Hello, Roosevelt Families–
I hope this message finds you well and that your household is settling into the rhythm of longer, brighter days after the springtime daylight savings shift. March has a way of arriving with a burst of energy, and here at Roosevelt, it certainly feels that way! This month invites us to celebrate, reflect, and connect as a community.
From Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day to cultural celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day, March offers meaningful reminders to honor the achievements of women, uplift equity and inclusion, and appreciate the rich traditions that make our community so vibrant.
Thank you for continuing to bring your enthusiasm, care, and partnership to Roosevelt — it’s what makes our school such a special place for students to learn and grow.
Last week, we were proud to host another Learning Round here at Roosevelt, welcoming district colleagues into classrooms to observe the strong teaching and learning happening across our campus. The focus of this round was our continued work around Depth of Knowledge (DOK).
DOK refers to the level of thinking students are asked to do during learning. While some tasks ask students to recall facts or apply a skill, deeper levels of DOK encourage students to explain their reasoning, analyze ideas, and engage in complex problem solving.
At Roosevelt, we are intentionally creating more opportunities for students to engage in higher levels of thinking (DOK 3 and 4) across subjects. This often looks like students discussing strategies, explaining their thinking, asking questions, and building on the ideas of their classmates.
Learning Rounds are supportive, not evaluative visits — the purpose is for educators to learn alongside one another and celebrate effective practices happening in classrooms. Visitors noted strong student engagement, rich discussion, and thoughtful reasoning across many classrooms. We are incredibly proud of the meaningful learning experiences taking place every day at Roosevelt.
Another highlight was one of the most anticipated events of the year — SLIME TIME! Thanks to the incredible support of Roosevelt families during the Santa Monica Education Foundation’s January Participation Campaign, our school reached its participation goal.
That meant Ms. Warren, Ms. Hanna, and I officially got slimed during a Roosevelt RevUp assembly! The energy from students was absolutely contagious, and it was a joyful celebration of what our community can accomplish when we come together. Roosevelt is also currently leading the district for the Golden Plane Award, which recognizes schools with the highest participation.
Finally, on Friday, March 13, our auditorium was buzzing with excitement for Roosevelt’s Got Talent. With two packed shows, students bravely took the stage to share their incredible talents — from singing and dancing to musical performances and creative acts.
It was a wonderful celebration of student creativity, confidence, and community spirit. Thank you to the amazing committee, our talented students, and the staff and families who came out to support. It truly was a fantastic event and a reminder of how special the Roosevelt community is.
Upcoming Events
✨5th Grade Visit to Lincoln Middle School | Tuesday, March 17
Our 5th graders will visit and tour Lincoln Middle School on Tuesday, March 17. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to begin their transition to middle school and learn about the exciting adventures ahead!
✨ Spring Book Fair | March 16–20 | Library
Students will have the opportunity to explore and purchase new books during the school day. The Book Fair supports classroom libraries and encourages a continued love of reading.
✨ Parent Connect @ Roosevelt: Raising Resilient Children | Tuesday, March 24 | 8:40 a.m. (Auditorium) and 6:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Join us for a conversation exploring how parents can nurture resilience and inner strength in their children. In an environment that increasingly works to avoid friction and discomfort yet experiences higher rates of anxiety and burnout, it is more important than ever to learn how to navigate struggle, disappointment, and uncertainty.
Together, we’ll explore the importance of building resilience in the modern age and learn practical tools and steps to help our kids grow through struggle, embrace the friction, and build the character to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Register here!
✨ Spring Open House | Thursday, March 26
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 26, as we welcome you to our Spring Open House! This is a wonderful opportunity to step into our classrooms, connect with teachers, and explore the exciting projects your child has been working on.
- TK and Kindergarten: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Grades 1-5: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Please note that Thursday, March 27, will be a minimum school day with early dismissal to accommodate the evening event. Keep an eye out for additional details from your child’s teacher.
***PLEASE NOTE: Friday, March 27, is NOT a minimum day.***
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.
In partnership,
Dr. Amy Onyendu
Character Trait of The Month: Good Judgment
Book of the Month: If Everybody Did by Jo Ann Stover
Talking Points for If Everybody Did
Focus Phrase: We use good judgment at Roosevelt to take care of our classrooms, school, homes, community, and environment.
Our Character Development Trait for March and April is Good Judgement. Good Judgment is a powerful character trait that helps students make thoughtful choices, solve problems responsibly, and consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others.
Throughout the month, our teachers will engage students in conversations, activities, and reflections that explore what it means to pause, think critically, and make decisions with integrity — even when it may be difficult. Students will learn that good judgment involves weighing options, anticipating consequences, and choosing what is safe, respectful, and responsible.
We invite families to continue these conversations at home by talking through everyday decisions and encouraging children to reflect on their choices. Whether it’s handling a disagreement, managing responsibilities, or navigating peer situations, these moments provide valuable opportunities to practice good judgment.
Together, we can help our students understand that strong decision-making skills build confidence, trust, and a positive school community.
IMPORTANT PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF SAFETY REMINDER
The safety of our students is our top priority, and we want to ensure that our pick-up and drop-off procedures at the school gates are as safe and efficient as possible. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of the following safety guidelines:
- Lincoln and 9th Street are for loading/unloading ONLY:
Keep circling until you see your child.
Do not wait at the curb.
Do not leave your car and go look for your child. - No Double Parking: Do not double park your vehicle. This obstructs traffic flow and can create hazardous conditions.
- Mind the Crosswalks: NEVER drop your child off on the opposite side of the street. Be especially cautious near crosswalks and pedestrian areas. Always yield to pedestrians and allow them to cross safely.
- Be Patient & Set a Positive Example: As parents, your behavior sets an example for your children. Please be patient and considerate of other parents and guardians while modeling safe and responsible driving practices.
- Please be mindful that the Staff Parking Lot is for Staff Only: Entry and exit are prohibited from 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. daily.
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 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 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, please label your child’s items so we can help return them quickly!