Griffins Connect
Week of May 12th #Together #WholeChild
π Happy Mother's Day! π
The Charles Townes Center Celebrates 20 Years!
What a wonderful weekend of celebration at the Charles Townes Center! We marked 20 years of incredible programming with joy, gratitude, and excitement for the future. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, reminisce about cherished memories, and envision the next 20 years filled with strong relationships, innovation, and creativity! A huge round of applause to Ms. Foulkes, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Coffman, Mrs. Johnston, and all the amazing individuals who played a role in making this event a resounding success. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated! Here's to many more years of excellence and making a positive impact together!
CTC Alum & Current Students
Dr. Patterson & Mr. Johnstone
Current & Former CTC Faculty/Staff
π What's Ahead...
Monday, May 13: SC Ready Field Testing in Writing Grades 3-6 and 8 (7th gr. on 5/17)
Monday, May 13: First Lego League Coaches Meeting; 3:00 in Media Center (info below)
Wednesday, May 15: Algebra 1 End-of-Course Exam
Wednesday, May 15: 5th Grade Day
Wednesday, May 15: Kona Ice Treat (provided by PTA)
Thursday, May 16: Clap Out (5th & 8th Sterling/CTC & High School Grads); 8:00am (info below)
Thursday, May 16: 7th Grade DownTownes
Thursday, May 16: Field Day for Grades 1-3; 12:00-2:00pm (Volunteers Needed!)
Friday, May 17: 24-25 After School Program Registration Deadline (info below)
Friday, May 17: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Riverbank Zoo
Friday, May 17: 8th Grade Celebrate the Class; 8:30-10:30 in gym
Friday, May 17: Friday, May 17: SC Ready Field Testing in Writing Grade 7
Friday, May 17: Field Day for Grades 4 & 5; 12:00-2:00pm (Volunteers Needed!)
Friday, May 17: 5K Celebration Program; 12:30-1:30pm in gym
π What's Further Ahead...
Monday, May 20: 5th Grade Sterling Awards Day; 9:00am in gym
Monday, May 20: 8th Grade Trip
Monday, May 20: Field Day for Grades 6 & 7; 8:30-11:00am
Tuesday, May 21: Half Day; Dismissal @ 11:45am for elementary, 12:00pm for middle
Wednesday, May 22: Half Day; Dismissal @ 11:45am for elementary, 12:00pm for middle
π»π Band & Strings Showcase "Superior" Performances! πΆπ·
Until Next Time...
As we close another school year, several members of our faculty/staff will close the chapter of their journey at Sterling/Charles Townes Center. We thank each of them for their dedication and service to our school and wish them all the best in lifeβs next chapter. When you see them over the next few days, please thank them for all they have given to our school community:
Danielle Forman (4K); Molly Aughtry (5K aide); Alyson Sweeney (1st grade); Kamaria Downs (2nd grade); Ebony Nye (2nd grade); Emily Hamilton (3rd grade); Sue Broder (middle school ELA); Michelle Treloar (middle school counselor); Dr. Cindy Carroll (resource); Jordan Winters (speech); and Jenn Knox (front office)
Welcoming to the Newest Members of the Sterling/CTC Family!
Dr. David Bernardy, 4th Grade Sterling
Iβm David Bernardy, and Iβm thrilled to be joining the fourth-grade team at Sterling this year.
While Iβm new to the elementary classroom, Iβm not new to teaching. In the past twenty years, Iβve taught literature, writing, and art at the University of Minnesota, Furman University, and the Greenville Center for the Creative Arts. While Iβve enjoyed teaching older students, I eventually realized that elementary school kids are really where itβs at.
Long, long ago, I earned my Bachelorβs degree in English at Kennesaw State University in my hometown of Kennesaw, Georgia. I then moved out to Texas, where I earned an MFA and PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. In addition to being a teacher, Iβm also an artist. Check out my website at www.davidbernardy.com.
On my off days, I love to hang out with my wife, Joni, and our daughter, Caroline. We love cooking, music, hiking, playing with dogs, and traveling.
I look forward to meeting the students, the parents, and the rest of the Sterling family. Iβm sure it is going to be an exciting and adventurous year for all of us.
Nicole Benvenuto, Middle School Counselor
Hello! My name is Nicole Benvenuto and I am excited to be back with Sterling/CTC to serve as the middle school counselor! I started my school counseling career a few years ago as the CTC elementary school counselor from 2019-2022. For the past two years, I have been working as the primary school counselor with the ClemsonLIFE Program at Clemson University. While my time at Clemson has been incredibly rewarding, I am eager and excited to be back at Sterling/CTC. I have missed the Sterling family dearly and am thrilled to be back! Besides the exciting news of returning to Sterling/CTC, later this year I will be moving closer to the Greenville area and getting married!
