Sterling Middle School

This week we were able to have student achievement data conversations with every 6th-8th grader about their goals for the winter NWEA ELA and math tests that we will be starting on Monday, December 8th. This upcoming week we will be meeting with every 5th grader to discuss their data and their goals.

The students are excited and offered a lot of insight on what they need to be set up for success for the upcoming tests. They know their data on where they started and where we want them to score. Please make sure that you click on the newsletter link because we have added some test taking strategies to help reduce test anxiety, so our students are calm, relaxed, and focused before the test.

Please make sure your child is at school every day for the next 10 days during testing, so they are ready to go when their testing session starts. It is always easier to test with your class and your teachers than someone else for a make-up session.

Upcoming activities and important dates to come:
Monday, December 8-19 NWEA Math and NWEA ELA Testing
Monday, December 8- we kick off our Boys Basketball season. There will be a home game on Monday at Sterling vs Rolling Acres. The JV game starts at 3:45 and the Varsity game will follow. Students must have a parent or guardian present with them at the game if they are coming out to watch the game.
We want to have fun but still stay focused the last week of school so get ready….out of uniform dress out days are coming the week of Dec. 15-19- watch for upcoming announcements for what each day will be for our winter theme dress out days.
Thursday, December 18 Rivermen Hockey Game Incentive for those that meet the criteria.
Friday, December 19- dismissal will be at 1:30 (1 hour early for winter break)

 Please click on the link below for this upcoming week’s newsletter for additional information for the week December 8-12, 2025:   
https://peoriapublicschoolsil.edurooms.com/engage/sterling-middle-school/newsletters/parent-spotlight-newsletter-volume-16-december-8-12-2025

Peoria Public Schools is proud to announce that senior Kevin Liao has matched with Princeton University through the QuestBridge Scholarship! QuestBridge connects high-achieving high school students with opportunities at top colleges and universities across the country.
Kevin, a standout student in the IB Program at Richwoods High School, will receive a full-ride scholarship to pursue physics at Princeton.

Peoria Public Schools is proud to announce that Senior Johnny Thai has been matched with the University of Pennsylvania through the prestigious QuestBridge Scholarship!

Johnny, a dedicated Richwoods IB Program student, will receive a full-ride scholarship to pursue pre-med with a specialization in neuroscience. QuestBridge connects high-achieving high school students with opportunities at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities.

💛 To our amazing Special Education teachers across Peoria Public Schools: thank you for creating inclusive classrooms where every student can grow and shine. We are grateful for all that you do! 🌟

This season, your generosity can change someone’s day. 🌟 Please consider donating to the Hand Up Food Pantry at the Wraparound Center. Together, we can make sure every family feels supported.

To get connected to a Cartwheel counselor, reach out to your school principal today.

When life gets complicated Cartwheel can help. Ask your school counselor or principal for a referral today.

Thank you to all that assisted and supported our Sterling families with our Thanksgiving food drive. We were able to give away 50 turkeys and thanksgiving baskets to our families to help with food for the holiday season. We appreciate all of the generous donations we received. We love giving back to our families. Our Sterling team is thankful for our school community. We really do show up to help each other.

Just a reminder that we DO have school on Monday and Tuesday this week.

There is no school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to Thanksgiving break.

We are so excited and cannot wait to welcome our Grandparents and VIPs on Monday, November 24 for our Grandparent/VIP breakfast from 8:00-9:00 in our Sterling cafeteria.

