🎃 Get Ready for Fall Festival!
Save the date for October 25th from 4:30 to 7:00 PM because our school’s Fall Festival is going to be packed with excitement! From thrilling games and tasty food to giant inflatables, a DJ, and a spooky Haunted House, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But we can’t do it without YOU! We need volunteers to donate items and help out during the festival!
Please help us make sure all the stations are covered for this night of fun! **Adults, please sign up for the Gym Inflatables first**—you must be 18+ to volunteer at those stations. We also welcome high schoolers who would like to volunteer! Let’s work together to create a fun festival experience! Fall Festival Volunteer
😱 Enter If You Dare…
The Beta Club is bringing the thrills with their Haunted House at the school's Fall Festival on October 25th from 4:30 - 7:00 PM! For $2 (cash), you can take a walk through a spooky, spine-tingling adventure—if you're brave enough! Proceeds will go to a charity chosen by the Beta Club, so it's not only a frightful night but a chance to give back to the community.
Parents, we need your help to make this Haunted House even more special! We’re looking for donations of Halloween decorations, props, and costumes to make this event truly unforgettable. Please use the sign up below to contribute! Every little bit helps to raise the scare factor! Haunted House Sign Up
October Work Day plus G.A.P. Opportunities
Join us for our October "All Hands" Garden Work Day to finish up our garden chores and prepare our lovely growing space for the cooler months. Click on the link below to join us on October 26th from 9am-11am. Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/nNHsepM
Can't make it on October 26th or want to earn additional volunteer hours? 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!
Help Us Celebrate Our Amazing Teachers!
On Friday, November 1st, the PTA is hosting a special Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, and we need your help to make it truly special! We’re asking for donations of drinks and desserts, and we also need volunteers to cover lunch duty so our wonderful teachers can relax and enjoy their meal.
Even if you can only spare 30 minutes, your support makes a huge difference! If you’re unable to volunteer in person, please consider contributing drinks or desserts. Donations can be dropped off at the office starting Wednesday, October 30th, through the morning of Friday, November 1st. The younger grades eat early, so we’re asking for everything to be delivered by 8 AM on Friday.
Let’s show our teachers how much we appreciate all they do! Thank you for helping us make this day extra special! Teacher Appreciation Sign Up
Accepting Imperfection: 24-25 PTA Reflections
The 2024–2025 National PTA Reflections program is here, and this year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection." This powerful theme invites students to explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas through the arts. Whether your student is passionate about dance choreography, film production, music composition, photography, literature, or visual art, this is their chance to showcase their creativity and share their unique perspective.
"Accepting Imperfection" will inspire students across the nation and in U.S. schools abroad to embrace the beauty found in imperfections and create original works that reflect their personal journeys and experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something special. We can't wait to see what our students create!
Submission Deadline: December 15, 2024
Submit your entry using the link below: Reflections Entry
✨ Sterling School SIC October Meeting Recap ✨
Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our October SIC Meeting! It was full of valuable insights and updates. We also welcomed our newly elected SIC Parent and Teacher Representatives.
Dr. Patterson and our PTA President, Priya Manavalan, shared important school news, highlights, and upcoming events. Our favorite part, as always, was the ‘Teacher Sharing,’ which showcased amazing curriculum activities and student engagement!
We discussed updates on the Buddy Family Program, including feedback from new families and resources being created for our community —such as the SIC Parent Quick Reference Guide!
September and October minutes will be posted on the SIC Website in the near future
SAVE THE DATE 🗓️: Our next meeting is on November 7th @ 8:30 AM in the Vegas Room! We hope to see you there! ✨
50's Day: Let's "Twist and Shout" in Primary Grades
We’re excited to celebrate the 50th -ish day of school with a special event for our primary grade students (4K-2nd) on Wednesday, October 30th! Students will participate in fun math activities that highlight the number 50.
We also invite all students and faculty/staff to join in the fun by wearing 50’s-style clothing! There’s no need to buy anything—just get creative with what you already have at home. Some ideas include: poodle skirts, cheerleading outfits, sweaters, pink lady jackets, scarves, ponytails, white t-shirts, jeans rolled up, letterman or leather jackets, slicked hair, and more. Just have fun!
Veterans Day 2024 @ Sterling
On Friday, November 8th, Sterling School will honor those who have fought for the many freedoms we, as American citizens, have today. We will have two programs. Our K-3rd grade program will begin at 8:30am and the 4th-8th grade program will begin at 9:30am. We invite all veterans in our Sterling family to join us as honored guests.
