The Sierra School of Sonoma County is dedicated to serving students who have not experienced success in the traditional classroom as a result of learning, language, and social challenges that require special attention. Sierra School expertly provides that attention in the form of custom-designed academic programs tailored to their aptitudes and goals, a structured behavioral management system that motivates students to behave responsibly and respectfully toward themselves and others, and a caring, nurturing environment in which these students can strengthen academic abilities, develop social skills, and cultivate proper behaviors.

Our primary goal is to expedite the transition of students back to the public school system and into mainstream society, so we focus our efforts on building competence and confidence in each of them, as well as preparing them for fruitful and fulfilling futures through vocational training and life skills instruction.

Many components contribute to the remarkable results we’ve been able to achieve since opening our doors years ago, but we’re most proud of our effective comprehensive programs, our team approach to special education, the value we place on encouraging family involvement, and most of all, our tireless commitment to making sure that each child entrusted to our care is given every opportunity possible to reap the rewards of personal success-in the classroom, at home, and in the community.

Sierra School of Sonoma County is Fully Accredited for Grades 5-12 by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges until 2011. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools, 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: (650) 696-1060.

January 2012 Lunch Menu

Please click here for more information

December Activity Calendar

Please click here for more information

December Lunch Menu

Please click here for more information

November Lunch Menu

Please click here for more information

October Lunch Menu

Please click here for more information

October Activities Calendar

Please click here for more information

Back to School

Please click here for more information

Gold Level Spotlight!

This month two new students made it to Gold Level! Steven J. & Isaiah S. both made this achievement within a few days of one another. Both boys are new to Sierra School this year, and started out with a bang. They bounced off each other’s positive attitudes, and bonded in their new environment, quickly becoming “best friends”.

To earn gold level, the highest level recognized at Sierra School of Sonoma County, students must remain on blue level for thirty days. During the thirty days, students are required to earn all 13 daily work points & 26 of the 28 expected behavioral points. As a reward for such an achievement, the boys were rewarded with an off-campus field trip to the location of their choice, with another student & the staff of their choice! Naturally, Steven & Isaiah chose each other. Mr. Maul was asked to join them on the trip.

Mr. Maul took the boys to see “Puss & Boots” at the Rohnert Park movie theater. They both loved the movie. They then had lunch at Round Table Pizza, followed by a trip to the park. Congratulations to Isaiah & Steven on reaching Gold Level!

Life Skills

Sierra School of Sonoma County had some awesome visitors in the month of October. We had two different organizations come in to give personalized life skills lessons. On Monday, the 24th, we welcomed Cory from Community Action Partnership. Cory is a dental hygienist.  He gave grade based lessons on oral hygiene & nutrition. He also showed us how much sugar we are really consuming every time we chug a soda or eat a candy bar. Cory showed us what could happen if we don’t take care of our teeth. He reminded us how important it is to brush twice a day & floss daily. The lesson ended with kits for the students including toothbrushes, toothpaste & floss. Thank you, Cory!

Then, on Wednesday the 26th, we had a visitor from the Exchange Bank. Our high school students were shown how to write checks and balance checkbooks. Gerry Sarala talked about the importance of a savings or checking account & the loan process. Gerry also spoke to the students about the Doyle Scholarship, granted through Santa Rosa Junior College, which is funded by the Exchange Bank. Thank you, Mr. Sarala!

Western Connection

Please click here for more information

Spring Carnival

If you smell popcorn, cotton candy & hot dogs while walking through the Sierra School quad, it can only mean one thing: Spring Carnival!!

On May 26th, 2011, Sierra School of Sonoma County welcomed friends and families to our 2nd Annual Carnival. Students celebrated the end of the school year by playing classic games such as a floating duck ring toss & clown bean bag toss, as well as a few new ones, like a Velcro wall and an inflatable jousting pit. Of course our carnival would not be the same without bringing back the dunk tank. When students were asked what part of the carnival they looked forward to most, the answer was almost unanimously, “Dunking the teachers!”  Mr. Maul, Ms. Spice & Ms. Brittney were the unlucky few this year! Other activities included a lollipop tree, face painting & sand art. We look forward to another great school year so we can close it with another great carnival!

