Welcome Back Newsletter - 2025 - 26 (T-shirt Size Needed)

Posted Date: 8/18/25 (10:03 AM)

Cloverdale Connection

"It's Not Luck, It's Hard Work!"

August 18, 2025

Principal's Message

We’re gearing up for the 2025–26 school year and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our amazing Cloverdale students back to campus! For our new families, I’m Julia Bradley, principal of Cloverdale Elementary. I feel so grateful to be part of a community filled with incredible staff, dedicated parents, and students who inspire us every single day.

Every Monday, you’ll receive our weekly newsletter, your one-stop shop for updates, upcoming events, and key information to keep you connected. You can read it however you prefer whether on our app, in your email inbox, on our Facebook page, or on our school website (links below).

This first edition will be the longest one of the year, because I’m excited to introduce you to our new staff and share all the essential school information up front. You’ll also find a full list of important dates for the year. Perfect for those who like to plan ahead.

Here’s to a year of learning, laughter, and making unforgettable memories together.

With appreciation,

Julia Bradley, Principal

Meet our New Cloverdale Staff

Lexa Jorgensen - Kindergarten

Hello! My name is Lexa Jorgensen and I am one of the kindergarten teachers at Cloverdale this year. This will be my 11th year of teaching, 9 of which I have taught kindergarten. I live in Albany with my husband Nick and our three cats Benny, Dino, and Kolly. I am so excited to be a part of this community and get to know all of you. I am looking forward to having a great year filled with learning and creating memories.

Kristen Plazas - Kinder / 1st Grades

Hello! My name is Kristen Plazas. I'm originally from North Carolina and relocated to Oregon this summer. I have 8 years of teaching experience and am excited to be your child's new K/1 combo teacher at Cloverdale. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our furry crew. I'm looking forward to a great year of learning together!

Renee West - 2 / 3rd Grades

Hello, I’m Renee West and this is my 2nd year at Cloverdale. Last year I was a Long-term sub teaching 1st & 2nd grade. It was a wonderful year getting to know the staff and students here. I’m excited to join the Cloverdale family full time this year as the 2nd & 3rd grade teacher! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this fall and getting to know our school families more.

Breanna Culbertson - 4th Grade

My name is Breanna Culbertson and I will be the 4th grade teacher this year! I graduated from Western Oregon University with my bachelor’s in Elementary Education and I am currently earning my master’s in Curriculum & Instruction! Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family and traveling with friends! I’m so excited to begin this school year at Cloverdale!!

Kyrianna Sorensen - 4 / 5th Grades

My name is Kyrianna Sorensen. I am a mom of 2 boys, Remington (age 8) and Titus (age 6). I am going into my 6th year of teaching with my Master's degree in teaching elementary education. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade and will be teaching 4th and 5th this year! Outside of teaching, I love coffee, sports, camping, any activity on any body of water, and spending time with my family. I am excited to join the Cloverdale community and look forward to meeting my students and their families!

Jon Ang - Music

Hello! My name is Johnathan Ang and I have been an Elementary music teacher in Jefferson County School District since 2018. With a background of live performance and recording as a drummer in LA, I am eager to bring my diverse repertoire of music, and balance of challenge and fun to the classroom.

Soren Sorensen - Half Time PE

Hello everybody! Mr. S here. I will be teaching PE every Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Mrs. Hawkins will teach Mondays and Tuesdays. I am REALLY looking forward to being back and team teaching with Mrs. Hawkins. This will be my 37th year teaching and I can't wait to be back with Cloverdale students and staff!

Returning Staff at Cloverdale

Andrea Kaderly - Interventionist IA
Becky Young - 2nd Grade Teacher
Carianne Gramzow - 5th Grade Teacher
DeAnna Whitener- Interventionist IA
Erica Etzel - SPED IA
Faith Drill - Resource Teacher
Hannah Hawkins - Half Time PE Teacher
Holly Fiskum - Librarian
Jamie Everitt -SpEd IA
Jennifer Majors - Instructional Assistant
Jessica Augsburger - Counselor
Julia Bradley - Principal
Karen Cave - Food Services Head Cook
Katy Gahlsdorf - ELD / Reading Specialist
Kendra Schlabach - 3rd Grade
Lisa Kroes - Interventionist IA
Mariah Sichley- Food Services Assistant
Rebekah Meeks - Interventionist IA
Shannon Stinnett - Math Specialist
Shelli Crabtree - Instructional Assistant
Shelly Baughman - Office Manager
Sherri Parker - Library Assistant
Tori Reul - Interventionist IA
Trisha Rutherford - 1st Grade Teacher
Troy West - Custodian
Wendy Smith - Speech Pathologist

