Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
May 18 2018 - VOLUME 39, ISSUE 32
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Edward Cosentino, Principal
Elizabeth Yankle, 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
Events Coming Up
visit cces.hcpss.org/calendar.
May
- 21 - Schoolwide Showcase (Science Fair, Enrichment Fair, PTA Reflections, and Classroom displays), 6:30 p.m.
- 22 - Middle School Visitation, 9:30 a.m.
- 23 - Spring Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m.
- 24 - Field Day (Rain Date on 5/25)
- 25 - WLHS Graduation, 2:30 p.m.
- 28 - Schools Closed - Memorial Day
- 30 - School Spirit Day: Wear Red, White, and Blue
- 30 - 5th Grade - Simulated Congressional Hearing
- 30 - In-School Banking (final for the year)
- 31 - AHS Graduation, 11:00 a.m.
June
- 1 - PTA Spring Carnival, 5:00 p.m. (rescheduled from 5/17).
- 4 - Field Trip to Pointers Run ES for students being redistricted
- 4 - Move-up Day for K-4
- 5 - PTA Restaurant Night: Chick-fil-a, 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Profits will support our Green School Initiative
- 8 - Kindergarten End of Year Program and Picnic, 9:30 a.m.
- 12 - School Spirit Day - Hat Day
- 12 - REVISION - Full School Day
- 12 - 2nd Grade Picnic, 12:35 p.m.
- 13 - REVISION - Full School Day
- 13 - 1st Grade - Author's Celebration and Picnic, 11:00 a.m.
- 14 - REVISION - Full School Day
- 14 - End of Marking Period
- 14 - Flag Day - Wear red, white, and blue
- 14 - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 9:30 a.m.
- 14 - 4th Grade Book Viewing and Picnic, 12:30 p.m.
- 15 - Early Dismissal - All schools lose 3-hours early. CCES dismisses at 12:45 p.m.
- 15 - 5th Grade Picnic, 9:30 a.m.
- 15 - 3rd Grade Picnic, 10:45 a.m.
- 18 - Early Dismissal - All schools close 3-hours early. CCES dismisses at 12:45 p.m.
- 19 - Last Day of School - Schools are Open for a Half Day.
CCES Dismisses at 12:45 p.m. Inclement Weather Make-up Day #5.
From School Administration
In the coming weeks, our Fifth Graders will conduct their Simulated Congressional Hearings as a culmination of their Social Studies units this year.
Last week, the Instrumental Concerts were a huge hit. If you missed the concert, go to our Twitter feed to view them. Next week, our Chorus students will take the stage for their Spring Concert. We are sure that the concert will be a hit!
In addition to finishing strong academically, we are excited about the fun events that the end of the year brings. Field Day, field trips, and picnics to name a few, are memorable events in the waning days of the school year. We hope you can join us and experience the exciting events that make elementary school so special.
Thank You!
Teacher Appreciation Week was truly appreciated by our staff. Many thanks to
Mrs. Danielle Taymoorian, PTA Hospitality Chairperson, for organizing all of the wonderful treats and meals. Thank you to our families for your donations, cards, notes and your recognition of our very talented staff!
Restaurant Day
Tuesday, Jun 5, 2018, 06:00 AM
Chick-fil-A, Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD, USA
Field Day 2018
Our Annual Field Day will take place on Thursday, May 24, 2018 (rain date of Friday, May 25).
Each year, we require many parent volunteers to run our events. Please use the Google form below if you would like to assist us. You will receive notification from us to let you know we received your correspondence.
Plan to arrive at school no later than 9:00 a.m. as your punctuality is imperative to a successful start!
Our Field Day emphasizes team spirit and good sportsmanship. The morning events will end at 12:40 p.m. with the Students gathering together at 3:00 p.m. for the Awards Ceremony. (Space limitations for the awards ceremony allow for students only).
If you are selected for Scores table, you will be required to stay until at least 1:00 p.m.
The students are being asked to wear the color T-Shirt that matches the squad color they sit in during PE. (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, or Orange).
