The Weekly Griffin
Week of October 22, 2018 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Supporting & Advocating the #WholeChild
In Eco Royale: Using Gaming Strategies to Challenge Learner, Mrs. Newell and Ms. West shared strategies and themes from the world of video games to reach and challenge adolescent students. The session presented a variety of strategies for incorporating technology, collaboration, art integration, and problem solving. In All Hands on Deck: Leveraging Shared Leadership & Stakeholder Support to Meet the Varying Needs of K-8 Students, Ms. Duncan, Mrs. Noble, and Dr. Patterson shared our school's multi-tiered, personalized framework to meeting students' social-emotional and academic needs. The session highlighted student advisory, PBIS, mentors, and aspects of academic remediation and enrichment. #BuildingABetterGriffin
What's Ahead...
- October 22 - No School for Students
- October 23 - End of 1st Quarter
- October 24, 25, 26 - CogAT Testing (2nd graders only)
- October 26 - Middle School Dance; 3:45pm
- October 27 - Butterfly Garden Work Day; 9:00-12:00pm
- October 29 & 30 - IOWA Testing (2nd graders only)
October 30 - Jr. Beta Club: Chick-Fil-A Biscuit Fundraiser ($3.00 each)
October 30 - 1st Quarter Report Cards
November 2 - Deadline to RSVP for Veterans Day Program & Submit Photo
November 5 - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
November 8 - PTA Spirit Night @ Jason's Deli
November 9 - Veterans Day Program (K-3rd @ 8:30am, 4th-8th @ 9:30am)
2018 Veterans Day Program
On Friday, November 9th, the Sterling School will honor those who have fought for the many freedoms we, as American citizens, have today. We will have two programs. Our K-3rd grade program will begin at 8:30am and the 4th-8th grade program will begin at 9:30am. We invite all veterans in our Sterling family to join us as honored guests
- If a special guest is planning to attend, we ask that you RSVP by Fri., Nov. 2nd (CLICK HERE!). As a special treat, please send in or email a picture of your honored guest (preferably in uniform), the name and relationship to our Sterling/CTC student, and the name of the military branch in which he or she served.
- Our PTA is planning a reception after each program for our veterans and their guests. Students of our veterans are invited to attend as well. If you would like to participate, please complete the same Google Form (CLICK HERE!).
- We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue on the day of our program, Fri., Nov. 9th.
We look forward to this exciting day, as we pay tribute to those who have served our country. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to participate! If you'd like to volunteer to help with the Veterans Day Reception, please contact Stacey Kitchens at skitchens25@yahoo.com.
Spotlight on Safety: Child Passenger Safety
Every year, 8,000 families lose a child because of a preventable injury; this is a problem we can fix. Car seat and seat belt safety is a concern we've observed during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Together, we can change the news by learning simple, effective ways to prevent injuries to children. Our safety patrols will be conducting a survey on this topic soon! Check out the video below and see the following flyers on basic car seat safety provided by Safe Kids Upstate (CLICK HERE!). #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
CogAT Testing - This Week! (2nd Grade Only)
2nd grade parents, your children will be taking the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT) this week. Please make sure they get plenty of sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast each morning. This test is used to qualify for gifted and talented identification and possible admission to the Charles Townes Center Program here at Sterling School. Testing will run Wednesday through Friday this week and will pick up with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Murphy with any questions.
Middle School Dance - This Friday!
In order to make the dance a success, the PTA still needs a few parents to sign up to send in snacks or help with set-up or clean-up. Are you available to help? See the following Signup Genius if you can help. (CLICK HERE!)
Outdoor Work Day - This Saturday!
Our next Work Day will be this Saturday, October 27th from 9:00am until 12:00pm. Click HERE to sign up!
Our PTA has applied for a grant and have an upcoming site visit from the grant committee. Help us make a great impression!
Halloween Costume Collection & Truck-or-Treat
The Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative is seeking gently used Halloween Costumes for children ages birth to adult. If you are able to assist, Ms. Duncan will serve as our school's coordinator. (CLICK HERE for flyer.) Contact Ms. Chameka Duncan with any questions.
NCFC will distribute costumes in the Upper Building of the Phillis Wheatley Association on Thursday, October 25th from 1:00-7:00pm.
On Sunday, October 28th from 5:00-8:00pm, the Phillis Wheatley Association, in partnership with First Baptist Church, will host a community Truck-or-Treat at the Sterling School parking lot. Everyone is invited!
Spirit Night at Jason's Deli
Thursday, November 8th is our next PTA Spirit Night. Save the date and bring your family to have dinner with your Sterling / CTC friends! Jason's Deli on Haywood Road will donate a portion of the sales to our school! Please RSVP if you're planning on attending!
Jason's Deli offers vegetarian and gluten sensitive menus. Their food is free of dyes, artificial colors, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial trans fats, and processed MSG.
Elementary Yearbook on Sale Now!
PTA Reflections: "Heroes Around Me"
National PTA Reflections is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind. In the past 50 years, the Reflections Arts Program has inspired millions of students to reflect on a specific theme and create original artwork. Each year, students in K4 through 12th Grade are recognized for bringing the theme to life through Film Production, Dance Choreography, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Members of our local community serve as judges to determine our school winners, who will move on to the district and state contests.
This year's theme is "Heroes Around Me." Entries will be collected at Sterling School on November 12-14.
Click HERE for the complete rules and entry form. Entry forms are also available in the Media Center at school.
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.
Want to Get Involved? Our Students Need YOU!
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.
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 .
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