Griffins Connect
Week of February 6th #ReImagine #WholeChild
TAKE NOTE 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade CTC Families - Virtual, On-Your-Time Curriculum Night
Families of rising CTC middle School students, be sure to mark your calendar for the CTC Middle School VIRTUAL Curriculum Information event on Thursday, February 10th.
As noted, the Curriculum Fair will be held virtually this year. You’ll be able to browse through departmental videos and course fliers to learn about your student’s classes for next year.
Current 5th, 6th, & 7th grade students will be meeting soon with Ms. Benvenuto (5th graders) or Ms. Bennett (6th & 7th graders) who will share forms and information about the registration process.
By 3:00pm on Thursday, February 10th, the CTC Middle School Curriculum Information One-Stop Shop document will be posted to Mrs. Bennett’s website for review at your convenience. The document will provide information about the registration process and contain links to information and videos from our core content and related arts teachers. Our teachers, administrators, and middle school counselor will provide information about life in middle school, the registration process for next year's classes, and what we hope you can expect from the 2022-2023 school year. You'll also find information about elective options and what to expect from next year's core subjects. It's a great opportunity to get a preview of the CTC middle school experience!
As always, should you have further questions regarding our middle school curriculum, registration, or anything else, feel free to call or email Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Murphy, or any of the middle school teachers.
What's Ahead...
February 7-11: "Give From the Heart" CTC Activism Donation Drive
February 10: 5th-7th Grade CTC Virtual Curriculum Fair Information Shared with Families
February 11: Class/Group Pictures
February 15: Girls on the Run Begins (3rd-5th grade); 2:30-4:00pm (info below)
February 16: Black History Month Essay Contest Submissions Due
February 17: PTA Full Board Monthly Meeting (Virtual)
February 18: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Looking Ahead...
February 21: Presidents' Day (No School)
February 22-25: Black History Month Celebration Spirit Week
- Tuesday (2/22): Double Dutch @ Recess & Twin Day
- Wednesday (2/23): Hairstyles & Tennis Shoes AND Sterling's "March on Washington"
- Thursday (2/24): Colors Day (wear red, green, and/or black) & BHM Virtual Program
- Friday (2/25): Crunk Friday (dress in athletic wear) & participate in Crunk Cardio
February 24: Black History Month Dodgeball Tournament; 2:45-4:15 (info below)
March 11: 4K Application Window for 2022-23 Closes (info below)
Students Selected for Spring Sing
Congratulations to the following students who successfully auditioned and are willing to participate in Greenville County Spring Sing: Aedan Kalbach, Marie Schmit, & Caroline Yi.
Performance Date is Tuesday, March 29th at Fountain Inn High School 6pm
Open Studios 5th Grade Art Club: Register Today!
Mrs. Harrington and members of the Arts Honor Society are now taking registrations for an upcoming art club, specifically for 5th grade students. This club is scheduled to start Monday, February 14th and will run through spring semester. CLICK HERE for more information!
Black History Month Celebration Schedule of Events
“Black Health and Wellness” is the national black history month theme for this year (2022) and Sterling School is celebrating in excellence! This week has been amazing as we have begun our daily trivia with prizes given to the winners. On Friday (2/4), our guest speaker, Dr. Edward Anderson, the director of OnTrack for United Way, inspired us with his message of overcoming life’s obstacles. He challenged our students to think about what they’re good at and how to set a path towards a career that would allow them to build a successful lifestyle using their gifts/talents. We are thankful that our students were afforded the opportunity of experiencing such knowledge and wisdom.
As we continue to celebrate, we have lots in store for our school community.
Essay Contest: This year's Black History celebration will include an essay contest. The essay will address the following question: How do health disparities affect a society and what opportunities can be created to promote social justice regarding health and wellness for all?
Intermediate-middle school level students should submit their essays by February 16th. For more details, see Mrs. Harris or pick up the essay guidelines from the front office. The winner will be a feature of this year’s program and will receive a cash prize.
Spirit Week (February 22-25, 2022)
- Tuesday (2/22): Double Dutch, Twin Day; find a friend and dress like a twin and participate in double dutch during your recess time
- Wednesday (2/23): Hairstyles and Tennis Shoes; wear your favorite hairstyle and tennis shoes for the Sterling March on Washington
- Thursday (2/24): Colors Day; wear red, green, and/or black (BHM program)
- Friday (2/25): Crunk Friday; dress in athletic wear and be ready for Crunk Cardio with Shauna Marie
March on Washington (2/23): We are inviting the community to walk on our track at the lower field to march for Health and Wellness (12:00-12:30, 12:30-1:00, 1:00-1:30, and 1:30-2:00)
Virtual Program: Thursday (2/24):
Dodgeball Tournament (2/24):
When: Thursday, Feb 24
Where: Sterling Gym
Time: 2:45-4:15
Cost:
- 3rd & 4th Grade team ($5)
- 5th-8th Grade team ($10)
- General admission to watch ($3)
Details: Dodgeball is back! Registration will begin Tuesday, February 8th and will end on Monday, February 21st. Please see Coach Welch for a registration form. Proceeds will be donated to the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theater.
Crunk Cardio (2/25):
Moment of Silence (2/28): Final Day - Start our day with a Moment of Silence for all contributors to Black History that have gone on before us and announcing the grand prize winner of trivia.
Sexual Health & Responsibility Education for Middle School Students
Our middle school students will be receiving instruction on the legally required sexuality education unit from February 14th-March 2nd. Parents may preview the lesson materials by appointment. Parents with questions or concerns may call or email Mr. Murphy to set up an appointment to preview the materials and/or to select an alternative, health-related assignment for their child during this time if they find the material or lesson plans objectionable.
CTC Student Newspaper! (From the Editors)
- The Editors
Greenville Drive’s Reading All-Stars
Teachers will have forms available this week OR you can download and print it yourself: ELEMENTARY Form, MIDDLE SCHOOL Form. Students are encouraged to participate in the Read-A-Thon and fill out your Greenville Drive forms as you read! Two great opportunities rolled into one! #ReadersAreLeaders
How does it work?....Read 5 books (elementary) or 500 pages (middle) in 5 weeks, between January 31 and March 4. For each student that completes the challenge and turns in their reading forms, the Drive will provide a complimentary ticket voucher for them to redeem to a Celebration Game at Fluor Field. This year, that game will be Tuesday, May 3 at 7PM.
At the game, students will have the opportunity to walk in a pregame parade (elementary) or meet some of our Drive baseball players and get autographs (middle). They’ll get a Reading All-Stars t-shirt (which was redesigned last year). They’ll take part in a complimentary book fair courtesy of Public Education Partners and Michelin, where they can take a book home with them and they’ll be celebrated throughout the entire baseball game for their accomplishments.
Class/Group Pictures: February 11th
CTC Activism Donation Drive February 7-11
During the week of February 7-11, our Activism Team is sponsoring a “Give From the Heart” donation Drive to support 7th grade students who are collecting items as a part of their Activism Project. See flyer below for more details!
Donation boxes will be outside Ms. Reynolds’s office and in the main hallway.
#ReImagine #WholeChild
Sterling School to Host Read-A-Thon!
- WHY: Read-a-thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more.
- WHEN: Read-a-thon will start Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
- GETTING STARTED: About one week before our Read-A-Thon starts, a flyer will go home with instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress. To activate your reader’s account today CLICK HERE and follow the simple instructions.
We've chosen Read-A-Thon because without taking much of your time, your child now has one more reason to read and a program to support and strengthen their reading development.
We hope EVERYONE participates.
4K Application Window for 22-23 School Year
In order for our Griffins to start their education on the right foot, we encourage participation in our high quality, full day 4K program! 4K Pre-Registration began January 10, 2022. If you know of anyone in our community with a four-year-old or soon to be four-year-old, spread the word! #ReImagine #WholeChild
How to Apply:
Dates: January 10-March 11, 2022.
- The online application is posted here on the GCS website.
- A child’s primary custodial parent/legal guardian can submit the online application.
- For parents who do not have internet access, they can call 864-452-0437 to apply.
- Completing the application does not guarantee that the child will be enrolled. Notification of acceptance will be sent to parents via email by April 1, 2021.
About the At-Risk 4K Program:
The GCS 4K program provides high quality, rigorous instruction in early reading, early math, and social-emotional skills using the SC Early Learning Standards. Students attend 7:45-2:15. The GCS Virtual Program is not available to 4K students. Children must be four years old on or before September 1, 2022 to be considered for this free program, beginning August 2022.
For more information, please email 4K@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-452-0437.
3rd-5th Grade: Girls on the Run Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for all 3rd-5th grade students! The season will begin on February 15th and practice will be held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30p.m. - 4:00p.m.
On April 23rd, we will hold an end-of-season 5K at Furman University! Our end-of-season 5K is a non-competitive community event that celebrates the hard work and dedication of our girls during the 8-week season.
Through our program, girls explore valuable lessons such as:
- Standing up for themselves and others
- Being a standbyer instead of a bystander
- Practicing empathy, inclusion and acceptance
There is one thing you can count on: Girls on the Run is here for her! By signing her up for our program, you are giving her the opportunity to connect with other girls in our community in an inclusive and empowering space.
Over 8-weeks, your girl will meet with her peers 2 times per week (Tues & Thurs) to review our research-based lessons that incorporate physical activity in a fun and engaging way. She will connect with girls, build healthy habits and stay physically active! Take-home journals will also allow for every girl to connect to the lessons, explore her thoughts and exercise her mind. Trained coaches use a research-based curriculum to help girls develop critical life skills that they can use at school, at home or with friends. GOTR encourages girls to set goals for themselves and work toward them during each practice! This program is an excellent example of supporting the #WholeChild!
Connection and teamwork build confident and resilient girls. By registering her for the upcoming Spring season, you are giving her the opportunity to thrive, grow and flourish.
Calling All Father Figures: Become a Griffin Guard!
Research shows that when father figures are engaged in children’s education, student grades and test scores improve, attendance increases, and students are more involved in school activities. Help make a positive impact on our students, keep our carline running smoothly, and get to know other male role models at our school. If you are interested in learning more, please complete this form: CLICK HERE!
Being a Griffin Guard is simple. On the Friday mornings that you volunteer, arrive at the front office at 7:10am. Bring your drivers license to scan and receive your volunteer ID sticker. Then head to the front car line. Find any spot along the awning and help kids get into school efficiently by opening and/or closing their car doors. Your face will be the first they see at school, so don't forget a smile and greeting. As Griffin Guards, you get to be good manners ambassadors and role models for our kids, in addition to helping our car line move more efficiently. When the car line closes at 7:45, head back to the office to scan out. That's it!
If you aren't already a GCS approved volunteer, please complete the quick application for Volunteer Level 1: CLICK HERE! We thank our school's PTA and SIC for their leadership in this wonderful #WholeChild, #WholeSchool opportunity!
Pancakes with the Principals
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