Griffins Connect
January 31st #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Black History Month 2021
While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly created some challenges to the school year, there are some events that are always worth celebrating! With the arrival of February, we are excited to celebrate Black History Month and there's a lot in store for the entire month. Here’s a sneak peek:
- Each morning, the announcements will feature a historical black college/university and an African American that attended (famous or faculty and staff).
- The announcement will also highlight common African American trivia. Students will be encouraged to submit answers daily to their teacher and placed in the trivia box by 8am. A student’s name with the correct answer will be randomly pulled and announced the following morning. The student will then pick up their prize from the main office.
- There will be hall décor to highlight HBCUs and answers to Trivia questions.
- Black History Program – February 25, 2021 (35 Minutes during Related Arts)
#BlackHistoryIsOurHistory #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
What's Ahead...
This Week...
- February 4th: Monthly SIC Meeting; 8:30 (CLICK HERE to register)
Looking Ahead...
- February 8th: Last Day to Nominate 8th Grader for ACE Award (See below)
- February 9th: Last Day to Register for the 2021-2022 GCS Virtual Program (See below)
Students Selected for Region 2 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)
Current 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade CTC Families - TAKE NOTE!
Families of rising CTC middle School students, be sure to mark your calendar for the CTC Middle School Curriculum Information virtual event on Thursday, February 18th!
By 3:00pm on Thursday, February 18th, the CTC Middle School Curriculum Information One-Stop Shop document will be posted to Mrs. Noble's website for review at your convenience. The document will provide information about the registration process and contain links to information and videos from our core content and related arts teachers. Our teachers, administrators, and middle school counselor will provide information about life in middle school, the registration process for next year's classes, and what we hope you can expect from the 2021-22 school year. You'll also find lots of information about elective options and what to expect from next year's core subjects. It's a great opportunity to hear directly from the teachers and get answers to questions you might have! As always, should you have further questions regarding our middle school curriculum, registration, or anything else, feel free to call or email Ms. Noble, Mr. Murphy, or any of the middle school teachers.
Pancakes with the Principals: Winter Break Reading Challenge Celebration
Last Thursday, successful participants of our 3rd Annual Winter Break Reading Challenge were treated to "Pancakes with the Principals." Collectively, 83 “Griffins” participated! We are proud of our students for working hard even when they are away from the classroom.
Many thanks to our literacy specialist, Kim Marchbanks, and our school’s Food & Nutrition Services for their leadership and support with this wonderful event! #BuildingABetterGriffin #ReadersAreLeaders #WholeChild
ACE Awards Accepting Nominations
2021-2022 GCS Virtual Program Information & Registration
WHAT: Registration for the District's K-12 Virtual Program.
WHEN: Registration is now open and extends to February 9.
GCS 4K Application Window Opens for 2021-2022 School 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 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.
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
February Lunch Menu
CLICK HERE for the February menu. As a reminder, the menu is subject to change.
Take a Moment for Gratitude #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis
Practicing gratitude can be especially difficult in times of loss and uncertainty. It is important to follow all health guidelines to protect ourselves physically against the virus, but it is also important to take care of our mental health amidst social distancing rules and quarantines. To learn more, we invite you to check out this recent 4 minute podcast.
Here at Sterling we are are working to have an attitude geared toward gratitude. Our Junior Beta Club recently showed gratitude toward our community through their donation to TreesUpstate whose mission is to plant, promote, and protect trees in the upstate. Our teachers and staff at Sterling are learning new strategies to support more grateful practices. This year's SEL (Social/Emotional Learning) Professional Development is geared toward best practices that encourage positive support and affirmations over negative responses.
There are also a few simple ways that you can help encourage your children to shift their focus from anxiety and fear to gratitude at home:
- Talk with your children daily about something they are grateful for or something positive that happened that day. Create a journal and record a daily as a reminder of all of the good that is still in their life.
- Model positive affirmations. Compliment your children often and thank them for any help they provide at home.
It is so important to continue to find the good in each day and appreciate all of what we do have. Encourage your children to show gratitude to our community, their family, teachers, and peers. #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
#SterlingSchoolWeGotThis! Thank you for your Continued Support!
As you are probably aware, South Carolina DHEC continues to report very high number of COVID-19 cases throughout our community. However, comparatively, the number of cases in our schools remain low and are thus safer. As previously stated, it is most likely that individual schools within the district would be moved to eLearning based on each school’s unique situation. While we understand that our return of full-time, in-person instruction has generated a variety of concerns, we are asking for everyone's continued support. Here are some ways you can help:
- 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.
- If you are able and willing, consider serving as a substitute at our school. (See additional information below.) Without the needed personnel, we cannot operate our school.
- 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.
Dr. P.
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
Erin's Law Lesson for 7th Grade
In accordance with state law, the district’s health educators will be visiting us on Tuesday, February 9th, to provide instruction on Erin’s Law to our 7th grade students. The purpose of the law is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk of being a victim of sexual assault and how to report sexual assault should it occur. The presenters will provide instruction through science classes, with girls remaining in their science classroom with one of our teachers monitoring, and the boys will be in Ms. Noble’s room with Mr. Murphy as the monitor. These lessons will only be provided in person, as virtual instruction in Erin’s Law will be completed with the district’s health educators through PE during the upcoming sexuality education lessons for second semester. Any questions you may have about the lesson may be directed to Ms. Noble or to Mr. Murphy. If they can’t answer your question, they will direct you to our district’s health academic specialist, Andrea Bell. Additional information about the lesson and Ms. Bell’s contact information can be found in the PDF letter about the Erin’s Law Lesson in Mr. Murphy's email sent last week.