Griffins Connect
Summer Edition: #WholeChild
Whether it’s spending time at camp, traveling, attending ballgames, enjoying time outdoors, tackling projects around the house, or simply making memories with family and friends, I hope everyone is having a fun and restful summer.
As I reflect on my own summer, I’m reminded of how valuable this season is. In addition to preparing for the upcoming school year, I’ve enjoyed opportunities to spend time with family, read, travel, and slow down enough to appreciate experiences that can easily get lost in the busyness of everyday life. Summer has a way of creating space for deeper conversations during a long car ride, discovering a new perspective through a good book or podcast, trying something new, or simply being fully present with the people who matter most.
I hope you have found similar moments this summer. I encourage you to take time as a fmaily to reflect on the experiences, adventures, and memories you have created together. While these moments may seem ordinary at the time, they often play an important role in shaping who we are and who we become. Through new experiences, meaningful relationships, and shared memories, our children develop skills, perspectives, and character traits that will serve them throughout life (#WholeChild). At the same time, these experiences continue to shape us as adults, reminding us that learning and growth are lifelong adventures.
It’s hard to believe how quickly the summer days pass. While more information will be shared as we get closer to the start of school, I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates with you now. If you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to call or email. I’m looking forward to a great year ahead!
Learning TOGETHER,
Dr. P.
Lauren Barth: Middle School Social Studies
My name is Lauren Barth, and this is my 13th year in education. This will be my first year at Sterling School as part of the Charles Townes Center, where I will be teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies—two of my favorite courses to teach!
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in History from Bob Jones University and my Master’s in Teaching from Augusta University. Throughout my career, I have taught nearly every social studies course offered in South Carolina from 7th through 12th grade, including two Advanced Placement (AP) courses. I have also earned my Gifted and Talented Endorsement, further strengthening my ability to support and challenge advanced learners. This broad range of experiences allows me to help my middle school students build the critical thinking, communication, and writing skills they will need for high school and beyond.
When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my husband and our 4-year-old son. We are usually hiking at Paris Mountain or playing with Legos and dinosaurs. I am thrilled to be joining the Charles Townes Center and look forward to a great year!
Lee Gamble: Mental Health Counselor
Hello! My name is Lee Gamble. I am truly honored and excited to join the Sterling/CTC family as the School District Mental Health Counselor. My passion is helping students succeed from a strengths-based approach. I look forward to supporting our students, partnering with families and staff while promoting mental wellness, and helping every student feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
I am a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University where I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. I also earned a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Guidance from Clemson University. My professional experience spans various settings to include higher education, community mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and alcohol and substance abuse services for adolescence. These diverse experiences have equipped me with adaptability, compassion, and a broad skill set needed to support students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Outside of the classroom I enjoy music, traveling, wellness-centered practices such as walking and hot yoga, and documentaries that explore psychology, culture, and lived experiences.
I look forward to getting to know each of you and becoming a valued member of the Sterling/CTC Family!
Dana Glenn: School Counselor (Primary Grades)
Hello! My name is Dana Glenn, and I’m excited to join the school counseling team at Sterling/CTC. I am coming from Bethel Elementary, where I spent 26 wonderful years as a teacher and school counselor. A Greenville native and Clemson graduate, I earned degrees in elementary and early childhood education and school counseling. After student teaching at Bethel, I taught kindergarten and second grade before moving into school counseling, where I recently completed my 20th year.
My husband, Scott, and I have two college-aged daughters. Our oldest recently graduated from Furman University, and will pursue her masters in vocal performance in the fall. Our younger daughter is a nursing major and soccer player at Anderson University. We also share our home with two sweet doodles who keep life interesting!
When I’m not at school, you can usually find me shopping, exercising, cheering for my daughter at soccer games, or spending time with family and friends.
I’m excited for this new chapter and look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff of the Sterling/CTC community!
Hannah Haney: 5th Grade Sterling
Hello! My name is Hannah Haney, and I am excited to return to the fifth grade team this year! I am passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to do their best each day. I believe learning should be engaging, meaningful, and fun, and I cannot wait to build lasting relationships with my students and their families.
I earned my Bachelor of Public Health from the University of South Carolina in 2024 and began my career as an Early Interventionist. Through that experience, I quickly discovered a passion for education and knew I wanted to pursue teaching further. I joined the Sterling fifth grade team in February 2026 and am thrilled to continue this journey with such an incredible school community.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and staying active. My husband and I are also excited to welcome a baby boy this July!
I am truly looking forward to an amazing school year filled with learning, laughter, and new experiences. I cannot wait to meet everyone and begin this exciting journey together!
Ella Miles: 1st Grade
My name is Ella Miles, and I am beyond excited to be joining the 1st grade team at Sterling! I grew up in Greenville, SC, and graduated from Clemson University in May of 2025 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. This past year, I have been teaching at a school in Charleston and am now returning to Greenville with my husband, Witt. I am so excited to be back home!
I am passionate about creating a space where students feel like they belong and are excited to learn! It is my joy to watch students thrive. I love getting to know each student-finding ways to make them smile, figuring out how they learn best, and cheering them on as they realize their potential.
Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with friends and family, surfing at the beach, going for walks outside (preferably with a coffee), and traveling as much as I can!
I am honored to be joining the Sterling family and cannot wait to meet each of you! It is going to be such a wonderful year!
Sherry Raushenberger: Part-Time Secretary
I'm Sherry Raushenberger a dedicated school secretary and bookkeeper who retired in 2023 after 28 years of service with Greenville County Schools.
I have a friendly personality, helpful spirit, and attention to detail. I love welcoming and working for students, families, and staff. I am married, and have two married children, and 2 wonderful grandchildren.
I am excited to return to the office for the 2026–2027 school year on a part-time basis and look forward to once again supporting the Sterling School/CTC Community that I care so much about.
As we prepare for another great school year, we want to make families aware of a few changes to our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures. These adjustments are designed to improve traffic flow, increase safety, and help ensure a smoother arrival and dismissal experience for everyone.
🚗 Morning Drop-Off
- All elementary students (4K–5th grade) should be dropped off in the front car loop. This includes carpools with both elementary and middle school students.
- Middle school-only riders should be dropped off in the back car loop.
🚗 Afternoon Pick-Up
- 3K (PM), 4K, and 5K students will be picked up in the back car loop. Older siblings/students should join these students for dismissal.
- Middle school-only riders should also be picked up in the back car loop.
- All other elementary students (1st–5th grade), including elementary/middle school carpools, should be picked up in the front car loop.
We appreciate your patience and partnership as everyone adjusts to these updated procedures. By following these guidelines, we can provide a safer and more efficient arrival and dismissal process for all of our Griffin families. Thank you for helping us make the start and end of each school day a positive experience!
GCS is moving to a new system called SchoolCash Online to manage student activity fees and payments. Beginning this school year, SchoolCash Online will replace MySchoolBucks for student activity fund payments only. Between July 6 and July 15, you will receive an email from SchoolCash Online with instructions on how to create your account and get started. Please be on the lookout for this email. Per the district, they are distributed via information in powerschool/backpack. If you do not receive an email, an account can be created manually by going to https://www.schoolcashonline.com/.
SchoolCash Online supports electronic payments via credit card (convenience fee is 4% + .10 cents). Cash or check payments will also be accepted without a fee. Food & Nutition Services (FANS) will continue to use MySchoolBucks for student meal accounts.
Grade Level Supply Lists
If you're looking for your child's grade level supply list for the 26-27 school year, look no further! CLICK HERE to locate the specific lists for each grade level and program. We encourage families to bring all supplies to Meet the Teacher. Bringing supplies in beforehand helps minimize distractions on the first day of school.
If any help is needed in securing supplies, please reach out to Mrs. Feltman, Sterling's Student Support Clerk so she can get back with you soon after the first day of school.
Griffins Helping Griffins: School Supply Drive
The Sterling School Counseling Department will graciously accept donations of any item on the Back to School lists. The items below are especially needed. Please consider donating gently used (or new!!) books bags, as these are regularly in need. Just drop any items off in the front office. Below is a list of needed supplies:
- Pencils
- Cap erasers/pink erasers
- Composition notebooks
- Washable markers
- Pencil boxes & pouches
- Crayons
- 2 pocket folders
- Binders
- Elmer's glue
- Colored pencils
- Pens
- Small safety scissors
- Highlighters
- Tissues
Are you looking to add a member to your carpool?...or Are you interested in getting a carpool started?
Please register with the Sterling/CTC Carpool form so that you can network with other families who are also looking to form carpools for next year. A "live" spreadsheet will be shared with everyone who participates in completing the form. This spreadsheet will update as new families sign up.
South Carolina law requires that all students entering seventh grade receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine. Below is a flyer with additional information for families who have not yet provided proof of immunization. Please note that students entering seventh grade who have not received the required Tdap vaccine and submitted documentation to the school nurse before the start of the 2026–2027 school year will not be permitted to attend school until both requirements have been met.
After School Program Now Hiring!
Looking for a part-time job? Sterling School's After School Program is hiring dedicated and enthusiastic workers for the 26-27 school year! If you enjoy working with kids and have a few hours to spare in the afternoons, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
- Hours: 2-5PM or 2-6PM
- Interested? Contact Maxi Henry at mhenry@greenville.k12.sc.us for more information.
Join our team and make a difference in the lives of our students!
Can You Serve As A Substitute?
If you are able to help serve as a substitute for Sterling School and Greenville County Schools, please follow this link to get started and be sure to let us know (email Dr. Patterson!). We will be happy to help facilitate the process or connect you with current substitutes who can answer any of your questions.
You may choose to work at any school or you can select Sterling exclusively. Work only on the days that fit your schedule. We appreciate your consideration to help the school by serving as a substitute!
💙 Support a Griffin & Become a Mentor!
Every day at school, students gather around the table for breakfast or lunch—full of stories to tell, questions to ask, and smiles to share. You’re invited to be part of their story. Whether you're chatting, playing a game, or simply listening—you can make a real difference! Think of it as adding a warm, meaningful chapter to a child’s day—one meal at a time. Help us build connection and community. Volunteer as a breakfast or lunch mentor today!
If interested in joining us, please complete the following survey: CLICK HERE! If you have any questions, please contact our school’s mentor coordinator, Mrs. Berry (tberry@greenville.k12.sc.us). We look forward to hearing from you!
📌 Cafeteria Team Member
We are also seeking caring, reliable team members to join our cafeteria staff and help us serve students each day.
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Flexible, school-day hours
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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.
Sterling School
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