Cloverdale Connection - October 5th, 2026

Last Thursday, we were thrilled to host author Trudy Ludwig, who gave an inspiring and interactive presentation to our students. Following a engaging read-aloud, she introduced seven real-world strategies students can keep in their "toolbelt" to handle unkind behavior.

Ask your child to teach you about these 7 strategies:

We are actively encouraging students to use these tools to build confidence and independence in resolving everyday peer conflicts. Some of these techniques may sound unique, so we encourage you to ask your child to explain how they work!

On Friday, our entire school gathered to read Trudy Ludwig’s book, Trouble Talk. The story follows Maya and her friend Bailey, whose hurtful words—gossip, rumors, and shared secrets—begin to cause real harm to the people around them. Guided by a compassionate school counselor, the characters learn to recognize the impact of their words and build healthier, more supportive friendships.

Today, your child is bringing h

ome their very own copy of Trouble Talk! We strongly encourage you to read it together as a family.

By sharing this story at home, we can align our conversations across our entire school community. Using shared phrases like "trouble talk" and "tools in our toolbelt" gives our children a consistent, positive framework when navigating challenging peer interactions.

Navigating gossip and hurtful communication is a real struggle—not just for children, but for adults as well. When we talk openly about these situations, we help our kids build empathy and healthy boundaries.

To help guide your family discussion, here are a few reflection prompts to try after reading:

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. 

The moment has come to celebrate our students and families amazing hard work for our PTO fundraiser - the jog-a-thon!  This has been the most successful year yet and we truly can't thank you enough for all your support.  This will benefit our students greatly for the school year.  THANK YOU! 

The Great ShakeOut is an earthquake drill designed to help Oregonians practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during an earthquake. By participating, we will not only contribute to our own organization’s preparedness but also promote safety awareness throughout our communities.

Join us for our October PTO meeting! Discover how you can take an active role in your child's education and make a lasting impact on our school community. Whether you have fresh ideas, a little time to lend, or simply want to stay informed, your voice is needed!

Please mark your calendars! There will be no school on Oct.23rd for a Teacher Work Day, followed by two days of Parent-Teacher Conferences on Oct. 26th and 27th.

In October, teachers will send out conference sign-up sheets via ParentSquare. Be sure to schedule a time to hear all about how your child is doing in school. Parent-teacher communication and collaboration is the best way to support your child’s success—we look forward to connecting with you!

Picture Retake Day is right around the corner! If your child missed picture day or you’d like a new photo, this is your chance for a redo.