Griffins Connect

As we near the end of the first semester, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your support, partnership, and dedication to our students’ success make all the difference in creating a thriving school community.

As we prepare for winter break, I wish you and your loved ones enduring, joyful moments that will become treasured memories. May this season bring you peace, warmth, and the chance to recharge for the new year ahead.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Sterling family. We look forward to continuing to #SoarHigher together in the months to come!

Sunday, December 15th: PTA Reflections Submission Deadline (info below)

✨ Monday, December 16th: Dress in your brightest holiday wear!

Monday, December 16th: Last Day for Dodgeball Sign-Ups

• A PERMISSION FORM is required of all students - both playing and watching!

🧦 Tuesday, December 17th: Wear your favorite holiday socks!

Thursday, December 17th: Griffin Glee Club Performance; 1:00 PM

🙃 Wednesday, December 18th: Dress in your silliest Holiday sweater!

🧣 Thursday, December 19th: Bundle in your favorite hat, scarf, and mittens!

Thursday, December 19th: Annual Dodgeball Tournament, 2:30-4:15 PM

😴 Friday, December 20th: Wear your comfiest pajamas!

Friday, December 20th: Half Day: 11:45AM for Elementary; 12:00PM for Middle (No early dismissal)

Monday, December 23rd-Friday, January 3rd: Winter Break

Monday, January 6th: Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

Thursday, January 9th: SIC Meeting, 8:30-9:30 AM; everyone is invited! (info below)

Saturday, January 11th: Spirit Day @ Furman Basketball Game; 12:00 PM (info below)

Sterling School's Students in Action leadership club invites everyone to join the fun and festive spirit from December 16–20! Each day brings a unique theme to celebrate the season while spreading holiday cheer. Don’t forget to participate and dress up for each day’s exciting theme!

We’re also giving back to the community by collecting donations for our local animal shelter. Drop off used/new blankets, towels, or chew toys in the front lobby and help make a difference.

Let’s end the semester with joy, laughter, and seasonal fun! 🎁

Sterling School Dodgeball Tournament is this Thursday, December 19th from 2:45 PM to 4:15 PM ALL students will need to complete this PERMISSION FORM in advance to attend the tournament. These forms can be printed from the link shared here. All forms and cash payments ($2 pp) must be turned in by MONDAY, 12/16.Payments should be exact cash - no change will be issued. Primary students (grades 4k - 2nd) may attend if a parent picks them up like usual that day and attends with them. (Parents may pay at the door on the day of the tournament.) If a student is playing - they only pay the team fee - not the admission fee - but they still need the permission form.

• Team Details:
• 5 players per team
• 3rd–5th Grade Bracket: $5 per team
• 6th–8th Grade Bracket: $10 per team
• Spectators: $2 per person

MONDAY is the last day to Sign up in the front Atrium from 7:15–7:45 AM. Gather your team, and get ready to dodge, duck, dip, and dive!

Due to a legislative action by the South Carolina General Assembly, the South Carolina State Board of Education passed a new cell phone policy for school districts across the state, which goes into effect after Winter Break. School districts must adopt this policy pertaining to personal electronic devices. At their December meeting, the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees approved an updated policy to comply with the state requirement.

While Greenville County Schools had updated our policy last year and this is not significantly different, we want to make sure you are aware of the most notable updates in order to comply with the state, which includes that student cell phones and personal electronic devices must be stored in backpacks, lockers, or in a location directed by school; this includes smartwatches, earbuds, and all other personal electronic devices and accessories.

Details about the updated policy can be reviewed on the district’s website. Please reach out to our school's administration with any questions. Thank you.

Service Hours are due before winter break. There is an opportunity to earn hours this week as we sell Candy Grams each morning from 7:10 - 7:45. See the Sign Up Genius linked HERE or on the Beta Club Google Classroom.

Middle School Parents, in support of our YEARBOOK team, please consider sharing some information and a picture to highlight the activities your student participates in outside of school. It is possible that not all pictures can be used, but we would like to highlight as much as we can.

8th grade parents: Please submit a baby/toddler picture of your student to be included in the yearbook. This is a fun tradition!

8th Grade trip: preliminary information was sent via Backpack/email before the break. More details will be sent in the coming week.

Use this FORM to submit activity pictures and baby pictures.

Parents were sent an email regarding the 8th Grade End of Year Trip. Please take a moment to read the email and pay the deposit through MySchoolBucks by Wed. Dec. 18th. We are excited to provide this opportunity for our 8th graders to spend quality time together before they branch off to different High Schools.

Join us on Saturday, January 11, at 12:00 PM at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the Furman Basketball Game, where our very own Sterling Glee Club will perform the National Anthem!

Check out the attached flyer for a QR code or click the flyer to secure tickets in the designated Sterling sections—let's sit together and show our school spirit!

Go Paladins!