If you are available to volunteer, please complete the form below.
Mr. Robinson/Mr. Griffis
Prepare for Field Day
In addition to the colored tee-shirt, students should wear sneakers, and bring hats and water bottles labeled with their names. Please remember to apply sunscreen in the morning before school.
Spring Concerts on Twitter and Periscope
- Chorus - May 23 at 7:00 p.m.
From the Health Room
Allergy Season
The Health Room is seeing many children with pollen and seasonal allergy symptoms, mostly itchy eyes & congestion. We are seeing students as they get off the bus and at recess. Please consider giving your child their allergy medication prior to school.
Sunscreen
Please consider applying sunscreen on your child before school. The application of sunscreen is not allowed during school by our staff or by students.
Important Notice: Netflix Series 13 Reasons Why
HCPSS Parents and Community,
We want to make you aware that Netflix is scheduled to release the second season of a series entitled 13 Reasons Why on May 18, 2018. The original series, released in March of 2017, revolves around a 17 year-old who has died by suicide, leaving behind audio recordings for the 13 people who she says contributed to her taking her own life. The series is rated TV - MA and can be graphic, intense, and emotional for some viewers. The first season became extremely popular among adolescents, and raised significant concerns for parents, educators, and mental health professionals as a result of the graphic portrayal of a range of difficult issues and behaviors.
Netflix has not yet confirmed Season 2 storylines, however, they have indicated that most characters will return and that difficult issues will again be explored. It is also possible that, in an effort to be ‘caught up’ prior to the beginning of Season 2, children may choose to watch or rewatch the original season.
While people may have differing opinions on the appropriateness of children and adolescents watching the series, we can use this as an opportunity to reinforce positive mental health practices. It is critical that we consider safe messaging when we talk to all youth and adolescents about suicide, whether it is about this series or a situation that involves them more closely. Therefore, we are providing these suggestions, developed by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to help you answer concerns or have a healthy discussion with your child about this topic.
- Ask your child if they have seen or plan to watch the series 13 Reasons Why. We encourage you to discuss what they have heard or viewed and provide an opportunity for open, honest conversations about the content and themes of the series.
- If you are concerned that your child is displaying signs that something is wrong (i.e., suicide threats - direct or indirect, changes in behavior, talking about death, etc.), don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help.
- Ask your child if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any of the warning signs.
- Listen to your children’s comments without judgment. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.
- If you are concerned for your child’s safety or the safety of one of their peers please seek help from your school counselor, school psychologist, a community-based mental health provider or call 911 for immediate assistance.
As always, if you have concerns about the mental or emotional well-being of your child, related to the series or not, seek help from a community-based mental health provider, school counselor, school psychologist or other student services staff at your child’s school. Some additional resources about the series or local mental health resources are listed below:
Resources Related to 13 Reasons Why:
- 13 Reasons Why cast video encouraging help-seeking behaviors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU-iQ9mA31Y
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 13 Reasons Why, Season 2 Information http://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators/information-regarding-the-upcoming-release-of-13-reasons-why-season-2
- NASP 13 Reasons Why, Season 1 Considerations for Families http://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-families
- Talking Points about 13 Reasons Why from JED Foundation (available in Spanish) https://www.jedfoundation.org/13-reasons-why-talking-points/
Local Mental Health Resources:
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, Columbia, MD (410) 531-6677
- Howard County Mental Health Authority (410) 313-6300
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Are You Moving and Not Returning to CCES for the 2018-19 School Year?
PTA Planning for the 2018-19 School Year
The Clemens Crossing PTA needs your help! The PTA is looking for volunteers to fill several open positions for the 2018-2019 School Year. Many committees are short-term commitments (planning one event) and several can be done on your own time, without having to come to regular meetings or events. In fact, many positions are filled by several people who work as a team to plan the event. We warmly welcome all who may be interested -- it can be lots of fun to be more involved! Currently, the PTA is looking for volunteers for the positions/events described below.
