Sierra School of Solano County was founded in August of 2007.  Our school is located within the small town of Elmira, California, which is in the rich farmlands of Solano County, located an hour from San Francisco.  Our school is on a 12.5 acre campus which offers views of the snow capped Sierra Mountains.  Our campus is home to several natural species from the area including red headed pheasants, foxes, red tail hawks, turkey vultures, raccoons, and even the occasional coyote. 

In October of 2007, our students founded our annual Harvest festival, which focuses on fun, creativity, and cooperation as our students host and create the festival which is attended and shared by our other Sierra Schools in the area.  Our first traveling sports team, The Sierra Panthers, was formed in 2008 and has since gone on to place in the top positions in the Sac City league in softball, flag football and basketball.  In March 2008, we held our first Panthers’ track invitational which allows local students to compete in a wide variety of track and field events in a safe and supported environment.  In February 2007 Ms. Lane and our students from Room #4 founded our annual Black History Month and Poetry Jam competition and celebration.  This annual event encourages students to learn about various cultures and histories while raising money for charities such as the Red Cross.  In December 2007, our students created their first community helping project which focuses on raising funds and non perishable foods for local Solano County food banks. Since 2007 our students and staff have donated over 2 tons of non perishable foods to local food banks.

From the first moment we at Sierra School have worked with local districts to provide individual and effective strategies to help our students meet and exceed both personal and academic goals.  Our goal is to make lifelong learners who can succeed in both school and society. Our first student graduated high school with full diploma, in December 2007.  Since then many of our students have either graduated from high school or transitioned back to their individual comprehensive schools.  Typically our school has at least 10% of our students in active transition back to their comprehensive school sites; and this year is no different with several students currently working on transition and our largest graduation class to date set to walk in our graduation ceremony in June 2011.

Our students are creative and active in our school activities and environment.  Students come here to learn, work hard, and have fun. At Sierra School of Solano County, our individual motto has always been simple: “we work together, we win together”.  This simple motto has helped our students to make their environment more enriching and challenging while providing support and encouragement for their fellow students.

2011 Sierra of Solano  - Annual Winter Food Drive

The classrooms at Sierra of Solano have been collecting non-perishable food items for the past few weeks, and have been stocking up on such items as:  rice, flour, soup, tomatoes, beans, canned vegetables, etc.
 
Thursday, December 22 was the last day before taking the food to the Vacaville Store House.  Ms. C, and Ms. Jenelle, our spectacular directors, had the students in the classrooms bring the food and place it in the back of Ms. C’s pickup truck, which was filled to the brim.  Yahoo!!!!

Way to Go Sierra Students and Staff

Thanks go to the students and staff who participated in the canned food drive and the winner of the 2011 canned food drive was Room 5.
 
Kudos Goes to the Students and Staff in Room 5

Save the Date

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Sierra School of Solano CountyAnnual Events

October: Harvest Festival- the Harvest Festival is an annual event that takes place the day before our fall recess.  The Harvest Festival is a day of activities and games.  Students from all of the Northern California Sierra Schools attend for the festival.  Students from our school work on producing a menu for the day, building and running our haunted house, decorating and planning for a high school age dance, and creating and managing games.  The focus is on fun and cooperation as students get to meet and hang out with students from different areas in Northern California.

November: Thanksgiving Feast-the Thanksgiving Feast, is a time for students, staff, and family to hang out and get to know each other while enjoying a great meal.  Our annual feast is headed by the talented Mrs. Crear, and she utilizes student help to plan, develop, and produce a healthy and terrific meal.  Family members and friends are encouraged to attend.

December: Multi cultural Festival, Winter Feast, and Student Food Drive- The multi cultural festival requires classrooms to work together on exploring and presenting information about various cultures and events from around the world.  Students create presentations about various cultures of their own choosing.  Presentations may include visual aids and even samplings of various foods from world cultures.  The focus of this event is for student to expand their knowledge of the world we live in and the people who live in other countries. The Winter Feast;  is a time for students to come together with family and staff members and reflect upon the successes and challenges of the first half of the school year.  It is a huge meal that may be accompanied by a graduation ceremony if students complete their required high school courses by the end of first semester. Students work with staff members to develop and produce a menu and decorations for the multipurpose room.  The Student Food Drive; focuses on giving back to our community and those in need.  Students and staff members raise money and non perishable food items to donate to Solano County food banks.

