Panther Express
Week 6: September 22-26, 2025
From the Panther's Den-A Note From Mrs. Gill
Dear DC Family,
Our School Jog-A-Thon Is Almost Here!
Our Jog-A-Thon is just a few days away! I want to take a moment to share a little about the “why behind the what” when it comes to our Jog-A-Thon and why it’s such a special tradition for our school community.
Click here for more information: https://secure.smore.com/n/r5ad3
Why Do Schools Have Jog-A-Thons?
We're excited to share how the funds raised from the yearly Jog-A-Thon impact our Associated Student Body account. We are so thankful for the generous support of previous Jog-A-Thons and hope we've proven how we've made our campus a special place for students to come to school. Our Jog-A-Thon is more than just a fundraiser — it’s an opportunity to bring our community together to support all the extras that make school a place where students feel connected, celebrated, and excited to learn. The funds raised go directly into our Associated Student Body (ASB) account, which allows us to go above and beyond the basics to make school fun.
Where Do the Funds Go?
Your support makes a difference for every student! Jog-A-Thon funds help cover field trip fees for each grade level, support athletics, academic teams, and the performing arts, provide monthly student awards, and even pay for every Jog-A-Thon t-shirt. Thanks to these funds, our students enjoy things like theater lights for holiday performances and other special touches that make our Dry Creek experience unique and memorable.
History Day Sign-Ups
It’s time for History Day sign-ups! If you have a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader who is interested in joining this rewarding academic adventure, check out the information below to get them involved.
Bhangra Dance Team
We are excited to invite 4th, 5th, or 6th grade students who are interested in learning Bhangra to join us for our collaboration with Century and Woods Elementaries. We had a great showing of Dry Creek students for our Folkloric team and are excited to now offer Bhangra as well. See below for more information.
Smart Watch Distractions
We are seeing more and more smart watches coming to school, which can be helpful for communication but also distracting during class time. Messages, calls, and notifications can pull students away from learning. We ask that families support us by putting watches in “school mode” or silencing them during the day. Students should not be sending messages via their watch during the school day. If you need to reach your child urgently, please call the front office and we’ll make sure they get the message. This small step helps keep students focused and our classrooms calm and productive. Thank you for partnering with us!
In Gratitude & Service,
Mrs. Gill
📣 Dry Creek Families, get ready! 🦖 Our biggest fundraiser of the year is finally here — the Jurassic Creek Jog-A-Thon 2025: Run with the Dinosaurs! Students will jog laps alongside classmates and a few “dinosaurs” on September 24th to show their Panther Pride and help raise funds for field trips, enrichment, and student programs. 🏃♀️🐾
Check out all the details (including this year's promo video!) in this special edition of the Panther Express 👉 https://secure.smore.com/n/r5ad3
Let’s make this year’s Jog-A-Thon dino-mite! 💙💛
Cash/check donations also welcome. Please use the envelope that was sent home with your child earlier this week.
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our Dry Creek community for being awarded state recognition for our implementation of PBIS, a framework for teaching social-emotional and behavioral skills using multi-tiered system of supports!
For parents of students actively participating in fall sports that would like to receive updates from coaches via Parent Square, you can join the following groups if you aren't already receiving updates:
Football:
https://www.parentsquare.com/groups/join/sdxjexx2ez
Cross Country:
https://www.parentsquare.com/groups/join/w6hle9wjpc
Girls Volleyball:
- Drop-off and pick-up must take place in the back parking lot on Nees Avenue. This is the only approved location for all grade levels.
- The white and green curbs at the front of the school are for TK and Kindergarten drop-off only. This area is a drop-off zone, not a parking location.
- Follow staff directions at all times. Our staff are working to keep traffic moving and children safe—please respect their guidance.
- Stay alert and distraction-free. Phones, rushing, and unsafe maneuvers put lives at risk.
- Use crosswalks only. Students should never be allowed to run across the street or the parking lot.
- Follow traffic laws. U-turns are not allowed in the middle of the street unless permitted by posted traffic signs.
Please review Clovis Unified District Website for full details regarding Dress Code here - https://www.cusd.com/DressCode.aspx
Below are a few excerpts to highlight:
- The CUSD dress code exists as part of our district's overall mission to prepare and equip students to be successful in life after high school.
- We believe as a district that attention to appearance and a student’s attitude toward self and school are related.
- In January 2022, the Clovis Unified Governing Board updated the district’s dress code following a months-long, extensive review with students, parents and staff.
- The dress code applies to all students in grades TK-12. Use of best practices for dress code enforcement is part of ensuring that the dress code remains a positive part of our school climate, and gives clarity to what is acceptable.
- In annual surveys, a high majority of parents consistently voice their support of the district's dress code.
- For the complete Governing Board Dress Code Board Policy (including Administrative Regulations and Exhibits) in its entirety, click here and see below for additional information.
The accompanying graphic highlights a few examples of what is appropriate to wear to school and what is considered out of dress code. Please be mindful of what is out of dress code and if those items are in your child's wardrobe, please help monitor your child's choices to ensure they are not coming to school with clothing that is determined to be out of dress code. In the event a child is out of dress code, we will work with the student and family to get them back into dress code as soon as possible in order to avoid missing as little classroom instruction as possible. Parents can play a pivotal role in helping to ensure their child's dress is following the board policy and we appreciate your family's support in meeting these policies.
Birthday Marquee is available for families to recognize their child's birthday! Help celebrate your child's birthday by wishing him/her a Happy Birthday on the school's marquee (Nees sidewalk near crosswalk). Submit your birthday by the 25th of the month prior to your child's birthday. Birthday wishes will be posted for a week. Sign up and pay $20 online.
Please remember, if any birthday treats are being brought to school to share with the class, bring those to the front office, not directly to the classroom. Items must be store bought. We appreciate you giving your child's teacher at least one day's notice if treats will be dropped off. Thank you!
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Dry Creek Elementary
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/