Principal Christmas Message

🎄Happy December!

As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to recap the incredible journey we have had together during the fall semester. Your unwavering support and dedication to our students have made this period truly remarkable.

Fall Semester Recap:
We've witnessed tremendous growth and achievements throughout the fall semester, both academically and personally. Our students have displayed resilience, adaptability, and a true passion for learning. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments.

Winter Break:
With winter break just around the corner, it is the perfect time for our students and families to recharge and enjoy quality time together. Whether you're traveling, engaging in fun activities, or simply relaxing at home, I encourage you all to make the most of this well-deserved break.

Embracing the Christmas Spirit:
The holiday season is a time to celebrate joy, love, and togetherness. Let us embrace the Christmas spirit, fostering a warm and inclusive environment for all. During this festive season, let's reflect on the importance of kindness, compassion, and the value of family and traditions.

Family and Traditions:
This holiday season provides an opportunity for us to cherish and uphold our unique family traditions. Encourage your children to share and learn from each other's traditions, promoting cultural diversity and understanding within our school community.

Calendar of Events for December:
Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of events planned for December. Please find attached a detailed calendar outlining important dates, and other school activities. As always, we encourage your active participation in these events to foster a strong school-home connection.

Looking ahead for January:

Did you know your student attends one of the BEST schools in the nation? Read below about another National award SGS received this year. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act awarded SGS as one of the Distinguished Schools of 2025. We will have a celebration in January to reward our students, teachers, staff and community for receiving this prestigious award.

In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership with us. Together, we will create an educational environment that sets our students up for success.

Wishing you all a safe and joyful holiday season!

Jamie Burtner

Sterling Grade School Principal

SGS will be hosting Body Venture on Dec 3. Body Venture is now a giant inflatable! Students walk through the body and learn why it is important to eat smart and play hard. In increments of 5 minutes groups of 8-10 will enter the display. Students will stop at 11 stations. The stations will be hosted by students from the high school anatomy & physiology and health careers classes.

Nov. 20, 2024

News release: Kansas school recognized as National ESEA Distinguished Schools

TOPEKA — The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program has recognized a Kansas school for exceptional student achievement in 2024.

Sterling Grade School, Sterling USD 376, was recognized for Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two consecutive years.

The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, which is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), has been recognizing qualifying schools for their positive educational advances since 1996. The programshowcases the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories:

Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years.

Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between students.

Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students.

NAESPA implemented the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have successfully used their ESEA federal funds to improve education for all students. More information about the distinguished schools program is available on the ESEA Network website, www.ESEAnetwork.org/ds.

Jamie Burtner, principal at Sterling Grade School, the ESEA award is “the reflection of the hard work, dedication, and high expectations Sterling USD 376 sets for our students, staff, and entire school and community.” “This achievement underscores Sterling's commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that fosters growth, creativity, and excellence in all our students,” she said.“Our staff believes in the potential of our students, both inside and outside of the classroom, and this recognition validates our efforts to create a nurturing environment where students thrive.”

This is the second time Sterling Grade School was named an ESEA Distinguished School. They received the award in 2016.

All national ESEA Distinguished Schools are honored with a commemorative award package, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website and a special presentation at the National ESEA Conference, which is scheduled for Feb. 19-21, 2025, in Austin, Tex.

After reading Balloons Over Broadway and learning about the creation of the balloons and floats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, students designed and created their own floats from cardboard tubes and paper. Then we drew a parade route and attached our floats to Ozobots, which are small, line-following robots. We loved having our own parade complete with Sterling landmarks drawn by students.

Sora ebooks and audiobooks

In library skills this fall, students in grades 3-5 have learned how to use Sora, a technology tool that allows them to access free ebooks and audiobooks. Through a partnership with Sterling Public Library, USD 376 students and staff are able to use their school Google login to access thousands of digital books, including titles on the current William Allen White list.

The Sora app can also be used from home on personal devices like phones, tablets, and computers.Students can connect to their school district account and log in. Their username is: last name, first initial, dot, graduation year, @usd376.com. Example: smithp.31@usd376.com. Their password is the same one they use to log in to their school devices (initials, four numbers, initials).

“Accessing ebooks and audiobooks on a device is a great way to always have reading materials at your fingertips,” explains district librarian Amy Brownlee. “It's a part of the library that's never closed. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can find a new book to read.”

A big thank you to all the families for their many contributions, including making sure their children arrive at school on time & ready to learn, and adjusting so well to to our entry and exit procedures.