Griffins Connect

We are thrilled to announce that Sterling School has once again achieved an "EXCELLENT" rating for BOTH our elementary and middle school grades on the South Carolina Department of Education’s annual state report card! This marks the SIXTH consecutive year that our school has received this top distinction for both levels, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and community.

The annual report cards assess a range of factors, including academic achievement, student progress, college and career readiness, and school climate. Schools across South Carolina are rated as excellent, good, average, below average, or unsatisfactory. The ratings are determined by test scores, surveys, and additional data on areas such as English Learners' progress, student safety, and financial information.

For more detailed information on Sterling’s performance and to view report cards for schools across the state, visit screportcards.com. You can also view our specific reports by clicking the links below:

• Elementary School Report Card
• Middle School Report Card

This achievement is truly something for our entire school community to celebrate! Together, we are ensuring that every student reaches their fullest potential. Thank you for your continued support of our wonderful school! #WholeChild #EveryDaysAnAdventure

Tuesday, October 20: Last Day to Vote Sterling School for 2027 KaBOOM Awards (info below)

Wednesday, October 21: 50th Day Celebration for K-2nd Grades

Thursday, October 22: 1st Quarter Report Cards

Thursday, October 22: NCFC's Parent Cafe: 5:30-7:15, Vegas (More Info/RSVP: CLICK HERE!)

Friday, October 23: Wear Positive Messages: October Upstander Challenge (info below)

Friday, October 23: PTA Fall Festival, 4:30-7:00 PM (info below)

Friday, October 30: America 250 Celebration Entries Due (info below)

Monday, November 2: Teacher Workday / No School for Students

Monday, November 2: Deadline to RSVP for Veterans Day Program (info below)

Tuesday, November 3: Election Day / No School

Wednesday, November 4: GCS Choice Lottery Window Opens (Closes November 20th)

Thursday, November 5: Thanksgiving Lunch Pre-Orders Due (Absolute Last Day!)

***27-28 GCS Choice Lottery Window: The 2027-28 school choice lottery window will be held November 4th-20th. More information regarding the school choice window will be sent in the coming weeks.

Families - we are so excited about Fall Festival and the all the fun we will enjoy. This FREE volunteer based event is not possible without the help of our school community. Please sign up to serve for at least one session. Ideas: tag team with a friend and one person goes around with the children while the other works a shift and then trade. 😀 The opportunities are all listed in the Sign Ups linked below:

• Be sure to scroll through ALL PAGES. There are lots of open spots on p.2 of the sign up.
• Volunteer/ Donation sign up: CLICK HERE!

Available for an hour or more this week to help with setting up the Beta Haunted House? Check out the times and sign up HERE.

We need the help of our Sterling School community to help make our haunted house "adventure" a big success. Please check out the Sign Up linked HERE to see how you can help. We need some items on loan and they can be returned to you after the event and other things can be purchased and sent to the school for a no hassle contribution. We appreciate your support.

As we begin preparing for Thanksgiving Lunch next month, please be on the lookout for the PRE-ORDER envelope that will be sent home with your child next Thursday, October 22nd. Each student is limited to TWO tickets for Thanksgiving lunch (not including the Sterling student).

PRE-ORDERS will be DUE on Thursday, November 5th.

Thanksgiving Lunch will be offered on two different days . See Schedule below.

Tuesday, November 17th:

1st grade (10:15)

4th grade (10:50)

*3rd grade- (11:20) [*Coffman, Hendon, Heppeard, Schoon]

7th and 8th grade (11:55)

Wednesday, November 18th:

5th grade (10:20)

2nd grade (10:45)

5K (11:15)

*3rd grade (11:20) [*Langley & Santinelli]

4k (11:45)

6th grade (11:55)

We made this year's KaBOOM Awards "Best of the Best" ballot! 🎉 Thanks to your support, Sterling is in the running for a 2027 KABOOM Award for Best in Public Education! Help us bring it home by voting once each day through October 20. Every vote counts, and we’re grateful for the way you show up for Sterling! 💙💛

Vote today: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/kaboom#/gallery?group=556689

On Wednesday, November 11th, Sterling School will honor those who have fought for the many freedoms we, as American citizens, have today. We will have two programs. Our K-3rd grade program will begin at 8:30am and the 4th-8th grade program will begin at 9:30am. We invite all veterans in our Sterling family to join us as honored guests.

If a special guest is planning to attend, we ask that you RSVP by Monday, November 2nd (CLICK HERE!). As a special treat, please send in or email a picture of your honored guest (preferably in uniform), the name and relationship to our Sterling/CTC student, and the name of the military branch in which he or she served. (You'll find this request within the Google Form as well.)

Our PTA is planning a reception after each program for our veterans and their guests. Students of our veterans are invited to attend as well. If you would like to participate, please complete the same Google Form (CLICK HERE!).

We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue on the day of our program, Wednesday, Nov. 11th.

We look forward to this exciting day, as we pay tribute to those who have served our country. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to participate!

On October 14, we hosted our annual Coffee & Conversation in collaboration with our amazing administration team. From reflecting on what Sterling was like a decade ago to sharing current updates, highlighting the many programs and protocols that support our students, and discussing their goals for our school’s future, Dr. Patterson and the rest of the admin team made one thing abundantly clear: their genuine love and dedication to every Sterling student. Without a doubt, their commitment to continuously find new and effective ways to improve all aspects of Sterling was evident. This dedication is also why they welcomed questions and feedback from both new and returning Griffin parents.

As always, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our school leadership, get to know fellow Griffin families, and strengthen our school community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the morning such a success!

A special shoutout to Parlor Doughnuts for donating their delectable sweet creations and to The Palmetto Bean Coffee Co. for providing the delicious much-needed coffee. Your generosity helped make the event even more special!

Not yet a PTA member? Join us here: https://sterlingctc.givebacks.com/shop

Last week, in collaboration with our school’s administration team and middle school counselor Mrs. Gallegos, we provided support during our annual High School Fair where we enjoyed a fantastic turnout. 8th graders and their parents, along with parents of 7th grade students, explored the diverse programs and pathways available through Greenville County Schools.

As always, our PTA is proud to support this event each year by providing volunteers and allocating funds from our budget to help bring this event to fruition. We would also like to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and efforts to make this high school fair a success.

On October 8, we rolled out the red carpet for our amazing faculty and staff with a special luncheon to celebrate and thank them for all they do for our Griffins. Their dedication and hard work make such a difference every single day, and we are utterly grateful for everything they do, and continue to do, for our students.

A special shoutout goes to The Lazy Chicken for the delicious food which left everyone with full bellies and happy hearts. And a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this special celebration possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Want to donate to our school or become a sponsor? CLICK HERE

We are looking forward to our November School Improvement Council (SIC) Meeting! Come join the conversation at 8:30am on Thursday, November 5th in the Vegas Room. The monthly meeting is open to all parents and guardians!

Do you have a question about Sterling/CTC or a topic you'd like discussed at our School Improvement Council (SIC) meetings? We would love to hear from you! Ask the SIC here!

Feel free to direct any further questions to Jessie Flowers at sicsterlingctc@gmail.com.

We’re continuing our Upstander Adventure at Sterling, and this week we’re putting our words into action! On Friday, wear clothing that has positive messages!

Sometimes being an upstander means having the courage to SAY something.

✨ Say something kind.

This week, our Sterling students are learning that WORDS HAVE POWER. Students will have the opportunity to fill our lobby with positive messages, create encouraging artwork, and share what it means to be kind and be an upstander.

And we want to hear Sterling students’ voices! Students will be sharing messages about what being an upstander and being kind to friends means to them.

Remember: You don’t have to have a loud voice to make a difference. Sometimes, one kind word is all it takes. SAY IT. Your voice can make a difference.

At Sterling School, we are celebrating GCS as one of the first school districts in South Carolina to earn the 90-90-90 milestone by surpassing 90% in all three major achievement areas: reaching a 92.2% Graduation Rate for the Class of 2026, 90.5% of the graduating class earning College/Career Ready status, and 98.9% of Greenville County schools rated Excellent, Good, or Average on the State Report Card. This is a powerful reflection of the GCS Advantage in action, where we have Stronger Communities, Greater Opportunities! To learn more about the celebration, visit GCS’s website.

Greenville County Schools students are invited to take part in the America 250 Student Celebration! This is your chance to share what America means to you—your experiences, hopes, traditions, dreams, or appreciation for our nation.

🎨 Choose how YOU want to tell your story:

There’s no single right answer—we want to see your voice, your ideas, and your creativity!

⭐ Open to students in Pre-K–12

📅 Entries due October 30, 2026 and can be picked up outside the Art Room.

Share Your Voice. Celebrate Our Nation. Inspire Others. 🇺🇸✨

Families and school staff are invited to join the upcoming virtual workshop, Beyond the Screen: A Parent/Guardian’s Guide to Video Gaming and Online Safety. Explore practical ways to support safe, healthy technology habits and help children navigate the online world. See the flyer below for details!

Greenville County Schools is pleased to offer a Parent Academy designed specifically for parents and caregivers of students receiving special education services. Sessions will provide helpful information, practical strategies, and resources to support families as they navigate special education and advocate for their child’s success. Sessions are offered virtually and in person. Please see the flyer for more information.

You are cordially invited to attend an informational session for parents of students interested in applying to the Fine Arts Center for the 2027-2028 school year. This event is designed specifically for parents to learn more about our programs and gain insight into the opportunities available for students at the Fine Arts Center. We will cover the application and audition process so that families know what to expect.

Date - Thursday, December 10, 2026

Time - 7:00 p.m.

Location - Fine Arts Center; 102 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville

Please note:

• Sign up for your spot: CLICK HERE!

• Due to seating limitations, only 2 parents per family can attend.
• If both parents are attending, both must sign up individually for a spot. This will allow us to accurately account for seating.
• This session is for 8th-11th grade parents only. Students should not attend.
• If the session is full, you can watch the program at the following link: CLICK HERE!

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing what makes the Fine Arts Center an exceptional place for young artists to learn and grow.

C-CATS (https://c-cats.org/) has been inspiring South Carolina’s brightest students for nearly a decade! This program is designed for high-achieving middle and high school students and offers an exciting weekend experience at Clemson University. The middle school track focuses on leadership, team building, and an introduction to life at Clemson. This is only offered to current 7th and 8th graders.

Please note: Completing this form verifies that you would like for your student to be nominated for the Clemson C-CATS program. This is not a guarantee of their invitation / acceptance. Mrs. Gallegos will submit the nominations and then the program will respond from that point.

To have Mrs. Gallegos nominate your student and submit your information, please visit the link below. You must submit this form no later than November 17th, 2026.

https://forms.gle/YNuH8QmWeGpuhiqd9

We currently have more than 20 groups /clubs that students are participating in. Thank you to all the parents who have stepped up to serve as a lead for many of these clubs. Clubs are an important part of the Sterling School experience. If your child has interest in a specific club and you are able to serve as a sponsor, we will do our best to get that club started.

What is needed to start a club at Sterling?

• Potential Sponsor must complete the Club Proposal Form linked HERE.
• Be willing to secure Level 2 Volunteer Clearance
• Come volunteer on the day/times that you would like the club to meet.
• Collaborate with a teacher sponsor or Ms. Foulkes
• We will work together to figure out an available space for the club to meet.

Running Club start date is Monday, October 5th. Students will meet in the gym at 2:30 and walk down to the track together. More Info and registration: HERE.

If you are interested, please complete this registration form. First meeting will be Monday, October 12th from 2:30-3:30.

* Environmental/Sustainability Club

Club information can also be found on our school webpage under the "Students" tab and then "Clubs".

* HAM Radio

* Volleyball

* CTC Jr. Beta Club

*Glee Clubs for Grade 3, Grades 4 & 5, and M.S.

* Elementary Strings Program

* BOB Teams

* Math Counts

*Crochet

*Science Olympiad

*BOB

*5th grade Yearbook

*Speed Cubing

*Running Club

* Pickleball

We are very proud to welcome 44 new Betas to the CTC Jr. Beta Club! On Thursday, October 1st the 8th grade Beta Leadership team conducted the Induction Ceremony and did a fantastic job. The CTC Betas will be busy serving as we prepare for the Fall Festival coming up on Friday, October 23rd.

Congratulations to the 93 students who earned a perfect score on at least one section of last spring’s SC READY state assessment! This total includes our former Griffins who are now in ninth grade. We celebrated with students last week and are proud of the hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievement of all 93 honorees. Way to go, Griffins!

Please note: The grade levels listed below reflect each student’s grade last year, when the perfect score was earned.

The following students had MAX Scores as well:

Jaswitha Saravakota, Grade 3, Math

Ethan Tay, Grade 3, Math

Stone Keeler, Grade 4, Science

and Thomas Croston, Grade 5 Math

Ingles and WYFF News 4 wants to reward teachers who are going above and beyond. Each week, an area teacher will be selected to receive the Golden Apple Award and profiled Thursdays on WYFF News 4. These weekly winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. At the end of the school year, a Teacher of the Year will be selected from the weekly winners.

To nominate an educator for the Golden Apple Award, pick up an official nomination form from an area Ingles store or CLICK HERE, then complete and mail to:

WYFF News 4

Golden Apple Award

505 Rutherford Street

Greenville, SC 29609

For submission details, CLICK HERE.

A little time can make a big difference! We’re looking for caring adults to share breakfast or lunch with a student once a week—talk, listen, encourage, and simply be present.

Ready to get started? Click the image below to complete our Mentor Training Module.

Please help us spread the word, too! Share this opportunity with grandparents, neighbors, friends, and other community members who might be willing to invest in a Griffin.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Berry at tberry@greenville.k12.sc.us.

📌 Cafeteria Team Member

We are also seeking caring, reliable team members to join our cafeteria staff and help us serve students each day.

• Flexible, school-day hours

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on our campus

📩 Contact Mr. Chris Spellman, Coordinator of Food Services Personnel, at cspellman@greenville.k12.sc.us for more information or to express interest.

Email: jpatterson@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: www.greenville.k12.sc.us/sterling
Location: Sterling School, John McCarroll Way, Greenville, SC
Phone: 864-355-4480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theSterlingSchool
Twitter: @SterlingSchool