CCE Tuesday Tidbit

October 20, 2026

Dear Clover Creek Families,

We’re already well into October, and I appreciate the work everyone continues to do for our kids. The start of the year brings challenges as we settle into routines and build momentum, but I see our staff, students, and families working together to help our kids succeed. Every day, we have opportunities to learn, grow, and make progress. Thank you for the part you play in helping our students keep climbing!

Creeky the Candy Tree has made his debut, and he’s ready to collect candy donations now through October 29! All donations will help make our Trunk or Treat event extra special on October 29 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. This is one of Clover Creek’s favorite traditions, and we love bringing our school community together to celebrate with our current, past, and future families!

We’ll also be hosting a canned food drive during Trunk or Treat to support the Clover Creek Food Pantry. Please consider bringing non-perishable food items to help support CCE families in our own community. Thank you for helping make this event special and for taking care of one another!

Conference week is October 26–30, and students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. each day. This is a great opportunity to connect with teachers, talk about student progress, and celebrate all the growth happening at school. Even though our school days are shorter during conference week, being here still matters! Our staff is committed to keeping students engaged and learning every day. Let’s keep working together to help every grade level reach our goal of more than 95% attendance!

Our lost and found is overflowing! If your child is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, or other belongings, please have them check the lost and found. All items will be in the hallway during conference week, October 26–30, so families can look through them as well. Any items left after conference week will be donated, so please take a moment to check before they’re gone!

Please continue to read on, we have lots of news you can use within this newsletter. Remember to follow Clover Creek on Facebook!

Our Mission: To ensure all of our students achieve academics & social-emotional skills at grade level or higher.

Our Vision: Preparing students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.

2026 - 2027 School Year

October: 27th - 31st Early Dismissal 12:00pm (Elementary Conference Week)

November: 2nd Late Arrival

November: 9th Late Arrival

November: 11th No School (Veterans Day)

November. 16th Late Arrival

November: 25th - 27th No School (Thanksgiving Break)

November: 30th Late Arrival

December: 7th Late Arrival

December: 14th Late Arrival

December 21st thru January 1st No School (Winter Break)

January: 4th (2 hr Late Arrival)

October is Bullying Prevention Month. This is a time to reinforce our commitment to making Clover Creek a safe, welcoming place where every Hawk can learn and grow.

Washington State recognizes that absences related to mental health may be excused in some cases, such as when a student has a counseling or behavioral health appointment, or when a student is experiencing symptoms from a mental health condition. At the same time, regular attendance remains important, and absences signal that a student may need support.

A few important things for families to know:

• Mental health concerns should be taken seriously, but not every difficult day or reluctance to attend school meets criteria for an excusable mental health absence.

• Bullying is not, by itself, a mental health reason for an excused absence. Washington State and Bethel School District encourage families to work with the school to address bullying or other concerns regarding school climate, support student safety, and develop solutions that reduce barriers to attendance. Missing school does not solve the problem.

• School is where students practice many important life skills. Being at school gives students opportunities to develop and practice social interaction, problem-solving, communication, and conflict-resolution skills with the support of caring adults.

• Absence from school has a significant impact. Absences mean missed instruction and learning opportunities and can make it more difficult for students to stay on track.

Our goal is to support students while also helping them maintain the regular school attendance that is so important for learning, confidence, connection, and developing the skills they need to navigate challenges. Together, we can help every Hawk stay supported, engaged, and Keep Climbing!

Kindergarten: 92%

First Grade: 93%

Second Grade: 95%

Third Grade: 94%

Fourth Grade: 93%

Fifth Grade: 95%

Structured: 84%

Let Us Know if You Have Questions or Concerns

This year, we’re excited to collect canned food donations during Trunk or Treat on October 29! Pierce County Parks and Recreation will have a special trunk where families can drop off their donations. Thank you for helping us support our community and stocking our Care Closet!

We’d love to hear from our CCE families! The Family Panorama Survey is open now and will remain open through conference week (10/19-10/30). Your feedback helps us strengthen our school community and create a greater sense of belonging for all families. Scan the QR code to complete the survey today! Thank you for sharing your voice!

Welcome to LIBRARY!!! What a great time to read! Actually, anytime is a great time to read…. This month celebrates: Hispanic Heritage Month, Anti-Bullying Month, Indigenous People Day (October 13), Explorers of America (Christopher Columbus Day), and Halloween.

All classes have been creating a Bookelicious Bookmoji. Bookmojis let students know which books in the library they may like to read based on their Bookmoji creations. In the library we will use this program to track reading goals, set reading challenges, and to promote books of interest from our online catalog.

1st grade checks out 1 book each time they come to library. Parents, please help your student find a safe place for library books at home away from younger siblings and pets.

Book Fair is next week. Set up will be this Friday morning. Please contact either PTA or myself if you would like to help with Book Fair. This year Book Fair will be card/cashless only or you can set up a scholastic ewallet.

Parents can check their student’s library accounts or just to see what they are reading. Just go to: Destiny Discover

1. Log on to your student’s account using Student Id and Password: first 2 letters of first name-first 2 letters of last name-year of birth! (Ja-co-2016$).

