SIERRA SCOOP
January 24, 2025
The Jeffco Listens: Annual Family Survey is now open through Friday, February 7. This survey is a valuable tool that provides us with insights into our families' experiences. It will help us better understand what we are doing well and inform us how we can better support our students and families. This important feedback will direct our decision-making as we work to provide a world-class education for all Jeffco students and prepare them for bright and successful futures. https://jps.click/family-survey THANK YOU for your time to complete the survey!
Have a fabulous weekend 😀
February 5- Accountability at 4:45 and PTA at 5:30 (Please see the 2/5 Accountability agenda and virtual link)
February 6- ROAR Day- Super Bowl Shuffle
February 7- Read-a-Thon Kickoff
February 10-13- Used Book Sale
February 13- Valentine's Day Parties (8:00-8:45am); Conferences (more info to come)
February 14- NO SCHOOL, teacher work day
February 15- NO SCHOOL, President's Day
February 21- End of 2nd Trimester; last day for Read-a-Thon
February 28- ROAR Day- Outer Space; report cards home
Our Sierra Student Council is leading a Winter Clothing Drive! We are looking for new and gently used winter gear of all kinds - coats, mittens, gloves, hats, boots, etc - in children's sizes PreK through 5th grade. All donated gear will be given to a families in need at a fellow Jeffco school. Donation bins will be set up near the front office and around the building. We will be collecting items through Friday, January 31. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kaela Lazek at kaela.lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
Survey Season
Jeffco's annual Student (for 3rd-5th graders) and Family surveys are here (January 21-February 7). Please read this letter for more information regarding the Student Survey. We are always striving to meet the needs of our students and families, and we value your input and feedback that continues to help us grow.
New Website Design
Sierra's website has a new look! As part of a district-wide initiative, our website has been overhauled and updated. It can still be found at the same address: sierra.jeffcopublicschools.org, but it has a whole new layout. Our calendar and upcoming events can be found by scrolling down the main page or going to About > Calendar. Our PTA website information can be found under Connect, and our Classroom pages can be found under Learning.
We are working to make some significant edits and additions, as some things were lost in translation. Thank you for your patience with this.
In the meantime, if you have questions, or if you notice something missing, please reach out to Kaela Lazek directly, as she is our website manager. kaela.lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
Crossing Guards Needed!
Sierra is in need of crossing guards for the 2025 Second Semester. These volunteers are essential to Sierra as they ensure students are able to cross Oak safely both before and after school. Please follow this link to sign up: 2024 - 2025 School Year Crossing Guard Sign Up. Afternoons are the greatest need currently, but we need volunteers to fill 10 shifts each week (shifts are about 20 minutes in the morning and afternoon). THANK YOU to those that volunteer for helping to keep Sierra safe! If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Klassen.
If you would like to donate books (children's books in decent condition) to our Used Book Fair, please read through the following details:
- Please bring books in a box or bag that is labeled with the students name and class code (grade level and teacher initial). This is how students get points for donations, which they can then use to get free books at the fair.
- Books can be dropped off at the library starting Monday, January 27. You can bring books to the outside library doors before or after school on Monday or Tuesday.
- Monday 1/27 and Tuesday 1/28 are our Early Bird drop off days, where students can earn double points for their donations.
- Donations will continue to be accepted through February 5 and can be brought to the library anytime.
Our Used Book Fair will run:
Monday, Feb 10 - 12:30 - 3:00
Tuesday, Feb 11 - 8:00 - 3:00
Wednesday, Feb 12 - 8:00 - 3:00
Thursday, Feb 13 - 8:00 - 6:00
All books will be on sale for $1 or $2. Cash and check only!
Lastly, I will need some parent volunteers to help organize books and run sales. Please Sign Up here if you are able to help.
If you have any questions, reach out to me at Kaela.Lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
Save the Date-the 4th Annual Read-a-Thon: Go Wild and Read!
The Read-a-Thon starts Friday, February 7th and runs until 11:59pm Friday, February 21st. Your child can earn prizes for registering, fundraising and reading! If we meet our goal of raising $15,000, the whole school gets a fun Animal Experience! Keep an eye out for flyers going out on January 31st to register.
NOT TOO LATE TO BECOME A PTA MEMBER!
Our next PTA General Meeting is coming up on Wednesday, February 5th at 5:30pm. You don’t have to be a PTA member to attend the meeting, but if you would like to vote on school gifts like paying for field trip fees and playground sun shades, then you do need to be a member. It’s never too late to join the Sierra PTA. We have many fun events this semester, and could always use more support. Click here to be a part of a group that helps make the Sierra community amazing!
Anxiety is a completely normal emotion that everyone experiences at times. It's like a built-in alarm system that helps us stay safe. For example, feeling anxious before a test can help us study harder and do our best. While some anxiety is helpful, it's important to remember that everyone experiences it differently. To support your child, try to create a calm and understanding environment at home. Encourage open communication about their feelings. Help them identify their worries and develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, or spending time in nature. Remember, you don't have to fix their anxiety, but you can be a supportive presence and help them learn valuable coping skills. For more ideas on how to support your child's anxiety, check out this article: 10 Tips for Parenting Anxious Kids by Grace Berman, LCSW with the Child Mind Institute.
Eve Bargas- Kitchen Manager
Hi, my name is Eve Bargas, or Ms. Eve as the kiddos call me. I have worked for Jeffco schools for 23 years, the last 10 years has been here at Sierra. I am originally from Lubbock, Texas (Texas Tech) but have lived most of my life here in Colorado. I married my high school sweetheart and we’ve been together for 35 years, married for 31! We have three adult children and five grandchildren, which two of my granddaughters go here at Sierra. 😊. My older brother also lives with us as I am his guardian. My family is everything to me! I enjoy playing the viola, playing with all my grandkids and lots of family time and fishing in the Colorado Rockies!
Steph Pietrasiewicz- Kindergarten Para
I am Stephanie Pietrasiewicz. I have been at Sierra as both a parent and a para. I have worked as a kindergarten Para and a learning specialist para. I enjoy adventuring in the mountains with my husband and kids. We love to ski, mtn bike, camp, hike and fish. I love working at Sierra, the staff and families that make up the Sierra community are truly amazing.
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