Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
December 13, 2019 - Volume 41, Issue 15
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
December
- 13 - PTA Holiday Shop (4:15 to 7:00 p.m.)
- 13 - Interim Reports Issued
- 13 - Spelling Bee, 2:35 p.m.
- 16 - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY #1: Winter Sweater Day
- 17 - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY #2: Blizzard Day
- 18 - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY #3: Sock Day
- 18 - In-School Banking, 9:00 a.m.
- 18 - Winter Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m.
- 19 - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY #4: Pajama Day
- 19 - Cosmic Adventure Traveling Planetarium (1st Grade)
- 20 - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY #5: Hat Day/Holiday Hat Day
- 20 - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Toby's Dinner Theater
- 21 - Winter Break Begins
January 2020
- 2 - School Reopens
- 13 - SAVE THE DATE: WLMS 6th grade orientation (Time: TBD)
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
As we write this message, more than 1/3 of the school year has been completed. The students and staff members at Clemens Crossing Elementary are working diligently toward their goals and are growing on a daily basis. It is a pleasure to work with your children daily and to see them grow in so many ways. Our Winter Break is right around the corner, and 2020 will be here before we know it. Our last day of classes will be Friday, December 20, and students will report back to school on Thursday, January 2.
We would like to wish all of our families a safe and joyous Holiday Season! During the break, we hope that you experience a slower pace with some time to relax and build fond memories that will be treasured in the years ahead. It has been a wonderful year, and the students and staff at Clemens Crossing Elementary are looking forward to making 2020 even better.
Our Cougar Comments Newsletter will return in the new year on January 3, 2020.
Thank you for all of your involvement and your continued support.
Mr. Cosentino and Mrs. Hurd
New Information
Attendance Matters
Chronic School absenteeism is now a part of our school report card. Please make sure your child is in school every day!!
As of December 12, here is the breakdown of attendance for CCES for the 2019-20 school year:
Schoolwide: YTD: 96.91%
Kindergarten: 96.84%
First Grade: 96.50%
Second Grade: 97.52%
Third Grade: 96.79%
Fourth Grade: 96.61%
Fifth Grade: 97.24%
Good attendance results in students having a better chance of reaching their full potential, according to the US Department of Education.
ALADDIN KIDS Production Now Open to 3rd Grade!
Information Worth Repeating
Keep Family File Up-To-Date
Recently, we have had several incidents where we have been trying to reach parents and find that either their voice mailbox was full or not set-up to receive messages. We also have several situations where the emergency number(s) we have on file is/are no longer in service.
We would appreciate it if you could take a moment and make sure of the following:
- Please have a voice mailbox in place that can receive messages. If need be, please clear the messages currently in your mailbox so that your mailbox can receive new messages.
- Please take a moment and update any emergency numbers that may need to be updated.
This is very important especially if we have an unscheduled emergency closing.
In-School Banking - December 18
CCES teamed up with First National Bank to provide banking opportunities for our students. In-School Banking takes place once a month on the last Wednesday of each month between
9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in the Cafeteria. You can find all of the dates on our school calendar.
Students can start banking at any time during the year. Here is the letter from First National Bank as well as the Banking Information Sheet needed to open an account:
Blessings in a Backpack
This year the PTA has partnered with Blessings in a Backpack at Running Brook Elementary School. This program provides food for children in need each weekend. Please help us raise money by sending in your spare change from December 2-20. Teachers will collect the change and the grade who sends in the most money will win a prize.
Winter Concerts
If you cannot attend the Winter Concerts in person, we have the next best thing. You can listen to and see the concerts live on Periscope through our Twitter feed. Simply visit twitter.com/hcpss_cces on December 18 at 7:00 p.m. Feel free to share the information with family and friends.
December Spirit Days
Fundraiser Update from SchoolStore.com
As we are approaching the holiday season, please encourage family members, friends, and colleagues to use schoostore.com for gift purchases.
Cougar Feedback
After School Activites
Please find a list of after school activities available after winter break.
Abrakadoodle-Space Art Adventure STEAM - Mondays starting February 3
Join us and blast off to an outer space adventure! Learn about the solar system, meteoroids, meteors and meteorites, constellations and much more. Explore fun art techniques and make friends that are “out of this world”! All while we reach for the stars! Spaces fill quickly, register today! http://www.abrakadoodle.com/md-howard-county/
Chess Club - Mondays starting January 6
Chess club is taught by experienced Silver Knights instructors using a curriculum developed by National Masters. Each weekly session is a mix of learning and play. Playing chess is a great way to develop a child’s critical thinking skills, sportsmanship,
and patience — all while having fun! All grades and skill levels welcome. All equipment provided. https://www.skenrichment.com/clubs/howard.html
Robotics Club - Tuesdays starting January 7
BusyBots: Build, code and have fun with LEGO® WeDo 2.0. Enhance kids’ curiosity and science skills with Silver Knights Robotics for grade 1 and up. Students will explore robotics with LEGO® bricks, easy-to-use coding software and engaging STEM challenges. Kids work in pairs with a tablet and a LEGO® WeDo 2.0 kit that includes over 250 pieces, a SmartHub, motor, and motion and tilt sensors. All equipment provided. https://www.skenrichment.com/clubs/howard.html
Kid Empowerment (PETS smashing ANS) - Tuesdays starting February 11
Kid Empowerment: P.E.T. Power! Want your children to Reach their Full Potential, Realize their Self-Worth and Gain the Leading Edge!? If so, enroll them in Kid Empowerment P.E.T. Power today! Children will unleash their P.E.T. Power at this fun and hands-on program! They will learn P.E.T.s, (Positive Empowering Tools) that chase away A.N.T.s (Automatic Non-supportive Thoughts)! Through charming animations and experiential activities, children learn valuable life strategies that build resilience, confidence and a success mentality. Kids get their own stuffed pet and earn special P.E.T. tags for each of the important skills they learn. P.E.T. Power is for all children who would benefit from learning adult life strategies sooner than later, (i.e. ALL children). Registration opening soon: www.smashingants.com
Kaizen Karate - Wednesdays starting January 8
This Karate program offers safe, structured training that teaches students the proper form, style and technique. Classes are tailored to student’s individual needs and help them to grow to their fullest potential. Karate not only focuses on instruction, but also provides valuable lessons related to respect, discipline, motivation, self-control, confidence and continual improvement. www.KaizenFitnessUSA.com
Kidzart - Thursdays starting February 6
KidzArt is a FUN, art-enrichment program designed to enhance drawing skills and build each child’s confidence. By using our simple drawing method and specialized format, students will learn to focus, relax and think creatively. Our Certified Instructors help students create original works of art, take risks and think outside of the box. Within each session, students will explore a variety of artist grade materials, such as oil and chalk pastels, watercolor, charcoal, clay, copper, textured papers and much more. Younger children practice following directions and using fine motor skills. Older children love having the creative freedom and guidance to further their skills. KidzArtists will bring home a new masterpiece each week with kid-tested and educationally rich curriculum that NEVER REPEAT! https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland#/selectSessions/2698112/filter/location=612801
Spanish Immersion with The Language and Cultural Club - Thursdays starting February 20
Students will learn the Spanish language and culture through immersion, music, and play-based activities. Classes are taught 90% in Spanish. 10-week Session with Two groups: Grades K to 1, and Grades 2nd to 4th.
Online registration will start January 2.
Digital Animation: Art and Adventure - Fridays starting January 10
In Silver Knights Coding clubs, children in grades 2 and up learn to code using a visual programming language called Scratch. It’s as easy to use as snapping together building blocks! The Digital Animation unit shows kids how to program their own adventure stories, quiz games, and visual art. What’s your story?
All computers and equipment provided. https://www.skenrichment.com/clubs/howard.html