SIERRA SCOOP
October 16, 2026
Sierra will be launching a new communication platform called ParentSquare on Monday, November 9 to help us keep you better informed and more connected with our school community.
With ParentSquare, you’ll receive school and classroom messages in one place (we will still be using email for individual and small group communication) and translated into your preferred language—whether by email, text, app or web. You’ll also be able to:
Stay up to date on news and events
Send and receive messages with teachers and staff
View calendar items and photos from your school
And more!
All school, grade-level and classroom communications will come through ParentSquare starting on November 9.
To get the most out of ParentSquare, we encourage you to activate your account and download the free mobile app, available for iOS or Android. You can also access ParentSquare from your web browser. Please note: you do not need to set up an account to receive emails, texts, or phone calls from our school.
To learn more about ParentSquare and how to get started, visit Jeffco’s ParentSquare webpage. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your student’s success.
Have a super weekend 😀
Jeffco conducts an annual district-wide school culture survey; Jeffco Listens, for students, families, and staff. Results from these surveys provide valuable feedback that helps schools and the district continue the positive work while identifying and addressing areas of needed support as specified in Jeffco’s district and school unified improvement plan goals. The Family Survey is open now (October 1st-30th), and the student and staff surveys will come later in the school year.
We value input from our families to help guide our continuous growth. You can read more about the survey here. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to help Sierra be the best school we can be. Last year we had 153 responses; goal for this year is at least 160. So far, we only have 75 responses. Thank you for your continued partnership!
Good Afternoon YMCA Families,
I am following up regarding previous communication about our YMCA Before (MORNING) Care program at Sierra Elementary.
Unfortunately, enrollment has remained below the minimum needed to sustain the program. As a result, the Sierra YMCA Before (MORNING)Care program will be closing effective November 1, 2026. Our final date of Before Care will be Friday, October 30, 2026.
We appreciate your understanding as we finalize this transition.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Jon or I directly.
Thank you,
Lennon Wolfe
Senior Manager, Out of School Time & Camps
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DENVER
2625 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO. 80222
(P) 303 390 0807
(E) lwolfe@denverymca.org
The Y: We are for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility
LEGO Club Fall Sessions
Fall Session 2 Oct 27 - Dec 15 (K-1) Register Here
Fall Session 2 Oct 28 - Dec 16 (2-5) Register Here
Attention all Sierra Scientists! This year’s Science Fair will take place on Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th.
Judging is based on three age groups: grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Entries can be experiments (students will conduct experiments to TEST a concept) or demonstration/simulations (students make a project to EXPLAIN a concept). Prizes will be given to the top 3 winners in each category. Partner projects (no more than 2 students per project) are allowed, but must be within the same age group.
Participating students will meet with a judge for 10 minutes during the school day on Thursday, November 12.
We will have an optional Community Night on Thursday, November 12th from 5:00 – 6:30pm with awards being passed out at 6:00pm. Students do not need to be present to win an award.
Classes will tour the projects during the school day on Friday, November 13th, and projects will go home with students after school that day.
**You must register by Monday, October 19th to receive a t-shirt!**
Please sign up using the following link: https://bit.ly/SierraScienceFair26
Please contact Kaela Lazek with any questions.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The Sierra Library is having a Pumpking Decorating Contest, with the theme of Book Characters!
Contest Rules
You may use pumpkins or gourds to create your project. Fake pumpkins/gourds are okay. Pumpkins should be decorated, NOT CARVED. No carved pumpkins will be allowed in the library.
Pumpkins should be no larger than 36 inches in circumference.
To decorate, you can use paper, glue, paint, or any other craft items on the pumpkin. Be creative!
Projects must represent a character from a book appropriate for elementary school students (no TV or movie characters that haven’t been in a book!).
An entry form must be turned in with the pumpkin. Participation is voluntary. The project can be done independently by the student or as a family project.
Entries may be dropped off at the library anytime on Friday, October 23rd or on the morning of Monday, October 26th to be included in our voting.
Pumpkins will be displayed in the library Oct 26 - 30. All pumpkins must be taken home after school on Friday, Oct 30 or by Monday, Nov 2. Any pumpkins left after November 2 will be thrown away.
Students and staff will vote for their favorite pumpkin throughout the week.
Christi Cassady- 5th grade teacher
Hello! I am Mrs. Cassady. I have had the pleasure of teaching at Sierra for the last 20 years. I've been a teacher in JeffCo for 26 years. Each student I've taught has had an impact on my life. I feel very lucky to be part of such a great community! In my free time I enjoy gardening, walking, and spending time with my 3 children. My favorite place is the beach and I look forward to moving there in the future.
Shelly Peterson- SSN para
Hi, I’m Ms. Shelly. I’m an SSN paraeducator. I love spending time outdoors, gardening, and being with my family. I’m excited to be part of the school community and really enjoy supporting and working with our students!
Nicole Fischer- Learning Specialist
Hey Sabertooth community! My name is Nicole Fischer, and I'm SO excited to be back for my 2nd year at Sierra! I'm part of the Special Education team in the role of Learning Specialist, and have served in various support and instructional roles in Jeffco for the past 14 years. I absolutely LOVE helping kids feel a deep sense of belonging and ownership, so that they can embrace and utilize their unique strengths, face any challenge that comes their way, and grow as learners and as people.
When I'm not at school, I spend most of my time with my family, and my 2 dogs and 13 chickens. I love gardening, camping, fishing, playing disc golf, and reading. Can't wait to get to know all of you better this year. See you soon!
October 21- RV Area Choral Festival
October 30- ROAR Day (Monster Mash) and Halloween party
November 3- 3rd grade musical (check the calendar)
November 4- 4th grade musical (check the calendar)
November 12- Picture retakes
November 12 and 13- Science Fair
November 13- End of 1st trimester
November 17- PTA (5:00pm) and Sierra Family Community Council (5:30pm); both in the library and virtual
November 20- ROAR Day (Candyland) and report cards go home
November 23-27- NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break
December 1- Vision and hearing
December 3- Lockdown drill (more info to come)
December 4- Modified Contact day (more info to come)
Please ensure that you read through the Sierra Student-Family Handbook for additional school information.
Halloween Info
Our Halloween parties are quickly approaching, Friday, 10/30. Our parade will start at 1:20pm in the courtyard (weather pending). Following the parade, families are welcome to join us for parties 1:45-2:30 (please be sure to sign in and put on a visitor sticker from the tables by the bike rack prior to entering the building). Room parents (via teachers) will be sending out more information with party details (snacks, sign-up, decorations, etc).
Guidelines to families:
The following guidelines have been established for students so that we are able to maintain a safe and orderly environment:
Students do not wear costumes to school and will be given time to change
Costumes should be simple for children to put on themselves and allow for easy movement. Students will have about 10 minutes to change into costumes prior to the parade. Consider costumes students can wear over their clothes
Students will go home in costume
Pretend weapons, including, bats, swords, knives, or guns are NOT allowed
Bloody, gory, offensive, violent, or revealing attire is not allowed
Gang related costumes are not allowed
Masks that make it difficult to ID students can only be worn during the parade
Hair coloring and/or minimal face paint/makeup is OK but must be applied quickly and easily due to the limited time students will have to get ready prior to the parade
Aerosol or pump sprays must be left at home
Shoes must be worn with costumes; slippers are ok for parade and parties (no bare feet, skates, etc.)
Costumes may not violate school rules, dress policy, (with the exception of hair color) board policy, or law
Please ensure you read through Jeffco's Student and Family Handbook.
🗓️ Upcoming Events! 🗓️
🛼 Skate Night - Tuesday, Nov. 10th
Join your friends for a fun Skate Night at Skate City Tuesday, Nov. 10th from 6-8 pm. $7 Admission Fee, $5 Skate Rental, $5 Meal Deals. Beat the line and pre-purchase your admissions/rentals. Register Here. We’ll see you on the rink!
🍔 Red Robin Restaurant Night - Thursday, Dec. 17th
Join us at the 52nd & Wadsworth location on Thursday Dec. 17th to support Sierra! Pick up dinner to-go, or dine in and see familiar faces from our community. Every meal helps support our school! More details to come!
♟️Chess Instructor Needed!♟️
Chess Club is a beloved afterschool program, but we need a new Chess Master to keep the tradition going. The previous instructor will pass along the supplies and some tips and tricks to the new instructor. If you are interested in fostering a love of chess in our Sabertooth Tigers, contact Sierra Committees today!
🎨 Reflections! 🎭
It’s that time! This year’s theme is “What my culture means to me”. This program is open to all Sierra students.
Submissions are due November 2. Please remember to fill out both entry forms (PDF and Google form) and email the PDF to the Reflections Committee. Both of these entry forms can be found on Sierra PTA’s Reflections page.
Check out Sierra PTA’s Reflections page for more information about the categories and requirements. Colorado PTA’s Reflections page also has a vast amount of information to help! Questions? Email the Reflections Committee!
Speaking of the committee… we’d love some help! The time commitment will likely be minimal this year, mostly needed in early November to help prepare the submissions to send to the county level art show. If you’re interested, please reach out!
Pick a week to drop off individually wrapped snacks and treats for the Sierra Staff. Snacks needed in November and onwards.
Afternoon volunteers are most needed (2:30-2:45 p.m.)
Help needed on 10/14, 10/15, and 10/19
Happy October, Sierra Families! As we settle into autumn, our Sabertooths are exploring several important observances and learning connections this month:
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Celebrating neurodiversity, ability inclusion, and the unique strengths each student brings to our school community!
Dyslexia Awareness Month: Demystifying reading differences and celebrating all the unique ways our brains process information and learn.
Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct. 12): Honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American communities. In alignment with Colorado Social Studies standards, our classes will learn about the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho nations who originally inhabited the Front Range and Arvada areas.
Halloween & Costume Reminders: As you plan for our end-of-month fall celebrations, please remember that costumes must be school-appropriate, no toy weapons, no violent/gory props, and no full-face masks. Please also keep "culture is not a costume" in mind, so we respect all traditions and identities.
We look forward to a joyful month of growth and belonging! Ask your Sabertooth what new story or history connection they explored this week!
If you'd like to read more about what students were doing in Library, Art, Music, and PE this past month, please check out our September Newsletter!
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/sierraesarvada/