SIERRA SCOOP
September 1, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
We are in the midst of our beginning of year (BOY) testing. This is an opportunity for us to collect some data in reading and math to help guide our whole group, small group, and individual instruction. K-5th students will complete MAP testing, DIBELS 8, and Into Reading Benchmark Assessment or BAS tests. Once all this testing is complete, teachers analyze the data, drill down to specific areas to see what supports students may need to grow.
Please know the current assessment window does not close until Friday 9/15, so we will not be sending student reports until after the window is closed. Have a great weekend :)
REMINDER...TURN IN STUDENT FLOWER/BUTTERFLY
We are creating a paper Sierra Garden and we need your help! We would like you to work with your student(s) and design the provided flower/butterfly with the following:
Student first name, last initial
Write the name large and dark
Write a strength word (or 2 word phrase) on the same side as the student name
Write the strength word dark
For example: kind, funny, smart, adventurous, creative, etc
Design the rest of the flower as you see fit
We want the name and strength to stand out
Rest of the design could be patterns, colors, simple drawings, etc
Write the class code on the back
For example: 5th grade Gurley= 5G, 3rd grade Martin= 3M, preschool Gudac= PKG
Please return by Tuesday, 9/5. 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
September is NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH and Jeffco Public Schools is taking time to educate, take action, and promote awareness.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Although suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, much can be done to prevent it at individual, community, and national levels.
Click HERE for additional resources around how to get educated, take action, start a dialogue, and save a life.
OFFICE INFORMATION
LEGO Club Registration: Please click on the links for information and to register for LEGO club
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 has been extended to 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 quesions 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."
Thank you in advance for your patience and support as we work to ensure everyone’s safety! Sierra Elementary will communicate with our community via school messenger as quickly as possible in the event of inclement weather impacting our dismissal process. With the unpredictable nature of Colorado’s weather, this communication may occur in real-time as we are responding to unsafe weather such as hail, heavy downpours, or even lightning. Watch for email and phone notification via School Messenger IF inclement weather is present.
You can see our weather delayed dismissal plan here.
CELEBRATIONS
I am soooooo excited to share our 2023 SPF (School Performance Framework rating)...87.5%! This is a 7.5% improvement from the previous year, which is huge growth. The SPF evaluates school performance on academic achievement and academic growth. Sierra received the highest rating of exceeds in both categories!
I am also very honored to announce that Sierra is a recipient of the Colorado Department of Education John Irwin Award. This award is given to schools demonstrating exceptional academic achievement over time. In other words, for schools with exceeds ratings on SPF in academic achievement. WAY TO GO SIERRA!!! It truly takes ALL of us!
September 4- No School (Labor Day)
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 Meeting
Join us for our first Accountability Meeting of the 2023-24 school year on 9/14, 4:45pm in the library. Accountability meetings are a time to get information regarding the "business and academic" functions and structures of Sierra. We encourage active parent engagement through positive collaboration as the SAC (Sierra Accountability Committee) serves as an advisory role for decisions regarding UIP (Unified Improvement Plan), budget, and more. Please see the SAC Agenda for topics for our 9/14 meeting. Hope to see you there 😀
Heather Flannery is our SAC Chair this year, and new to the position. Heather's youngest son, Marshall, is a 4th grade student at Sierra Elementary. Her older son, Dylan, also attended Sierra and is now in 6th grade at Oberon Middle. Heather served as Sierra PTA Secretary for the 20-21 and 21-22 school years, has volunteered as a room parent, and has helped on various Sierra PTA committees.
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
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! Join us for our first General Meeting of the 2023-24 school year on Thursday, 9/14 at 5:30 in the Sierra library. Agenda and meeting link (to join virtually coming soon).
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!
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