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, I moved to South Carolina in 2017 to pursue my M.Ed & Ed.S in School Counseling. This will be my 6th year as a school counselor. Through these 6 years, I have gotten to learn a lot about myself and hone in on my counseling skills along the way. Each experience has shaped me and guided me towards the counselor that I aspire to be. As I step into this new role as the middle school counselor, I am eager to apply the lessons learned and experiences gained to support and empower our students every day as we navigate middle school together!
Tracey Deyling, 3K
Hello! My name is Tracey Deyling, and I am excited to be joining the Sterling School family as a 3K Special Education teacher. My family and I are starting a new adventure as we move to Greenville this summer from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
I am a special education teacher with seventeen years of experience working with children of varying disabilities. The last fourteen years I have spent teaching PreK Special Education and have really enjoyed working with our youngest students.
My husband Jonathan and I have four girls McKenna (11), Kaitlyn (13), Emma (20), and Madyson (22). Each of our girls has brought a new level of fun and excitement to our lives. We also have two of the sweetest pups Sugar and Frankie. They enjoy being the neighborhood greeters while the rest of us are at school.
In my free time I love to grab a Dr. Pepper and get a pedicure. I also really enjoy baking and watching all Hallmark movies.
My husband and I are looking forward to new adventures we can share with our girls as we explore all Greenville has to offer.
Matt Giacalone, Middle School Social Studies
Hello! My name is Matt Giacalone and I am excited to join Charles Townes Center and Sterling School as a social studies teacher. This will be my 10th year teaching with Greenville County Schools. I received my undergraduate degree in geography and Masters in environmental sciences before working as a hydrogeologist and environmental scientist. I decided to change careers and earned my Masters degree in education from Clemson. I absolutely loving teaching and empowering students to learn and explore!
I live in Greenville with my wife and we have four wonderful children in our blended family. They range in age from 13 to 24. When I am not teaching I enjoy coaching soccer, playing pickleball, hiking, drinking good coffee, and going to see live music.
I canβt wait to meet and work with everyone and look forward to a great school year.
Ashley Moreira, Middle School ELA
Hello! Iβm Ashley Moreira, and Iβm thrilled about joining the Sterling family this year! Originally from Canada, Iβm a first-generation college student born to Portuguese parents. College soccer brought me to the South, and although you wonβt find me on the pitch these days, youβll occasionally catch me cheering on my favorite team, Chelsea FC!
Currently, I'm delving into research on cognitive and narrative thinking, particularly exploring storytelling within educational settings. Iβm eager to bring this knowledge into my classroom and foster creativity and critical thinking among my students, while also looking forward to learning more about the amazing stories of the students I will work alongside this year.
When Iβm not in the classroom, I love spending time with my sweet family. My twin daughters are heading into first grade this year, and weβre all excited to start this new chapter together at Sterling this fall!
Cate O'Brien, 1st Grade
Hello! My name is Cate OβBrien and I will be joining the first grade team at Sterling. I am beyond excited for this opportunity and eager to get started! I am looking forward to connecting with the Sterling and CTC community.
I am currently teaching Kindergarten in Fairfax County, Virginia. My husband and I will be moving back home to Greenville at the end of June. Although it will be bittersweet to leave the place I have called home for two years, I am looking forward to moving closer to my childhood home of Greer.
Through my experience in Kindergarten, I have learned a lot from both my students and colleagues. My goal is to create a positive and welcoming environment for all students. One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching my students learn and grow. I have had a passion for teaching from an early age and I canβt wait to see where this next journey leads me!
In my free time you can find me spending time with my family, visiting the beach, walking my dog, or finding new places to run. I am excited for the road ahead! Iβm already confident that Sterling is going to feel like home.
Dakota Peltier, 3rd Grade
Hello! I am Dakota Peltier and I am beyond excited to be joining the Sterling family as a new -and first year- 3rd grade teacher! I am a 2024 graduate of the University of South Carolinaβs College of Education program, and I am so blessed to have Sterling as my new home.
My passion for teaching started very young. My younger sister would be a true team player and let me pretend to be her teacher, in my childhood bedroom in which I completely transformed into a fake classroom, even if she wasnβt a fan. My passion grew stronger throughout the years, and blossomed when my mom and aunt both decided to switch careers from nursing to teaching. Seeing my family so happy in this career gave me all the support I could need to go through the process of becoming an educator.
For a little background on myself, I was born and raised in Ocala, Florida up until my freshman year of high school. This is when my family moved to Greenville and I attended Riverside High School. I fell in love with Greenville and South Carolina, so I decided to give UofSC a chance. Four years later, Iβm graduated and beginning a new journey. I cannot wait to meet every single one of you and welcome my very first group of 3rd grade learners!
Inga Puffer, Challenge
Next year, I will split my time between Sterling and Duncan Chapel. I love project-based learning, so teaching Challenge is a dream job. My favorite part of teaching is fostering the mindsets and social skills that help students build joyful, purpose-filled lives.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Mike, and our two daughters, Edie (9) and Eila (7). We spend most of our time playing games, reading, crafting, and dreaming up our next travel plans. I look forward to getting to know all of you as we work together next year.
From the Sterling/CTC PTA
We Need Your Help!
Itβs the final countdown to the last day of school and our front office staff needs extra help with SIGN-IN TABLES! If you can spare an hour of your time, please reach out to Melissa Hucks and let her know you are willing to help!
KONA ICE IS COMING
This Wednesday, staff and students will celebrate the end of another fantastic school year with refreshing shaved ice treats from our PTA! It's the perfect way to jump start the countdown to summer break and make some sweet memories together.
CHECK LOST AND FOUND!!
As the school year winds down, it's time for a lost and found check! We've accumulated quite a collection of lost items over the last few weeks, and we want to make sure everything gets back to its rightful owner before summer break. Please swing by our lost and found area located outside of the cafeteria to reclaim any missing items. From clothing to water bottles, we've got a variety of items waiting to be reunited with their owners!
Field Day Parent Volunteers Needed!
π Attention Parents! π Our school's exciting Field Day is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a huge success! SIGN UP today to volunteer and join in the fun! Let's create unforgettable memories together!
First Lego League 2024-25 Interest
Is your student in 3rd through 6th grade?....Is he/she interested in joining a First Lego League Team or wishes to CONTINUE with FLL? Would you be willing to coach a NEW TEAM?
Applications to express INTEREST in possibly joining or continuing on a FLL Team for the 2024-25 school year can be picked up in the front office or you may access one HERE. Current members of FLL should also complete a form.
Teams form in the spring/summer to begin preparing for next school year. Our ability to form teams will be dependent on parent coaches and open spaces on current teams. We have extended the due date to May 9th.
All Current FLL Coaches and possible NEW COACHES... we will be meeting on Monday, May 13th at 3:00 in the media center to discuss: Team changes, additions, meeting days/spaces as well as equipment needs, etc. Please be sure each team has at least ONE representative.
Griffins Walk 2024
Join us for Griffin Walk 2024 on Thursday, May 16th at 8:00 am! Calling all high school and college graduates who attended Sterling School to join us in this special event. Please RSVP (by May 13) and bring your cap, gown, or college t-shirt. Special guests, please sign in at the main office between 7:30 and 7:45 am. A small reception will follow from 8:30-9:00 am.
As we celebrate our graduates' achievements, we invite families to share two photos: one of your Griffin as an elementary student and another in their high school/college regalia. Let's celebrate their journey and accomplishments together! π #WholeChild #GriffinPRIDE
Clubs Wrapping Up
Clubs are coming to a close as we experience the busy days at the end of the school year. Please note the following:
- Board Game Club: Finished
- Chess Club: last meeting is this Friday, May 10
- Running Club: Last session is Monday, May 13
2024-25 After School Program Registration
Registration is now open for next school year. CLICK HERE to download the form. All Registration Forms MUST be turned in to the front office or directly to Maxi Henry by Friday, May 17th to be guaranteed a spot. If you wait until the Fall to register, you will be put on a waiting list.
Please email Mrs. Henry with any questions. To learn more about the program, visit the After School website here.
π¨β¨ Celebrate Learning @ Sterling School! ππ
Our students have outdone themselves with their latest masterpiece! Recently, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders teamed up with Adam Schrimmer from Blank Canvas Mural Company and our talented art teachers to create a stunning new mural at Sterling School. Inspired by Socrates' timeless wisdom, the mural embodies the theme: 'Wonder is the beginning of Wisdom.' Each student in 3rd-5th grade contributed their ideas, reflecting on 'what do you wonder? Or what are you curious about?' The result? A vibrant celebration of curiosity, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Located at the entrance of our cafeteria, this mural is a daily reminder of the joy of learning and the power of curiosity that comes by being a student at Sterling School! Come by and soak in the creativity and inspiration that our students have brought to life! #Together #WholeChild
π 2024-2025 Carpool Interest Form
Are you interested in carpooling next year? Please fill out the 2024-25 Carpool Form. Weβll have several new incoming CTC 3rd grade families joining the list! The spreadsheet will be shared in March.
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.