Silent Auction Fundraiser At Sonoma 

Sierra School of Sonoma County held their first ever Silent Auction on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.  Items for the auction were donated from a variety of exciting locations in the local community. Some items included were a spa basket with gift certificate, Monthly membership to Bikram Yoga, student made planters with beautiful flowers, hand made etched glass bottles, candle baskets, and more! Additionally, students of the cooking club make delicious salads and baked scrumptious cookies just for the special event.  Overall, it was a huge success that raised over $375 dollars for the school library. Way to go, Sonoma!

Sierra-Sonoma on the Radio

Go online and listen to Sierra-Sonoma’s own Spice Edwards and one of her students are interviewed yesterday morning on-the-air at KSRO-Talk Radio.  Hosts David Page and Curtis Kim dedicated quite a bit of air time to the WorkAbility program at the Sierra School of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa.

Please click here for the Radio Interview

Regional Newsletter

Please click here for the newsletter

Cooking Up Success!

Our Wednesday cooking club has become a huge success! Mrs. Frey has been working with students to produce a variety of different pastries and breads. She has incorporated recipes from the “Café Gratitude” cookbook including many gluten free and vegan options! On Thursdays, the cooking club has been selling their products within the school during student store time. All their hard work is paying off; last week they were able to buy a new food processor as well as a few other items for their club! Good work, guys!

On a Mission to Transition- Spotlight: Chazz M.

Chazz M., a sophomore, has been working hard this year at maintaining blue and green levels. All of his hard work is paying off and Sierra School is proud to say that he has begun his transition back to a public high school! Chazz met with a counselor at Maria Carrillo High School earlier this month, where he was enrolled in English and Band. Chazz was asked to audition his vocal abilities without warning during his interview, and was accepted on the spot! Way to go, Chazz! We wish you much success in this new endeavor!

Educational Fieldtrips  

Mr. Maul has planned a variety of educational field trips this semester for his junior high school students. They cover everything from science and art to life skills. So far he has taken his students to the San Francisco Exploratorium, (where they found ideas for their upcoming science experiments), as well as to the Oakland Zoo & the Charles Schultz Museum!

The students love getting out of their classroom and participating in “hands on” learning! Mr. Maul has also booked the Zeum and de Young Museums in the near future, as well as an industry tour through our local Chevy’s restaurant!  
 

Diversity Club

Sierra School of Sonoma County kicked off its first diversity club this month. The brainchild of Ms Nichols and Mrs. Wolf.  The diversity club is a place where the students gather on a weekly basis for lunch to discuss and explore issues related to: race, gender, age, disabilities religion, physical appearance, sexual orientation, nationality, and
multiculturism. 

The first topic the students chose to study was the Chinese history and culture. After learning about this subject the group will be taking a field trip to San Francisco’s infamous China Town, where they will be exposed to the Chinese traditions and lifestyles. The students will end the trip by where dining on dim sum.

Santa Bags! 

Mr. Maul’s classroom spent two days before our winter break decorating and filling up Santa Bags! This is the fourth year Mr. Maul has taken on this community service project. Decorated Santa bags are filled with candy & handed

out to the children who attend Christmas dinner at the Santa Rosa Redwood Gospel Mission. The goal is to have 200 bags filled before the students leave for winter break. Way to go, Room 8!

COTS

This year Sierra School of Sonoma County hosted a food drive for COTS (Committee on the Shelterless), in Petaluma. Chelsie W., our gold level student, has organized the event. She has done much volunteer work in the community, logging in over 500 hours at the local animal shelter. Chelsie will be serving meals to those in need at COTS during the holidays. Our goal is to fill a large barrel with food as well as to collect used clothing and other items needed. The classroom with the biggest donation amount will be rewarded with an ice cream party!

Dentist Visit

The transition department arranged to have a local dentist come and give a lesson on oral hygiene. Each class was given a lecture, tailored to their age group, to learn the benefits of daily brushing and flossing. The students seemed to really enjoy this interactive life skills lesson, and since becoming more informed, an occasional toothbrush and tube of toothpaste has surfaced on the desks of students or in the random backpack!

Sierra Times

Newspaper

Littles Join Guitar Club!!!

Room 9 students joined guitar club at Sierra School. The students have been excited to learn how to play.  On their first day, the students learned “Smoke on the Water” with the other students.  The students got to work 1:1 with the instructor and even attempted to teach staff how to play after they started to get the song down.  For the rest of the day, they sang the notes of “Smoke on the Water” and are already gearing up for next week.

