SterlingEast_1Q2017_JAN22-2

Gift jamaica
Exchange

The Jamaica Campus ended an excellent term
with Gift Exchange (Pixie). The students were
very pleased and the year ended with high spirits.
We are all looking forward to a wonderful
holiday and a Productive term in January!!

Luke Clarke & Lorianne White

Jamaica Campus

Here at the Jamaican Campus of The
Sterling South, the school year was
started with a much-improved campus.
The learning facilities have been upgraded
and there is continued changes and
upgrades almost every week. Some of the
recent projects we have had are: A new
3-way partition which separates the art
room, secretary’s office and the Grade
11/Form 5 classroom. Also our Campus
Coordinator’s office has been extended
and we have set up A Student Leadership
Team (SLT) Station.We continue to enjoy
our new learning environment as it draws
us closer together with the students from
the other islands. It can definitely be said
we feel the warmth of the islands!!

PToropgDraumx Hello Everyone, The Jamaican Campus is now celebrating
as every student on campus received AT LEAST ONE Top
Dux Point for the month of November!!!! The students are
all motivated and encouraged to work hard and strive for
greatness!!

south region 51

SLT MEMBERS

We then had our elections
and our SLT members were
chosen. This for the most
part, as being on the SLT
Team, has had its challenges
but we have overcome them.
Thanks to the support of Mr.
Dummett our SLT Teacher
support. He has really
adjusted to the new changes
very well and has helped
our SLT Team in many
difficult situations as well as
being able to deal with any
problems that are computer
related.

52 south region

st. Vincent

Parents Teachers Day

On the 1st of November 2016 we had our first regional parents teachers meeting via VC.The parents got to meet the teachers of
their students throughout the four different islands, for the first time and got to experience what it was like to be in a VC class
setting.

Visitors 53

During the month of October we had four students from the
Sterling South Barbados Campus, enrolled at our school for
a week. They got to interact with their peers from St. Vincent
and even celebrated St. Vincent and the Grenadines 37th
Independence with them.

south region

tGDrreoeninuntHDioaduysead SDL Room
Upgrade
After successfully completing the 30 day Daily Endorphin
Fitness Challenge and placing first overall, the students of During the month of October, the students at
the Green House Sports team from the Trinidad campus, the Trinidad campus all got involved in re-
were rewarded with donuts by their SLT members. decorating the SDL room. The walls were all
freshly painted in four different colors, new
designs were placed on the walls and new
furniture was purchased for it. This welcoming
environment surely encouraged the students to
spend more time facilitating their learning.

Trinidad Campus

54 south region

dollar day

Barbados

Trinidad

Jamaica

south region 55

West region
Des Moines
Chicago Council Bluffs

Gothenburg Los Angeles Minneapolis

Pembina Portland San Antonio

San Francisco Seattle Vesta

56

BoCoht Cicaamgpo
Energized and motivated to hit the books? We have started a boot camp
program every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:30-8:00 a.m as a way
to increase physical fitness and boost morale. A community member, Joanne
Taylor dutifully comes in every session and puts us to work in a variety of
exercises that really test your endurance and strength.

Mentoring Program

How do we do increase motivation and make sure everyone is on top of it and well on their way to becoming a star student?
Chicago Campus SLT has set up a mentoring system in which the 11th and 12th graders mentor one or two students from grades
7th-10th.The mentors help the mentees come up with goals and stay on top of them; they check their grades, and help out when
any problem should arise.

west region 57

West Field Trips

Chicago Field Trip

On October 16, 2016, the Chicago Campus went on a field trip to
Matthiessen State Park, a picturesque canyon. This beautiful day
was filled with excitement, energy, and many adventurous journeys.
Normally what is done at this State Park is walking on the trails,
and taking pictures of the amazing waterfalls and caves, however,
these rules weren’t really followed! The three groups of students,
plus six chaperones and one teacher, went trudging through streams,
scaling up the sides of the canyon and sliding down waterfalls. We
all extremely enjoyed this amazing adventure. After three hours of
long epic hiking, we climbed up the canyon to have lunch. As we
ate lunch, we dodged bees, and enjoyed delicious pies afterwards
(thx Barbie!). With more than 30 minutes left before we had to
leave, the boys decided to get innovative, and make a swing out of
two sturdy sticks and a rope. We all had tons of fun and enjoyment
swinging/hanging from the tall tree, while the others on the opposite
end of the rope were pulling for all their might. Even though the
rope broke after picking up one of our fantastic chaperones, we still
kept going and had an awesome field trip!! Thanks to everyone who
thought of this idea and made it work!!

-Middle School Chicago Campus

As for the rest of the school, the 3rd and 4th grade boys went
downtown and went on a scavenger hunt in Millennium Park.
Ms.Patel’s 5/6 grade class went to SciTech and put their mad
scientist skills to work.

Council Bluffs Field Trip

On October 19, field trip day, we went to camp Carol Joy Holling, a summer camp for young adults and children. In the morning we
did an obstacle course that was in the air.The obstacle course taught us about collaboration and teamwork.Then in the afternoon
we went on a hike.The day was immensely enjoyed by all.

58 west region

DFeies lMd oTirnipes

Shwacehvneototolonhgaaestfoabuwereanmy igfloreoinwmgaltbkhyetovheuarsnytdlfeaasactnrodinsbsDutsehtseleMHoiogfihnsceThsr,oeossotl.leeFvToerrrayoiluoBrnrfciiedrsgiten.fiaeldwhtriliep we
we

Gothenburg Field Trip

On Wednesday, October 19th, the rowdy students of Eagle
Crest Academy headed north towards Halsey National
Park. We left the school at 8:00 and arrived at Halsey at
9:30. Once we arrived at our destination, we bailed out of
the cars and headed straight for shelter as it was cold and
rainy. Inside, we met the camp staff and did a few team
building exercises including the human knot. About an hour
later we went outside only to get soaked from the rain.
We headed down to the Lows. There, we did more team
building exercises. One included falling off a platform into
the students’ arms trusting that they would catch you and
not drop you. I have to say that this was not the highlight of
the day! Following this, we climbed over a wall, did the lava
pit, and finally did the “meat” grinder.This was an old cable
holder that we had to climb over. Finally, we ran back up to
the camp where we grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, had hot
chocolate, and sat around a bonfire roasting marshmallows
and making s’mores. After lunch we headed up to the last
activity…the zipline! Thanks to the drivers for taking and
coping with us. This was a day enjoyed by all and I look
forward to our next field trips!

west region 59

council bluffs

Knockout Game

On October 21 we did a whole school knockout
game. A big thank you to Natalie and Bonnie
again for organizing that for us. The game was
very competitive and it was a big hit.

Collaboration Changes

As we fall into quarter two we have started activities
during collaboration that involve the whole school. On
Monday we meet with our advisors to check our grades
and to see if we have any missing assignments. OnTuesday,
the students plays board games like Uno and Risk. The
next day the high school boys organize tournaments for
us. To keep on track, every Thursday we check our goals
and progress. Finally on Friday, we do random activities
that have been set-up by two of the high school girls.
Even though our week is full we enjoy the busy days.

60 west region

des moines

Here in Des Moines we have an all brick, two story building, with 23 classrooms,
a three-quarter size gym, an auditorium that can hold all of our locality, a weight
room, a wood shop room, 2 acres of playing ground, a sand volleyball court, and
a playground for the younger kids.

This year we have a new teacher from New Zealand, Mrs. Ware, and a new
secretary, Mrs. Jones, and one of the longest lasting teachers in the region, Mr.
Nagel, who has been with us for 13 years.

