scheduled to attend Pali camp May 1-3, 2024 (Wednesday-Friday).
Please be sure you have completed your students intent to attend form and submitted it to the front office or your child's classroom teacher. It was due on Friday, Feb. 2nd! As we begin to make plans, we need to have a correct headcount of attending students.
If you were unable to attend the Pali Camp Information meeting last week below is the recording.
Topic: Pali Camp Zoom Meeting
Date: Jan 25, 2024 6:21 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Passcode: 5.4Gn86P
THANK YOU TO SM ASSISTANCE LEAGUE!
Assistance League of Santa Monica (ALSM) is a non-profit whose volunteers are dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs. These programs include providing camp scholarships, backpacks with school supplies, eye examinations and glasses, and over $100,000 in college scholarships annually.
Many students at Will Rogers Elementary School have been recipients of these programs. This year, for example, ALSM is sponsoring winter science camp for several of Will Rogers's 5th graders.
ALSM funds its programs through its Thrift Shop, which has consistently been voted the best in Santa Monica by the SM Daily Press. Please check out the shop at 1453 15th Street from 11-3 Thursday and Friday, and 10-2 Saturday. Stop by to find great bargains and help support Will Rogers's students.
We greatly appreciate Mrs. Susan Ferrell, from the Santa Monica Assistance League for her genuine care and interest in all our students in helping them fulfill their dreams experiencing the great outdoors camping, connecting with nature and being with their friends. We are grateful to announce that once again the SM Assistance League will donate funds for our 5th grade trip Pali Camp.
"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.
PROPOSITION 28: Thank you CA voters!
In November 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, to provide additional funding to “supplement arts education programs” in schools. Proposition 28 will provide annual funding for arts education programs. The California Department of Education (CDE) anticipates providing these funds to SMMUSD for use beginning the 2024-25 school year. Allocated funds will be available for use for up to three years. The Prop 28 funds will come EVERY year as it was passed by California voters to support ongoing funding for arts education.
WRLC Advocacy groups such as School Site Council, ELAC and PTA have provided input to the school on the best use of these funds to enhance our existing arts programming. More weeks of visual arts instruction and TK-2 music or dance are some of the highly requested ways we will enhance arts education at Will Rogers!
You are invited! SMMUSD: Special Education Parent Workshop Dates
- February 8th at 9 a.m. at Roosevelt “Preschool and Kindergarten Programs and Readiness”
- March 12th at 4:30 p.m. at Webster Elementary “How to prepare for your child to transition to their next school”
- May 15th at 5:30 p.m. at Grant Elementary “Special Education Year in Review”
Fechas de los talleres de educación especial para los padres
- 8 de febrero a las 9 a.m. en Roosevelt "Programas y preparación para la preprimaria y jardín de niños"
- 12 de marzo a las 4:30 p.m. en Webster Elementary "Cómo prepararse para la transición de su hijo a su próxima escuela"
- 15 de mayo a las 5:30 p.m. en la primaria Grant Elementary "Resumen del Año de Educación Especial"
WRLC CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Will Rogers Learning Community Early Education Building Project
Phase 1 of Campus Plan
(January 2024 Update)
Construction of the new early education building, and new track and field is underway at Will Rogers Learning Community (WRLC). A groundbreaking ceremony held on Dec. 8, 2023 kicked off the start of Phase 1 of the Rogers’ Campus Plan.
The project will include: outdoor natural learning spaces adjacent to seven classrooms, new basketball courts, handball walls, and turf field for use of school and city use.
A. Construction crews have fenced off the following work zone areas:
· Large grass area used for soccer field
· Ball walls, asphalt court, basketball courts located on the east side of after-school play area
· Restroom building, building P1, P2, around afterschool program area
· Some parking stalls near the teacher parking lot adjacent to the garden area
B. Shaded structures:
Contractor has installed four new shaded structures adjacent to the small grass play area. Some asphalt repair will be completed near the shaded structures in early February 2024.
C. Temporary restrooms:
Contractor has trenched and installed underground electrical, plumbing, and piping to service a portable restroom located on the north side of the school. This will be for the use of parents and staff during after-school programs.
D. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp and entry gate access:
Contractor is preparing and installing footings for a new entry gate and ADA access ramp for teacher parking lot.
E. Site demolition- Contractor is preparing to demolish outdoor restroom building, two portable classrooms, and ball walls by removing utilities connections.
F. Site utilities- Construction crews are working on future pathway for main site electrical for the new elementary building.
G. City utilities service- Contractor is coordinating with the City of Santa Monica to relocate pedestrian crosswalks, driveways and connections to new public utilities.
Thank you for your ongoing patience.
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