School Information

Registration Deadline & Documents Needed

Just a friendly reminder about online registration and the documents we need from you. Please be sure to complete online registration as soon as possible - all accurate class information is gleaned from this!! If you're new to the Cloverdale family, please remember to provide us with your birth certificates, vaccination records, and proof of residency. For our existing families, a current Proof of Residency document is ONLY needed if you have moved or your student changes campuses, ie: moved to Middle School. This document needs to be a utility bill, tax/mortgage statement, or similar, showing your name and address, tieing you to the property. Thanks for your cooperation!

Class Lists

Class lists will be posted by 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 28th. These will be posted in the kitchen window near the lower parking lot. However, you can always save yourself a trip by logging in to your ParentSquare app and see which teacher your child is assigned to!

Open House - Thursday, September 4th 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Can’t wait to meet your child’s new teacher?

Come join us for our Cloverdale Open House!

Wander through classrooms, explore our hallways, and soak up the excitement of a new school year. You’ll have the chance to meet your child’s teacher, connect with new friends, and share a warm “hello” with familiar faces from years past.

First Day of School

Grades 1-5, the first day of school is September 2nd, 2025.
Kindergarten first day of school is September 8th, 2025.

Kindergarten Assessments

KG students will have assessments from September 2nd to 4th, with assigned time slots. A separate email has been sent to KG families with a reminder of your chosen assessment time. KG students' first full day of school will be on September 8th, 2025.

Bell Schedule

We send students to class at 7:42 AM. This provides enough time for students to put away their coats, backpacks, etc. and be in their seat for the bell at 7:50.

Teachers will line up on the blacktop at 2:15. Please wait for us to send your child out to you.

Student Drop Off

You can drop off your child at the lower gate starting at 7:30 AM. Just a friendly reminder, please don't drop them off at the upper parking lot or on the road. If the parking lot is full, please use the gravel parking lot across the street.

Student Pick-Up

Students will line up at the lower parking lot around 2:15. We understand that schedules get busy but we request that collect your child no later than 2:30 PM. Again, if the parking lot is full, please use the gravel parking lot across the street.

Parking Lot Flow

If you are dropping off or picking up your child(ren) by car, please stop at the green candlestick cones to do so. A staff member will be there to assist your child in getting in and out of the car efficiently. Students should only exit out the passenger side.

Please consider others in the car line when dropping off children. If you need to exit your vehicle to open a door for a child, please move into a designated parking spot. Do not get out of your car. This will support a smoother flow of traffic for everyone involved. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Please see the map for the flow of traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. This is particularly important given the influx of new families and a new group of kindergarten parents. The map illustrates how we utilize the gravel parking area to alleviate traffic and prevent congestion on Parrish Gap. Please be aware that all cars must use the gravel parking lot regardless of whether they are approaching from the north or south. There are no left hand turns into the lower parking lot (near playground), unless you are parking.

Late Arrival / Late Pick-Up

Late Arrival:

If your child arrives after 7:50 AM, they must check in at the office for a tardy slip before heading to class.

Late Pick-Up:

If you think you might be running late and arriving after 2:30, just give us a call or send a message on Parent Square, and we'll make sure your child is waiting for you in the office. Thank you for your cooperation!

Pedestrian Safety

We ask that all pedestrians utilize the crosswalk area located in our lower parking lot during drop-off and pick-up times. A sign has been installed to ensure the safety of all pedestrians, including students, parents, and visitors during busy transition times.

After School Plans

Please communicate your after school plans with Ms. Shelly before the first day of school. It takes a great deal of time to organize this for all our students and our goal is to always get your child home safely and accurately. Your communication is greatly appreciated. sbaughman@cascade.k12.or.us or 503.749.8050 Ext. 5801

Student Supplies

Cloverdale has procured supplies for your child at a cost of $50.00. Please reimburse us by the end of the first week of school. You can pay in cash, check (payable to Cascade SD 5), or through the Mealtime app once registration is complete. Students are only required to provide a backpack and wired, over-the-head headphones for K-2nd grade only). If you would like to donate and help support a family (or are a family in need) with school supplies, please let Shelly Baughman know in the main office know as soon as possible. 503.749.8050 Ext. 5801

Meals

Breakfast and lunches at Cloverdale are, once again, FREE for the 25 -26 school year. Breakfast and lunch menus can be accessed here at Lunch Menu. Breakfast starts at 7:30 am. Additional entrees must be purchased.

