Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
February 11, 2022 - Volume 43, Issue 23
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, United States
Phone: 410-313-6866
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
February
- 14 - School Spirit Day - Wear Red for Valentine's Day
- 14 - CogAT for 3rd Grade
- 15 - CogAT for 3rd Grade
- 15 - Strings Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m.
- 15 - Band Winter Concert, 7:30 p.m.
16 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early 12:45 p.m. - 18 - CogAT for 3rd Grade
- 22 - Current 5th Grade - Middle School Class Registration Closes
- 21 - JUST CHANGED Schools and Offices OPEN - President's Day. On 1-27, the Board of Education changed this to an inclement weather make-up day.
- 21 - Related Arts Red Day
- 22 - Clemens Crossing Day - Celebrate CCES's 43rd Anniversary - Wear CCES apparel
March
- 1 - Women's History Month
- 1 - Youth Art Month
- 1 - Vision and Hearing Screening for Kindergarten and 1st Grade
- 7 - Kindergarten and New 1st Grade Registration Begins
- 9 - Spring Class and Individual Pictures
- 16 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m.
- 25 - PTA International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 26 - PTA Skate Night at Supreme Sports Club, 6:30 p.m.
To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.
School Calendar
Related Arts Color Days
From School Administrators
This week concludes the first of nine, five-day weeks. Hopefully, we will not have any disruptions due to the weather or COVID varients. This period of time is a great opportunity for incredible learning and growth over the next eight weeks prior to spring break. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Mr. Cosentino and Mrs. Gittleson
NEW INFORMATION
PTA Outdoor Ice Skating
CCES will be taking over the Color Burst Park skating rink (at Merriweather) on 2/19 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. We are allowed to have up to 90 skaters during that time. Please use the sign-up to register for a spot. All students, siblings, and parents who will be skating must register.
There is a $10 charge for each skater payable through our Paypal link: (https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1887741). You will be asked to give your Paypal email so that we can verify payment and add you to our list.
We can't wait to see you on the ice!
The Importance of Attendance
Attendance in school is extremely important for student success. To stay on track in school, students need to be present every day. Missing 18 or more days of school in a year puts a child’s high school graduation at risk according to BoostUp.org, a national dropout prevention campaign. Being absent for just two days every month of the school year can put a child behind academically.
Students with regular attendance are more likely to read well by third grade and score higher on tests. They also tend to be more engaged in school and feel better about themselves.
Make school a priority. Every absence (excused or not), can impact a child’s academic achievement. Talk to your child about how important their education is. Make daily routines for homework and waking up on time for school. Maintain communication with teachers and keep an eye on your child’s academic progress.
Make a plan. If your schedule or transportation situation makes getting your child to school a challenge, ask for assistance. Make a carpool or transportation plan with other parents or family members, or ask your school principal for community programs or school initiatives that may help. Report In. Know your school’s attendance policies. If an absence or early dismissal is unavoidable, contact your school. If your family’s religious observances fall on school days, let teachers know early in the year which days your child will miss.
Schedule wisely. Know your school’s calendar, and arrange doctor and dentist appointments after school, on weekends, or during holiday breaks, if possible. Resist the urge to schedule vacations when students will miss school. This gives students the impression that school is not a priority.
Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level principals, may be reproduced by National Association of Elementary School Principals members without permission.
Reporting Absences
To report a student's absence please email the following group email address: CCESAbsence@hcpss.org. In your message please include the student's first and last name, grade, teacher, why they were absent and the days absent.
The school must receive a note, handwritten or emailed, from the parent or physician explaining the absence/tardiness of a student within two school days of the student’s return or the absence/tardiness will be unlawful/unexcused. When a doctor’s certification for chronic illness has been required and not provided within two school days of the student’s return, the absence/tardiness will be recorded as unlawful/unexcused until a doctor’s certificate is provided.
For absences of up to 3 days per year, the principal may determine whether the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused. Completed the Discretionary Absence Form (found on CCES website under School Resources). Submit the form to CCESAbsence@hcpss.org for the principal’s approval.
For absences in excess of three days, the principal in consultation with the administrative directors will determine if the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused. If the request is for 15 consecutive days or more, the written request should be submitted 2 weeks in advance.
Students with unlawful absences of 10 consecutive school days or more will be withdrawn from school and may be allowed to re-enroll, provided they meet enrollment requirements, upon their return. Students returning from lawful absences have an equal number of days to complete make-up work.
February 21, 2022 - Discretionary Absence Approval
Attendance Monitoring
Every other week, our Student Services Team (SST), meets to discuss attendance trends and patterns. The SST consists of school administrators, the school counselor, the school psychologist, the school nurse, and the pupil personnel worker.
