Sierra Elementary Complex: Up-coming State Testing and Attendance
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Between April 14 and April 25, 2025, we will administer the NM-MSSA Math and ELA assessments to students in grades 3-5 and the NM-ASR Science assessment to students in grade 5. These assessments serve as essential tools for educators and families, providing valuable insight into students’ academic progress and their preparedness for future success in higher education and the workforce.
The assessments are aligned with state-adopted academic standards, reflecting the knowledge and skills expected at each grade level. They are untimed and include the subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Your child’s Individual Score will provide a summary of their performance, offering a snapshot of their progress at the end of the 2024-25 school year. While these assessments are not intended to guide immediate instructional changes, they help us evaluate overall student achievement and ensure we are meeting educational goals.
The Importance of Attendance During Testing
We cannot overstate the importance of students being present for testing days. Regular attendance ensures that we gather the most accurate and complete information about each student's learning progress. Missing test days can result in incomplete data, making it more challenging to assess individual strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, full participation helps us better support all students and refine our instructional strategies.
To set your child up for success, please ensure they:
- Attend school every day during the testing window (April 14 - 25, 2025)
- Arrive on time and well-rested
- And remind them to eat their healthy school breakfast to stay focused
Your support in ensuring strong attendance is greatly appreciated, as it directly contributes to your child’s academic success. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Richard Marquez, Principal
Sierra Elementary Complex
Hey, hey, hey! We cannot believe how close we are to the end of what has been such a great year.
The kindergarten class just continues to surprise us and make a steady increase in their academic performance. In April, we will be practicing breaking down numbers 11-20 as well as counting all the way up to 100! This is the last month that we are we will be adding new red words to our collection, next month we are reviewing everything!
Students have, of course, continued to practice spelling simple words using each letter and their sounds and have become masters at identifying the vowels in each word. As always, we continue to use techniques such as tapping, and word maps each week to encourage the students’ phonemic awareness. There will be lots of fun events coming out in the coming months so keep an eye out for forms and messages on ClassDojo!
We hope you all have been enjoying the warmer weather as much as we have!
Mrs. Reyes
Mrs. Silva
Ms. Gustin
& Mrs.Perez
Hello all! We are coming up on the last few months of school! Please be sure to keep working on your First Grade Sight Word list at home and your weekly spelling words. We have also been working on tens & ones and greater than, less than and equal to in math. 😊
We need:
· Clorox Wipes
· Kleenex
· Hand Soap
Reminders:
· Spelling Words – These are sent home weekly. Be sure to study them!
· Coats – Please send your child with a jacket EVERY DAY! Despite nice weather, it can change.
· End of the Year Insect Presentation Info will be sent home the week of April 7thth.
Important Dates:
· April 21st – NO SCHOOL!
· May 19th – Insect Presentations Begin
· May 26th – No School: Memorial Day
· May 30th – Last Day of School
Hello families! It is so hard to believe that we only have two months left in second grade. Our students have learned so much and made so many gains, we are so proud of them!
In math we are working on Topic 10. This unit involves addition with numbers up to the thousands place. We will learn different strategies such as: mental math, using an open number lines, using models, and place value strategies. Please continue to help your kiddos practice their addition and subtraction fluency facts at home for at least 5-10 minutes a night! This skill is crucial to master in order to add and subtract fluently and be prepared for working with larger numbers.
Some things that we are practicing this month in Reading are: prefixes, using context clues to identify meanings of words when reading, components of grammar, comparing and contrasting stories, and continuing to practice writing complete sentences and paragraphs. It is so important to read to and with your students, even a few minutes each night can make a difference and help give students a love for reading! In science, we have begun a unit on animal habitats and life cycles. Students will eventually be completing reports and researching animals.
Other important info:
- Things we need donated to classrooms: Clorox/Lysol wipes, Kleenex, and classroom snacks.
- Please remind students to wear tennis shoes and appropriate clothes on PE days: Jankowski-Monday, Klein- Tuesday, J. Tolley- Thursday, M. Tolley- Friday
- April 21- No School
- May 9- End of the Year Field Trip to Explora Museum in ABQ
- May 20- Field Day
- May 30- Last Day of School
Hello Families!
For the month of April we will be starting our next reading unit: From Farm to Table. Our classes will build their knowledge about food sources, with a focus on the informational text genre. We will read texts and view videos about how foods reach our tables. Ask your child to read to you each day and make time to read together! We will also review compare and contrast, story elements, theme, and main idea.
In math, we will be reviewing finding area and perimeter, fractions, adding and subtracting within a thousand, and solving word problems with combined operations.
In Science, Our class is learning about weather, climate, and natural hazards. Over the course of this module, students will have the opportunity to investigate weather patterns, weather and seasons, natural hazards and the environment, and prepare for natural hazards. April 9th we will start Egg to Chick with Sierra Sol Conservation. Stay tuned for some exciting news from the classroom!
We will also start state testing April 14. Please make sure your students are rested and in attendance that week! Thank you for all you do to help your child's success!
3rd grade Teachers
Dear Parents and Students,
We are moving through the final stretch of the school year and there’s a lot happening in our 4th grade classrooms! We want to update you on our current focus in math and reading, as well as share some important upcoming events.
