Sierra School Scoop

Hello Sierra Families,

Students and staff had a great time this week celebrating Valentine's Day and National Random Acts of Kindness Day! There were so many sweet notes, and acts of kindness occurring around campus throughout the week.

As a reminder, if you have a planned absence, longer than 3 days, we offer an Independent Study option. Our office requires a 2-week notification prior to the planned absence in order to allow the contract to be put together, and give the teacher ample time to put together meaningful work for your child while they are out. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Have a great 4-day weekend,

Reagan Phillips

Each year, parents have the ability to request a school choice change within our district. The following link can be accessed to complete this form: https://forms.gle/e7e3xScXxJKNEPjT7

This would only be filled out IF you wish to have your child attend Schnell instead of Sierra for the 2023-2024 school year. Questions? Please call our office and ask.

Thank you!

Monday, 2/20

• Feb. 20: NO SCHOOL; President's Day

Tuesday, 2/21

• Guitar Club, 3:00pm

Wednesday, 2/22

• Math Games Club, 3:00pm

Thursday, 2/23

• Drama Club, 3:00pm

Friday, 2/24

• Spirit Day - Wear Sparky Gear or School Colors
• Morning Stretch - 9 am
• Dragon-TASTIC Assemblies (Grade 3-5: 2:00-2:20; Grades TK-2 2:30-2:50)

Donations appreciated: Our clothing closet needs more children size 3T through 7/8. Winter or summer wear in great shape. Please bring donations to the school office, the Family Resource Center, or outside of the Clothing Closet for drop off. Thank you!

• Mar. 2: Spring Enrichment Class Registration Deadline
• Mar. 2: Dr. Seuss's Birthday - Read Across America Day
• Mar. 2: Team Sierra Meeting , 6:00pm @ Roundtable Pizza on Missouri Flat Road
• Mar. 3: Right Start
• Mar. 3: Sparky Store
• Mar. 3 through Mar. 24: Read-A-Thon
• Mar. 8: Board Meeting
• Mar. 9: Minimum Day - 12:25 Dismissal
• Mar. 14: Talent Show Try-Outs (Gr. K-2), 3:15-4:00 pm
• Mar. 17: 4th Grade - Wagon's Ho! Gold Rush Experience
• Mar. 22: Oral Interpretation Festival
• Mar. 23: Talent Show Dress Rehearsal
• Mar. 24: Talent Show
• Mar. 30: Team Sierra Meeting, 3:30pm @ Sierra
• Mar. 31: Dragon-Tastic Assembly
• April 3-7: Spring Recess - NO SCHOOL
• April 13: New Panther Orientation @ Markham (Dinner at 5:00pm, Presentation at 6:00pm.)
• April 14: Sparky Store
• April 19: Board Meeting
• May 2-5: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
• May 5: Right Start
• May 4: Team Sierra Meeting, 6pm @ Roundtable Pizza on Missouri Flat Road
• May 9: 3rd Grade - FARM DAY
• May 12: Dragon-Tastic Assembly
• May 17: Board Meeting
• May 18: Open House, 5:30pm – 7pm
  
• May 19: Sparky Store
• May 23: 1st Grade - American River Conservancy
• May 25: 2/3 Grade Field Trip to CP Pool
• May 26: LAST DAY OF CLASSES/ Min Day

Hello Dragons!

We have now completed our second week of the California Young Reader Medal. Our second nominee was Dozens of Doughnuts written by Carrie Finison and illustrated by Brianne Farley. Our clue for this story was a couple of doughnuts stacked up. This sweet story ties into National Kindness Day, about a sweet bear named LouAnn that was preparing a dozens of doughnuts to eat before she hibernated for winter. Every time she prepared a dozen to eat, someone rang her doorbell. Eventually LouAnn fed all in her neighborhood but ran out of supplies before she could eat any. Poor LouAnn was upset and hungry but her friends realized how kind she was to all of them and brought all the supplies to make her dozens of doughnuts to enjoy. Kindness is repaid with kindness. We have three more stories before we vote, I can’t wait to see what we pick as the favorite! Remember, good things happen when you read!

Miss Dora

(530) 622-0814 x7636

dgervaise@pusdk8.us

Greetings Dragontastic families,

In light of the senseless violence we have experienced in our nation, I would like to share a precious book called, The Ant HIll Disaster as well as some tools for communicating with your children about violence or disasters in order to help them feel more safe and equipped to navigate events on their own someday. As the author reinforces, YOU are your child’s coping instructor! This story thoughtfully addresses fears associated with both natural and manmade disasters and models excellent parenting responses to help assure children that through love, empathetic understanding, preparedness and effective communication they can stand strong together, even in the midst of uncontrollable events.

