SIERRA SCOOP
September 8, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
It was so nice to get into classrooms this week! I saw some extraordinary student experiences: 4th graders working with partners to match fraction diagrams and compare fractions, kindergartners making groups of a number, students in 2nd grade using lines/shapes/patterns to draw raccoons in art and interpreting data on bar graphs. I am so proud of all of the hard work our staff is putting in to support student learning and the hard work I see students demonstrating to meet academic and ROAR expectations!
Mr. Rowland and I also spent some time reading in classrooms this month, which we both LOVE to do! It gives us an opportunity to engage with students and give teachers 20 minutes of additional work time. Mr. Rowland is reading to prek-2nd grade classes , while I am reading to 3rd-5th grade throughout September.
Have a fantastic weekend😃
REMINDER...TURN IN STUDENT FLOWER/BUTTERFLY
If you have not done so, please turn in your student flower/butterfly on Mon., 9/11. We want to ensure every student (preschool-5th grade) is represented with their name strength flower/butterfly in our paper garden. Thank you for your help with this!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
Universal Screening of Social Emotional Skills using the SSIS SEL
What is the SSIS SEL? To learn more about the how we use this tool to screen the social emotional skills of students at Sierra click HERE. If you would like more information about the SSIS SEL or wish to opt your child out of this screener, contact Monika VanderStek (Social Emotional Learning Specialist) at Monika.VanderStek@jeffco.k12.co.us .
OFFICE INFORMATION
Ralston Valley Mini Mustangs Clinic Kdg-5th
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BmxiQjJ15jo7NFLiAtiJg8HR5ikJlVMJ/view?usp=sharing
LEGO Club starts next week! Classes will be in the Ensemble Room (right by the Music Room)
K-1 starts Monday 9/11
2-5 starts Tuesday 9/12
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION:
- Please call the attendance line by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or tardy 303-982-0819.. All absences must be called into the office even if you notify a teacher.
- Students are not released for early dismissal until a parent or guardian signs them out in the office.
- Pre-Arranged Absence forms need to be filled out and submitted to the office 3 days prior to the absence.
- See additional attendance information in the Student Family Handbook.
PLEASE NOTE - REGISTRATION ENDS SEPTEMBER 15TH
Reminder: Online registration needs to be complete by September 15th. Contact Sylvia at Sylvia.Castro@jeffco.k12.co.us or 303-982-0821 if you have questions or issues.
***IF YOU WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCESSING FEES, THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED***
Fee are due on or before September 15, 2023
To pay your student fees on Infinite Campus following these steps:
- After logging in, clink on "More."
- Under "Quick Links" on the right side, click on "Jeffco Student Fee Payment."
New this year: ALL students will receive free lunch. See additional information at the end of the Sierra Scoop.
IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FREE/REDUCED LUNCH, YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH INFINITE CAMPUS IN ORDER FOR STUDENT FEES TO BE WAIVED. You will also find this application under "Quick Links."
CELEBRATIONS
Throughout the day, students are rewarded for demonstrating ROAR behaviors (Responsibility, Ownership, Achieve, Respect) individually- with ROAR tickets and as a class- with stars. When students receive ROAR tickets, staff identify the ROAR behavior and explain why the ticket was earned, students put their tickets in their class containers, and each month a certain number of tickets are drawn from each class, and those students receive a prize (some month's are tangible, other month's are non-tangible or experience prizes).
Classes can earn stars for demonstrating ROAR behaviors as a class community. Stars are awarded by other adults in the building that observe the ROAR behavior and the stars are displayed on the class star poster. At the end of the month, stars are counted for each ROAR category, and winners for each category are announced. The class that earns the most overall stars for the month gets a ROAR trophy that they display in their classroom. CONGRATS to our August winners:
Responsibility- Fousel (7 stars)
Ownership- Martin/Miller (2 stars)
Achieve- Barnhardt (4 stars)
Respect- Marin/McElroy (5 stars)
Overall Winner- Fousel (13 stars) Way to go Mrs. Fousel's class! Keep up that ROAR behavior!
September 12- Coffee with T&B (Tennille and Brandon) meet and greet, general questions/wonderings
September 14- Accountability Meeting (4:45 in the library) PTA General Meeting (5:30pm in the library)
September 21- Field Day 3rd-5th grades; all day
September 22- No School (teacher work day)
September 29- Picture Day
October 17 and 18- Conferences
October 19- No School (teacher work day)
October 20- No School
DID YOU KNOW?
Sierra Accountability and PTA Meeting
Join us for our first Accountability Meeting and first General PTA Meeting of the 2023-24 school year. Accountability will start at 4:45, followed by PTA at 5:30, both in the library (enter through the library doors) or join virtually Accountability/PTA link. Please see the SAC Agenda for topics for our 9/14 Accountability meeting. Hope to see you there 😀
We Need You!
Sierra is in need of substitute paras to fill in for lunch, recess, and other coverage responsibilities. This is a paid position. If you are interested, please call Nicole in the office 303-982-0821.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
PTA PARTICULARS
Hello Sierra families,
My name is Alyssa Aberle and I am the Sierra PTA Room Parent Coordinator this year. We are in need of room parents for each class for the 2023-24 school year. Please click HERE for information on what being a room parent entails. If you would like to volunteer, click HERE to sign up. Thank you for supporting Sierra teachers.
Join us for our first Sierra Parent Networking event! October 25 from 4-6pm at Jacks in Five Park's. This is a social event that is designed to help parents get to know one other for both personal and professional networking.
Looking for volunteers to help with our Conference Dinners during the Fall and Spring Conference Sessions. Please reach out to communityevents@sierraptaarvada.org if you’d be interested.
PTA General Membership Meeting - 5:30pm in the Sierra Library and VIRTUAL
Registration is now open to join Sierra PTA! Click here to be a part of a group that helps make the Sierra community amazing!
Want an easy spot to communicate with the Sierra PTA and school community? Join our Facebook group to connect with other Sierra parents, ask questions, and learn about school and PTA community events!
Strides for Sierra 5K is just around the corner!
Registration for the 3rd annual Strides for Sierra starts today August 18th! Please click here for all the information and to register!
Opportunity for Feedback for Arvada Streets
The City of Arvada reached out to partner with Sierra to help ensure student safety! Currently, feedback is being collected from Arvada residents pertaining to Arvada's first Transportation System Plan through October 1. This is an opportunity for you to share your thinking - especially when we think about Oak street in front of Sierra Elementary School or a nearby intersection like 80th and Oak. We all share the common goal of keeping kids safe!
To provide feedback to the city of Arvada, click here for an interactive map.
From the District
Register Today! Summit Jeffco for Families!
We are excited to invite you to our first-ever Summit Jeffco event! Designed to bring families together with district and school staff and other experts, families will learn new ways to support their student’s educational journey. Join us on Saturday, September 23, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood.
To get a sneak peek of what Summit Jeffco has in store for you, watch this video in English | Spanish and visit our Summit Jeffco webpage. There, you'll find details about our keynote speaker, Dr. Jessica Hawks, Clinical Director of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Hawks will discuss the current youth mental health crisis and equip families with strategies to support your student’s social and emotional well-being so they can thrive.
Thank you in advance for your help promoting this fun and educational event for our families! I appreciate your leadership and administrative magic that helps connect our families to your school every day.
SIERRA ELEMENTRY
Email: tennille.foerster@jeffco.k12.co.us
Website: sierraelementary.net
Location: 7771 Oak Street, Arvada, CO, USA
Phone: (303)982-0821
Facebook: facebook.com/sierraelementary