Alta Sierra Elementary

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Amber Yant » Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to Mrs. Yant's Class, 
 
I am so excited to have your children in my class this year! This will be my sixth year teaching elementary students. I grew up in Salem, Oregon. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Social Work from Oregon State University. Shortly after, I moved to Portland, Oregon with my husband and "fell into teaching". I began teaching Transitional Kindergarten and realized my love for helping young children through education. I received my Master's in Elementary Education in 2014 and moved to Nevada City directly after. We have lived in Nevada City for 5 years with my husband working as a Camp Director. It has been our goal in this time to teach in the community and I have been inching closer and closer each year. I have taught TK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade in that time. My husband and I welcomed our daughter, Cortlan, into the world in September 2018 and am excited for the day she will get to attend the school where I work. I am thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten at Alta Sierra Elementary and cannot wait to be teaching in the community where I live. I love working with families and collaborating in close-knit communities because that is when we see the biggest growth in our students. Thank you for entrusting your littles with me! 
 
 
Amber Yant
 

Posts

Weekly Update - Week of Feb 17th

Good Afternoon Parents, 
 
Here are some wonderful things we did this past week! 
  • Learned a poem about a Loose Tooth
  • Practiced sorting ending sounds
  • Learned about George Washington, and President's Day
  • Practiced using sight words in writing, and sounding out words
  • Went to the garden and used shovels to dig
  • Read The Little Engine That Could and acted it out
  • Practiced adding one and taking one away from numbers
  • Practiced putting numbers in order
Things to Remember
  • Please bring library books to school every Wednesday. If a child is missing their library book, they will not be able to check out again until the following week. A helpful tip is to keep library books stored in their backpacks each time they finish reading them. 
  • This Thursday (the 27th) is our first Alta Sierra Family Game Night. It starts at 5:00pm. I hope you can make it! 
  • If you have not signed the opt-out form for our Child Safety Puppeteers, they are due this Wednesday. Check your child's backpack for a new one. 
  •  
    You should have also received some reminders for our Dr. Seuss week next week. Here are the dress-up themes: 
    •  
      Monday - Fox in Sox (wear crazy socks)
    • Tuesday - Cat in the Hat (wear a Cat Hat of any hat to honor Dr. Seuss) 
    • Wednesday- Wacky Wednesday (Wear mismatched, backwards, or inside out clothes)
    • Thursday - The Lorax (Speak for the environment, wear green!)
    • Friday - There's a Wocket in my Pocket (bring a small stuffed toy)
  • This Friday is a Minimum Day, 12pm dismissal
Upcoming Dates
 
Thurs., Feb 27th - Family Game Night, 5pm
Fri., Feb 28th - Minimum Day, 12pm Dismissal
April 6th-10th - Spring Break (No School) 
 

Weekly Update - Week of Jan 13th

Here are some wonderful things we did this past week! 
  • Learned about hibernation and migration and talked about Polar Bears
  • Matched parts of words to make real and nonsense words
  • Matched pictures to the correct words
  • Learned about the numbers 13, 14, and 15. 
  • Practiced using a ten frame to see what numbers look like
  • Searched for capitals and periods in sentences
  • Practiced writing about our feelings using pictures and words
  • Acted out a story
  • Practiced making 10
  • Had our Hot Cocoa celebration for those that completed their Christmas packets! Way to go! 
Things to Remember
  • If you are interested in volunteering in the new year, please let me know. Our class always welcomes new volunteers and would love the support during center time! 
  • Look on the school website for more information on a Love & Logic class coming soon at Alta Sierra. This is a great class that gives many tips and tricks for great parenting! Try it out!
  • Homework Folders went home today instead of yesterday...we were busy working and forgot to pack them! Please remember to bring them back each week by Wednesday. 
  • Enjoy this 3 Day Weekend! We will see you again on Tuesday! 
Upcoming Dates
 
Mon., Jan 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tue., Feb 4 - PTC Meeting @ 6pm
Mon., Feb 17 - Presidents Day

Weekly Update - Week of January 9th

 
Here are some wonderful things we did this past week! 
  • Reviewed routines after the two week break
  • Won the septor and moved our rocket up (a school-wide competition)...ask your child what this means
  • Learned a new poem...Winter is Here
  • Wrote about our favorite gift
  • Wrote about the New Year
  • Worked on several counting strategies 
  • Practiced Making 10
  • Tried Kiwi's with the peel (we learned the peel is edible too!) 
Things to Remember
  • If you are interested in volunteering in the new year, please let me know. Our class always welcomes new volunteers and would love the support during center time! 
  • Look on the school website for more information on a Love & Logic class coming soon at Alta Sierra. This is a great class that gives many tips and tricks for great parenting! Try it out!
  • Thank you to parents for helping your child complete the winter packet! Reward coming soon! 
Upcoming Dates
 
Mon., Jan 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tue., Feb 4 - PTC Meeting @ 6pm
Mon., Feb 17 - Presidents Day

Weekly Update - Week of Nov. 12

Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some wonderful things we did this past week! 
  • Learned a new poem about raking leaves
  • Practiced making words with the letter e in the middle
  • Had our writing celebration and showcased our writing for our friends
  • Had an earthquake and fire drill and practiced how to stay safe
  • Learned the word like and the letters C, and O
  • Practiced comparing items using the words more and fewer
Things to Remember
  • We have our Thanksgiving Feast coming up on November 26th. Thank you for signing up to bring items! Every time has been filled. If you would like to sign-up to volunteer at this event, please see the previous sign-up link. This is a fun activity for the entire kindergarten grade-level! 
  • Report cards will be coming home on November 26th right before the Thanksgiving break. They will be sent in an envelope so please be sure to look out for them. 
  • Just to be aware, the school has received a notification today about a potential PSPS occurring in the next 36 to 48 hours. As we have done before, if school is closed you will receive an email and phone call as soon as it is announced. I am hoping this isn't the case, but please be aware that this might occur. There is no new information as of yet on if the state will require us to make up these days or not. The district has put in a request through the state and is waiting to hear back. These requests usually take awhile to be processed. 
Upcoming Dates
 
Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 20 - Minimum Day
December 23-Jan 3 - Winter Break
Jan 6 - No School, Professional Development Day
 
 

Weekly Update - Week of Nov. 4th

Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some wonderful things we have been doing this week! 
  • Making words with middle letter a
  • Practiced reviewing some of our sight words
  • Making numbers 8, 9, and 10 in different ways
  • Using our alphabet charts to stretch and write words
  • Had our Art Docent visit and made a Pete the Cat craft
  • Made November books
  • Started our directed drawing for a Turkey project
  • Sorted letters and matched upper and lowercase
  • Did a leaf investigation project
  • Celebrated 50 days of school
  • Practiced making many different patterns
Things to Remember
  • Square 1 Art paper ordering form is due on Tuesday, November 12th. If you are ordering any of their artwork online, you have until Friday, November 15th. 
  • You can still order for Scholastic. Please order online using the codes from my website. Orders are due Tuesday, November 12th. 
  • We have our Thanksgiving Feast coming up on November 26th. Please see the sign-up sheet on our website and sign-up where you can help! This is a fun activity for the entire kindergarten grade-level! 
Upcoming Dates
 
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Update - Week of Oct. 28

Good Evening Parents, 
 
It was a crazy week last week with only one day, but the students all had a wonderful time celebrating with the school parade in the morning and our classroom party! I hope you all had a lovely weekend...it is back to business as usual in the classroom this week
 
 
Things to Remember
  • Make-Up Picture day is Tuesday, October 5th 
  • Scholastic Book Orders are coming home this week. This is a great way to order books for the holiday seasons at a reasonable price. Every purchase also earns classroom points and rewards (like free books!) Online purchases only. The code and due dates are on the forms. 
  • Back to the library on Wednesday...if you still have a book out, please bring it back by then so they can check out a new one! 
Upcoming Dates
 
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
 
 

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Here is some information for our Pumpkin Patch Field Trip coming up. 
  • We will be leaving Alta Sierra at 8:30 am and returning at 1:15 pm. 
  • If students have not already signed up for a hot lunch, they will need to bring a cold lunch. These needed to be ordered ahead of time. 
  • If you haven't already, please send an optional $10 bus donation for your child. This can be cash/check. Please put donations in an envelope with your child's name written on the top. Checks must be written out to Alta Sierra PTC. Please send at the beginning of this coming week to ensure we have plenty of time to prepare. 
  • If you would like to attend, please send me an email stating who will be attending. You will need to drive yourself as there will not be room on the bus. You must pay $10 for each additional adult or sibling that will be attending. Please also include this in a separate envelope with your child's name and the individuals you are paying for (all adults and siblings). This should be in cash. 
  • Let me know if you have any questions. We will start learning about pumpkins soon, and I know the students are all very excited for this field trip! 

Weekly Update - Week of Sep. 30

Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some highlights from our week: 
  • Learned the sounds and writing for the letters L & U
  • Learned a new poem - Higglety, Pigglety, Pop! 
  • Made an Apple Story
  • Practiced sounding out and adding words to describe our pictures
  • Made our season trees to represent all 4 seasons
  • Practiced making 6 in different ways and writing the number 6
  • Started making a monster craft using coffee filters and markers
  • Had our first award ceremony with all of Kindergarten
  • Had our awesome Jog-A-Thon & Color Run - thank you to all the volunteers and support! 
 
Things to Remember
  • Next week is a minimum day every day, but we will still be eating lunch here! Please pack a lunch or sign up for hot lunch each day. 
  • Trick or Trunk in Alta Sierra Elementary parking lot on Oct. 31 hosted by 
  • If you have not already filled out the permission slip for our field trip next week, please do so ASAP 
  • If you have not already signed up for a conference for this coming week, please see the sign up link on this page and sign up ASAP 
  • Halloween Costumes - I thought I should mention that our school has a policy of no weapons of any kind (even if they are pretend). With our little ones, I have also found that it's best if our classmates can avoid scary costumes (blood, gore, things like that), so everyone is happy and comfortable throughout the day. Some will want to wear their costumes all morning and others will want to take them off after the parade. I'm great with whatever each kiddo wants to do. 
 
Upcoming Dates
Oct. 7th-11th, Monday-Friday - Conference Week, Min. Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Oct. 17, Thursday -  Pumpkin Patch Field Trip 8:30-1:15
Friday, Nov. 1 - No School, Professional Development Day
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Update - Week of Sep. 23

Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some highlights from our week: 
  • Learned the sounds and writing for letter h & k
  • Practiced listening for sounds at the beginning and end of words
  • Made a Bucket Filler craft
  • Learned more about 3D shapes
  • Learned how to add details to our pictures of animals and people
  • Learned our new poem: A Sticky Situation
  • Celebrated the 30th day of school with an Apple Mat
  • Read and wrote about farms and animals
  • Had a Fire Drill 
  • Learned the sight word: Look
 
Things to Remember
  • If you are interested in taking a Love & Logic class, I have heard wonderful things. A flier went home last week with more information
  • More information to come...BUT...PTC will be hosting a festival on Oct. 31st in our parking lot. I have heard there will be a costume contest and free apple cider
  • Please fill out the form for our upcoming field trip and return ASAP
  • Kindergarten will be having our first awards ceremony on Thursday. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. 
  • Please see the sign ups on this page (or in email) for conference sign ups! Let me know if none of the slots work for you
  • Halloween Costumes - I thought I should mention that our school has a policy of no weapons of any kind (even if they are pretend). With our little ones, I have also found that it's best if our classmates can avoid scary costumes (blood, gore, things like that), so everyone is happy and comfortable throughout the day. Some will want to wear their costumes all morning and others will want to take them off after the parade. I'm great with whatever each kiddo wants to do. 
  • Please fill out the permission slip for our Color Run on Friday and send back if you haven't yet done so. 
 
Upcoming Dates
Oct. 3, Friday - Color Run
Oct. 7th-11th, Monday-Friday - Conference Week, Min. Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Friday, Nov. 1 - No School, Professional Development Day
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
 

Weekly Update - Week of Sep 13.

Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some highlights from our week: 
 
  • Learned the sounds and handwriting for N & M
  • Discussed how to be a bucket filler (ask your child) & made a craft
  • Learned a new math game (BUMP) 
  • Learned more about 2D & 3D shapes, and what a face is on a shape
  • Went to the computer lab for the first time! 
  • Visited the Garden
  • Had our second Art Docent class and worked with oil pastels
  • Practiced sharing an idea in our writing time and then presenting to partners and the class
  • Read and wrote more about our families and meal times
  • Celebrated Kaitlin's Birthday! Happy Birthday Kaitlin! 
Things to Remember
  • If you are interested in taking a Love & Logic class, I have heard wonderful things. A flier went home on Thursday for more information on this awesome parenting class.
  • More information to come...BUT...PTC will be hosting a festival on Oct. 31st in our parking lot. I have heard there will be a costume contest and free apple cider
  • Please fill out the form for our upcoming field trip and return ASAP
  • Please remember to return homework folders on Wednesdays. This helps me send home papers neatly in your child's backpack each week. 
  • Kindergarten will be having our hearing and vision screening this Tuesday, Sep. 24 
  • We will also be having a Fire Drill this week and an awards ceremony for kindergarten awards in September
Upcoming Dates
 
Oct. 7th-11th, Monday-Friday - Conference Week, Min. Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Friday, Nov. 1 - No School, Professional Development Day
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Update - Week of Sep. 9

Oops! I realized my update from 2 weeks ago never sent...so here it is now parents!
 
Good Evening Parents, 
 
Here are some highlights from our week: 
 
  • Practiced following step by step directions
  • Completed hands-on beginning sound sorts
  • Learned the sounds and handwriting for P, B & R
  • Finished our Square One Art project...more info to come
  • Learned more about 2D Shapes, curved lines, and straight lines
  • Celebrated Oliver's Birthday! Happy Birthday Oliver!
  • Learned how to organize our writing folders
  • Made an apple craft
  • Read & wrote about our families
  • Had our visit to the library! 
Things to Remember
  • If you are interested in taking a Love & Logic class, I have heard wonderful things. A flier went home on Thursday for more information on this awesome parenting class.
  • More information to come...BUT...PTC will be hosting a festival on Oct. 31st in our parking lot. I have heard there will be a costume contest and free apple cider
  • Please fill out the form for our upcoming field trip and return ASAP
  • Please remember to return homework folders on Wednesdays. This helps me send home papers neatly in your child's backpack each week. 
Upcoming Dates
 
Oct. 7th-11th, Monday-Friday - Conference Week, Min. Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Friday, Nov. 1 - No School, Professional Development Day
Monday, Nov. 11 - No School, Veteran's Day
Friday, Nov. 15 - Minimum Day
Wed.-Fri., Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Update - Sep. 2nd

Good Afternoon Parents, 
 
We had a wonderful first week of full days! Here are some highlights from our week: 
 
  • Learned the sounds and handwriting for E & D
  • Practiced matching upper and lowercase letters
  • Practiced rhyming
  • Started Writing Workshop & practiced using our writing tools (pencils, crayons, folders & getting more paper) 
  • Matched cubes with written numerals
  • Learned more letters for our signing song (A-I)
  • Shared our book boxes and took them home 
  • Had a taste test of Lemon Cucumbers and picked fresh produce from our garden cart
  • Learned a new poem: Time for School
  • Practiced writing #'s 1-5
  • and so much more! 
Things to Remember
  • I am sharing a wishlist for you on Teachers Pay Teachers. I purchase many materials for the class on this amazing website. Right now they are matching any donated funds to our classroom. If you are interested in a way to contribute to class resources, this is a wonderful opportunity! TPT doesn't take any cut of the funds. See the website below for more info: 
  • Please remember to not park in the parking lot at pick up. If you do, you will have to wait for all of the buses to leave before you can pull out.
  • If you took your sight word books out, please return them to your homework folder. Sight Word books will stay in their homework folder always, so I can check them and you know which words to practice. 
  • Your child also took home a small paper book title "Practice Library Book". They must return this book by Wednesday in order to check out books from our library
Upcoming Dates
September 13th (Friday) - PTC's Annual Outside Movie Night - FUN!
Oct. 7th-11th, Monday-Friday - Conference Week, Min. Day, 11:30 Dismissal

Quick Reminder - Picture Day tomorrow!

Our class is going to Picture Day tomorrow at 8:50 am. Please fill out the form that was sent home if you are interested in purchasing. There is also an online option! 
 
I can't wait to see their smiling faces for the camera!