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Griffins Connect
Week of December 3rd #Together #WholeChild
2024 All-County Orchestra
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who will be participating in the 2024 Greenville All-County Orchestra in January:
- Violin: Amy Ding, Caroline Yi, Dhanya Rajagopalan, Ian Hamberis, Gabriela Bernal, Vaishu Bhadveli, Anna Lee Davis
- Viola: Emily Tavis, Aadi Agnihotri, Oliver Craig , Jonathan Ropp
- Cello: Paul Manavalan, Lily Arzt, Mary Hazel Hinson, Liam Felkel
- Bass: Ganesh Mannepalli, Aarush Bhatnagar
Great job Mrs. Martin and musicians! We are so proud of all of you!
Enjoy the concert performance on January 26, 2024 at 6pm in the Riverside High School auditorium. Admission to the concert is FREE!
📆 What's Ahead...
December 5 & 6: MAP Testing for 1st & 2nd Grade
December 5 & 6: PTA Papa John's Spirit Night (info below)
December 6: Lunch n' Learn: Perfectionism; 12:00-12:30pm - RSVP HERE (info below)
December 7: Fall/Yearbook Pictures Make-Up Date
- Order online @ www.strawbridge.net; click "order pictures" & enter code: FM436458
December 7: 1st & 2nd Grade Musical; 1:00pm
December 11: Band/Strings Winter Concert; 6:30pm
December 11-13: Candy Cane Grams; $1.00 each (info below)
December 14: Wear Holiday Spirit (Sponsored by Students in Action)
December 14: Dodgeball Tournament; 2:45-4:15pm (info below)
December 15: New Deadline for Reflections Art Program Submission: CLICK HERE! (info below)
December 19: Half Day; Dismissal @ 11:45am, elementary; 12:00pm middle
December 19: End of 2nd Quarter
December 20-January 2: Winter Break
January 3: Teacher Workday (no school for students)
January 4: Students Return to School; Start of 3rd Quarter
Who's ready for our Holiday Dodgeball Event?!
The dodgeball tournament will take place on December 14th from 2:45-4:15. Sign ups will be Dec 4th-11th in the front office between 7:15-7:45am. 3rd-5th grade teams will be in a bracket for $5 per team. 6th-8th grade teams will be in a bracket for $10 per team. Spectators will be $3 and that will be paid at the door the day of. All teams consist of 5 players per team and the students are responsible for making/organizing/signing up their own teams. Students are also responsible for organizing their own rides home afterwards and making parent/guardians aware of the event.
All students will already know the rules and expectations of Sterling School Dodgeball before the tournament. During the event, students that are not supervised by a parent/guardian will be required to stay the entire length and sit in the bleachers to watch or play if they are on a team. This event is completely voluntary, but all money raised will be going back to the school with new PE equipment!
🥪 Upcoming Lunch n' Learn: Perfectionism
Event Details:
- Target Audience: 3rd-5th Grade CTC Program
- Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6th; 12:00-12:30pm
- Location: Virtual
- RSVP: CLICK HERE!
- Questions? Email Mrs. Bennett
During this workshop, we will explore practical strategies and share valuable insights on how to recognize and support students dealing with perfectionism. The workshop aims to create a space for parents to connect, learn, and exchange ideas on how we can collectively contribute to the well-being and academic success of our students. #Together #WholeChild
Candy Cane Grams
Middle school Jr. Beta Club will be offering CANDY GRAMS on Monday, Dec. 11th - Wed. Dec. 13th. Any Sterling students can bring $1 and write a message to a friend or teacher. The message, along with a candy cane, will be delivered to the recipient by members of our Beta Club on Thurs. 12/14 and Fri. 12/15.
Needed.... donations of full size candy canes in order to make this possible. If you can help us by sending in a box or two of full size candy canes, we would really appreciate it. They can be turned in to Ms. Foulkes in the front office from 7:10 - 7:45 any day this week.
Charles Townes Center: 20th Anniversary
We are excited to announce that this spring will mark the 20th Anniversary of the CTC program. Many students and their families have been positively impacted by the unique environment, experiences and learning opportunities that have taken place at Sterling CTC over the past 20 years. If you are willing to serve on the planning committee, we would love to have your input. Please email Ms. Foulkes dfoulkes@greenville.k12.sc.us to express your interest and include a good number to reach you.
We will be sharing a SAVE THE DATE announcement very soon!
🍂 From the Sterling/CTC PTA 🍂
It’s Time Again to Raise Dough with Papa John’s!
Everyone loves pizza and this Tuesday, December 5th and Wednesday, December 6th when you order from Papa John’s and use the code STERLING our school gets 15% of the proceeds! What a great reason to order pizza for lunch or dinner! And even better are the participating locations: Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, and even select spots in North Carolina. Encourage all of your family and friends to participate!
Must Use School Promo Code when ordering online, on the app, or by phone for our school to receive credit! OUR SCHOOL'S PROMO CODE | STERLING
Thanks so much for supporting PTA Spirit Nights!
