Griffins Connect
October 25th #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Elementary Students Return to Full-Time, In-Person Instruction
Beginning next week, 3rd grade students will begin a phased-in return to full-time, in-person school. Students will attend next Monday OR Tuesday based on their Attendance Plan color group. Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 and 29 ALL third grade students will be back in school. On Friday, they will remain home for eLearning. Beginning the week of November 2, all third graders are back full time, though there is no school on Tuesday, November 3, due to Election Day. Students will need to wear masks whenever social distancing is not possible, which will include instructional time. Visit the GCS website to view or print these details in a graphic and remember, this change does NOT impact students in the GCS Virtual Program.
As a reminder, this week (October 26) second graders are back full time, five days a week. Students will need to wear masks whenever social distancing is not possible, which will include instructional time. Visit the GCS website to view or print these details in a graphic and remember, this change does NOT impact students in the GCS Virtual Program.
What's Ahead...
This Week...
- October 28th & 29th: All 3rd Grade Students Attend School
- October 28th: Boo-K Character Dress Up for 4th, 5th, & Middle Blue/Green Team Only
- October 28th: Middle School Silent Disco Dance (for Blue/Green Team); 1:55-2:30pm
- October 29th: Boo-k Character Dress Up Day for ALL of 4K-3rd and for 4th, 5th, & Middle Red/Purple Team
- October 29th: Middle School Silent Disco Dance (for Red/Purple Team); 1:55-2:30pm
- October 29th: 1st Quarter Report Cards
- October 30th: Jr. Beta Book Drive Ends
Looking Ahead...
- November 1st: Daylight Saving Times Ends (Set Clocks Back ONE Hour)
- November 3rd: Election Day (No School for Students)
"Boo"K Character Dress-Up Day
On Wednesday, October 28th, all 4th, 5th, and Middle School Students on the Blue/Green Team are encouraged to dress up like a Boo-K Character (from a book s/he has read). On Thursday, Oct. 29th, all 4K-3rd AND 4th, 5th, & Middle School Red/Purple Team students can dress like a BOO-K Character. Participating students are required to choose a character that is in a book. As a reminder, accessories that encourage violence such as swords, knives, and guns are not permissible. #ReadersAreLeaders
Opt-Out, Online Enrollments in Backpack for GCS Virtual Students
Although our GCS Virtual Program is full-year commitment, “Parents whose children are enrolled in the virtual program may request for students to return to face-to-face school at the end of the semester. Requests will be granted based on space availability in brick and mortar schools.”
Our primary goal is to return our traditional (non-virtual) students to full-time, in-person instruction as soon as it is safe to do so. We are now in the process of phasing some of the current brick and mortar students back to full-time, from 2 days to 5 days per week. The physical space of each classroom limits the number of students who can attend while meeting DHEC guidelines.
Because of space limitations, there are no seats open for virtual students to return to brick and mortar schools at this time. However, we would still like to know if you are interested in a return next semester.
We are asking all Virtual Program parents to login to GCS Parent Backpack between October 13-31, 2020.
- Login to the Parent Backpack (https://parents.gcsbackpack.com/signin.aspx).
- Select Programs from the bar on the left.
- Select, Apply to a Program/School.
- Click on Full-Time Virtual Program, and select one of the two answers.
- You must apply separately for each child. If you do not complete the process by November 30th (extended from the previous October 31st date), we will assume that you wish to remain in the program.
Select one of the following preferences:
- REMAIN - My child will remain in the GCS Virtual Program for the remainder of the school year.
- RETURN - I would like my child to be considered for return to his/her assigned school building for the second semester, if space becomes available. I understand that there are no seats open for students to return to brick and mortar at this time.
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If you have not registered for Parent BackPack, please click here for directions (https://youtu.be/0XLF3QBeGk0).
Middle School Halloween Dance
Thanks to our awesome PTA, Middle School will be holding a Halloween Dance! Actually--we will have 2! The blue and green groups will dance on Wednesday, October 28th and the red and purple groups will dance on Thursday, October 29th. We will dismiss from our classrooms at 1:51 pm and then head outside (or to the gym if it is raining) where we will dance our cares away at a silent disco! This means that a professional DJ will spin 3 different songs at a time that students will hear through individual (sanitized, of course) headphones. These headsets light up with a different color for each track. Students can match up with friends and jam out to the same song, or entertain themselves by being completely different from those around them. It is quiet and socially distanced, but still a ton of fun!
