Shark News
April 28, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
RUSD Student Calendar for 2022-23
5/4: Spring Band Concert 6:00pm
5/11: Minimum Day (Dismissal 12:45 for Kindergarten, 12:55 for 1st-6th Grades)
5/11: Open House Night 5:30pm
5/15: Minimum Day (Dismissal 12:45 for Kindergarten, 12:55 for 1st-6th Grades)
5/29: Memorial Day - No School
6/1: Last Day of School/Minimum Day (Dismissal 12:45 for Kindergarten, 12:55 for 1st-6th Grades)
Message From Principal Westberg
Dear Sierra Families,
We will soon be holding our annual meetings where we will place your child into his/her class for next year. Please understand that a great deal of time, energy and professional judgment goes into the placement of each and every student.
Factors that we consider while building “balanced” classes include the following:
• Combinations of students that create the strongest learning environment possible (for all
students, not just a few)
• Close to equal number of boys and girls
• Student personality, behavior and special needs
• Individual learning styles
For these reasons, we will not be able to honor all specific requests for teachers. Knowing all of this, it would not be wise or professional of us to encourage requests and make promises that we know we cannot keep, however if you still feel you need to submit a request, please submit it in writing via email to awestberg@rocklinusd.org no later than Monday, May 1.
I strongly urge you to not hang your hat on a specific TEACHER by name (due to potential staffing changes, such as an individual teacher’s grade level assignment, retirement, move out of the area, etc.) but instead, focus on qualities of the classroom environment and instructional approaches that you feel your child would benefit from. All requests received after this date will not be considered.
Placements will be posted in the Aeries Parent Portal prior to the first day of school as in the past. Just as we have done the last couple of years, your child must attend their assigned class for the first 2 weeks of school. If, after this time, you still have concerns, we ask that you schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher. Please know that it is not our practice to make changes, although if at that point you are not comfortable with the situation, I will be happy to meet with you to hear your concerns.
Given all we know about your child as a learner and a student, please know that we will do our best to make placements for the year to come. Please trust our judgment. Your child’s current teacher, in collaboration with grade-level colleagues and school support staff, will use their professional and in-depth knowledge of your child as a learner and student to develop well-balanced classes that reflect the Sierra Learning Community. That being said, we understand as a parent, you have a great deal of knowledge about your child and the type of learning environment you feel they need.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we move forward together through this process.
Amy Westberg, Principal, and the Sierra Teaching Staff
Open House - May 11th
Dance Around the Word at Sierra!
Sierra Band Concert
Donations needed
Lost & Found
Sierra IB News
Each week in the IB News corner we will share information about our IB program here at Sierra. This week we feature another key element of what it means to be an IB learner. The Approaches to Learning (ATLs) are integral to all aspects of an IB education. The ATLs are developed along with the Learner Profile, key concepts, and the inquiry-based curriculum. They are central to helping students learn how to learn. Think of them as skills for life. There are five interrelated approaches to learning. These include thinking skills, social skills, research skills, communication skills, and self-management skills. These critical skills not only support your children in their education but are important in all aspects of their growth and development. How can you help at home?
Encourage reflective thinking. This is an opportunity to reflect on achievements and challenges as well as problem-solving.
Involve your child in setting personal goals.
Provide meaningful opportunities for your child to practice social and communication skills.
For more information on the Approaches to Learning and other elements of our IB program, please check out our Sierra PYP Parent Handbook. If you have additional questions about our IB program, please contact our IB program coordinator, Lisa Johnson, at ljohnson@rocklinusd.org.
PTC Corner
RIVER CATS GAME FAMILY NIGHT: Friday, 5/12 at Sutter Health Park. Enjoy the game, friends, fireworks, and a giveaway for the first 2,500 fans. We have a section reserved in the grass for Sierra families. Check out the flyer below and purchase your tickets here.
DINE AND DONATE - 5/9 at WALLY’S CAFE: Enjoy spectacular Lebanese food while helping the school! Wally’s will donate 15% of proceeds back to Sierra. You can place orders online or in-person from 11am-8:30pm. See more details in the flyer below.
STAFF & TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK (5/8-12): Plans are underway to celebrate Sierra amazing teachers and staff and all they do for our students! See the flyer below and watch your inboxes for an email from room parents about how you can help make this a memorable week.
OPEN POSITIONS: The PTC has openings for a Secretary and an Appreciation Chair for the 2023/24 school year. Join a fun group of volunteers making next year memorable for students and staff!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
5/8-12: Staff & Teacher Appreciation Week
5/9: Dine and Donate at Wally’s Cafe on Granite Drive in Rocklin. Add to your calendar
5/10: PTC general meeting, 6:00pm via Zoom (meeting id: 871 0135 9489, pw: sharks). Add to your calendar
5/12: River Cats Game Family Event. Add to your calendar
Have a great weekend!
Your Sierra PTC
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.
Sierra Elementary Family Night at the Rivercats Game
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
Dine & Donate - May 9th
Parenting Classes for grades TK-6
Are you cleared to volunteer or chaperone a field trip?
RUSD Policy:
- Fingerprinting completed for RUSD specifically. Prior fingerprinting done for any agency or organization other than RUSD will not be accepted. Fingerprinting takes approximately 72 hours to clear.
- Current Tuberculosis Test (TB). TB tests expire every 4 years and must be renewed in order to volunteer. TB Tests take approximately 48-72 hours for results and results must be brought to the office.
To check your volunteer status, please call the office or email our Secretary, Kimberly Ervin, at kervin@rocklinusd.org.