CGS Weekly Message for 25-26
10/13/2025-10/17/2025
Good afternoon,
Happy Sunday!
Welcome back from our October Academic Break! We hope that everyone had a very relaxing week off from school and are ready to come back and begin Quarter 2 which begins tomorrow.
Our 1st Quarter Report Cards are scheduled to go out this Friday, 10/17/25. More details regarding our report cards will be shared closer to Friday as to whether they will be printed, placed in the portal online in Infinite Campus or both. Please make sure that you've taken the time to sign up for your parent portal in Infinite Campus.
Fall Pictures- Make Up Fall Picture day is tomorrow, Monday, October 13, 2025.
Save the Dates:
- 10/13/2025: Make up Fall Picture Day for those that missed it!
- 10/14/2025: October BOD Meeting @ 6:30 P.M. In person at our K-8 Campus (cafe) or via YouTube (**please note the location change)
- 10/17/2025: Trunk or Treat Night - Hosted by our CGS PVC! Hope to see you there!
- 10/18/2025: Marching Band Competition at Western Alamance High School
- 10/20/2025: School Closed/Teacher Workday! Parent/Teacher Conferences (K-12)
- 10/22/2025: NC Center for Safer Schools Wear Orange for Unity Day!
- 10/31/2025: Senior Drape/Tux Portraits @ 9 AM at the HS Campus
Looking further ahead:
- 11/1/2025: Campus Clean Up Day!
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!
K-8 Campus Updates
Greetings Grizzly Families!
Welcome Back to what is now the 2nd Quarter; Congratulations, you made it! With one quarter under our belts, with three more to go! Please help our Grizzlies get re-acclimated to the school schedule by encouraging them to make preparations tonight along with a good night's rest! We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow, bright and early for the 7:45 start of the instructional day!
October is National Bully Prevention month. Your Grizzly may hear about and learn more ways to prevent bullying this month.
Finally be mindful of the following:
Car Rider Reminders
Please have your Grizzly to begin preparing to get out of the car once you hit the gravel driveway. (ie.start gathering belongings, put way devices & blankets and take that final bite 😉)
Pull in and up to the farthest cone, leaving no gaps during both morning and afternoon car rider lines.
All students should be dropped off and picked up utilizing one of our car rider lines. No students should be dropped off in the front parking lot unless special permission has been granted.
There is absolutely No Passing in any car rider line at any time.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions or are uncertain about our standard operating procedures as it pertains to drop off and or pick-up, please contact the school.
All the BEST,
Leah Spencer
#GrizzlyPride
High School Campus Updates
Greetings Grizzly Families,
I hope you have had an enjoyable academic break. The second 9-weeks begins Monday, October 13th. Please help us in encouraging our scholars to be on time everyday, ready to learn, and focused on academic success. Teachers offer tutoring before/after school and other times by appointment so please take advantage of help as needs arise. We are excited to continue on the path to success with your support.
All the best,
Dr. Morris
Academic and Behavior Expectations
Mrs. Gladden and Dr. Morris will be meeting with grade levels this week to review academic and behavioral expectations.
Elon Academy
Elon Academy representatives will meet with our 9th graders on 10/15 @ 8:15 to discuss the Elon Academy opportunity and application process.
High School Student Advising Information and Opportunities:
Senior Shout Out- Miss Chloe Welch
Senior Shout-out - Miss Chloe Welch
Congratulations to Chloe Welch! She was nominated by teachers to represent Clover Garden School as the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen. This program honors an outstanding young person in the senior class who demonstrates qualities of a good citizen, as well as provides an optional opportunity to participate in the scholarship portion of the program.
Senior Class of 2026
SENIORS--The Park Scholarship Program at NC State University
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 $124,000 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 Saturday, November 1, for consideration for the Park Scholarship. For more information:
SENIORS--IT IS TIME TO GET READY TO APPLY TO COLLEGE!!!
CommonApp opened August 1st for 2025-2026. Be sure to create an account with your personal email address. Dr. Morris serves as the counselor for those applying to college. Please see the presentation linked here for important information to support your senior year college application journey. The CollegeWise CommonApp Guide is available to assist you in creating your account.
SENIORS--FREE College Planning and Paying Resources
Sallie Mae shares resources to assist in planning for college. Please see the links below.
