Will Rogers Learning Community held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 12 to celebrate the completion of its new early education building, made possible through voter-approved bond measure SMS in 2018.
The event drew key figures from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, including Board of Education President Jennifer Smith, board member Maria Leon-Vazquez, Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton and WRLC Principal Lila Daruty, along with staff, local officials, community members and students.
The ceremony began with the school's Friday assembly, where transitional kindergarten students led the Pledge of Allegiance and TK and kindergarten classes performed with music. TK students cut the ribbon during the assembly before the event moved to a formal program outside the new building.
"These new classrooms and play areas will give our students places where they feel safe, inspired and excited to learn every single day, while also encouraging hands-on learning that brings lessons to life," Daruty said.
The new building houses three state-of-the-art transitional kindergarten classrooms and four kindergarten classrooms designed for 4- and 5-year-olds. The spaces feature engaging technology, flexible learning areas, dedicated teacher workrooms and restrooms. Each room opens directly to outdoor learning and play areas and includes abundant natural light.
"This new space represents that promise in action," Shelton said. "It was designed with our youngest learners in mind, with spaces that inspire curiosity, support growth, encourage empowerment and nurture a lifelong love of learning."
Former Will Rogers student Charlie McCain, now a sixth grader at John Adams Middle School, spoke at the ceremony. She had requested at the groundbreaking ceremony in December 2023 that construction be completed on time.
Board member Leon-Vazquez delivered closing remarks, calling the building "more than walls and classrooms" and "an investment in generations to come."
More information on facility improvement projects is available at https://bit.ly/FIPHomepage. Details about the Will Rogers campus plan can be found at https://www.smmusd.org/Page/5598.
Edited by SMDP Staff