Happy February, Roosevelt Families!
As we step into a new month, I want to share how grateful I am for the joy, connection, and care that have filled our campus over the past few weeks. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of what makes Roosevelt such a special place.
February is also a time when we honor and celebrate Black History Month. Throughout the month, students will be engaging in thoughtful learning experiences that recognize the history, contributions, and impact of Black individuals, past and present. These conversations and projects are meaningful opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth, and we look forward to sharing some of our students’ work with you.
Roosevelt was buzzing with excitement as we welcomed over 100 prospective families for our TK/K Roundup. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Roundup committee and to the teachers and staff who made the day such a success.
This year, we were especially proud to introduce a new addition to our tours, our 4th and 5th-grade Student Tour Ambassadors. These students confidently shared their experiences, answered questions, and helped families see Roosevelt through the eyes of our learners.
Families were thrilled to experience Roosevelt firsthand, from the joyful energy in our TK classrooms to the rich, engaging learning happening across all grade levels.
Literacy Night was a big success! Families joined us for hands-on activities, explored ways to support reading at home, and connected with teachers about literacy across grade levels.
It was wonderful to see students engaged and proud to share their learning with their families. Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening meaningful and fun!
We also want to extend our appreciation for the incredible spirit shown during The Great Kindness Challenge Week. Kindness could be felt throughout our classrooms, hallways, and shared spaces, and our recent RevUp beautifully carried that energy forward.
The launch of Roosevelt Reads and our Camp Roosevelt theme brought so much excitement and joy, with students feeling motivated, engaged, and ready to learn. Thank you for modeling compassion, patience, and care, and for your flexibility as we came together for our Kindness Drone Photo.
This enthusiasm is a direct reflection of the strong, connected community we are building together, and we look forward to keeping this momentum going as we celebrate reading and learning all month long.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a warm and vibrant school community. The kindness and curiosity of our students, paired with the dedication of our families and staff, make Roosevelt a place where learning and connection flourish every day. Thank you for your continued partnership and for all the ways you support our school.
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Amy Onyendu
Looking Ahead
📚 Roosevelt Reads | All Month Long
February is dedicated to literacy and community spirit through our annual Roosevelt Reads fundraiser. This year’s camp-inspired theme brings fun, excitement, and a shared love of reading. More details coming soon.
💛 Parent Connect @ Roos: Screening of Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition | RSVP to reserve your spot NOW!
Tuesday, February 17
• 8:40 a.m. (Auditorium)
• 6:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Our PTA is hosting free screenings of Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, a documentary designed to support families as children navigate the digital world. Topics include device use, gaming, social media, and strategies to support healthy habits and well-being. These sessions are intended to inform and empower parents and caregivers through research-based insights and discussion.
✨ Parent Volunteer Training
Interested in volunteering during the school day? Please join us for training with Mrs. Warren if you have not attended this year, last year, or in the spring of 2024.
Training Dates:
• Tuesday, February 17 (Zoom) | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 12 (Auditorium) | 8:35–9:35 a.m
Please note: Attendance for the full session is required to be added to the approved volunteer list. Topics include Cool Tools peer mediation, the Olweus anti-bullying program, and volunteer logistics. Applications will be available during or after training.
We look forward to another wonderful month together at Roosevelt.
Character Trait of The Month: Kindness
Book of the Month: Sam and the Lucky Money
Talking Points for Sam and the Lucky Money
Focus Phrase: Be kind.
Our Character Development Trait for February is Kindness. Kindness is a powerful character trait that helps build empathy, connection, and a strong sense of community.
Throughout the month, our teachers will engage students in conversations, activities, and reflections that highlight what it means to be kind through words, actions, and choices, even when it is challenging. Students will explore how kindness can positively impact others and help make our school a welcoming place for everyone.
We invite families to continue these conversations at home by recognizing and celebrating acts of kindness, big and small. Whether it is helping a sibling, including others, or showing care and respect, these moments matter. Together, we can support our students in understanding that kindness is not just an action, but a way of being that strengthens relationships and uplifts our entire community.
Absences & Tardies
Attendance Matters! We want to emphasize the importance of punctuality and regular attendance for your child’s education. We understand that things happen; however, being present at school on time every day is a crucial part of their academic success. It ensures they do not miss out on valuable learning opportunities and can actively engage in the classroom. Consistent attendance sets a strong foundation for their future.
Your child must arrive by 8:25 a.m. This protects their emotional well-being and supports our Office Staff. We appreciate your letting the school know in advance about your student’s absence(s). You must email our main office at absence@smmusd.org and then copy your student’s email address to the note so that they are aware.
Please note: All gates close at 8:30 a.m. (10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays). The Montana Gate is NOT a Drop Off Gate! If your child didn’t make it to their gate to enter campus on time, he/she will need to go to the Main Office to get a tardy slip to enter campus.
Forgotten Items
Our Main Office does NOT accept items that were forgotten and left at home! This includes homework, backpacks, water bottles, lunches, outerwear, instruments, etc. If your child forgets their lunch, we will provide him/her with a free lunch from the cafeteria.
It is important for your child to experience the natural consequences of having forgotten an item they were expected to bring to school. This is a great way to learn and nurtures a sense of responsibility and independence.
Lost & Found
As a reminder for the new year, please label your child’s items so we can help return them quickly!