The Weekly Griffin
Back-to-School Edition - #BuildingABetterGriffin #LevelUP
BuildABetterGriffin: #LevelUP
What's Ahead...
- August 5 thru 8 - FAST PASS; 9:00-2:00pm daily in main office (see below for details)
- August 6 - Summer Story Time; 11:00am (Last Event of the Summer)
- August 14 - Sterling Program Meet the Teacher, 3:30-6:30pm with required informational sessions at 3:30, 4:30 OR 5:30 (choose one)
- August 15 - CTC 3rd Grade Parent Orientation, 4:00-4:30pm
- August 15 - CTC 6th Grade Boot Camp, 4:00-5:00pm
- August 15 - CTC Program Meet the Teacher, 4:30-6:30pm
- August 20 - First Day of School! Sip, Sob, & Shout, 7:40-8:30 in Vegas (for all parents!)
- August 27 - Sweet Summer Reading Chances Forms Due
- August 30 - National College Colors Day
- September 2 - Labor Day (No School for Students)
Summer Story Time: Last Event is Tuesday!
Come join us for the last Summer Story Time of 2019! This Tuesday (8/6) from 11:00-11:30 all elementary students are invited to participate in a read-aloud provided by special guest readers. Afterwards, families are invited to stay for lunch. Children (18 years old and under) eat for free. Adult meals cost $3.80. Whether this is your first or your eighth Tuesday with us, ALL are invited! FANS is preparing a special treat for lunch and our district's media team will be on hand to capture and share the magic of Summer Story Time! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild #ReadersAreLeaders
Summer Story Time has been a huge success! Thanks to Public Education Partners, the Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative, and Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services for partnering with us to provide this wonderful opportunity. Together, we have worked to #FightTheSummerSlide.
Sweet Summer Reading Chances #FightTheSummerSlide
All Sweet Summer Reading Chance forms are due Wednesday, August 27th. With this summer learning experience, students will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes and participate in a start-of-year celebration! There are several ways to participate: READO, Camp Wonderopolis, and the Greenville Library Summer Reading Program. To learn more information, see the following flyer (CLICK HERE!).
- The READO Card (CLICK HERE!).
- Camp Wonderopolis begins June 11th (CLICK HERE!).
- Greenville Library Summer Reading Program begins May 31st (CLICK HERE!).
- Need book suggestions? Check out our district's Leveled Book List (CLICK HERE!).
Meet the Teacher Procedures & Details
Meet the Teacher will take place over two days. CLICK HERE for a detail description of each night's offerings.
Sterling Program Meet the Teacher will be Wednesday, August 14th from 3:30-6:30pm. Parents are required to attend one of the three 30-minute information sessions at 3:30, 4:30, OR 5:30pm (choose one). For space considerations, we recommend the following:
Last Name Starting with A-G: 3:30pm Session
Last Name Starting with H-O: 4:30pm Session
Last Name Starting with P-Z: 5:30pm Session
CTC Program Meet the Teacher will be Thursday, August 15th from 4:30-6:30pm. Rising CTC 3rd grade parent orientation will occur from 4:00-4:30pm. Rising CTC 6th grade Boot Camp will occur from 4:00-5:00pm.
- Anyone who cannot attend the evening event can complete all required paperwork and receive their child's placement or schedule in the front office on Monday, August 19th from 9:00am-2:00pm.
6th Grade Boot Camp
The transition that occurs from elementary to middle school is important. To support this "Rite of Passage," we are providing a 6th Grade Boot Camp, a 1-hour crash-course on all things middle school! This year's event will occur from 4:00-5:00pm on Thursday, August 15th. During this time, 6th graders will:
- Meet their homeroom teacher
- Go over agenda usage & expectations
- Learn about homework & how to use the assignment calendar
- Read through the middle school letter
- Learn about advisory and homeroom
- Go through the supplies breakdown
- Participate in a Q&A on middle school
- And...last but certainly not least...learn about lockers: how to open lockers, the locker break schedule, locker assignments, and practice opening lockers!
No worries, parents! You are not left without your own version of Boot Camp. During the time that students are meeting with their homeroom teachers, parents of 6th grade students are invited to the Vegas Room for their own orientation to middle school at the Charles Townes Center. At the conclusion of Boot Camp, students and parents will be able to go meet the rest of the 6th grade team teachers at Meet-the-Teacher night!
Meet the Teacher Fast Pass
If you would like to “advance forward” at this year’s Meet the Teacher, you are invited to stop by our front office the week of August 5th-8th (from 9:00am - 2:00pm) to complete all required paperwork and register for GCS Backpack. If you would like, complete the GCS Backpack registration at home (CLICK HERE!) and confirm your registration in our school's main office with a driver's license or photo ID.
A video link for Backpack registration is also provided: CLICK HERE!
Anyone completing the necessary paperwork will be given their child's class placement and a “Fast Pass” to advance forward the night of Meet the Teacher. (Disclaimer : Your child’s teacher may have other items for you to complete.)
Join Carpool List for Next Year!
