Need to Know Info
- School Day Information
- Getting to Sierra & Leaving Sierra
- Expectations for Students
- Devices & Supplies
- Security, Visitors, Forgotten Student Items
- School & Home Partnership
- Getting Involved
- Nutrition Services
- Chap Family
School Day Information
School starts @ 7:30 am
School ends @ 2:45 pm
Important Links:
Daily Bell Schedule Linked Here
The building opens for students at 6:30 am
All students report to the gym, cafeteria, or library when they arrive. It is their choice where to go, but they MUST stay in that spot until the bell rings.
Students meeting with a teacher before school, must have a signed pass from the teacher.
The first bell rings at 7:25 am and students are released from the gym, cafeteria, and library.
Students are considered tardy if they are not in class when the bell rings.
All students will exit the building at the end of the day.
Students are expected to be out of the building unless they are supervised by a staff member for after school athletics or activities.
Getting to Sierra & Leaving Sierra
Drop Off & Pick Up
In an effort to keep our community roads clear, keep vehicles moving, and maximize safety, students being dropped off before school and picked up after school will use the side door by accessing the back (north) parking lot.
Prior to 7:00 am students will use the main entrance to enter the building. After 3:00 pm students should wait outside the main entrance for their ride.
Arriving Late & Leaving Early
Arriving Late - Students will ring the bell to the right of the main doors and sign with the attendance window before proceeding to class.
Leaving Early - Parents/Guardians need to ring the bell to the right of the main doors to enter the building. They will report to the attendance window and verify their identification with their driver’s license in order to pick up their student.
- Please allow at least 5-10 minutes for the student to be ready.
- To decrease the wait time, call ahead at 303.387.3802 and let the main office know what time the student will be picked up. A pass will be sent so they can be ready to leave at the requested time.
Attendance & Tardies
Call the attendance line at 303.387.3802 to report student absences. Students are responsible for connecting with their teachers in a timely manner about missed work and checking Google Classroom for assignments. Unreported absences will be unexcused until parent/guardian contact the attendance office.
Students are considered TARDY if they are not in class when the bell rings at the start of each period. Being to class on time is a skill we work to develop with our students and holding them accountable to those behaviors helps build that skill. Check out our tardy policy here.
- District daily bus service is provided to and from schools depending on the distance from the school.
- Bus drop off and pick up at Sierra is at the front of the school by the main entrance.
- Parents/guardians should look at the DCSD Transportation website for more specific information about transportation. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the different areas of information.
Expectations for Students
SMS takes the approach of supporting students in building skills that we believe are essential to develop during this time in life. Our SOAR policies and behavior expectations align with specific skills and safety is also a top priority at SMS. Click on the links to each policy or expectation area to learn more.
Student Appearance
- Skill Building Focus
- Decision making
- Safety
SOAR Work Habits
- Skill Building Focus
- Decision making
- Self-management
- Time management
- Prioritization
- Emotional regulation
- Safety
Check out our SOAR expectations here for common areas, the classroom, and restrooms/locker rooms.
Student Appearance
Students are responsible for daily appearance and for what they wear. Students are expected to dress appropriately for school and school events.
- Hoods, hats, sunglasses, and earbuds/headphones are off when inside the building. Bandanas may be worn as a headband only, without covering the head.
- Shoes are required at all times within the building. Footwear must have a hard rubber sole. Soft-soled slippers are not considered shoes.
- Appropriate CONTENT - content that would be considered inappropriate includes: drugs, tobacco/vape, alcohol, discrimination, sex or nudity, violence, weapons, or objectification of others. This includes the Playboy, Cookies, Hooters, and “I Love ____” brands.
- Appropriate COVERAGE - clothing will adequately cover the chest, butt, belly, back, and crotch. Click here for specific coverage information.
- Costumes, costume masks, swimwear, onesie pajamas, pajamas sets, robes, face or body paint are considered inappropriate for school. Spirit days will be the approved days for themed apparel.
Student cell phones should be off and out of sight between 7:30 am - 2:45 pm. Cell phones must be put away during class, passing period, and in the hallways, restrooms, and locker rooms.