All students are invited to attend, and PTA has graciously covered the cost. There will be snacks and water for sale for $1 if students are interested. Costumes can be worn to the dance, but remember--we don't have access to locker rooms and students will need to wear a mask for COVID protection. We will dismiss at 2:30 and follow the normal dismissal procedures.
Veterans Day 2020
On Wednesday, November 11th, the Sterling School will honor those who have fought for the many freedoms we, as American citizens, have today. While we are unable to hold our usual in-person program, we are working to create a virtual program to share with our students, families, and school community.
- To honor and recognize a member of your family or special friend, we ask that you complete the following Google Form by Friday, November 6th: CLICK HERE! To bring greater awareness of this day for our students, you are encouraged to email a picture of your family member or friend (preferably in uniform) to Dr. Patterson. Be sure to include the name of the veteran and the relationship to our Sterling/CTC student, as well as the name of the military branch in which he or she served. (These questions will also be asked of you when accessing the aforementioned Google Form.)
- We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue on Wednesday, Nov. 11th.
As always, we look forward to this exciting day, as we pay tribute to those who have served our country. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to support our school in honoring our veterans!
CogAT/IOWA Testing
Virtual Students Only:
Oct. 26th 8-9:30 (A/C Group)
Oct. 27th 8-9:30 (B/D Group)
Oct. 28th 8-10:30 (A/C Group)
Oct. 29th 8-10:30 (B/D) Group
This does not include those who have made arrangements to test on a different day or those who will makeup tests missed.
We will call parents should testing end before or after the allotted time.
Free Meals for All Students
Due to a recent USDA waiver, Greenville County Schools is providing free school meals to all students for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. There is no requirement to complete an application to receive this meal benefit. Breakfasts and lunches are available daily at all schools.
BOOK DRIVE Continues Thru Oct. 30th!
The Sterling School elementary and middle school Jr. Beta Clubs will be holding a Book Drive through October 30, 2020.
The clubs have been working with the Leaders Readers Network to write messages of encouragement to students across the nation, and as part of our local effort we will be adding these messages to books and distributing them to Title 1 elementary schools.
Please send in any new or gently used children's books. Cash or check donations are also accepted to purchase books (check made payable to Sterling School). Students may bring the donations to Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Newell, Ms. Merritt or Ms. Hartman.
Check Out the Latest Edition of the CTC Student Newspaper
Extra, Extra, Read All About It! The FOURTH edition of the CTC Student Newspaper, our school's student newspaper, is out! (CLICK HERE!)
A student newspaper teaches and reinforces a lot of skills that will benefit students today and tomorrow. Students who participate in a student newspaper learn a lot of workplace skills such as management, meeting deadlines, and communicating with others. School newspapers also enforce a need for teamwork.
Thank you, in advance, for supporting our students by taking a few minutes to read and admire their work! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Carline Changes - Week of October 19th
Morning/Afternoon traffic procedures will remain the same except for the following changes:
- 5K students to utilize back loop for afternoon pick-up (morning drop-off still in the front)
- Middle School students to utilize back loop for morning drop-off (afternoon pick-up still in the front)
As a reminder, we ask for everyone's support to ensure a safe, efficient morning drop-off:
- ALL car riders should utilize the full length of the awning/sidewalk. Do not wait to drop off at the front door.
- Have bookbags closed and masks up prior to entering the carline.
- Do not wait until the last minute. We encourage families to drop off by 7:30. Most of our families arrive between 7:30-7:45 thus creating a more hectic drop-off situation.
- Do not use your cell phone or other electronic devices while in the carline.
Elementary Students Return to Full-Time In-Person Instruction
Beginning this week, 2nd grade students will begin a phased-in return to full-time, in-person school. Students will attend next Monday OR Tuesday based on their Attendance Plan color group. Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 and 22 ALL second grade students will be back in school. There is no school on Friday because it is a teacher workday and student holiday. Beginning next week (October 26), second graders are back full time, five days a week. Students will need to wear masks whenever social distancing is not possible, which will include instructional time. Visit our website to view or print these details in a graphic and remember, this change does NOT impact students in the GCS Virtual Program.
As a reminder, 4K & 5K students attend all days except Friday this week (which is a teacher workday). Next week (beginning October 26), kindergartners are back in person full time, five days a week. With the return of all students, kindergartners will be expected to wear a mask whenever social distancing is not possible. Visit our website to view or print these details in a graphic and remember, this change does NOT impact students in the GCS Virtual Program.
CTC Student Newspaper
Extra, Extra, Read All About It! The third edition of the CTC Student Newspaper, our school's student newspaper, is out! (CLICK HERE!)
