Sierra Elementary School

I was previously a teacher at this school and it was one of the best schools I had been at. The administration was supportive and provided facilities that were adequate for learning. The teachers here really love the students and care about the kids.
--Submitted by a teacher

this is the badest school ever and needs to be shut down for good or they need to fix all these problems

Sierra PTA may have over 350 members but most were handed to us by AVCC and that membership number does not reflect the actual number of PTA volunteers. Only eight to ten parents consistently show up to help the PTA in any way and they, like the teachers, are getting burnt out. Parent support is a major key to student success - please step up and volunteer at your child's school!
--Submitted by a teacher

I'm a mom of two boys at Sierra. One in kinder and one in 3rd. My kids are learning so much, so fast. Its hard to believe they can learn anything in the size class rooms there in. So I want to thank all the Teachers for all the great work. My son scored advance on the state testing. He also had Honor Roll last year. Thanks again
--Submitted by a parent

i find the PTA and 'mums matter etc are a perfect example of what parents should be doing to get involved in their kids school to make it better but the teachers seem burnt out and unenthusiastic, with participation verging on nothing, zero. My son is having issues with possible add, he is being tested. But there seems nothing that the school can offer under so many budget cuts.where art music drama p.e. and field trips are treated as a privelige and cut out of the curriclium as we suffer more and more budget cuts. Sierra students, were offered the chance to get extra tutoring by the school district but there were over 200 extra applications that were not able to be offered tutoring as the money ran out.my sons included. this is unfair and does not resolve the issue. I want to be proud of my sons school?
--Submitted by a parent

I submitted the review dated Feb. 22, 2007. My son has had academic achievement every year as well as student of the month despite the failing curriculum. If you don't agree, look at the test scores. As I stated, if children aren't doing well in school, it is most-likely due to a lack of parental involvement. However, just because our son is doing well does not mean that this curiculum is adequately preparing him for the future. One page of homework per night? Only one project/report in the last 3 years? We have to find community essay contests and such just to show him what to expect in middle school. I'm tired of hearing about parent involvement. The PTA is over 350 members strong. Now the curiculum needs to match the parental involvement and let's start expecting excellence and prepare these students for beyond elementary school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school works hard for what they have. There is parent participation everywhere. The cirriculum needs to be revamped, to help test scores, yet the most teachers really do care. The administration is decent. The grounds are kept clean. The school is in need of a better, more up to date library. PTA is active, helpful and available to any parent. Overall I am happy with this school and what it can offer.
--Submitted by a parent

Sierra Elementary has come a long way, they have increased efforts for parent involvement and introduced new curriculum to the benefit of the children. Parents are welcome to participate, and your voice will be heard. Our school PTA may be small but our effort, goals and achievements really show the dedicated support of parents and staff. This schools potential in the coming years is great. There is a team spirit among staff, parents and community that will benefit our children in this school. If you want a school where you can participate, be involved, and where parents and staff help all children, this is the one. The best lessons we can pass on to our children are the ones we teach them by example. The children of Sierra Elementary are exposed to many caring, loving, involved, and active people, looking for the best interest of the child.
--Submitted by Laurie Birdwell, a parent

As a teacher at Sierra and former PTA president, I take great offense to the last review. I was PTA President because parents did not step up - however, we now have parents running all levels of the PTA and have held a carnival, and provided dinner at Back to School and Open House as well as at PTA meetings. Our students get rewards for good behavior and I for one have not seen any fights this year. To the negative parent, if you do not like it - Get Involved! Our teachers are in control of our classes and we welcome community and parent involvement. Sierra is also the only school in the area that provides free books to our students through the RIF program.
--Submitted by Mary Thurston, a teacher

Sierra is very good school with an amazing staff. There are so many activities and programs to help children better them selves and improve their grades. There is very little parent participation and I think that is reflected in their grades and the state scores. Join the pta!
--Submitted by Julia Lopez, a parent