SIERRA SCOOP
December 1, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
I can't believe December is here! We are going to blink our eyes and before you know it, winter break will be here. Students did a great job getting right back into the swing of things this week. I was lucky enough to spend some time in K-2 classrooms this week. In kindergarten math they are working on learning about shapes and patterns. They have been exploring building with pattern blocks. In 1st grade OG they learned about words with l blends- lk, lp, lf. Students were practicing spelling and writing words throughout the week that had different l blends. In 2nd grade math they were learning about measurement and line plots. Students were measuring in inches and centimeters and then plotting measurement data on line plots.
These next few weeks have a lot going on: testing, Modified Contact Day, performances, ROAR Day, etc. Please be sure you are reading communications home and checking calendar dates.
Have an outstanding weekend 🙂
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
ALL KDG-5TH GRADE CURRENT SIERRA STUDENTS
Round 1 Enrollment
December 5, 2023–January 12, 2024: During this window, you will use EnrollJeffco whether your student is re-enrolling at the same school, changing schools or new to Jeffco. It does not matter when you submit your application during the Round 1 enrollment window because all applications are treated the same. There is no priority given for applications submitted earlier in the window rather than later. This flexibility allows families to take their time in researching and choosing the school that best fits your student’s needs.
New to Jeffco - You will upload documents needed for registration in enrolljeffco. You will need. (2) proofs of residency (Xcel Energy bill, phone bill, mortgage statement), birth certificate, immunizations, and parent ID.
If you have any questions, contact Sylvia Castro at 303-982-0821 or email sylvia.castro@jeffco.k12.co.us
Preschool Flyer Information - Click here. If you have any questions for preschool contact Early Learning at 303-982-1737
Attendance Works!
A growing body of research is revealing the prevalence of chronic absence and its critical role in student achievement. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.
Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college!
Help your child succeed in school by building the habit of good attendance early!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
The Importance of Self-Care
This time of year is often hectic for many of us. Taking time to care for yourself is essential and one way to do that is to integrate purposeful pauses throughout the day to calm both the brain and the body. Jeffco's Virtual Calming Room offers a variety tools and strategies to help manage emotions and stress. Click HERE to visit this site and explore options available for the whole family.
OFFICE INFORMATION
LEGO CLUB Winter 2024 - K-1 Registration
LEGO CLUB Winter 2024 - 2-5 Registration
IS YOUR CHILD GOING TO BE ABSENT OR LATE?? PLEASE CALL THE ATTENDANCE LINE AT 303-982-0819 - option 1. DO NOT EMAIL SYLVIA REGARDING THE ABSENCE. SHE MAY NOT GET THE MESSAGE PRIOR TO DOING ATTENDENCE. THANK YOU!
December 5- Registration begins (closes Jan. 12)
December 6 - 1st Grade Performance (5:15pm Sierra gym); 3rd Grade Performance (6:00pm Sierra gym)
December 7 - Vision and Hearing
December 8 - Modified Contact Day
December 13 - Coffee with T & B - Mental Health w/ Mrs. VanderStek and Dr. McConnelle
December 14 - Handbell and Choir Performance (5:30pm Sierra gym)
December 15 - ROAR Day, Winter Wonderland
December 20 -January 5 No School Winter Break
January 8 - Students Return
LOCKDOWN DRILL
On Tuesday, we had our lockdown drill and it went great! Students and staff knew exactly what to do. All Jeffco schools use the Standard Response Protocol (click here to see Jeffco’s Standard Response Protocol), which teachers have reviewed and practiced with their students so they know what to do in emergency situations.
Here is a video that we shared with staff and students before the lockdown drill. We wanted you to see it as questions might come up at home. Grades K-5 Student Video (prek watched the video as well).
DID YOU KNOW?
Lost and Found
The amount of items in our lost and found continues to grow (was a small hill and has increased to a small mountain oozing off of an 8-foot table onto the floor below, continuing to increase in size daily). Items include: coats, gloves, hats, water bottles, and so much more. These items will be donated on December 15th! Please double check with your student to ensure they come home with their belongings so their favorite North Face jacket doesn't end up in a donation bag on 12/15.
Lunch With Your Student
We welcome families to come and enjoy lunch and eat in the cafeteria with their student(s) during student lunch time. Please remember DO NOT bring in or share food with other students regardless of the circumstance. Also, please ensure you follow and model ROAR expectations and adult directions while in the cafeteria. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Messages for Students
If you need to get a message to your student during the school day, please call the office to do so. The office has systems in place to get messages to students before the end of the school day. If you contact a teacher, there is a good chance the message will not get to the student for a variety of reasons (teachers might not check their email, we could have a tech glitch, teacher could have a sub, etc).
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.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
PTA PARTICULARS
Our next Restaurant fundraiser will be PIZZA NIGHT at Marco’s Pizza on Thursday, December 14th. More details to come.
Holiday Clothing Drive for our Sister School - Lumberg Elementary
The Sierra PTA we will be collecting cold weather clothing for the students of our adopted sister school, Lumberg Elementary. Lumberg Elementary is a high needs Title 1 school in the Jeffco school district and their Principal, Lindsay Petty, is also a Sierra parent. We are so excited to help support the needs of their community during the holiday season.
We will be collecting NEW clothing donations for Lumberg students from December 4th-19th. Please donate items that are the size your student's age group would wear (this is to ensure we get a wide range of sizes).
Below is a list of items we are collecting:
- Gloves/Mittens
- Scarves
- Hat
- Socks
- Boots
- Snow Pants
- Coat
- Underwear
Each classroom will have a box to collect donations. Additional information is in this week’s Friday Folders.
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