The Weekly Griffin
Week of January 6, 2019 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Building A Stronger Sterling Community
Last month, Yvonne Davis and Capt. Gerald Hunt of the Greenville City Police Department presented Dr. Patterson and the staff of Sterling School with a token of appreciation for our “dedicated support in building strong communities.”
Yvonne Davis, program coordinator, stated, “We are grateful for our partnership and support that extends beyond the classroom. Working together, in several ways, we are engaging students, parents, teachers, officers and organizations to impact our community.”
The various partnerships Sterling School has established with the Greenville City Police Department: Cops On the Court (host site), G.R.E.A.T (Gang Resistance Education And Training) in the classroom(s), Officer Allen Jacobs Memorial Tree Planting/Sign, Officer Allen Jacobs GREAT Summer Camp (host site), and Staff Training (GRAVITY Gang Reduction And Violence Intervention Targeting Youth).
Here’s just another example of how the Sterling School is working to support the #WholeChild. By partnering with organizations like the Greenville Police Department, we are truly #BuildingABetterGriffin!
Morning & Afternoon Carline... Please Take the Time to Read!
Tanner’s has contacted us and asked that we request parents not to park in their lot as it interferes with the ability of their paying customers to find parking. As good neighbors, we want to respect their property and their business, and we ask that our parents do the same.
Parents, we understand that you have places to be (work in the morning, extra-curricular activities in the afternoon, etc.). However, please do not let these and other obligations pressure you into making unsafe decisions for yourself and your children. Additionally, prior to Winter Break, several parents and community members have noted some potentially unsafe situations that place our students in harm's way.
The safest way to get your children to and from school is to load and unload in our carline. Please do not park at Tanner’s Big Orange and walk across McAlister Road. We will do our very best to move the carline along as quick as we possibly can. If everyone will read and follow the reminders posted below, together we can ensure a quick and safe carline. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding and support!
What's Ahead...
January 7 - Students Return from Winter Break
January 9 - Winter Break Reading Challenge forms due
January 15 - Best Practices in Gifted & Talented Series (Arts Integration), 9:00-10:30am
*Save the Date - 2nd Annual Black History Month Program: Thursday, February 28th @ 6:00pm
Return from Winter Break Reminders...
- Our attendance rate is currently at 97%. Our end-of-year goal is 98%. If at all possible, please ensure that your child is at school each and every day. As educators, we cannot adequately prepare your child if they are not with us.
- Our daily tardy list is growing. The tardy bell rings at 8:00am. Our doors open at 7:25am. Often times, students who arrive early use this time to read or work on class assignments. Please ensure that your child is in class by 8:00, ready to learn. For more information on our school's attendance/tardy police, see the handbook.
- Please utilize the full length of the sidewalk during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. In the morning, students should exit the car at any point along the sidewalk; in the afternoon, parents are asked to pull all the way up before students load.
- Do not let your child unload before school doors open at 7:25am. It is extremely unsafe for students to be unsupervised without an adult.
Additional Reminders...
- 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.
Winter Break Reading Challenge
If your child participated in the Winter Break Reading Challenge, don't forget to send in their reading logs by Wednesday! The grade level class (K5-5th grade) with the highest percentage of participation will win a PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH THE PRINCIPALS! The Middle School English Class with the highest percentage of participation will receive a CUPCAKE PARTY!
Kindergartners are asked to complete the Penguin/Snowball page.
Students in Grades 1-8 are asked to complete the Mitten page.
NOTE: For the form to count, it needs to be completed between December 22 & January 6. Just follow the directions and get a parent’s signature. All forms are due to teachers by Wednesday, January 9th.
2018-19 Gifted Child Parent Information Series
The Next Session in our Best Practices In Gifted & Talented Education - Parent Information Series is Tuesday, January 15th
Parents are invited to join teachers from the Charles Townes Center as they address topics related to Gifted Education. The series will run through March. Times will vary each session.
Tuesday, January 15th, 9:00-10:30am (in Vegas)
Part I: Arts Integration
Part II: Artistically Gifted & Talented
This two-part session will discuss the importance of integrating the arts into G/T curriculum and how to identify and enrich artistically gifted children. The presenters for this workshop will be Dhara Baiden, Jenn Johnston and Mollye Spitler. You're welcome to join us for a portion of the morning, even if you're not able to stay for the entire time.
2019 Middle School Curriculum Night
Parents of 5th, 6th & 7th Grade CTC Students...Save the date for Middle School Curriculum Night on Tuesday, February 12th! In January, you'll have the opportunity to RSVP for an optional catered dinner served prior to the event. Curriculum Night itself will be 6:00-7:30pm. More details will be announced after winter break.
Lunch Menu
2018-2019 PTA Reflection Winners
Congratulations to the Schoolwide Winners of Sterling School’s PTA Reflections. Many thanks to our school's PTA for sponsoring this wonderful opportunity! #BuildingABetterGriffin
1. Literature Elementary Intermediate
1st- Lena Alioua
2nd- Darby Burdette
3rd- Sashwath Sivaraman
2. Literature Middle School
1st- Yashasvini Ranganathan
2nd- Stephanie Hu
3rd- Tarika Desai
3. Visual Arts Elementary Intermediate
1st- Lena Alioua
2nd- Aditya Harikumar
3rd - Sashwath Sivaraman
4. Visual Arts Middle School
1st & 2nd - Yashasvini Ranganathan
5. Photography Elementary Intermediate
1st- Mary Hazel Hinson
2nd- Sashwath Sivaraman
6. Photography Middle School
1st- Elizabeth Barr
2nd- Yashasvini Ranganathan
7. Music Composition Elementary Intermediate
Darby Burdette
8. Film Production Elementary Intermediate
Mary Hazel Hinson
9. Film Production Middle School
Yashasvini Ranganathan
10. Dance Choreography Middle School
Yashasvini Ranganathan
ACE Awards Nominations Now Open!
The ACE Awards (Advocates for Character and Education) is an annual award given to 72 male and female students from each of the 35 Greenville County middle and high schools. This award is designed to honor true “unsung heroes” who all too often are not recognized for their accomplishments. The selection process, established by Greenville County school counselors, focuses on identifying and selecting students who often go unnoticed for one reason or another, but have accomplished great things in their community, church or school.
If you would like to nominate a Greenville County 8th or 12th grader, please or go online to coaches4character.com and click the nominate button at the top of the page. All nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2019. An ACE Awards Advisory Committee at each school will choose finalists from among those nominated to complete an application for the ACE Award. One male and one female will be chosen from each middle and high school in Greenville County. All ACE award recipients will be recognized at the ACE Awards ceremony on May 15, 2019.
MakerSpace Club
Would your middle school student be interested in helping our school develop a Maker Space for students?! 6th-8th grade students are invited to meet in the Media Center after school each Wednesday to discuss ideas, give input and help develop a plan. Ms. Matthews has cleared space in our media center to start our very own maker space this year! Meetings will finish no later than 3:15pm.
For more information, stop by the library or email Ms. Matthews at jmatthews@greenville.k12.sc.us.
Needed: PBIS & Classroom Prize Box Supplies
This time of year, many stores have specials on small stocking stuffers. While you're out shopping, keep your eyes open for small items that would be fun for classroom prize boxes. Small toys, art or craft supplies, bracelets/necklaces, and fun school supplies are just a few examples.
All grades at our school, K4-8th grade, have a system where students are rewarded for demonstrating positive character traits. You'll get bonus points if you find items that our older students would enjoy! If you'd like to donate items, send them to your child's teacher or drop them off in the front office with a note.
District Emergency Text Messaging
In an effort to better communicate with parents during times of emergency, the district's communications department is asking parents who currently have a landline listed as their "Primary Contact Phone" and wish to receive texts about school cancellations or other emergency schedule changes to make this formal request. Parents who already list a cellular phone as their primary contact will not need to take action to receive this service.
CLICK HERE to download the required "change" form. Once complete, this form should be returned and submitted to Mrs. Hammonds in the main office.
Skate for STEM
From now until January 21, 2019 at Ice on Main, Wednesday nights are “Skate for STEM Nights,” presented by the Duke Energy Foundation. The first fifty K-12 students who bring a copy of a recent progress report or report card showing a B or higher in math or science can skate for free. Click here for the flyer.
MyEnergyKit.org
Join the other 71 Sterling School families who have signed on for a FREE Energy Kit! As part of the Sterling School community, we are working to conserve energy and protect our environment. If we reach 100 kits, our school will receive a $250 check. Sterling School families and staff can request their FREE Energy Kit and credit your school by going online to MyEnergyKit.org or by calling our hotline at 1-855-386-9548.
Thank you, in advance, for requesting your kits and making a difference for our planet. When you request and use your kits, energy is saved. It’s as simple as that. And we’re hoping that by the end of the school year, we will have saved 10 million kWh of energy together. Can we make it?
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 .
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.
Preventing the Spread of Colds & Flu
Each school has a comprehensive health and safety plan, which includes daily disinfection of restrooms, health rooms, water coolers, desks and doorknobs. We work closely with the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and follow DHEC’s guidelines for all diseases. Each Greenville County public school has a school nurse who assesses students with flu-like symptoms. Any student with a fever of 100 degrees or higher is sent home. School nurses and teachers always emphasize the importance of good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and cough techniques to reduce the spread of viruses.
To fight the spread of illness, your child should:
- Stay home if sick.
- Wash hands thoroughly and often.
- Cover cough with sleeve.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Do not share eating utensils, food, or drinks.
- Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest.
If your child complains about not feeling well, please check their temperature before sending them to school. Do not send your child to school if they have a fever.
Your child should not return to school until they have been fever-free without the help of Tylenol or another product for 24 hours, has not vomited for 24 hours, and has not had diarrhea for 24 hours. If your child starts to have symptoms of the flu, call your healthcare provider or your local health department for guidance.
Make sure that your child’s school has your current telephone numbers.
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