Cub Connection

CELC News & Updates

Welcome CELC Families,

3 more days until we get to welcome our 2025-26 Cubs! Our enrollment is booming! Our enrollment is booming! There is still time to register. Please spread the word that school is starting soon. Remind family and friends that students turning 4 by September 1st are eligible for TK. We have space!

Our staff is working hard to get ready for the school year! The campus has started to come to life. The office staff is officially back and getting ready for the school year. We are so excite to kick off the year and meet our new Cubs and their families. Join us at the AUSD Kick Off Event on the 18th at JMMS. See the flyer below.

Class lists will be posted on the front fence on Tuesday, August 19th. Pop by between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for a Posting "Party". Stop by to see the class lists and get a Cub pop-it keychain (while supplies last).

Here are a few updates to help keep you informed as we approach our first day of school:

Please send your student to school each day with a backpack, refillable water bottle, a healthy snack, and a lunch (unless they are getting a cafeteria lunch).
Please include a change of clothes in a ziplock bag in their backpack. Potty accidents tend to happen early in the year. We have clothes on hand but having their own tends to make them feel more comfortable.
School begins for CELC on Wednesday, August 20th. See schedule below.
Our "normal" schedule begins on Monday, September 1st. See schedules below.
We need PTA and School Site Council volunteers. If you are interested, please contact the office. Parents interested in PTA, please fill out the Interest Survey. If you filled it out in May/June, you do not have to do it again :).
We LOVE volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, please pick up the required paperwork in the office. Get cleared early if you think you are interested in volunteering in the classroom or for field trips. We need a current TB test and your driver's license along with the application.
Teachers will let their families know of any volunteer opportunities.
Our school office is open to support you. Please don't hesitate to call, email or stop by the office. We are still accepting registration for the 2025-26 school year. Regular hours are M-F 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
On Monday, August 18th, our office will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an all staff training. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The first 8 days of school are minimum days. The student dismissal time is at 1:05 p.m. to allow time for teachers to meet with students individually and complete initial assessments. Teachers will be asking parents to sign up for a time with your student. There will be sign ups outside their classroom doors.
For the safety and security of students and staff, gates are locked during school hours.
CELC’s Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th at 5:15 p.m. Please join us in the Multipurpose room at 5:15 pm for a quick PTA meeting. Rooms open at 5:30 p.m.
AUSD will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students this school year.
Breakfast is available at the cafeteria at 8:35 a.m. daily.
Students may choose to eat a cafeteria lunch or bring a sack lunch from home.
Please report any absences to your child's teacher and the office. Please let the office know the reason your child is out and what symptoms they have. Email Mary Barkely, our amazing Clerk or call the office at 619-659-8250.
Before and after school care is available. Please see the flyer below or contact Aimee Hatfield, AUSD's ESS Coordinator, at ahatfield@alpineschools.net if you have any questions.
For transportation questions, please visit AUSD's website at https://www.alpineschools.net/page/transportation
Please find us on FB and IG!

Our staff is looking forward to seeing all of the new and returning faces to our campus. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tamara Ripke, Proud Principal

HAZ CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Parent Handbook

Spirit wear is now available online. Parents and staff can place orders and have them shipped directly to their home. Check out the store by clicking the link below. We are excited about the new format and options.

We do have some student size clearance items available for purchase in the office while supplies last. Cash only on these items: t-shirts $5 and sweatshirts $10

Cub Spirit Shop

We believe that social emotional health, the feeling of belonging, validation, and meaningful relationships are key to a successful day at school. Our staff works to deliberately make meaningful connections with our students in order to support academics, behavior, and social emotional growth. The staff is excited to spend the school year "unleashing" L.O.V.E. Each year, we pick a theme to motivate our growth and support a positive mindset. If you see dog images around, it is a reminder that we L.O.V.E. our students!

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WELCOME TO CREEKSIDE!

The only supplies your student needs to bring to school are a refillable water bottle, a backpack, and a healthy snack. Teachers will have wish list available if you would like to donate special items for the classroom. One item that is always on their list is baby wipes. :) We use them regular to wipe off hands!

Back to School Event

We’re excited to kick off the new school year with our Second Annual AUSD Welcome Back Kickoff Event! This fun, district-wide gathering is a chance for students, families, and staff from all grade levels to come together, reconnect, and celebrate the start of another great year.

There will be food trucks and fun activities for students, making it a festive and family-friendly event. We highly encourage all staff to stop by—it’s a great opportunity to connect with families and help set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, August 18, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: JMMS

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Mrs. Ripke will continue the Cubs in the Community tradition. Her goal is to connect with 100 Cubs (Future, Former, or Current) by the 100th day of school. Building relationships with our students is important to us! If you see Mrs. Ripke (or other staff) out in the community, encourage your student to say hi. Not only does it create an opportunity to connect, it also supports students' language and communication skills. Follow the sightings on FB and IG. Feel free to share our postings to spread the word. Mrs. Ripke (and the CELC staff) looks out for future, current, and former Cubs! She is ready to meet the 2025-26 challenge. See her latest sightings below!

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CELC SCHEDULE FIRST 8 DAYS

CELC SCHEDULE BEGINNING 9/1/25

Recess and lunch times subject to change. All TK classes are released at 1:30 pm daily. The teachers will also provide a snack time for the students.

CELC has three school rules. Students will be learning behavior expectations that are aligned with being safe, responsible, and respectful. We practice Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). We understand that our students are still learning to problem solve and deal with school expectations. We believe in progressive discipline and restorative practices. Teachers and staff document concerns and communicate them with parents to form a partnership in your child's success. We love our Cubs and are looking forward to having a year of fun, friendships, learning and laughter!

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Humor helps the heart! Join us in spreading "Smiles for Miles"!

Answer from last week: AC

Take 5

Have you ever asked your child how their day was or what they did? Do you often get a one word response like "nothing" or "fine". Try using our Take 5 Questions to help get more thought provoking answers. It is a great opportunity to connect with your child, learn more about their experiences at school, and help them build their language skills.

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Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Book List

Our amazing School Social Worker, Camryn McInerney , created a list of recommended read aloud books. This is another great way to connect with your students. Choose one of your favorite books or one on her list and make reading with your child a regular habit.

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