Sierra had their annual lockdown drill on Thursday, 9/12. The drill went great and was completed in about 20 minutes. Students were quiet, still, and hidden until cleared by security/Arvada PD (they always partner with schools for lockdown drills). I am so proud of all of our students and staff as all protocols and procedures were followed...way to go Sierra!
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. It is important for students to know what to do in their classrooms if a lockdown is called.
Here is a video we shared with staff and students (K-5th) before the drill. We wanted you to see it as questions might come up at home. Grades K-5 Student Video.
Have a fabulous weekend 😄
Halloween parade and parties will be shifting to the morning this year (parade starting at 8:15ish, parties after at 8:45-9:30). We have heard wonderful feedback from other schools in the area and are hoping after the parade and party, we can continue with normal instruction (starting no later than 9:40). More information will be communicated as Halloween approaches, but a few need to knows:
- Students need to come to school in their costumes with regular clothes underneath (access to bathrooms for changing is limited due to space and capacity). Please plan costumes accordingly based on this new requirement.
- Families will be asked to sign in and entry to the building before 7:35 will be limited.
- Teachers may ask families to head outside at 7:45 so they can take attendance and complete morning routines prior to the parade.
- Decorations will be limited to ensure quick, easy clean-up for the remainder of the day's instruction.
Again, more information will be shared as Halloween gets closer. We appreciate your partnership and support in this shift as we do believe this will be better for all students.
Breakfast has been a huge hit so far! We are glad to see this program meeting the needs of some many Sierra students. Please remember:
- Kindergarten through 5th grade breakfast is 7:20-7:35. UPDATE- If family members are joining students for breakfast, please sign in in the cafeteria.
- Prek breakfast is 7:45-8:00 and prek families are required to stay. UPDATE- If prek families have older siblings and want to join for breakfast before 7:45, families will need to sign in in the cafeteria. If prek families arrive after 7:45, no sign in is necessary.
SIERRA SPIRIT APPAREL - NOW AVAILABLE
The store will be open September 13th through October 6th. Estimated date of delivery is 10/25.
Please click the link to access the store.
Pre-Arranged Absence Forms
Guardians, if you are going out of town for 2 or more days you need to fill out a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. You can turn in the filled out form to the office or email to sylvia.castro@jeffco.k12.co.us. Also, if you are using the "New Attendance Procedures" you still need to fill out the Pre-Arranged Absence form in order for the absence to be excused. Thank you!
NEW ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
Jeffco has created a new online absence reporting tool, please see details here. We will also still accept phone calls for absences, please call 303-982-0819.
September- Hispanic Heritage Month and Suicide Prevention Month
September 18- Sierra Accountability meeting (4:45 in the library; see the agenda in Did You Know); PTA meeting 5:30 (in the library)
September 19- Field Day 3rd-5th grades; all day
September 20- No School (teacher work day)
September 27- ROAR Day (Pirate Day)
October 1- October count (PLEASE ensure your child is in school!); picture day
October 6- Sierra Strides
October 8- Coffee with T n B (special guest, Jenny Frederickson, our GT partner)
October 10-16 Book Fair
October 11- ROAR Day (Cartoon Day)
October 15 and 16- Conferences (3:00pm-7:00pm)
October 17 and 18- NO SCHOOL (teacher work day and Fall Break)
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
Accountability and PTA
Please join us on Weds., 9/18 at 4:45 in the library for our first Accountability meeting of the school year, followed by our first PTA general meeting at 5:30 (see the virtual link to both on the Accountability Agenda; the Accountability presentation will be made public after our meeting). What's the difference between the two, you ask...Accountability is like school business and PTA is like school support and social. Hope to see you all there!
Yearbooks
2024-25 Yearbook information is here! Please check out the Sierra Yearbook flyer.
Student Benefits Application
Student Benefits Application (formerly known as the Student Meal Benefits Application)
Jeffco wants to encourage all families to complete the application. No longer is the emphasis on Free/Reduced/Paid Meals. As the new name implies, it is for Student Benefits such as student-based funding for our school and fee waivers for various activities.
Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Below are a couple resources for families.
General Information Flyer: Available in English and Spanish
Free Virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Sessions for Parents/Caregivers: Information available in English and Spanish.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Jeffco has created a Hispanic Heritage Resource Guide, including, but not limited to: book lists, virtual field trips, daily fun facts, etc. Teachers and staff will be able to use this guide for classroom activities, learning, etc.
Do you have a bus rider? If so, the Stopfinder app may be fore you. Read the Stopfinder Newsletter for more information.
BECOME A PTA MEMBER TODAY!
The first PTA General meeting is coming up on Wednesday, September 18th at 5:30pm. Make sure you’ve joined or renewed your membership in time for the meeting so you can vote on school gift proposals like the PTA covering all field trip fees for the 2024-2025 school year! 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!
SNACKS FOR THE TEACHERS AND STAFF
The teachers and staff of Sierra Elementary are a large and important part of our children's lives. Let's show them all some love and appreciation by providing individually wrapped snacks and treats for them throughout the school year. SIGN UP HERE
STRIDES FOR SIERRA 5K REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration is open for our annual fall fundraiser - Strides for Sierra 5K! Sign up here
STRIDES FOR SIERRA VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Maybe you don’t want to run or walk during the event but want to support and cheer on those that are! Please consider volunteering to help before, during, or after the event. Volunteers help make this event happen!
ROOM PARENT SIGN UP
My name is Alyssa Aberle and I am the Sierra PTA Room Parent Coordinator this year. We are in need of room parents for each class for the 2023-24 school year. Please click HERE for information on what being a room parent entails, classroom party dates, and more details. If you would like to volunteer as a room parent, click HERE to sign up.
Thank you for supporting Sierra teachers.
Mietra Mott- Social Worker
Hi, I'm Ms Mietra! Before I graduated with my MSW from MSU Denver, I was a paraeducator in Jeffco for 8 years. I'm so excited to have joined the Sierra team this year! When I'm not working with these amazing students, I like to spend time outside with my family, crochet or paint, and discover new music. I can't wait to get to know the Sierra community as the year moves forward!
Apryl Abel- SSN Teacher
I am a third generation Colorado Native, and I have always wanted to be a teacher and help students find their love for learning. I have been teaching Special Education for 11 years and I love every minute of it. I grew up in Jeffco and I love having the opportunity to give back to the community that grew me. SSN is my favorite population to teach. Every achievement is AMAZING, and they teach me more about life than I could teach them. I am excited to be at Sierra and be apart of this amazing community!
Brandon Gunter- Learning Specialist
Hey everyone, my name is Brandon Gunter and I'm new to Sierra this year. In the classroom, I go by Mr. G and I'm a learning specialist here. Originally from Florida, I'm happy to have found a home and really look forward to the new school year. After graduating with a BA in Political Science, I took some time from school but then found my way back to get a master's in special education. In my spare time, I'm an avid reader, spend time with my pets, and explore the city.
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