Shark News

WELCOME BACK EDITION August 2, 2022

Message from Principal Westberg

Dearest Sierra Shark Families,

We are so excited to start the school year with our sharktastic community! We have missed you and our students so much and can't wait to see what we can all accomplish together this year, while having a great time doing it!

Here is all the information you need to get off on the right foot for a successful year!

SPECIAL EVENT: Meet The Teacher, Tuesday, August 9th

Students and families are invited to Sierra at 11:00 or 11:30 to meet their teacher and take a peek into their classroom!
To make this event as efficient and safe as possible, we have two waves scheduled below to help alleviate impact on parking and our wonderful Sierra neighbors.

Last names starting with A-L are encouraged to come between 11 - 11:20.
Last names starting with M-Z are encouraged to come between 11:30-11:50.

Parents must supervise their children at all times.
The intent of this OPTIONAL event is for students to find their class, and meet their teacher. The intent is NOT to have individual conversations about children’s needs, catch up on summer vacations, discuss the health guidelines, etc.
Feel free to come to the school and look around after hours or over the weekend to get your child acclimated to the school. Teacher/Room Numbers Map of Sierra

Who is my child’s teacher?

Teacher assignments can be viewed in the Aeries Parent Portal starting Friday, August 5th, at 5:00 p.m.
FAQ: “It’s after 5 pm on Friday, August 5th, and I can’t see my child’s teacher in the parent portal. What’s wrong?” This means you have not completed your shark’s data confirmation in Aeries (see July 29th email from “Rocklin Unified School District” with “Data Confirmation” in the subject line).

Which parking lot do I use for drop-off/pick-up of my shark?

Be sure to talk through or physically show your student how to get to his/her classroom from where you will drop off and where they will meet you for pick-up/walk home after school, according to the parking lot procedures.

What are the school policies and procedures?

(Please particularly note the updated RUSD dress code, pg. 23).

What school supplies are suggested for my shark?

May parents/guardians come onto campus beyond the front office during regular school hours?

Not without a previously scheduled appointment or arrangement with your child’s teacher, or unless you are an approved and cleared RUSD volunteer and have made arrangements to volunteer with a staff member. As part of RUSD’s focus on the priority of student safety, we will continue to allow ONLY students and staff on campus during school hours. This means we will continue the tradition of parents dropping off/picking up their students at the perimeter of campus by foot or car. Parents on foot typically gather near the front office if their child is in K-2nd grade, and at the bus loop. Our sharks and Sierra parents/guardians have implemented this beautifully the last two years.

When will I hear from my child’s teacher?

Teachers will send communications to the families in their classrooms before the first day of school.

When are school breaks, minimum days, special events, etc?

What is the new bell schedule?

It is my pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to our school! On behalf of the Sierra staff, we look forward to partnering with you in the special endeavor of your children’s education.

Warmly,

Amy Westberg, Principal

PTC Corner

Welcome back Sierra families! It was great seeing new and old shark families at meet the teacher on Tuesday and meet the PTC on the first day of school. We are looking forward to a great year supporting our amazing Sierra community and having lots of fun along the way. Be sure to check this section of the weekly email and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

VOLUNTEER OPENINGS

(1) Co-Treasurer: Join the PTC Board as our co-Treasurer. We are looking for someone with a financial/accounting background.

(2) FUNd Run Chair: Planning is in full swing for the September 23 FUNd Run – volunteer to lead the effort (you will have lots of help and support from the Board). The time commitment is around 1-2 hours/week. Fundraising from this event finances Sierra’s Spanish program (for all grades).

Contact us for more information on these and other volunteer opportunities.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

9/14: PTC general meeting, 6:00pm via Zoom (meeting id: 871 0135 9489, pw: sharks).

9/23: FUNd Run

10/28: Family Fall Carnival

Have a great weekend,

Your Sierra PTC

Sierra's 2022-23 Staff A.K.A. DREAM TEAM!

We are thrilled to welcome the following staff members to Sierra and we know you'll join us in giving them a very warm welcome to our incredible community! Click here for the list of our entire staff:

Kali Hetrick, joining Mr. Patten and Mrs. Dodge on Team 6th grade!
Alexandria Hetrick, returning to the Rocklin area, coming from Butte County Office of Education, STP 1st-3rd Grade Teacher, Room 25!
Danielle Oakes, new to Rocklin, coming from Poway USD, and Sierra parent of a 2nd grader, STP TK/K Teacher, Room 26!
Tracy Baker, Sierra parent to 6th Grader - TK/K STP Instructional Assistant (IA)!
Jordan Bucher, coming from EUSD - TK/K STP IA!
Rachel Wardley, coming from Rock Creek! - TK/K STP IA!
Devony Canlas, RUSD parent - 1st-3rd STP IA!
Karla Gray, transferring from Antelope Creek - 1st-3rd STP IA!
Kirsten Garcia, coming from EUSD - 1st-3rd STP IA!
Lia Hoover, returning employee to Sierra and former Sierra parent - Gen Ed IA!
Janelle Santora, returning to us from Hillsborough City SD - 4th Grade Teacher!
Nina Reyes, coming from Belmont-Redwood Shores ESD - 4th Grade Teacher!
Sarah Phleger - School Counselor coming to us from Colfax Elementary SD!
Savannah Buchman - School Psychologist working with Ms. King and Ms. Grimes!
Lori Staples - Ruhkala and Springview parent, new Child Nutrition Lead from Rocklin Elementary!
Chelsea Williams, coming from Rocklin Academy and joining Mrs. Durbin and Mrs. Shirhall on Team 2nd Grade!
TBD: New Hire for our Spanish Instructor Vacancy! If you know any fluent Spanish speakers who love working with students, have dynamic energy, and want a part-time position, send them our way!

Are you cleared to volunteer or chaperone a field trip?

To ensure compliance with RUSD and the state of California's volunteer policies, parents who wish to volunteer on campus during the school day must have:

RUSD Policy:

Fingerprinting completed for RUSD specifically. Prior fingerprinting done for any agency or organization other than RUSD will not be accepted. Fingerprinting takes approximately 72 hours to clear.
Current Tuberculosis Test (TB). TB tests expire every 4 years and must be renewed in order to volunteer. TB Tests take approximately 48-72 hours for results and results must be brought to the office.

State of California Policy:

Vaccination status or proof of a current negative COVID test uploaded to the link included in the email from Informed K12. If you have not received this email, please let the office know. Details about this are included in the Informed K12 email.

To check your volunteer status, please call the office or email our Secretary, Kimberly Ervin, at kervin@rocklinusd.org.