SIERRA SCOOP
February 9, 2024
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
THANK YOU to everyone that joined us for Accountability, PTA, and Science Fair this week. I can't express enough how important it is to have family/community support, participation, input, and feedback to continue to grow the wonderful place that makes Sierra what it is today. At Accountability, a ton of information was shared regarding mid-year testing data, budget information, and a reminder to complete family surveys (2/7 Accountability). During PTA, we learned about upcoming events, school gift proposals, open board positions, and more.
On Thursday, it was awesome to see all the scientists and their projects at this year's Science Fair Community Night. Student's had a wonderful time sharing with the judges, students and staff, and community. THANK YOU to all of our participants and volunteers! A special THANK YOU to Mrs. Lazek and Mrs. Miller for volunteering their time to host this year's event...we couldn't do it without you!
Have an outstanding weekend 😄
Science Fair Judging
Science Fair Community Night
Science Fair Awards
VALENTINE PARTY INFO
Valentine parties will be on Weds., 2/14 starting at 1:45pm. Families are welcome to join us; please sign in at the table just outside the office in the hall and wear a visitor tag is a visible spot. Students are welcome to bring in valentines and small, individual treats for all students in their class (see more information regarding individual class parties and sign-ups from classroom communications). Families coming to decorate are more than welcome to do so after school on Tues., 2/13 (starting at 2:35). Please do not arrive prior to 2:35 or make individual arrangements with teachers as this is a disruption to learning. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you during the parties on 2/14!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
Taming Anxiety Through the Power of Our Mind
As we continue to explore the different "buckets" of strategies for managing anxiety, this week's focus will be on tools for the MIND. Tapping into our mind can offer a powerful antidote to the grip of anxiety, providing a pathway towards inner peace and resilience. By cultivating present moment awareness without judgment, individuals can develop a heightened sensitivity to their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Through practices such as visualization, grounding, humor, mindfulness, and distraction, individuals can learn to observe anxious thoughts and feelings with greater clarity and detachment and/or intentionally redirect our attention to something else. This awareness allows them to respond to anxiety in a more skillful manner, rather than reacting impulsively or becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions. Over time, the regular practice of these tools can rewire the brain, reducing the activity in regions associated with anxiety and increasing connectivity in areas responsible for emotional regulation and self-awareness. As individuals become more adept at staying present and grounded, they often find a newfound sense of calm and balance amidst life's challenges, empowering them to navigate anxiety with greater ease and resilience.
At Sierra, many of our classrooms incorporate mindfulness strategies as part of transitions between activities and brain breaks. The more exposure and practice students have with a tool, the more natural or automatic it will be for them to access it when anxious feelings arise. Consider how you might incorporate some of these strategies at home. For more information about how to practice mindfulness with kids click HERE.
OFFICE INFORMATION
Grub Club Food Drive (Click on upper right corner of picture to enlarge).
VOLUNTEERS FOR USED BOOK FAIR NEEDED!
See Library Information below.
USED BOOK FAIR - HELP NEEDED!
Help Needed!! We still need volunteers to help organize and sell books, so please check out the Sign Up Genius here.
We are still collecting gently used picture and chapter books in decent condition for our Used Book Fair. Please do not bring in magazines, pamphlets, cereal box or kids meal books, or books with a significant amount of damage. Students may continue to bring donated books to the library until February 14.
Students earn points for donated books (which can then be used to earn free books), so please bring all books in a box or bag that is clearly labeled with the students’ name and class code (grade level and teacher’s initial).
The Used Book Fair will run February 20 - 23 in the library, and all books will cost $1 or less. Cash and check only. All proceeds and donations will support our Sierra Library! If you have any questions, please reach out to Kaela Lazek at kaela.lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
CMAS Testing
Grades 3 - 5 will participate in the annual state assessment between April 1st and April 26. Specific times will be shared by classroom teachers closer to testing days. We ask that you do not schedule appointments or vacations during these testing dates:
3rd Grade: 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/10, 4/11, and 4/12 (AM testing only)
4th Grade: 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/10, 4/11, and 4/12 (AM testing only)
5th Grade: 4/5, 4/8, 4/9 (AM testing); 4/15, 4/16, 4/17 (AM and PM testing sessions)
February 13- Coffee with T n B n B at 7:50am in the cafeteria (Becky Gonzales, Sierra's Instructional Coach, will be joining us)
February 14 - Valentine's Party 1:45
February 16 - No School, teacher work day
February 19 - No School, President's Day
February 20-23 - Used Book Fair (see more info below)
February 22 - Conferences 3:00 - 7:00
February 23 - ROAR Day (Tropical Day) and End of 2nd Trimester
February 29 - Read Across America Day
March 1 - Report Cards Go Home!
DID YOU KNOW?
Coffee with T n B
Please join us on Tues., 2/13, at 7:50-8:20am in the cafeteria for coffee, light pastries, and informal conversations with Sierra's instructional coach, Becky Gonzales. Come learn and ask about Sierra's curriculum, assessments and we use the data, interventions, etc.
Jeffco Panorama Family Survey
Please read district communication and information regarding the Family Survey in the communication letter. You will/should have received the survey via email or the letter provides the link and a QR code. The survey closes on 2/23/2024. I hope we hear from all of our families as this data and your feedback is important to help us continue to grow our systems. We will only get to see our results if we have at least 50% completion. As of today, we have 9% completed (50 total surveys). Thank you for taking the time to complete the Family Survey!
Kindness Week
Below are some ideas you can do at home during Kindness Week, 2/12-2/16.
Family Healthy Habits Kindness
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
YEARBOOK
The yearbook needs your pictures...first day, Field Day, Halloween, concerts, etc. To be included, photos need to be submitted by March 1st.
https://community.lifetouch.com/login
Lifetouch Invitation code is: sierraelementaryarvadaco-24
PTA PARTICULARS
Reflections State-level Winners!
As you're likely aware, we had record turnout for the Reflections Arts contest this school year with 20 students participating and 4 of our students moving on to the state level. This week we received the results of the State-level competition and ALL FOUR OF OUR SIERRA ARTISTS medalled! Harper DeArmond won Silver for her Visual Art; Royce Whittemore won gold for Film Production; Ellie Ward-Bailey won gold for Literature; and Samantha Steelman won gold for photography. Congratulations artists!
All of these artists will be invited to the state awards ceremony in March, and the gold medallists will have their art moved on to the National level in Washington D.C. Stay tuned!
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