Are you interested in carpooling to or from school next year? Fill out the Google Form to add your family to the carpool list! At the end of each month, PTA will share the updated carpool spreadsheet with everyone who signs up, so you can connect with nearby families to make arrangements.
2019-2020 After School Registration
Registration for our after school program will re-open when the faculty/staff returns to school on Tuesday, August 13th! CLICK HERE to download the registration form and other information. If you wait until the fall to register, you’ll be placed on a waiting list.
Please email Mrs. Henry with any questions. To learn more about the program, visit the After School website HERE!
United Way School Tools Event
With the start of the new school year quickly approaching, United Way of Greenville County wants to help families in need by providing school supplies for students. The goal of the United Way School Tools project is to provide students in rising K-4 through rising 8th grade with a new book bag and school supplies. Supplies are limited. #WholeChild #BuildingABetterGriffin
- Saturday, August 17, 8:00 am – 10:00 am, Sterling School Gymnasium
CLICK HERE for event flyer.
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
Each year, interested families must reapply for free/reduced lunch. The online application for Free/Reduced Price Lunch opened last Thursday (8/1). CLICK HERE for more information.
Completing the application online is the best method to signing up. If you would prefer to complete a paper version of the application, these will be available this week.
All parents are reminded that this year's carryover period ends October 2nd. At this time, if no qualifying application is on file, all students will default to "full pay." Also, any student owing more than $20.00 to the cafeteria will be given an alternate meal until the bill is paid.
If there are any questions, Mr. Glackin, Sterling School FANS Manager, will be available at Meet the Teacher to help navigate the application process.
School Supply Lists
From our Health Room
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or special information that you need to discuss about your child, please visit our nurse or call the health room at 355-4687.
Morning & Afternoon Traffic Procedures
At Sterling School, safety is our first priority. As parents, your help is requested with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Beginning with the start of 2019-2020 school year, parents will no longer be able to utilize the Tanner’s parking lot for morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up. We recognize that a drop-off or pick-up of nearly nearly 800 students is a time consuming process. In our continued efforts to ensure student safety, we are trying a some **new ideas** (see items in bold below) and reminding you of a few items as well. In an effort to maximize safety while still maintaining a reasonably speedy car line, we ask that you please adhere to the following procedures for morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal:
AM Drop-off:
Model proper safety procedures for your children (wear your seatbelt, do not text while operating your motor vehicle, etc.).
Please move through the morning and afternoon car line with extreme caution.
Do not use your cell phones or other electronic devices while in the car line.
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. (Parents who wait to drop off at the front of the school cause the line to back up and result in unnecessary delays.)
Middle school students should be dropped off in the back bus loop (Watch out for buses. They are less maneuverable than cars.) Middle school students should report to the gym until dismissed to class.
Elementary students (K4-5th) must drop off in the front car loop. (This includes carpools with both elementary & middle students.) Elementary school students should report to the hallway of their respective grade.
Any middle school students being dropped off at or after 7:50 must be dropped off in the front car line.
Follow the directions of all Sterling School Staff and/or law enforcement officers while on campus.
PM Pick-up:
Model proper safety procedures for your children (wear your seatbelt, do not text while operating your motor vehicle, etc.)
Please move through the car line with extreme caution.
Elementary pick-up begins at 2:30; Middle school pick-up begins at 2:45.
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.
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 lane upon entry beginning at 2:45.
Elementary students will be called from their classrooms, which means they could take 5-7 minutes to exit the building.
Middle school students will be dismissed at 2:45. Keep in mind they may need to visit their lockers or the restroom, so they may not exit the building for 5-7 minutes.
Middle school students who carpool (with middle or elementary students) should utilize the back bus loop. All other middle school students should use the front traffic loop.
Follow the directions of all Sterling School Staff and/or law enforcement officers while on campus.
**Administration reserves the right to revise these procedures in the event that they present unforeseen problems or concerns**
Serving @ Sterling School
School Supply Drive
- Pencils
- Cap erasers/pink erasers
- Composition notebooks
- Washable markers
- Pencil boxes & pouches
- Crayons
- 2 pocket folders
- Binders
- Elmer's glue
- Colored pencils
- Pens
- Small safety scissors
- Spiral bound note books
- Highlighters
- Book bags
- Lysol or Clorox wipes
- Tissues
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 via email or (864) 355-4480.
Nicole Benvenuto: School Counselor
My name is Nicole Benvenuto and this will be my first year as a school counselor here at Sterling School. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where my family still resides. I attended Slippery Rock University to receive my B.S. in psychology. I then decided to branch out and move to South Carolina to attend Clemson University where I received my M.Ed and Ed.S in Counselor Education. While attending Clemson, I had the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant with the ClemsonLIFE program.
In my free time, I love to be outdoors at the lake or by the closest pool! I also enjoy traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends. Most importantly, I love to take advantage of opportunities to go home to Pennsylvania to visit my family! I am so excited to be a part of the Sterling School and have the privilege of working with you all!
