Griffins Connect
March 7th #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Teacher Appreciation Week 2021
What's Ahead...
This Week...
- March 8th-12th: Teacher Appreciation Week
- March 9th: Spring Pictures
- March 10th: Last Day to Apply to 2021-2022 4K Program (see info below)
- March 13th: Butterfly Garden Workday
Looking Ahead...
- March 26th: Virtual Watercolor Painting Night: See below or CLICK HERE for details
Spring Pictures
Our spring pictures will be taken on March 9th. Pictures will only be taken for those who return their order form. This will be a prepay program through Strawbridge. In-person learners will take their pictures during the school day. Virtual students will use a sign up genius to take their pictures after school from 3:00-4:00pm. Additional time slots will be added if necessary. CLICK HERE to access Sign-Up Genius!
Additionally, our school will receive a spring digital form to share with parents along with order forms that will be sent home with in-person learners prior to picture day. All will be able to order online or bring money to the school with them on picture day. Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.
Forms for Spring Pictures will be sent home by in-person learners this week; parents are encouraged to follow the instructions on the form or purchase online. Virtual students will submit orders online at www.strawbridge.net. Click ORDER PICTURES and enter the following code: FM348173 to proceed with your order.
Virtual Watercolor Painting Night
Butterfly & Asian Garden Workday
Our next butterfly garden workday will now be on Saturday, March 13th from 10:00 - 12:00. Weather permitting, we need volunteers to help. Jr. Beta Club members and high school siblings can receive service hours, so bring your weeding tools and pitchforks if you have them, and let's get our garden ready for spring!
Mark your calendars for the future butterfly garden workday scheduled for April 17!
Sterling School K4-2nd Grade Virtual Career Day
We are looking for individuals who are willing to make a 5-8 minute video about your career.
Videos should include: Age-appropriate, interesting, fun facts about your career and any tools or visuals to help us understand your career
Send your videos or questions to: Chameka Duncan (ckduncan@greenville.k12.sc.us)
Need Ideas? Feel free to answer these questions in your videos:
- What kind of education/training/certification does your job require?
- Do you work with other people or by yourself?
- Do you have to travel for your job?
- Do you work indoors or outdoors?
- Why did you choose this job?
- How many years have you had this job?
- Describe your typical day.
- What is the most satisfying or exciting thing about your job?
- What are some things that you don’t like about your job?
- What is your schedule/hours like?
Please Submit Videos by Friday, March 19th.
GCS 4K Application Window for 2021-2022 School Year Closes Wednesday
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 begins tomorrow, January 11, 2021. If you know of anyone in our community with a four-year-old or soon to be four-year-old, spread the word! #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
How to Apply:
Dates: January 11-March 10, 2021.
- The online application is posted here on the GCS website.
- A child’s primary custodial parent/legal guardian can submit the online application.
- For parents who do not have internet access, they can call 864-452-0437 to apply.
- Completing the application does not guarantee that the child will be enrolled. Notification of acceptance will be sent to parents via email by April 1, 2021.
- We will not hold the face-to-face screening scheduled for March 24-26, 2021. The screening process is now part of the 4K Application.
About the At-Risk 4K Program:
- 4K programs for children at risk for school success are offered at various elementary schools and six child development centers.
- Children who will be four years old on or before September 1, 2021 may be eligible for this free program.
- Eligibility for 4K is based on academic and developmental needs, low family income, and low parent education level. However, everyone is encouraged to apply.
- The GCS Virtual Program is not available for the At-Risk 4K program.
Elementary Yearbook
Don't forget to order your child an Elementary Sterling Yearbook (K4-5) before it is too late! Yearbooks are on sale now for only $25. Please use the following link to order one today!!
CTC Student Newspaper: Latest Edition
Extra, Extra, Read All About It! The latest edition of the CTC Student Newspaper, our school's student newspaper, is out! (CLICK HERE!)
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.
Safety First, Efficiency Second
- NO TEXTING while moving in the carline. Hands-Free only.
- Students are to Unload and Load all along the covered walkway. NOT in the visitor parking area or left lane. (Remember, our students have to walk to class, walk to lunch, walk to recess..... and they are capable of walking a few yards to get into the school.)
- Students should exit and enter cars from the passenger side right of the vehicle.
