CGS Weekly Message for 26-27
10/26/2026-10/30/2026
Good afternoon,
Happy Saturday!
What an amazing week at Clover Garden! Thank you to all of you that made time to visit your child's teacher(s) on Monday for our Parent/Teacher Conference Day. Your support and partnership is what helps make our students successful in their education! 💚💙
Thank you so much to everyone that came out to support our Fall Festival on Friday! It was so much fun seeing our Grizzlies and their families enjoying all of the fun activities our PVC had set up!! Special Shout Out to PVC Chair, Mrs. LeVan and our amazing parents and students for donating candy, donating time to help volunteer at tables/events, and for just being a part of what makes our school community so special! It was such a fun night!! #CGSCommunity 🎃🍂🐻
27-28 Academic Calendar Update:
Our 2027-2028 Academic Calendar was approved at Tuesday night's board meeting. Thank you so much to all of you that submitted feedback on our Academic Survey. With almost 400 responses, majority of our CGS families and staff are very much still in favor of our Academic Calendar including our Academic Breaks and Start/End time of the school year. The purpose of our Academic Calendar Survey was to get a "pulse check" on our current families and ensure that we are still serving our current population's needs.
Before sharing the updated calendar, we are going to adjust it just a little more in an attempt to reevaluate our half days/teacher workdays. We will share next year's calendar after our November 10th board meeting.
We have went ahead and included the break weeks below so that many of you can go ahead and confirm vacation plans, make appointments, etc. for next school year. We will share the updated calendar and half days next month. Thank you so much for your feedback and patience while we took this time to gather feedback and data from our families.
Academic Breaks: 27-28:
August: 8/30/2027-9/3/2027
October: 10/4/2027-10/8/2027
February: 2/22/2028-2/25/2028 (Holiday on 2/21/2028)
Holiday Breaks:
Winter Break: 12/20/2027-1/3/2028
Spring Break: 4/17/2028-4/21/2028 (Holiday 4/14/2028)
Beginning/End of the School Year:
Start Date: 7/26/2027
End Date: 5/24/2028
Save the Dates:
-
10/26/2026: K-12 Red Ribbon Spirit Week: "Read-y to live drug free!" (Wear as much RED as possible!)
10/27/2026: K-12 Red Ribbon Spirit Week: "Team up Against Drugs" (Wear your favorite TEAM attire)
10/28/2026: K-12 Red Ribbon Spirit Week: "Wake up DRUG FREE" (Pajama Day)
10/29/2026: K-12 Red Ribbon Spirit Week: "Don't let Drugs find you!" (Camouflage Day- wear your CAMO)
10/30/2026: K-12 Red Ribbon Spirit Week: "Senior Citizen Day" (Dress as a senior citizen day)
11/4/2026: Fall Picture Retakes
- 11/11/2026: CGS CLOSED for the Veteran's Day Holiday! Thank you to all of you that have served and/or are currently serving in our United States Military!!
- 11/20/2026: CGS Half Day! Dismissal at 11:45 AM for our K-8 Campus and 12:00 PM for our High School Campus
- 11/23/2026-11/27/2026: CGS CLOSED for Mental Health Days and the Thanksgiving Holiday Break!
Reminder- Check out our CGS Directory for questions regarding anything CGS! You can also reach out to us at info@cgsnc.org for questions.
Don't forget to check out our website at www.cgsnc.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cgsgrizzlies for updates!
CGS Staff of the Week Shout Out - Mrs. A. Lassiter
This week, we'd like to take a moment to shout out our Staff of the Week- Mrs. A. Lassiter!
Mrs. Lassiter is our FABULOUS Front Office Manager at our K-8 Campus. Mrs. Lassiter balances an incredibly busy front office at our largest campus! The phone is always ringing, students are always visiting, and parents and teachers are frequently reaching out for assistance! She greets everyone with a calm demeanor and is one of the most organized team members that we have at CGS! She is constantly running circles around everyone! If you've never visited our K-8 campus, we encourage you to swing by just one day during lunch time to observe! It's like Grand Central Station in our front office! There are lunch visitors, deliveries, students checking out, students checking in, announcements to be made, and many other moving parts happening up there! Mrs. Lassiter handles those issues so well and we often are in AWE of how she keeps it all straight! She also is our MC on our announcements every morning and we look forward to hearing her voice start our school day!
