Sterling Jaguar Journal

What a great month it has been...fast too! Thank you for partnering with us in your child's learning. Our staff is working to conclude home visits and initial family meetings. Thank you for inviting us into your homes or spending time with us here at school or virtually so we can learn more about you and your child. It has been such a nice treat! The more connected we are, the better the schooling experience is for your child!

We are working hard to encourage strong attendance as well. There are some tips for families below in the newsletter as well as our nurse's tips for when to stay home. Please ensure your child attends school on time every day. If you need help with anything, let us know. We are here to support you!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Short

Our community partners helped us kick off our school year with success. We received backpacks for every student who needed one. Thank you!

Our staff has been hard at work since before students even began thinking about their return to school! Time was spent team building, investing in professional learning, and preparing for the year ahead. As teachers welcomed their students, a heavy emphasis was placed on building their classroom family with solid routines, high expectations, and a culture of love.

Students also joined with their “Packnership” class. As the Jaguars, we are a pack—a jaguar family. Each primary class is paired with an upper elementary class with whom they’ll connect monthly all throughout the school year. The bonds they form are so special!

Our students are thriving! Their success comes from the high expectations in their classroom coupled with strong instruction, mutual respect, and the strong partnership you help us forge between home and school.

It was such an honor to welcome our new superintendent on just our third day of school. The very first thing he wanted to do was see students and visit the classrooms. Our students loved meeting him, and he has already been invited to an upcoming musical by a student! Welcome, Dr. Spence!

When should I keep my child at home?
For the protection of your child as well as the school community, students should be kept home from school under the following circumstances:

· The student has a temperature of over 100 degrees. The student may return after he/she is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducers.

· The student has an eye infection that has NOT been diagnosed by a physician.

· The student has persistent coughing or trouble breathing.

· The student has an undiagnosed rash.

· The student has diarrhea which cannot be managed by the child’s ability to use the toilet. Diarrhea is defined as multiple loose watery stools unrelated to food, medication or a diagnosed chronic condition. The student may return when he/she has been symptom free for 24 hours.

· The student has been vomiting within the past 24 hours. The student may return when they have been symptom free for 24 hours.

· The student has an illness that prevents him/her from participating comfortably in activities as determined by the staff.

We've jumped right into our first lessons in the Art Room! First grade has made fish habitat collages. They painted a habitat for a fish with watercolors, drew and colored the fish, then cut and glued it into the habitat. They also had the option of stamping bubbles onto their collage with paint. Kindergarten is working on their shapes unit. So far, they have combined shapes to make a picture, and are working on drawing basic shapes on their own. Soon they will draw shapes together to "build" a castle on their paper, then learn about Mr. Brush and use watercolors to paint their drawings.

-Mrs. Ajima

It has been a busy start in the library! We are learning routines for the new school year, checking out books (1st-5th grades), and exploring our space. There have been library tours with Pete the Cat, Pokemon scavenger hunts, book tastings, and getting-to-know-you games. Check out your child's library Schoology page for resources you can use at home, monthly activity choice boards, and special features.

-Mrs. Burel

-Mrs. Jeffries

We are having a great time exploring instruments in music class this month! Our younger Jaguars are learning to identify, categorize, and play instruments. Our fourth graders are using their skills to play a three-part percussion ensemble to accompany an Appalachian folk song. Fifth graders played a five-part percussion ensemble, then worked in small groups to compose and perform their own ensembles!

-Mrs. Scarboro

-Ms. Walsh

Welcome to the wonderful world of Physical Education! Each month we'll highlight some exceptional athletes in action and the learning that is happening in the gym. So far, we've literally hit the ground running with our Power Walk/Run every day in P.E. which will improve kids' heart health and stamina. Pictured here are students demonstrating excellent teamwork and spatial awareness. There is a feeling in the air that this year is going to be special, and we are very excited to help students reach their full potential!

- Mr. Horvath

- Mr. Hosti

It has been great jumping back into the classroom and working with students. Last month was busy as grades K-3 started off SEARCH this year unlocking their creativity skills. All students were challenged to draw their face with their eyes closed in one minute. Then, they had to show creativity by deciding what their portrait picture could be turned into. I saw some awesome creative thinkers!

Kindergarten and first grade students got another opportunity to be creative with our “Stick Tricks” challenge. Given only five popsicle sticks, they had to create the image presented to them on the screen. Pictures ranged from railroad tracks to houses to tables and chairs! In addition, second graders got to use their creative thinking skills in a different way. Given a simple square paper, students had to rip/tear to make their square into something else completely. Third grade focused on using their spatial reasoning skills to solve tricky visual maze puzzles called “Go Getter.” High engagement was had by all.

– Mrs. Daniel

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year at Sterling!

We are so excited to be starting our Family Coffees soon. Our First Family Coffee will be on September 29, 2023, from 8-9:00 AM in the cafeteria. We have adjusted our morning coffees from the beginning of each month to the end of each month. Please join us for a light breakfast and coffee, meet other parents, learn about Sterling Elementary School, and discuss routines and school success. The morning coffee topics are presented by our Unified Mental Health Team: Christina Redlin and Erika Scaggs, Sterling’s School Counselors; Rebecca Garcia, School Social Worker; Leslie Cajas-Laynez, School Psychologist; and Griselda Rufino, Family Liaison.

While we offer an array of topics for parents each year, we would invite you to complete the Google form in the link below. This helps to guide us as to which topics are most important to you and your family.

While we offer an array of topics for parents each year, we would invite you to complete the Google form in the link below. This helps to guide us as to which topics are most important to you and your family.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nhKSg8vGYkY21qwQmKg-w5bNCVNeaP1_nk4uwd59e1A/edit

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

School Picture Day is coming Thursday, October 19, 2023 . Pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001030403#login

For questions about ordering please email underclass@vosphoto.com

Email: jennifer.meresshort@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/sterlinges
Location: 200 West Church Road, Sterling, VA, USA
Phone: 571-434-4580
Twitter: @SterlingElem