Panther Express

What a wonderful first week back at Dry Creek! I hope your child has already shared some of the excitement from their first few days—whether it’s how much they are enjoying their teacher, the names of new friends they’ve met, or something fun that happened along the way. It has been such a joy to see our Panthers back on campus, settling into routines, building new connections, strengthening old ones, and bringing so much energy to our school.

The start of a new school year is always such a special time. It is filled with excitement, growth, new opportunities, and, of course, a little bit of nervousness as everyone finds their rhythm. I hope it has been a positive and joyful beginning for your family. Thank you for the support and encouragement you have already shown our teachers and staff. We feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a caring community, and we are committed to going the extra mile for our students and families every single day.

A special thank you to all of our families who joined us for Back to School Night on Thursday! We truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to invest in your child's educational experience. Not every school community has this kind of support, and we are so proud of the partnership we share with you—one grounded in teamwork, trust, and always doing what is best for kids.

Go Panthers!

Mrs. Gill

A quick safety reminder as we settle into our school routines: thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe and orderly. We truly appreciate our families following traffic laws, using designated crosswalks, and avoiding parking or stopping in our pick-up and drop-off areas. With close to 900 students on campus, these small choices make a big difference and help us keep traffic moving safely for everyone.

We also want to remind families and visitors that school is still in session as families make their way on campus for pick-up time. Please help us keep hallways, playgrounds, and other student areas clear until the dismissal bell rings. We know how exciting it is to see your child at the end of the day, but waiting in designated areas helps us maintain appropriate supervision and, most importantly, keeps our students safe.

Thank you for being such wonderful partners in creating a safe, welcoming, and caring environment for every one of our Panthers. We appreciate your patience, your cooperation, and your commitment to helping us put student safety first.

Reminders:

• Morning drop-off begins at 7:25 AM (unless your child is participating in a supervised school activity such as drama or leadership).
• Use designated curbside areas for all drop-offs and pick-ups. Please do not stop between parking stalls.
• If you choose to park, always walk your child across traffic using crosswalks or safe walkways.
• Pick-up must occur within 15 minutes of your child’s dismissal from school or any co-curricular activity.
• If your child is arriving late or leaving early, please check them in or out through the front office.
• Students who ride a bike or scooter to school must wear a helmet—it’s the law and a key part of staying safe on the way to and from school!

We thank you for doing your part to keep every Panther safe!

Save the Date! We are so excited to celebrate our wonderful grandparents and special family members at Dry Creek’s Grandparent’s Day on September 4th! This is always such a special morning on our campus, and we can’t wait to welcome our Panthers and the important people who love and support them. Cost of attendance is $5 per person, adults and children. Tickets will go on sale next week!

Sports Updates

September 4th:

-Cross Country Meet @ Alta Sierra

-Football Scrimmage vs. Pinedale @ Dry Creek

-Volleyball Practice @ Dry Creek

Applications due Monday, August 31st!

The Clovis Unified Dress Code Policy applies to all students in grades TK–12, including our elementary Panthers. One important reminder: students must wear shoes with a secure heel strap—no slides or flip-flops, please!

To view the full dress code guidelines, visit: www.cusd.com/DressCode.aspx

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child arrives at school dressed for success and ready to learn. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Dry Creek staff!

Calling all volunteers! Get going on your application early this year!

All volunteers must...

• Complete a Volunteer Application online at https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjIyNTplbi1VUw==
• Have a current clear TB assessment within the last 4 years.
• Check in at the front office and wear a visitor’s badge while on campus.
• NEW for 26-27: Visitors must be a cleared volunteer to attend classroom parties and to be entered into grade level field trip chaperone lotteries, including the 6th grade Sonora chaperone lottery.

Additionally, volunteers who are sick or have illness related symptoms should not volunteer.

Clovis Unified provides free breakfast and lunch to all students each school day. Our healthy, nutritious meals help students stay energized, focused, and smiling throughout the day!

Mark your calendars! Our 6th grade Panthers will head to the Sierra Outdoor School from March 10-12, 2027 for an unforgettable three-day learning adventure in Sonora. This hands-on outdoor experience is often one of the most memorable events of a student’s elementary journey!

The estimated fee per camper is $325. To help offset this cost, we’ve updated our fundraising approach to maximize student earnings. At the start of the school year, 6th grade students will have the optional opportunity to participate in a cookie dough and holiday fundraiser. All profits will go directly to each student’s individual Sonora account.

Interested in chaperoning? We’d love to have you join us! A parent drawing will be held to select interested chaperones. Please be sure to have a current Clovis Unified Volunteer Application on file to be eligible. (Applications are valid for 4 years.) Nurses will be on hand during Back to School Night to help with volunteer paperwork!

To learn more about the Sierra Outdoor School experience, visit: https://www.sos.cusd.com

We’re looking forward to an incredible adventure!

For the safety of all students, staff, and visitors, only CUSD district vehicles are allowed on campus without special permission. Motorized bikes, scooters, and golf carts are not allowed on the Dry Creek Elementary campus.

This includes during arrival, dismissal, and after-school events. We appreciate your help in keeping our campus safe and walk-friendly for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation!

Email: drycreek@cusd.com

Website: drycreek.cusd.com
Location: 1273 North Armstrong Avenue, Clovis, CA 93619
Phone: (559) 327-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DryCreekElem/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekelementary/