The Weekly Griffin
June 2, 2019 - #BuildingABetterGriffin
Thanks for a Great Year!
As the 2018-2019 school year comes to a close, I am tremendously grateful... grateful to serve as your child's principal, grateful for the educators at Sterling School who work so hard to provide the very best, and grateful for the parents who support our #WholeChild efforts to #BuildABetterGriffin!
This year has brought many successes. Together, we successfully implemented guided math (K-5 Sterling program), featured a parent information series to highlight gifted learners, celebrated #GriffinPRIDE with a beautiful collaborative mural, implemented PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports), hosted our first conference for gifted educators, strengthened our ability to personalize learning with student-issued Chromebooks in grades 3-8, partnered with the Governor's School of Science and Math to provide summer programming, increased the number of mentors, implemented a MakerSpace in our school's media center, and much more!
But our work is not finished. As a school community we must strive to see learning as a journey, not a destination. Our school, constantly evolving, must constantly adapt to meet the needs of each child. Together, we will continue in our collective effort to #BuildABetterGriffin.
Over the weeks of summer, please continue to keep our Griffins learning. Our school has provided a plan for reading over the summer (see in this newsletter below). Students can continue to access their DreamBox accounts as well. Also, be on the lookout for communication from the school and our PTA. We will do our best to keep you informed of any need-to-know information. I will be working with colleagues to put into place a smooth opening to the new academic year and setting the priorities to build upon our successes. I would like to wish everyone the very best for the summer break and look forward to welcoming you back, refreshed, for what will be an exciting new academic year.
As always, it is an honor to serve as our school's principal. Again, thank you for a wonderful year!
Dr. P
Introducing Sue Broder
At the start of the 2019-2020 school year, Ms. Susan Broder will be joining Sterling School’s highly respected English and Social Studies department as our new 7th grade teacher.
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. #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
What's Ahead...
June 3 - Mud Run (6th-7th Grade), 9:30-11:30am
June 3 - 5th Grade Day
June 4 - 5th Grade Sterling Awards Program, 9:00am
June 4 - 5th Grade Color Run, 1:00pm
June 4 - Last day to pick up health room medications
June 5 - 8th Grade Day
June 5 - Griffin Walk, 11:00am
June 5 - Last Day of School (Elem Dismisses @ 12:00pm, Middle @ 12:15pm)
June 5 - Last day to guarantee your spot in next year's After School Program
June 7 - Report Cards mailed home
*As a reminder... Please continue to be mindful of our drop-off and pick-up.
- Have students exit and load the full length of the awing.
- Keep this area "cell phone free!"
- Do not let students out at "roundabout" near Phillis Wheatley.
- Do not let students out in the faculty/staff parking lot along the Phillis Wheatley property.
- We discourage the use of the parking lot at Tanners. Please utilize our school's driveway.
- Do not text your child at dismissal and request that they walk to Tanner's without an adult.
Sweet Summer Reading Chances #FightTheSummerSlide
Over the next several weeks, you will find Sterling School's Sweet Summer Reading Chances information with your child's mailed report card, on our school's webpage, Facebook page, and in forthcoming summer editions of the Weekly Griffin. The Sweet Summer Reading Chances will begin at dismissal on Wednesday, June 5th. 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!).
NEW: Summer Story Time
Elementary Students are Invited to Sterling School to Escape with Books this Summer!
(If you would like to donate to our door prizes, please contact Ms. Marchbanks. Thanks!)
6th & 7th Grade Team Challenge & Mud Run
It is time for the 2019 Sterling School/CTC Team Challenge and Mud Run! On Monday, June 3rd, students work together, participate in physical and mental challenges, get dirty, and HAVE FUN! In order to make this event a success we will need your help. We are looking for volunteers to run stations/obstacles. If you can volunteer, CLICK HERE!
We need volunteers to be here by 9:00am to allow time for pre-race instructions and plan to stay until approximately 11:00am (possibly earlier depending on which station/obstacle you are working).
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Keneika Mosley at kmosley@greenville.k12.sc.us. Thank you in advance for your help and continued support!!
