SIERRA SCOOP
October 27, 2023
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
We had a great week of learning this week! I had the opportunity to visit several classrooms during literacy to see extraordinary student experiences. In kindergarten, students were drawing pictures of supporting details that explain a central idea. In 1st grade, students were identifying a variety of nonfiction text features in reading and learning that writers use those features to give readers more information. In 4th grade, students were using feedback from a previous writing task and a current rubric to set writing goals for their new writing project. In SSN, students were engaged in a counting game where they were counting together, finding the missing number, and matching their number cards to the missing number. Students were engaged, interacting with each other, sharing, and were proud to show me what they were working on. Keep up all the fantastic work!
Stay warm this weekend 😀
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
SSIS SEL Schoolwide Results from Fall Screener
In an effort to proactively identify and assist in the area of overall social, emotional and behavioral skills (SEB), Sierra completed the universal screening tool, the SSIS-SEL. This strengths based tool is designed to identify growth over time. We completed the first screener in September and will complete it again in January and April of 2024 to help monitor our students growth.
The SSIS-SEL is a 5 question survey completed by your student’s teacher(s). It is simply an indicator of overall strengths and needs in the area of social, emotional and behavioral skills. It is neither prescriptive nor evaluative.
The 5 areas measured through the SSIS SEL are:
Self-Awareness: A student’s realistic understanding of their strengths and limitations, and consistent desire for self improvement.
Social Awareness: A student’s capacity to interact with others in ways that show respect, tolerance, and cooperation.
Self-Management: A student’s success in controlling their emotions and behaviors, especially in new and challenging situations.
Relationship Skills: A student’s skill at promoting and maintaining positive connections with others.
Responsible Decision Making: A student’s approach to problem-solving, learning from experience, using values to guide behavior and accepting responsibility.
As a school community, we are using the overall school data from the SSIS-SEL to inform the support we provide to students in our school in the area of social, emotional and behavioral skills. Our schoolwide data indicates that 64% of our students are demonstrating proficient skills across all five competencies. Most of our students demonstrate strengths around their Social Awareness and Responsible Decision Making Skills. Their skills are still emerging in the areas of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, and Relationship Skills.
At Sierra, we are engaging in the following universal practices to support the social-emotional and behavioral needs of all our students:
We teach 24 Second Step lessons throughout the year to develop skills around Growth Mindset & Goal Setting; Bullying Prevention; Emotion Management; Empathy & Kindness; and Problem-Solving. Most classrooms are in our Bullying Prevention unit now, and will be moving to the Emotion Management unit in November. The Emotion Management unit will provide students tools to support both Self-Awareness and Self-Management skills.
We facilitate Class Circles at least weekly to build relationships and community, celebrate successes, as well as process students’ thoughts and feelings so they can better handle difficult situations that arise and be more present in class.
We also teach and reinforce schoolwide behavior expectations through ROAR (Responsibility, Ownership, Achieve, Respect). When students understand what is expected of them, and positive behavior is consistently acknowledged, they are more likely to demonstrate expected behaviors. Student are taught and re-taught ROAR expectations across school settings throughout the school year. They receive individual ROAR tickets and class stars as part of our behavior reinforcement system. As a staff we are looking deeper at our current systems around teaching and reinforcing ROAR behaviors to see how we can continue to refine our practices to be more effective in helping all students to learn and demonstrate desired skills.
If you are looking for ideas or resources to foster these skills at home, please be sure to check our SEL page on the Sierra website. You can also contact Monika VanderStek, Sierra’s Social Emotional Learning Specialist, with any questions (Monika.VanderStek@jeffco.k12.co.us).
OFFICE INFORMATION
Parent reminder - Please remember to fill out a Pre-Arranged Absence form 3 days prior to the absence. You can get the form on our Sierra website and email it to sylvia.castro@jeffco.k12.co.us or you can walk in and pick one up from the office. You must do this even if you informed the teacher of the absence. Thank you!
October 31 - Monster Mash ROAR Day and Halloween parade and parties (more info below)
November 7 - Accountability at 4:45 (see the agenda in Did You Know section below) and General PTA Meeting at 5:30 in the library (virtual link coming soon)
November 8 - Ralston Valley Area Vocal Festival at RVHS 7:00pm
November 10 - Student Picture Retakes
November 10 - End of 1st Trimester
November 13 - No school - Teacher Work Day
November 15- RV Band (7:30 pm) and Orchestra (6:00 pm) Festival
November 17- Superhero ROAR Day
November 17- Report cards go home
November 20-24 - No School Thanksgiving Break
HALLOWEEN INFO
The Halloween parade and classroom parties are Tuesday, 10/31. The parade starts at 1:15, and will be outside around the large playgroup courtyard (weather pending). Parties start in the classrooms directly afterward. ALL VISITORS, please sign in the hallway (in front of the office) if you decide to join us.
Students should not wear their costumes to school. They will have a chance to get dressed around 12:45. Please know that toys or props that resemble weapons are not allowed at school. Also, try to avoid the “blood and guts” look. Please encourage your child to dress up. If your child needs a costume, please notify the office so we can assist. Please make every effort to make Halloween fun and safe for all kids.
Decorating classrooms- please make arrangements with classroom teachers to decorate after school on 10/30 (arrive 2:35-3:30) or anytime on 10/31 after 11:30am.
LIBRARY NEWS
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
We had so many fun and creative pumpkins on display this week! All pumpkins must be taken home by October 31.
DID YOU KNOW?
Accountability 11/7
Join us in the library on Tuesday, 11/7 at 4:45 for our next Accountability Meeting, immediately followed by the PTA General Meeting at 5:30. The link to join virtually is included on the Accountability agenda, and the same link will be used for PTA. Hope to see you there!
Gifted and Talented Information
Thank you to everyone that joined us on Tues., 10/24 for Coffee with T n B. Jenny Fredrickson, our district GT resource teacher, joined us and provided some general information and answered some questions. If you weren't able to join us, don't worry, you can access the information below:
Please feel free to reach out to Jenny if you have any questions.
Jennifer.Fredrickson@jeffco.k12.co.us
Parking Lot Reminders!
- Please partner with us to keep kids safe!
- Has everyone who drops off and picks up watched our Parking Lot video? Consider asking Grandma, Grandpa or anyone else who may be helping your family with drop-off and pick-up
- Use the crosswalk
- Pull all the way forward
- Don't drop off at a metal gate
- Thank you for your support!
- 5th grade families in band and orchestra- please park if you need to get large instruments out of the vehicle. This will help continue the flow of hug-n-go
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
PTA PARTICULARS
Reflections Arts Competition workshop #2 - Thursday, November 2nd, 2023. If your student is interested in participating in this year’s Arts competition and doesn’t know where to start, they’re welcome to attend this free workshop 2:35-4pm in the Art room. Please e-mail the Reflections Arts chair amywardbailey@gmail.com with any questions or for more details.
Mark your calendars - the PTA General meeting is coming up on November 7th, 2023. Attend in person in the Sierra Library, or online via this google meet link: https://meet.google.com/fis-jraz-sif
Snacks for Sierra Staff - Show our Sierra staff how much we appreciate them by stocking them up with goodies! Snacks can be dropped off at anytime.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AEA82AA2FBC25-snacks?useFullSite=true#/
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