A Message From Our Superintendent

July 2026

Dear Bears,

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer and finding ways to relax while taking advantage of the wonderful mountain weather. Although many of our staff and students are enjoying a well-deserved break, preparations for the 2026–2027 school year are already in full swing. Throughout the summer, our custodial and maintenance teams have been working diligently to deep clean classrooms, wax and refinish floors, complete repairs, inspect building systems, improve our grounds, and tackle numerous maintenance projects across the district. Their dedication ensures that our schools remain safe, clean, welcoming, and well-maintained for every student, staff member, and visitor. At the same time, teachers, administrators, and support staff are planning curriculum, preparing classrooms, and coordinating professional learning to ensure another outstanding year for our students. While summer offers a chance to recharge, it is also one of our busiest seasons as we prepare to welcome everyone back for another successful school year.

Summer Activities
Summer has already been filled with exciting opportunities for our Bears! We are incredibly proud of our Technology Student Association (TSA) students who represented Cloudcroft at the National TSA Conference in Washington, D.C., at the end of June. Competing on the national stage is an incredible accomplishment, and we congratulate each student for their dedication, preparation, and outstanding representation of our school and community.

Our Summer Youth Camp has also been a tremendous success, providing students with engaging learning experiences, recreational activities, and opportunities to build friendships while continuing to grow throughout the summer. Thank you to our staff members and volunteers who have invested their time and energy to make this program such a positive experience for our students.

2026–2027 School Calendar
The approved 2026-27 District Calendar is now available. We encourage all families to download or print a copy and keep it in a convenient location throughout the school year. Planning family appointments, vacations, and other activities around the school calendar helps maximize student attendance and supports academic success. The first day of school for students is Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and the final day of school is Friday, May 21, 2027.

Cloudcroft Municipal Schools will continue operating on a four-day instructional week, with classes held Tuesday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Please note that students are dismissed at 3:45 p.m., and we encourage parents to schedule pick-up and appointments accordingly.

We look forward to welcoming our Bears back for another exciting year of learning, growth, and achievement!

Registration for upcoming school year
We are excited to welcome all eligible students to enroll with Cloudcroft Municipal Schools. In-person registration is held every July to enroll your student(s) for the upcoming school year. Please bring proof of residence and immunization record for each child you wish to enroll. Birth certificates are also required for first-time enrollees.

High School registration: July 23 and 24, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., HS Commons
Elementary and Middle School Registration: July 24, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ES/MS Commons

This month, we have some fun and enriching opportunities:

• July 1–31: Football camp, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• July 4, 11, 18: Cheer camp, 10:00 a.m. to noon
• July 20–31: Band camp, Noon to 3:00 p.m.
• July – Volleyball Open Gym
  • Middle School: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  • High School – Monday/Wednesday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
• August 5: First Day of School
• August 6th: Back to School BBQ, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Check our website for full details and updates. We warmly wish you all a restorative summer break; it is much deserved. Many thanks to our students and teachers, support staff and leaders, parents and community for all your important work to connect and work together to serve our students, schools and community. As always, I am available and would love to speak with you. Please reach out via email or by phone at 575-601-4416. If you would like to stop by, please make an appointment with our administrative secretary, Grace White. Wishing you a vibrant spring and summer.

Go, Bears!

Jocelyne Driscoll-Gillespie

Jocelyne Driscoll-Gillespie
Superintendent
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools