Griffins Connect
August 30th #BuildingABetterGriffin #WholeChild
Week 1 Review & Reflection #SterlingSchoolWeGotThis!
The first week of school is always full of emotions and expectations. This year is especially true. Lots of excitement and uncertainty fill our students' minds as they anticipate the start of the 2020-2021 school year. How many students will be in my class? What will eLearning look like? When will I have to wear a mask and social distance?
As I reflect over last week, I could not have asked for a better week! Though it was certainly different to only see a quarter of our students each day, it was good to have our students back! For me, it was different visiting in person classrooms with few students as well as virtual classrooms. However, in spite of masks, social distancing, and different circumstances, these first days were filled with active learning, community building, and lots of smiles and laughter.
As you can possibly imagine, our teachers are navigating a lot. Not only are they planning for quality instruction to be delivered virtually, they are also planning for meaningful experiences when students are face-to-face. With a full virtual option, eLearning, and face-to-face, it’s a lot to consider, plan, and implement. In addition, our teachers must be keenly aware of our students’ social-emotional needs. Knowing the research regarding social-emotional learning, coupled by the present calls of physicians, researchers, and other childcare providers, being intentional about our students’ social-emotional needs is a greater emphasis than ever before. Our students must feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging to truly benefit from the academic opportunities.
Earlier in the summer, I communicated to my faculty and staff that this year would require lots of patience, flexibility, and grace. As a parent, educator, and principal, I am asking the same of our families. Never before have we experienced the challenges we’re experiencing today. Things will look differently this year. Currently, teachers will be spending a lot of time on procedures and less time on content as we prepare the students for the blended delivery of instruction. We will move deeper into content as our students become more comfortable balancing in-person and e-learning. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers if your child needs assistance navigating their e-learning.
Teachers and support staff alike share similar sentiments regarding a successful start-of-school. As we head into week 2 and beyond, let’s remain committed to our focus to #BuildABetterGriffin. Working together, we will continue to create an environment where every student receives a personalized educational experience that allows them to explore their world, be enriched, and excel academically and emotionally as they prepare for challenges today and tomorrow.
Your Proud Principal ~ Dr. P.
What's Ahead...
August 31 thru September 4: College Colors Week
September 2: Coffee with the Elementary Counselors; 8:30am or 12:30pm (Register Here!)
September 3: Coffee with the Elementary Counselors: 8:30am or 12:30pm (Register Here!)
September 4: Sweet Summer Reading Forms Due
September 7: Labor Day (No School for Students)
Week of Labor Day: Move to Plan 2
- September 8: Red/Purple to Sterling for Face-to-Face (Blue/Green eLearning)
- September 9: Blue/Green to Sterling for Face-to-Face (Red/Purple eLearning)
- September 10: Red/Purple to Sterling for Face-to-Face (Blue/Green eLearning)
- September 11: eLearning for All Students
Students/COVID Steps to Return to School
We encourage all families to become aware of the steps they should take in the event of COVID-19 concerns. These concerns include COVID-19 symptoms, exposure (within six feet of a positive case for more than 15 minutes), positive test, etc. The following graphic should help provide possible next steps. To be safe, we ask families to notify Dr. Patterson anytime there is a concern related to COVID-19 so we can provide guidance based on DHEC regulations. Keep students at home if they present with 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.
We also ask families who have traveled internationally to follow all quarantine directives they receive when re-entering the country. Anyone who has been directed to quarantine when re-entering the country should not attend school for the period of the quarantine – usually 14 days. Additionally, we encourage you to test your knowledge by taking the following quiz (no worries, it's annoymous) to help your understanding around school exclusions, quarantines, isolation, etc.
COVID Exclusions and Notifications Quiz: CLICK HERE!
GCS will follow DHEC guidelines regarding the notification of families when COVID-19 cases are present in schools. Under current guidelines, anytime a student or staff member in any GCS school receives a positive test for COVID-19, a notice will be placed on the GCS website, alerting the school and community. Additionally, parents will receive a personal phone call if the positive case was in their child’s classroom or part of another school group to which their child is connected. Please note the importance of social distancing.
Per DHEC regulations, any staff or student identified as having spent 15 minutes or more within six feet of a positive case are considered close contacts and will be excluded from school for a minimum of 14 days. Absences due to documented COVID-19 infection will be an excused absence and will not count against a student’s required seat time/attendance. Students and staff who were not close contacts will be allowed to remain at school. We will be sure and let you know if these notification requirements change. Additional information is available on the GCS Parent Resource webpage.
Thank you for all your support in helping us keep our faculty, staff, students, and families safe!
Action Requested: End-of-Year State Assessment Waiver Feedback
Survey Link: CLICK HERE
"It is critical that students, parents, educators, and anyone with a vested interest in our state’s K-12 public education system take a moment to offer their feedback on South Carolina’s waiver from federally mandated assessments for the 2020-2021 school year,” said Molly Spearman, State Superintendent of Education. “As schools across our state reopen, we must focus on recouping the instruction time lost during COVID-19 school facility closures and ensuring that every member of the school community remains safe and healthy. Administering high stakes assessments in the current environment places undue stress on students, parents, and educators and takes time away from the classroom instruction and individualized support that every child needs.”
The South Carolina Department of Education released an online survey for public input on the requested assessment waiver to the United States Department of Education. As required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the SCDE must provide public notice and give an opportunity for public input on the waiver request.
College Colors Week
Summer Reading Logs
All elementary-grade students who participated in our summer reading challenge are asked to submit their completed Sweet Summer Reading forms to earn Chance tickets. These submissions may be paper copies, or they can be copies that are emailed to Kim Marchbanks, literacy specialist. All forms are due by Friday, September 4 (an extension from the original August 26 due date). We hope to have prize drawings the following week.
Because of precautions, we will not have a free recess for all who participate this year. Instead prizes will be delivered to your student's homeroom or available in the office for pick-up.
Please make sure all papers include the student's first and last names, grade level, and homeroom teacher's name. Thanks to everyone who participated or who encouraged participation :-) in this year's Sweet Summer Reading Challenge!
#WholeChild Moment
- Preschoolers (ages 3–5): 10–13 hours (including naps)
- School age children (ages 6–12): 9–12 hours
- Teenagers (ages 13–18): 8–10 hours
Insufficient sleep can impact students’ concentration and ability to retain information. Sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and supports success in school. Please consider these 4 sleep strategies to help support and establish a healthy sleep routine for the new year. #WholeChild #BuildingABetterGriffin
Student Chromebook Repairs
If you're need of Chromebook repair this year, look no further! Please see the following information for both face-to-face and virtual option students.
Chromebook Repairs – Face to Face/E-Learning Students
On days that students physically attend school, students may turn in their Chromebook for repair at their school and receive a loaner device. Once repaired, the Chromebook will be returned to the school and must then be returned to the student.
On days when students participate in E-learning, students may call (864) 355-4357 for assistance with minor issues. If the Chromebook is not functioning properly, students should bring Chromebooks to the nearest career center (Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) for repair and to receive a loaner device. Once repaired, Chromebooks will be returned to the student’s home school and must be returned to the student in exchange for the loaner Chromebook.
Chromebook Repairs – Virtual Students
Virtual students may call (864) 355-4357 for assistance with minor issues. They may also bring Chromebooks to the nearest career center (Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) for repair and to receive a loaner device. Once repaired, Chromebooks will be returned to the student’s home school. The school staff will then contact the student to notify them that the Chromebook is available for pickup.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Morning & Afternoon Traffic Procedures
AM Drop-Off:
- ALL students (4K-8th) will drop off at the front car line when on Attendance Plan 1.
Display your car tag in order to ensure the tag color matches the corresponding day.
- Do not let your child unload before school doors open at 7:10am.
- In the morning, we ask all car riders to exit the full length of the awning. (Parents who wait to drop off at the front of the school cause the line to back up and result in unnecessary delays.)
- Follow the directions of all Sterling School staff and/or law enforcement officers while on campus.
- The tardy bell rings and the instructional day begins at 7:45am.
Model proper safety procedures for your children (wear your seatbelt, do not text while operating your motor vehicle, etc.)
- Please move through the morning and afternoon car line with extreme caution.
- Do not use your cell phone or other electronic devices while in the car line.
PM Dismissal:
- ALL students (4K-8th) will be picked up at the front car line when on Attendance Plan 1.
- Elementary pick-up begins at 2:15; Middle school pick-up begins at 2:30.
To ensure social distancing, students will be called from the classroom to the car line once their numbers are entered.
- Cars will be expected to load along the full length of the sidewalk/awning.
- Elementary pick-up should line up in the right-hand pick-up lane upon entry. Middle school pick-up should line up in the left-hand lane upon entry beginning at 2:30.
- All cars must turn right as they exit the parking lot/car line.
- If a student is picked up late, students will sit at the designated area and parents/guardians must come to the front door and display the car tag.
- Model proper safety procedures for your children (wear your seatbelt, do not text while operating your motor vehicle, etc.)
- Please move through the car line with extreme caution.
3 Under 3: C-19 Protocols and Procedures
Congratulations, Ms. Benvenuto!
As part of our nomination, faculty and staff members were invited to provide examples of Ms. B's impact on our school community. Here is what a few of them had to say:
- "Nicole Benvenuto has been a perfect addition to our staff. She is quick to offer help no matter where it is needed. Ms. B is consistently calm, positive, and empathetic. Her efforts translate to trusting relationships with the students she serves."
- Ms. B is an amazing advocate for our students as well as a helpful co-worker. She is a very hard worker and makes sure she's a friendly, familiar face among everyone at Sterling. She is always conscious of others' needs and takes special time to check in on everyone. She has been a wonderful addition to our school and district."
- "Ms. B is always available to help my students who need a moment to check in with someone. She is so patient and kind with teachers and kids!
