Hello, Roosevelt Families!
As we move further into November, I want to take a moment to recognize all that has been happening across our Roosevelt community. The past few weeks have brought plenty of opportunities to celebrate and connect.
Our students enjoyed Halloween festivities, Día de Muertos, and Diwali celebrations, each highlighting the wonderful diversity and traditions that make our school so special. Thank you to the families, volunteers, and staff who helped bring these experiences to life and gave our students opportunities to learn about and appreciate one another’s cultures.
Last week, we also wrapped up parent-teacher conferences. These conversations provide an important opportunity to celebrate student progress, discuss areas of growth, and identify ways we can continue supporting each child. Thank you to our teachers and staff for the time and preparation that went into these meetings, and to our families for making time to connect with us.
Academic Learning & Roosevelt G.R.I.T.
In our classrooms, teachers continue implementing enVision Mathematics, our new district-adopted math curriculum. As we become more familiar with the materials and instructional approaches, we continue to focus on helping students develop a strong understanding of mathematical concepts, explain their thinking, and build confidence as problem-solvers.
We also continue to reinforce our Roosevelt G.R.I.T. values: Growth, Respect, Integrity, and Tenacity. Recognizing students who demonstrate these values is one way we celebrate the everyday choices and actions that help create a positive school culture. We want every student to feel connected, supported, and valued as a member of our community.
New Volunteer Safety Vests
Beginning Monday, November 9, we will be introducing new blue volunteer safety vests following conversations with teachers, staff, and families about ways to improve campus safety and visibility.
All volunteers will need to check in at the front office, where they will receive a blue vest and a volunteer identification card displaying the last name of the teacher they are assigned to. These vests will make it easier for staff, students, and visitors to identify approved volunteers on campus. Thank you for helping us implement this additional safety measure.
We are also looking for additional parent volunteers to support our students during lunchtime. Volunteers help provide supervision in the cafeteria, Big Yard, and TK/K Yard, making lunch a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone. A SignUpGenius invitation has been shared with families. If you are an approved volunteer, we encourage you to sign up whenever your schedule allows. We appreciate your help!
Campus Improvements & Clean-Up
We appreciate your continued patience as construction and campus improvements move forward. These projects are part of our ongoing commitment to creating the best possible learning environment for our students. Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate the changes and adjustments that come with this work.
A special thank-you to the families and volunteers who continue to help keep our campus clean, welcoming, and beautiful. Your time and contributions make a difference in the environment our students experience each day.
Parent Connect @ Roosevelt
Our next Parent Connect @ Roosevelt session is coming up on Tuesday, November 17, and we’re excited to welcome guest speakers from SEWI (Social Emotional Wellness Initiative) for Gratitude 101! This session will explore the science of gratitude and its impact on mental health and overall well-being.
Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you.” Families will explore the difference between authentic gratitude and toxic positivity, learn about the research-backed benefits of practicing gratitude, and discover practical ways to incorporate it into everyday life. We’ll also discuss how parents can help nurture a sense of gratitude in their children.
We will offer two opportunities to participate:
- Morning Session | 8:40 a.m. in Roosevelt Auditorium: Jessica Rubecindo-Shioda, MA, Director of Operations at SEWI. Jessica brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit operations, community engagement, and staff and volunteer development.
- Evening Session | 6:00 p.m. on Zoom: Sarah Young-Sheppard, MSW, Founder and Executive Director of SEWI. Sarah is a longtime youth advocate with extensive experience in youth leadership, social-emotional wellness, and community programs.
A note for evening families: Children are welcome to join their parents on Zoom. However, the presentation is geared toward adults, so younger participants may find the discussion less engaging.
Please click here to RSVP so we can plan accordingly! We hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to learn, reflect, and discover simple ways to bring more gratitude into our homes and everyday lives.
SMMUSD Portrait of a Graduate
SMMUSD continues its work on developing a Portrait of a Graduate, which will identify the essential skills, qualities, and abilities we want every student to demonstrate by the time they graduate. The district has been gathering input from students, staff, families, and community members to help narrow seven proposed competencies to five priorities that will guide student learning and success. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the survey here!
This is an important opportunity for our broader community to help shape the educational experiences and skills we want to develop in our students, both during their time in SMMUSD and beyond.
Picture Make-Up Day – November 17
Picture Make-Up Day will provide an opportunity for students who missed our original picture day or need a retake. Please watch for additional school communications with details and instructions.
Thank you for your continued support, involvement, and partnership. Roosevelt is a stronger community because of the many ways our families, staff, and students contribute to making it a place where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to grow. As we move through the school year, we will continue to keep our North Star at the center of our work: Relationships First. Growth for Everyone. Confidence in Their Potential.
With appreciation,
Dr. Amy Onyendu
MORE ROOS NEWS
DAILY REMINDERS: LET’S BE READY FOR THE DAY!
Help your child start each school day prepared for learning and fun! Please remind your student to bring their school materials, a reusable water bottle, a healthy snack and/or lunch, and a hat for outdoor play. Applying sunscreen before arriving at school and dressing in layers for changing weather are also important. Remember, lunch is available free of charge to all students for the 2026-27 school year.
And just like TJ reminds us, bring a positive attitude and a growth mindset each day! Thank you for partnering with us to help every Roosevelt student feel ready to learn, grow, and thrive.
BUILDING G.R.I.T. AT ROOSEVELT AND AT HOME!
At Roosevelt, GRIT stands for Growth, Respect, Integrity, and Tenacity. These values guide how we learn, treat one another, make decisions, and work through challenges. GRIT reminds our students that mistakes are opportunities to grow, respect starts with how we treat others, integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and tenacity means keeping going when things get tough.
Families can help build GRIT at home, too! Celebrate your child’s effort, encourage them to try again when something feels difficult, talk about making honest and responsible choices, and model kindness and respect in everyday interactions. Most importantly, remind your child that they are capable of learning, growing, and overcoming challenges. When we reinforce GRIT together, we help our students build confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive!
ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATIONS
If you have received an attendance letter, here is some information:
“I just received a letter from the school about absences. Why did I get this letter?”
- Three (3) UNEXCUSED absences are considered excessive and trigger a letter to be sent out from our automated system.
- EIGHT (8) excused (illness, etc.) absences are considered excessive.
- SIX (6) unexcused absences warrant a 2nd letter.
- NINE (9) unexcused absences warrant a 3rd letter.
- Three (3) long tardies are considered an absence (arriving at school 30 minutes late or more). In addition, three (3) occurrences of students leaving early (students leaving school 30 minutes early or more) are also considered an absence.
We also recognize that there are some excused reasons why your child may be late to school. Please send a note or call the school in advance if you know your child will be out of school ahead of time.
FORGOTTEN ITEMS
Our Main Office does NOT accept forgotten items 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.
Let’s continue to support and encourage our students as they engage in these exciting opportunities for learning and exploration.
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!
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 the flow of traffic 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 is prohibited from 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. daily.
COOL TOOLS PEER CONFLICT RESOLUTION STRATEGIES
This link has been included for you and your family to review so that everyone can become familiar with Cool Tools and have conversations with your child to reinforce the strategies with them at home.