- Applying to college checklist
- 1-2-3 approach to paying for college
- Scholly® Scholarships by Sallie
- Filing the FAFSA®
- Decoding financial aid offers
- Comparing financial aid offers
- Help your student pay for school (comparing Parent PLUS Loans and private student loans)
- It’s never too early to start thinking about scholarships! A scholarship that’s quick and easy to apply for is Sallie’s $2,000 No Essay Scholarship. It takes less than two minutes to enter, and no essay is required. Better yet, they give out a scholarship monthly, so students can enter every month!
Reminder: Senior Drape/Tux Photos will be on October 31st at 9 AM at the HS Campus
Senior Parent Checklist for College Applications
Senior Student Checklist for College Applications
iTeach Event
This event is proudly sponsored by the ECU College of Education and will offer a university Information Session and Campus Tour from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Additionally, there will be a Teacher Education Academic Fair and presentations about the College of Education, University Scholarships, NC Teaching Fellows program, the Education Living-Learning Community and other resources.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Campus Tour & Presentation: 10am-12pm
Teacher Education Academic Program Fair & COE Presentations: 1-4pm
Register: Opens in September
Location: ECU Main Campus, Greenville, NC
College for North Carolina (CFNC) Resources
NC Countdown to College (C2C) is a year-long initiative to increase the number of students who pursue post-secondary education by assisting high school seniors with the college admissions process (residence, FAFSA, and applications) and ensuring that each participating student submits at least one admissions application.
Register: www.cfnc.org/apply-to-college/nc-countdown-to-college
Free Application Week: October 20, 7:30am—5pm, October 26, 2025
ECU Fall Open House
This campus-wide event is hosted by the ECU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. During this event, prospective students and their families will have the opportunity to tour campus, attend information sessions, explore academic programs, and meet current students, faculty, and staff. See attached flyer for details.
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 9am—2pm
Location: ECU Campus, Greenville, NC
Register: bit.ly/4mzwKyf
School Nurse Updates
Please continue to sanitize, wash hands frequently and notify the school nurse of any student illnesses or injuries. Thank you!
Please see the letter below from Nurse Corbett.
Please reach out to Nurse Corbett with questions at angelacorbett@cgsnc.org.
MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Support)
Please see the attachment for information related to our MTSS services at CGS.
TAG (Talented and Gifted Program)
Please see the attachment for information related to our CGS TAG program.
Parent Volunteer Committee at Clover Garden School
All Things Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC) – Click Here!
Want to get involved at Clover Garden? Click here to read the latest updates from our Parent Volunteer Committee! Learn how you can support our Trunk or Treat event (event price list, host a trunk or donate items), get involved with the upcoming Community Garden, and see what’s coming up for the month of October.
Thank you to Caribou Coffee and our families who donated to make our staff sips and treats a success! Our staff truly enjoyed their special treats!
Make up Fall Picture Day- 10/13/2025
Red Ribbon Spirit Week (for High School Students only)
Red Ribbon Week Spirit Week will be the last week of October for our High School Students only. More details coming soon!
NC Center for Safer Schools- Unity Day- October 22nd
Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. Unity Day encourages individuals and communities to come together to promote kindness and courage. Join us in wearing Orange on the 22nd!
CGS Family Clean Up Day- 11/1/25 from 9 AM to 12 PM
CGS Families,
We need your help! On Saturday, November 1st, we will be hosting a CGS Clean Up Day! This day is designated to beautifying our campuses! We will be pressure washing, cleaning up trash, scrubbing dirt and grime off our cafeteria chairs, getting rid of cobwebs and more! We would greatly appreciate any and all of our CGS Families to participate in this clean up day. It's important to take care of the place that houses our amazing Grizzlies. It's also important to bring your students and have them participate in the clean up as well to help them learn the values of taking care of our school and our property. Thank you for your help! If you're able to help, please scan the QR code in the flyer. #CGSCARES
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Worship Night
Come out and support our FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Club as they get together for worship night on 10/24/25 from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Guest speaker will be CGS Alumni, Mr. Noah Tickle.
Get your GRIZZLY GEAR! 🐻💥
Ready to rock your school pride? Head over to grizzlyden.org NOW and grab the hottest school apparel! Hoodies, tees, crewnecks- you name it in both elementary and MS/HS style! Don't wait, gear up, stand out, and show everyone what it means to be a part of Grizzly Nation!