If a special guest is planning to attend, we ask that you RSVP by Thur., Oct. 31st (CLICK HERE!). As a special treat, please send in or email a picture of your honored guest (preferably in uniform), the name and relationship to our Sterling/CTC student, and the name of the military branch in which he or she served. (You'll find this request within the Google Form as well.)
Our PTA is planning a reception after each program for our veterans and their guests. Students of our veterans are invited to attend as well. If you would like to participate, please complete the same Google Form (CLICK HERE!).
We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue on the day of our program, Fri., Nov. 8th.
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 participate!
Upcoming Middle School Lunch & Learn
We're excited to announce that our upcoming event with Melissa Cline, Director of Admissions at Furman University, is now open to all middle school families! Originally offered for 8th-grade families, we’ve expanded this in-person session to ensure that all middle school parents and students can take advantage of this unique opportunity. Melissa will provide valuable insights into the college admissions process and answer any questions you may have about planning for your student's future.
Feel free to bring your lunch and join us for this informative event!
Click the image or CLICK HERE to sign-up!
We look forward to seeing you there!
AstroNerds Stargazing Party for CTC Middle Schoolers
The Sterling School AstroNerds Astronomy Club, in collaboration with Roper Mountain astronomers, is excited to offer CTC middle schoolers and their families an opportunity to explore the night sky!
- What: Stargazing party for CTC middle schoolers and their families
- Who: AstroNerds Astronomy Club in partnership with Roper Mountain Science Center
- Where: Roper Mountain Science Center
- When: November 8th, 2024, at 6:00 PM EST (weather permitting)
To participate, visitors will need to purchase tickets for the Starry Night show, hosted by Roper Mountain Science Center, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM. Following the show, the stargazing event will take place at the Roper Mountain Observatory. Roper Mountain astronomers have graciously volunteered their time to guide students in their stargazing journey. Participants will also have the chance to see different telescopes in action!
8th Grade PSAT Testing
UPDATE: Due to the recent disruption of our school calendar, testing date has been changed to Tuesday, October 29th.
During this time, our 8th-grade students will be taking the PSAT! To help your child do their best, please ensure they get plenty of rest the night before and have a healthy breakfast on the morning of the test.
Taking the PSAT in 8th grade offers numerous benefits, including identifying your child’s strengths and areas for improvement in terms of college readiness, practicing key SAT skills in a low-pressure environment, and it’s completely free for all 8th-grade students. This is a great opportunity, especially since college readiness tests can become costly when taken multiple times to achieve the best scores.
If you have any questions about the PSAT, please reach out to Mr. Winner.
2nd Grade CogAT & Iowa Testing
UPDATE: Due to the recent disruption of our school calendar, testing dates have been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 22nd - Friday, October 25th.
During this time, your child will be taking the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT) and Iowa Assessments. To help them perform their best, please ensure they get plenty of rest and enjoy a healthy breakfast each morning.
These assessments are key for identifying students who may qualify for gifted and talented programs, including potential admission to the Charles Townes Center Program here at Sterling School. If possible, please avoid scheduling any appointments during these testing days to minimize disruptions. We also encourage all students to arrive on time so testing can begin promptly.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or Mrs. Natalee Starkes.
Helene Attendance Information
Here is a brief explanation of attendance with regards to the days we were closed for Helene:
- ALL students were marked virtually present on Friday, 9/27. VTP is a PRESENT code, so no child was marked absent that day.
- ALL students were then marked with a weather absence code (WTHR) 9/30-10/8. This is visible in Parent Backpack.
- Once the state and district settle on how these dates will be treated, the code will be changed. Until then, the WTHR code stands to account for those days.
- These "absences" will not count against any student in any way, regardless of the final decision from the state.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Chrissy Hammonds at cdhammon@greenville.k12.sc.us.
First Quarter Parent/Teacher Conferences
Supporting the #WholeChild is a significant responsibility. It takes a strong home-school partnership, a student-centered curriculum, and a commitment to fostering a growth mindset. This mindset embraces the learning journey, focusing not just on grades but on growth through challenges and productive struggle.
As a parent of four, I know this approach can be challenging. As educators, we aim to push students to build resilience and problem-solving skills, even when the easier path may be tempting.
This year, as we focus on #SoaringHigher, we encourage our students to rise above challenges and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
By now, your child’s elementary teacher should have contacted you about parent/teacher conferences. Please make every effort to participate, as our goal is 100% involvement. These meetings are more than a check-in—they’re an opportunity to discuss strengths, areas for growth, and to set goals for your child’s continued success. Together, we are your child’s support team, helping them soar.
Learning Together,
Dr. P.
💙 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