Sterling Middle School

Sterling Middle School

 

Sterling Spotlight Parent News

Volume 29: Information for the Week of March 23-27, 2026

 
Onward Logo

Looking at the Week Ahead to See What Is Happening:

Monday, March 23, 2026: IAR/ ISA Testing

      • 7 Mindsets Dress Up Days- Attitude of Gratitude- Crazy Socks

      • 7 Mindsets- Unit 7: The Time is Now- 7.3 Let Yourself Be Vulnerable

      • 12:25-1:00 7th Grade Good Guides Lunch Bunch

      • 6:30- School Board Meeting- Young Author Recognition for one of our 5th

         graders

 

Tuesday, March 24, 2026: IAR/ISA Testing

      • 7 Mindsets Dress Up Days- Everything is Possible- Dress as Your Future

         Self...Dress for Success!

       • 7 Mindsets- Unit 7: The Time is Now- 7.3 Let Yourself be Vulnerable

       • 11:05-1:00 Horizons during lunch with 6th and 7th grade.

       • 2:45-4:45 After School IAR Tutoring

       • 2:45-4:15 Girls and Boys Track Tryouts with Mr. Hess and Officer Lee

       • 2:45-4:15 Girls Soccer Tryouts with Coach DJ

       • 4:00-5:15 Boys Soccer Tryouts with Coach DJ 

 

Wednesday, March 25, 2026: IAR/ISA Testing

      • 7 Mindsets Dress Up Days- We are Connected- Wear Your House Colors!

      • 7 Mindsets- Unit 7: The Time is Now- 7.3 Let Yourself Be Vulnerable 

      • 2:30-4:00 Speech and Debate

      • 2:45-4:15 Girls Soccer Tryouts with Coach DJ

      • 4:00-5:15 Boys Soccer Tryouts with Coach DJ 

       

Thursday, March 26, 2026: IAR/ ISA Testing 

      • 7 Mindsets Dress Up Days- 100% Accountable- Mismatched Day

      • 7 Mindsets- Unit 7: The Time is Now- 7.3 Let Yourself Be Vulnerable

      • 2:45-4:45 After School IAR Tutoring

      • 2:45-4:00 Future Teacher Club Meeting with Ms. Mullen in room 116

      • 2:45-4:15 Girls and Boys Track Tryouts with Mr. Hess and Officer Lee

 

Friday, March 27, 2026: IAR/ISA Testing 

    • 7 Mindsets Dress Up Days- The Time is Now- Pajama Day

    • 7 Mindsets- Unit 7: The Time is Now- 7.3 Let Yourself Be Vulnerable

    • 1:30- IAR SHAM ROCK Celebration

 

Monday, March 30, 2026- Friday, April 10, 2026:

       • NO SCHOOL- SPRING BREAK

 

Monday, April 13, 2026:

       • Students Return from Spring Break- school starts at 7:30 AM

 

GIRLS AND BOYS TRACK TRYOUTS:

 

GIRLS AND BOYS SOCCER TRYOUTS:

 

Congratulations Ms. Matos!

 

Peoria Public Schools Partnership with Cartwheel:

Supporting mental health and wellness for students and families.

If your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time staying focused, or could benefit from extra support, Cartwheel is here to help. Many families reach out to ask questions or get advice before a challenge becomes bigger. We are proud to partner with Cartwheel to provide access to mental health support for the students and families in our community via virtual therapy and family guidance with licensed clinicians.

How Cartwheel can help:

✓ No waitlists – Students, families, and staff can be seen within days, not months
✓ Flexible scheduling – Virtual appointments available 8am-8pm Mon-Fri and some weekend hours
✓ Multiple languages – Care available in English, Spanish, and other languages
✓ No financial barriers – Free for families with Medicaid; in-network with many insurance plans

How to access support:

For Families: Parents and caregivers seeking support for their child can complete this simple interest form.

For Referring Staff: School counselors and social workers can refer students and families who could benefit from therapy, parent guidance, or psychiatric care.

We're here when you need us. Learn more and get started: https://www.cartwheel.org/district/peoria-public-schools

Ron Clark- The 55 Essential Rules Connected to our 7 Mindsets Unit: The Time is Now

Rule 16 – You must complete your homework every day. 

Rule 17 – Subject transitions and moving to different classrooms will be swift, quiet, and orderly. 

Rule 23 – Know other teachers’ names and greet them in the hall by name. 

Rule 27 – Do not stare at a student who is being reprimanded. 

Rule 54 – Carpe Diem (enjoy the day, pluck the day when it is ripe, seize the day). 

 

School Expectation Reminders: Uniforms, Cell Phones, Clear Backpacks

 

            ATTENTION 8th Grade Parents-              You MUST approve your child's course planner for high school in School Links:

School Links is a tool that gives you access to the bigger picture of your students’ future. As a guardian, you will have the opportunity to join your student in their career and college exploration process and have conversations with them about their future. You will have access to School Links through your account. Please ensure you have an email address on file in Skyward. We look forward to getting started and helping you help your student! 

School Links allows you to:  

View the results of your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments to learn more about their interests and what careers might be right for them 

See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals 

Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events, as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student 

Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your students. 

Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out-of-pocket expenses

Review your student’s course plans

 
 

America Reads Tutoring at Bradley University:

Bradley university is offering a free tutoring program called America Reads. We pair kids grades K-8 with an undergrad student to help them with reading comprehension, math, and general homework. This program will be starting back up again on February 2nd and runs until May 5th. 

 

IAR Testing Incentive: Get Ready!

 

Students attending Peoria Public Schools have access to online programs from home to provide additional practice and support.

 Family Resource Page Includes forms, family resources, school resources & more!

How to Help Your Student Master Standards:

 

MARCH BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU:

oct lunch
 
save the date

Upcoming Dates:

contact us

Principal, Mrs. Lynn Lane

lynn.lane@psd150.org

Assistant Principal, Ms. Katie Malahy

katherine.malahy@psd150.org

If you have any general academic, attendance, athletic, or other student concerns, please contact the school at 309-672-6557 or at sterling@psd150.org. Parents, please continue to check your email, our Sterling website and/or our Facebook for important announcements.