SIERRA SCOOP
October 20, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
Thank you to all the families that joined us for conferences. Enjoy the nice long weekend!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
SSIS SEL Schoolwide Results from Fall Screener
In an effort to proactively identify and assist in the area of overall social, emotional and behavioral skills (SEB), Sierra completed the universal screening tool, the SSIS-SEL. This strengths based tool is designed to identify growth over time. We completed the first screener in September and will complete it again in January and April of 2024 to help monitor our students growth.
The SSIS-SEL is a 5 question survey completed by your student’s teacher(s). It is simply an indicator of overall strengths and needs in the area of social, emotional and behavioral skills. It is neither prescriptive nor evaluative.
The 5 areas measured through the SSIS SEL are:
Self-Awareness: A student’s realistic understanding of their strengths and limitations, and consistent desire for self improvement.
Social Awareness: A student’s capacity to interact with others in ways that show respect, tolerance, and cooperation.
Self-Management: A student’s success in controlling their emotions and behaviors, especially in new and challenging situations.
Relationship Skills: A student’s skill at promoting and maintaining positive connections with others.
Responsible Decision Making: A student’s approach to problem-solving, learning from experience, using values to guide behavior and accepting responsibility.
As a school community, we are using the overall school data from the SSIS-SEL to inform the support we provide to students in our school in the area of social, emotional and behavioral skills. Our schoolwide data indicates that 64% of our students are demonstrating proficient skills across all five competencies. Most of our students demonstrate strengths around their Social Awareness and Responsible Decision Making Skills. Their skills are still emerging in the areas of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, and Relationship Skills.
At Sierra, we are engaging in the following universal practices to support the social-emotional and behavioral needs of all our students:
We teach 24 Second Step lessons throughout the year to develop skills around Growth Mindset & Goal Setting; Bullying Prevention; Emotion Management; Empathy & Kindness; and Problem-Solving. Most classrooms are in our Bullying Prevention unit now, and will be moving to the Emotion Management unit in November. The Emotion Management unit will provide students tools to support both Self-Awareness and Self-Management skills.
We facilitate Class Circles at least weekly to build relationships and community, celebrate successes, as well as process students’ thoughts and feelings so they can better handle difficult situations that arise and be more present in class.
We also teach and reinforce schoolwide behavior expectations through ROAR (Responsibility, Ownership, Achieve, Respect). When students understand what is expected of them, and positive behavior is consistently acknowledged, they are more likely to demonstrate expected behaviors. Student are taught and re-taught ROAR expectations across school settings throughout the school year. They receive individual ROAR tickets and class stars as part of our behavior reinforcement system. As a staff we are looking deeper at our current systems around teaching and reinforcing ROAR behaviors to see how we can continue to refine our practices to be more effective in helping all students to learn and demonstrate desired skills.
If you are looking for ideas or resources to foster these skills at home, please be sure to check our SEL page on the Sierra website. You can also contact Monika VanderStek, Sierra’s Social Emotional Learning Specialist, with any questions (Monika.VanderStek@jeffco.k12.co.us).
OFFICE INFORMATION
Parent reminder - Please remember if your student(s) are going to be absent or tardy, call the attendance line 303-982-0821 before 8:00 a.m. the day of. The attendance line is available 24/7.
Fees - If you haven't already done so, please remember to pay your fees through Infinite Campus. If you have any questions, contact Nicole Leinz at 303-982-0821 or nicole.leinz@jeffco.k12.co.us
October 24 - Coffee With T n B- Jenny Frederickson (GT Resource Teacher) will join us in the cafeteria at 7:50am
October 31 - Monster Mash ROAR Day and Halloween parade and parties (more info below)
November 7 - Accountability at 4:45 and General PTA Meeting at 5:30 in the library (virtual link and agendas coming soon)
November 8 - Ralston Valley Area Vocal Festival at RVHS 7:00pm
November 10 - Student Picture Retakes
November 10 - End of 1st Trimester
November 13 - No school - Teacher Work Day
November 20-24 - No School Thanksgiving Break
COFFEE WITH T n B n JENNY FROM GT
Join us on Tuesday, 10/24, 7:50-8:20am in the cafeteria for a fresh cup of coffee, some light pastries, and to engage in conversation with Jenny Fredrickson, our Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher. She will be showing us how to access GT information on Jeffco's public website, discussing the identification and ALP (Advanced Learning Plan) process, and answering your questions about CogAT or other wonderings. We hope to see you on Tuesday!
HALLOWEEN INFO
The Halloween parade and classroom parties are Tuesday, 10/31. The parade starts at 1:15, and will be outside around the large playgroup courtyard (weather pending). Parties start in the classrooms directly afterward. ALL VISITORS, please sign in the hallway (in front of the office) if you decide to join us.
Students should not wear their costumes to school. They will have a chance to get dressed around 12:45. Please know that toys or props that resemble weapons are not allowed at school. Also, try to avoid the “blood and guts” look. Please encourage your child to dress up. If your child needs a costume, please notify the office so we can assist. Please make every effort to make Halloween fun and safe for all kids.
Decorating classrooms- please make arrangements with classroom teachers to decorate after school on 10/30 (arrive 2:35-3:30) or anytime on 10/31 after 11:30am.
LIBRARY NEWS
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The Sierra Library is getting into the fall spirit! Join our favorite book characters pumpkin/gourd decorating contest.
Entries may be dropped off at the library on Monday, October 23rd
by 9am to be included in our voting.
(Preschool families can bring pumpkins to your classroom.)
Contest Rules
You may use pumpkins or gourds to create your project. Fake pumpkins/gourds are okay.
Absolutely NO CARVED entries on ANY pumpkins. All pumpkins/gourds that have carved skin will be disqualified and sent home that day. Real pumpkins with punctured skin will also be disqualified and sent home. This decision will be up to the discretion of the judges.
Pumpkins should be no larger than 36 inches in circumference.
To decorate, you can use paper, glue, paint, or any other craft items on the pumpkin. Be creative!
Projects must represent a character from a book appropriate for elementary school students (no TV or movie characters that haven’t been in a book!).
An entry form must be turned in with the pumpkin (these can be picked up in the library or found here to print at home).
Participation is voluntary. The project can be done independently by the student or as a family project.
Pumpkins will be displayed in the library from October 23 to October 31. All pumpkins must be taken home by October 31.
Students and staff will vote for their favorite pumpkin throughout the week.
The Book Fair keeps going... Online!
DID YOU KNOW?
Parking Lot Reminders!
- Please partner with us to keep kids safe!
- Has everyone who drops off and picks up watched our Parking Lot video? Consider asking Grandma, Grandpa or anyone else who may be helping your family with drop-off and pick-up
- Use the crosswalk
- Pull all the way forward
- Don't drop off at a metal gate
- Thank you for your support!
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
PTA PARTICULARS
Sierra Parent Networking Event - 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 and for both personal and professional networking.
Reflections Arts Competition workshop #1 Tuesday, October 24th, 2023. If your student is interested in participating in this year’s Arts competition and doesn’t know where to start, they’re welcome to attend this free workshop 2:35-4pm in the Art room. Please e-mail the Reflections Arts chair amywardbailey@gmail.com with any questions or for more details.
Jeffco school board has 2 open seats on the ballot this upcoming election, including the seat that represents our articulation area. Here is a recording of the recent Jeffco School Board Candidate Forum you can watch to learn more about each of the candidates running.
There is also a Jeffco School Board Candidate forum where you can meet candidates this Saturday, October 21, 10:30 a.m at Standley Lake Library 8485 Kipling St. Arvada, CO
Jeffco PTA is hosting a virtual Suicide Prevention Training on October 25, 2023. This event is free and open to anyone 18+.
Please click here for more information and to register: Suicide Prevention Training Registration
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