The Weekly Griffin
Week of September 16th, 2018 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Sterling Program Night: This Tuesday!
This year, we've worked to create uniquely tailored program nights that will provide more information on the coming year. Not only will you hear from your child's teacher(s), you will also have an opportunity to hear about the many things we are doing to #BuildABetterGriffin!
Sterling Program Night (Tuesday, September 18th):
Grades 4K-5:
- Pick up dinner from Wholy Smoke's food truck, check-in at main hallway, and eat dinner in the cafeteria from 5:00-6:00. There will be a welcome greeting from Dr. Patterson and schedules will be given to parents for sessions to attend.
- Then, at 6:00, parents will move to session 1 according to a specified schedule. There are 3 sessions to attend: classroom, guidance, and technology. (Session 1:6:05-6:20; Session 2: 6:25 - 6:40; Session 3: 6:45 - 7:00; Optional Make-Up Session 4: 7:05 - 7:20
- Raffled prizes will be given throughout the evening as parents attend each session.
- We will conclude at 7:20.
And while you're there, be sure to sign up for PTA. Parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, members of the community, and friends are all welcome to join as "parent" members. Students are also welcome to join as "student" members. Becoming a member of PTA doesn't mean you have to volunteer your time or get plagued by future requests. You just pay $5 to support our school and our PTA programs. Please visit PTA's online store today and help make our school the best it can be!
International Dot Day - Make Your Mark!
Last Friday, students at the Sterling School joined millions of people around the world to celebrate International Dot Day. This annual event encourages students to move the world to a better place by connecting, collaborating, creating, and celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites. Thank you, Mrs. Harrington & Mrs. Spitler, for spearheading this event AND thank you to the many volunteers who came to help out! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Be sure to check out our Facebook page for more highlights from the day!
What's Ahead...
- September 17 - 1st 9-Weeks Progress Reports
- September 18 - Sterling Program Night; 6:00-8:00pm
- September 19 - Readers Arrrgh Leaders Community Readers Day
- September 19 - Families for Lunch (Click HERE for Schedule)
- September 21- Last Day for Attraction Book Orders & Payments
- September 22 - Butterfly Garden Work Day; 9:00am
- September 24 - PTA Spirit Night @ Chicken Salad Chick on Augusta Rd; 5:00-8:00pm
- September 25, 26, & 27 - Talent Show Auditions
"Readers Arrrgh Leaders" Community Readers Day
Several classrooms are still looking for their Special Guest. Guest readers can bring their own book, or we can find one for you. You can bring a book about pirates or choose a completely different topic. You can also dress up! (Don't worry, it's not required.)
If you'd like to volunteer as a Guest Reader, please click HERE! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Marchbanks at krmarchbanks@greenville.k12.sc.us
Congratulations, Mrs. Newell!
Interested in Reading More?
Article Abstract: Today’s gifted students are in a unique position. Many come from traditionally advantaged backgrounds. However, the societal tide is shifting, and gifted learners should be at the forefront of change. Exposure to and comprehensive analysis of literature by diverse authors will help prepare students for the world they stand to inherit and will open their minds to the faulty systems that work to their advantage. As gifted students gain an appreciation of global context and the impact of colonial influence and oppression, they will be better positioned to demand change and equity. Participating in a culturally responsive classroom environment is one way to facilitate this awareness. This article includes specific examples of both the challenges and strategies to address issues surrounding diversity in the gifted classroom through inclusive literature instruction.
Fifth Week Reminders
- Starting tomorrow (week 5), students who are picked up late from school will incur a fee to be collected by our after school program.
- It is imperative that parents pick their students up from school in a timely fashion. Our teachers and administrators have trainings, parent conferences, and other meetings/responsibilities that take their time after school. We will provide supervision for all children while on our premises, but we recognize that to do so requires certain resources (time, people, etc.). Parents will be charged $5.00 per half hour that they are late picking up their child after 3:00 for elementary or 3:15 for middle school. All money collected will be distributed to our after school program.
- 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.
- To be counted "present"... Elementary students must attend at least 3 hours of the instructional day; in middle school, students must attend at least 30 minutes of each class period.
Attendance Awareness Month #BuildingABetterGriffin
DID YOU KNOW?
- By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
- By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
- Talk to your students’ teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
- Encourage meaningful after school activities, including sports and clubs.
Advisors Needed for 7th Grade Project
The 7th grade ELA and Social Studies teachers are preparing to begin the Activism Project with their students. We are looking for parents and community members to come in and work with students to provide outside perspective and support as the students work through their individual projects. This advisor time would be during the school day, on the third Thursday of each month from November through March. If you are interested, please reply using the following link, which is a Google form interest survey: CLICK HERE!
For further information, contact Linda Reynolds at lreynold@greenville.k12.sc.us
School Improvement Council
CLICK HERE to access this year's ballot. Parents, you'll also find a copy of the ballot in your child's Thursday folder.
If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Patterson.
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.
Lost & Found
The Lost and Found is already filling up! Please help us by writing your child's names on items, especially water bottles, lunch boxes, and jackets. Any items remaining at the end of each quarter will be donated.
Families for Lunch
Please note that seating may be a little tight this year thanks to our growing school family! We will provide information about overflow seating on Wednesday (most likely Vegas, but stay tuned!).
Families for Lunch is typically held the third Wednesday of each month. CLICK HERE for the lunch schedule.
WYFF 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.
Want to Get Involved? Our Students Need YOU!
School Supply Drive: Update
Thank you to everyone who has given to our start-of-year school supply drive. We are overwhelmed by your generosity.
If you would like to contribute, we are currently in need of the following supplies:
- Binders
- Clorox Wipes
- Expo Markers
- Wide Rule Composition Notebook Paper
- Boxes of Tissue
- Hand Sanitizer
Contact Ms. Chameka Duncan with any questions.
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 .
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.
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