February: Black History Month Celebration and Poetry Slam- the Black History Celebration is a student exhibit that focuses on presentations about prominent individuals in black history.  The celebration includes student researched information about individuals and student created art showcase; that highlights the wonderful art works completed by students in Ms. Lane’s art classes. Poetry Slam is an event that showcases the talent of our students.  Students compete in a talent show for big prizes.  In the past students have created and presented original essays, poetry, and even comedy routines.  Students may also enter dancing or singing acts.  Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

March or April: Spring Fling Week- Spring fling week includes a multitude of fun and athletic events for our students and staff.  Events include: volleyball tournament, three on three basketball tournament, obstacle courses, silly or funny dress up days, a high school spring dance, and a huge BBQ ran by our students.

May: Sierra Panthers Invitational Track Meet- this track meet is for all students attending the Sierra Schools of Northern California.  Students compete in a variety of track and field events in a safe and supportive environment.  Students can earn medals and ribbons and each school competes for an overall prize.  This event ends with a huge BBQ for all students in attendance.

June: End of the Year Celebration- this event focuses on 8th grade and high school graduation. Students are celebrated for their achievements throughout the school year.  Students who have displayed exceptional behavior and growth in academics may be nominated for school awards. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. This event ends with a wonderful luncheon put on by Sierra Staff.
*For an updated list of exact dates for our annual events please check our events calendar.

New

Sierra of Solano Receives Grant

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Sierra’s 3rd Multi-Cultural Festival - December 23, 2011

Sierra’s 3rd Annual Multi-Cultural event was held on Friday, December 23, 2011.
 
The classrooms participated in representing several different countries, which included:  Room 2 – Somalia, Room 3 – Africa, Room 5 – Canada, Room 6 – Singapore, and Room 8 – Germany.  During the week, the students and staff spent a lot of time preparing their exhibits (e.g,, creating poster boards, writing articles about their country, printing pictures, food, etc.)  On Friday, the students and staff spent the morning setting up their exhibits with their poster boards, displaying clothing, artifacts, and food tasting.  Mr. Rich and students from Room 8, prepared a German lunch for students and staff consisting of different kinds of bratwurst, potatoes, and salad.  Congratulations to everyone for doing a fabulous job representing their countries.

Congratulations to Room 2 – Who Were the Winners – Way to Go
Canned Food Drive – the classrooms participated in collecting canned food, beans, flour, rice, etc., for our yearly food drive which was delivered to the Vacaville Store House. 

Kudos goes to Room 5 for having the most food to contribute to our food drive

October Newsletter

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Sierra School Gardens

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June 2011 Newsletter

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Western Connection

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Regional Newsletter

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2011 Sierra’s Spring Week

Sierra’s 2011 Spring Week started off with a bang and many activities were scheduled for the week.  To start off: 

Tuesday, April 12

Obstacle Course

The students participated in an obstacle course which consisted of: 

•    Jumping Rope
•    Bunny Hops through Ladder
•    Ball Dribbling
•    Running Backwards, and
•    Running Forward to the end of the obstacle course

All of the students did a fabulous job working their way around the obstacle course and the following students were winners:

•    First Place – Earl  – Room 5
•    Second Place – Kelsey – Room 8, and
•    Third Place – Gabe – Room 8
Congratulations to Earl, Kelsey and Gabe

Water Balloon Toss

The second event of the day was the water balloon toss.  Students and staff threw water balloons to each other with the object being to not let the water balloon pop.  Both students and staff participated in the water balloon toss and it was really exciting to see which student or staff would be getting wet when the water balloon popped. 
Congratulations to the Winners - Chris and Traci from Room 5

Pie Eating Contest

The third event of the day was the pie eating contest.  Each student received a pie plate full of whip cream and they had to find the ticket (without using their hands) and place the ticket in their mouth.  The first student who came up with the ticket was the first round winner. 

