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Griffins Connect
Week of September 17th #Together #WholeChild
GRIFFIN BUBBLE RUN: THIS FRIDAY! 🏃 🏃🏽 🏃🏿
The Griffin Bubble Run is THIS FRIDAY, September 22nd! The excitement is growing as two homerooms have earned the gaming truck and several more are very close! Please continue to donate online or by cash/check (made payable to Sterling School PTA.)
On the day of the run, each class participates in the Bubble Run, followed by a bubble party, foam cannon for middle school, music and popsicles! We’d love for you to join us as a volunteer or spectator. Consider bringing extra bubbles to blow, water squirters, or even signs to add to the fun!
A table will be set up at the front entrance of the school for parents/volunteers to sign-in. The back parking lot will be closed, please park in the front lot.
Please have your student(s) bring a water bottle, we will have a refill station outside.
3rd-8th Grade: Please bring a towel!
Middle School: Shoes will get wet so plan accordingly. Middle school students will put all of their belongings at a designated spot outside before they run. They will be dismissed from the outside playground and not go back inside the school. Middle school students who go to a day care, ride the bus, or stay for the Afterschool Program should bring a change of clothes on Thursday to store in their locker to be used on Friday if needed following the Foam Run.
We are blown away by the overwhelming support of this FUNdraiser by our Griffin community!
📆 What's Ahead...
September 18-22: Circle Week: Community Read Aloud/Griffin Fun Run Celebration #Together
September 19: School Spirit Day: Wear BLUE, GOLD, and WHITE!
September 20: Deadline to register for CogAT Aptitude Assessment (info below): CLICK HERE!
September 22: Griffin Bubble Run (info & schedule above)
September 26: 7th Grade: High School Credit Courses & GPA; 12:00-12:45pm: RSVP Here
September 27: 6th Grade: Managing Middle School; 12:00-12:45pm: RSVP Here
October 2: Spirit Day at Paladin Stadium, 2:00pm (Furman vs The Citadel); ticket info below
Sterling School Celebrates Circle Week
This week our school is celebrating our community read aloud of The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague. Last week, all students read the book in their classrooms (click image or link to join us!) and this week, we are committing to making our circles bigger through acts of kindness. Students will meet up with their buddy classroom for the first time, create a collaborative art display and find ways to intentionally support, encourage and celebrate each other through our daily kindness challenges and word of the day.
We encourage your family to join us in our kindness commitment at home with these Kindness Challenges from author Brad Montague! CLICK HERE to see the Family Kindness Challenge.
🍎 From the Sterling School / Charles Townes Center PTA 📚
2023-2024 PTA Reflections
Unleash your creativity through the PTA Reflections Art Contest!
Reflections is one of a few nation-wide art programs offering students Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 an opportunity to explore their artistic talents and express themselves! Entries can advance from the local level, to state, to the national level.
REFLECT on the theme. CREATE art. And BE RECOGNIZED! Students are encouraged to submit original works of art by December 1st in one or more of the following categories:
Dance Choreography
Film Production
Literature
Musical Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Please contact Jagy Lenka or TJ Jaconetti for more information.
SPIRIT DAY AT PALADIN STADIUM
Join your Griffin friends and families on Saturday, October 7th (kickoff 2pm) for an afternoon of fun and SOCON FOOTBALL at Paladin Stadium as Furman takes on The Citadel! You don’t want to miss this exciting Spirit Day as students/siblings will have an opportunity to participate in the High Five Tunnel and go on the field pre-game!
Tickets are available for purchase here or by scanning the QR code! Additionally, 50% of all ticket sales purchased through the Sterling School ticket page will be donated back to the PTA to benefit our school!
"All Hands" Garden Workday
Thank you to the many volunteers who helped at the All Hands Garden Workday. What a difference your hard work made to improve our outdoor areas! We are especially grateful to April Boyer for her leadership. Please take a few minutes to enjoy a before/after video!
SEPTEMBER IS Attendance Awareness Month
Did you know September was Attendance Awareness Month? Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Your student can start building this habit now so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work. #WholeChild
DID YOU KNOW?
Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
Prepare for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. If you question this, feel free to bring them to our school nurse for a second opinion.
2023-24 School Improvement Council News
Congratulations to Sterling School parents, Dr. Sarah Frick and Mrs. Chloe McGoogin! Because they ran unopposed there is no need to vote in this year's SIC elections. Dr. Frick will fill the seat for Sterling Program grades K4-2nd and Mrs. McGoogin will represent Sterling Program grades 3rd-5th.
Our next SIC meeting will be held on Thursday, October 5th @ 1:00pm. We invite all to join!
As a reminder, the SIC meets each month during the school year (meetings this year are planned for the 1st Thursday of the month, alternating between 8:30AM and 1:00PM to accommodate different schedules).
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.
We are bubbling over with excitement about our first ever GRIFFIN BUBBLE RUN FUNdraiser!
Sterling PTA’s BIGGEST fundraising event, the Griffin Bubble Run, builds community, supports the school, and enables students, staff, and parents alike to have fun! We’ve set our school fundraising goal at $20,000. Lofty? Perhaps, but our PTA loves to say YES! We love to say yes to Teacher Grants, 5th Grade Day, Middle School Parties, Family Fun Nights, Fall Festival, Teacher Appreciation, April Arts, and so much more! This year, the funds will also be used to complete some desperately needed playground updates. Our goal is to raise enough money to install a disc golf course, pickleball courts, and steel nets on all of the basketball goals!