Renovation 61

At the end of last year the three seniors here in Des
Moines painted their “Senior Wall”, however during
the summer the wall was redone in an attempt to
sound proof the room. The wall is now bare and we
need to add our little touch to make it a true “Senior
Wall”, there has been lots of ideas but we just have
to get it done now.
This school year the eleventh grade class has decided
to take on the task of redoing our SDL room. As of
right now they have not done anything to it, except
clean it out and take some of the old chalkboards
down, but they are in the planning stage of what the
final product will look like and we can’t wait to see
what they come up with.

west region

gotFhoeondbDurrivge
Ever since the collaboration format changed in the West and was reserved for team-building P.E. activities, which included
North regions at the beginning of October, the SLT members traitor dodgeball and capture the flag. We have also had the
of Gothenburg have had some fun (and sometimes frustrating) chance of working with our sister campus, Maple Creek, on a
moments figuring out activites that would be enjoyed by all. food drive in our house teams. Before Fall Break, we divided
Before then, our collaborations had been used for study hall up the town into sections, where each team will try to get
and relaxation or sometimes P.E. games, but most things were as much food donated as possible. This challenge continues
done individually. But now, every quarter an elementary student until November 17th. We also just started working on a song,
is paired up with a Middle School or High School student to “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” that all the students will
work with during collaboration, and most activities are done perform at an upcoming event. Some other activities that we
in these groups or in our house teams. October started out by hope to accomplish during upcoming collaborations are t-shirt
working on our quarter goals with our elementary partners, decorating, baking, acting, and other team-building activities.
decorating pumpkins, and participating in an Art Day, where
some amazing masterpieces were created. Every Wednesday Nicole MacPherson

Our Campus

62 west region

Physiclaol sEdauncgaetiloens

Stomp Without a doubt the students are missing
their Friday P.E. challenges. Soccer, Tennis,
Track, Kickball, December 9th and 16th we
look forward to a new start and a rush of
enthusiasm!

Judy Pearson

Rockets

west region Stomp Rockets, something one would call, the
stompiest action game ever played in a Sterling
School. Mr. Malik our esteemed science/math
teacher, a man with an excellent mind, came
up with an amusing, mind-blowing activity to
blow us kids out of the park. After building our
PVC-piped masterpiece of a rocket propelling
apparatus, which consisted of a simple plan
constructed with small PVC piping (as said
before), we effortlessly assembled mind-
blowing examples of NASA’s version of a
rocket. Kids and enthusiastic teachers, soon
got the thrill of Mr. Malik’s wondrous plan, a
competition to blast our ‘attempts’ at making
rockets the highest into the sunny skies of
sunny Southern California.

63

West Field Trips

Pembina Field Trip

On October 18, 2016 the Pembina
Campus went to Fargo, North Dakota on
a field trip.The high school students went
to the Case IH factory and toured where
they make tractors.The 3-8 children went
to NDSU and toured the Ag. Structure
Facility where they learned different
resource and management about animals.

San Francisco Field Trip

For our quarter 1 field trip, all the San Fran students
and staff headed to Garin Regional Park. There, we
took a nature walk and looked at the native plants
and spotted birds of prey above us. During our 1
mile walk, we were split up into groups and collected
water samples for the elementary to test, made
telescopes, and used sun paper to make silhouettes of
leaves. After enjoying our lunch under the beautiful
Californian sky, we headed home, glad to have had a
day away from school.

Vesta Field Trip

For our field trip, we went to Prairie Woods where we shined
up our teamwork skills in many fun activities. First we went
into “the barn” where we participated in a few team based
activities such as “aqueducts” and “noodles and donuts” before
we headed outside and ALL went on (even the chaperones and
teacher!) the flying squirrel. it was by far the most enjoyed thing
of the day. finally we finished off with a bit of rock climbing and
headed home. It was a blast and everyone enjoyed the day!!!!

64 west region

San Antonio Field Trip

For our quarter one field trip this year, we went to an exciting
place called Laser quest. Everyone participated in games
of laser tag and all three house teams worked hard to take
home the prize. This was great team building activity because
it helped us work as a team as we tried to beat all the other
teams’ scores. The field trip was enjoyed by all and will
definitely be on our do it again list!

Seattle Field Trip

On the 19th of October, all the Seattle students went rock climbing.
We haven’t ever done something like this as a school before so it
was a fun day. We went to a climber’s gym called Stone Gardens
which had 17,500 square feet of different levels of indoor climbing,
bouldering rooms and a 40ft. outdoor climbing wall. The best part
about this was everybody had fun because they could climb at their
own level.When the student was all harnessed up they could choose
a color of rock they wanted to scale. Each color was a different
level. Everybody had smiles on their faces as they took on the next
challenging climb.

I learned that rock climbing wasn’t just a physical sport, you had to
think about your route up the wall to climb to the top. It made it a
little more challenging. After two hours of climbing and having the
time of our lives we were all worn out and ready to have lunch. We
grabbed our lunches and headed to the Locks that were right down
the street from Stone Gardens. We then ate as we watched the
boats and barges travel by us. At the end of the day all the Seattle
students had an amazing field trip to Stone Gardens!

Jenna Gracey

west region 65

mRoicnkinn’eTahpe oNelwisSchool!

The Minneapolis students and staff have recently been treated to a
brand new school! Over the much needed fall break, the Minneapolis
school was moved to a location about a mile from the previous
one! It was a small move but a huge upgrade from the previous
circumstances! Before, the elementary and high school were in two
separate buildings with a hill that compared to Mount St. Helens
when carrying chairs or other heavy objects from one school to the
other. Now we have the luxury of enjoying the stellar elementary
students every day and we have much more space! The students
also have access to a warehouse space to burn some energy on
lunch break. Over all, the new space is awesome and completely
worthwhile for everyone!

66 west region

pembina

Calendar
Fundraiser

In October, Pembina Campus had a calendar fundraiser.
Everyone submitted pictures and then they were judged.
There were thirteen pictures that were picked, one for the
cover, and twelve for the months. The event was a great
success.

Grandparents’
Day

On November 4, 2016 the Pembina Campus had Grandparents’ Day.
Grandparents’ Day was filled with songs that were sung, a picture frame
decoration competition, and pictures that were the grandkids. Everyone
enjoyed the day and it was a huge success.

west region 67

Pumpkin Carving

On the last Friday before the October break, as a whole school we did a pumpkin carving contest in house teams. Each team
received three pumpkins and had to carve all three. They then picked their best pumpkin, which were judged against the other
teams’ best. Many unique designs were created and we congratulate the Raiders for winning!

Chicago Des Moines

Later we did a pumpkin carving contest, which revolved around
teamwork. Every day we try to do something interesting to keep
the kids motivated and excited about school.

Pembina Field Trip

Pumpkin
Painting

One of our latest collaboration projects was

pumpkin painting & decorating. Each student

got to decorate a miniature pumpkin, and

then we split into pairs to finish up the extras.

Everyone’s pumpkin idea was very unique and

creative - there were spiders, fighting pumpkins,

and pink ones, just to name a few!! This

activity was enjoyed by all, as it was a

68 break from the usual collaboration west region
activities.

Council Bluffs San Antonio

During the first quarter the Council Bluffs students did pumpkin
painting one day during collaboration organized by Natalie
Peterson and Bonnie Glenn. Although the pumpkins were very
small, the activity was enjoyed by everyone. A huge thank you to
Hy-Vee for donating all the pumpkins!

Seattle Vesta

On October 21st, the last day of school before fall break, Seattle had a Pumpkin carving was set on as a SLT initiative and after planning
pumpkin carving competition. We completed this during collaboration it all out, we found that the local apple orchard would donate over
in 5 teams. The first team carved a pumpkin stabbed with a knife in 30 pumpkins for us to use. So after we collected the pumpkins, we
its head and consisted of Ryder Emtage, Skylar Emtage and Ronan all chose our pumpkins and began to clean out the guts so we could
Emtage. The next team, Rory Gracey and Alaina Norton, shaved flames carve them. Only 2 pumpkins burst before this stage making the
onto the top and bottom of their pumpkin. Paige Emtage and Trista whole school smelling like last week’s tuna casserole. We finally
Gracey carved an eagle with the American flag in the background while managed to finish the carvings with no fatal injuries and had
Jenna Gracey, Dylan Norton, and Taryn Gracey carved a pumpkin with community members judge them. The winner was a pumpkin with
vines growing on it. The last team, Reagan Emtage, Blake Emtage and flames carved all around the bottom and BOO carved on the top.
Tori Emtage, carved a wolf howling at the moon. The main focus in
this competition was teamwork and the team that worked together best
was the winner. The winning team was Reagan Emtage, Blake Emtage
and Tori Emtage. There also was a tie for second place between Paige
Emtage and Trista Gracey and Jenna Gracey, Dylan Norton and Taryn
Gracey. Overall, it was a great competition and a large thank you to
Faith for buying the pumpkins and cleaning them out for us beforehand,
giving us more time to carve them!

Reagan Emtage

west region 69

poFrietldlaTnripd October 20th was assigned as a field trip day for
all of the sites across the region. Since it was to
be a PE or nature based trip, we decided to hike
in the silver falls park.

It was a gorgeous day, and as we hiked together
along the dirt trails in the forest, and by the
majestic waterfalls, we were able to enjoy the
beautiful scenery. Some of us got wet, from
splashing through the cold streams and from
the spray of the many waterfalls along the way.
Soon warmed up and dried off by the fire, and
with cocoa in the cozy cabin cafe at the end
of the trail. When it was time to go, we all left
feeling tired but accomplished from our long
hike.

Not only did we have tons of fun, but this trip
actually cost nothing(besides parking and gas
for the cars) so we can take the allowance we
had for this field trip and put it towards a larger
one in the future.

Our Campus

70 west region

saCEnuleaPlmmrnoeintjneaotctatinnrygio

Throughout quarter 1, the 5th and 6th graders have worked
on a culminating project involving bullying. It was a very
extensive project involving a presentation and skit about the
causes of bullying, how to prevent it, and what to do if it
happens. It was an unique way to learn about bullying and as
one student says, “It was a great assignment because you had
to work as a team to get it done.”

NCaretaiomnaDl aIcye Ice Cream Day was a special
treat created by the SLT
in honor of National Ice
Cream Day on September
22. All the students were
very appreciative of this day
and welcomed the change for
school lunch!

TeaAmc-tiBvuitiiledsing

Every week the San Antonio site tries to do a team-building activity during
collaboration normally in house teams to strengthen team spirit. The most
intriguing so far was a challenge to pass the potato from one student to another
with your feet! It was truly amusing and took a lot of coordination as a team
to complete the contest.

west region 71

SEalenmeFnrtaarynScpainsischo

Hola, buenos días ¿Cómo estás? Ñ de España Ms. Beatriz De La Cruz greets her elementary students
when they enter the Spanish classroom at the San Francisco campus. Ms. De La Cruz does not just
teach local SF students, she also teaches elementary students from Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle
through VC. Students are interacting and collaborating with their peers from other campuses every week.
Elementary students from these four campuses are learning over the VC before they enter middle school.
This training exposes them to the VC and will help them to be successful learners when they enter middle
school.They enjoy seeing their friends and working together over VC.

Ms.Wong/Ms. De La Cruz

Firemen’s Visit

On October 4th, we were at school learning Math, when the fire alarm went off. We went
to the parking lot and saw smoke! We soon realized it was a few burnt pancakes. As we
came back in, the fire alarm kept going off. Soon a hook and ladder came with three
firemen. Our teacher asked them if we could take pictures by it.They gladly said yes.The
firemen also taught us about the hook and ladder truck, then the driver volunteered to
show us how the tiller man (the guy who steers the back wheels of a hook and ladder)
steers the back. He drove up the street and then they did a U-turn and came back down
the road with the back end sideways. In the end, it was kind of an exciting interruption.

Tarquinn Brothers

Mr. Bedell’s Visit

On October 13th, 2016 Mr. Bedell visited the San Francisco campus. He gladly
played hockey with the elementary students much to their joy and helped build
some team spirit! The main purpose of this visit was to host the Regional Awards
Day. The many awards were presented and afterwards a buffet lunch was served.
Many parents, students, and teachers enjoyed time together and were able to
meet Mr. Bedell. Overall, the day was a nice change from the usual schedule and
celebrated the many successes of the West Region Students.

Camden Holt/Tara Diplock

72 San Francisco Art

Here in San Francisco, students of all different grades take art class. The
elementary, middle school and 10th grade students have produced some
amazing artwork this year. Mrs. Higgins teaches the elementary and middle
school students and has helped them produce artwork such as owl and
dog drawings and pastel pumpkin drawings.The 10th grade students have
Mrs. Lishamer from Chicago teaching them over VC. They have produced
artwork such as hand drawings, large scale paintings, self-portraits and
much more. The students love art class as this is their time to show off
their creativity and artistic talent.

Rosalie Fussell

west region

SAesaNettealwetGCtePlt!se

This year at Seattle campus started out different than previous years:
we didn’t have a Campus Principal (CP). Our previous CP from the
year before had left to be a mom and, after much looking through
the summer and after school started, no one was found to fill the
position. However, recently, it was decided that we would become
“part of Portland” and their Campus Principal, Mrs. Whaley, has now
generously become our CP. It has been wonderful having a CP again
and everyone, students and teachers alike, have benefitted greatly
from this - thank you Mrs. Whaley!

Reagan Emtage

TSeeaCamhtatlBlele’usniFlgdierinstg

After a visit from Miss Chapman and Mr. Masterjohn from Portland, Seattle 73
started a new program where we do team building challenges every Friday
at Collaboration. For our first Friday, the challenge was to build the tallest
tower you could with the supplies given. The supplies included: paper plates,
cardboard rolls, 3x5 cards, tape, a balloon, straws and cups. We were
allowed to use the wall for stability. We were broken into three groups. The
members for the first group were Rory, Paige, Alaina, Tori, and Trista. The
second group was made up of Reagan, Dylan, Skylar, Lila, Ronan and Zane.
This group at first seemed to be the underdogs – seeing as there was only
one high schooler and they were the team with the shortest people. The last
team was the team that everyone thought would win, this group had Ryder,
Blake, Talor, Jenna and Daelin. Each team was given fifteen minutes to
complete this and we all had the same amount of materials.

At the last five minutes, it looked certain that Ryder, Blake, Talor, Jenna
and Daelin were winning. But, as the clock was ticking down, Reagan,
Skylar, Dylan, Lila, Ronan and Zane kicked into gear, taping tons of straws
together and putting their tower together at the last minute to help theirs
shoot above all the rest. Last, but not least, the final team showed their
building skills by building the strongest tower – it was the only tower that
could stand on its own. It was a fun experience that everyone enjoyed. It
helped us work with others that we wouldn’t normally get the chance to
work with.Team participation was key and everyone worked hard to create
a tower that had its own strength.

Reagan Emtage & Jenna Gracey

west region

vesta Decoration
At our school, all classes 7-12 have their own classroom which they can decorate as they like (not during school time).This year
every class used a blue or blue-green to paint their rooms!! This also matched the blue of the SDL which was updated last year.The
coolest part was that no one knew what colors the other classes chose, so it was a bit of a surprise when we all started painting.

Band
After hearing encouraging words about starting up a band challenge than we thought it might be. We’re still debating on
from Russell Markham at the Music Day in Omaha, we High a band name, so if you have any suggestions feel free to send
School kids decided to take the initative and get the ball them over! After we started having band practice a couple of
rolling! We gave everyone an instrument to learn and currently times, our Elementary students decided that they too, would
three students are taking lessons to learn their instruments start a band! So, who knows - maybe the next billboard you see
so that someday we may be able to perform for YOU! We’ve will have us pictured on it :)
had a lot of fun and it’s actually proving to be much less of a

74 west region

75

Thanks students, staff, and volunteers
for a successful first quarter!