
Dear Roosevelt Families,
Welcome to February! The past few weeks have been a heartwarming reminder of what makes our Roosevelt community so special. We’ve had the privilege of welcoming new families into our community, many of whom have been displaced due to the recent fires. Watching our students extend kindness and empathy to their new classmates as they navigate this transition has been truly inspiring. Their willingness to help others adjust to a new start reflects the very best of our Roosevelt values.
Last week, we also opened our doors to over 60 prospective families during our TK/K Roundup! A huge THANK YOU to our phenomenal Roundup committee and dedicated teachers and staff for making this event such a success. Families were blown away by the opportunity to see the magic of Roosevelt in action, from the joyful energy in TK classrooms to the thoughtful learning happening in 5th grade. Many shared their excitement about joining a school that so clearly fosters a love of learning and a strong sense of community.
On Thursday, we celebrated the Lunar New Year with an unforgettable Lion Dance performance by the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu School—the oldest Kung Fu school in the South Bay! This incredible event wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing PTA. Thank you for bringing this cultural celebration to life and creating a memorable experience for all of us!
Our 5th Grade Student Council is off to a fantastic start, with nearly 40 students eager to make a difference! The Beautification Bunch and Hall Monitors are already enhancing our campus and supporting younger students, while plans for a Student Council Newspaper are underway for a May launch. Huge thanks to Ms. Gooden for her leadership and dedication in guiding this inspiring group!
As we enter February, we’re excited to celebrate Black History Month, honoring the contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. Our students are engaging in meaningful projects and activities that highlight this rich legacy and its impact on our world. We look forward to sharing their reflections with you.
I feel so fortunate to be part of such a warm, caring, and vibrant community. Our students’ kindness and curiosity, paired with the dedication of our families and staff, make Roosevelt a truly special place where magic happens every day. Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of all we do!
Save The DaTES
Looking ahead, we’d like to share several upcoming events:
📚 Roosevelt Reads – Month of February
February is all about literacy and community spirit with our annual Roosevelt Reads fundraiser! This year’s theme is baseball-inspired, celebrating the LA Dodgers’ World Series win. Stay tuned for more details!
🐝 Spelling Bee Finals – Wednesday, February 5th
Our 12 finalists will compete to become Roosevelt’s Spelling Bee Champion on Wednesday, February 5th. The winner will advance to the Los Angeles County Finals.
✨ Parent Volunteer Training – Fri., Feb. 7th (ZOOM) AND Tues., Feb. 11th (In-Person)
Join us for volunteer training led by Ms. Stern if you’d like to help out during the school day (inside or outside) and haven’t attended training this year, last year, or in spring 2023.
IMPORTANT: Arrive on time and stay for the entire session to be added to the approved volunteer list. Applications will be available for pick-up or sent home after training. Topics include our Cool Tools peer mediation program, Olweus anti-bullying program, and logistics.
Training Details:
Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 (ZOOM)
Time: 12:00 -1:00 P.M.
Location: Zoom
Meeting ID: 310 206 4800
Passcode: APLaugh
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (IN PERSON)
Time: 8:35 – 9:35 A.M.
Location: Auditorium
📚 Join Us for Family Literacy Night – Tuesday, February 25th
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun and learning at Family Literacy Night on Tuesday, February 25th, from 6:00–7:00 PM! Celebrate the joy of reading, writing, and creativity with your kids in an exciting, hands-on way.
Discover the Joy of Literacy Together!
- Get Creative: Design your own bookmarks and participate in a fun book character drawing activity!
- Be Inspired: Enjoy engaging read-alouds and discover the power of poetry.
- Connect & Learn: Meet special guests from the Santa Monica Library and explore resources to support your scholar’s literacy journey.
- …and so much more!
Come Early for Pizza!
Pizza will be available for purchase in the courtyard starting at 5:45 PM, so you can grab a bite before the festivities begin.
It’s a night filled with activities that will spark your child’s love for books and help you support their reading journey. Bring the whole family, make memories, and let’s celebrate literacy together! We can’t wait to see you there!
Character Trait of The Month: Cooperation
Book of the Month: The Librarian of Basra by Jeannette Winter
Talking Points for The Librarian of Basra
Focus Phrase: We cooperate at Roosevelt to take care of our classrooms, school, homes, community, and environment.
Our Character Development Trait for January is cooperation. We believe that cooperation is a vital quality that fosters teamwork, respect, and shared success. Throughout the month, our teachers will engage students in discussions, activities, and reflections emphasizing the importance of working together, listening to others, and contributing to group efforts.
We encourage you to reinforce the value of cooperation at home and to share any experiences or examples that demonstrate this character trait. Together, we can help our students understand that cooperation is not just a skill but a cornerstone for building strong relationships and thriving in a 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 is supportive of our Office Staff. We appreciate you 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 AM (10:00 AM 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!
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Amy Onyendu

Amy Onyendu, Ed.D.
Principal