2. My Stuff

3. Fines

Reading to students is a great way for them to learn language and speaking skills. Please read with your students at least 20 minutes/day. Audio books are a great way to read with your student in the car, just to relax, or when playing in a quiet activity (drawing, lego building, etc…).

Happy reading,

Mrs. Cochran

Beginning today, September 8th, the price has increased to $25, so be sure to order early!

To order, simply scan the attached QR code and enter our school ID number: 738783.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

TRUNK OR TREAT
Thursday, October 29 | 5:30 - 7 PM | CCE bus loop.

Candy & Sensory-Friendly Treat Drive: Now–October 29!

Feed “Creeky” the Treat Tree and help stock our annual Trunk or Treat! As our
candy collection grows, students unlock fun rewards along the way.

We’re collecting candy and non-candy treats, including quiet fidgets,
unscented stickers, coloring sheets, and crayons, for our indoor sensory-
friendly treat area. Prefer to contribute toward supplies? Donate Here

Concessions: 5:00–6:30 PM
Pizza: $2 per slice | Chips: $1 | Drinks: $1

Cashless payments only.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Calling All Volunteers! We Need YOU!

Help us make Trunk or Treat a fun, welcoming, and inclusive experience for
EVERY Hawk! We're looking for volunteers to decorate and run treat tables in
our quieter, sensory-friendly space inside the gym!

Don't feel like cleaning out your trunk? GOOD NEWS! Skip the car
clean out, ditch the driveway clutter, and bring your decorating flair to a TABLE
instead! All the creativity, none of the vacuuming!

This space will offer a calmer alternative to the noise, crowds, and excitement
of traditional Trunk or Treat, giving kiddos who need a little less stimulation a
chance to join in the fun at their own pace.

Because EVERY child deserves to feel comfortable, welcome, and included!

Different needs, same fun, EVERY Hawk belongs! Interested in hosting a
table? We'd LOVE to have you join us!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Oct. 29 | Trunk or Treat: Indoor sensory-friendly table hosts and food-service
helpers needed. Sign Up — select the tab for your role.

Oct. 23, 26- 30 | Book Fair: Clover Creek Library | Sign Up

Nov. 6 | Popcorn Friday

Contact Danna at 253-878-2264

POPCORN

Hello, fellow volunteers!
I’m still looking for helpers for our Birthday Popcorn + Popcorn Fridays! If
you’d like to come in, learn how everything works, and lend a helping hand,
please reach out to me! I’m happy to show you the ropes!

Danna Chase
253-878-2264
Thank you all so much for your time and support!

Next Popcorn Friday: Nov 6 | View Full Schedule | Order Birthday Popcorn

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

Staff Members: 39 | Total Members: 89 | Join

COMING UP

Nov. 5 |Red Robin Restaurant Fundraiser

16904 Meridian E Ste 105, Puyallup, WA 98375 | 11AM - 10PM

Nov. 5 - 8 | Just Between Friends Sale
Washington State Fairgrounds

Nov. 9 | General Membership Meeting
Clover Creek Room 163

View our full PTA calendar | Get Involved | Facebook | Instagram

Clover Creek PTA 5.3.5

ALL students in ALL schools in the Bethel School District qualify for free breakfast

and lunch again this year! To maintain our qualifications, ALL Bethel School District families must complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application at https://emealapps.bethelsd.org. By submitting this application, households may qualify for reduced fees for programs and activities. You must check “YES! Please share my child’s income eligibility” for each program you wish to receive discounts for.

The annual Craft Fair at SLHS will be held on November 7th and 8th Details at

https://www.facebook.com/slhscraftfair

Our third Coffee with the Superintendent event of the school year will be November 10 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Educational Service Center (516 176th St. E, Spanaway, WA 98387). We will also be hosting another event in March. Invite your neighbors! Everyone is welcome.

We are looking for bus drivers and bus assistants to join our amazing Transportation team! Our next hiring event will be on November 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. at our Transportation Service Center (5625 192nd St E, Puyallup, WA 98375). At these events there are opportunities for on-the-spot interviews and potential day-of job offers. We hope to see you there!

You are invited to join our Community Advisory Board! The next meeting is Wednesday, November 18, at Bethel High School in the cafeteria, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be provided. The purpose of this group is to partner with parents and families to improve student academic achievement and school performance. It's an opportunity to learn more about our schools, share your perspective, and help strengthen partnerships across the district. All interested parents and family members are welcome. Please RSVP at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsLqDqlrmofAk_ImVIqwTQj7W-R485EvdQAArXP1i4yAWooA/viewform

School Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Bethel School District's Educational Service Center (ESC), 516 176th St. E., Spanaway, WA 98387 unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome! To join via Zoom, visit https://bethelsd.diligent.community/portal/

• October 27: School Board Meeting

• November 17: School Board Meeting

• December 15: School Board Meeting

Clover Creek Elementary School

Asst. Principal: Mrs. Lori Gauthier

Counselor: Ms. Isamar Valdez

Main Office: cc_office@bethelsd.org

Website: https://cce.bethelsd.org/
Location: 16715 36th Ave. E. Tacoma, WA 98446
Phone: (253) 800-7800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clovercreekelementary