The Empty Bowls project has been dedicated to fighting against hunger since 2005. It connects art, community, and service along with education about the worldwide hunger crisis. Empty Bowls Dinner Events allow guests to buy dinner and choose a bowl to keep as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the world.

This year in ART Class the Art Honor Society, MS Art Students, Beta Club, the primary guidance group (under the leadership of Dr. T.), and students in Grade 2-5 will be getting involved in an EMPTY BOWLS service project to show their P.R.I.D.E. (Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy). After a lesson on hunger in our world, students will produce and donate their ceramic bowl for the "Empty Bowls Dinner Night." to be held on February 7th. Proceeds of the dinner will be donated to a local food bank as a way to show Empathy for those less fortunate who struggle with hunger.

More details on how to attend the dinner will be provided in January. In the meantime please plan to join us for this worthwhile event!

Volleyball Club is now FULL. If you would like to add your name to the waitlist, please complete the registration form and we will reach out to you if a spot opens.

Volleyball Club is a co-ed club for students in grades 3 - 6. The club will meet on Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 beginning on January 23rd. Use this GOOGLE FORM to register.

Chess Club is BACK for the spring semester. Beginning January 24th, chess club will meet each Friday for 10 weeks. January 24th thru April 11th (no club meeting on 3/14 and 3/21). Students have 2 options: FREE play club - just for the fun of playing - OR- Paid Lessons through Think Move Chess.

Lessons will also run for 10 weeks and the cost is $150.

Parents of interested students in grades 3-8 should sign up using the GOOGLE FORM linked here (both free play or paid lessons) Registration is due by: Friday, January 17th.

HAM Radio club meets on Wednesdays, from 2:30 - 3:30 in Ms. Merritt's room.

Grades 4-6 meet on Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00 in Mrs. Parks Classroom,

MathCounts meets on Thursdays, from 2:30-3:45. Families will need to pick up from the front at 3:45 unless their student is part of the After School Program. FULL

If you were unable to register for running club this fall, you can email Ms. Foulkes and request to be placed on the waitlist. There will be another opportunity in the spring.

MIDLLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY on Mondays after school from 2:30 - 3:45. FALL SESSION ENDS THIS MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND.

Board Game Club is for students in grade 3-8 and meets on Mondays from 2:30 - 3:30. Full

Griffin Glee Club is for Grades 3-5 and meets on Tuesdays from 2:15 - 3:00.

Art Honor Society - Grades 6-8

See Mrs. Harrington or Mrs. Spitler if you have any questions.

Is your child interested in getting a club started at Sterling? Are you willing to sponsor a club or help to coordinate parent volunteers for a club? If so, please complete this Club Proposal Form. Ms. Foulkes will reach out to you to coordinate plans if we can make it work.

Congratulations to Mrs. Ashleigh Ledford, Sterling School's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year! Celebrating 13 years of teaching—all at Sterling—Mrs. Ledford directs the Middle School Band program, earning top accolades like the Outstanding Performance Award for the past four years. Her students shine in elite groups, including the SCBDA Region and All-State Bands.

Beyond band, she enriches the Elementary Music program, co-leading grade-level performances and Broadway Kids productions, with Aladdin Kids set for April. A Greenville native and proud Notre Dame fan, she balances professional music performances with family adventures.

Mrs. Ledford’s favorite part of teaching? Building meaningful connections with students through a Whole Child approach, unlocking potential and leaving a lasting impact. 💙🦅 Congratulations, Mrs. Ledford! #WholeChild #SoaringHigher

Parents, we have exciting news! If you ordered school pictures, they should arrive in the next few days. If you haven’t placed an order yet, there’s still time!

Strawbridge Studios has introduced a convenient Code Lookup Tool that allows you to access your child’s picture gallery with ease. Simply scan the QR code on the flyer below and follow the quick steps. You’ll need your child’s last name and Student ID number to ensure data security.

For any questions or technical assistance, you can reach out to Strawbridge Studios via Live Chat on their website, www.strawbridge.net or contact their Customer Service team.

Don’t miss the chance to order these special memories!

Thank you to everyone who attended the December School Improvement Council (SIC) Meeting. Watch the video for highlights, including the ‘Teacher Sharing’ portion of the amazing learning activities over the last few weeks. **SAVE THE DATE! Our next meeting is January 9th at 8:30 am. All student parents and guardians are welcome.

Both Elementary and Middle School Year Books can be ordered with this link.

Parents of 8th grade students: If you would like to include a special "shout out"/AD in the middle school yearbook, please complete that information on the Jostens website linked below.

Mission: Sterling School seeks to create an environment where students receive a personalized educational experience that allows them to explore their world, be enriched, & excel both academically & emotionally as they prepare for challenges today & tomorrow.

Email: jpatterson@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: www.greenville.k12.sc.us/sterling
Location: Sterling School, John McCarroll Way, Greenville, SC, United States
Phone: 864-355-4480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theSterlingSchool
Twitter: @SterlingSchool