Math Focus: Geometry, Measurement, and Fractions
In math, we’re wrapping up our study of fractions and are now focusing on geometry and measurement. We are learning about different shapes, their properties, and how to measure things like length, area, and angles. It’s been a fun time exploring these concepts through hands-on activities and problem-solving challenges! To make sure we’re ready for the upcoming state testing, we will also be reviewing content we’ve learned earlier this year. This review will help us feel confident and prepared when testing begins on April 14th .
Reading Focus: Greek Mythology and Allusions
In reading, we’re diving into the fascinating world of Greek mythology! We are learning about famous myths, such as the stories of Achilles, Hercules, and Pandora. These stories are exciting and full of adventure, and we’re also discovering how these ancient tales are connected to many words and phrases we use today. Have you ever heard someone say “Pandora’s box” or “Herculean task”? These are examples of allusions—references to Greek myths that are used in everyday language! Ask your child(ren) about this!
Upcoming Events
- NMSSA Testing: April 14-18
Our state testing will begin on April 14 and continue through April 18. Attendance during this time is super important! Students who are present and on time for each session of testing will get to celebrate their Herculean tasks with a sundae party once testing is completed. Let’s make sure our students are ready to do their best! - Ag Day: April 25
On April 25, we will be celebrating Ag Day! This fun event will give students the chance to learn more about agriculture and how it affects our daily lives. - Coming Soon: Albuquerque Zoo Field trip, Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Wish List
Kleenex
Snacks for the classroom
Headphones
We are excited to finish the year strong and appreciate your support in making sure our students stay focused and prepared. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you!
The 4th Grade Team
We hope you are well, and are enjoying the warmer weather!
We are furiously working to prepare our students for upcoming testing.
In math, we will be focusing on measurement, order of operations, and reviewing for testing.
In reading, we just finished our novel study, we will be jumping back into our HMH reading curriculum with units on science and social studies connections.
In Science, we are focusing on Earth and space patterns, as well as preparing and reviewing for upcoming state testing.
State Testing is quickly approaching. We understand that schedules can be busy, and we appreciate your support in making sure your child is here at school. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please feel free to reach out.
Important Dates for 5th Grade
4/14-18- NM-MSSA Testing
4/21- No School- April Break
4/22-25 NM ASR Test
4/25 Ag Day
5/12- Middle School Tour 9-11 am
5/15- Explora Field Trip
5/19- Seniors Walk the Hall
5/19-23 IXL End of Year Testing
5/22- Field Day
5/28- 5th Grade Promotion
In the circumstances any dates or times change, we will notify you. Thank you!
5th Grade Teachers
For the month of April, PE will be moving to the sports of baseball and kickball. Please send your child with appropriate footwear on their PE day of the week. Also, if your child has any sort of injury or sickness that may prevent them from participating, please send a note and I will excuse them from PE. Without a note, their grade will be significantly reduced for lack of participation.Thanks for all your help, have a wonderful month!
Coach Brownfield
Hi Families!
April 2025
Happy Spring!
All students did a great job creating self-portraits for Square 1 Art. Packets went home with students last week. Square 1 Art is a fundraiser. Students got free stickers with their self-portrait on them. Families have the opportunity to buy merchandise emblazoned with their child’s art. It’s so fun for students to see their art printed on stickers! The order deadline is April 15th. All proceeds benefit the school.
In these last nine weeks, students will work with collage, sculpture, printmaking, and painting. Fifth graders will be working with analog photography. Right now, kids are using model magic clay in order to create tiny sculptures. Check out some great examples of student work below!
As always, please reach out with questions or concerns or ideas. We welcome your input about current and future art projects!
Be well,
Thea Storz
Rhonda Nickles
Art Supplies to have at home:
Crayons, markers, glue, scissors, watercolor paints, paper, modeling clay, model magic clay.
Fun art websites:
Hello from music!
For the month of April we will be learning about different genres of music. Grades 3-5 just learned about Hip-Hop and got to create their own hip-hop rhythm using the website incredibox.com. We will also begin rehearsing for end of the year programs! More details to follow with specific grade level performances and dates.
Thank you!
-Abby Harrison
Bookshelf Bulletin with Mrs. Q
Hello TCES families! Happy Spring!
This month we will be having our BOGO Book Fair April 14-18. Please keep an eye out for flyers to be going home. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the school office and they will let me know.
I recently sent home letters if your student had any overdue books. Please look for and get them returned as soon as possible. If you cannot locate them, a payment will need to be made. The price for the books should be on the letter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Don't forget to read to/with your students at home to help nurture their love of reading.
April showers bring May flowers!
In the Save the Children classroom students have been practicing their skill-building through sound blending, sound segmenting, word work, and connected texts. Every other week we work on our skill building. In between those weeks we do a group read aloud. Each skill and book selected are chosen to cater to each grade level accordingly.
Don’t forget, Save the Children has a Family Suggestion box at the front of our TCES office. This can be used for suggestions about field trips, family activities that you would like to see happen in our Elementary School, ways to help all students feel comfortable coming to school. Any idea is welcome! It takes a village; our children are worth it!
Mary Reuland
mreuland@torcschools.net