Teacher Gift Ideas
Are you wondering what to get your child's teacher for the holidays? Let us make it a little easier by sharing their wishlist and favorite items!
New favorites are being added frequently, so check back if you don't see your teacher's information listed. If your teacher doesn't have specific requests, gift cards are always appreciated!
Thank you for considering these gifts!
Save the Date: International Night
We hope you will join us for our PTA’s International Night on Friday, February 2nd. If you are interested in representing a country or region, please contact Priya Manavalan.
PTA Teacher Grant Awards
Did you know your financial support of Sterling School PTA helps fund teacher grants in the fall and spring? Teachers submit grant requests bi-annually to the PTA that positively impact student learning.
We are excited to share the recipients of the 2023 Fall PTA Teacher Grants:
- Ms. Beard & Ms. Henry: Bee Bots to provide hands-on computer programming and coding lessons. With Bee Bots, students will also be practicing counting, sequencing, problem solving, estimating, directionality and vocabulary.
- Ms. Broder: The Warehouse Theatre’s, This Wooden O, will come to our school for 5 days to help interpret and have students perform The 12th Night by Shakespeare.
- Ms. Nyvall: Mini Toaster Ovens to help with 5th grade CTC's lesson on Tiny Foods; an activity that gives students hands-on experience with fractions as they scale down a recipe to 1/16 size and bake it during class.
- Ms. Treloar: Bullying Prevention and Red Ribbon Week leis and stickers for all students in the school.
- Ms. Merritt & Ms. Spitler: Refresh the art patio space with new tables, chairs, and sun umbrellas for more learning and collaborative opportunities for all students.
- Ms. Parks: Mobile whiteboard for students to think on vertically as well as for use to make announcements and project work. "NOTICE and NOTE Signposts" bookmarks to improve analysis and comprehension of texts as well as writing and communicating about thinking for TDA work.
- Ms. Hamilton: A class set of Labsonic headphones that will be used for all subjects.
- Dr. Tchouros: Materials to provide a sensory resource library for teachers including items related to movement and flexible seating options for students who may have sensory or hyperactivity.
- Ms. Lunsford: Three iPads and cases for each first grade classroom to utilize a phonics program called Reading Horizons that promotes the science of reading and gives students the basic foundational decoding/encoding skills they need to succeed as readers.
- Ms. Duncan: Spanish food tastings to provide an authentic and interactive way to try the foods native to so many of the cultures and countries students are learning about.
The 2023-2024 Reflections Art Program Deadline is EXTENDED!
The deadline for students to SUBMIT original works has been extended to December 15th! Choose from one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Musical Composition, Photography or Visual Arts.
Students may submit multiple entries, but a new submission must be made for each entry. Be sure to use a parent email, not district issued student email. State winners will be notified through email and students may not be able to receive emails from outside sources, including PTA. Entries can only be submitted electronically.
The rules and guidelines can be found in the link to the Rules & Guidelines. Please contact TJ Jaconetti or Jagy with any questions.
Recent Happenings Around Sterling School
5th Grade explores fractions & ratios with Tiny Foods
4th Grade visits local business to learn about math & entrepreneurship
6th Grade travels back to the Middle Ages
Purchase Your Yearbook Today!
Don't forget to order your child's yearbook! The process is super easy! Visit the Jostens site to order.
- Elementary: CLICK HERE!
- Middle School: CLICK HERE!
MySchoolBucks Update & Info
FYI: Beginning November 13th, parents will see a MySchoolBucks Fall 2023 Program Fee of $2.50 on their next transaction. This is a convenience fee that MSB will charge on the first payment transaction made during November and December 2023 time frame. According to MSB, this fee is to help offset rising costs so the 4.25% per transaction fee is not affected.
From Our Friends @ Phillis Wheatley Community Center!
Can You Serve As A Substitute?
At Sterling School, we have amazing substitute teachers. These dedicated individuals help ensure that our school operates smoothly when a classroom teacher is absent. However, our list of active subs is short.
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!
Support a Griffin & Become a Mentor!
The Sterling School has a partnership with Mentor Upstate, a nonprofit organization that seeks to support children with one-on-one positive relationships. 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 2023-2024 school year, we will follow-up with training information and other pertinent details. For any questions, email Mrs. Lindsay Berry (school counselor).
We Need YOU! Volunteer Training
Thinking of chaperoning a field trip, becoming a room parents, or mentoring a student? Parents at Sterling School may now participate in volunteer training either in person or online.
Upon completion of the online training module, you will be asked to take a short quiz which will be submitted to Mr. Murphy for scoring. All volunteers must answer each question correctly. Failure to do so will result in potential volunteers being asked to review the training module again or attend a face-to-face training.
To apply to be a Level II volunteer, please CLICK HERE! Follow "Level II" process and select "Field Trip Chaperone" as one of your functions/roles (even if you never want to go on a field trip). This needs to be selected to pull the background check. You may select as many other roles or all that you may be interested in. This does not commit you to anything.
If you have questions about the process or anything related to volunteering at Sterling, or if you prefer a face-to-face training, contact Mr. Murphy via email or (864) 355-4480.
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.