Griffins Connect
Week of September 8th | #WholeChild | #SoaringHigher
2024 GRIFFIN GAMES BUBBLE RUN FUNdraiser ๐ ๐๐ฝ ๐๐ฟ
Griffin Games Bubble Run 2024
Weโre thrilled to kick off the 2024 Griffin Games Bubble Run Fundraiser! Fundraiser packets were sent home with students at the end of last week. So, be sure to check their folders and backpacks if you havenโt seen it yet. The packet includes a QR code to register your child. You can also use this link: Griffin Games. The fundraiser runs until September 20, featuring a Bubble Run for elementary students and a Foam Party for middle schoolers. Over the next two weeks, there will be exciting prizes and incentives, and we canโt wait to see our school community shine! Check out this AMAZING VIDEO that explains more about this yearโs Griffin Games!
๐ What's Ahead...
Tuesday, Sept. 10th: Settling into 6th Grade; 9:00-10:00 AM, Vegas Room (info below)
Thursday, Sept. 12th: Griffin Glee Club Applications Due (info below)
Thursday, Sept. 12th: Parent Cafรฉ; 5:30-7:15 PM, Vegas Room
Friday, Sept. 13th: SIC Buddy Family Kick-Off Meet & Greet; 7:30-8:15 AM (info below)
Monday, Sept. 16th: PTA Spirit Night @ Clare's Creamery; 2:30-7:30 PM (info below)
Wednesday, Sept. 18th: 8th Grade: The High School Transition; 12:00-12:45 PM, RSVP HERE
Thursday, Sept. 19th: Fall/Yearbook Pictures
Thursday, Sept. 19th: PTA Coffee & Conversations with Dr. P.; 7:45-9:00 AM, Vegas Room
Friday, Sept. 20th: PTA Griffin Bubble Run
Saturday, Sept. 21st: All Hands Garden Workday; 9:00-11:00 AM, SIGN-UP HERE (info below)
Tuesday, Sept. 24th: 7th Grade: High School Credit Courses & GPA; 12:00-12:45 PM: RSVP HERE
Sixth-grade parents are invited to join us for "Settling into 6th Grade," an informative session designed to give you insights into your child's classes and the transition to middle school academics. Hosted by our dedicated 6th-grade team, this session will provide an overview of what to expect from the academic experience and how we support your childโs success. #WholeChild #SoaringHigher
๐ท Thursday, September 19th: Fall/Yearbook Pictures
Fall/Yearbook pictures will be taken on Thursday, September 19th. To view pricing, CLICK HERE!
Buy online to get personalization and/or a digital download for free in select packages. Go to www.strawbridge.net. Click โOrder Picturesโ and enter the following code: FM452273.
๐ซ From the Sterling School PTA ๐
PTA Membership
Weโre so close to reaching our goal of 100% PTA membership! If you havenโt yet purchased a membership for yourself or your student, now is the time. Letโs meet the goal together!
Hereโs why you should consider purchasing a membership:
Support Our School: Your membership helps fund exciting programs, events, and resources that enhance our students' educational experience.
Be a Voice: Get a say in the decisions that shape our schoolโs future. Your input matters, and as a PTA member, youโll have a platform to make it count.
Connect and Collaborate: Meet other passionate parents, students, and staff. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected school community.
Ready to make a difference? Click here to purchase your PTA membership today! Letโs work together to make this year the best one yet for our whole school! If you have any questions or need more info, feel free to reach out to Christi Wagner. We truly appreciate your support!
โ PTA Board AND General Membership Meeting
Please join us on September 19th at 7:45 AM for Coffee and Conversations with our school administration team! This will be a combined PTA Full Board and General Membership meeting. So, it is open to everyone on the PTA. We hope to see you there!
๐ฆ Spirit Night at Clareโs Creamery!