8th annual open house

On Friday, September 24th, 2010, Sierra School of Sonoma County kicked off the new school year with our 8th annual open house. The turnout was our best yet! Parents, students, staff and friends gathered to discuss student progress, view recent work and mingle around the buffet table. Mrs. Frey had student art samples reflecting the work Room 9 has done studying famous composers and musicians. Mr. Maul had his recent book report project on display. He then topped it off by having students perform thirty-second challenges with their families to show understanding of emotion and color in art. This is a life skills lesson Mr. Maul has been working on. Overall it was a terrific evening and a great start to what is sure to be a fantastic year!

Compass Learning Odyssey information

click here for Compass Information

School Overview

• County: Sonoma
• Facility :
• Capacity: 60 students
• 1:3 Staff-to Student Ratio
• Multidisciplinary staff includes:  Fully credentialed Special Education Teachers, Full-Time School Counselor (Full-Time Therapy Dog!), and Transition Coordinator
• Designated Outreach Director: Kimbery L. Small, M.Ed., M.S.

Student Body

Grades 1st through 12th
Ages 6-22
Classroom Population: Maximum of 12 students in each class
Primarily serving ED (emotionally disturbed) students, but also serving students with SLD (specific learning disabilities), developmental delays, mental retardation, health and/or cognitive impairments, autism, and multiple disabilities.

Program Highlights

• School-to-Work Program – Sierra School of Sonoma County receives the Workability 1 Grant to help place our students in jobs within the community
• Attendance Incentive Program
• Physical Education and Sports Programs
• School Clubs such as:  Landscaping, Philosophy, Student Government and Yearbook
• Extended School Year (Summer School)
• Speech Therapy
• SARC (School Accountability Report Card) Published Annually

The goal of Sierra School of Sonoma County transition program is to prepare students for the work world as well living independently after high school graduation. We hope to give students the confidence and knowledge to access resources that will help them to become successful in life.

Through the transition program, students are able to prepare for the worksite by strengthening their job application and interview skills. Students will compile a personal portfolio including a cover letter, resume, and reference list. They will participate in mock interviews as well as learn how to leave a job if necessary. The transition department also works closely with other schools in the county to maintain our ultimate goal of preparing students for a smooth transition into a less restrictive environment. The main components of our transition program are:

Life Skills- Each classroom participates in a “Life Skills” course. Students participate in lessons that will help them to advance in the real world such as banking, budgeting, hygiene, cooking, driving & job application practice. Along with the regular classroom curriculum, Sierra School offers small group intensive sessions taught by a transition specialist.

Community Based Instruction- Students are given the opportunity to gain experience by performing hands on tasks in the community. These may include mobility training on a city bus, obtaining a state ID card, laundromat usage or applying for a library card. Students 16 and up are also given the opportunity to earn a driving permit through an online drivers education course.

WorkAbility 1 Grant- Sierra School is fortunate to be able to work with a state funded grant. The WorkAbility 1 grant encompasses so much of what is already covered in our transition program, but also allows us to place students in off-campus job positions where they are paid & insured through our school. This enables students to gain experience in a real work setting while earning a paycheck. Students involved in WorkAbility 1 also participate in college tours, service learning projects, industry tours, career exploration and assessments.

Transition House- Before being placed in an off campus position, students usually start by working in our “Transition House”. We have a variety of machines that students are trained on to make products such as coffee mugs, key chains, dog food bowls, money clips or t-shirts (see catalog). In the process students learn valuable employment skills and are able to put this experience on their resume. Students are able to be paid an hourly wage through the WorkAbility 1 grant, and all money earned through the program goes back in and is used for buying more machines and products to market.

College Tours- Juniors and seniors participate in our spring college tours. Students are taken on guided tours of local schools such as Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University, but also to specialized schools like WyoTech and Academy of Art. Aside from giving students a chance to get a feel for college life, they are able to compare classes as well as investigate grants, scholarships and financial aid possibilities.

Portfolios- Students work with the transition specialist to compile a personal portfolio. Their portfolios include a cover letter, resume, reference list, awards and letters of reference. As students gain work experience they continuously update so they have a solid portfolio upon graduation.

Career Assessments and Exploration- We are fortunate to have a wide variety of career assessments and exploration tools on campus. Assessment results help determine what   career fields a student may excel in. We use these results to explore different opportunities within these fields, and narrow down a students goals using their interests & personality type.

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 Sonoma County 2009 - 2010 SARC