- The tardy bell rings and the instructional day begins at 7:45am.
2021 A.R.M.E.S. Nomination Information
It is once again almost time to begin nominating rising 3rd - 8th graders for the GCS ARMES (Art Reaching Middle and Elementary Students) program. These students are identified as Artistic Gifted and Talented and served through an after school program at the Fine Arts Center.
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT AREAS? Strings, Art, Dance, Creative Writing and Drama. Students may be nominated and audition for as many areas as they have interest but once accepted into the program, can only participate in one area per year. A separate nomination form for each discipline is required.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Rising 3rd – 8th graders for the 2021 - 2022 school year.
- HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? Anyone can nominate a student, including teachers, parents, other adults, or self. Go to http://www.armesprogram.com and click on the link, “ARMES NOMINATION” and complete the online nomination.
Nominations will be open from February 1, 2021 through April 1, 2021. Information will be shared with your related arts teachers, guidance departments and through district social media.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
District Leaders & Board of Trustees Visit Sterling School
Last Wednesday, Sterling School welcomed Dr. Burke Royster (district superintendent), Mrs. Brenda Byrd (assistant superintendent for school leadership), and members of our district’s board of trustees.
The purpose of the visit was for newly elected and existing board members to become more aware of the district’s specialized programs, schools, and centers. During our time together, guests were presented with the unique, personalized programs we provide as well as how our school’s #WholeChild mission unites our two programs in day-to-day operations. Participants heard from our school’s administration, faculty, and students and received a guided tour of our facility.
It was a great day as we gave an inside peek of our wonderful school community to those who provide governance and oversight to our district. We are tremendously grateful for their collective interest and support. #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis #BuildingABetterGriffin
March-June Lunch Menu
Students Selected for Region Orchestra
Violins: Jerry Gan, Hannah Choi, Devika Jagadish, Shohom Saha, Sash Sivaramann, Johannes Bobb, Romy Parker, Neel Shanbhag
Violas: Kai Tucker (principal), Agastya Gupta, Shruti Bhatt
Cellos: Sierra Kremenliev (principal), Leran Fu, David Ropp, Grace Peters
Bass: Mark Beraho (principal)
Sterling School Celebrates Black History
#BlackHistoryIsOurHistory #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Faculty & Staff Members of the Month
Before we say goodbye to February, we want to recognize our faculty and staff members of the month.
Congratulations to Charlotte Dyal who was selected as Staff Person of the Month. Over the past many years, Ms. Dyal has served in various capacities at our school. Currently, she serves as our school’s guidance clerk. Here are a few things our faculty/staff had to say about Ms. Dyal. “Charlotte has gone over and beyond in her responsibilities. She places the needs of others before her own. Charlotte is always so kind. We are thankful for her happy disposition and willingness to help out whenever needed!”
Coming in at a tie, Hope Howard and Jennifer Matthews were selected as Faculty Member(s) of the Month. Mrs. Matthews serves as our Library/Media Specialist and Mrs. Howard is an academic intervention. Mrs. Matthews is recognized for doing everything she possibly can to provide the best for students, particularly in a most unusual year. Mrs. Howard is described as a rock star RTI teacher (interventionist) and is a strong positive influence on her students, both past and present.
These three individuals provide our school with great examples of #GriffinPRIDE who work to meet the needs of the #WholeChild. Join us in celebrating this well-earned recognition! #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis #BuildingABetterGriffin
COVID-19 Levels of Protection
A new document, entitled Levels of Protection (CLICK HERE!), serves to remind our community of the way we use multiple protocols to layer protection against the transmission of COVID-19. As a new variant of COVID-19 may bring increased worry, maintaining our protocols will work to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe.
As a reminder, here are some ways you can help to support our efforts to keep everyone safe:
- Please keep your student at home if they display any of the following symptoms: cough or shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; fever (of 100.4 or higher) or chills; muscle or body aches; vomiting or diarrhea; or, new loss of taste or smell.
- Report any known positive COVID-19 exposures and positive cases immediately to Dr. Patterson.
- Model and communicate COVID protocols so our students are more likely to follow your example: wear a mask when in public, avoid large gatherings, frequently wash or sanitize hands and high-touch surfaces, stay home and away from others when sick,
Thank you, again, for your continued support of our school. #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis
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