A student newspaper teaches and reinforces a lot of skills that will benefit students today and tomorrow. Students who participate in a student newspaper learn a lot of workplace skills such as management, meeting deadlines, and communicating with others. School newspapers also enforce a need for teamwork.
Thank you, in advance, for supporting our students by taking a few minutes to read and admire their work! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
District Magnet Academies
Save the Date: The Gifted Guru
On Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 7:00pm, we invite all Sterling School/CTC families to a special virtual workshop with Lisa Van Gemert. Lisa, "The Gifted Guru" is an educator, speaker, author, and mom. She is also the author of the book Perfectionism: A Practical Guide to Managing “Never Good Enough.
More information, including registration, will come in the coming weeks.
PTA Virtual Book Club Starts This Thursday!
One benefit of being at our school is the information our teachers and staff give us on navigating life with gifted kids. Perfectionism is something that manifests itself in many different ways. Together, we will explore this in our book club.
When:
Thursdays from 7 to 8:30pm Oct. 22nd through Nov. 19th.
We will cover two chapters each week.
Where:
You will be sent a link for the book club.
If you have questions about the book club, please contact Christi Wagner.
2020-2021 Yearbook
ELEMENTARY:
Elementary School Yearbooks are also on sale for $20. To order elementary yearbooks, use this link: CLICK HERE! Please note that the elementary and middle school websites for ordering are different.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Middle School Yearbooks are now on sale for $30 along with FREE icons with personalization until Sept. 6th! Go to the following website to order: CLICK HERE!
8TH GRADE ADS
For our 8th grade students, here's the opportunity to include an ad to this year's yearbook. Just create an account and proceed to order: CLICK HERE!
WYFF Golden Apple Award
Ingles and WYFF News 4 wants to reward teachers who are going above and beyond. Each week, an area teacher will be selected to receive the Golden Apple Award and profiled Thursdays on WYFF News 4. These weekly winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. At the end of the school year, a Teacher of the Year will be selected from the weekly winners.
To nominate an educator for the Golden Apple Award, pick up an official nomination form from an area Ingles store or CLICK HERE, then complete and mail to:
WYFF News 4
Golden Apple Award
505 Rutherford Street
Greenville, SC 29609
For submission details, CLICK HERE.
Purchasing School Pictures
To purchase this year's school pictures, parents should go to www.strawbridge.net and click "order pictures" and enter code FM348170. Packages are 100% guaranteed!
The following link (CLICK HERE!) will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your student's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals, and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.
CLICK HERE to find the digital version of our order envelope/flyer.
Students/COVID Steps to Return to School
We encourage all families to become aware of the steps they should take in the event of COVID-19 concerns. These concerns include COVID-19 symptoms, exposure (within six feet of a positive case for more than 15 minutes), positive test, etc. The following graphic should help provide possible next steps. To be safe, we ask families to notify Dr. Patterson anytime there is a concern related to COVID-19 so we can provide guidance based on DHEC regulations. Keep students at home if they present with any of the following symptoms:
- cough or shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing;
- fever (of 100.4 or higher) or chills;
- muscle or body aches;
- vomiting or diarrhea; or,
- new loss of taste or smell.
We also ask families who have traveled internationally to follow all quarantine directives they receive when re-entering the country. Anyone who has been directed to quarantine when re-entering the country should not attend school for the period of the quarantine – usually 14 days. Additionally, we encourage you to test your knowledge by taking the following quiz (no worries, it's annoymous) to help your understanding around school exclusions, quarantines, isolation, etc.
COVID Exclusions and Notifications Quiz: CLICK HERE!
GCS will follow DHEC guidelines regarding the notification of families when COVID-19 cases are present in schools. Under current guidelines, anytime a student or staff member in any GCS school receives a positive test for COVID-19, a notice will be placed on the GCS website, alerting the school and community. Additionally, parents will receive a personal phone call if the positive case was in their child’s classroom or part of another school group to which their child is connected. Please note the importance of social distancing.
Per DHEC regulations, any staff or student identified as having spent 15 minutes or more within six feet of a positive case are considered close contacts and will be excluded from school for a minimum of 14 days. Absences due to documented COVID-19 infection will be an excused absence and will not count against a student’s required seat time/attendance. Students and staff who were not close contacts will be allowed to remain at school. We will be sure and let you know if these notification requirements change. Additional information is available on the GCS Parent Resource webpage.
Thank you for all your support in helping us keep our faculty, staff, students, and families safe!
Sterling School
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