After the first round, the students who won the first round competed in the final round.  Students delved into their pie plates full of scrumptious whip cream and Earl was the first student to come up with the ticket in his mouth.
Way to Go Earl – Room 5

Wednesday, April 13

Basketball Tournament 

Wednesday started our 3-on-3 basketball tournament.  Mr. Frank setup the teams which consisted of both students and staff members.  The students and staff played several rounds before the final two teams were decided. 

The students and staff in the final round were:  Mr. Rich, Shameya, Sam, Gabe, Maurice, Aaron and Michael.  The final round of basketball was intense and exciting to watch. 
Congratulations to the Winners:  Mr. Rich, Shameya, Sam and Gabe


Thursday, April 14

Volleyball

The students and staff from all classes participated in our volleyball tournament and played several rounds of volleyball before the final two teams were decided. 

The final two teams consisted of the following players: 
•    Team 1 – Room 6 – Ms. Traci, Kenny, Rashad, Mykal, and Jacob
•    Team 2 – Christina, Maurice, Kye, James and Earl
Congratulations to the Winners
Ms. Traci, Kenny, Rashad, Mykal & Jacob – Room 6



Friday, April 15

Friday was full of fun and activities for students and staff before they started their Spring break:  To start the day:

Cookie Contest

Ms. Kathy, our Vocational Education teacher, had her students take part in a cookie contest.  The project was for students to find a recipe they wanted to make, plan a shopping list, practice their recipes, design a package for the cookie that would contain:  12 cookies, cookie logo (label), list of ingredients, dietary disclaimer, a nutrition label and a price. 

The cookies entered were as follows:

•    Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion – Christina – Room 4
•    Khadija’s Fruity Squares – Room 4
•    Mama’s Best Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Marsh Mallow Cookies – Aaron – Room 6
•    Mykal’s Nuclear Cookies - Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies – Room 6
•    Rashad’s Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Sensation – Room 6
•    Kenny’s Sweet Vanilla Goodness – Room 6
•    Briana’s Snickerdoodle Poodles – Room 8
•    Lexi D’s Cinnamon Swirls – Alexis – Room 8
•    Kelsey’s Soft Peanut Butter Cookies – Room 8
•    Josh’s Famous Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies – Room 8
•    Gabe’s Ginger Brown Sugar Cookies – Room 8

The cookies were judged by:  Ms. Crivelli, Mr. JT, Ms. Jenelle, Mr. Rich, and Ms. Barbara.  The judges tasted and scored all of the cookies that were prepared by the students.  Ms. Kathy, our vocational education teacher, scored the judges points and the students will receive their grade from the cookies they baked.  Congratulations to the following students who were winners in the cookie contest:

•    Christina – Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion -  won for Originality and Overall Product
•    Briana – Briana’s Snickerdoodle Poodles won for Creative Packaging and Originality
•    Alexis – Lexi D’s Cinnamon Swirls won for Originality and Creative Packaging
•    Mykal – Mykal’s Nuclear Cookies – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies – won for Best Cookie, Creative Packaging, Originality and Overall Product
•    Kelsey – Soft Peanut Butter Cookies won for Best Cookie
Kudos Goes to All of Our Cookie Bakers

Barbecue

As the cookie contest was taking place – Mr. Rehn and the students were setting up our barbecue grill for the students and staff lunch.  The students helped Mr. Rehn clean and start the grill.   Once the fire was ready, Mr. Rehn and the students cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone.  Several students helped with serving lunch and the tables were setup in our multi-purpose room where students and staff enjoyed their lunches. 

School Dance

After the BBQ lunch, the students had fun showing off their dance moves with Mr. JT having fun with the strobe lights, bubbles and fog.  It was entertaining to see Mr. JT, the DJ, get students motivated to dance.  

