Learning is in full swing! This week in kindergarten, students were working on the letter M. They were identifying words that start with M, writing M, and practicing the sound paying attention to the shape their mouth makes. Down the hall in preschool, students were singing a song where they say "Hello" in a variety of different languages. Next, they practiced tempo while clapping, stomping, and shaking (nothing is cuter than three-year-olds trying to clap on tempo). 3rd grade was busy in their My Books making predictions before, during, and after reading. They made connections to why/how predictions help them as readers. During music, students were learning and demonstrating ostinato (repeated patterns in music). Wow...lots of great learning this week!
Have a nice 3-day weekend 😄
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!
LEGO CLUB REGISTRATION
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.
REGISTRATION INFO
K-5th Online Registration - Parents have until September 13th to completeALL returning, new, and kindergarten families will need to log in to Jeffco Infinite Campus Parent Portal (same username and password as EnrollJeffco) to complete the registration process for the 2024-25 school year (the initial registration process was started in December/January). This is where you will submit the updated information requested and acknowledge the agreements. Do not forget to save and submit.
There have been some glitches with Infinite Campus. If you have issues with registration please email Syvia at Sylvia.Castro@jeffco.k12.co.us. If you have already contacted Sylvia with concerns, she is currently working to resolve the issues. Please be patient as each issue takes time to resolve. Sylvia will contact you when it is resolved.
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."
ALL students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2024-2025 school year.
YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH "MEAL BENEFITS APPLICATION". Meal Benefits Application
If you are applying for Free/Reduced lunch, please make sure you don't mark the box that says "Do not share with the school". If you mark this box, your school fees will not be waived automatically.
September- Hispanic Heritage Month
September 2- No School (Labor Day)
September 6- ROAR Day (Back-to-School)
September 18- Sierra Accountability meeting (4:45 in the library; stay tuned for the agenda); 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- Book Fair begins
October 11- ROAR Day (Cartoon Day)
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
Sierra Is Hiring!
We need you! Sierra is hiring for sub paraprofessionals to help cover supervisions (lunch, recess, classrooms, etc) in the event of para absences. If you are interested, please contact Nicole in the office if you have questions, 303-982-0821.
Yearbooks
2024-25 Yearbook information is here! Please check out the Sierra Yearbook flyer.
Mustang Stampede
Ralston Valley High School annual community events: Lisa Nelson Mustang Stampede on Saturday, September 21st. This is a community 5K race where the money raised is awarded to two deserving student athletes in the form of a college scholarship. Please see the Mustang Stampede flyer for more information and registration.
PTA Particulars - New
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.
BECOME A PTA MEMBER TODAY!
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!
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
Thank you for supporting Sierra teachers!
Join the largest club at Sierra, promoting friendship and an active, healthy lifestyle!
· The goal is to run 100 miles throughout the whole school year and all participants receive a charm necklace to track progress.
· Prizes are awarded at 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles, and milestones announced at lunch with your grade level. · Registration is open! Students, family members, and staff are all welcome! Please register by Friday, August 30th
· Running Club begins Wednesday, Sept 4th
· Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2:40 - 3:15 pm at the Sierra track on the south side of the playground (weather permitting).
· $15 per person to join.
· Volunteers Needed: looking for helpers to distribute cards at the start of running club, punch cards after laps are completed, file cards at the end of running club, and stand on the track to monitor behavior. Let us know at registration if you can help with this. · More information is available on the Sierra Elementary website under Clubs: Sabertooth Sprinters.
Suicidal thoughts may affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. September is NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. Our vision is to be a thriving district where all students achieve their biggest dreams. As a parent or caregiver, you can approach suicide prevention with your kids in the same way you would any other safety or health issue. By learning to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell), you learn about what puts kids at greatest risk for suicide, how to talk with them about it and how to connect them to help. To learn more click HERE.
Sabertooths ROAR when they are Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. At Sierra, we teach students these expectations using our ROAR Matrix. When classes demonstrate these expectations, we notice and name what classes do well to celebrate! Any staff member can recognize any class with a sticky star and classes track these stars on a poster. At the end of each month, teachers count the number of stars and we celebrate winning classes! Winning classes earn the traveling trophy and a class photo is posted on our internal announcement screens throughout our halls.
Megan Mendoza- CLDE (formerly ELL)
Hello, my name is Megan Mendoza. I will be working as the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse educator this year, helping multilingual students succeed in their English instruction. This will be my 17th year in education, and my 12th year in Jeffco. I have 4 beautiful children, an amazing husband, a dog and two cats. Right after college I learned to speak Spanish, and I would encourage anyone to learn a second language. I am so excited to join the Sierra community this year. I look forward to getting to meet and work with so many wonderful children this year at Sierra. Jeffco was my home as a child, and I hope to bring the same joy to the classroom as my teachers gave me as a student.
John Blakely- 3rd grade
I’m Mr. Blakely and I'm happy to be joining the Sierra Elementary School community for the 2024-2025 school year. This will be my 26th year teaching third graders in Jefferson County Schools.
I’m a Colorado native who grew up in the area, and feel lucky to have enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle, while raising my children here.
I look forward to getting to know Sierra Elementary students and families and I am excited to see your child grow and learn throughout this school year.
With regard,
Mr. Blakely
Emma Hartmann- Music
I am thrilled to join the Sierra community this school year! My name is Emma Hartmann (she/her/hers) and I am in year 10 of teaching elementary music. I previously taught at Vanderhoof Elementary (Jeffco) and at Traylor Academy (DPS). I was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa and attended Luther College (Vocal Music Ed. Major) and immediately began teaching in Colorado upon graduating in 2015. I received my Master of Music Degree from CSU in 2019 specializing in the Kodaly methodology. I am also on the Colorado General Music Council Board representing Jeffco, Boulder, and Cherry Creek schools.
I currently live in Morrison with my partner of 7 years, Collin Jones (Arvada native) and my Bernedoodle pup, Kaia. When I'm not teaching music, you can find me skiing, paddleboarding, going to Orange Theory, camping, gardening, or making the latest NYT recipe. I also have become very active with our local Jeffco Educators' Association (JCEA) advocating for well-funded, equitable, and thriving schools ALL students deserve.
It is going to be a great year beginning to work with your young musicians. I am a firm believer that music is a place where deep connection in knowing ourselves and each other is grown and fostered. While the majority of the instruction time will be focused on singing and playing American folk music that highlights specific music literacy targets/Colorado music standards, we will also be having grade level mini musicals. Please stay on the lookout for dates and details!
To learn more please see the new Sierra Music Website!
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.
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