Dear Roosevelt Families,
As we prepare to begin a new week, we pause to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we observe tomorrow. Dr. King’s message of love, justice, and service continues to guide us, reminding us that lasting change begins with how we treat one another. This day is often called a “day on,” inviting each of us to slow down, reflect, and look for meaningful ways — big or small — to care for our neighbors and strengthen our community.
A gentle reminder that there will be no school on Monday, January 19, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We look forward to welcoming students back to campus on Tuesday. Thank you, as always, for your partnership, your trust, and the many ways you support our Roosevelt community. We are deeply grateful for all that you do.
Looking ahead, we are excited to share that Roosevelt will proudly participate in The Great Kindness Challenge from January 26–30, a statewide initiative supported by the California Department of Education. This year’s theme, “Show Us Your Kind,” encourages students, educators, and families to shine a light on the many ways kindness shows up in our daily lives.
To help students put compassion into action, they will receive a Great Kindness Challenge checklist and will be encouraged to complete as many acts of kindness as possible at school, with the hope that these acts continue at home and in the community.
We are also excited to continue building a positive and supportive school culture through our new G.R.I.T. Recognition initiative, which launched at the start of the year as part of our schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports). At Roosevelt, GRIT is how we show our character each day, and staff will be intentionally recognizing students who demonstrate these values across campus:
G – Growth: learning and improving
R – Respect: treating others and our school with care
I – Integrity: making honest and responsible choices
T – Tenacity: sticking with challenges
When an adult notices a student showing GRIT, they may earn a GRIT Slip, which is used to recognize positive choices and effort, celebrate strong character, and enter students into a weekly school raffle.
As always, thank you for being such an important part of our Roosevelt community. We hope you enjoy this day of reflection with your family and loved ones, and we look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday. Please continue reading below for additional updates and important information.
In community and partnership,
Dr. Amy Onyendu
💬 Parent Connect @ Roosevelt – Tuesday, January 20 at 8:40 a.m.
Our next Parent Connect is STAR Assessments: A Roosevelt Parent Workshop, featuring guest speaker Ms. Liz Cochran, Instructional Coach.
🗓 Tuesday, January 20
🕣 8:40 a.m.
📍 Roosevelt Auditorium
Please note that this session will be offered as a single morning session only.
During this workshop, families will learn what STAR assessments are, how they are used at Roosevelt, what the scores mean, and how results help guide instruction and support for students. Ms. Cochran will also share ways families can support their child’s learning at home using STAR data as a helpful tool—not a label. Click here to sign up!
🌟 TK/K Roundup – Thursday, January 22nd at 8:00 a.m.
Families with children entering Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten for the 2026–27 school year are warmly invited to our TK/K Roundup! This is a wonderful opportunity to step onto campus, meet our incredible teachers, learn about before- and after-school care options, and get support with the registration process. We can’t wait to welcome our future Roosevelt families — sign up here to join us!
📚Family Literacy Night – Tuesday, January 27 | 5:15–6:15 p.m.
Mark your calendars for a joyful evening of learning and togetherness at Family Literacy Night, held in the auditorium and cafeteria. This special event brings reading and storytelling to life through interactive booths and hands-on activities created by our talented staff—designed to engage learners of all ages.
Families are invited to arrive a bit early and enjoy pizza in the Lincoln Courtyard from 5:00 to 5:15 p.m., then head inside for an evening filled with connection, creativity, and lots of literacy fun. We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful night that celebrates learning beyond the classroom and the strength of our Roosevelt community.
📚 Roosevelt Reads – Month of February
February is all about reading, community, and school spirit as we celebrate our annual Roosevelt Reads fundraiser! This year, we’re leaning into a summer camp–inspired theme, filled with cozy reading moments and fun surprises. More details are coming soon—get ready to read, rally, and support literacy at Roosevelt!
🎉January’s Participation Campaign Has LAUNCHED!
Did you know that 100% of Roosevelt students benefit from programs funded by the Santa Monica Education Foundation? To kick off January’s Participation Campaign, the Ed Foundation Board of Directors has generously committed $100,000 of their own donations to inspire families across Santa Monica to give—at any level—to boost schoolwide participation.
From now through January 31, every contribution helps support the programs and staff our students rely on and love.
And here’s where it gets fun… if we reach 75 NEW Roosevelt family donations, I — along with Assistant Principal Warren and our school psychologist, Ms. Hanna — will get slimed!
Right now, 33% of Roosevelt families have participated. Imagine the impact we could make if we all joined in together! Increased participation also puts Roosevelt in the running for the newly announced Golden Plane Award, shared by Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. Click HERE to watch the video and learn more!
School Upcoming Holidays, Breaks, and Events
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Tuesday, January 20: Parent Connect @ Roosevelt @ 8:40 AM (Auditorium)
Thursday, January 22: TK/K Round Up @ 8:00 AM (Auditorium)
Tuesday, January 27: Family Literacy Night @ 5:15 PM (Auditorium & Cafeteria)
Character Trait of The Month: Honesty
Book of the Month: Lying Up a Storm by Julia Cook
Our Character Development Trait for January is honesty. Honesty is about telling the truth, owning our actions, and communicating openly and respectfully with others. It helps build trust, strengthens friendships, and creates a school environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard.
Throughout the month, teachers will engage students in discussions, activities, and reflections that explore what honesty looks like in everyday situations. Students will also read Lying Up a Storm by Julia Cook, which illustrates how even small untruths can quickly grow and why being honest, even when it is difficult, is the better choice.
Honesty also connects to the “I” in our GRIT values: Integrity, reminding students that being truthful means standing by the truth and taking responsibility for their choices.
We encourage families to reinforce honesty at home by talking through real-life examples and recognizing moments when children choose to tell the truth. Together, we can help our students see that honesty is not just a rule to follow. It is a habit that builds character and strengthens our 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 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). 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.
Lost & Found
As a reminder for the new year, please label your child’s items so we can help return them quickly!