A Message From Our Superintendent

August 2026

Dear Bears,

Summer brought the Cloudcroft community some much-needed rain, a wide variety of family activities, and a chance for school staff to recharge before we come together once again for another successful school year!

Registration for all new and returning students took place on Thursday, July 23 and on Friday, July 24. The 2026–2027 school year kicks off on August 3 with professional development for our dedicated staff, and August 5 is the first day of school for students. Be sure to join us for our annual Back-to-School BBQ on Thursday August 6 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. immediately following Open House that same day at 4:00 p.m. For specific dates and times, please visit the district calendar here on our website—we’re excited for all that the new year has in store!

We are incredibly proud of our TSA team, who traveled to Washington DC for the 2026 National TSA Conference. Paula Finch placed 11th for her Promotional Design, and the Senior Solar Sprint team consisting of Xander Newton, Gena Davis, Chris Yousif and Jadon Myers won top 10 finalists. Be sure to follow our Facebook page to celebrate our students’ achievements and stay connected to their ongoing success.

Our Summer Youth Programs were a huge success. Between rain showers, our staff and students participated in many activities – gardening, arts & crafts, reading programs, hikes, and swimming! Special thanks to our committed staff for their dedication and energy in delivering these valuable programs to our community.

Thank you all for supporting our programs and our students. I encourage all of our families to regularly visit our website for important updates, including the 2026-27 school calendar, updated handbooks, and other key information. Staying informed and actively engaged in our school community plays a vital role in supporting our students’ success and creating a strong partnership between home and school.

Enjoy these sweet final days of summer! We miss hearing our classrooms and hallways full of chatter and can’t wait to welcome each student back through our doors on August 5!

Go, Bears!

Jocelyne Driscoll-Gillespie

Jocelyne Driscoll-Gillespie
Superintendent
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools