Dear Roosevelt Families,
Welcome to March! As we step into a new month, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible sense of community we’ve built together over the past few weeks. February was filled with opportunities to come together, learn, and celebrate, and I’m so grateful for your engagement and support.
A special thank you goes to our amazing PTA for sponsoring the memorable Black History Month events. Le Ballet Dembaya and the Black History Tribute laser show were both extraordinary experiences that enriched our understanding and appreciation of Black culture and history. Events like these help our students connect with diverse stories and perspectives, fostering empathy and a deeper sense of community.
We also want to express our gratitude to students, staff, and families for their enthusiastic participation in Roosevelt Reads, our monthlong fundraiser celebrating the joy of reading. Seeing our entire school come together to highlight the power of books was truly inspiring! The energy during the RevUP assembly was unmatched, especially with the surprise visit from the Samohi Baseball Team. Their message about how reading ties into our GRIT principles was both motivating and unforgettable. Thank you all for making Roosevelt Reads such a huge success!
Another highlight of February was our well-attended Family Literacy Night! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff who created immersive literary experiences for our families. Your creativity and dedication made the night truly special. We also extend our gratitude to the Santa Monica Public Library for their partnership and to our two guest authors, who inspired us with their stories and passion for literature. It was a beautiful evening that celebrated our shared love of reading and storytelling.
While Roosevelt Reads has concluded, the excitement continues with our Spring Book Fair, happening from March 13th to March 21st. Be on the lookout for details from your child’s teacher about this exciting event.
We’re also thrilled to announce more upcoming events this month:
- Roosevelt Family Dance – Winter Luau: Friday, March 7th – A fun evening for students and families to dance and connect as a community.
- New TK/K & Library Project Presentation: Wednesday, March 12th, from 4 to 5 PM. Join us to learn about the new TK/K and Library updates. This is an opportunity to see the plans and hear how these projects will enhance our students’ learning experience.
- ‘Roosevelt’s Got Talent’ Show: Friday, March 21st – Prepare to be amazed by our students’ talents!
- Spring Open House: Thursday, March 27th – Mark your calendars for this special evening to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and celebrate your child’s academic achievements. Additional information will be shared soon.
Roosevelt's Destination Imagination Teams Shine!
I’m thrilled to share that our two Destination Imagination teams represented Roosevelt at the Regional Tournament in late February! Competing at the Elementary Level of the Technical Challenge, they showcased amazing creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
We’re especially proud that one of our teams earned 1st place overall and received a special medal for excelling in the “Instant Challenge,” where they had to think on their feet and tackle an unfamiliar task in record time—a fantastic accomplishment!
This success is even more impressive as it marks the first year of Destination Imagination at Roosevelt. Our students embraced this new journey with hard work and enthusiasm, building skills and friendships along the way.
A huge thank you to Catherine Schmidt, our incredible parent volunteer, for leading this program with such passion and dedication. We’re so grateful for the time and care you’ve poured into our students.
Congratulations to our Destination Imagination teams on an outstanding year—you’ve made us so proud! We can’t wait to see where your creativity and teamwork take you next.
Supporting our Community as a Safe Haven School District
We would like to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of immigration status, has access to a safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment. You can read our superintendent’s letter regarding our district’s commitment here. The letter also contains links to resources.
Students: Please know that students are safe at school. We have been instructed not to let anyone on campus unless they possess a judicial warrant for a specific person. Even if they have a judicial warrant, they will not be allowed on campus until our Director of Student Services and district legal counsel have been consulted. This is highly unlikely, but we have been informed what to do if it occurs.
Parents: In uncertain times, it’s essential to know your rights and how to protect yourself and your family. One of the simplest and most powerful tools you can carry is a RED CARD—a quick reference guide with key information about your rights if you encounter law enforcement or immigration authorities.
📌 Access digital copies here: English Card & Spanish Cards & Other Languages
We encourage all families to stay informed and prepared. Feel free to take an extra card for someone who may need it. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our bilingual community liaison, Elena Uliantzeff. She is on campus every day, but can also be reached by email at euliantzeff@smmusd.org.
Partnering Together to Keep Our Campus Clean and Safe
Our custodians work hard every day to keep our campus clean and safe for everyone. Please talk with your student about the importance of respecting our shared spaces, including restrooms, and keeping them clean.
The “I” in GRIT stands for Integrity, which means doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. Encourage your child to “See Something, Say Something” by notifying a trusted adult if they see peers not making good choices. Together, we can ensure Roosevelt stays a safe, clean place for all.
Character Trait of The Month: Cooperation
Book of the Month: A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting
Talking Points for A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting
Focus Phrase: At Roosevelt, we value honesty.
March and April’s Character Development Trait of the Month is honesty, a cornerstone of Roosevelt’s GRIT values—Growth, Respect, Integrity, and Tenacity. Honesty is essential for building trust, fostering integrity, and creating meaningful relationships. Teachers will engage students in discussions and activities that highlight the importance of truthfulness, accountability, and sincerity.
To support these conversations, teachers will use the book A Day’s Work by Eve Bunting. This powerful story illustrates the value of honesty and its impact on relationships and personal growth. It serves as a great springboard for exploring how honesty influences our daily choices and interactions.
We invite you to join us in emphasizing this trait at home. Talk with your students about what honesty means to your family and how it shows up in everyday life. Share examples from your experiences, and discuss how honesty builds trust and strengthens relationships. Together, we can help students embrace honesty as a guiding principle in their lives.
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.
As a reminder for the new year, please label your child’s items so we can help return them quickly!
Thank you for your continued support and participation in making Roosevelt a place of growth, respect, integrity, and tenacity. We look forward to everything March will bring as we continue to learn, celebrate, and build community together.
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Amy Onyendu