Griffins Connect
August 28th #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
The Village Effect...
This week, we are emphasizing service and involvement. As we settle into another exciting school year, we ask everyone to consider how they might be able to give back to our school community. While everyone is not able to give the same amount as others, each of us are able to do our part. Please consider how you might #CreateConnections this year. Everyone wants to be a part of a great school; it truly takes a village to provide the type of schooling experience we all want for our child(ren). Here are a few areas to consider:
Become a member of our school's PTA (info below)
Get involved in this year's PTA fundraiser (info below)
Consider becoming a mentor (info below)
Volunteer to sponsor a student club (info below)
Support Griffin Guards! (father figures who help with carline)
Become a substitute teacher at Sterling School (info below)
Actively participate in our school’s PTA or SIC (Attend meetings, join committees, etc.)
Reach out to your child’s teacher (change out bulletin boards, provide lunch relief, monitor recess, etc.)
Complete the Community Directory Form to participate in career days, activism, etc.
Have another idea? Connect with us!
If you're unsure of who to contact, email Dr. Patterson. Thank you!
What's Ahead...
September 2: Nat'l College Colors Day (wear the colors of your favorite college/university)
September 2: Elementary Battle of the Books (BOB) interest meeting; 1:45pm in media center (for any 4th and 5th grade student only)
September 5: Labor Day Holiday (No School)
September 9: 5th Grade Jr. Beta Club Induction; 8:15-9:30am (info below)
September 12: Last day to nominate rising third grader for A.R.M.E.S. music program (info below)
September 13: Gordon Korman Virtual Author Visit: 5th-8th Grades
September 14: Settling in to 6th Grade; 9:00-10:00 AM (Info below)
September 15: PTA Mix & Mingle & General Membership Meeting; 8:00am, Vegas
September 15: Fall/Yearbook Pictures
- THIS LINK will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.
National College Colors Day: This Friday!
This Friday, September 2nd, Sterling School will celebrate College Colors Day. This day is an "annual celebration dedicated to promoting the tradition and spirit that embody the college experience." To encourage a college-going culture among our "Griffins," we encourage students to wear their favorite college or university apparel. #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
Settling in to 6th Grade - Parent Information Session
Sixth grade parents are invited to attend "Settling in to 6th Grade" to learn a bit more about the classes your child is taking and the transition to middle school academics.
"Settling in to 6th Grade" will be held on Wednesday, September 14th from 9am-10m in Vegas. This session will be hosted by the 6th grade team and will cover what to expect from the academic classes.
Parents, please see the email from Ms. Reynolds for an optional questionnaire to complete in advance.
2022-2023 Student Clubs Update
Clubs are forming and recruiting for the 2022-2023 school year. The Clubs will be announced at school (posters, announcements) and on the Sterling School webpage (Student tab). More clubs are still being organized and we will keep you updated as the clubs begin.
These clubs actively taking members. Contact the Sponsor for club meeting dates/times and more information.
- Chorus - grades 3-5: Dr. Robertson
- Cubing - grades 4-8: Ms. Guth
- Disc Golf - grades 5-8: Ms. Rouse
- Girls on the Run - grades 6-8: Dr. Rucker
- Griffin Ecology Organization - Grades 3-8: Ms. April Boyer (parent); Contact teacher Ms. Hamilton
- Library Cadets - grades 6-8: Ms. Henry
- MathCounts - grades 7-8: Mr. Whittaker
- Open Studios Art Club - grades 4-5: Ms. Harrington
- Elementary Battle of the Books - grades 4-5: Ms. Matthews (Informational meeting this Friday (9.2) at 1:45 in the library for any student interested in joining.)
We're always looking for parent support to assist or to sponsor a club! Contact Ms. Reynolds if you are interested.
Attractions Books Presale Through September 2nd!
Take a sneak peek at all the great savings in this year’s book! CLICK HERE!
Sterling Stars Annual Giving Campaign
Gifts to the Sterling Stars Annual Giving Campaign help support the people and programs that make our school distinctive and help pay for crucial items that impact all students. Every dollar donated is tax-deductible and funds supplemental creative and academic enrichment opportunities to all on our campus.
Every donation helps, contributions in any amount are appreciated. We also welcome corporate sponsorships and employer match donations. Please consider making an ONLINE CONTRIBUTION or in person with cash or check made payable to "Sterling School PTA" and dropped off to the front office in an envelope labeled Sterling Stars Program.
Contact Christi Wagner for more information.
PSAT/NMSQT Registration
Attention 8th Grade Parents: We are pleased to offer the PSAT/NMSQT to our 8th grade students on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022. However, you must complete this Google Form to register your child by September 12th in order to be able to participate. Mr. Murphy sent out an email to all 8th grade families on Friday, August 26th with registration information. If you have additional questions or if you did not receive the email, please contact either Mr. Murphy or Ms. Treloar for details.