Helping kids cope with disasters and violence~ Tips by Julia Cook

• Remain calm and reassuring, create an environment where children will feel comfortable asking questions

• Always answer a child’s questions truthfully with simple answers. You don’t need to go into more detail than necessary and making up facts or even lying to them can ultimately confuse them, especially if they ever find out the truth about what happened and may struggle with trusting you in the future.

• You may be asked to repeat your answers several times. Be consistent in your reply, and realize that your repetitive answers are reassuring your child’s “need to know” and building upon their sense of security

• Children often feel out of control when disasters occur. Keeping with a familiar routine is very important when trying to reestablish the security of feeling in control

• If your child asks a question that you do not know the answer to, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”

• Acknowledge and normalize your child’s thoughts, feelings and reactions. Help children understand why they feel this way

• Encourage kids to talk about disaster related events on their terms but never force a child to talk about an incident until they are ready

• Rassure your child that many people out there are helping those who are hurting. You may want to let your child make a card for someone who is suffering. Giving to those in need of support allows a child to feel like he/she can make a difference in helping with a terrible situation

• Keep your child away from watching news stations and listening to radio where the disaster is being discussed and replayed. Sensationalizing the events that have occurred will only upset and confuse your child further

• Promote positive coping and problem solving skills. Remember, you are your child’s coping instructor. Your children take note of how you respond to local and national events. They also might be listening to every word you say when you discuss these event with other adults

• Emphasize children’s resiliency. Fortunately, most children even those who are exposed to trauma, are quite resilient

• Children who are preoccupied with questions and concerns about safety should be evaluated by a mental health professional. If your child suffers from sleep disturbances, anxiety, recurring fears about death or severe separation anxiety from parents, contact your school counselor or pediatrician

• Strengthen friendship and peer support and foster supportive relationships. There is STRENGTH in numbers!

• Advanced preparation and immediate response will help with healing and coping. All schools have safety plans in place that are continually being evaluated and updated. Explain to your child that this is a GOOD thing

• And always remember, you are your child’s coping instructor! I appreciate you!

♥️Miss Alissa

(530) 622-0814 x7512

ainks@pusdk8.us

Valentine’s week was a challenge for students. The end of the trimester is closing in. A reminder that students start with a three in both participation and sportsmanship. During the entire trimester I have each student ten times. Because of the small sample size it is essential that students put effort in and are respectful and kind at every class. We will be on the black top this week.

Primary students will be doing boot camp stretches and activities with jump ropes. Students will learn how to jump over a rope while swinging it themselves and also different levels of Mr. Snake (the jump rope) moving around for them to jump over. This week I added jumping while moving. They will also be playing fishy fishy and red light green light. We will continue to do warm ups and stretch head to toe.

Third to fifth grade students will be doing boot camp activities, 20 meter pacer, and basketball skills. Students will be doing jump rope relays and individual jumping. They will also do a set of basketball skills and rules each week. Added this week will be basketball shooting. Students will also do relays, warm-ups and stretch head to toe.

Any Questions Please Email or Call,

Coach Hammer

622-6244 ext. 6511 or rhammer@pusdk8.us

Due to the limited number of chili contestants, we have decided to cancel this years Chili & Bingo Night next Friday, 2/24.

We hope to see you at our next TEAM meeting Thursday, March 2, 6 pm at Round Table Pizza on Missouri Flat Road.

Upcoming meetings:

3/2 - 6 pm at Round Table on Missouri Flat

3/30 - 3:30pm at lunch tables

5/4 - 6 pm at Round Table on Missouri Flat

-TEAM Sierra

Sparky Gear is available for purchase through our online store.

Online Store: https://sierraschoolsparky.square.site/

FREE CLOTHING & GROCERIES - Visit the PUSD Family Resource Center/Clothing Closet on Wednesday, February 22 from 12-4 on the Schnell school campus for produce and gently used clothing. FREE DIAPERS will be available from 2:30-4pm!

This event is for students and families of Placerville Union School District.

ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN A TEMPORARY LIVING ARRANGEMENT? – If you had to move out of your home and move in with others, a hotel or other temporary residence due to something urgent, please contact me to see if your child qualifies for my program.

Kim Kahn, Family Resource Center/After School Enrichment Director

530-622-6244 ext. 6614

kkahn@pusdk8.us

Email: rphillips@pusdk8.us
Website: https://www.pusdk8.us/o/sierra
Location: 1100 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA, USA
Phone: (530) 622-0814
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlacervilleSierraSchool/