Griffins Connect
Week of September 7 #WholeChild #EveryDaysAnAdventure
In anticipation of International Dot Day on Tuesday, September 15, students will use their Related Arts time with Mrs. Harrington and Mrs. Spitler this week to create a collaborative work of art celebrating creativity, courage, and connection.
Inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot and the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, students will explore the power of dots while contributing their own unique ideas to a shared creation. Together, they will discover how one small mark can build confidence, inspire creativity, and become part of something much bigger!
Check out the following slide to learn more about this exciting schoolwide celebration. We cannot wait to see how our Griffins make their mark!
Want to make someone’s special day unforgettable? Whether it’s a child, teacher, staff member, or administrator, let the CTC Griffin Band add some extra sparkle to their celebration!
✨ What’s included:
🎶 A live “Happy Birthday” serenade from the band
💌 A personalized birthday card from the CTC Griffin Band
😊 A big birthday smile they won’t forget
All of this for just $6 — and every dollar goes right back to supporting the CTC Griffin Band!
To purchase, simply head to School Cash (found on the Sterling School Website) to pay and fill out the form.
Give the gift of music, joy, and celebration — while supporting our band! 🎺🥁
Help Fuel Our Griffins
We are in urgent need of nut-free breakfast or granola bars for students who arrive too late for cafeteria breakfast and may not have eaten at home. Donations can be dropped off at the front office. Please remember that bars should not be overly sweet and must be nut-free AND not made on shared equipment with nut products to help keep our students with food allergies safe.
Click HERE to sign up and help us make sure every Griffin starts the day ready to learn. Thank you for supporting our students!
A Sweet Start to Spirit Night
We kicked off the year with a very successful Spirit Night at Marble Slab Creamery. We had an afternoon full of school spirit, smiles, and fun. It was the perfect way to end the day and cool down from that sweltering heat while showing off our school pride!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out, especially to our Celebrity Scoopers who made our first Spirit Night one to remember. We’re already counting down to the next one!
Help While You Shop: Givebacks Rewards
Givebacks Rewards is a simple way for our Sterling/CTC families to support the PTA while earning rewards on everyday purchases. As families shop through participating Givebacks partners, they can earn rewards while a portion of that activity helps generate funds for the PTA. It’s an easy and free way to turn everyday shopping into meaningful support for our school.
To enroll in Givebacks Rewards, just go to: https://www.givebacks.com/account.
Need more info? Click HERE.
Sterling Stars: Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you own or run a local business? We’d love to partner with you! Our school is currently looking for local businesses interested in sponsoring our school and supporting our students. Sponsorships are a great way to give back to the community while getting your business in front of local families. CLICK HERE for more details!
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more information, please reach out to us at sterlingctcpta@gmail.com. We’d love to have your business be part of our school community.
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.
GCS has moved 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 received an email from SchoolCash Online with instructions on how to create your account and get started. Please check your inbox 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.
MathCounts for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders is a math club where students can learn material and techniques to be successful in math competitions. The main goal of the club is to prepare 12 competitors to represent our team in regional, state, and national competitions, but all participating students have something to gain, as they will learn strategies to improve mathematical problem solving skills, speed, and accuracy via lessons, games, and group activities. The club will meet on Thursday afternoons from 2:30-4:00.
Students should have completed the Beta Membership Form and submitted dues by this time. We will get started with grade level meetings during recess time next week. Beta Club will NOT have regular meetings after school due to the many activities that students are involved with. We will have occasional meetings after school based on special projects we are working on. For example, we will have several opportunities to stay after school in October as we prepare for the Fall Festival Haunted House (a signature event for our Middle School Beta Club).
Our NEW Beta members, mostly 6th graders, will go through an Induction Ceremony tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 1st at 5:30 pm.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOIN BETA using the Google Form linked here. **Even if you were a member in the past - you must indicate your interest to continue by completing the form and paying your annual dues.
NEW MEMBERS (mostly 6th graders) - Dues are $40.
Returning members (7th and 8th grade) - Dues are $10
Dues can be paid through the "SchoolCash" site.
David Biedrzycki Author Visit
Check out this opportunity with author David Biedrzycki!
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books (BOB) Clubs for grades 4th-8th. Do you love to read and enjoy trivia? Complete the permission slip and get busy reading. Elementary BOB Permission and Info Middle School Permission and Info
Homework Helpers!
Homework Helpers Club for Middle School is now accepting applications.
This club is for students in grades: 4 - 8 and will meet on Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 in the Vegas room from September 22nd- December 15th. (The first 20 to register.) The club will finish for the year on December 15th.
This club is for those that want to learn to crochet as well as those that have experience. We will be working on whatever project they may have already going or, if a beginner, Mrs. Henry will help with a new project. Yarn will be supplied. If anyone has yarn to donate, that is welcome as well! Form must be turned in by September 17th. Register HERE.
Details: Grades 6-8. This club will meet on Fridays from 2:30 - 4:00. Starting in mid-September.
Members of the club will participate in activities to prepare them for competition in February.
Science Olympiad is an international non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of team events, which students prepare for during the year. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. Science Olympiad has members in all 50 states totaling more than 13,500 actively participating K-12 schools.
Register HERE.
Details: This club will serve students in grades 5 - 8. Practices take place on Fridays from 2:30 - 3:30. First practice is September 11th. The fee for this club is $35 and can be paid by cash or check made payable to Sterling School. Membership will be confirmed based on the number of students who are interested. Your child will either be accepted or added to the waitlist - depending on how many respond.
Registration link HERE.
This club is about trading and playing Pokemon. The club will be 45 minutes long with the first 15 minutes being for trading, and the last 30 minutes will be for battling. The club will meet each MONDAY from 2:30-3:15pm. This is for 3rd-8th grade. Starting September 14th. You will receive an email to confirm your spot in the club as space is limited.
Please complete this INTEREST FORM.
D&D is a fun, collaborative, role-playing Game where you fight monsters, solve mysteries, look for treasure, create many different characters and personalities, and have the most fun possible!
Filling out this form does NOT automatically register you as a member of Dungeons and Dragons club. This form will help us gather interest and determine the number of players the club can support for a fun experience!
If you are a 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade student INTERESTED in joining D&D club, please fill out THIS FORM by September 10th. We will notify you about Registration CONFIRMATION before we Begin our Thursday sessions in October. Official Start date TBA.
Our regular club will meet on Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00. First session will be held in October.
Look for an email from Ms. Parks, to announce beginning dates and further details.
This club is for any students grades 3- 8 who enjoy playing with and solving Rubik's cubes and other cube puzzles. Students can help each other learn to solve or share methods and algorithms to become faster at solving puzzle cubes. Bring your own cubes/cube collection to swap and share with fellow cubing mates during this time. This club will meet on Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:45 beginning October 1st. Limited to 15 participants. Please register HERE.
Yearbook Club is exclusively for 5th-grade students who are interested in helping create and design our Elementary Yearbook.
Applications are open now through August 25th.
- 📚 Meetings: Every other Wednesday during lunch in the Library
- 📸 Responsibilities: Each member will be assigned one or more yearbook pages and will help bring them to life through photos, captions, design, and other written content.
- ⭐ Limited Spots: Space on the Yearbook Club is limited. Because interest is typically high, only a small number of students will be selected.
If you enjoy photography, writing, designing, and capturing the special moments that make our school year memorable, Yearbook Club may be the perfect place for you!
Moderators: Mrs. Matthews & Mrs. Sheppard
Students and parents who filled out instrument size forms, paid, or filled out behavior contracts look for an email from Mrs. Martin. The club will begin Wednesday September 9 and will go from 2:15-3:00. Please plan to pickup your student in the front of the school unless they go to after school.
🎶 Questions? Please reach out to Mrs. Martin at kwmartin@greenville.k12.sc.us.
CTC Middle School students are invited to join the National Jr. Beta Club. As the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America, National Beta is dedicated to leading by serving others. Our four pillars are the perfect summation of the core of National Beta. The Beta community recognizes high academic achievement, rewards and nurtures worthy character, fosters leadership skills, and encourages service to others. Being a Beta means being a part of a community of leaders who are positively impacting the world.
We hope that you will encourage your student to participate so long as they meet the criteria.
Meetings typically take place during the school day. Events and activities and opportunities for service hours may take place after school, in the evening or on weekends. Students are expected to maintain their service hours but have flexibility based on what their schedule will allow. If you need additional information, please check out the National Beta Site or reach out to Ms. Foulkes, CTC Program Coordinator
* ALL Students MUST Register HERE for the 2026-2027 school year - Even if they were a member last year.
* Applications for Leadership roles in Beta this year will be accepted now through September 1st. Application can be found HERE.
* The DUES for 6th Grade and students new to Beta are $40.
* Renewal dues are $10 for Current 7th & 8th grade students who were a member last year.
* Dues are payable through the SchoolCash App now through September 1st.
Middle school students, have you ever heard of HAM Radios? They are an amateur radio that allows you to communicate with others near by, across town, or across the world without the internet or cell service. They are often used in emergencies when other forms of communication are not available. In the HAM Radio club you will learn the physics behind how radios work, how to use a radio properly, and how to earn your license. There will be a $30 fee (Collected at a later date) if a student would like to pursue their HAM Radio License. Some of our advanced members have already earned their license!
This club meets on Wednesdays, from 2:30 - 3:45 Sign up HERE!
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we are celebrating the important role each Griffin plays in our school community! Throughout the month, we’ll share a new reason each day why we are so glad our students and teachers are here at Sterling. Every day matters. Every person matters. And our adventure is better with YOU here!
Regular attendance helps students build strong relationships, remain connected to their learning, and make the most of every opportunity. Thank you, families, for partnering with us to help our Griffins be present, engaged, and ready for the adventure each day!
Robotics Showcase - Top 10
Congratulations to the CTC team Griffins, for earning a top 10 Robotics Showcase at the National Beta Convention in Tennessee this summer! Ansh Vashishtha, Amita Batik, Shivani Arumugam, Methu Attanayake.
Performing Arts Solo - Top 10
Congratulations to Sanvika Rout for earning a top ten award for Performing Arts-Solo,Duo,Trio-Dance at the National Beta Convention in Tennessee this summer!
We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Lee Gamble, Sterling School’s new Mental Health Counselor! Ms. Gamble will be a tremendous asset to our students, families, and staff—and an important partner in advancing our #WholeChild mission. We are so excited to have her join our Griffin family!
CLICK HERE or the flyer to read Ms. Gamble’s bio and learn more about her!
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.
-
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.
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