When you give to our PTA, 100% of the money stays at Sterling/CTC and is spent on your child in the current school year. Please scan the QR code on the information sheet or click here to find your student(s) by first name and homeroom teacher, then share their page by email and social media to ask your family, friends, and neighbors for a donation! Donations are accepted online or by cash/check (made payable to Sterling School PTA.) Please be sure to include your student's name and homeroom teacher when sending in cash or check. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible!
The Bubble Run takes place on Friday, September 22nd, during the school day, allowing all students the opportunity to participate. Prior to the event, students are encouraged to seek donations from friends and family. On the day of the run, each class participates in the Bubble Run, followed by a bubble party, foam cannon for middle school, music and popsicles!
The Griffin Bubble Run features fun prizes, classroom incentives and a festive and supportive atmosphere for all members of the school community. We’d love for you to join us as a volunteer or spectator. Thank you for supporting our amazing school!
✏️ 2023-24 Student Clubs & Information 📷
Members of Middle School Jr. Beta Club will meet during recess this week by grade level groups:
- 8th grade on Monday, September 11th
- 7th grade on Tuesday, September 12th
- 6th grade on Wednesday, September 13th
NEW CLUB INFORMATION...
- Math Olympiad: The Math Olympiad Club will be starting up soon! This afterschool club is for 4th-6th graders who wish to foster mathematical creativity and develop strategies for problem solving by completing contests from the Math Olympiad organization. Meetings are in Mrs. Nyvall's classroom from 2:30-3:30 on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month starting in October. Students should see Mrs. Nyvall for an application.
- Running Club: Running Club is starting on Monday, September 25th from 2:30 - 3:25. Students must register in advance. Forms are available in the front office or outside of Ms. Foulkes office. There is a $15 fee for Running Club which can be paid by cash or check made out to Sterling School. Payment through My School Bucks will be available later in the week.
- Board Game Club: Will begin the week of September 25th. Students in grades 3-8 are invited to apply. There is no fee for Game club. Applications will be available in the front office and outside Ms. Foulkes office beginning Tuesday.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
- Chorus: Currently taking applications from students in grades 3-5. Auditions will be held during related arts classes this week (9/5-9/8).
- Sterling Performing Arts Club (SPAC): Gives students in grades 4 and 5 an opportunity to learn expression and creativity through a variety of performing art genres: poetry, singing, acting, dance, etc. This club will meet on Mondays from 2:30 - 3:20pm.
- CTC Jr. Beta Club: This is the last week to register for CTC Junior Beta Club. If your student intends to join CTC Jr. Beta Club or Renew from last year, please help ensure that they have completed the Google Form on their grade level HR Classroom. Grade level groups will meet during recess on Monday, 9/11 - Gr. 8, Tuesday 9/12 -Gr. 9 and Wednesday, 9/13- Grade 6. If you have any questions, please direct them to Deborah Foulkes, Program Coordinator dfoulkes@greenville.k12.sc.us
- Math Counts: The deadline to submit applications for Math Counts Team has passed. Mr. Whittaker will administer a Qualifying Test to all applicants on Thursday, September 14th from 2:30 - 3:30. Students who wish to proceed with consideration for the Math Counts Club need to make plans to stay after school that day to take the test. Students who are in the Sterling After School Program will be released to them. All other students will need to be picked up in the carline at 3:30.
Club Updates
- Flying Saucers Club is currently taking applications from 5th - 8th graders. They will have fun with frisbee sports every 3rd Tuesday of the month, beginning Sept. 19th from 2:45 - 3:45.
New for our Primary Grades... Zones of Regulation
Zones is used to teach self-regulation by labeling all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four zones. The Zones curriculum provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of their emotions, improve controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts.
- The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
- The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. Being in the Green Zone will help students be successful in the classroom.
- The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions; however, one has some control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.
- The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, explosive behavior, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone. A person may be described as “out of control.”
Please Note: No zone is good or bad, by identifying the zone students are in, they will better be able to verbalize what they *need* to be successful!
You can learn more here: https://zonesofregulation.com/
Upcoming Administration of CogAT Aptitude Assessment
Greenville County Schools will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the Charles Townes Center @ Sterling School.
The CogAT is a multiple-choice K-12 assessment that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions. The CogAT is a group-administered, paper-based aptitude test given as one criteria for entrance into South Carolina's gifted programs.
CogAT scores are valid and reliable for five years. Students who have taken the assessment within the five-year validity period will not be considered for a retest.
Students are eligible to take the CogAT with Greenville County Schools if they meet the following requirements:
- They require an initial aptitude assessment for gifted evaluation.
- They are in Grades 2-8, have not taken the CogAT in last five years, and will not be provided an opportunity to take the CogAT assessment in their current school location.
Interested families must pre-register via the Student Registration for CogAT Aptitude Assessment by Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. There will be no walk-ups or late registrations.
🌱 Garden Adoption Program
Is your student looking for more ways to earn volunteer hours during the school year?
In addition to our regular "All Hands" garden work days, we are offering more opportunities to earn volunteer hours by taking part in our Garden Adoption Program.
Just follow these easy steps:
- Sign-up (via Sign-Up Genius) for at least one date to visit the Garden. You can choose between the Asian or Butterfly Garden spaces.
- You will be assigned a small section of your chosen Garden that will be your "adopted zone," and will be provided with a guide to the plants in your section.
- Arrive on your signed-up date to pull weeds, prune plants, or pick up trash in your adopted section (approx. time commitment = 1-2 hours)
- Confirm your hours by emailing your arrival & departure times along with a photo of your completed garden section (before & after pics are great!).
Follow the Signup Genius link for more details or contact April Boyer - aprilcboyer@gmail.com with any questions.
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