Will Rogers Roundup

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Dear Will Rogers Parents and Guardians,

Wishing a blessed Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to all who celebrate. May this season of reflection and renewal bring joy and peace to your family. Please note that there is no school on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd.

Instructional Update:

At Rogers, we believe every student deserves the right support at the right time. Last week, teachers met in grade-level teams to review our fall Star Reading and Math data. During these meetings, grade-level teams worked to:

• Identify ways to provide Tier 1 interventions and opportunities for extension for learners in their classrooms.

• Establish learning routines and strategies on each grade level to improve instruction and support all students in meeting grade-level benchmarks.

These collaborative data meetings allow teachers to monitor student progress, adjust instruction, and ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.

In addition, teachers received training in a new English Language Development (ELD) program called Benchmark Express. This supports our efforts to ensure that all English Learner students receive a daily 30-minute Designated ELD/Small Group Instruction block.

Read-a-Thon: Final Week!
We’ve already reached our $12,000 goal—thank you, Rogers families! Now we’re aiming higher. If we finish strong and reach $20,000 raised and 50,000 minutes read, the LA Galaxy mascot, Cosmo, and the Stars will visit Will Rogers. Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time! Don’t forget to check out the prizes and keep logging your reading—this is our last big push!

Current Leaders:

• Top Reading Class: Ms. Contreras

• Top Fundraising Class: Ms. Fujiwara

Learn more and register here: Will Rogers Read-a-Thon

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Rodeo Dance this Friday! Come ready for a fun evening of music, dancing, and community—bring your friends and family and don’t forget your best rodeo spirit!

With appreciation and excitement,

Ms. Lila Daruty

Principal, Will Rogers Learning Community
ldaruty@smmusd.org

Mon. 9/22 Third Grade Walking Field Trip@ 10:45 a.m.

Mon. 9/22 PTA Room Rep Meeting @ 6:00 p.n. via zoom Meeting ID: 895 9030 0836

Mon. 9/22 SMMUSD-Parent Project Series Begins 6:30–9 p.m @ Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration in Santa Monica. (See flyer below)

Tues. 9/23 NO SCHOOL- Local Holiday

Fri. 9/26 RODEO Family Dance @6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria

Sat. 9/27 Regenerative Farm Family Farming Day @ 10-1

Mon. 9/29 Monday Meet-Ups with the Principal ( in front of school) @ 8-9 a.m.

Mon. 9/29 Fifth Grade Parent Committee Meeting @6:00 p.m. via zoom

Tues. 9/30 Prospective Parent School Tour @ 9:00 a.m.

Thurs. 10/2 NO SCHOOL- Local Holiday

Mon. 10/6 Volunteer Trainings 8:30, 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the library.

Tues. Oct. 7th 5th Grade Pali Science Camp Parent Info. Night @ 7:00 PM. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 847 7698 3549 Passcode: 706204

Fri. 10/10 Bike It; Walk It Day @ 9:45 a.m.

Mon. 10/13 Indigenous People's Day

Wed. 10/15 Make-Up Picture Day

Wed. 10/15 PTA Executive Board Mtg. @ 6:00 p.m. via zoom

Wed. 10/16 GREAT SHAKEOUT DRILL @ 10 a.m.

Fri. 10/17 Monthly Student Peacemaker Mtg. 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria

Tues. 10/21 Prospective Parent School Tour @ 9:00 a.m. (You may have visitors)

Fri. 10/24 Fall Festival in the Regenerative Farm @ 3-5 p.m.

Mon- Fri.10/27 Dia De Los Muertos, Ofrenda Viewing in the Cafeteria

Fri. 10/31 School-wide: Halloween Costume Parade @ 9:45 a.m. Grown-ups Welcome!

SMMUSD Calendar 2025-26

WRLC PTA Calendar 2025-26

From Sept 15–26, our students will be reading, logging minutes, and raising funds to support

our school. Families can help by cheering on their readers, sharing the fundraiser, and aiming

for fun prizes, like a mini reading buddy, a book-themed lunch with me, and the Golden Book

Traveling Trophy. Learn more and register here: https://www.willrogerspta.com/readathon

1 MORE VOLUNTEER FOR LCAP PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NEEDED

We are seeking a volunteer to represent WRLC on the SMMUSD Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). This is an important opportunity to ensure WRLC’s voice is represented in shaping district priorities and resources. Meetings are virtual, from 4:00–6:00 PM, on the following dates: Sept. 12, Nov. 14, Jan. 29, Mar. 5, May 14, and tentatively June 12. If you are interested in representing WRLC, please contact Principal Daruty @ldaruty@smmusd.org.

¡Hola Familias!

My name is Amy Teplin and I have the honor of being your child’s Spanish teacher! This is my fifth year teaching Spanish at Will Rogers, and my 30th year as an educator in SMMUSD. I am greatly looking forward to this year of Spanish class with your child!