Sue Broder: 7th Grade ELA/Social Studies
A Chicago native, Ms. Broder attended University of Illinois where she received a B. A. in Speech Communications and Public Relations. After graduating and taking a position as a marketing professional for John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Chicago, she quickly realized she wanted to spread her knowledge to others. After completing a Master’s in Teaching and Learning from National-Louis University, she went on to teach in Illinois, Georgia, and now South Carolina. Ms. Broder also holds a Master’s in School Leadership from Furman University and enjoys mentoring new teachers as well as students.
When not in the classroom, Ms. Broder enjoys spending time with her daughter and friends. A former competitive figure skater, she enjoys theatre, fiction novels, walking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and a mean game of Scrabble. Ms. Broder has had the pleasure of leading professional development on a variety of subjects and is always up for a new challenge. She is delighted to be part of this amazing community of educators. learners, and families.
Charlotte Dyal: Guidance Clerk
Charlotte Dyal is returning "home" to Sterling School as the Guidance Clerk after leaving to work full time at Roper Mountain Science Center. Ms. Dyal graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.A. in Dramatic Arts. Later, she earned a second B.A. from Southern Wesleyan University in English Literature. After finishing at SWU, Ms. Dyal spent five years teaching English as a second language to students of all ages in Japan.
When she is not working with students and families at Sterling, Ms. Dyal is usually in her hometown of Travelers Rest or working with children at Roper Mountain Science Center. She also enjoys camping, painting, and spending time with her family. Ms. Dyal is ecstatic to be able to return to Sterling and cannot wait to work with our amazing staff, students, and families!
Taylor Kelley: 6th/7th Science
Rochelle McCormick: Resource
My name is Rochelle McCormick. This will be my first year here at Sterling School but my 28th year as a teacher. Over the course of my career, I have taught students from Pre-K to 7th grade in Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines and Guam. I received my Elementary-Special Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I have enjoyed each experience very much and am looking forward to another great year.
Some of my favorite things include reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. My daughter is a teacher in Denver and my son is attending the University of Alabama. My husband and I are excited to make Greenville our new home!
Sarahi Paz: 2nd Grade
My name is Sarahi Paz and this year I will be joining the 2nd grade team at Sterling. I was born in Texas but have lived most of my life in South Carolina where I attended USC for both undergraduate and master´s programs. I served my first years teaching in the Spanish immersion program at Lexington School District 1 and later taught for a short time in Charleston at a Montessori school before going to South America to teach abroad. I taught 3 years at an international school in Bogota, Colombia in the IB program and loved my time there, but I am happy to be home and be able to be closer to my family now.
I enjoy traveling, dancing, eating, and learning and am really looking forward to being a part of the Sterling community and to learn and grow alongside everyone as we serve the students and members of the community. It´s going to be a great year!
Sarah Petersen: Computer Lab & Interventionist
Sarah Petersen is a Greenville native who graduated from Wade Hampton High School before attending Bob Jones University. She began teaching at Haynsworth Private School 2014 and is excited about her new position at Sterling School.
Outside of school, Sarah loves learning new things, long yoga classes and her sassy Yorkshire Terrier, Mini.
Dr. Shane Robertson: Music/Chorus
A native of the Upstate, Dr. Shane Robertson has taught elementary general music and honor choir, high school chorus, and at the university level. Dr. Robertson earned his bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in piano performance from Limestone College, a master’s in music education from the University of Montana, a doctorate in music education from the University of Georgia, and completed the add-on licensure requirements for school administration at Wingate University.
While at Limestone, Robertson was actively involved in all musical ensembles and the theatre department. Dr. Robertson has presented research and conducted professional development sessions at district, state, and national conferences. Other activities unrelated to his musical and educational pursuits include spending time with family and friends, hiking in the mountains, and traveling. He is extremely excited about joining the Sterling family and becoming active in its community.
Robert Glackin: FANS Manager
My name is Robert Glackin and I am originally from Anderson, SC but have spent most of my life away from South Carolina. Prior to Greenville County Schools, for the past 11 years, I worked in Restaurant Management in Florida, and Pennsylvania. I am entering into my third year with Greenville County Schools and I have loved every minute of it.
Outside of work, my family and I recently bought a house. We have two dogs, Rascal and Marley. I also LOVE all things Georgia Bulldogs!!! I enjoy being outside, I love to cook, and I am a Karaoke and sports fanatic! Most importantly, I love to serve the children or Greenville County by making sure they receive at least 2 nutritious meals a day.
Calling All Experts! (Namely... YOU!)
[CLICK HERE to go directly to COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DIRECTORY]
The faculty at Sterling School & Charles Townes Center constantly work to provide our students with relevant, real-world experiences. Through the use of inquiry, namely PBL (project-based learning), we seek to innovate and transform our school’s approach of teaching and learning through student-centered, personalized instruction. Inquiry-based methods prepare 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, if you are willing to partners with us, we are seeking parents with various expertise. We are looking for representation from all types of careers. As a school, we will utilize the database when seeking experts to support career days and various curriculum units. If you are willing to be added to our expert directory, please complete the following Google Form (CLICK HERE!). #BuildingABetterGriffin #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