Principal's Pen
Dear Will Rogers Learning Community,
Parent Teacher Conferences are soon approaching. Teachers have scheduled times to meet with families to discuss the progress of your child(ren) this academic year. We ask that ALL parents arrange for a conference. Teachers will prepare for these meetings by providing assessment data and progress on the state standards. Please keep your appointments and communicate if you need to re-schedule. We ask that if you are from a two-household family you schedule one conference. This will ensure that the same information is shared to both households to work as a team to support your child(ren).
Why are Parent-Teacher Conferences important?
Parent-Teacher Conferences help promote a positive working relationship between parents and teachers. It is your opportunity to ask questions and hear how your child is progressing thus far. These conferences demonstrate to your child that you are committed to their education and to their school. Conferences typically last 20-30 minutes and your child's teacher will share information on their academic performance.
What if my child's teacher expresses concerns?
Ask questions to help you understand the concern. Teachers will always share areas of growth as well as areas of strength. This is your chance to ask for resources, ideas for support at home and how to speak to your child about any concerns. Teachers (just like parents) want to support your student(s) to be successful at school and beyond.
Please be sure to read the WILL ROGERS ROUNDUP each Sunday night as it contains important information from the school, PTA, Santa Monica Education Foundation, the City of Santa Monica, and other community partners. Links to each week’s newsletter are posted on our website.
In this newsletter:
Picture Day Information
Digital Citizenship Resources and information
In partnership,
Ms. Lila Daruty, Principal WRLC
Safety First! Emergency Preparedness
On Thursday, October 20th Rogers will participate in California’s Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This full-scale earthquake simulation drill will provide our students and staff the opportunity to practice earthquake emergency response. Please note that during drills - as well as true emergencies - the school campus will be locked until the drill/emergency is complete. All adults on campus at the time of the drill are expected to participate.
Please be sure that you have turned in your emergency cards and keep them updated with approved people who can pick up your child in the event of an emergency!
For our younger students, please speak with your children about the difference between a drill and a real emergency.
Halloween Parade
We invite families to join our Friday Assembly on Friday Oct. 28th @ 9:45 a.m. It will be a fun-filled community event. Students should come to school in their costume ready to parade for their classmates. We encourage everyone to have fun and be creative while still being safe, respectful and responsible. As a reminder regarding costumes:
Parents/Students/Staff may wear costumes that adhere to the following guidelines:
Nothing unduly revealing
Age/school inappropriate content
Avoid costumes that may imply cultural appropriation. At Rogers we celebrate diversity and are protective and respectful of all cultures.
Masks or face coverings can only be worn during the parade and NOT during the school day.
Face paint is allowed.
No toy weapons or props that may be used as weapons are allowed.
Please avoid oversized or inflatable costumes that may make navigating the classroom and school day a challenge.
*Students not dressed appropriately may be provided with loaner clothing or we will request parents to bring more appropriate clothing.
On Halloween, Monday 10/31 students SHOULD NOT come to school in their costumes.
EVERY FRIDAY AT-HOME ANTIGEN TESTS sent home in your child's backpack!
We will no longer require COVID testing at school. Instead, we will provide free, at-home test kits. Negative test results do not need to be shown to school staff for admittance to school. If your child tests positive please stay home and contact our school nurse.
With this decision comes the expectation that parents and staff will be cooperative in weekly antigen testing at home. It is in our collective best interests to maintain in-person instruction without disruptions of class or school closures due to outbreaks. We want everyone to recognize that we are part of a school community that relies on each other to do the right thing, which is to support the health and safety of all students, staff and visitors to our campuses and offices, by taking these weekly tests.
***Tests are always available in the Rogers Health Office.
Folklórico Program for the 2022-2023
We are pleased to announce the beginning of our folklórico program for the 2022-2023 school year. This is a joint effort by Santa Monica Malibu School District and Teocalli Cultural Academy. The response to the program has been great! We grew from two sites to four for the current year. We will be offering classes at McKinley Elementary School, Edison Language Academy (Last semester sites) and adding Will Rogers Learning Community and Roosevelt Elementary School this year. If you know of a student who would still like to enroll, please share this link:
The schedule for the upcoming year, beginning the week of September 19 is:
Rogers 9/22 Tuesdays-Thursdays 3:30-5:00 pm
Performance opportunities. Students perform at least three times during the year, once the students are ready. These opportunities will be announced via “Band”, make sure that you add “Band” as soon as it is convenient. The biggest performance of the year will be on May 6 and 7, (Cinco de mayo weekend) during Mexico Magico, a SMMUSD sponsored festival that brings together groups from all over the state, New Mexico and Baja California.
Do I have to buy a costume or shoes? No, costumes will be provided by TCA and shoes and practice skirts by the district. The only thing we will ask you to get is your own child’s accessories.
Attendance policy? Students with 85 % attendance will be considered for upcoming performances. Students with 65-84 % will only be considered if the students make up the absences by documenting practices at home. Students with less than 55% will not be considered.
Digital Citizenship Week Oct. 17th-21st
Common Sense celebrates Digital Citizenship Week on the third week of October every year. Rogers teachers will provide lessons in their classrooms.
English: Parent Digital Citizenship Spanish: Parent Digital Citizenship-Spanish Translation
Citizenship Week is a week-long celebration promoting digital well-being within K–12 schools, advancing Common Sense’s mission of helping students thrive in a world of media and technology.
Every year, Common Sense Education provides activities that educators can do with their students based on lessons from the research-backed and award-winning
Oops, I Forgot!
Mornings are busy and sometimes students leave for school without their water bottle, instrument or homework. In an an effort to reduce classroom interruptions and to support students with developing responsibility, please use our "Oops, I forgot" table. Make a plan with your child that if they leave something at home, a parent can drop it off in the office. We will place their item on a table outside the office. During their recess or on their way to lunch, they may check the table for their forgotten item.
Please communicate this plan with your child, so they know there is place for parents to drop-off items they may have left at home!
