SIERRA SCOOP
March 29, 2024
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
Welcome back! We really hit the ground running this week, and picked up right where we left off! Staff spent time reviewing and modeling ROAR expectations for these last 9 weeks of school, including introducing students to the Golden Spatula Award starting next week in the cafeteria. Grade levels are going to "compete" with each other to see which one can earn the most spatulas each week based on 5 identified ROAR behaviors. The winning grade will receive golden spatulas to hang on their classroom door for the week and a popsicle the next school day. We are super excited to positively acknowledge and reward students with the Golden Spatula Award for demonstrating expected behaviors in the cafeteria!
Have an awesome weekend 😀
ARTS NIGHT 5/2
SAVE THE DATE!
Arts Night is Thursday, May 2nd from 4-7pm. Come see your student's artwork on display. There will also be face painting, crafts, music performances by 2nd and 5th grades, food trucks and the crowd favorite- cake walk. Come join us for a fun-filled evening for the whole family!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
What are Executive Functioning Skills and Why Do They Matter?
Executive functioning skills are the cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, prioritize, and execute tasks effectively. Children aren't born with these skills, but they are born with the potential to develop them over time, with the skills not expected to be fully developed until they are 25-30 years old. These skills are like the conductor of the brain's orchestra, orchestrating various mental processes to achieve goals and navigate daily life. From managing time and resources to regulating emotions and problem-solving, executive functioning skills play a crucial role in shaping our ability to succeed in school, work, and relationships. They encompass a range of abilities, including attentional control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-control, all of which are essential for goal-directed behavior and adaptive functioning. Over the next several weeks, we will be discussing 10 different executive functioning skills and how to support their development in our children. We will be anchoring to the resource, EFs 2 the Rescue, which was developed by educators Mara Berzins and Nicola Daykin in hopes of bringing to life the abstract concept of executive functions for students, parents, and fellow educators.
OFFICE INFORMATION
Chess Club Registration Grades 1st - 5th **Deadline for registration is Friday, 4/5**
Arvada West Easter Eggstravaganza Flyer
YMCA - MONDAY, APRIL 8TH NO CARE PROVIDED
CMAS Testing
Grades 3 - 5 will participate in the annual state assessment between April 1st and April 26. Specific times are posted below. Please make sure your child gets a good nights rest and has a healthy breakfast so they are able to show their best on this important test!
We ask that you do not schedule appointments or vacations during these testing dates/times:
3rd Grade: ELA Test Session is from 8:00 - 10:00 on 4/2, 4/3 and 4/4
4th Grade: ELA Test Session is from 8:00 - 10:00 on 4/2, 4/3 and 4/4
5th Grade ELA Test Session is from 9:00 - 11:00 on 4/5, 4/8 and 4/9
3rd Grade: Math Test Session is from 8:00 - 9:35 on 4/10, 4/11 and 4/12
4th Grade: Math Test Session is from 9:45 - 11:20 on 4/10, 4/11 and 4/12
5th Grade: Math Test Session is from 9:00 - 10:35 on 4/15, 4/16 and 4/17
5th Grade: Science Test Session is from 12:20 - 2:15 on 4/15, 4/16 and 4/17
March 29- Read-a-Thon Kickoff
April 2- CMAS testing begins
April 2- Coffee with T n B n L: Mrs. Lazek (Digital Teacher Librarian will be joining us to discuss digital citizenship and technology)
April 8 - NO YMCA CARE PROVIDED
April 10- 4th grade Colorado performance
April 19- ROAR Day, Superhero
April 19 - Last Day for Read-a-Thon
April 24- Band and Orchestra concert
April 26- No School, teacher work day
April 29- Accountability and PTA Meeting (Accountability at 4:45 and PTA at 5:30; more info to come)
May 2- Arts Night, 4:00-8:00pm
May 3- Modified Contact Day (more info to come)
EVACUATION DRILL RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 3rd
On Wednesday, April 3rd, Sierra will conduct an evacuation drill. The goal of Standard Response Protocol (SRP) Emergency Drills in Jeffco Public Schools is to provide a safe and educational opportunity for Jeffco students and staff members to learn the life skills that will help keep them safe in emergency situations. An EVACUATION Drill is to prepare everyone in the school to safely exit the school building and property because of a catastrophic event inside the building, such as a gas leak, bomb threat, chemical/hazmat event or other situation that makes the building unsafe to occupy. Schools know how to exit the building safely by practicing monthly FIRE drills. Practicing an EVACUATION will help equip staff and students to not only exit the building, but to also exit the property in an orderly and safe manner during an emergency.
Please click here to see Jeffco’s Standard Response Protocol for different situations that might occur during the school day. This document will explain the differences between “Hold”, “Secure”, “Lockdown”, “Evacuate” and “Shelter”.
READ-A-THON
Come One, Come All to the 3rd Annual Sierra Read-a-Thon! The Sierra PTA is hosting its spring fundraising "Ride the Read-a-Coaster" event starting March 29th through April 19th. Our students can earn fun prizes like a Magic Show or a Carnival Party by raising funds and reading. Top readers and fundraisers in each grade get a chance to Pie Mrs. Foerster or Mr. Rowland in the face. Other fun prizes include event packages to Water World and Dave and Busters, class prizes and more. The Top TWO fundraisers in the school will get a Great Wolf Lodge Gift Package, which includes a free night at the resort and a $200 gift certificate to spend there! Registration begins March 29th!
YEARBOOK ORDER
Last chance to buy a yearbook, ordering closes March 31st.
Questions email: jenny@jennylogan.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Parent Input Forms for 2024-25 Class Placements
The process of creating new class groupings for the following year requires an understanding of each student’s needs as well as the needs of the school community. Teachers consider a wide range of factors including academic performance, personality, social and emotional needs, mix of boys and girls, and leadership skills, to name a few.
We value your input and we will take this information into consideration as we develop balanced class groupings for the next school year. We ask that you do not request specific teachers (if so, this will not be taken into account when building class lists). If you have any questions, please contact the school principal, Tennille Foerster, at tennille.foerster@jeffco.k12.co.us.
Please complete the Parent Input Form out by Wednesday, April 10th.
Sierra is Hiring!
We are in need of substitute paras to fill in for lunch and recess duties and possibly some classroom coverage (minimal class coverage). This is a paid position. If you are interested, you can apply through the Jeffco Schools job board. Feel free to call Nicole in the office if you have any questions.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
PTA PARTICULARS
Running Club Committee Needed! If you are interested in helping with Sabertooth Sprinters for the 24-25 school year, please email sabertoothsprinters@gmail.com
School Gift Proposals are open for application! Due Apr 22, 2024 and presented and voted on at the Apr 29, 2024 General PTA meeting. Application forms with more information can be found in the treasurer’s box in the school office or online here: https://www.sierraptaarvada.org/_files/ugd/78602c_a5131731f47d4dfe8bc69dcab15d10f7.pdf
PTA Board Members for the 2024-2025 School Year - NEED A PRESIDENT!
We almost have a complete board for next year! We just need someone to volunteer to be the PRESIDENT. With a full slate of highly qualified volunteers on the board, the President will make sure everyone else is supported in their roles and make agendas for the meetings.
With so many returning experienced board members, this position will be perfect for new board members. Great to split between 2 people.
PTA Bylaws Update!
The Sierra Bylaws committee has completed its tri-annual update of the bylaws and it’s ready for review! Read through the new ones HERE and we’ll vote to approve them at our April 29th general PTA meeting.
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