Will Rogers students in Grades 2-5 attend Spanish class once a week for 30 minutes as part of our school’s IB curriculum. The goal of Spanish class is twofold: (1) students become more internationally-minded by studying Spanish language and cultures from around the world, and (2) students experience the joy and excitement of speaking a language other than English during the school day. Whenever possible, the Spanish curriculum connects to the IB units students are studying in class. For example, third graders who are studying elements of weather and climate learn vocabulary about “el clima” in Spanish class.

Many Will Rogers students are expert Spanish speakers, and many students are learning Spanish for the first time. Our welcoming classroom environment provides Spanish learning opportunities for everyone! Stay tuned for additional updates on our Spanish learning throughout the school year!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions (ateplin@smmusd.org). Thank you so much!

WEDNESDAY 10/15 Make-up Picture Day

The pre-order option is to give parents a chance to order at a lower cost and without a shipping cost. The reason the online ordering option closed 24 hours after picture day is to ensure time to process, print and ship these packages to the school. Saving the parents a shipping cost because they are shipped in bulk to the school rather than their homes.

For those parents that would still like to submit an order can do so 1) using their individual access codes online and 2)when the proof booklets arrive to school (before makeup picture day). These orders will incur a shipping cost and different prices than the pre-order prices, and will be shipped home.

We hope you're doing well! Below are important updates regarding our programs, sports practices, and weather-related policies.

Hello from Playground Club Manager: Roson East

“I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Playground Club Manager. I’m thrilled to lead programming that is not only fun and engaging, but also rooted in creating a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all children. I look forward to partnering with you to support joyful learning and meaningful experiences every day.”

General Club Updates

We love to connect with you and the community and hope you will sign up for our Club Newsletter to receive updates directly from the organization and news about program offerings on out of school days, 2nd semester, and resources. Learn about key information by visiting our Parent Handbook. The Handbook has our fee structure, contact information should you need to reach the management team, locations, and hours of operation.

We recognize the importance of access to after school programming for all families, and work to reduce barriers related to costs. Playground Club Membership is $395 for the year with the below pricing for sports:

Sports

• Flag Football - $150

• Volleyball - $75

• Basketball - $150

• Track - $75

  
  

Additional information about sports for the 2nd half of SY25-26 can be found here: https://www.smbgc.org/sports/

We are committed to providing holistic services that meet the comprehensive needs of our families. Tuition goes directly to providing high quality services that meet our commitments to food access, mental health, and consistent programming with trained staff. With our commitment to being the most affordable out of school provider, we continue to have full scholarships available for eligible kids and families.

Inclement Weather Policy Reminder

As outlined in our SMBGC Parent Handbook (page 9), our Inclement Weather Policy applies to all Playground Club (PGC) locations and sports practices.

In the past, some schools allowed indoor access during rainy days while others did not. For the 2025–2026 school year, we are unable to use indoor space at select sites, while not using it at others. This decision aligns with our contract and partnership with SMMUSD, whose Executive Team has confirmed that rainy day space is not currently available at all seven locations.

We understand this may be challenging for families. Our team is actively advocating for equitable indoor access across all sites.

Rainy Day Notifications:

Depending on the severity of the weather, we will strive to notify families by 11:00 AM if programming will be impacted. This allows time for families to make safe travel and pick-up arrangements. Our goal is to ensure a safe transition from school while parents are picking up their children during inclement weather.

Program Updates – Will Rogers:

Playground Club Registration

• Status: Waitlist Only

• We will maintain consistent communication with families who have signed up. Please contact membership@smbgc.org if you have questions or concerns about your registration or length of time on the waitlist. We know after school programming is critical and are happy to work with you and your family.

Flag Football Sign-Ups

• Status: Applications Closed

• Interested families may contact:

Christopher Muñoz

Director of Operations – Impact & Evaluation

cMunoz@smbgc.org | 720.273.4153

Note: Practice times may vary by location. Please confirm with Christopher Muñoz.

Check-In & Check-Out Reminder

To maintain a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all youth, all families must follow our daily check-in and check-out procedures. These protocols are essential for ensuring accurate attendance, smooth transitions, and the safety of every child in our care.

We ask that families communicate any changes in pick-up plans directly with our site team. Your cooperation helps us create a secure and supportive space for all participants.

If you have any questions about check-in, pick-up, or site logistics, please check in with your Site Coordinator: Michelle Kavian (424) 521-2767

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out: Roson East, Playground Club Manager: (424) 514-5780

Thank you!!!

https://smmk12.zoom.us/j/7406000734?omn=83623103442

The IB Learner Profiles are the qualities we strive for all students to develop. For the month of September, our focus is on being principled. We are principled when we act with integrity and honesty. Principled people treat others with justice, respect, dignity, and fairness. They take responsibility for their actions and understand how their choices impact others.