Spring Week turned out to be both an exciting and eventful week for students and staff.  Once the school day was over on Friday, they couldn’t wait to start their spring break.

Sierra’s 4th Annual Harvest Festival – October 27, 2010

Fun was had by all with the celebration of our 4th annual harvest festival.  Along, with the students from Sierra Solano, students from Sonoma, Eastern Upper and Eastern Lower attended our Harvest Festival. 
 
Once again, our Haunted House which was planned, constructed and designed by our Director, Mr. Rehn, Mr. T, staff and students was the main event.   Along with the haunted house, the students absolutely loved the obstacle course jump house.  Students would race through the obstacle to see who would get through first.  We had a few staff go through and seeing Ms. Janine and Ms. Kerry was quite a thrill. 
 
Students from all the schools had their faces painted by Ms. Lane and competed in the following games winning candy, stickers and pencils.

•    Shuffle Pumpkin – the students used brooms and raced pumpkins across the floor to see who would get there first
•    Ping Pong Toss – where the students tossed ping pong balls into eye sockets to win prizes
•    Guessing Game – students had to select dum dum lollipops off of a board and if something was written on the back, they won a prize
•    Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss – students tossed pumpkins into bean bags

Once the students were finished with their games, they were served lunch and then proceeded to boogey down for our Halloween dance. 

Sierra Panther’s Flag FOOTBALL team

The 2010/2011 School year has begun and the Sierra Panther’s Flag FOOTBALL team is geared up to participate in the Sacramento Flag Football League. The student-athletes of Sierra School of Solano County are preparing themselves both physically and mentally for the upcoming season. The season will kick off on September 23, 2010.
The student-athletes are physically preparing their bodies by getting in shape. The student-athletes are using the exercise machines, weight bars, jumping rope, and weights provided at Sierra’s state of the art facility. The student-athletes are preparing themselves mentally by focusing on their behavior and academics in the classrooms. Academics are an important expectation for all student-athletes playing on the Panther Flag Football team. All student-athletes are required to sign a contract that specifies the behavior and academic requirements to participate on the team. In order to participate in practices and games the contract must be honored.
The student-athletes are determined to have a GREAT season. Sportsmanship, keeping up with their academics, remaining composed on and off the field, and HAVING FUN are the objectives for the Sierra Panther Flag Football Team. The coaches and student-athletes are optimistic about this upcoming season. Teamwork and hard work will translate into a great season.

Art Class

We are “Falling in for some fall fun” in room 5.  We have started our art class with stained glass leaves and books about what we did on our summer vacations.  We are going to learn about famous artists such as Vincent Van Gough, Emil Nolde and Diego Rivera and the types of art that they are famous for.  We will be working with many different materials and images such as mosaics and geometric solids.  Students will become acquainted with the use of oil paints, acrylic and other water-based paints.  The students will be introduced to Expressionism and the idea of painting with a great deal of emotion, energy and color.  We will also be discussing the connections between art and culture.  We look forward to the many seasons to come and expressing them through art.

Fall 2010 Transition Program

The Fall 2010 Transition Program is kicking off with more simulated work experiences this year. Ms. Kathy still heads up the Kitchen, Bank, Store, Recycling and Gardening programs. Mr. Frank heads up what we call “Zoo Keeping” which is keeping the science lab and aquariums clean. Also he has students assist him during sports events and keeps the sports and fitness rooms in order. Ms. Rose is our newly welcomed custodian and students help her on a regular basis, around our 12 acre campus, keeping things pruned and swept up. Things are looking real nice around our campus these days because of that.
 Ms. Kathy started this Fall with the Room 6 Vocational Education students continuing from summer. The name changed from I.L.S., this summer, to Voc. Ed. just recently for students to comprehend the name easier. But Voc. Ed. will still umbrella both Life and Career Skills. Room 6 students are Middle and High Schoolers ready for vocational skills. We started this semester with a “Recycling” project, a “Typing & Ten-key” project and more practice with filling out Applications. We will then move on to: “Resumes;” “Budgeting;” “Dress for Success;” “Creating a Business;” and “Home Life Skills;” projects.  All other high school classes will receive similar Voc. Ed. projects monitored by Ms. Kathy this year.  All Voc. Ed. courses taught here at Sierra School of Solano County campus, follow Workability-1 Servable requirements.

      

“Special Lunch” Menu: Burgers & Fries with three choices of burgers; beef, turkey or salmon on buns with two choices of cheese or plain. French fries & all the condiments including fresh heirloom tomato slices from the Sierra School garden.

Sierra School of Solano County School Specific Programs

Transition Program: (available to all students)
This program focuses on providing students with a link between classroom information and real world activities.  The program is run by our transition coordinator, who focuses on utilizing hands on activities to help students learn about the world of work and prepare for life after high school.  Our transition program focuses on implementing activities that strengthen students’ independent living skills.  Activities include: sewing courses, cooking courses, budgeting activities, life skills courses, vocational studies courses, simulated employment activities, and workability.

Student Sierra Accounts: (available to all students)
All students at Sierra School of Solano County are provided with an on campus simulated checking account. Through the use of their Sierra Account, students learn money management skills, banking skills, and saving skills.  Students learn to write checks, make withdrawals, make deposits, balance a checkbook, and purchase desired items.  Students can also save Sierra Dollars to purchased gift cards or other desired items.

Student Store: (available to all students)
This program focuses on providing students an opportunity to work on and develop shopping and purchasing skills.  Students have the ability to shop for and purchase desired items utilizing their individual Sierra Accounts and check books.  This program is managed by our students who work on customer service and math skills while assisting their fellow students.

Traveling Sports (The Sierra Panthers): (available to all students)
Coach Frank heads our Sierra Panthers sports teams.  The focus here is simple athletic basics and team work.  Students learn how to get along and work together to compete against various others schools in the Cap City League.  This program allows student to compete off campus in individual games and tournaments.  The Sierra Panthers sports teams include: softball, basketball, and flag football.

Zoo Keepers: (available to all students)
This program focuses on teaching students the skills necessary to maintain and raise aquatic animals.  Students learn to feed, maintain, and care for a variety of aquatic species.  Students learn through hands on activities guided by Sierra School staff members.  Students get learn how and why specific animals need specific care.  Students are exposed to how to clean and set up aquariums. 

Karate: (available to all students)
This program is headed by Sinsei JT.  Students are instructed in the way of “open hand”. This program focuses on teaching students self discipline and control, while working on physical fitness skills and strength.  Students learn aspects of the Japanese language and can even test for various belts.  This is a non contact activity.

Gardening: (available to all students)
This program is headed by our transition coordinator, Ms. Kathy.  In this program students learn to make planters and plots, cultivate soil, plant, raise, maintain, and harvest an actual garden.  The garden is approximately 1000 square feet during the summer and raises everything from tomatoes to squash.  Students get to participate in hands on activities and raise their own vegetables that are served in the school lunches.  Students also participate in local field trips to learn about farming and the environment.

Rocket Club: (available students grades 2nd to 8th)
*Available only during extended school year* Headed by Mr. Rehn and Mr. Rich.  Students learn to use, prepare, build, and launch actual rockets.  With staff support and guidance, students learn about actual rockets and how they work.  Students can launch rockets that travel up to 1000 feet in the air and several hundred miles per hour.  Rocket Club is a fun program that teaches physical science in a fun and fascinating way.

Girls’ Group: (available to female students in middle school and high school)
This program focuses on social skills and life skills for female students.  Girls learn to work together and communicate about issues and concerns in an appropriate and supported environment. Students learn both problem solving and self advocacy skills.  Activities include group sessions, field trips, and luncheons.

Sierra Landscapers: (available to all students)
This program focuses on teaching student how to maintain and care for a wide variety of ornamental plants.  Students learn how to plant, trim, water, and transfer plants.  Students are exposed to a wide variety of landscaping tools and how to properly use and maintain them.  Students get to take part in hands on activities that teach vocational skills and responsibility. Students learn how to change waste to compost and how to change sticks, twigs, and leaves in to mulch.

Compass Learning Odyssey information

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Sierra School of Solano County, a nonpublic, special education school, utilizes a unique rotational instructional model, an effective positive behavior management system and multiple Mental health techniques to increase academic awareness, develop social skills, and cultivate classroom behavior in each of our students.  Sierra School services students with myriad disabling conditions such as specific learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and other health impairments, i.e., ADHD, ADD.    Further, Sierra School offers students access to several ancillary services designed to meet their specific needs.  These services include, but are not limited to:  speech and language services, individual and group counseling, art therapy,  and Independent Living Skills (ILS) through our Workability 1 grant. Each of the programs listed, from our academic model to each of our related services, are designed and implemented with the ultimate goal of expediting our students’ transition back to their public school program.  Sierra School’s educational focus is two-fold:  1) we provide programs for students on certificate track which focus on functional skills, i.e., WorkAbility 1and 2) through our standard program, we offer core academic instruction for students on diploma track Sierra School students are placed in our program via the local school districts.  Students must possess a special education classification and have an active IEP prior to their placement at Sierra.  Students exit Sierra School through a variety of means, including, but not limited to:  a return to their public program, graduation or earning a Certificate of Completion, a move to a less (or more) restrictive environment, the family moves from the area, or the student changes districts. If it is determined that Sierra School can no longer adequately meet the needs of a particular student, an IEP is called and a more appropriate placement is discussed. It is Sierra School’s mission to “build Confidence and Competence” in each of its students and we take pride in giving all our pupils the opportunity to succeed.

At Sierra School of Solano County all of our students have access to transition instruction and activities.  Transition services and instruction focuses on bringing the ideas and concepts that students learn within the classroom into practical and hands on activities both on and off campus. 

Students take part in optional activities that include: shopping and purchasing instruction, sewing classes, cooking classes, banking and budgeting activities, and work experience and preparedness activities to improve their knowledge of the world outside of the school environment.  Students can use valuable hands on tools and activities to increase both social and academic skills.

At Sierra School of Solano County we have a full time Transition Coordinator who helps students learn valuable skills that will help them be more successful in their future. Descriptions of Sierra School’s individual transition activities are listed below.

Sewing classes: students take part in various levels of sewing instruction from beginner to advanced; students utilize and strengthen math and measurement skills to create a variety of projects from pillow cases to clothing objects.  Students follow patterns and learn various stitches while utilizing both hand and sewing machine related techniques.

Banking and budgeting activities: students take part in a campus wide simulated banking system; learning to write checks and deposit checks while maintaining a simulated checking account.  Students also take part in activities and simulations based upon future goals to plan out future expenses and create budgets.  Students learn to improve money and budgeting skills to prepare for adult life. 

Student Store and Purchasing Activities: Students focus on activities that improve both social and purchasing skills both on and off campus.  Students improve skills by learning to shop for desired and necessary items to improve independence and money skills.  On campus student store allows students to improve money skills and purchase necessary items.

Cooking Classes:  Students learn cooking skills, safety skills, and sanitation skills in highly supervised, hands on environment.  Students learn to operate various kitchen equipment and materials to create meals and various recipes.  Math skills and measurement skills are highly reinforced and developed to increase understanding.  Students learn nutritional information and learn to develop recipes and plan meals.

Work experience and preparedness:  Students learn to complete both simulated and real employment applications.  Students develop an individual and custom resume’ based upon future goals.  Students complete career interest surveys and exploratory activities to develop and focus on areas of interest.  Students take part in pre-vocational skilled training activities including simulated interviews and job acquisition.  Students receive support to locate and track information related to post secondary education and training opportunities.

School Accountability Report Cards

Sierra School is pleased to announce that our School Accountability Report Cards (SARC) are available for review.  Sierra School has made their SARC available to you in two different formats: 1) you may review the document via the link below or 2) you may request a paper copy by contacting your school office.

Sierra School of Solano County 2009-2010 SARC