The Weekly Griffin
Aug. 12th - "Welcome Back" Edition
"Building A Better Griffin"
Our school theme for the upcoming year is “Building a Better Griffin.” To adequately prepare our students for tomorrow’s world, we must work together to provide a strong academic, social, healthy, supported foundation...a whole child approach. As we prepare our Griffins to become college, career and life ready, educators at Sterling School will continue to create and support an environment that encourages students to reach their full potential. We seek to engage each student by providing challenging, authentic opportunities that require the use of higher order thinking, inquiry, and critical thinking. As we seek to ensure the success of every child, we must meet our students where they are, scaffold their learning when necessary, include their unique interests and abilities, and work to "Build a Better Griffin!" #GriffinPride #WholeChild
What's Ahead...
- August 15 - Rising 3rd Grade CTC Parent Orientation; 4:30-5:00pm
- August 15 - CTC Program Meet the Teacher; 5:00-7:00pm
- August 16 - Sterling Program Meet the Teacher; 5:00-7:00pm
- August 17 - Meet the Teacher Make-Up Day; 9:00-11:00am
- August 20 - First Day of School! Sip, Sob, & Shout; 7:30-8:30am in Vegas
- August 22 - Sweet Summer Reading Chances Forms Due
- August 27 - PTA Spirit Night @ Big Air Trampoline Park
- August 30 - Attraction Book Fundraiser Kick-Off (Elementary)
- August 31 - College Colors Day
- September 3 - Labor Day (No School for Students)
Meet the Teacher Procedures & Details
Meet the Teacher will take place over three days. CTC Program students' Meet the Teacher will occur on Wednesday, August 15th from 5:00-7:00pm. Sterling Program Meet the Teacher will be Thursday, August 16th from 5:00-7:00pm. And anyone who was unavailable to attend the evening events will be able to come on Friday, August 17th from 9:00-11:00am.
Meet the Teacher, Points to Note:
- Thank you Sterling School PTA for purchasing student agendas again this year!
- Optional - PTA membership ($5.00) and Sterling School spiritwear.
- Need Help? Jr. Betas, PTA Volunteers, and school staff will be on hand to answer questions.
- You are encouraged to bring your child’s school supplies with you!
CTC Program Meet the Teacher:
Upon arrival to the school...
- 3rd grade families drop children off in the Vegas Room and parents report to the gym.
- 4th & 5th grade families will pick up folders at tents located at the front of the building.
- Middle School families will report to the media center.
Sterling Program Meet the Teacher:
Upon arrival to the school...
- 5K-3rd grade families will report to the gym.
- 4th & 5th grade families will pick up folders at tents located at the front of the building.
Parking at Phillis Wheatley
School Supply Lists
If you're looking for the supply list for the upcoming year, look no more! Here are the specific lists for each grade level and program. If already purchased, we encourage families to bring all supplies to Meet the Teacher. This helps to minimize distractions on the first day of school.
Health Room Information
Volunteer Training
Carpools for Next Year
2018-19 Carpool Contact Info Form: CLICK HERE!
After School Program Registration
Introducing the Newest Members of the Sterling School Family!
Kristen Cooper - Middle School Science [7th/8th]
Total Years of Experience - I have been teaching middle school science for five years. I taught eighth grade two years and seventh grade three years.
College(s) Attended/Degree(s) Earned - I bleed garnet and black, GOOO Gamecocks! However, when a South Carolina team makes it to a championship, I am rooting for the state to win. I earned my bachelors in science at the University of Carolina. I also attended Howard University and earned a MBA in Finance.
Favorite Childhood Memories of School - My favorite childhood memory in school would have to be earning first chair viola in the youth orchestra.
What Have You Been Up to This Summer? - This summer I recorded background vocals for demo submissions, toured South Carolina farms learning about agriculture, and spent a week living on Lake Moultrie.
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am excited about joining the Sterling School family because it gives me an opportunity to continue to work with students who are excited about learning, enjoy school, and welcome a challenge. I am eager to continue to work with innovative, energetic, and team oriented educators who have welcomed me to the Sterling School family with open arms. This year will be a fantastic one!
Connie Gordon - Middle School Science (6/7)
Where's "Home?" - Venice, FL
Total Years of Experience - 18; National Board Certified in EA/Math since 2007
College Attended - University of South Florida (Go Bulls!)
Favorite Childhood Memory of School - Being selected as first chair cellist in 8th grade
Favorite Place to Get Away (& what makes it so great) - Portland, Oregon! Love the terrain and climate! My daughter lives there!
Family & Personal Information - Married for 30+ years; son who works at Anderson 1&2 Career & Technology Center; daughter works at Intel; 2 fun doodles that love to romp in the lakes when we camp
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am excited to be back "home"
Judy Harrington - Art
Total Years of Experience - 26 years- Lead Middle School Art Teacher
Colleges Attended/Degrees Earned - BS, Art Education, Minor Graphic Design - University of Buffalo; MA - Instructional Technology - Grand Canyon University
Favorite Childhood Memory of School - NY State HS Championship Volleyball 2nd place finisher! So proud of my teammates and myself for our determination and hard work.
Family & Personal Information - Married with a husband of 24 years, 2 teenage boys including a son with high functioning autism. My boys are 2 of 51 grand children and love sports, video games, and youth group at St. Mary's Catholic church.
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am so excited about being on a team with another Art Teacher and a supportive school community. I want to build on the great tradition of the Visual Arts at Sterling and have an extremely positive impact on the students in the Art classroom and throughout the school with arts integrated activities.
Kimberly Lane - 4th Grade CTC
Total Years of Experience - In my 23 years of public school teaching, I have focused mainly on the intermediate grades of 4th, 5th, and 6th. I taught gifted/talented 6th grade students in Tampa for 9 years after beginning my career there as a 5th grade teacher. Upon moving to Greenville, I wanted to return to elementary school, since my son was in kindergarten then. I taught 4th grade for the next 10 years, then returned to 5th grade most recently. I have taught a wide variety of students and enjoyed learning from talented mentors and colleagues through the years. This past spring, I had the privilege of moving into higher education, teaching an undergrad class at USC Upstate. Learning is my passion, and teaching is my calling.
College(s) Attended/Degree(s) Earned - Go Noles! I graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Florida State University; Go Tigers! Clemson awarded me a Master of Education in Literacy in 2013.
If Education Wasn't Your Profession, What Would You Choose? - I would love to write professionally one day. There is nothing like a good story, and I just love authors' ability to conjure whole worlds of sights, sounds, emotions, and meaningful relationships from mere words on paper.
Family & Other Personal Information - My husband and I are a blended family with two 18 year old sons. One attends UT Knoxville, majoring in Biology with an interest in neurology. One attends the Citadel in Charleston, majoring in Computer Science with an interest in cyber security. We currently have 5 furbabies, too...one cat and four dogs. Three of these are rescues, and two are toy poodles. They all bring us a lot of joy!
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - This school is growing and progressing in new and exciting ways! I am intrigued by the concept of the school, meeting its people, and returning to teaching and learning in the 4th grade setting. I can't wait to meet you all and to find out what more about you all!
Jen Matthews - Media Specialist
Total Years of Experience - I started my career as a Media Specialist while I was working on my degree. So I have been a MS for 7 years total.
College(s) Attended/Degree(s) Earned - Bachelors in Communications with Minor in IT from University of Phoenix (I rose from the ashes) and Masters in Library Media from University of West Alabama (Go Tigers! Not really - Go Dawgs! I'm a Georgia fan!)
Favorite Childhood Memory of School - I remember reading "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". This book made me fall in love with reading! I remember feeling like I was Walter Mitty and really got lost in this story!
If Education Wasn't Your Profession, What Would You Choose? - Education wasn't always my profession. I used to do administrative work in the business world and thought that I loved it... until I went to work as the secretary at my youngest daughter's school. I've never looked back! Teaching is my calling from God!
Why Are you Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am excited to meet new people and work in a bigger school where I can serve more students!
Amanda McLaine - 1st Grade
Total Years of Experience - I have taught for one year! After I graduated college, I packed up and moved to Athens, GA where I taught 3rd grade for a year. I am so happy to be moving back to my home state!
College(s) Attended/Degree(s) Earned - I am thrilled to have spent my college years at Clemson University! I studied Early Childhood Education and couldn't have asked for a better experience! Go Tigers!
If Education Wasn't Your Profession, What Would You Choose? - If I hadn't become a teacher, I would have been a baker/cake decorator!
What Have You Been Up To This Summer? - This summer I have spent a lot of time driving back and forth between Greenville and Athens and I can't wait to call Greenville my official "home base". I have also gone to a couple of concerts and events in my time off! Finally, I am getting ready to go on a trip to Cancun with my family!
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am excited to join the Sterling School family because it seems like a really supportive atmosphere where everyone is working together to see the students reach their full potential. I can't wait to become a part of such an excellent group of educators!
Antrina Miller - Administrative Assistant
Total Years of Experiences - From subbing to managing the computer lab and on to teaching in the classroom, my 17 years of experience has always been fueled by my love for kids and learning.
Colleges Attended/Degrees Earned - Bachelor's of Social Work - South Carolina State University (Bulldog4Life); Master's of Art in Teaching - Converse College (Pink Panther Pride); Masters in Educational Administration - Southern Wesleyan University (Go Warriors!)
Favorite Restaurant - Pappadeaux is my absolute favorite restaurant and I will take a trip to Atlanta just to go there!
Favorite Place to Get Away (& what makes it so great) - Myrtle Beach is great because it is not far and there’s lots to do: Beach walks, Fireworks, Shows, Crab legs, and discounts for Educatora.
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - I am excited to join the staff because of the wonderful admin team, faculty and staff. From the first interview until now (summer visits), I have felt nothing but love and acceptance! What a way to welcome this newbie!
Joyce Reed - 3rd Grade Sterling
Total Years of Experience - 13!! Time has flown by.... love teaching and working with kids every day!! Learning and exploring together!!
College(s) Attended/Degree(s) Earned - Go Argos!!! I graduated from the University of West Florida from 1999 until 2004!!
Favorite Childhood Memory of School - Learning about science in an outdoor habitat that included flower beds and a pond!!! Also learning about the ocean and sea urchins as well as art class and library and music class those were my favorites!
What Have You Been Up To This Summer - Well I have been super busy with packing and moving here to Greenville which also included Staging my house to sell in Virginia! For breaks I have enjoyed Pool time and family time in Indiana and exploring kid friendly places to take my kids to here in Greenville. Oh and the best part has been buying new to me furniture from Facebook marketplace too that has been super fun and exciting!
Why Are You Excited to Join the Sterling School Family? - Sterling has a population of students that choose to come here!! Wow, that’s so awesome!! You have some amazing and different programs to meet the needs of all students and I’m so excited to be apart of the Sterling family learning and growing together!! Family is important!
Check Out These Back to School Events!
Tajh Boyd Foundation @ Phillis Wheatley - Tomorrow!
United Way: School Tools Event
Parents and caregivers are invited to join us at Freetown Community Center starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 18. CLICK HERE for more information, including additional sites as well as ways to support this important initative.
Sip, Sob, & Shout!
ALL parents are invited to come by the library after you drop your child off on the first day of school! We hope you'll hang around to visit with other Sterling / CTC parents!
Who: ALL parents!!!
What: Drop-In for coffee and a light breakfast
When: 7:30 - 8:30am on Monday, August 20th
Where: Sterling School Media Center (Library)
Why: To visit with fellow parents! Catch up with old friends or make some new ones!
Calling All Experts! (Namely... YOU!)
[CLICK HERE to go directly to COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DIRECTORY]
Marine biologist, conservationist, and writer Rachel Carson (1956) once stated, “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Fortunately, the students at the Sterling School do not just have one adult who eagerly shares in the excitement of ongoing discovery and exploration—they have many. BUT we need more!
The faculty at Sterling School & Charles Townes Center are working to implement a schoolwide framework of inquiry-based learning. Through the use of inquiry, namely PBL (project-based learning), we seek to continuously innovate and transform our school’s approach of teaching and learning through student-centered, personalized instruction. PBL prepares 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, we are creating a database of partners and parents who have various expertise. As a school, we will utilize the database when seeking experts to support various curriculum, PBL units. If you are willing to be added to our expert directory, please complete the following Google Form (CLICK HERE!). #VisionInAction #GriffinPride #WholeChild
School Supply Drive
Below is a list of needed supplies:
· Pencils
· Cap erasers/pink erasers
· Composition notebooks
· Washable markers
· Pencil boxes & pouches
· Crayons
· 2 pocket folders
· Elmers glue
· Colored pencils
· Pens
· Small safety scissors
· Spiral bound note books
· Highlighters
· BOOKBAGS
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." This year, the Sterling School is partnering with Mentor Upstate, a nonprofit organization that seeks to support children with one-on-one positive relationships. As we launch this exciting program, 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 .
DonorsChoose!
CLICK HERE to check out our school's classroom projects!
Supporting a DonorsChoose project is super easy...
1) Find a classroom project that inspires you and give as little as $1. We're a public charity, so your donation is tax-deductible.
2) When a project is fully funded, DonorsChoose will purchase all the requested items and ship them directly to the school.
3) When funded, every donor gets a thank-you letter from the teacher, photos from the classroom, and a report of how each dollar was spent.
The mission of DonorsChoose is simple...to help students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
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