The SST reviews every students' attendance rate, and we work to figure out ways to help families improve attendance. Parents/Guardians can expect a call of concern from a teacher and a connection from an SST member prior to receiving a more formal attendance letter. As stated above, attendance is crucial for success in school, and we are here to help with that.
Synergy ParentVUE App
Access Family File Contents
Did you know that our student management system, Synergy, has a parent app? You can access Family File, Report Cards, School Directory, Conference Schedules, and Test Scores all through the app. Simply go to the Apple Store or Google Store to download Synergy ParentVue to install it on your smartphone.Tool to Help Pronounce Names
In addition to those functions listed above, the app has a special function that can only be found on the app. When you log in to the app and access your child's information, there is a place where you can record the correct pronunciation of your child's name. Simply click on the megaphone/volume icon in each student's profile and record your child's name.
We value pronouncing student and family names correctly. We believe this is essential in welcoming students and their families to our school and classrooms. This is so important to us as a school to get it right. Help us by recording your child's name using the ParentVUE App. Having this tool helps us clearly and accurately pronounce names.
Books and Bundts
Field Day Volunteers
Our annual Field Day will take place on June 3rd, 2022 with a rain date of June 6th.
Each year, we need parent volunteers to run our events. Please indicate, using this link, if you would like to assist us. You will receive a notification from us to let you know we received your correspondence. Plan to arrive at school at 9:00 a.m. and no later as your punctuality is imperative to a successful start!
During our field day activities, each station requires a captain. The Captain is the volunteer that is the point person for each station for Mr. Griffis and Mr. Robinson. The Captains role is to have a clear understanding of the expectations for the event and is in charge of the scoring at that event.
Our field day emphasizes team spirit and good sportsmanship. The morning events will end at 12:40. If you are selected for the Scores table you will be required to stay until at least 1 pm.
Mr. Robinson/Mr. Griffis
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Arrival Times and Start of School
As many of you know, arrival is a carefully orchestrated period of time. We will continue to open our doors before 9:00 a.m. Please be sure students arrive no later than 9:13 am. Our car loop staff will leave their post at 9:12 a.m. so they can be ready for instruction at 9:15 a.m. Students are considered late at 9:15 a.m. and need to be signed in by an adult in the vestibule.
Accessing Quarter 2 Report Cards
Report cards will be accessible via HCPSS Connect Synergy after 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31. Parents/guardians may access them following the instructions for accessing report cards online. Answers to frequently asked questions on grades and testing can be found online
CogAT Testing
This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to GT students in 5th grade and 5th grade students who have not previously taken the assessment and all 3rd grade students. The CogAT is a group-administered abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.
The test is made of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The CogAT helps educators understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.
The CogAT will be administered to 3rd graders:
Monday, February 14th (9:20-10:20)
Tuesday, February 15th (9:20-10:20)
Friday, February 18th (9:20-10:20)
The CogAT will be administered to new 5th graders and students in GT Math:
Wednesday, February 23rd (11:50-12:50)
Thursday, February 24th (11:50-12:50)
Friday, February 25th (11:50-12:50)
No special preparation is required. Just send your child to school on time and ready to learn as you do daily.
Please contact Jaime Gittleson at Jaime_Gittleson@hcpss.org if you have any questions about your child’s involvement with the CogAT assessment.
Substitute Teachers at Clemens Crossing Elementary School
We are seeking substitute teachers to work with our students when teachers are absent.
Below, please find some details regarding the position.
The Substitute Teacher instructs students during the absence of a regular teacher. Substitute Teachers are expected to maintain a professional attitude toward their work and support the mission and goals of the school system. Substitute Teachers are assigned on an as needed basis and are temporary employees. Substitute Teachers hours are 8:55 am - 4:00 pm each day.
A minimum of an Associates Degree or successful completion of 60 credit hours is required.
An official college transcript is required and must be uploaded to the online application.
Daily Rate of Pay
Non-degreed (Minimum of 60 credits) $100.00 per day
Degreed (Bachelors or higher) $110.00 per day
Retired Teacher (Must provide verification) $125.00 per day
Long-Term Pay
Non-degreed (Minimum of 60 credits) $125.00 per day
Degreed (Bachelors or higher) $135.00 per day
Retired Teacher (Must provide verification) $135.00 per day
Communication, initiative, and flexibility are important attributes for those filling the position(s).
Interested applicants can go to the following link below to begin the application process. Jaime Gittleson at jaime_gittleson@hcpss.org when you have competed all parts of the application.
Through a partnership with the HCHD and several local pharmacies, HCPSS is pleased that students have multiple opportunities to get vaccinated.
Reporting Absences
Absence Notes
All students are required to have a note explaining why they were absent. Please send an email to your child's teacher as well as ccesabsence@hcpss.org.