Big news for the Sierra Sands community! 🌟 We are thrilled to introduce our new partnership with Elevo Learning to the Sierra Sands Unified School District.
Elevo brings a fresh approach to our schools, focusing on the whole child. Their team works alongside ours to boost student engagement and make learning active, fun, and meaningful. All at no cost to parents.
Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrimjpmd1R0
With Elevo on campus, our students get to experience:
• Engaging activities that keep kids moving and thinking
• Innovative programs designed to build social skills and confidence
• Full support for our district’s commitment to holistic education
We want every child to thrive both inside and outside the classroom, and this partnership gives us incredible new tools to make that happen.
We invite our parents and community members to see what Elevo is all about. Click the link below to learn more about how this exciting program benefits our students and families.
Elevo Methodology: https://elevolearning.com/methodology-results/
#SierraSands #ElevoLearning
This past week, students in our CTE Aerospace Pre‑Apprenticeship Program participated in mock interviews—an exciting and important step in preparing for future careers.
As part of the program’s work readiness training, students practiced professional interview skills, shared their experiences, and received valuable feedback to help them build confidence and real‑world readiness. These mock interviews are a key component of preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
This grant‑funded program is made possible through a strong partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, working together to create meaningful career pathways for our students.
We are proud of our students for stepping up, dressing professionally, and putting their skills into action—and grateful to our partners for supporting opportunities that connect learning to the world of work.
📸 Photos showcase students during their mock interviews.
We are so proud of our talented Burroughs High School musicians and their recent achievements at CMEA (California Music Educators Association) Ratings Festivals!
On March 19, our BHS Madrigals traveled to Bakersfield High School to perform for an audience and a panel of four regional choral experts. Their dedication and artistry earned them a Unanimous Superior* rating for both performance and sight reading!
The following week, the Burroughs Symphonic Orchestra traveled to Tulare Union High School for the CMEA High School Orchestra Ratings Festival. They also received a Unanimous Superior* rating — with one judge awarding the ensemble a perfect score of 100! 🎉
Both ensembles are excited to share their award‑winning music with the Ridgecrest community at their Spring Concerts:
📅 May 13 & May 14
📍 BHS PPAC
⏰ 6:30 p.m.
We hope to see you there to celebrate these incredible students!
* Unanimous Superior is the highest rating awarded.
📸 Photos include warm‑ups, stage performances, sight reading, and moments outside the festival venues.
Don’t forget — this is happening tomorrow and Friday.
This Spring Break, SSUSD has been able to support a select group of students with “Snacks in Packs”—bundles filled with non-perishable, easy-to-heat, or ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
We are happy to extend this support to any additional SSUSD families who could use a little extra help next week.
📍 Pick-Up Location: SSUSD Family Resource Center, 1305 N. Norma
🗓 Dates: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
⏰ 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
First come, first served.
Please provide student names and school sites upon pick up.
Through grant funding and partnerships with Leadership Ridgecrest, Anthem Blue Cross and Kern Family Health Care, we are grateful to be able to support our community and wish all of our families a warm and restful Spring Break. 🧡
📣 Attendance Recovery (AR)
Missed a few school days? We’re here to help. Our Attendance Recovery program gives students the chance to catch up, stay on track, and feel confident—with flexible options for families.
As you think about the rest of the school year:
--What are your hopes for your child finishing strong?
--How important is staying on track with learning?
--What would “getting back on track” look like for your child?
If your child attends an elementary school and participates in the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), this opportunity is available to you.
🧩 Program Overview
Who: Elementary students (including TK at all sites and grades 7–8 at Vieweg)
What: 1 hour of extended learning with a certificated teacher
When: During ELOP Homework Time
Where: All elementary ELOP school sites
Why: To make up missed learning, recover attendance, and even “bank” time for future absences
Students remain in ELOP and can attend AR on days that work best for your family.
⏰ Homework Time by Site
--Faller, Gateway, Las Flores: 2:50–3:50 PM
--Pierce, Vieweg, Richmond: 3:50–4:50 PM
--Inyokern: 3:05–4:05 PM
ℹ️ Important to Know
--Students must attend the full hour for sessions to count
--TK–K: 3 sessions = 1 school day recovered
--Grades 1–8: 4 sessions = 1 school day recovered
💬 We’re here to support you.
If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out—we’ll help you find an option that works for your family.
Students not currently enrolled in ELOP (SY25-26) can register in English here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wf4fOk0OyCiYb57WG-sf6_e-Ej4OM4Zrtm0nQwIVm10/edit
And can register in Spanish here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fXELSQATGczX_vV-GBdmjrtXy4nqb2oEXGOSuntSZEY/edit
ELOP registration for next school year (SY26-27) will be available mid-April.
Sarah Dastrup, SSUSD Expanded Learning Program Coordinator - sdastrup@ssusd.org
We are happy to extend this support to any additional SSUSD families who could use a little extra help during the break.
📍 Pick-Up Location: SSUSD Family Resource Center, 1305 N. Norma
🗓 Dates: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
⏰ 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
First come, first served.
Please provide student names and school sites upon pick up.
Through grant funding and partnerships with Leadership Ridgecrest, Anthem Blue Cross and Kern Family Health Care, we are grateful to be able to support our community and wish all of our families a warm and restful Spring Break. 🧡
China Lake JHS has been officially recognized by the California Department of Education as a California Purple Star School—a distinction honoring exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. This recognition reflects outstanding leadership, intentional practices, and a school culture that truly serves those who serve our nation.
Congratulations to the entire China Lake Junior High School community on this well-deserved honor! 💜⭐
Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior (ages 11 and up) registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVSrQkBzOUZ1Z02gJjmWyXXPzW7cTtlg0Vqqo4AoWJDJOMLQ/viewform
Loving Solutions (ages 5-10) registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoC8QaowluFmXoUrntBvfnbihj-QMmmfKeTRGGLnq8j3iV4g/viewform
Recently students from High Desert School and Mesquite High School visited Vieweg to share Kindess Week with the students. Way to go, High Desert Bobcats and Mesquite Dragons!
The SSUSD Family Resource Center is turning ONE, and this is your chance to connect, celebrate, and help shape what comes next! 🎂
✨ Stop by anytime (open house!)
🤝 Meet the team & community partners
🎲 Have a little fun
💬 Share your voice
Whether you stay for 10 minutes or an hour, your presence matters. 👉 Bring a friend, drop in, and be part of the celebration!
🎂 We’re turning ONE! You’re Invited!
(Open House style—come and go as your schedule allows!)
✨ Take a tour and see what's new
🧁 Enjoy light refreshments
🎲 Participate in a fun, self-directed activity
💬 Share your ideas and feedback
Stop by, enjoy refreshments, and learn about member coverage, extra programs, and community resources.
Network, ask questions, and take home helpful materials!
This Winter Break, SSUSD has been able to support a select group of students with “Snacks in Packs”—bundles filled with non-perishable, easy-to-heat, or ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
We are happy to extend this support to any additional SSUSD families who could use a little extra help during the next upcoming break.
📍 Pick-Up Location:
SSUSD Family Resource Center
1305 N. Norma
🗓 Dates:
Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19
⏰ 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
First come, first served
Please provide student names and school site upon pick up.
Through grant funding and partnerships, we are excited to be able to support our community and wish all of our families a warm and restful Winter Break.
🌟 Always Enrolling! Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P) 🌟
On-going Registration — Join Anytime!
Looking for a safe, engaging, and enriching place for your child before or after school?
The SSUSD Expanded Learning Opportunity Program offers FREE, high-quality before-school, after-school, intercession and summer learning experiences at seven different school sites!
✨ Why Join ELO-P?
✔️ Academic support & homework help
✔️ Fun enrichment activities (arts, STEM, sports & more!)
✔️ Social-emotional growth
✔️ Nutritious snack
✔️ Safe and supportive environment
📅 Registration is open now and continues throughout the year. Sign up when you’re ready!
Don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity for your child to learn, play, and thrive!
We are so grateful for our kitchen heroes who prepared amazing meals across every site. The attention to detail was outstanding:
Turkeys: Prepared in several different ways and with various seasonings to ensure delicious flavor profiles.
Sides: Creamy mashed potatoes smothered in rich gravy and green beans that were perfectly steamed and seasoned.
Breads: A wonderful variety was served, including rolls, biscuits (some enhanced with melted butter and sprinkled with brown sugar!), and delicious, from-scratch cornbread at Burroughs.
Desserts: The meals were finished off with yummy treats like apple cake, peach cobbler, and apple sweet potato cobbler.
The response was fantastic! Students came, they ate, and many even asked for more! This team goes above and beyond to provide nutritious and delicious meals that bring smiles to our students' faces.
Show some love for our amazing Child Nutrition team in the comments! 👇💛
This Thanksgiving Break, SSUSD has been able to support a select group of students with “Snacks in Packs”—bundles filled with non-perishable, easy-to-heat, or ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
We are happy to extend this support to any additional SSUSD families who could use a little extra help next week.
📍 Pick-Up Location:
SSUSD Family Resource Center
1305 N. Norma
🗓 Dates:
Thursday, Nov. 20 and Friday, Nov. 21
⏰ 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
First come, first served
Please provide student names upon pick up.
Through grant funding and partnerships, we are grateful to be able to support our community and wish all of our families a warm and restful Thanksgiving Break. 🧡
Richmond hosted a Veterans’ Day breakfast of coffee and donuts to celebrate our veterans.
✨ Did you know? The California State Board of Education is considering creating a statewide Portrait of a Graduate!
Here in Sierra Sands USD, we’re proud to be ahead of the curve. Our Portrait of a Graduate—developed with input from our community—already guides our work, decision-making, and vision for student success.
📸 Check out our updated image!
Now, the state wants to hear from you. Should California’s version reflect the priorities our community has already identified?
🗣️ Make your voice heard! Take this short survey and share your perspective: https://ccee-ca.org/californias-portrait-of-a-graduate-learner/
Together, we can ensure our students remain future-ready and our community’s voice helps shape the state’s direction. 💡
#SSUSD #PortraitOfAGraduate #CommunityVoice
We’re excited to announce a district wide Food Drive! Together, and in partnership with Desert Area Teachers Association (DATA), we can make a big difference for families in need this season. 💙
🗓 Collection Dates: Monday, Nov. 10 - Monday, Nov. 17
📍 Drop-Off Location: Bring your donated, non-perishable food items back to your child’s school site front office.
Every contribution—big or small—helps support local families. Let’s show the power of our school community and teach our students the joy of giving!
Thank you for helping us spread kindness and generosity throughout our district. 🙌
