The Weekly Griffin
Week of August 26th, 2018 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Successful First Week!
As I reflect over the last week, I could not have asked for a better week! Our days were filled with active learning, community building, and lots of smiles and laughter. Teachers and support staff alike shared similar sentiments regarding a successful start-of-school. As we head into week 2 and beyond, lets remain committed to our focus to #BuildABetterGriffin. Working together, we will continue to create an environment where every student receives a personalized educational experience that allows them to explore their world, be enriched, and excel academically and emotionally as they prepare for challenges today and tomorrow. #WholeChild
Second Week Reminders
Morning Drop-Off
- Please move through the morning and afternoon car line with extreme caution.
- Do not let your child unload before school doors open at 7:25am.
- In the morning, we ask all car riders to exit the full length of the awning.
Afternoon Pick-Up
- During the first couple of weeks, afternoon dismissal is typically longer. We ask for additional patience as we strive to ensure that our students leave us safely.
- Elementary parents please use the right lane, middle school parents use the left lane.
- Remember to have your dismissal tags with you, visible on the driver's side.
- If your elementary student waits for an older middle school sibling, they will wait in the cafeteria and will be dismissed at 2:45.
- Please, please, please...We recommend that parents of middle schoolers not arrive for pick up before 2:45. We do not want you to have to wait longer because you are tangled up with elementary dismissal. Coming earlier will simply cause more delays.
Here are a few other general reminders:
- Our doors will open at 7:25am. The tardy bell rings at 8:00am.
- While breakfast is free to all students, breakfast is not served after 7:50am.
- Students are asked not to bring breakfast from local restaurants into the building.
- No early dismissals after 2:00pm. To ensure a safe, efficient dismissal, we ask that parents sign their child out before 2:00pm.
- For any student who is absent from school, all notes (parent or medical) must be provided within 2 days of the student's return to be excused.
- An "absence" in elementary school is defined as being at school for less than 3 hours; in middle school, students who are present for less than 30 minutes will be considered absent.
PBIS: #BuildingABetterGriffin...Building A Better Sterling!
Last week, our school community participated in a high-energy pep rally to officially recognize the next component of our school’s social-emotional framework - PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports! After watching several hilarious do’s and don’t videos created by our middle school students,elementary students visited rotations to learn about common expectations in areas such as the cafeteria, hallway, and playground.
The purpose for PBIS is to create and sustain a positive school community where everyone feels respected, understands their responsibilities and experiences success in all school environments.
PBIS is a prevention-oriented framework that allows educators to use evidence-based practices to create and sustain positive, effective and culturally-inclusive environments that support academic and social success for all students.
Here’s just one more example of how we’re working to #BuildABetterGriffin! #WholeChild #GriffinPride
What's Ahead...
- August 27 - PTA Spirit Night @ Big Air Trampoline Park
- August 30 - Attraction Book Fundraiser Kick-Off (Elementary)
- August 31 - College Colors Day
- September 3 - Labor Day (No School for Students)
- September 4 - Fall Pictures
- September 13 - CTC Program Night; 6:00-8:00pm
- September 14 - School Spirit Day (wear a Sterling shirt or school colors)
- September 18 - Sterling Program Night; 6:00-8:00pm
- September 19 - Readers Arrrgh Leaders Community Readers Day
College Colors Day - This Friday!