Back-to-School 2020-2021: Points to Note
Some of the following are reminders. Please take the time to review the following points:
- The School start date is August 24 for all students.
- Every student should know his/her color group and the days of in-person attendance when Attendance Plans 1 or 2 from the Roadmap are in effect. Color groups were assigned based on the first letter of students’ last name (hyphenated last names were alphabetized by the first of the hyphenated names: ex. Jones-Smith would be alphabetized under J). CLICK HERE for more information. If you requested a change and have NOT received notification from the district, please contact Mr. Murphy.
- Under Attendance Plans 1 and 2, students are in-person the stated number of days and attending school virtually the other four or three, respectively. Students will be expected to sign in and complete assignments on eLearning days. Otherwise, they will be counted absent.
- Students need to pick up their Chromebooks before August 24 if at all possible. This allows ALL students to start school on August 24 since we are on Attendance Plan 1 and only ¼ of students are in-person that day.
- Parents will not be allowed to walk their children into the building this year. Our school will be providing extra attention to students in 4K-1st grade Sterling & 3rd grade CTC. 4K-1st grade students will be provided stickers (that will be placed in packets you will receive during LEAP Week) and 4K-1st and 3rd CTC will have the assistance of faculty, staff, and middle school students to escort and guide into and through the building.
- All students are expected to wear a mask to school. Though not required for 4K-1st grade, all students will be encouraged to wear masks.
- Elementary and middle school starts at 7:45 this year!
- Parents should sign up for Backpack using a valid email address they check regularly (see more info below).
- Parents need to screen their students every day for symptoms and keep them home if they are unwell (not give them fever-reducer and send them anyway). Additionally, students who have been directed to quarantine for any reason – including international travel – should not attend school until the quarantine is complete. Quarantine must be completed even if your child receives a negative test result, as testing may not show positive until 7-14 days after the virus is in your system.
- If you would like to provide food for special occasions (i.e. student birthdays) please check with your child’s teacher prior to the event. For safety concerns, we cannot serve or give “homemade” foods, therefore, all food to be shared with other children must be store bought with visible ingredient labels and individually pre-packaged.
MySchoolBucks.Com
This year, parents are encouraged to make online payments into their children’s meal account using their debit or credit card. In a time of social distancing, utilizing this service will minimize hand-to-hand contact and ensure a safer, more convenient transfer of funds.
To sign up to make online payments through mySchoolBucks, parents establish a user ID and password. They select their child’s school from a drop-down list and enter the student birth date or student identification number (available from the student’s school), and provide the debit or credit card information. Payment into an account is usually credited within one hour. Parents can check their child’s account balance and transaction history on the mySchoolBucks website, which is updated every night.
Parents can make one payment for multiple children, designating the amount per child. A single processing fee of $2 is charged for each payment, regardless of the number of student accounts included in the payment. Parents can also choose to make recurring payments on a regular basis.
To Sign Up for Online Payments Into a Student’s Meal Account
- Go to the Online Payment Website.
- Create your user ID and password by following the step-by-step instructions. Online payments can only be made for meals. The service is not provided for any other payments to schools.
Questions: Call Food and Nutrition Services at 355-1249.
Information about mySchoolBucks: CLICK HERE to visit their website.
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
Online Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications are now available for the 2020-2021 school year. CLICK HERE! The online Free and Reduced Price Meal Application process is the quickest and most accurate method to apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals. Please note: interested families must reapply each school year.
If you have any questions about the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application process please contact Bonnie Hogue, Free and Reduced Project Manager at 864-355-1251 or by email at bhogue@greenville.k12.sc.us.
Attention Parents/Guardians of Rising 7th Grade Students
In accordance with SC State regulations, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive a TDAP vaccination. Parents/guardians must provide their child's school with one of the following prior to the first day of school (08/24/20). Students who do not have this record on file at their school will not be allowed to attend classes and we will not release their fall schedule.
Acceptable documentation includes:
· Certificate of Immunization listing TDAP
· Religious Exemption
· Medical Exemption
If your student has already received the TDAP vaccine, and you have not previously submitted documentation, please do so as soon as possible. You may fax records to 864-355-9477 or email Carly Tan at ctan@greenville.k12.sc.us. Please contact our front office 864-355-4480 if you have any questions.
Set Up Parent Backpack - An Amazing App for Parents & Guardians
Parent Backpack is an online application that replaces the PowerSchool Parent Portal. With Parent Backpack, you are able to view your child's grades, school attendance, and any discipline incidents when you are logged into the system. Best of all, Parent Backpack works on any device and is mobile friendly.
To access Parent Backpack, CLICK HERE and create an account. Please access directions by clicking on Creating a Parent Backpack Account.
Take Home Meals for eLearning Days
For example, if a student is scheduled to attend in-person on Wednesday, breakfast and lunch will be available that day at school. At the end of the in-person day, students will have the opportunity to take home 4 days of food (breakfast & lunch) to off-set the days the student is not in attendance.
If interested, a separate form must be completed for each student in your family/care.
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