If you have questions about any of the positions, please contact a member of our nominating committee (Risa Carlson -- risacarlson@gmail.com, Hyung Chang -- hschang23@gmail.com, or Dani Gardner -- dnr318@gmail.com)
PTA Council of Howard County Representative - PTA Council delegates are the all-important communication link between the CCES PTA and the PTA Council. CCES’ representative attends monthly PTACHC meetings and relays information at CCES PTA meetings.
Bingo Night - Coordinates Bingo night in the fall -- organizes volunteers and staff member mystery callers, purchases refreshments, and prizes.
Bulletin Board - Designs, decorates, and updates the PTA Bulletin Board in the front lobby of the school.
CAC Representative - The CAC is the Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education of Howard County. The CAC meets one evening a month and facilitates communication between the Board and the community on issues of concern and matters involving education. The CAC Representative is a liaison between the CCES PTA and the Board of Education.
Career Day - Supports the guidance counselor during Career Day for grades 3 to 5. Needs to be on-site for the entire career day (8:15 am to 2:00 pm). Guidance counselor recruits speakers and develops the schedule for the day. Committee chairperson organizes volunteers
for the day, orders and sets up breakfast and lunch for the speakers, helps volunteers check in speakers and direct them to the appropriate classroom, and cleans up at the conclusion of the event.
Communications - Oversees communication of PTA information to parents, teachers, and community including creating/editing PTA new for Cougar Comments, helping update PTA bulletin board, coordinating the management of content with Website and Social Media chairs. Creativity and writing skills are great skills for this position.
Diversity - Maintains the showcase at the entrance of the school with displays for Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month, etc.. Creates opportunities to involve and support the diverse international backgrounds and religions in our CCES community.
Fitness and Health - Organizes a team from CCES to run in the Howard County 5K. Plans and organizes Family Fit Night in January. Arranges a possible CCES Orioles Night at Camden Yards.
JA in a Day - Assists the principal in organizing and finding volunteers for the JA in a Day program at school.
Newcomers - Coordinates the Family Mentoring Program: identifies volunteers at each grade level who would be willing to host playdates and answer questions for new families joining our CCES Community.
Parent Partners - Recruits parent volunteers who are available during the school day to work with individual students once a week throughout the year. Work closely with the assistant principal to set up volunteer schedule at the start of the year. Serve as a liaison between CCES and parent volunteers as needed.
Policy - Advises the PTA on policies and legal issues and facilitates bylaw update process (bylaws are updated every three years).
Spirit Wear - Coordinates sale of spirit wear including identifying merchandise to be included in sale and working with vendor, collecting orders and payments, and distributing merchandise.
Spring Carnival - Coordinates annual school carnival which includes securing food/entertainment vendors, purchasing prizes, coordinating games and mobilizing volunteers (parents and local high school students) to run the games.
Talent Show - Organizes school talent show including creating and distributing flier, overseeing auditions, creating program schedule, advertising event to CCES community, and overseeing activities on event night.
Volunteer Coordinator - Oversees CCES volunteer activity. Creates a spreadsheet of who volunteers for which committee at the beginning of the year, answers questions about volunteer opportunities within the PTA and coordinates the assembly of the first day folders. Also, serves
as POC for Room Parents. Works with President and administration to schedule Fall and Spring Room Parent Meetings.
PTA Spring Carnival POSTPONED
5th Grade Parents, WLMS PTSA Needs You!
Are you interested in joining the Wilde Lake Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) as a board or committee member? Elections will be held on June 5th at the 7:00 p.m. PTSA Meeting. Interested in the PTSA?
Here is the link to the form online for the website -
https://goo.gl/forms/5jez72wIDiDwwhKE2.
Note: The Public Information Office encourages all community organizations to distribute notices electronically through this online resource. However, organizations may choose to distribute printed documents, such as the 2018 Parent Guide, through student backpacks, etc. per the provisions of HCPSS Policy 10010. For more information, please refer to Distribution Guidelines for Schools. Contact the Public Information Office with any questions, at 410-313-6682 or publicinfo@hcpss.org.