2018-2019 Sterling School Club Information
- Art Club (Grades 4-5) Meets 4th Tuesday of each month, 2:45-3:45. Sponsors: Ms. Harrington, Ms. Spitler
- Battle of the Books (BoB) (Grades 4-5) Informational meeting Sep. 12th, 2:30-3:00 in the Media Center. Meets: TBD. Sponsor: Ms. Matthews
- Chess Club (Grades 3-8) Application available from Mr. Butler. Meets every Friday, 2:45-4:00. Sponsor: Mr. Butler
- Sterling Chorus (Grades 3-5) Application available from Ms. Stelling. Meets Every Thursday, 2:45-3:45. Sponsor: Ms.Stelling
- Creative Writing Club (Grades 5-8) Application available from Ms. Newell. Meets meets first and third Tuesday of every month, 2:45-3:45. Sponsor: Ms. Newell
- Corner of Broadway & Hollywood - Drama/Film Club (Grades 6-8) Application available from Ms. Bohnenberger. Meets every Monday, 2:45-3:45. Sponsor: Ms. Bohnenberger
- Green Team (Jr. Beta members in grades 6-8) Application available from Ms. Reynolds. Meets every Monday, 2:45-3:15. Sponsor: Ms. Reynolds
- Elementary Beta Club (Grades 4-5) Membership is by invitation (distributed first quarter). Meets once per quarter. Sponsors: Ms. Dechau, Ms. Merritt, Ms. West
- Jr. Beta Club (Grades 6-8) Membership is by invitation (distributed by August 31). Meets: Grade 6 meets 2nd Thursday of each month, 2:45-3:45; Grades 7-8 meet 2nd Tuesday of each month, 2:45-3:45. Sponsors: Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Cooper, and Ms. Newell
- Lego Clubs (Grades 4-8) Lego teams are set for ‘18-19. Contact: Ms. Emmel
- Library Cadets (Grades 5-8) Must be able to work 1 morning or afternoon each week either from 7:40-7:55, 2:30-2:50 (5th grade) or 2:45-3:00 (middle school). Submit your name to Ms. Henry if interested.
- Math Counts (Grades 5-6) Application available from Mr. Butler. Meets Tuesdays, 2:45-4:00. Sponsor: Mr. Butler
- Math Counts (Grades 7-8) Application available from Mr. Butler. Meets Thursdays, 2:45-4:00. Sponsor: Mr. Butler
- Math Olympiad (Grades 4-5) Application available from Ms. Nyvall and Ms. Hafer. Meets first and third Mondays, 2:30 - 3:30. Sponsors: Ms. Nyvall and Ms. Hafer
- Model Builders Club (Grades 6-8) Application available from Ms. Reynolds. Meets first and third Tuesday of every month, 2:45-3:45. Sponsor: Ms. Reynolds
- Newspaper Club (Grades 7-8) Application available from Ms. Saunders and Ms. VanDommelen. Meets every Monday, 2:45-3:30. Sponsors: Ms. Saunders, Ms. VanDommelen
- Relay for Life Team (Grades 3 - 8) Meets Spring Semester (date/time TBD). Sponsor: Ms. Henry
- Safety Patrol (Grade 5) Application are taken in the Spring of the previous school year. 2018-2019 Safety Patrols have been selected. Sponsors: Ms. Hammonds, Ms. Kelley
- Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad (Grades 6-8) Application available from Sra. Goll and Sra. VanDommelen. Meets first Thursday of every month, 2:45-3:45. Sponsors: Sra. Goll and Sra. VanDommelen
- Suzuki Violin Club (Grades 3-8) Applications available from Ms. Martin. Meets every Tuesday/Thursday, 7:30-7:55. Sponsor: Ms. Martin
- Youth in Government (YIG) (Grades 6-8) Meets every Tuesday through the end of November. Sponsors: Ms. Bohnenberger, Ms. Saunders
2018 Talent Show Auditions
Sterling School's Annual Talent Showcase will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 6:30pm. Students in grade 3-8 who would like to audition may pick up a form between August 27 – September 10 from Ms. Reynolds or the front office. In order to audition for the Talent Show, you MUST complete an audition form. Forms are due back by Sep. 12th. Each act should be no longer than two minutes. Auditions dates are Sept. 25, 26, and 27 after school. Auditions will be scheduled based on your requested date. All students will remain at school on their audition day until 4:00.
The Talent Show is sponsored by the Jr. Beta Club and is a fundraiser for Jr. Beta activities. Admission is a suggested $3.00 donation.