Health Room Medications
All medicines in the Health Room must be picked up by Tuesday June 4, 2019. According to District policy, any medication not picked up by June 5, 2019 must be destroyed. A parent or guardian must pick up all medication. No medication can be sent home with students. Doctor's orders do not carry over from one year to the next. Order forms for next year will be available in the health room when parents come to pick up remaining medication. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Calling All Graduates: Griffin Walk 2019
Before your child left Sterling School, they participated in the Griffin Walk. Now, we're inviting our "Griffins" back to participate once more...
Griffin Walk 2019 will take place Wednesday, June 5th @ 11:00am. This year, we invite all high school graduates who attended Sterling School to join us! Any participating graduate should RSVP and bring their cap, gown, and other graduation regalia. We ask any of our special guest to sign-in our main office by 10:45am. We believe this addition to our school's annual tradition will inspire our younger "Griffins" to remain focused in their own academic journey.
RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/ZLXCqNmiV7zi3wMr7
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
Final Report Cards
Please send in $1 if you would like us to provide a stamped envelope, or you may send in your own stamped envelope for your child's report card to be mailed home.
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.
19-20 After School Registration
Registration for our after school program is now open! CLICK HERE to download the registration form and other information. To ensure that your child is guaranteed a spot in next year's program, register before the end of the current school year. 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!
2019 #GriffinBuilders Appreciation Breakfast
And for everyone else who loves our Griffins, our school needs even more volunteers! We have many opportunities to support our school's #WholeChild, #WholeSchool, #WholeCommunity mission. If you're interested in joining this effort for next year, please contact any of the following people:
Mentors: Chameka Duncan: ckduncan@greenville.k12.sc.us
Tutors: Kim Marchbanks: krmarchbanks@greenville.k12.sc.us
PTA: Christi Wagner & Nicki Baldwin: christiwagner06@gmail.com / nickibaldwin23@gmail.com
SIC: Julie Cwynar: juliecaincwynar@gmail.com
Middle School Activism/Career Expert: Linda Reynolds: lreynold@greenville.k12.sc.us
Career Days: Casey Noble: cnoble@greenville.k12.sc.us
Anything else :-): Dr. Patterson: jpatterson@greennville.k12.sc.us
Introducing Ms. Taylor Kelley
***At the start of the 2019-2020 academic year, Ms. Kelley will join our middle school as our new 6th/7th science teacher.
Hello, I'm Taylor Kelley and I am eager to start the 2019-2020 school year at CTC! I have a Bachelor's Degree in middle level education from Winthrop University and a Master's Degree in education technology from the American College of Education. I also have my Gifted and Talented certification. Prior to CTC, I taught 7th grade math and science for four years at Oakridge Middle School in Clover, South Carolina. I am excited to be in Greenville School District to bring new ideas and opportunities to life! Outside of school, I enjoy traveling to the beach and mountains, playing and watching sports, hanging out with my friends and family, and exploring new places. I am ecstatic to be joining the CTC/Sterling School family!
#WholeChild Spotlight: Challenged (Tech Integration)
The five tenets of the Whole Child are safe, supported, challenged, engaged, and healthy. Here's one example of how our teachers support an environment that is challenging!
As a culminating project, Mrs. Lane's 4th Grade CTC math/science students worked with Dr. Stephanie Williams to develop a stop-motion animation video using Google Draw, Google Slides, and www.autodraw.com. The students worked collaboratively in teams of 3-4 to design a unique "mashup" creature, transfer their creature from paper to the Chromebook, and develop an action sequence that gave details about the unique life and adaptations of their creature character. Humor was encouraged, and students were expected to show their knowledge of the needs of animals in their video. Students were allowed to use fantastical as well as real-life animals' characteristics in their mashups. The resulting videos were a real treat for everyone! Check out the few examples provided below! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
The CTC Newspaper: End-of-Year Edition
A student newspaper teaches and reinforces a lot of skills that will benefit students today and tomorrow. Students who participate in a student newspaper learn a lot of workplace skills such as management, meeting deadlines, and communicating with others. School newspapers also enforce a need for teamwork. As our students continue to learn how to write, edit, and publish a regular newspaper, you will see further developments. Thank you, in advance, for supporting our students by taking a few minutes to read and support their work! #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