Upcoming activities and important dates to come:
• Monday, November 24- Grandparents/VIP Breakfast at 8:00 at Sterling
• Monday, November 24- Battle of the Houses- free out of uniform day- wear your house colors!
• Tuesday, November 25- Comfy, Cozy Day free out of uniform day
• Tuesday, Peoria High vs Sterling dodgeball game
• Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28- No School, Thanksgiving Break
• Monday, December 1- school is back in session at 7:30 AM
• Monday, December 1- picture retake day- retakes will start at 8:00 AM
• Monday, December 8-19 NWEA Math and NWEA ELA Testing for all grade levels
• Thursday, December 18- Rivermen Hockey Game Incentive for those that meet the criteria

The Liberty Leadership Middle School Fall Chess Classic on November 22, 2025, is just 2 days away. Register now at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/Liberty25 This is a K-12 chess meet open to ALL Illinois students!! 5 rounds Swiss system, G/30;d5 7 sections: K-3, 4-5, 6, 7, 8, HS, Grand Prix. Doors Open at 8am First Round starts no later than 9:30am. $5 if registered online by 5pm on 11/21/2025 (max. $100 per school), $10 if registering at the Door. The Grand Prix is only open to those with a rating of 1000 or higher. ALL Payments will be collected at the door. School checks may be made payable to Liberty Leadership Middle School. USCF membership required --- Memberships (1 year) will be available from the Greater Peoria Chess Foundation for $9 at the tournament, a maximum of $99 per school. GPCF will cover the cost of anyone over the 11 players. GPCF will cover the cost of any Peoria Public Schools students. Make membership checks payable to GPCF.

Dedicated counselors are available - reach out to your principal or school counselor for a referral to Cartwheel today!

Grandparent’s day is quickly approaching, and we want to be prepared and have enough food for our guests and students that will be attending. Please make sure you RSVP using the QR code on the flyer if you can attend Grandparent’s Day with your child. We will be celebrating our Grandparent’s and VIPs on Monday, November 24 from 8:00-9:00 in the Sterling cafeteria.

Upcoming activities and important dates to come:
• Boys’ Basketball Tryouts are Monday and Wednesday this week from 2:45-4:00
• Wednesday, November 19, 2025- Progress Report #2 will be sent home so you can see where your child is midpoint
for Quarter 2.
• 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball Recognition Night will be on Thursday, November 20th after the JV game. Come show our
8th grade Lady Jaguars some love and come out and watch the game and cheer them on to victory!

Please click on the link below for this upcoming week’s newsletter for additional information for the week November 17-21, 2025:
https://peoriapublicschoolsil.edurooms.com/engage/sterling-middle-school/newsletters/parent-spotlight-news-volume-14-for-november-17-21-2025

NOVEMBER OPEN CHESS NIGHT ***Special Location**** TONIGHT November 14th - 4-7pm Pere Marquette Hotel - Marquette Ballroom Join K-12 students from around the Tri-County area for friendly over the board play, chess puzzles, and of course PIZZA. This is a FREE event! Pizza is FREE, just come and enjoy chess! For questions, email Emily Dawson at emily.dawson77@gmail.com or emily.dawson@psd150.org. Sponsored by the Mark W. Bills Middle School Chess Team and Greater Peoria Chess

PPS Coaches & Parents - Use the special PPS code (GPCF2025) to register your students for the 2025 Illinois All-Grade State Championship and pay just $5 per player at the door! We are just THREE days away from the OFFICIAL Illinois K-12 All-Grade State Chess Championship on November 15, 2025, at the Pere Marquette Hotel, Peoria. Great tournament for new players. HUNDREDS of TROPHIES! Play here and claim your spot and title as the BEST in the #stateofillinois! This is a US Chess-rated tournament sponsored by The Illinois Chess Association, & hosted by the Greater Peoria Chess Foundation! The Foundation is also sponsoring all PPS Students' US Chess memberships. If your student does not have a membership, enter 99999999 when registering, and we will take care of enrolling the student for a membership. More information and registration can be found directly at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/25ILAG Doors open at 8 am at the Pere Marquette Ballroom. Check-in closes at 8:45 am. First round starts for all sections at 9 am. Email Emily Dawson with any questions or for help with registration at emily.dawson@psd150.org or emily.dawson77@gmail.com. #Chess #ppschess

Join us THIS Thursday!