The Weekly Griffin
Summer Edition - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Greetings, Sterling School Family!
Learning Together,
Josh Patterson, PhD
What's Ahead...
August 14 - Sterling Program Meet the Teacher, 4:30-6:30pm
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)
Sweet Summer Reading Chances #FightTheSummerSlide
As a reminder, you will find The Sweet Summer Reading Chances information with your child's mailed report card or on our school's webpage (CLICK HERE!). 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!).
Summer Story Time: Every Tuesday in Summer!
Elementary Students are Invited to Sterling School to escape with books this Summer!
Rising CTC 3rd Grade Summer Day Camp @ Roper Mountain Science Center
- Last names starting with A-K, attend from 8:30-10:00 AM.
- Last names starting with L-Z, attend from 11:00-12:30 PM.
- From 10:00-11:00 AM, we invite all families for a "mix and mingle" as we transition between the two sessions.
Since the goal of this event is for our 3rd grade students to build community with their grade level classmates, we encourage parents to use this time as an opportunity to run errands, enjoy a quite moment at a coffee shop, or do some back-to-school shopping! Parents and families are invited for the 10:00-11:00 hour.
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. Anyone completing the necessary paperwork will be given a “Fast Pass” that allows you to advance forward the night of Meet the Teacher. (Disclaimer : Your child’s teacher may have other items for you to complete.)
More details regarding this year’s Meet the Teacher will be coming soon.
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!
Meet the Teacher
Meet the Teacher for Sterling Program students is Wednesday, August 14th from 4:30-6:30pm. Meet the Teacher for the Charles Townes Center is Thursday, August 15th from 4:30-6:30pm. For our CTC families, please note the times for 3rd Grade CTC Parent Orientation (4:00-4:30pm) and 6th Grade CTC Boot Camp (4:00-5:00pm).
If you are unable to attend, please pick up your child's dismissal number and other important information from our school's main office on Monday, August 19th. Due to scheduling conflicts, unless arranged ahead of time, if may more convenient to schedule a time to meet your child's teacher after the August 20th start date.
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!
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.
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.
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