Students can access their cell phone during lunch but only in the cafeteria or outside. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they can do so in the main office with their cell phone or the school’s phone.
Earbuds and headphones are to be off and out of sight during the school day. Students may use them during lunch in the cafeteria or outside.
Behavior Support
Everyone makes mistakes and at Sierra we are in the “oops” business. If and when inappropriate actions occur, we will work with students and families to get through those situations.
Our administrators will work with students and staff to resolve situations that are elevated beyond the classroom. Our approach is restorative. We not only address what happened and the result of those actions, but will also work with students to understand what they were thinking and/or feeling, the impact of those actions, and develop a plan on how to move forward productively.
- 7th Grade Assistant Principal - Kathie Marcilliat
- 8th Grade Assistant Principal - Chad McGovern
Students are encouraged to use the bathroom before school, during lunch, in between classes, and after school.
Students are expected to use their student planner as a pass to use the restroom during class.
Bathroom & Locker Room Expectations
- Honor others’ privacy.
- Report anything unusual.
- Stay on task.
- Go straight to class when I am done.
- Keep phones and technology away.
- Be respectful of school property.
Food and drinks are allowed in the cafeteria only. Please finish any food or drinks prior to entering the building in the morning or report directly to the cafeteria to finish the item. Students may not order food for delivery. Students may have water with them during the day in a water bottle. Our building looks very clean despite being built in 1975, and we want to keep it that way; thank you for helping with this.
Devices & Supplies
*Please connect with the main office or a counselor if purchasing a device or school supplies may be a challenge for your family.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Personal Chromebook, laptop, or tablet brought to school everyday, fully charged.
Did you purchase a new device for your student to use at school this year? If so, please ensure a student account is set up on the device so it can connect to the school's WiFi. Directions.
For families unable to provide a device for their students, Sierra Middle School has a limited number of devices to loan for the school year. Device Request Form for parents/guardians.
Borrowed devices must be fully charged and brought to school every day and students must adhere to the school's device contract.
In an effort to support a Bring Your Own Device goal, we have minimized the supply list. Supplies are categorized as highly recommended, required for individual use, or needed donated items. Electives and teams may ask for additional content specific supply items if needed.
All students will be provided with one SMS planner. Students must pay a fee if they need another SMS planner.
*Student Backpacks should contain the following items daily: student ID, writing utensils, paper, charged device with a charger, filled water bottle, their SMS planner, class specific items.
Security, Visitors, Forgotten Student Items
Our doors remain locked at all times during school hours.
Visitors to SMS will need to have their driver’s license to enter the building. You will be screened at security.
- Please use the intercom to the right of the main entrance.
- At SMS for a meeting? Please identify who you are meeting with and at what time.
Forget something at home?
If an item needs to be dropped off for a student:
- Please use the intercom to the right of the main entrance.
- You will be asked to fill out a slip with the student’s name and team.
- We will notify the student of the item and they will need to pick it up at security between classes, at lunch, or after school.
- Items not claimed will be discarded at the end of the week.
Lose something at school? Please check the lost and found located by the drop off/pick up doors near the cafeteria. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of each quarter.
School & Home Partnership
Middle School is an exciting and challenging time. SMS staff are committed to meeting the needs of your student and supporting their overall well-being. Staff work hard to get back to parents/guardians in a timely manner.
We believe that concerns are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible. Therefore, to ensure quick and effective problem solving, please channel concerns involving instruction, classroom behaviors, learning materials, or social situations as follows:
- Direct contact with the teacher, counselor, or staff member closest to the concern by phone or email.
- If still unresolved, contact the appropriate grade level administration for additional assistance.
7th Grade Assistant Principal - Kathie Marcilliat
8th Grade Assistant Principal - Chad McGovern
Principal - Sara Curto
Grades & Infinite Campus
Parents may access student grades and attendance information via the Parent Portal system with Infinite Campus.
Students receive quarter grades and teachers update grades over the course of a quarter.
Grades include categories related to content knowledge and work habits.
- Content knowledge reflects what a student knows, understands, and is able to do related to the academic content of the class.
- Work habits reflect HOW the student is working, their behavior, and participation.
Assignments and assessments are graded using a four point system.
Questions about grades should be directed to the classroom teacher.
Team Assignments & Elective Classes
Student schedules will be released in early August in Infinite Campus. When schedules are released, we are not able to make changes to team assignments because of the complexity of the schedule.
Elective assignments are based on the requests the student makes during the course selection process. We work hard to get students into elective classes they have identified as wanting to take. There are times, due to how the schedule is set up, a student will be placed in an elective class they did not identify. We are not able to make changes to elective classes because of the complexity of the schedule.
3 = 33
The first three weeks of school will focus on teaching, practicing, and reinforcing the procedures and expectations that support student success. Daily lessons will incorporate teaching of expectations and procedures, relationships building, as well as specific academic content.
We will be spending targeted amounts of time from classes and advisory to teach, practice, and reinforce our SOAR expectations so that students clearly understand what it means to be an Eagle.
Our counselors, school psychologist, and school social worker are trained to support students with: academics, personal and social issues, behavior regulation, executive functioning, mental health emergencies, connecting to outside resources for mental health support, conversations with teachers, and small group interventions.
- 7th Grade Last Name: A-K: Tamra Maupin
- 7th Grade Last Name L-Z: Tiffany Anderson
- 8th Grade Last Name A-K: Kelly Stewart
- 8th Grade Last Name L-Z: Rachel Martinez
- School Social Workers: Crystal Smith & Maddie Cravens
- School Psychologist: David Daugherty
- All Health Network On-Site Therapist - Rebecca Bernache
Heathroom & Nursing Services - our school health room is in the main office and available for students who are not feeling well or get injured during the school day. Parents/guardians will be contacted for student pick-up or informed of the student's status, as needed.
Getting Involved
For Students
Athletics & Activities
We encourage all students to get involved at Sierra. We offer various sports through the year as well as activities and clubs. Announcements will be made and communication sent out so students can sign up in My School Bucks to participate.
Eligibility - full policy linked here
- All letter grades in Infinite Campus must reflect passing marks. This means an A, B, or C in all classes, including Advisory.
- One letter grade of D is permissible - two or more Ds or any Is makes a student ineligible.
- Students must not have a behavior incident resulting in a suspension one week prior to competition or event.
- Students must not have a day of truancy one week prior to competition or event.
- Students must be present for half a day of school (arrive by 11:30) in order to participate.
For Families
How to Stay “in the know”...
- Sierra Website
- Google Classroom - each class will have a Google Classroom that students can access and parents request access to.
- X (formally known as Twitter) - follow us @thesierraeagles
- Find Us on Facebook - Sierra Middle School
- Daily Announcements on our website
- Weekly email blasts with information and updates
SMS PTO & School Accountability Committee (SAC)
Get involved with our PTO/SAC and help support Sierra. PTO agenda items include ways to support teachers, programming for students, and raising funds for various projects around the building. SAC agenda items include being involved in the planning and evaluation of the school's instructional program and quality improvement processes.
The SMS PTO was formed during the 22-23 school year and is excited to keep their momentum going this year.
If you are interested in getting involved in the SMS PTO/SAC, please contact Sara Curto, principal or attend an upcoming meeting.
Throughout the Year
Our Sierra community is extremely generous throughout the year when our school is in need. We appreciate volunteers for school events, donations for celebrations, supplies, food for staff during parent teacher conferences, attendance at athletic events and other activities, and the purchase of spirit wear from our business partner Gear Up Threads SMS Apparel. Thank you for getting involved and supporting Sierra Middle School.
Nutrition Services
Reduced Fees
School meals are free for students this year including breakfast. Students will still need to pay for a la carte items.
In order to receive reduced fees, families MUST apply during the Express Check In process. Known as the Free or Reduced Lunch Program (FRL), this program allows certain fees to be waived for families such as activities or class fees, athletic participation, and field trip fees which can add up quickly. Make sure you apply!
Chap Family
Sierra is a proud member of the Chaparral feeder family. We work closely with our feeder elementaries to get to know the needs of our incoming seventh graders and also work collaboratively with the high school to send off prepared eighth graders.
Throughout the year Sierra participates in multiple activities within the Chap Family and we encourage our students and families to show their support and pride during these activities.