SIERRA SCOOP
February 2, 2024
FROM FOERSTER'S DESK
As I was typing in the date above, I just can't believe it is already February! I feel like I just blinked and was welcoming students to start the year in August. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun! Speaking of fun, kids had a blast today during ROAR Day- Super Bowl Shuffle. They ran/walked, collected tickets for a prize drawing, and even participated in a halftime show with singing and dancing...be sure to ask your students about the show, it was a great time for sure!
Have a sensational weekend 😄
VALENTINE PARTY INFO
Valentine parties will be on Weds., 2/14 starting at 1:45pm. Families are welcome to join us; please sign in at the table just outside the office in the hall and wear a visitor tag is a visible spot. Students are welcome to bring in valentines and small, individual treats for all students in their class (see more information regarding individual class parties and sign-ups from classroom communications). Families coming to decorate are more than welcome to do so after school on Tues., 2/13 (starting at 2:35). Please do not arrive prior to 2:35 or make individual arrangements with teachers as this is a disruption to learning. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you during the parties on 2/14!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at Sierra
Connecting with Your Body through Breath to Manage Anxiety
Last week we introduced four different "buckets" with ideas of ways to manage anxiety and find calm through one's BODY, MIND, SENSES, and RELEASE. This week will will focus on strategies that use the BODY to calm anxiety by connecting with breath.
We often try to tame anxiety by changing our thoughts, but breathing offers a different approach, targeting the body directly. Instead of trying to think yourself out of feeling anxious, you can do something concrete by using your breath to find immediate relief.
At Sierra, we teach students to utilize "Paws Pads" when they are feeling big emotions. These are safe, designated spots in the classrooms and other learning spaces where students can go to regroup when they are experiencing strong emotions, like anxiety, or simply need a break. We have taught students several different mindful breathing strategies to use in the Paw Pads, to help guide them to access breath as a calming tool. Click HERE to explore and practice some of these strategies at home.
OFFICE INFORMATION
Grub Club Food Drive (Click on upper right corner of picture to enlarge)
Box for donations will be set up outside the Sierra Library
CMAS Testing😬
Grades 3 - 5 will participate in the annual state assessment between April 1st and April 26. Specific times will be shared by classroom teachers closer to testing days. We ask that you do not schedule appointments or vacations during these testing dates:
3rd Grade: 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/10, 4/11, and 4/12 (AM assessments only)
4th Grade: 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/10, 4/11, and 4/12 (AM assessments only)
5th Grade: 4/5, 4/8, 4/9 (AM assessments only) and 4/15, 4/16, 4/17 (AM and PM assessments)
February 7 - Accountability meeting 4:45 and PTA meeting 5:30 (more in Did You Know)...FYI, the PTA meeting will probably start closer to 5:45 due to a lengthy Accountability agenda
February 8 - Science Fair Community Night 5:00
February 13- Coffee with T n B n B at 7:50am in the cafeteria (Becky Gonzales, Sierra's Instructional Coach, will be joining us)
February 14 - Valentine's Party 1:45
February 16 - No School, teacher work day
February 19 - No School, President's Day
February 20-23 - Used Book Fair
February 22 - Conferences 3:00 - 7:00
February 23 - End of 2nd Trimester
February 29 - Read Across America Day
LIBRARY NEWS - USED BOOK FAIR
We are looking for gently used picture and chapter books in decent condition to be donated for our Used Book Fair. Please do not bring in magazines, pamphlets, cereal box or kids meal books, or books with a significant amount of damage.
Early Bird drop off will be before and after school on Monday, Feb 5 and Tuesday, Feb 6 in the library. Bring your books to the outside library doors (near the playground) from 7:30 - 7:50 or 2:30 - 2:50 on the 5th and 6th. Students may continue to bring donated books to the library until February 14.
Students earn points for donated books (which can then be used to earn free books), so please bring all books in a box or bag that is clearly labeled with the students’ name and class code (grade level and teacher’s initial). Early bird drop offs will earn double points for each book!
Help Needed!! We still need volunteers to help collect, organize, and sell books, so please check out the Sign Up Genius here.
The Used Book Fair will run February 20 - 23 in the library, and all books will cost $1 or less. Cash and check only. All proceeds and donations will support our Sierra Library! If you have any questions, please reach out to Kaela Lazek at kaela.lazek@jeffco.k12.co.us
IMMUNIZATION COMPLIANCE RATES
How’s Sierra doing on vaccinations? Annually, schools must report immunization and exemption numbers (but not student names or birthdates) to the state health department. Schools do not control their specific immunization and exemption rates or establish the Vaccinated Children Standard. Find out more information and Sierra's K-5 immunization rate and Sierra's preschool rate in the linked letters.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sierra Accountability 2/7
Join us on Weds., 2/7 at 4:45 in the library for our next Accountability meeting. There is going to be a lot of information shared regarding mid-year testing and budget. Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to provide input on Sierra's budget for the 2024-25 school year. FYI...the meeting will probably run past 5:30 (the PTA start time). Hope to see you all there!
Coffee with T n B
Please join us on Tues., 2/13, at 7:50-8:20am in the cafeteria for coffee, light pastries, and informal conversations with Sierra's instructional coach, Becky Gonzales. Come learn and ask about Sierra's curriculum, assessments and we use the data, interventions, etc.
Jeffco Panorama Family Survey
Please read district communication and information regarding the Family Survey in the communication letter. You will/should have received the survey via email or the letter provides the link and a QR code. The survey close on 2/23/2024. I hope we hear from all of our families as this data and your feedback is important to help us continue to grow our systems. As of today, we have 41 completed surveys (7%). Thank you for taking the time to complete the Family Survey!
Grades 3rd-5th Student Survey
Students throughout Jeffco in 3rd grade and above will be participating in the Panorama Student Survey. The survey will be open Tuesday, January 16 through Friday, February 23. All students in grades 3-12 are expected to take the Panorama Student Survey. The purpose of the survey is to collect data on student perceptions of the school climate and address student needs. Please read more about the survey in the Panorama Student Survey Family Letter.
Neighborhood Safety
If you are driving and/or parking on a community street near Sierra, please be sure that you are following traffic laws and aware of all students. Many of our families choose to bypass hug-n-go or the parking lot and use a surrounding street for drop off and/or parking. Although the streets are not Sierra's jurisdiction, we still want to ensure all our students, families, and community members are safe.
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
YEARBOOK
The yearbook needs your pictures...first day, Field Day, Halloween, concerts, etc. To be included, photos need to be submitted by March 1st.
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Lifetouch Invitation code is: sierraelementaryarvadaco-24
PTA PARTICULARS
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