Griffins Connect
February 20th #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
Sterling/CTC Shines at State First Lego League Competition
CONGRATULATIONS to the Griffins who competed in the State First Lego League competition this weekend. We are so proud of your accomplishments! #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
- Argent Agents: 1st in Robot Performance, 1st place Championship Award, and are advancing to First Lego League World Festival in Houston!
- GriffinBOTS: 1st in Robot Design and are advancing to the Razorback Invitational in Arkansas!
- Silver Flames: Breakthrough Award!
What's Ahead...
February 23: Black History Living History Museum & Community Show: 1:15-1:45pm (Info below)
February 24: Elementary Yearbook Sales End (CLICK HERE to purchase!)
March 10: PTA Family Trivia Night (info below)
PTA Family Trivia Night: Save the Date!
Join your friends and connect with other Griffins at FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT on Friday, March 10th! Choose the session that fits your family or stay for both. Session 1 (5:30-6:30pm) will be geared for our elementary players. Session 2 (7:00-8:00pm) will have more difficult questions for our middle schoolers. Both sessions are free of charge and prizes will be awarded to top winners!
Doors open at 5:00pm with food available for purchase from Mac Attack and Sky Dreams food trucks until 8:00pm.
CTC Middle School: Announcing DownTOWNES 2023!
We are so excited to announce our DownTOWNES event for 2023!
DownTOWNES is our middle school event where teachers create educational experiences so that our students make connections in the real-world environments around them.
Each grade level will experience DownTOWNES on a different day and have activities tailored especially for them. The classroom teachers and the related arts team are working to provide a fun-filled day for the students.
The dates for DownTOWNES 2022 are:
April 21 - 6th grade
May 5 - 7th grade
May 12 - 8th grade
We will be sending out emails to parents in each grade level with the field trip permission form and to explain the grade-specific activities for the students. The cost for each grade level is the same - $15.00 - and is posted on the MySchoolBucks link. Or, you may send in the payment (cash or check payable to Sterling School) when you return your child’s permission form.
Note: 6th and 7th graders may order shirts here . (Many have already ordered. Contact Ms. Reynolds if you're not sure.) The cost is part of the $15 DT Field trip fee for grades 6 & 7. Deadline to place order is February 24th. 8th graders will wear their class shirt (to be ordered later).
Nominate a Students for A.R.M.E.S.!
CLICK HERE to Nominate a Student!
The A.R.M.E.S PROGRAM (Arts Reaching Middle and Elementary Schools) is a tuition-free, rigorous, artistically gifted and talented program designed to meet the needs of identified 3rd - 8th grade Greenville County students. Students who are selected into the program attend class afterschool 2-3 times a week. Students must provide their own transportation. Participation in ARMES is part of the district’s Gifted & Talented program so regular attendance is required.
Nominations for the 2023-2024 school year open today, February 1, 2023 and close April 3, 2023. Rising 3rd through 8th grade students may be nominated by a teacher, parent, adult, or self. All interested students must have an online nomination form completed by the deadline of April 3, 2023. Late nominations cannot be accepted. Required auditions for the ARMES program will be held May 1-12, 2023.
The 2023-2024 school year will usher in Year 2 of the 5 year expansion project of the ARMES program. New ARMES sites have been established at Greer Middle and Hillcrest Middle to make attending more accessible for students and parents. The expansion project includes adding one arts subject per year to the new sites until all three sites are up and running with full offerings. The list below shows what will be offered at each site for next school year. If a subject is not yet offered at a site closest to your school the student is still welcome to apply to the Central site. Students are welcome to apply to any of the three sites.
2023-2024 Arts Offerings at the Central Site - League Academy
Music (Rising 3rd-4th Grade Only)
Strings (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
Visual Art (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
Creative Writing (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
Theatre (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
Dance (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
2023-2024 Arts Offerings at the Northern Site - Greer Middle
Music (Rising 3rd-4th Grade Only)
Visual Art (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
2023-2024 Arts Offerings at the Southern Site - Hillcrest Middle
Music (Rising 3rd-4th Grade Only)
Visual Art (Rising 3rd-8th Grade)
Support a Griffin! Become a Mentor!
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! We will follow-up with training information and other pertinent details. For any questions, email Mrs. Lindsay Berry (school counselor).
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!
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.
Spencer Page, Middle School Winner & Overall Winner (w/Mrs. J.)
Sarah & Spencer: Final Round!
Sarah Rondeau, Elementary Winner & Overall Runner-Up
2023 Sterling School Spelling Bee
With the word “amenities,” 8th grader Spencer Page, was named the winner of year’s Sterling School Spelling Bee. Well done, Spencer! Additionally, we recognize our runner up and elementary school winner, 4th grader Sarah Rondeau, who also gave a valiant performance. Spencer and Sarah competed against 28 other classroom winners in this year's competition. Congratulations to Spencer, Sarah, and to all of our this year's winners! #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
April Arts is April 21st: Save the Date!