School Snacks

Snacks are sold in the kitchen every day during recess. Options include a granola bar, fudgesicle, or fruit roll-up. If you prefer that your child does not use their MealTime account for snacks, please get in touch with Karen Cave at kcave@cascade.k12.or.us to have their account disabled. And as always, students are welcome to bring their own snacks from home that can be eaten at recess near the blue modular.

Student Medication

All medication needs to be brought directly to the main office in the original container. This includes cough drops, etc. If your child uses an inhaler, or EPI pen, please contact our school nurse to create a Health Management Plan. CascadeNurse@cascade.k12.or.us This is required before we can dispense your child's medication.

After School Program

Please remember the following information: Daycare is available on late starts and after school until 5:30 pm if you sign up in advance with Jackie Lovell. You can contact her at 541-979-0264 or jklovell7707@gmail.com. Jackie's Day Care operates separately from Cloverdale since it takes place outside of student contact time. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Jackie Lovell directly. Thank you.

Late Start Wednesdays

On late start days, school begins at 9:50am, and buses pick up 2 hours later than usual. This is a time for staff to engage in professional development in order to support student individual needs.

Student Absences

If your child will be absent from school, contact the office at 503.749.8050 ext 5801 or send a message to sbaughman@cascade.k12.or.us by 8:00 am on the day of the absence. Please note that unreported absences will trigger an automated call. Doctor's notes are required for 3 or more consecutive absences.

Recess

Students have recess daily. Please keep in mind that Cloverdale students go outside RAIN or SHINE. Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing for the cold and wet weather.

Special Schedules

PE Schedule Updates

We have PE 5 days/week at Cloverdale Elementary. Please be mindful of the appropriate clothing and shoe requirements for students to stay active and safe. Mrs. Hawkins will teach Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Wednesdays. Mr. Sorensen will teach Thursdays, Fridays, and alternate Wednesdays.

Library Schedule Updates

Library books are due on Mondays. This provides enough time for our library assistant to check in books and put them on the shelf in preparation for the next day. Students will check out new books on Tuesdays while having library learning with Mrs. Fiskum.

Music Schedule Updates

Music takes place on Wednesdays at Cloverdale. We are so excited to have Mr. Ang join us this year!

Volunteer

We encourage all parents to complete their background checks as soon as possible. Avoid waiting until just before an event or trip. The beginning of the school year tends to be busy, and processing these checks might take some time. Remember that these backchecks are valid for two years and cover all Cascade campuses. Use this Volunteer Background Check link to initiate the process. Please do this ASAP!

Cloverdale's Annual Jogathon

Cloverdale's annual Jogathon is early this year and will take place on Thursday, September 25th and we are in need of sponsors! If this is something you may be interested in doing, please reach out to our PTO President, Ellie Balencia, at 971-304-8711. This is our biggest fundraiser for the entire school year. Stay tuned for more information!

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

PTO Meetings

Our amazing PTO meets on the first Thursday of every month from 6:30–7:30 PM. This year, we’re lucky to have Ellie Kuenzie serving as our PTO president. We truly have a fantastic group of parents, and we’re so grateful for all the ways they support Cloverdale.

Coffee Connection @ Storm

Can’t make it to an evening PTO meeting but still want to connect with other Cloverdale parents? Join us for Coffee Connection every third Thursday at 8:30 AM at Storm Coffee in Turner. It’s a relaxed time to enjoy a warm beverage, swap stories, and build friendships with fellow parents.

Student Cloverdale Shirts

Our amazing PTO will now purchase a school shirt for every student this year! These will be worn on field trips, jogathon, and during special school events like Friday Cloverdale Gear Day. Thank you to our PTO!

Please fill out the form attached with your child's shirt size ASAP! You will need to fill out a new form for each individual child.

Cloverdale Gear

Proud to be a Clover? Every Friday is Cloverdale Gear Day. Wear your school shirts/ sweatshirts or just find anything GREEN! The Cloverdale Gear Store is open from now till 9/22/25. Click LINK Here Orders will be picked up at Stayton Sports and passed out to students when ready.

Helpful Links

Click on the links below

Cloverdale Web Page

Exclusion Guidelines

MealTime Online

Lunch Menu

Student-Parent Handbook

Family Resources

Student and Parent Portal

Volunteer

Emergency Closure

Immunization Guidelines

Cloverdale PTO Facebook Page

Cloverdale Facebook Page

Important Dates

Subject to change

A Year at a Glance

September

9.2 First Day of School 1st - 5th

9.2-4 Kindergarten Interviews

9.4 Open House

9.4 PTO Meeting

9.8 First Day of School - Kinder

9.10 Late Start

9.11 Jogathon Opening Assembly

9.19 Cloverdale Gear Store - Closes

9.24 Late Start

9.25 Jogathon

October

10.1 Picture Day

10.2 PTO Meeting

10.3 School Spirit - Mismatch Day

10.8 Late Start

10.10 No School - Teacher Work Day

10.13 - 17 Book Fair

10.13 Green Sales Start

10.16 Great Shake Out - Drill

10.17 Harvest Gathering

10.22 Late Start

10.24, 27 - 28 No School - Conferences

10.29 Picture Retakes

10.31 Shamrock Showcase - Adaptability

10.31 Costume Day

10.31 Green Sales End

November

11.6 PTO Meeting

11.7 Lucky Lunch

11.7 School Spirit - Western Day

11.10 Veteran's Assembly

11.11 No School - Holiday

11.20 PTO Coffee @ Storm

11.21 Shamrock Showcase - Collaboration

11.25 Greens Delivered

11.26- 12.1 No School - Holiday/ Grading

December

12.4 PTO Meeting

12.5 Lucky Lunch

12.10 Late Start

12.15 - 19 Candy Gram Sales

12.16 Winter Program

12.18 PTO Coffee Connection @ Storm

12.19 Shamrock Showcase - Empathy

12.19 School Spirit - Pajama Day

12.22 - 1.2 Winter Break

January

1.5 School Resumes

1.7 Late Start

1.9 Lucky Lunch

1.9 School Spirit - Crazy Hair Day

1.10 Makeovers & Memories (moms/ daughters)

1.14 PTO Coffee Connection @ Storm

1.19 No School - Holiday

1.21 Late Start

1.21 Family Night

1.26 No School- Conferences

1.30 Shamrock Showcase - Agency

February

2.4 Late Start

2.5 PTO Meeting

2.6 Lucky Lunch

2.6 School Spirit - Time Travel Day

2.9 - 12 Candy Gram Sales

2.16 No School - Holiday

2.18 Late Start

2.18 Grandparents BINGO

2.19 PTO Coffee Connections @ Storm

2.23 - 27 Book Fair

2.27 Shamrock Showcase - Integrity

March

3.2-6 Read Across America Week

3.3-6 Classified Appreciation Week

3.4 Late Start

3.4 National Safety Day (Fake Injury Day)

3.5 PTO Meeting

3.6 Lucky Lunch

3.6 School Spirit - Pajama Day

3.6 Talent Show Videos Due

3.7 Dad 'n Lad Derby Day

3.13 No School - Grading Day

3.17 Lucky Charm Day

3.18 Late Start

3.19 PTO Coffee Connection @ Storm

3.20 Shamrock Showcase - Purpose

3.20 Talent Show Assembly

3.23-27 No School - Spring Break

April

4.1 Late Start

4.2 PTO Meeting

4.3 Lucky Lunch

4.10 School Spirit - Career Day

4.11 Father/ Daughter Dance

4.15 Late Start

4.16 PTO Coffee Connection @ Storm

4.22 Earth Day - School Beautification

4.24 Shamrock Showcase - Resilience

4.29 Late Start

May

5.1 No School - Conferences

5.5 - 7 Certified Appreciation Week

5.7 PTO Meeting

5.8 Lucky Lunch

5.8 School Spirit - Classroom Color Day

5.9 Mother/ Son Field Day Fun

5.13 Late Start

5.21 PTO Coffee Connection @ Storm

5.21 Kinder Meet & Greet

5.22 Shamrock Showcase - Self-Awareness

5.25 No School - Holiday

5.27 Late Start

5.22 Shamrock Showcase

5.29 Lucky Lunch

June

6.4 PTO Meeting

6.5 Kinder Promotion

6.8 5th Grade Promotion

6.10 All School Field Trip

6.10 End of Year Family BBQ

6.11 Field Day

6.11 Last Day of School