Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
March 6, 2020 - Volume 41, Issue 25
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Sonia Hurd, 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
March
- 8 - Daylight Saving Begins
- 9 thru 13 - K & New Gr.1 Registration Week: Front Office, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 13 - Class Picture Day
- 13 - PTA International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 18 - Restaurant Night - On the Border
- 19 - Boys' Night Out, 6:30 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
- 20 - World Down Syndrome Day
- 25 - In-School Banking Day
- 25 - Maryland Day
- 26 - Cultural Arts During School: Andes Manta - Music from the Andes Mountains
April
- 1 - Arab American Heritage Month
- 2 - Makers Faire and Math Night (rescheduled from January), 6:15 p.m.
- 3 - World Autism Day
- 3 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early: Professional Work Day, 12:45 p.m.
- 3 - End of 3rd Quarter
- 4 thru 13 - SPRING BREAK
- 14 - School Reopens
- 23 - Take Your Child to Work Day
- 23 - CCES Talent Show (moved from 3/27)
- 28 - Schools and Offices Closed: Primary Election Day
- 29 - In-School Banking, 9:00 a.m.
To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.
From School Administration
Celebrate CCES Students
Last weekend was a very busy weekend for Clemens Crossing students. Over 50 students were part of the school play Aladdin Kids. It was an incredible production, and our students definitely showed off their amazing talents! On Saturday, third grade students participated in the Annual HCPSS Unheard Perspectives at Hammond Middle School. Our three groups earned awards for their outstanding presentations. Finally, the CCES Destination Imagination team competed in the regional competition on Saturday. The intermediate team earned first place in the region. They will continue to compete in the state competition later this month. The primary team earned sixth place. Great job everyone!
Third Quarter ROAR Focus
We recently had pep-rallies to highlight the "A" or "Achieving" in our ROAR expectations. What does it mean to be achieving? Perseverance, focus, and determination all help define what it means to be achieving. Ultimately, we are encouraging students to have a positive perspective and a growth mindset. Don't give-up and power through to a successful completion when it comes to what you are working on in and outside of school. It is okay to fail or struggle! Productive struggle can help students learn from mistakes and ultimately achieve. What can you do at home? Help your children power through adversity and overcome obstacles when they arise. We are looking forward to our students' success as they focus on one of our core values.
Coronavirus Information
If you have been following the news recently, you are aware of increasing concerns related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and in Maryland. We are all at a heightened level of awareness and concern. Superintendent, Dr. Michael Martirano, shared information about what the school system is doing to prepare for any possible spread of the virus in our area and its impact on our day to day operation in Howard County. On the school level, we want to reassure you that we are continuing to maintain and clean the school daily. There is a hand sanitizer station in the cafeteria for students to use, especially if they have recess before lunch. We added friendly reminders in all bathrooms to use warm water and soap while washing hands for at least 20 seconds. Teachers and staff are also encouraging students to wash hands regularly. Preventative measures can go a long way, and we need your help to reinforce that message at home. Students are more than welcome to have mini-bottles of hand sanitizer or wipes in the desks, lunch boxes, and backpacks.
If you missed Dr. Martirano's email or if you would like to learn more about HCPSS's preparation for the Coronavirus 2019 - COVID19, please visit the school system's website at https://www.hcpss.org/health/coronavirus/. We also included information below about community information sessions led by the Howard County Health Department.
NEW INFORMATION
Howard County Health Department Information Sessions: Coronavirus
The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) is holding community presentations about Coronavirus (COVID-19) at local libraries. Families are asked to sign up on the library website. CLICK HERE for more information, or to register for the information session.
The following are the times/locations:
Tuesday, March 10, 2020: Miller Library, 2:00-3:00 PM
The presentation that was held on 3/4/2020, from 7:00-8:30 PM at East Columbia Library, will be posted on YouTube for those unable to attend or who do not want to be in a public setting.
Visiting Author Postponed
Due to circumstances beyond his control, author/illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh is postponing his trip to Howard County. The Media Center staff have been working diligently on sharing his books that focus on social justice, art, history, and culture. Media Center staff will touch base with Mr. Tonatiuh in a month to see if he can reschedule for late May/early June. Further updates on Duncan Tonatiuh will come from the Media Center via Canvas announcements and in the Cougar Comments.
“Kiss a Pig” Fundraiser
This year the PTA is hosting a fundraiser where each student and staff member will have the opportunity to vote for which CCES staff member they want to see kiss a pig. Each vote costs $1 and you can vote as many times as you want. The money raised will be used by our PTA to celebrate the Staff at Homewood Center during Teacher Appreciation Week in May, as they do not have a PTA. Voting will take place March 9-13, with the winner kissing the pig at an assembly on March 30. The five staff members that you can vote for are: Mr. Cosentino, Mrs. Hurd, Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Ritchie, and Mrs. Marshall. Voting slips and return envelopes will be sent home the week before voting starts (if you wish to vote more than once, please indicate how many votes you want for which person and include the appropriate money.) Thank you for your support! Questions: rachael.christine@gmail.com
Field Day Tee-Shirts
The Physical Education department would like to offer you an opportunity to purchase the official 2020 Clemens Crossing Field Day t-shirt. This is our primary fundraiser for the PE department. We use the funds to purchase big-ticket items like scoreboards, climbing wall mats, audio/visual equipment, etc. If you choose not to purchase a t-shirt we ask that you have your child wear the color of their squad in PE class on the day of field day. Paper forms are in Friday Folders. There is an online payment option you can use. We need the paper form to indicate size and color of shirt if you pay online. The button below is linked to the online order form, and you can download the form underneath that button link. Thank you for supporting PE at CCES!
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Griffis
PTA Meeting w/Board of Education Candidate Meet and Greet
Kirsten Coombs, Matt Levine, Jennifer Mallo, and Sezin Palmer are scheduled for our District 4 Board of Education Forum. The PTA invited all Board of Education candidates for District 4 to a meet and greet..
This is the first time, the Board of Education elections are held by councilmanic districts. You will only be able to vote for your district even though there are four other districts that have candidates running for the Board of Education.
In 2022, there will be two at-large candidates up for election. Previously, you could vote for all seven candidates between the elections cycles. Now, you will have one candidate for district 4, and two candidates during the at-large election cycle.
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 06:30 PM
Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
KINDERGARTEN & NEW FIRST GRADE REGISTRATION STARTS MONDAY
Kindergarten Registration begins Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13 at Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2020, must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year. Registration will take place daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at CCES Front Office. No appointment is necessary. We will have one evening registration time available, by appointment only, on March 11 prior to our PTA meeting.
You will need to bring the following documents:
- Birth certificate, birth registration or passport. Note: If presenting a passport, you will need to also provide proof of parental relationship.
- Current immunization record - must be a print out from the pediatrician and signed.
- Deed or lease to your home
- Current utility bill
- Photo ID of parent/guardian registering the student
Please visit the Howard County Public School System website for complete information about enrollment and registration. Please follow steps 1-4 at home and online before finalizing the process in step 5 at the school. You may begin the online registration now.
Save the Date - Open House 2020
Kindergarten Open House
Friday, August 21, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
First Grade through Fifth Grade
Friday, August 21, 2020 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
We are still working on logistics for Back-to-School Nights and will notify the community in the Spring.
A Story Called Kindness Poster Contest - Entries Due April 1
All students in grades K–12 are invited to design a poster to illustrate a scene from your life story where you’ve shown someone kindness or offered a helping hand. Students may enter as an individual or as part of a group. Full details, including entry criteria and submission information, are available online.
Deadline to order - April 15, 2020
CCES International Night
Friday, Mar 13, 2020, 06:30 PM
Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Makers Faire - New Date!
Thursday, Apr 2, 2020, 06:15 PM
Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Cougar Feedback
On the Border - PTA Restaurant Night
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020, 11:00 AM
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Gateway Overlook Drive, Elkridge, MD, USA
CCES Talent Show
Thursday, Apr 23, 2020, 06:30 PM
Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Community News & Information
Summer Camp Opportunity
Cub Scout Pack 618
Pack 618 has a number of events coming up. All girls and boys are welcome to check out the activities. On March 21 from 1-4pm, Pack 618 will be shooting off model rockets at the CCES field. On April 18, the pack will be touring the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Finally, the pack is planning a trip to Hershey Park on June 14th with discounted tickets being purchased during March.
Please contact the Pack 618 Cub Master (cubmaster@pack618md.com) with any questions.
TACO ‘BOUT PLATING IT FORWARD!
The Wilde Lake Middle School Performing Arts Boosters is requesting community support for their upcoming restaurant night fundraiser.
Please save the date for Taco Tuesday at Chipotle in Columbia Mall on March 24, 2020, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Bring or show the attached flyer for dine-in-only purchases to help raise funds for the WLMS band, theatre, chorus, and orchestra programs. Take a night off from cooking and dine to donate! Thank you.
English flyer:
Spanish flyer:
SUMMER BASEBALL CAMPS - SIGN UP NOW! - Weekly camps all summer long
Director Casey Medairy is a head coach at Hammond High School, former Division I college baseball player, and former NABF Batting Champion. Instructors are current or former college coaches and players with years of experience. Rotate through different stations that emphasize skill. Finish the day with controlled practice games to work on in-game scenarios and situations. Quality instruction is our top priority.
Coach Medairy has a philosophy that baseball needs to be a worthwhile and enjoyable experience for the youth player. Through playing and practicing the game of baseball will be the focus of our staff, there will be an underlying theme of sportsmanship, positive attitude, and hustle instilled in the players. Our hope is that the youth player will have one of the most enjoyable camp experiences they have ever had. Our goal is for your child to come home and say “I learned a lot today – And I had a Great Time!”
Contact Casey_A_Medairy@hcpss.org