Sweet Summer Reading Chances
Participating students were entered into a drawing. The following students received a prize, further promoting creative thinking and problem solving: Lexie Hatch (Kelley, 4th), Giovanni Palma (Guth, 3rd), Katie Ann Guth (Newell, 5th), Julie Smith (Hafer, 4th), Christian Timko (Lane, 4th), Ashlyn Kelly (Laskowski, 4th), & Kyree Jones (Helsel, 3rd)
Read Your Way to the Big Game
We are encouraging all students, grades PreK-8th grade, to participate in this year's contest. Entering is easy. Simply have your child read six reading-level appropriate books, complete the reading log (CLICK HERE!), and return the log to your child's teacher. Some students may complete their logs in class. Feel free to count the books students are already reading for homework. All students who meet the six-book challenge will qualify for the grand prize - a trip to the Palmetto Bowl! All reading logs must be submitted to Mrs. Marchbanks by Friday, Nov. 2nd.
Volunteer Training
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. 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 at jmurphy@greenville.k12.sc.us or (864) 355-4480.
Sterling School Lunch Menu
Again this year, Sterling School will have our very own school specific lunch menu! We are grateful to the district's food services department for making this happen. As a reminder, breakfast is free of charge to all students. Breakfast will be served from 7:25-7:50. Students must arrive before 7:50 to eat breakfast.
CLICK HERE to access the Aug-Nov menu.
If you've like to add money to your student's MySchoolBucks account, please CLICK HERE!
Join PTA
Focus on Safety #WholeChild
This year, we are excited to announce that our school has been assigned a full-time on-duty officer. While the officer may differ each day, we are grateful to our district leadership for this added measure of safety.
Want to Get Involved? Our Students Need YOU!
Become a Mentor!
According to Harvard University's Center on Developing Child, "Every child who ends up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult." The Sterling School has partnered 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 can give 30 minutes a week, we need you!
If you have any questions, you are invited to email Jennifer Medlock, director of Mentor Greenville. If you are ready to jump in, you may begin by completing the mentor application CLICK HERE.
Become a Tutor!
Are you willing to make a difference in a child's life? One way you can do this is through tutoring. Tutoring has been shown to not only increase a student's academic performance, it also increases their chance of success in life!
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor, Sterling School needs YOU! We have many students who could use your time, help, and knowledge in a small group and/or partner setting. Teachers will provide needed lessons and materials.
If interested or know someone who may be interested, contact Kim Marchbanks @ krmarchbanks@greenville.k12.sc.us .
School Supply Drive
The Sterling School Guidance Department will gratefully accept donations of any item on the Back to School Supply Lists. The items below are especially needed. Please consider donating gently used (or new!!) book bags, as these are urgently needed. Contact Ms. Chameka Duncan with any questions.
Below is a list of needed supplies:
· Pencils
· Cap erasers/pink erasers
· Composition notebooks
· Washable markers
· Pencil boxes & pouches
· Crayons
· 2 pocket folders
· Elmers glue
· Colored pencils
· Pens
· Small safety scissors
· Spiral bound note books
· Highlighters
· BOOKBAGS
Calling All Experts! (Namely... YOU!)
[CLICK HERE to go directly to COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DIRECTORY]
Marine biologist, conservationist, and writer Rachel Carson (1956) once stated, “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Fortunately, the students at the Sterling School do not just have one adult who eagerly shares in the excitement of ongoing discovery and exploration—they have many. BUT we need more!
The faculty at Sterling School & Charles Townes Center are working to implement a schoolwide framework of inquiry-based learning. Through the use of inquiry, namely PBL (project-based learning), we seek to continuously innovate and transform our school’s approach of teaching and learning through student-centered, personalized instruction. PBL prepares students for academic, personal, and career success, readying them for the challenges they will inherit in our world.
While our teachers are super smart :-), they do not know everything! To further our students' learning, we need various experts with professional experiences to engage our students. As a district, our Graduation Plus emphasis strives to ensure that all students are career and college ready. Exposing our students to various careers and professions within the context of meaningful, hands-on learning will strengthen our school's instructional program.
As we look to next school year, we are creating a database of partners and parents who have various expertise. As a school, we will utilize the database when seeking experts to support various curriculum, PBL units. If you are willing to be added to our expert directory, please complete the following Google Form (CLICK HERE!). #VisionInAction #GriffinPride #WholeChild
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