Update: Free Meals for Students Who Qualify for Reduced Price Meal Status
The online application process for free and reduced-price meals is live and can be accessed here http://greenville.schoollunchapp.com. While hard copies of meal benefit applications are available for parents at schools, the online applications is by far the most accurate and efficient method to apply for Free or Reduced Priced Meal benefits.
On average, online applications are processed within 24-48 hour of completion. We highly encourage all parents to take advantage of this simple to use and fast process. For more information regarding Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications please contact the Food and Nutrition Services office at 355-1251 or by e-mail at bhogue@greenville.k12.sc.us
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, as a result of the pandemic, like most schools 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!
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 2022-2023 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 parent, 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. 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.
Middle School Yearbook Information
Middle School Yearbook
It's yearbook time! The middle school yearbook is on sale now, and is currently discounted at $35. If parents order by 9/16 and buy the $7 personalization, then they can get 4 FREE icons. Click the image or LINK to order. Contact Ms. Baiden with questions: dbaiden@greenville.k12.sc.us
8TH GRADE ADS
8th grade parents: honor your 8th grader with a personalized ad in the middle school yearbook! Ads are due by 12/15, but it's never too early to start thinking about what you want to write and what pictures you want to use. Click the imagine or LINK for pricing options. Contact Ms. Baiden with questions: dbaiden@greenville.k12.sc.us
8TH GRADE BABY PICTURES
8th grade parents, please send in a baby picture of your 8th grader for the portrait page of the yearbook. Email a digital image of the baby picture such as a JPG or GIF; the image will be of the student's face/head, so close-ups are best. Baby pictures are due by 10/28. Email pictures to Ms. Baiden: dbaiden@greenville.k12.sc.us
Week 2 Updates & Reminders
Thank you for all your efforts in supporting our morning and afternoon traffic! As we heard from many of you, it was a great first week! To keep this going forward, please see the following reminders.
Afternoon Middle School Carpool Families: We are welcoming back all of our 4k students this week. The back loop was relatively empty last week, but that will not be the case this week. If you are picking up middle school students in your car pool, please do not arrive before 2:35. We will get everyone through the car line as quickly as possible, but arriving before your children are even outside holds everyone up. Thank you for all your support!
Morning Arrival:
Elementary (K4-5th) students should be dropped off in the front car loop; this includes carpools with both elementary & middle students. Only middle (6th-8th) school students should utilize the back bus loop.
Please have your child ready to unload before you reach the awning (i.e. bookbag ready, shoes on, etc.)
Our doors open at 7:10am and the tardy bell rings at 7:45am. Students are expected to be in the their classrooms ready to learn by 7:45am.
In the morning, we ask all car riders to exit the full length of the awning. (Parents who wait to drop off at the front of the school cause the line to back up and result in unnecessary delays.)
Any middle school students being dropped off at or after 7:45 must be dropped off in the front car line.
Do not utilize the Tanner's or the Phillis Wheatley Community Center's parking lot for morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up.
Afternoon Dismissal:
Elementary pick-up begins at 2:15; middle school pick-up begins at 2:30.
Middle school parents should not arrive before 2:30. Preferably, middle school parents are encouraged to arrive at 2:35 or later. Arriving early causes the line to back up to the road and blocks elementary parents from getting through.
Middle school students who carpool (with middle or elementary students) should utilize the back bus loop and enter from Faris Road. All other middle school students should use the front traffic loop.
If picking up at the front, elementary pick-up should line up in the right-hand pickup lane upon entry. Middle school pick-up should line up in the left-hand lane upon entry beginning at 2:30.
Cars will be expected to load along the full length of the sidewalk/awning.
All cars must turn right as they exit the parking lot/car line.
**Administration reserves the right to revise these procedures in the event that they present unforeseen problems or concerns**
Elementary Jr. Beta Club
The 5th grade Jr. Beta Club Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, September 9th from 8:15-9:30 in the cafeteria.
Parents of the 5th grade Jr. Betas are invited to attend! Details will be sent home soon. Contact Stacey Merritt with any questions.
NEW 3RD GRADE A.R.M.E.S. MUSIC PROGRAM
The A.R.M.E.S PROGRAM (Arts Reaching Middle and Elementary Schools) is a
tuition-free, rigorous artistically gifted and talented program.
A.R.M.E.S is expanding by establishing a new music pathway that will provide students in grades 3-5 with an in-depth study of developing aural skills, sight singing, ear training, music theory, and other music topics that extend well beyond what is provided in an elementary music class. When these students transition into middle school, they will elect to focus on either orchestra, band, or chorus and will be provided master class-type instruction through the ARMES program.
Since this is a new program and is being built from the ground up, only students who are in the 3rd grade during the 2022-2023 school year may be nominated at this time. We will layer in one grade level at a time until the program is fully
up and running across 3rd-8th grade over the next several years:
Window to nominate a rising third grader to audition for the new music program is August 8 - September 12, 2022
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