Support our Teachers- Junior Civitan Donation Collection
Please help our Junior Civitans as they support our K-12 Teacher Closets by donating any extra school supplies you may have. Our Junior Civitan club is collecting donations to supply the teacher closets at both campuses to help provide teachers with "extra supplies" as they may need them throughout the school year. Thank you for your help! Please see a Junior Civitan member or view the flyer below for more details!
K-5 Dance Camp- Sponsored by our CGS Dance Ensemble
Our CGS Dance Ensemble is hosting a dance camp for our elementary school kids!
On November 19th, from 2:45 - 6:30pm the campers will spend time learning technique and choreography.
They will receive a snack and a t- shirt while attending the camp.
On November 21st, all participants are invited to perform with our CGS Dance Ensemble at the varsity girls' halftime to showcase what they've learned!
If registered before October 17th - $40. After October 17th, registration will be $50. Sign-ups close on November 7th!
Interest Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Rvxe1REgYkkyesx9XDffqVLxUitMK_xwAfNWFerbH6I/edit?ts=68a63970
Athletics Updates:
Coach Position Openings
Varsity Softball Head Coach (closing 10/31)
MS Softball Head Coach
MS Girls Soccer Head Coach
If interested, please email Coach Paschal and Coach Somers a resume, coaching/playing experience, and interest statement.
Basketball Intent Forms- if your student will be trying out for any basketball teams for this winter, please fill out the intent form below no later than Thursday, October 16th. Intent forms will be used to check quarter and semester eligibility prior to tryouts.
Middle School Basketball Intent
Mandatory Athletics Meeting & Meet the Coaches Night- Thursday, October 16th:
5:30- Mandatory Athletics Meeting (if you did not attend in the fall) Student & Parent/Guardian must be present to complete the requirement.
6:00- Meet the Coaches- MS & HS Basketball
Save the Dates:
Monday, October 20th- Athletic Boosters Meeting
Wednesday, October 29th- 1st Day of HS Basketball Tryouts
Monday, November 3rd- 1st Day of MS Basketball Tryouts
Friday, November 21st- High School HomeComing
Weekly Athletics Schedule:
Monday, October 13th:
CTHC Cross Country Championship hosted by SWA at WakeMed, 10:00 am Coaches Meeting, 10:30 Boys Start
4:00 Varsity Men's Soccer vs Chatham (Springwood #3)
6:00 Varsity Volleyball vs Chatham Charter
Wednesday, October 15th:
4:00 Varsity Women's Tennis at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (Gardner Webb courts)
6:00 CTHC Volleyball Championship at River Mill
Friday, October 17th:
4:00 Varsity Men's Soccer vs Central Carolina Academy (Springwood #3)
TBD Women's Tennis Single and Doubles Regionals at Mount Airy High School
Saturday, October 18th:
TBD Women's Tennis Single and Doubles Regionals at Mount Airy High School
TBD 1st Round of States Volleyball
MS Baseball Open Field-
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15-4:30 at the softball field on the K8 Campus. This is for any 6th-8th grader interested in trying out for baseball in the spring. The player must have a dragonflymax.com account, and has uploaded an up to date physical and it has been approved in order to participate in open field.
Special THANK YOU video for those that helped support our Athletic Boosters through the Booster-Thon Fun Run/Color Run event earlier this year. See link HERE for a quick video from our student athletes! #GoGrizzlies
Band/Performing Arts Updates
Save the Dates:
- 10/18/25: On Saturday, October 18th, our Marching Grizzlies will have a local competition at Western Alamance High School! More details (time) coming soon! Come out to support our Marching Grizzlies on that Saturday!
- 10/25/25: Northwestern Guilford High School Band Competition
- 11/22/25: Burlington Holiday Parade
- 12/5/25: Mebane Holiday Parade
- 12/6/25: Graham Holiday Parade
Band Rehearsals continue on Monday and Thursday weekly from 3:30 P.M.- 5:30 P.M.
Lunch Information
Parents,
Attached please find a copy of this October'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
Cafeteria Coordinator
Mental Health Services
Please click on this LINK if you are interested in Mental Health Services for your student(s).
Staffing Updates:
Current Vacancies:
- High School Science Teacher
- MS/HS P.E. Teacher
- MS P.E. Teacher
- 2nd Grade Classroom Teacher
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