Join us for a delicious treat at Clareโs Creamery on Monday, September 16th from 2:30-7:30 PM! Support a local business, while supporting our school! Located just a couple of minutes from Sterling, itโs an easy stop on your way home or to/from after school activities. Clareโs is located at:
Parkins Mill Neighborhood Shop 1901 Laurens Road - Suite C, Greenville, SC 29607
Sterling/CTC Garden Volunteering
It's a jungle out there ๐ฑ๐ฟ and we could use your help!
The Sterling/CTC Garden spaces are thriving from the summer sun, but that means they also need some serious tidying up.
We're offering two ways to join us in maintaining our Sterling/CTC Gardens:
- Come to our "All Hands" Garden Work Day on Sat, Sept 21st from 9am-11am - Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/nNHsepM
- Want additional volunteer opportunities? Sign up for our Sterling/CTC Garden Adoption Program (G.A.P.)! With many dates to choose from and the flexibility to come any time of day, students can sign up for their "adoption zone" here: https://signup.com/go/ZwjvTnh
Contact April Boyer with any questions (aprilcboyer@gmail.com) and thanks for investing your time in our garden spaces. Grow Griffins!
A Word from Mrs. Matthews
Mrs. Matthews would like to thank everyone for their amazing support of the library's book fair in previous years! This year in lieu of book fair funds the library will be relying heavily on their Read-A-Thon Fundraiser in February.
Please mark your calendars and get ready for February Read-A-Thon! These funds will be used for our Author and Illustrator visit in March. The library will be hosting Matthew Swanson and Robbi Beir who write and illustrate the Ben Yokoyama Series.
WYFF's 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.
CTC Junior Beta Club
BETA CLUB meetings coming up:
8th Gr. Monday, September 9th during recess
7th Gr. Tuesday, September 10th during recess
6th Gr. Wednesday, September 11th during recess
Students and families, it is time to join or renew your interest in continuing to be a part of the Middle School Junior Beta Club. Typically, students are invited to join Jr. Beta Club in 5th grade and participate in a special Induction Ceremony. If your child meets the qualifications, they are encouraged to continue their service in the Middle School Jr. Beta Club. National Beta is the largest, independent, educational youth organization in America. The four pillars that drive our work and opportunities are: Academic Achievement, Character, Leadership and Service.
What are next steps:
- You and your student should review the Jr. Beta Club Qualifications.
- Your student should confirm he/she has joined the M.S. Junior Beta Club Google Classroom. Current 6th grade Beta students will ALL need to join. Students who are currently in 7th and 8th grade may have joined the Google Classroom last year. The link can be found in their Grade Level Google Classroom.
- Annual dues are $10 and should be paid over the next week in one of the following ways: *Pay through MSB (My School Bucks) * Check made payable to Sterling School *Cash
- If paying by check or cash, please label payment with your student's name, grade and HR teacher
- Payment should be delivered to Ms. Foulkes in the front office FIRST THING IN THE MORNING to be receipted.
Art Honor Society
Art Honor Society Info Meeting for New & Returning Members
Grades 6-8
Do you love creating ART? Are you interested in a fun club that bridges ART with like minded friends? Come to the art room on Tuesday or Thursday. September 17th or 19th and find out if this club is for you. Any student from 6th - 8th grade who is going to be taking a MS Art Class this semester or next semester is welcome. See Mrs. Harrington or Mrs. Spitler if you have any questions.
Griffin Glee Club
Griffin Glee Club is here, where every note is a new adventure! Whether you sing alone at home or you are a stage star, this is the place to let your voice shine. We will be singing and having a blast while learning new songs and singing familiar songs as well. No experience is needed-just bring your love for music and a positive attitude. Come make new friends, learn cool songs, and be part of something truly awesome.
This club will be holding auditions on September 16 and 17. Applications are due THIS Thursday, September 12. Students will not be able to audition for the club without an application. Please send the applications to Mrs. Ledford. Griffin Glee Club Audition Form
Board Game Club
Students in grade 3-8 who are interested in joining the Board Game Club should complete the GOOGLE FORM linked here - OR- complete a Game Club registration form. These can be picked up and returned to the front office. Enrollment will continue until full. There is no cost for this club, just bring your favorite board game to share with others. This club will meet on Mondays from 2:30-3:30 beginning on September 16th. Parents must be willing to help supervise students during ONE week.
