We have had an amazing week this week! Field Day for 3rd-5th grade was Thursday, and students had an absolute blast! Nothing warms my heart more than seeing all the smiles and hearing all the laughter. This is such an amazing community event for students, staff, and families. Thank you to all staff, volunteers, families, PTA, and especially Mrs. Peters for such a memorable event. K-2nd grade, your Field Day will be in May. In addition to Field Day, K-1st went on a field trip to the zoo and I was able to read to a couple 3rd grade classrooms while Mr. Rowland has been doing some reading in prek-2nd grade classes. What a great week of non-traditional learning experiences!
Have an extraordinary 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.
OCTOBER COUNT!!
TUESDAY, 10/1 IS OCTOBER COUNT. October count is very important! All students should be in attendance this day! This is how the school gets it's funding.
PICTURE DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need 2-3 volunteers for picture day on Tuesday, 10/1. Please contact Sylvia at 303-982-0821 or sylvia.castro@jeffco.k12.co.us
Picture Day
Tuesday, 10/1. Individual and class photos will be taken on this day. A flyer with information regarding payment will be sent home on Monday, 9/23. If you have any questions please contact Van Gogh at 303-679-9003. Order at: orders.vangoghco.com/prepay Enter code: 30039801 Pay before 10/1!
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!
September- Hispanic Heritage Month and Suicide Prevention Month
September 27- ROAR Day (Pirate Day)
September 30- Umbrella Celebration, 3:20 near the new umbrella on the primary playground (sandbox)
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.
Breakfast Info
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.
Attention Bus Riders
Do you have a bus rider? If so, the Stopfinder app may be fore you. Read the Stopfinder Newsletter for more information.
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.
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!
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.
Think Sheets are an excellent tool to help students learn and grow. A Think Sheet is a tool that provides an opportunity for kids to pause and reflect on their behavior or choices as they prepare to process with school staff: What happened? How did your choice make other people feel? What choices can you take responsibility for? And, moving forward, what better choice can you make next time to follow ROAR behavior? At Sierra, we have two differentiated Think Sheets to support students at different grade levels. The Think Sheet is a tool or strategy that occurs concurrently with a consequence while helping to establish a school to home connection. If your child has been sent home with a think sheet, this is an opportunity to help your child learn and grow from a behavior or a choice - consider aligning with our ROAR characteristics of Safe, Respectful and Responsible when processing with your child!
Lyndsie Lee-Null- Preschool Speech-Language Therapist
Hi, my name is Lyndsie Lee-Null. I am the preschool speech-language pathologist at Sierra this year. This is my 10th year as a SLP, 9th year in preschool and 2nd year in Jeffco. I am a Jeffco graduate and attended Colorado State University for my undergraduate degree (Go Rams!). I started my professional career as a social worker before going back to school to earn my master's degree in speech and hearing science from Washington State University. I live in Arvada with my husband and two beautiful kids. When I'm not working you will find me spending time with my family. I'm excited to be a part of the Sierra team this year, if only for a few days a week.
Katrina McCaffrey- ISP (Individual Support Para)
Hello, I am Katrina McCaffrey new to Sierra this year as an Individual Support Paraeducator in Mr. Fassbinder’s 2nd grade class. I am not new to Jeffco Public Schools, this will be my 16th year in the district. I have a wonderful family who brings joy and laughter to my life everyday. My kind husband, Shawn, of 29 years in September, my energetic son, Colyn, who will graduate from UCCS this December, my fur baby, Comet, our miniature Goldendoodle, and Erin, my son’s sweet girlfriend who is part of our family. I enjoy traveling, cruising, crafts, glitter girly stuff, and Disney. I am so excited to experience all the days and special events at Sierra this year with all the students and staff!
Jessie Francis- Kindergarten Teacher
I am a Colorado native. I grew up in Sedalia and attended the University of Northern Colorado and then received my master’s from CU Denver. I began my teaching career in 2001 in Denver and this is my eighth year at Sierra.
My husband, Mike, and I have 2 kids, Addison (15) and Luke (12). I love to read, hike, bike, ski, watch my kids play sports, spend time with family and friends and LOVE Mexican food. I am an avid sports fan! One of my favorite things is spending time in the mountains.
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