Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
June 12, 2020 - Volume 41, Issue 39
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Sonia Hurd, Assistant Principal
Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, United States
Phone: 410-294-8129
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces
IMPORTANT DATES
June
- 18 - 5th Grade Drive-Thru Pick-up/Drop-off - Appointment Only
- 18 - Virtual 5th Grade Farewell Promotion Ceremony, 6:00 p.m.
- 22 - Move-up Day (information will come from homeroom teachers)
- 23 - Goodbye Google Meet (information will come from homeroom teachers)
- 23 - Final Day of School
August
- 21 - Kindergarten Open House, 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
- 21 - Grades 1-5 Open House, 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
- 25 - First Day of School for Students
From School Administration
We are quickly approaching the end of the school year and we continue to thank you for supporting students during distance learning. The ending of school is always bittersweet as we miss our students over the summer. We enjoy seeing them off on the last day and giving them one last high five or hug!
We know there are still many unanswered questions about how school will move forward in the fall. HCPSS is continuing to work to determine the best options. These decisions are still yet to come and we appreciate your understanding and patience as our school system works through this process over the summer months.
We will work diligently over the summer to solidify plans for next year and will communicate this information to you as soon as we are able. We again thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to work through these unprecedented and historical times in education. Your child's social, emotional and academic well being will continue to be our number one priority as we look forward to the 2020-2021 school year.
New Information
Staff Updates
The conclusion of each school year brings changes to schools. This year we wish a few staff members the very best as they transition to new places in their lives and career.
Retirements
Congratulations to the following teachers/staff who will retire at the end of the school year:
- Mrs. Diane Small - 34 years at CCES!
- Mrs. Susan Peck
Teachers Leaving Clemens Crossing ES
We have one teacher leaving CCES at the end of the school year.
Mrs. Allison Venuti, Special Education Teacher and Team Leader has relocated and will be teaching in Anne Arundel County next year.
New Positions and Vacancies at CCES
With redistricting taking place, we will have an increase in enrollment at CCES for the 2020-21 school year. A the same time, there is a pool of current teachers who were displaced from their current school due to decreased enrollment. We conducted interviews in April to fill our vacant positions with HCPSS teachers who were displaced from their current schools.
Due to the delay in the HCPSS budget approval process, the placements of those teachers have been delayed. The new positions that will be filled within the next month are:
- One additional Kindergarten teacher
- One additional Second Grade
- One additional Third Grade
- One additional Fourth Grade
- Special Education teacher
- Part-time (.4, 2 days a week) Art teacher
- Part-time (.4, 2 days a week) Music teacher
Grade Level Teams:
Listed below are the teachers for each grade level and any changes to the room locations.
ITL next to the name means that the teacher is the instructional team leader for the grade level.
- Kindergarten (five teachers): Mrs. McCue (ITL), Mrs. Hodgins, Mrs. Ludicke, Ms. Thomerson, and a new teacher. One kindergarten classroom will be located in the fourth grade pod.
- First Grade (four teachers): Mrs. Beem (ITL), Ms. Holdefer, Mrs. Hutt, and Mrs. Morstein. All first grade teachers will be remaining in their current classrooms in the first grade pod.
- Second Grade (five teachers): Mrs. Shockey (ITL), Mr. Jones, Mrs. Weinig, and two new teachers. Mr. Jones will be located in a portable next to the second grade pod.
- Third Grade (four teachers): Mrs. McBrien (ITL), Miss Addy, Mrs. Halvorson, and Mrs. Shaw. All third grade teachers will be remaining in their current classrooms in the third grade pod.
- Fourth Grade (four teachers): Mrs. Billingsley (ITL), Ms. Alban, Mrs. Rausch, and a new teacher. Mrs. Rausch will be located in the portable next to the fourth grade pod.
- Fifth Grade (three teachers): Mrs. Haube (ITL), Mrs. Greenlee, and Mrs. McKim. All fifth grade teachers will be remaining in their current classrooms in the fifth grade pod.
Final 7 Days of School
June 15 – June 19, 2020:
During the week of June 15, students will interact with structured lessons intended to invoke their academic and social-emotional development. Students will be tasked to reflect upon their learning since the school closure. From this reflection, students will anchor their thoughts in sound social-emotional and self-care practices. Through activities, discussions, and reflection, students will be equipped with language, tools, and strategies. The goal is to equip students with meaningful insight so they are better positioned to maintain their whole self, spirit, and positive energy during these uncertain times.
Additionally, the week of June 15 is designated to catch-up or make-up any missing modules for related arts classes (art, music, media, PE, or technology) and grade level content classes (science, social studies, and health). Lexia Core and Dream Box are both open to continue work beyond the required times or to ensure that students have the required time to earn a pass grade (P).
June 22 and June 23, 2020:
MOVE-UP DAY
On June 22, students will have the opportunity to visit their next grade level to have a sneak preview of their new grade. More information will come from your child's homeroom teacher.
LAST DAY
On June 23, students will meet with their class for the last time. Again, homeroom teachers will share more information including the Google Meet code for the day.
Report Card Grades for Primary and Intermediate
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grades
Please do not confuse ICL with traditional "I" grade for kindergarten, first grade, and second grades which stands for INDEPENDENT.
We had to add ICL for grades PK-2 since they already have an I for Independent. We didn't want to confuse the Independent with Incomplete.
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades
Students will receive one of two grades; PASS (P) or INCOMPLETE (I).
Report cards will be available through Family File at the end of June.
Please do everything you can do to ensure your child is caught up with all 4th quarter Continuation of Learning Requirements. We hope no students earn an (I) or (ICL) for 4th quarter. Next week's Cougar Comments will have details about turning I's or ICL's into P's.
Solo and Ensemble Refunds
Due to the cancellation of the Spring Solo and Ensemble Festival, refunds will be issued to families that paid for this event. Refund checks will be sent by mail to these families.
Checks should be received by early next week. If you have any questions, feel free to contact
Stacey Wells at stacey-wells@hcpss.org.
Wilde Lake Middle School Sixth Grade Orientation
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
5th Grade Farewell Ceremony
The date for promotion has been set! Thursday, June 18th will be CCES's Annual 5th Grade Promotion Celebration.
This year, the Promotion Celebration will have 2 different parts:
- Drive Thru Promotion Pack Pick Up - families can come one at a time to the CCES campus on June 18th to receive a Promotion Pack containing all the promotion awards and recognitions, plus a few surprises! *** Drive-thru assignment times were sent directly to parents email with your designated time.***
- Virtual Promotion Ceremony and Celebration - a module on the 5th Grade Team Canvas course will unlock at 6:00 PM on June 18th and stay available for students and families to view when they wish. That module has the Promotion Ceremony video, a Celebration of Students video, our Three Words to the World video, and some other activities for students to participate in to celebrate each other if they choose. We hope that you'll be able to share the viewing of the videos together as a family (and perhaps with others while maintaining safe physical distancing) to celebrate the end of a fantastic year in 5th grade and promotion to middle school.
We are so very proud of all our 5th Graders at Clemens Crossing and we are excited to celebrate all of their accomplishments!
Field Day T-Shirt Refunds
Many parents submitted payments for Field Day T-shirts prior to school closure on March 13th. Because of the extended closure through the end of the school year, these t-shirts were never ordered. Depending on how payments were made, refunds will be issued in one of the following ways:
- Parents who paid by cash: Will receive a refund check from CCES in the upcoming weeks.
- Parents who paid by check: These checks are being voided. If you would like a copy of the voided check or the check returned, please contact Stacey Wells (stacey_wells@hcpss.org).
- Parents who paid online: Refunds will be issued through OSP in the near future.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please e-mail Stacey Wells at stacey_wells@hcpss.org.
Howard County Public Library Summer Reading Program
The Howard County Library System branches may be currently closed, but our HCLS staff members have been very busy "behind the scenes":
- creating virtual classes for all ages,
- responding to questions via phone, email and chat through AskHCLS,
- promoting our eContent Resources for Students
- and providing reliable resources related to COVID-19 on our community resource page Community During COVID-19.
The annual Summer Reading program launched this week! This year's adventures have been designed to take place online at hcls.readsquared.org, or via downloadable activity lists and reading logs. Visit hclibrary.org/summer for details on how to participate. Instead of physical prizes, participants who complete summer reading will earn a donation to Community Action Council of Howard County.
Since the Howard County Library System staff could not visit schools to promote Summer Reading, they recorded a special introduction and some instructions for this year's summer reading experience. Please see the video below.
Pop-Up Food Pantry
The following Pop-Up Food Pantries are open to the public and will each take place from noon to 3:00 p.m. (OR until all the food is gone) on their designated day:
- June 12th, Howard Crossing, 8732 Town and Country Blvd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
- June 17th, The Seasons Apartments, 9220 Old Lantern Way, Laurel, MD 20723
- June 19th, Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
- June 24th, Port Capital Village, 7141 Beverly Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075
- June 26th, Howard Crossing, 8732 Town and Country Blvd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
End of Year Gift Considerations
If you're not sure what to do for an end of the year gift for your child's teachers, the PTA is collecting funds to donate to Columbia Community Care (https://www.facebook.com/groups/807588256400584/about/ ) in honor of our wonderful CCES Staff! If you would like to donate in honor of your child's teachers, you can send PayPal to dnr318@gmail.com. Please be sure to send as a friend so there are no fees associated with it. In the comments section of PayPal, please put the teachers you would like to honor and who it is from (your child's name or your family's name). We will send an email to the teacher on behalf of your family letting them know a donation was made in their honor. If you have any questions or need to arrange an alternative way to make a donation, please contact
Jen McClurg at jenmcclurg@gmail.com. All donations should be made by Friday, June 19.
Reminders for Distance Learning
Are You Moving?
If you have moved or are moving soon, please notify us as soon as possible.
FILLABLE_Change_of_Address.pdf
We are available to assist you with transitioning to your child's new school. Whether it be another HCPSS school, private school, or to a school out of the HCPSS district, we are here to help. If you are transferring to another HCPSS school, our registrars will partner to make the transition as smooth as possible.
If you have an address change, please fill out the attached fillable Address Change Form and email it back to us with your new deed or lease. This way we can electronically verify your school district and update your new address on file. If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Jennifer Aballo: jennifer_aballo@hcpss.org
Device Return Procedures
Registration Information
Parents/guardians of new incoming students and those entering Kindergarten next school year (who are not already enrolled) are able to begin the enrollment process online.
While following the online enrollment guide, you will be prompted to create an account for ParentVue through Online Registration Account Access, if you don't already have one for an existing HCPSS student. You can prepare to upload the required registration documents at this point.
*Notice during this time (Covid-19 school closure), the final step 5 of the registration guide has changed. Your child’s school registrar will contact you to schedule a virtual meeting (e.g., online Google Meet) to complete the registration process. During this virtual meeting, you will be asked to verify guardianship of the child and submit any additional required documentation.