Hello, Roosevelt Families!
I hope you’re having a relaxing weekend! What a fantastic kickoff we had for our Monday Morning Mingle on Montana last week! Huge thanks to our local heroes—Pavilions, Starbucks on 7th Street, our incredible front office team (seriously, they’re the BEST!), and our amazing 5th-grade families for organizing and contributing to making it such a success. It was truly heartwarming to see so many of you take a break from your busy drop-off routine to connect and chat. We can’t wait to keep this wonderful community-building tradition going every fourth Monday of the month!
I also want to share an exciting project our 5th graders have been passionately working on. Over the past few weeks, they’ve been diving into conversations about activism—what it is, why people become activists, and how activism can shape the world. Each student has chosen a California state proposition to research and has explored both sides of the issue. Now, they are preparing to share what they’ve learned with the broader community.
They’ve been hard at work creating flyers, posters, stickers, and yard signs to promote their chosen propositions. This week, they’ll take their activism to the streets! From 8:10 – 8:25 a.m. and 2:55 – 3:10 p.m. on the public sidewalk in front of the school, the students will be handing out flyers, holding signs, and talking with adults about the importance of voting and why their issue matters. We’d love for you to come out and support them—it’s a great opportunity for our kids to experience real-world civic engagement!
Halloween Parade Information and Guidelines
Looking ahead, we’re excited to welcome families to our annual Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31st at 9:00 a.m.! Families are invited to join the fun, and all students (TK-5) are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes throughout the day. Please check out this message for more details and helpful tips for the parade. As you finalize your child’s costume, I also encourage you to review this resource, Cultures Aren’t Costumes, for thoughtful consideration.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are coming up soon. Please keep an eye out for communication from your child’s teacher regarding scheduling. This is a great chance to hear about the progress your child has made so far this year!
Don’t forget, Tuesday, November 5th, is a Pupil-Free Day (no school for students), and Wednesday, November 6th through Friday, November 8th are Minimum Days. Also, a reminder that there will be no late start on Wednesday, November 6th. School will be closed on Monday, November 11th for Veterans Day.
Here’s a quick reminder of the upcoming schedule:
- Tuesday, November 5th: Pupil-Free Day (NO SCHOOL)
- Wednesday, November 6th – Friday, November 8th: Minimum Days
- Wednesday, November 6th: NOT a Late Start Day
- Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)
Minimum Day Dismissal Times:
- TK-Kinder: 12:20 p.m.
- 1st-2nd: 1:00 p.m.
- 3rd-5th: 1:15 p.m.
Morning Drop-Offs
To help keep our mornings running smoothly, we kindly ask that families say their goodbyes at the gates and avoid lingering. For many of our younger students, it can be tough to transition when goodbyes are extended, making it harder for them—and our staff—to start the day.
Creating a simple, consistent routine—like a quick hug or high-five—helps your child feel secure and ready to jump into their day with confidence. Thank you for your support in making mornings a positive experience for everyone!
Absences and 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.
It is very important that your child 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). It is important that you email our main office at absence@smmusd.org and then copy your student’s email address to the note so that they are aware.
Have an amazing week ahead,
Dr. O
Amy Onyendu, Ed.D.
Principal