I can't believe this is the second to last Scoop for the 2023-24 school year. I feel like I blinked and it was May! As I reflect back on my first year as Sierra's principal, it was filled with good times, tons of memories, lots of learning, and some trials and stumbling blocks. Most importantly, I am surrounded by a wonderful community of students, staff, and families. I'm telling you, any leader is lucky to sit in this chair! We have accomplished so mush this year: OG K-2nd, year 3 of Into Reading and year 2 of Illustrative Math, collaborative planning (internalizations), community building as a staff and community, growing students, a lockdown less than 2 hours in on our first day, a preschool program...I could go on and on. I hope when you reflect on this year, you are just as proud as I am to be a Sierra Sabertooth!
Have an enchanting weekend 😀
Student Results from End of Year Testing
Parents and Guardians are able to check student end of year testing results online through Jeffco's Student Insights portal. 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.
The End of Year Testing Window closes Friday, May 17. Within Student Insights, you will be able to view end of year assessment results for ACCESS (English Language Learners), MAP (all students), Acadience/DIBELS (K-3), and results for students on individualized plans. Teachers will send Acadience/DIBELS and MAP Family Reports home in Friday Folders on May 24. Please note, CMAS results for students in grades 3 - 5 will be available in the Fall of the 24-25 school year.
Summer Resources
As we head into summer break next week, I hope that you have opportunities for some fun, rest, and relaxation in the days of summer. However, I also recognize that school can serve as a community hub for many of us, and being disconnected during the summer can feel like a loss. Here is a collection of community resources that are available for a variety of needs that may arise (click on the image to access the links). If you have any questions or need help getting connected to community resources, please reach out me through the end of the month. Email is the best way to connect, since I am only at Sierra half-time.
Best, Monika VanderStek, Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Ralston Valley Mini Mustang Pom's Summer Camp. Click here
YMCA Before and After school care
On-Site at Sierra Elementary- Cafeteria
Monday through Friday
AM Care is $136/month for YMCA members and $160/month for non-YMCA members.
PM Care is $300/month for YMCA members and $350/month for non-YMCA members.
Drop-In care is back, has 15 spots daily, and is:
- $8.50/morning for YMCA members and $10/morning for non-YMCA members
- $21.25/afternoon for YMCA members and $25/afternoon for non-YMCA members
(These options open 1 month prior to the month of care)
New After School Care 2024-2025
The Apex Center is offering after school care to Sierra for the 2024-2025 school year. Please see this flyer for more information.
Apex After School Care Registration Link
Not at School on 5/24?
If your child will not be at school for the last day of school on Fri., 5/24, please plan on picking up belongings (Friday Folder, report cards, etc) from the office 5/28-6/5 between the hours of 10:00am-1:00pm. Any items not picked up cannot be mailed.
May 23- Greatest Hits ROAR Day
May 23- Last day for 5th grade; 5th Continuation at 4:00
May 23- Last day for 1/2 day preschool classes
May 24- Last day; dismissal at 12:05pm
May 24- Kindergarten graduation 8:30am
May 24- Last day for full day preschool, dismissal at 12:00
May 24- Report Cards go home
Dates of note to start the 2024-25 school year (***these are subject to change):
Aug. 12- Ice Cream Social, 4:30-5:15
Aug. 14- 1st-5th students start; Kinder Camp
Aug. 16- 1st full day for Kinder; preschool starts
Aug. 22- Back to School Night, 5:00-6:00
Aug. 23 and 26- Modified Contact
Specifics about all of these events will be shared in 2024-25 Scoop editions starting in late July/early August.
***Please note, Sierra's calendar is updated with 2024-25 dates. These are subject to change.
Yearbooks will be distributed by classroom teachers beginning 5/16. If you did not order a yearbook and would still like a copy, a limited number are available for purchase in the office after school beginning on 5/16. $20 Check or cash only, Thank you. Questions, please email jenny@jennylogan.com
All 1st - 5th grade Sierra students will be taking their Jeffco Chromebooks home over the summer. (Kindergarten parents -- more information is coming to you about Chromebooks next week.) All Chromebooks and chargers will be sent home on the last day of school, May 24th. If you know that your child’s last day will be earlier than that, please make sure the classroom teacher knows, and they will send it home on that day.
We are communicating clear expectations regarding Chromebooks to all students, which are:
- Students may access learning and Jeffco approved sites only. If it’s a site you were able to use at school, it’s allowed. If it’s a site you’re not allowed to use at school, you may not access it on your school device at home either.
- All history will remain on your device and can be seen by teachers and administrators at any time.
- Please do not take your Chromebook on vacation with you.
- Please ensure that Chromebooks and chargers stay inside and in a temperature controlled safe space.
If you do not want your child using their Chromebook over the summer, please just store it in a safe space until August.
All Chromebooks will need to be returned to Sierra on the first day of school, which is August 14, 2024.
If you are moving to a different Jeffco neighborhood school, you will still keep your Chromebook. If you know that you are moving out of Jeffco or to a charter school, you will not be taking a Chromebook home for the summer. If an unexpected move happens over the summer, please bring the Chromebook and charger to the Ed Center (address below).
If a device is physically damaged and needs to be repaired, devices can be dropped off at the Jeffco Public Schools Ed Center reception desk during the days/times listed below:
Drop off location: 1829 Denver W Dr, Golden, CO 80401
Dates & Times: Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 3:00pm (closed on all federal holidays)
More information from the district can be found here:
Summer Communication for TechforEd Chromebooks
If you have any questions, reach out to Kaela Lazek at kaela.lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
It's still going this weekend!
Calling all gardeners! Support the Sierra Library and Technology fund!
We are partnering with local garden center, Malara Gardens, to support our library and technology budget. When you shop at Malara Gardens during the week of May 13 -19 (goes through the end of day on Sunday, the 19th), mention Sierra at the cash register and our library will receive 10% of your purchase! Go buy some beautiful plants and flowers from a local grower and help our school all at once!
Malara Gardens is a family-owned local business located at 7190 Kipling Street, Arvada, CO 80004. www.malaragardens.com
Thank you!
Registration is open for the Summer Reading Challenge through the Jeffco Public Library. Anyone of any age can sign up to read, complete activities, and win great prizes! There is also a school competition: if we have more finishers than last year, we will be entered into a drawing to win a prize of $800 for our school library! So please sign up at jeffcolibrary.org and be sure to mark down Sierra as your school!
2024-25 Sierra Calendar Dates
Next year's calendar dates are on Sierra's calendar. Be sure to note important beginning of year dates (Ice Cream Social, 1st days for all students, Back to School Night, Modified Contact, and more). Dates/times are subject to change.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
King Soopers Card to Fundraise for Sierra!
Spanish Club
Hola! Are you interested in your child learning Spanish as the beginning of a lifelong skill? We are excited to share that starting this Fall, Alyssa with Gringa Consulting is offering a 10-week Spanish Club at Sierra Elementary! No prior Spanish experience required.
Spanish Club will be Thursdays after school for 60-minutes from 8/29 – 11/14, (no class 9/26 or 10/17). The $160 registration fee includes all materials. Kids will be learning about family, foods, basic verbs, numbers, calendar, etc. through games, singing, story time, and crafts. The class will accept up to 30 students and recommended for ages 6+ with reading abilities.
Register https://forms.gle/YnLEi46WZRQR17o49 by August 23rd (payment will be due later). First come first served! Once 30 students are registered, the form will close and you can waitlist. Pending high interest, we may look to hold another beginner course in January for those waitlisted and/or Session II for the first group of students.
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