April Arts is our school community's biggest event and you don't want to miss. This year's event will feature student art show, hands-on art activities, community visitors, and so much more!
If you'd like to help, consider contributing to the wish list of items needed for this year's hands-on activities. Please send all items to our school's art dept. Thank you!
Wish List
Embroidery Floss (Not Tangled - Any Color)
1/2 inch nails
Baby Food Jars
Cotton
Black Sharpies
Small Smooth Stones about 1"-2"
Clothes pin
Paint Markers (especially White and Yellow)
Chess Club is Back for the Spring!
REGISTER HERE for our FREE "play-for-fun" group.
If your child is interested in advancing their skills, Think Move Chess Academy will be offering PAID lessons at Sterling during on the same days/times as the chess club. The club will run for 8 weeks on the dates listed below. **Mark your calendar!
If you would like your student to receive lessons, please indicate that in the registration form and submit payment to Sterling School in the form of cash or check for $120. Lessons will take place in a separate room on the same days/times as the free social play group.
- Open to grades 3-8
- Friday afternoons, 2:30 - 3:30pm
- 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/31, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5
- Cost for the 8 week session: $120
- Registration deadline: Friday, Feb. 17th
Questions can be directed to Ms. Foulkes: dfoulkes@greenville.k12.sc.us
2023 South Carolina Academy of Science, ONLINE CONTEST Grades 4 - 8
The 2023 ONLINE contest for the Middle/Elementary School Academy of Science (MESAS) is now available to interested students in grades 4-8. Last year, Sterling School had 10 winners!
- Direct Link to the South Carolina 2023 online e-contest (Grades 4-6): CLICK HERE!
- Direct Link to the South Carolina 2023 online e-contest (Grades 6-8): CLICK HERE!
This is an optional contest. Each student who participates will be recognized and each school that participates will have at least one winner. Winners will be announced in the South Carolina Academy of Science (SCAS) newsletters and the SCAS Bulletin. The online contest is available and must be completed on or before 11:59 PM Monday, March 6, 2023.
Students are encouraged to use reference resources of all types, including the internet. However, parent assistance is strongly discouraged in finding the answers. This is a competitive contest meant to teach students new methods of learning and exploring. Questions are prepared with respect to the standards for SC. Participating students may indicate Ms. Deborah Foulkes, instructional coach, as our school's sponsor (dfoulkes@greenville.k12.sc.us).
5th-7th Grade CTC Families: CTC Virtual Curriculum Information Now Available
As a reminder, the CTC Middle School VIRTUAL Curriculum Information is now accessible on Ms. Treloar's website: (CLICK HERE!). Middle school registration will open on February 21st. 7th and 8th Grade registration is first, followed by 6th grade. All deadlines are shared on the website.
Through the website, you are able to browse through departmental videos and course fliers to learn about your student’s classes for next year. Current 5th, 6th, & 7th grade students will begin meeting with Ms. Bennett (5th graders) or Ms. Treloar (6th & 7th graders) on February 21st who will share forms and information about the registration process.
And DON'T FORGET... While everything you will need is available on the website, Ms. Johnston, Ms. Treloar, and Mr. Murphy will be hosting an in-person session for rising 6th grade families on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 15th from 4:00-5:00pm. This session will review the basics of middle school—what to expect from teachers, what to expect from your child, and answer questions specific to course offerings and the registration process. We know that the transition to middle school may cause some anxiety among our families and we want to make this transition as seamless as possible for you. As always, any questions may be directed to Ms. Treloar and/or Mr. Murphy.
4K Application Window for 2023-24 Year
In order for our Griffins to start their education on the right foot, we encourage participation in our high quality, full day 4K program! 4K Pre-Registration began January 9, 2023. If you know of anyone in our community who will be four years old on or before September 1, 2023, spread the word! #CreatingConnections #WholeChild
How to Apply:
Dates: January 9-March 10, 2023.
There are two ways parents can complete the application for their child. You can visit the Parent section of this website and set up a Backpack account. Once it’s set up, open the Backpack account, look for “Enroll A Student,” and follow the instructions.
For families that do not have internet access, the application can be completed at each school. Parents are urged to bring all the required documents when they visit the school. Children do not have to live in the school attendance area to apply at that location.
About the At-Risk 4K Program:
The GCS 4K program provides high quality, rigorous instruction in early reading, early math, and social-emotional skills using the SC Early Learning Standards. Students attend 7:45-2:15. The GCS Virtual Program is not available to 4K students. Children must be four years old on or before September 1, 2023 to be considered for this free program, beginning August 2023.
For more information, please email 4K@greenville.k12.sc.us or call 864-452-0437.
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