CTC Picklers - Pickleball Club
Mr. Giacalone (6 & 7th gr SS teacher) will lead this club for MIDLLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY on Mondays after school beginning on September 16 from 2:30 - 3:45. Students should register using this GOOGLE FORM. Please bring your paddles and a few balls if you have them.
MORE Student Clubs: Starting Soon
Look for more information coming soon about: Running Club, Volleyball Club and HAM Radio Club.
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.
Some of the clubs we have had in the past are: Running Club, Chess Club, Board Game Club, Girls on the Run, Jr. Beta Club, etc.
Upcoming Middle School Lunch & Learns
Join Ms. Benvenuto for our Fall Lunch & Learns! These sessions are designed especially for 7th and 8th-grade families, but don't worry, 6th-grade familiesโyour turn is coming soon (stay tuned for more information)! These Lunch & Learns will be held virtually, so be sure to sign up so Ms. Benvenuto can send you the meeting links. If you're unable to attend, no worries! All presentations will be posted on Ms. Benvenuto's website after the meetings.
We also have a unique opportunity for our 8th-grade families to hear from Melissa Cline, Director of Admissions at Furman University. This in-person meeting will provide a great chance to ask your questions about the college admissions process. Feel free to bring your lunch and join us for this informative session!
2024 SCReady MAX Scores in Reading, ELA and/or TDA Writing
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students! Nearly 90 of them have earned the highest possible scores in one or more of the following categories of the 2024 SCReady assessment: Reading, ELA, and/or TDA Writing. This remarkable accomplishment reflects their dedication, focus, and commitment to excellence. We couldn't be more proud of their hard work and determination to excel.
To see the full list of these exceptional students, please CLICK HERE!
Congratulations to all of our high achieversโyou are truly soaring higher!
3rd Grade (Current 4th)
All students earned a MAX score in Reading.
4th Grade (Current 5th)
All students earned a maximum score in one or more of the following: Reading, ELA, and/or TDA Writing.
5th Grade (Current 6th)
All students earned a maximum score in one or more of the following: Reading, ELA, and/or TDA Writing.
6th Grade (Current 7th)
All students earned a maximum score in one or more of the following: Reading, ELA, and/or TDA Writing.
7th Grade (Current 8th)
All students earned a maximum score in one or more of the following: Reading, ELA, and/or TDA Writing.
Order Your Elementary Yearbook Today!
Order your Elementary yearbook before September 13th for $25 (that's a $5 savings).
๐ Support a Griffin & Become a Mentor!
We are looking for committed adults who are willing to support and encourage ONE student for the year. If you or someone you know from our school community are willing to volunteer 30 minutes of your time weekly, we need you!
If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please complete the interest survey found HERE! Near the start of the 2024-2025 school year, we will follow-up with training information and other pertinent details. For any questions, email Mrs. Lindsay Berry (school counselor).
Can You Serve As A Substitute?
If you are able to help serve as a substitute for Sterling School and Greenville County Schools, please follow this link to get started and be sure to let us know (email Dr. Patterson!). We will be happy to help facilitate the process or connect you with current substitutes who can answer any of your questions. You may choose to work at any school or you can select Sterling exclusively. Work only on the days that fit your schedule. We appreciate your consideration to help the school by serving as a substitute!
After School Program Now Hiring!
Looking for a part-time job? Sterling School's After School Program is hiring dedicated and enthusiastic workers! If you enjoy working with kids and have a few hours to spare in the afternoons, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
- Hours: 2-5PM or 2-6PM
- Interested? Contact Maxi Henry at mhenry@greenville.k12.sc.us for more information.
Join our team and make a difference in the lives of our students!
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
Principal - Sterling School & Charles Townes Center; Greenville County Schools, South Carolina.