Mrs. Lassiter, you are AMAZING! Thank you for all that you do for our Grizzlies, Staff, and Admin team!! 💚💙
Please take a moment to shout her out when you see her!
K-8 Campus Updates
Hello Grizzly Families,
Thank You to our PVC and for your participation and support of this year’s Fall Festival! Your contributions, time, and energy are appreciated more than you know. Yesterday’s event was a success because of YOU!
This week on the K-8 Campus, students will participate in our lockdown drill. Please remind your student, and help us reassure them, that this is planned practice and not a real incident. Let them know we hold drills to help keep everyone safe in case of an emergency. Thank you in advance for your help!
Please continue to encourage your Grizzly to do, be, and show his/her BEST at school. We are now in the second quarter, and students are well aware of expectations, so the handbook and Code of Conduct are in full effect. This is one of the most critical times in the educational experience: teachers are teaching new content, so every instructional minute counts, and student behavior directly affects that time.
Thank you and have a safe and restful weekend! Thank you for your continued partnership.
**As a reminder- if your child is out sick- please contact the Front Office (arlenelassiter@cgsnc.org) in addition to your child's homeroom teacher. Thank you!!
With Grizzly Pride,
Leah Spencer, K-8 Principal
High School Campus Updates
Greetings Grizzly Families,
It has been a busy and productive week at the high school. Seniors are taking advantage of the free college application week and all students are working hard to be successful in their classes. Thank you for your continued support.
9th graders--ELON ACADEMY Information
If you would like to receive information about Elon Academy including reminders of application deadlines, please sign-up HERE.
12th graders--ELON COLLEGIATE START
HERE is information on the Elon Collegiate Start. Applications are due November 1st. Please note that participation is at the cost of the family. If your student is interested in applying, please see Dr. Morris.
PreACT for 10th graders 11/3/2026
Our 10th graders will be taking the PreACT on 11/3/2026 @ 8am. This is a required assessment for 10th graders. HERE is a letter from our testing coordinator explaining the PreACT. If you have any questions, please contact Tonya Ginter (tonyaginter@cgsnc.org), the CGS Testing Coordinator.
JUNIORS--College Writing Opportunity
HERE is information on an opportunity to learn enhanced writing skills in preparation for college.
Senior Yearbook Ad
Please see the flyer for information on purchasing a senior yearbook ad. Contact Alyssa Bellamy (alyssabellamy@cgsnc.org), Yearbook Advisor with questions.
ACC Course Reminders
Mr. O is on our campus on 10/27. If you are unable to schedule an appointment with him while he is on our campus, please reach out to him and schedule an advising appointment.
2027–28 FAFSA Now Open
The 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Students planning to attend postsecondary education should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for federal, state and institutional grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and loans.
For North Carolina public high school seniors, FAFSA completion is an important next step after exploring NC College Connect, which provides eligible seniors with direct admission to colleges and universities where they already meet admissions requirements without the traditional application process. After reviewing and accepting their college offers, students should consider exploring the FAFSA to learn what financial assistance may be available to help make college more affordable.
Find the 2027-28 FAFSA application here.
Learn more about NC College Connect here.
Parks Scholarship at NC State University
Apply for the Park Scholarships program at NC State. The Park Scholarships program brings together students with outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character.
THE PARK SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM
is a four-year scholarship valued at $129,000 and covers:
- Tuition, fees, and room and board
- Books and personal expenses
- $2,000 computer stipend
- Enrichment grants to fund study abroad, research projects, service activities, conferences and more
- Guaranteed invitation to join the University Honors Program
THE PARK EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
- Professional training in leadership, public speaking and business etiquette
- Educational trips, retreats and seminars
- Faculty mentors and a network of more than 1,100 accomplished Park Scholarships alumni worldwide
Applications for the Park Scholarships program and admission to NC State, are both due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 1 for consideration for the Park Scholarship. For more information:
School Nurse Updates: Medication and Immunization Requirements
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I wanted to share a brief update from the Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard as we continue into the fall respiratory illness season.
Respiratory Viruses (link) Last updated October 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
As of the most recent report, diagnosed cases of influenza (flu), COVID-19, and RSV remain low.
However, there has been an increase in emergency department visits over the past week for respiratory illnesses, including illnesses similar to flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
Although current diagnosis levels remain low, this increase is a good reminder that respiratory viruses may become more common as we move further into the fall and winter months.
Please help us reduce the spread of illness by encouraging the following practices:
Handwashing: Encourage students to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
Cover coughs and sneezes: Remind students to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue.
Clean shared surfaces: Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and shared materials.
Monitor symptoms: Be aware of students experiencing fever, persistent cough, sore throat, congestion, body aches, or unusual fatigue.
Keep sick students home: Students who are ill should remain home and follow school illness guidelines before returning.
Practice good respiratory hygiene: Encourage students to avoid sharing drinks, utensils, and other personal items.
This update is being shared for general awareness and prevention. Staying informed and practicing everyday prevention measures can help protect our students, staff, and families.
Thank you for all you do to help keep our school community healthy!
Sincerely,
Angela Corbett, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Clover Garden School
All Things Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC)
All Things Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC)
THANK YOU, CLOVER GARDEN COMMUNITY!
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat! A special thank you to all of our volunteers, trunk decorators, candy donors, school clubs, and everyone who gave their time, resources, and support.
We truly couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing school and local community.Thank you for helping us create such a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
If you're interested in learning more about the Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC) or helping out with future events and initiatives, we’d love to have you! Sign up to get more information here
!ONGOING EVENTS!
-Box Tops - KEEP SCANNING THOSE RECEIPTS! Click Here to Start Scanning!
-SchoolStore Fundraiser - Please continue to donate and spread the word about our SchoolStore fundraiser! Don’t forget to check out the list of participating retailers—many everyday purchases can earn money for our school at no cost to you.
BOO GRAMS
Last day to place your Boo Gram orders Monday Oct 26 5:00 PM
Send your child or staff member a sweet surprise for Halloween!Boo Grams are a fun way to let your child or staff member know you’re thinking of them while also helping support the PVC and the events we provide throughout the school year. Order your Boo Gram here!
Warmly,
Taylor LeVan
Parent Volunteer Committee Lead
Clover Garden School
Athletics Updates:
Check out our Facebook Page for Updates!
Please support out Athletic Boosters' Fundraiser by purchasing some delicious meat that would be great for the Thanksgiving Holiday! More information can be found on the flyer below! Orders will arrive prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday! Order yours now! Thank you for supporting our fantastic athletics program! 👟⚾🏀⚽🏐
Any questions, please contact:
-Coach Bryant, Athletic Director, jaoshuabryant@cgsnc.org
If you are interested in Coaching, please complete THIS FORM.
Students, if you are interested in being a part of our Grizzly Den Student section, please see the link below!
Grizzly Den Student Section
Band Updates
Please take a moment to read the fundraiser information below regarding how YOU can help support our Band Program! There are some AWESOME fundraisers running right now that will help give back to our band program. Check out more information below! 🎄🎁
Save the Dates:
- 10/31/2026: Northwest Guilford Marching Band Competition
- 11/14/2026: Veteran's Day Parade at 10 AM in Graham
- 11/21/2026: Burlington Holiday Parade
- 12/4/2026: Mebane Holiday Parade at 7 PM
- 12/5/2026: Graham Holiday Parade at 10 AM
Grizzly Families,
There's still time to add some holiday cheer to your home while supporting our Marching Grizzlies! Wreath and garland pre-orders are due Monday, October 26th.
These fresh, USA-grown items from Sherwood Forest Farms make wonderful gifts, and every purchase supports band activities, equipment, and travel for our students.
View the catalog and place your holiday order here.
We also have custom Grizzly ornaments available in brass or stainless steel while supplies last! Visit our Donor Shop to order an ornament.
Wreath pickup will be at the high school before Thanksgiving. Watch the weekly newsletter for pickup details. Whenever possible, ornaments will be sent home with students shortly after orders are received.
Questions? Contact cgsbandboosters@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting the Clover Garden Marching Grizzlies!
CGS Dance Concert - 12/4/2026 @ 6 PM
Grizzly Families,
Join us for an evening of dance as the Clover Garden School Dance Department presents its Winter Concert! Come celebrate our students' hard work and cheer them on as they take the stage.
Friday, December 4, at 6:00 PM
K-8 Campus Gym
Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
Please see the attached flyer for details. We hope to see you there
Jr. Civitans- Donation Drive
CGS Families,
Our Jr. Civitans are collecting items for a donation drive for Family Abuse Services of Alamance County. Donations can be dropped off at either campus. Thank you for your support!
National Bullying Prevention Month - October
October is Bullying Prevention Month! Please see a calendar below of things that we can do to help make CGS an even better place for our students! We encourage you to help your child understand what bullying is and how to prevent it. See the calendar example below for the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Please help us educate our students on Down Syndrome throughout this month!
"It’s a month to raise awareness and celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down syndrome. DSAM seeks to break down barriers and focus on promoting advocacy for people with Down syndrome." Source: https://ndss.org/down-syndrome-awareness-month
Go to the National Down Syndrome Society's website to learn more information: https://ndss.org/
Dyslexia Awareness Month - October
October is Dyslexia Awareness month! Please help our students learn more about this neurological condition by clicking here: https://dyslexiaida.org/
"While dyslexia can make reading more difficult, with the right instruction, almost all individuals with dyslexia can learn to read. Many people with dyslexia have gone on to accomplish great things. Among the many dyslexia success stories are Thomas Edison, Stephen Spielberg, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charles Schwab. Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with this condition must learn coping strategies." Source: https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-at-a-glance/
D.R.E.A.M. Team Spirit Week - to celebrate Red Ribbon Week - 10/26/26-10/30/26 (K-12)
Students, please join in as we celebrate our first CGS Spirit Week of the school year! The last week of October (10/26-10/30) will be an opportunity for you to dress up in spirit and honor of celebrating Red Ribbon Week hosted by our CGS D.R.E.A.M. Team! Our CGS D.R.E.A.M. team is made up of some of our amazing student athletes as they Dare to Role Model Excellence as Athletic Mentors! They will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week and pledge to be DRUG FREE!
"National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, was established as a grassroots, nonprofit organization in 1980 by a handful of concerned and determined parents who were convinced they should begin to play a leadership role in drug prevention. Since its founding, NFP has devoted its efforts to the well-being of youth. Today, NFP is a national leader in drug prevention education & advocacy. Our mission is to lead and support our nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug free youth." Source: https://www.redribbon.org/about
You can learn more information about this program at their website by visiting: https://www.redribbon.org/. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Dodson at nathandodson@cgsnc.org.
This Spirit Week will be celebrated at both campuses! 💕
Lunch Information
Parents,
Attached please find a copy of November's menu. Please review it carefully as you place your order at https://clovergarden.familyportal.cloud/. You have until Thursday the week before the serving week to place your order. Please be sure you have enough money on your account to cover lunches for the month, the money doesn't come out of their accounts until they pick up their lunch. Please make sure your account is no more than $25 in the negative. If your student's account is more than $25 in the negative he/she will not be allowed to purchase a la carte items and charge them to their account.
Also the only confirmation you will receive is a green check mark. This company doesn't send out email confirmations.
Thank you,
Dana Walker
Clover Garden School
Cafeteria Coordinator
B & A Coordinator
Yearbook Ordering Link
Please click on the PDF's below that contain links to order this year's K-5 Yearbook and 6-12 Yearbook! They will be separated this year to be able to feature more of our Elementary students than in years past! Our Yearbook Club is excited about the projects this year.
Please reach out to Mrs. Bellamy with any questions at alyssabellamy@cgsnc.org.
Mental Health Services
Please click on this LINK if you are interested in Mental Health Services for your student(s).
Have a GREAT week Grizzlies! 🐻
As always, thanks for all that you do,
Mrs. Vereyken
Executive Director
Clover Garden School
*If you need this weekly newsletter translated into a different language, please let our Title 1 Coordinator, Mrs. Simmons know at brandisimmons@cgsnc.org.
*If you have any thoughts, feedback or suggestions for our Title 1 team on ways to improve our practices, please contact Mrs. Simmons at brandisimmons@cgsnc.org.
Clover Garden School
Email: info@cgsnc.org
Website: cgsnc.org
Locations:
2454 Altamahaw Union Ridge Road, Burlington, NC, USA
5806 Pagetown Road, Burlington, NC 27217
Phone: 3365869440
Facebook: facebook.com/cgsgrizzlies