Griffins Connect
Week of December 8th | #WholeChild | #SoaringHigher
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
LEOSanta & Additional Presence of Law Enforcement
As part of our partnership with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement, Sterling School has been collecting toys for LEOSanta—an initiative to brighten the holidays for families in need. As a reminder, tomorrow (12/9) is the last day to participate with a new, unwrapped toy.
On Tuesday (12/10), some of our students will have a special opportunity to tour and help fill a SWAT truck or law enforcement vehicle with the toys they’ve collected. It’s an exciting way for them to see the impact of their generosity in action! You may notice additional law enforcement vehicles, including the SWAT truck, on campus that day. Please rest assured there’s no cause for concern—this is all part of the fun and collaboration with our law enforcement partners.
Thank you for your incredible support of our school and for helping make this toy drive a success. Together, we’re spreading holiday cheer to those who need it most! 🎁🚔✨
Candy Grams for Sale
Send a message and candy cane to a special friend or teacher for $1. Candy Grams will be available for purchase on Tues. 12/10, Wed. 12/11 and Thurs. 12/12 in the front Atrium.
M.S. Jr. Beta Club members will add a candy cane to your personalized message and deliver the candy grams on Wednesday, Dec. 18th.
Smile! School Pictures Are Here!
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!
*Winter Wishes Gift Card Drive Reminder*
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our Winter Wishes Gift Card Drive! So far, we’ve collected about half of the 116 gift cards we need.
If you took a snowman, please remember to turn in your gift card by TOMORROW, Monday, December 9th. Be sure it matches the suggestion on your snowman to help us spread holiday cheer to our incredible faculty and staff! Let’s work together to make this a memorable season of giving—thank you for your support!
Teacher Favorites
Looking for the perfect way to brighten your teacher’s Winter Break? We’ve got you covered! Check out the “Favorite Things” lists to see what makes your teacher smile. Whether you're planning a little surprise or just curious, this list is here to help. **Gifting is totally optional, but it’s a fun way to spread some holiday cheer!
Teacher Appreciation Winter Snack Bar Sign Up
The PTA will be celebrating the winter holidays with our teachers and staff by hosting a Hot Chocolate and Snack Bar on Thursday, December 12th. We’d love your help in making this event extra special by donating snacks! Please sign up here.
Non-perishable items: Please deliver by Wednesday, December 11th.
Perishable items: Deliver to the office by Thursday, December 12th, 8:00 AM.
Thank you for helping us show our appreciation to our amazing teachers and staff!
Jingle Jam Was a Huge Hit!
The Middle School Jingle Jam was such a fun event! Students danced to tunes at the silent disco, sang their hearts out (which made the disco not so silent, but oh so great!), and enjoyed tasty snacks and delicious cocoa. The vibes were immaculate, and it was clear everyone had an absolute blast!
For family members who want to get a glimpse of the fun, check out pictures and videos here: Jingle Jam Thank you to everyone who helped make this festive event such a success through donations and volunteering! We’d also like to give a special thank you to the Jingle Jam chairs, Nicole Ream and Perry Behrens!
Congratulations to Our Fall 2024 PTA Grant Recipients!
Your generous support of the Sterling School PTA makes these grants possible! Twice a year, teachers submit grant requests for projects that enhance student learning, and the PTA is proud to fund creative and impactful ideas in both the fall and spring. We’re excited to announce this fall’s grant recipients and their inspiring projects:
Harrington/Spitler – Supplies for Empty Bowl
David Bernardy – Headphones for Homeroom
Dr. Castro – Board Games
Ashleigh Ledford – flat.io Subscription
Carrie Santinelli – Nonfiction Books for Classroom Library
Jen Matthews – Author Visit
Jessica Duncan – Small Food Tasting
Katelyn Barnett – Flocabulary
Liz VanDommelen – Spanish 2 Holiday Tin Ornaments Project
Katy Martin – Music Stands
Stacey Merritt – 6 Clue Board Games
Tara Adams – Kindergarten Interactive Read-Aloud Texts
Brittany Broughton – Supplies for Math Toolkit
Sarah Richardson – Patricia Polacco's Books
Ashley Moreira – Camera for Griffin News
Felicia Cannon – Food for Food Tasting
Deborah Foulkes – iPad + Movie Maker Software
Thank you to our incredible teachers for their creativity and dedication. We can’t wait to see the positive impact of these projects on our students!
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 Spotlight: Why Do You 💙 Sterling?
We’re so thankful for our amazing Sterling staff, students, and families! While the School Choice process has ended, we want to keep celebrating what makes Sterling so special.
Parents and students, join the fun and share why you choose/love Sterling in a short 30-sec video:
📱 Record vertically with your phone.
🎤 Tell us who you are and your connection to Sterling.
💬 Share what makes our school unique or why it’s been a great experience.
😊 Encourage others to learn about Sterling too!
Upload your video here. Let’s show everyone why Sterling is such a special place!
Sterling in the Community
Big shoutout to Community Leader Randy Jackson, Director of the Phillis Wheatley Center, and a true friend to our Boys 2 Mentors Club!
We were honored to join Mr. Jackson and his son, Jay Jackson, a professional MLB player for the Minnesota Twins, at the Furman vs. Princeton game to celebrate the launch of Jay's inspiring new book, "9 Innings to Living Your Best Life." The boys enjoyed hot chocolate️ and cookies while engaging in an unforgettable Q&A with Mr. Jackson about his professional baseball journey.
Thank you, Randy and Jay, for such an incredible experience and for showing our boys what it means to dream big and live their best lives.
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.
8th Grade Trip
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.
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
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
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.
🍎 Mr. Whittaker Receives WYFF Golden Apple Award
Big congratulations to Mr. Todd Whittaker, 7th/8th grade math teacher, for being selected as a WYFF News 4 Golden Apple Award Winner!
Mr. Whittaker was nominated by Jonathan Gao’s family, who joined us for today’s exciting surprise presentation by WYFF anchor Sydney Shadrix. This well-deserved recognition celebrates his dedication to inspiring our students every day. We are so proud of you, Mr. Whittaker!
💙 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