SIERRA SCOOP
August 25, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
Learning is in full swing this week. In reading during Into Reading Unit 1, students will be learning about story elements, asking and answering questions and in grades 3rd-5th moving into making predictions, monitoring/clarifying their reading and summarizing. Kindergarten through 3rd grades will also be implementing Orton Gillingham as part of phonics core instruction. This program is multi-sensory and focuses on breaking reading and spelling into smaller skills that build over time.
We are in our second year of Illustrative Math, kicking off with Unit 1. This unit focuses on developing a math community and building routines used throughout each unit and building during the year. Students learn how to engage in math conversations, participate in centers, and complete activities throughout the unit.
I am so excited to get into classrooms to see all the extraordinary learning occurring! Have a great weekend 😀
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
Dr. McConnell
Mrs. VanderStek
At Sierra we have two mental health providers on-site to support a positive school climate and culture, direct SEL instruction, and the individualized mental health needs of students. Dr. Erica McConnell is our full-time School Psychologist and Monika VanderStek is our half-time Social Emotional Learning Specialist.
What does this look like?
Class-wide SEL lessons with Second Step (K-5)
Teaching and reinforcing positive behavior expectations through ROAR
Teaming with teachers around classroom management and positive behavior strategies
Providing individualized mental health supports and services as part of 504 and IEP plans
Connecting staff and families with resources to support mental health and well-being
Our classrooms are launching into our weekly SEL lessons with the Second Step curriculum. Click here to learn more about the four core units we will teach this year. Additionally, we will teach a supplemental unit on Bullying Prevention. In these lessons, your child will learn specific skills to help stop bullying, including how to: Recognize when bullying is happening; Report bullying to a caring adult; Refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others; and Be a bystander who stands up and is part of the solution to bullying. Look for updates throughout the year with more details about what our students are learning and ways you can practice these skills at home!
REMINDER- MONDAY IS A MODIFIED CONTACT DAY
Modified contact days are scheduled for teachers to have one-on-one time to test students in reading. Teachers use this data, along with other pieces of information, to set up reading groups and adjust instruction for all students. It is not a full day of school, so lunch will not be served and buses will not run.
Note: Students will enter and exit the same grade-level doors they use on normal school days.
Office Hours for Modified Contact (8/25 and 8/28) - 7:30 - 2:30
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
Below are Sierra's 3rd-5th grades 2022 ELA CMAS scores. WOW...what a celebration! All of our grade levels have over 50% of students meeting/exceeding, as students progress so do meet/exceed categories, no students in 5th grade were in the did not yet meet. Lots of celebrations, especially considering we are only in year two of Into Reading implementation. We will continue to strive for growth, but what a strong foundation to build on...WAY TO GO SIERRA!!!
Below are Sierra's 3rd-5th grades 2022 Math CMAS scores. Last year was our first year implementing Illustrative Math, and I couldn't be prouder of our scores! All of our grade levels have over 60% of students meeting/exceeding and partially met and did not meet with the smallest number of students. We will continue to strive for growth, but what a strong foundation to build on...WAY TO GO SIERRA!!!
August 28- Modified Contact Day (2 sessions, 8:00-10:00 and 12:00-2:00)
September 4- No School (Labor Day)
September 12- Coffee with T&B (Tennille and Brandon) meet and greet, general questions/wonderings
September 14- 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
DID YOU KNOW?
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.
Dogs and Other Animals
Animals love the companionship of children and we frequently have animals near school grounds. However, sometimes even the gentlest of animals can become excited with so many children nearby. Such a situation is potentially dangerous. Additionally, many children and adults suffer severe allergic reactions when certain animal dander is present in the school. You can help us keep our students and staff safe by committing to keep your animals off school grounds, including during arrival and dismissal. You can also help us by reminding other adults that animals should not be on school grounds.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
Student CMAS results are available through Jeffco's Student Insights!
Student Insights is a secure online tool that makes it easy to access information about a student’s district and state tests and their individual learning plans. It is a helpful way to check in on learning progress, review academic goals, and identify issues to talk about with teachers.
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