At home, you can support this trait by having conversations with your child. You can also model principled behavior by showing your child how you handle mistakes, keep promises, or speak up when something isn’t right. Recognizing and praising principled behavior when you see it at home goes a long way in helping kids internalize this value.

Looking for books that showcase principled characters? Here are a few great stories to explore together—all available in our school library:

• Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells

• Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

• One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul

• One by Kathryn Otoshi

• Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

• Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

Every Friday this month we will reflect on what it looked and sounded like to be principled. Students will honored at our assemblies. Thank you for partnering with us in building a strong community of principled learners!

Our STEM Lab is the center for hands-on learning and creativity — and we need your help to keep it clean and ready for inquiry! We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with a quick cleanup and organization at the end of the school day. Even 15-20 minutes makes a big difference.

If you’re interested in helping, please contact Courtney Hayes at chayes@smmusd.org.

SEEKING TWO NEW PARENT MEMBERS!

The School Site Council (Site Governance Committee) meets at least 8 times a year (meetings are Thursdays 3:15-5:00 p.m. via zoom to:

• To develop, approve, and annually review a school plan, to be known as the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

• To plan, monitor and evaluate the school-based activities and expenditures for Consolidated Application Programs, including Federal, State and local funds.

• To follow the requirements of the Greene Act.

• To carry out all the other duties and responsibilities assigned to it in the Educational Code of the State of California.

The SSC is composed of elected members: staff (principal, teachers, classified staff) and parents/legal guardians, PTA board member of children currently enrolled at Rogers who are not employed by the school district. All members are elected for a two year term.

Learn more on our website HERE.

APPLICATION Please email to Principal Daruty @ldaruty@smmusd.org

If you would be interested in joining and need more information, please reach out to Principal Daruty. I will notify you when your nomination has been received.

We are excited to invite you to an important Science Camp Parent Meeting scheduled for October 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom for your convenience.

A representative from Pali Science Camp will be joining us to provide an overview of the camp experience and answer any questions you may have about the upcoming trip. To help you get a better idea of what to expect and to prepare any questions in advance, we have attached a Pali parent video for you to watch before the meeting.

Meeting Details:
Date: October 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Zoom Link: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 847 7698 3549
Passcode: 706204

We encourage all parents to attend to ensure you have all the necessary information and feel comfortable with the arrangements. If you have any questions before the meeting, please do not hesitate to reach out to your 5th grade teacher!

Pali parent video link

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District invites parents and caregivers of teens (ages 12+) to join Parent Project, a free 10-week program designed to provide practical tools for managing challenging behaviors and strengthening family relationships. Sessions are held Mondays from 6:30–9 p.m., beginning Sept. 22, 2025, at the Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration in Santa Monica. The program is offered in English and Spanish, with free dinner provided each week and free child care available for children ages 3–12. An orientation will be held Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the same location. Register by Oct. 1, 2025.

Sign up today: https://bit.ly/ParentProjectFall2025.

Have you done your AERIES student data validation this year? If no, log in now to complete.

https://santamonicamalibu.aeries.net/Student/LoginParent.aspx

Data Validation Flyer - English

Data Validation - Spanish

• 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.

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.

REMINDER: Parent parking can be found on the 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.

• At WRLC, we make every effort to avoid interrupting instructional time and therefore do not allow cellphones and other electronics to be used during the instructional day. Students are not permitted to wear smartwatches or Gizmos in the classrooms. If your child wears a smartwatch, or has a smartphone, please remind them they are to be kept in their backpack turned off or on school-mode during the school day. We encourage parents to support us by leaving these items at home.
• 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.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, recognizing that regular school attendance is essential to student achievement.

Attendance is an essential component to a student’s academic success. Often, the number of days that students are absent accumulate without parents realizing how many days have been missed.

As part of our district wide Attendance Recovery Day, on September 19th, SMMUSD counseling interns will be making phone calls home to parents whose children had chronic attendance issues last year and so far this year in fall 2025. These phone calls are intended to provide support and resources to help improve school attendance.

• 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!

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.

Join the Will Rogers PTA for $10 to support activities and events that enrich your student's education and strengthen our school community.

https://jointotem.com/ca/santa-monica/will-rogers-elementary-pta

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.

We encourage all families to submit the Free and Reduced Meals application by Friday, October 4. Although California provides free meals for all students, this application is crucial for determining eligibility for additional programs and resources, including Title 1 school designations for the 2026-27 school year. The state uses this form to assess which families qualify for benefits beyond free meals, so widespread participation is essential. To support this effort, please share the application link with your families and distribute the flier through your school's communication channels.

Application Link: https://bit.ly/MealApplications-SMMUSD

Email: ldaruty@smmusd.org
Website: https://www.smmusd.org/rogers
Location: 2401 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90406
Phone: 310-452-2364