Hello, Roosevelt Families!
It’s hard to believe we’re already several weeks into the school year! Routines are taking shape, friendships are growing, and our students are settling into the rhythm of learning, exploring, and discovering new things. And what a week to be back at Roosevelt! It has been so wonderful to pop into classrooms, see our students in Music and PE, spend time with them during lunch, and catch up with so many of you throughout the day.
Those everyday moments are what make our school community so special, and being back in the middle of it all has reminded me just how much we have to celebrate. I’m so happy to be back and look forward to all the growth, connection, and wonderful memories still ahead!
As we move through the year, we want to keep coming back to what guides us at Roosevelt: our G.R.I.T. values (Growth, Respect, Integrity, and Tenacity) and our North Star for our students: Relationships First. Growth for Everyone. Confidence in Their Potential.
These commitments shape how we support our students, partner with families, and build a community where every child feels a sense of belonging and knows we believe in their potential. Thank you for being such an important part of that work!
Our 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration was such a wonderful success! Moving the celebration to the Big Yard this year gave us even more room to come together, share traditions, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the richness of Hispanic and Latino cultures represented in our Roosevelt community. Seeing our families, students, and staff connect and learn from one another was a beautiful reminder of what makes our school so special.
An event like this takes a tremendous amount of planning, coordination, and heart. A huge thank you to our Roosevelt PTA, our dedicated Roosevelt staff, and especially the parents and staff members who served on our Hispanic Heritage Celebration Committee. Your hard work began long before the event itself. Thank you for the time, care, creativity, and teamwork you poured into making this celebration possible!
We are also incredibly grateful to Sandy Days Kids Camp, Gilbert’s El Indio, El Cholo, and The Arepa Stand for helping make the afternoon so memorable. To our amazing volunteers and generous donors, thank you for sharing your time, resources, and support. Every contribution helped bring the celebration to life.
Most importantly, thank you to the families who attended, shared their cultures, and helped our students experience the beauty of traditions, stories, music, and food from across our community. These experiences help children develop curiosity, appreciation, and respect for one another. We are so proud of what we created together and look forward to continuing this tradition!
A Few Important Reminders
Communication Flow Chart: Who Should I Contact?
Have a question about your child’s academics, social-emotional development, or a school program? Our Communication Flow Chart can help you connect with the right person. In most cases, your child’s classroom teacher is the best first point of contact. Starting there helps us work together to address questions and find a path forward. Thank you for keeping communication open and collaborative!
Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Dismissal Safety
We have seen increased congestion, double-parking, and unsafe street crossings near Lincoln and our surrounding streets. Please follow posted parking rules, avoid blocking driveways, use designated crosswalks, and pull forward in drop-off lines. We have increased staff supervision at key gates and are continuing to partner with the Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Division. Thank you for being patient, courteous, and mindful of our students’ safety. Our children are watching, and the example we set matters!
As always, thank you for the many ways you contribute to our Roosevelt community. Whether you volunteer at an event, share a family tradition, partner with your child’s teacher, or simply help us keep our campus safe, you are an important part of what makes Roosevelt special.
Let’s continue to lead with relationships, celebrate growth, and remind every child that we believe in their potential.
In partnership,
Dr. Amy Onyendu
SAVE THE DATES
10/15 – Great California Shakeout
Schools across the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) will join thousands of school districts, colleges, and businesses across California to participate in The Great California ShakeOut Drill at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15. The earthquake and emergency preparedness drill will provide schools with an opportunity to review earthquake drill procedures, test the emergency communications system, and practice evacuation protocols to ensure students and staff are prepared for a major earthquake or disaster.
How Schools Will Prepare:
Before the drill, teachers will lead age-appropriate discussions with students about recommended actions during an earthquake and the safety procedures to follow after the shaking stops.
During the drill, students will practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique and then evacuate their classrooms. Some schools may also conduct building evacuations, search and rescue walk-throughs, parent-student reunification drills, and radio check-ins with the District Office. The goal is to improve and refine emergency preparedness practices and communication to ensure the highest levels of safety for all students and staff.
At the District Office, staff will participate in evacuation procedures with the City of Santa Monica to evacuate safely.
How to Practice Earthquake Preparedness at Home:
Families are encouraged to practice earthquake preparedness at home by developing and reviewing emergency plans. Additional resources to consider include:
Great Shakeout website – Information on the Great Shakeout planned for Thursday, October 15.
MyShake App – MyShake delivers ShakeAlert®-powered earthquake alerts across California, Oregon, and Washington. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms, in addition to providing detailed information.
Santa Monica’s Emergency Preparedness Resource
10/20 – Picture Day
Say Cheese! Picture Day is Tuesday, October 20. Your child’s portrait is something that both of you will cherish for years to come, so I encourage you to dress your child appropriately and remind them to bring their best expression!
10/27 – Parent Connect @ Roosevelt: What is an IEP? and Education Supports 101
We’re excited to invite you to our next Parent Connect @ Roosevelt session! Parent Connect is our family learning series that brings parents and caregivers together with our school team to learn about how children grow and learn, explore helpful strategies, and ask questions.
Join us for a special Parent Connect session with Wassim Issa, SMMUSD’s Special Education Coordinator for Elementary Schools, for an informative and welcoming conversation about the educational supports and services available to students.
We’ll explore the differences between IEPs and 504 plans, how evaluations work, how eligibility for services is determined, and what supports may be available to help students thrive at school. We’ll also discuss how families can raise concerns, request support, and partner with their child’s school team to identify strategies that meet their child’s individual needs.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore educational supports, have questions about the process, or simply want to understand the resources available to your child better, this session is an opportunity to learn, connect, and ask questions in a supportive environment. Bring your questions! We want families to leave feeling more informed, confident, and prepared to partner with our school team in supporting every child’s growth and success.
All current Roosevelt parents and guardians are welcome!
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 27
- Time: 9:00-10:00 AM
- Location: Roosevelt Auditorium
- Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/
j/82472329829 - Have a question you’d like Wassim to address? Submit it ahead of time here: https://forms.gle/
9qJ5ysxbteBH3jK1\7
10/30 – HALLOWEEN PARADE
We’re excited to celebrate Halloween together at our upcoming Roosevelt Halloween Parade on Friday, October 30! All students in TK–5th grade will take part in this festive tradition. The parade begins promptly at 9:00 a.m., and families are invited to cheer from the Big Yard and field.
Students may wear costumes to school (no scary, gory, or culturally insensitive themes), and masks or face paint are allowed during the parade only. After the fun, students will return to class for a regular day of learning—with a touch of Halloween spirit! 👻
Click here to read the full details about entry, costumes, and class parties.
LOST & FOUND SHED
We have quite a collection of items in the Lost & Found Shed located behind the Coach’s Office near the Upper 9th St. gate. Please be sure to check the Lost & Found anytime during dismissal. We have lots of water bottles and lunch bags!