The Weekly Griffin
Week of September 9th, 2018 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Charles Townes Center & Sterling Program Nights
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!
CTC Program Night (Thursday, September 13th):
- 4:45-6:00: Dinner (RSVP by Tuesday @ 4:00pm)
- 5:30-6:00: 4th Grade Barrier Island Chaperone Informational Meeting in Vegas
Grades 3-5:
- Go to the gym at 6:00 for a welcome session from Dr. Patterson to learn more about our personalized learning initiative and our mission to educate the whole child and "Build a Better Griffin."
- Then, at 6:25, move to your child's classroom to meet with the teacher and hear about what your child is learning and how they are striving to help your children explore, enrich, and excel through best practices in gifted education.
Middle School:
- Go to Vegas at 6:00 to hear from Mr. Murphy and Ms. Noble about life in the middle. We will invite you to learn some of the latest information regarding the iGen generation and how we are working to meet their academic needs in class and their social and emotional needs through advisory, positive interventions, behaviors, and supports, and how they relate to your children.
- From 6:25-7:45: Circulate to your child's teachers to hear more about the content and learning that is happening this year. Learn about the various field trips, activities, and opportunities that your children will experience this year.
- At 7:40, head to the gym for closing remarks from Dr. Patterson and then have a safe drive home!
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.
What's Ahead...
- September 10 - Wear Red (DOT Day Week)
- September 10 - Last Day to Pick-Up Talent Show Audition Form (from Mrs. Reynolds)
- September 11 - Wear Blue (DOT Day Week)
- September 11 - PTA Mix & Mingle; 7:45-8:30am in Vegas
- September 12 - Wear Yellow (DOT Day Week)
- September 12 - Talent Show Forms Due (to Mrs. Reynolds)
- September 13 - Wear Orange, Green, or Purple (DOT Day Week)
- September 13 - Middle School Fundraiser Kick-Off (Palmetto Fundraising)
- September 13 - CTC Program Night; 6:00-8:00pm
- September 14 - DOT Day (& School Spirit Day)
- September 14 - School Spirit Day (wear a Sterling shirt or school colors of blue & gold)
- September 14 - SIC Nomination Forms Due by 4:00pm
- September 18 - Sterling Program Night; 6:00-8:00pm
- September 19 - Readers Arrrgh Leaders Community Readers Day
- September 24 - PTA Spirit Night @ Chicken Salad Chick on Augusta Rd; 5:00-8:00pm
International DOT Day - THIS FRIDAY!
Imagine the power and potential of millions of people around the world connecting, collaborating, creating and celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites. This Friday, September 14th, the Sterling School will creatively champion our use of talents, gifts and energy to move the world to a better place as we celebrate International Dot Day! (Our 4K students are also learning about primary and secondary colors!)
The Dot, a book by Peter H. Reynolds, is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.
In celebration of Dot Day, we ask you to wear:
Monday - Red
Tuesday - Blue
Wednesday - Yellow
Thursday - Your Favorite Secondary Color (Orange, Green, or Purple)
Friday - Wear Your School Spirit! (A Sterling Shirt or School Colors!)
If you are available to volunteer at any point during DOT Day, please contact Mollye Spitler or Judy Harrington.
Talk Like A Pirate Community Readers Day
Fourth Week Reminders
- Starting next week (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 6th grade, absenteeism is generally a strong indication that a student may drop out of high school.
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Keep track of your child's attendance. Missing school could put your student at risk of falling behind.
2018 Talent Show Auditions
Do you have an amazing talent that you'd like to share? Audition forms for the Talent Show are available until Monday, September 10th. Forms are due back to Ms. Reynolds by Wednesday, September 12th.
Auditions will be held Sep. 25, 26, and 27 after school. You MUST complete a form to audition.
The Talent Show will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 6:30pm. This event is sponsored by the Jr. Beta Club and is a fundraiser for Jr. Beta activities. Admission is a suggested $3.oo donation. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Reynolds at lreynold@greenville.k12.sc.us.
School Improvement Council
If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Patterson. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to serve our students, parents, and school community.
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.
Join PTA
Club Information
The Newspaper Club meeting for Monday, Sep. 10 is cancelled. Meetings will resume on September 17th.
The 7th and 8th grade Jr. Beta Club will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, September 11th from 2:45-3:45. This meeting is only for 7th & 8th grade Jr. Beta members.
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