Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
March 18, 2022 - Volume 43, Issue 28
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
March
Women's History Month and Youth Art Month
- 25 - School Spirit Day - Maryland Day
- 25 PTA International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 26 - PTA Skate Night at Supreme Sports Club, 6:00 p.m.
April
Arab American Heritage Month
- 1 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m.
- 4 - Book Fair Opens
- 7 - School Spirit Day - Baseball Day
- 11-18 - Spring Break
- 20 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 22 - PTA Talent Show, 6:30 p.m. (moved from 4/29)
- 22 - School Spirit Day - Earth Day
- 27 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- 2 - Schools Closed, Professional Work Day (originally open, but the Board of Education change this on 2/24)
- 3 - Schools OPEN (originally closed, but the Board of Education change this on 2/24)
- 6 - 5th Grade Panoramic Picture
- 10 - PTA Restaurant Day - Chick-fil-A, Johns Hopkins Road
- 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 12 - Rising 6th Grade School Visits to either WLMS or HCMS
- 12 - Spring Chorus Concert
- 18 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m.
- 20 - PTA Spring Carnival
- 24 - Science Fair
- 25 - 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearing
- 26 - Strings Concert, 6:30 p.m., Band Concert, 7:30 p.m.
- 30 - Schools Closed for Memorial Day
- 3 - Field Day (rain date, 6/6)
- 8 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m.
- 15 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m
- 16 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m
- 17 - 3-Hour Early Dismissal, 12:45 p.m (Tentative Last Day of School)
- ** 5th grade closing ceremony will be the last full day of school.
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
“March Madness"
While most people think of March Madness in regards to basketball, for schools it is a time where administrators start having their feet in two different places. Principals ALWAYS have their feet in the current school year working with teachers, parents, and students to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students. This means we're thinking about equitable learning opportunities for all children, providing support and extensions for students so that we've differentiated learning experiences, and supporting teachers as they deliver curriculum to students in engaging and meaningful ways. March is a time where we begin planning for student placements for the upcoming year. We use our existing information about students to begin thinking about placement and we formally start asking parents for input around the middle of April.
The "foot in the other place" is where we start looking at enrollment projections and thinking about how many classes/teachers we will need, planning and refining school improvement initiatives, collaborating on calendar logistics, thinking about schedules and how those will best meet the needs of student learning, which new hires we need and where we need them, and how our budget will support students, teachers, and staff throughout the school (this isn't an exhaustive list, but a short list of some immediate items). Some of this early work gets done after school, during conference days, and in small bits of time when there are a few minutes.
This other "March Madness" is not particular to just Clemens Crossing or me, but is a reality for principals across Howard County, throughout Maryland, and around the country. What is particular to Clemens Crossing (and I believe other schools in the HCPSS) is the attention to detail and thoughtfulness that takes place as we all work to ensure the continued success of our students for the school year we are in and beyond. It is definitely a balancing act and one that we reflect on each year thinking about how we can always improve and do better!
NEW INFORMATION
Science Fair 2022
Your child is invited to participate in this year’s Science Fair on Tuesday, May 24 from 6:30p.m. - 8:00p.m.
If your child is interested in doing a Science Fair Collection, Investigation, or Invention at home, please download the corresponding attachment below. Students may do projects individually or as a group. Once your child has identified a project, please complete the online “Intent to Participate form.” We are excited to highlight the commitment shown and the hard work done by the CCES students this year. Many thanks for all of your support at home and in the building this year.
Types of Science Fair Projects
Students in Kindergarten, First, or Second Grade may submit a Science Collection.
Students will collect and organize something of interest, answering questions related to observations made while exploring their world.
CCES Science Fair Collection.pdf
Students in any grade may conduct a Science Investigation to answer a question/problem.
Students will use The Scientific Method to learn the systematic approach to solving a problem.
CCES Science Fair Investigation.pdf
Students in any grade may submit a Science Invention. Students will use the engineering design process to create an invention that will solve a problem or answer a question.
CCES Science Fair Invention.pdf
After you sign-up, further communication will come from the PTA Science Fair Committee. They will share specific information and directions for May 24.
CCES SKATE NIGHT is finally here!
The CCES PTA is sponsoring a Skate Night on Saturday, March 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Supreme Sports Club on Deepage Drive. Admission is free! You can bring your own skates or rent a pair for $4. A waiver is required for ALL participants (adults included). Please note that the waiver MUST be signed by a parent or legal guardian of minors in case you plan on bringing friends along. [NO EXCEPTIONS] Save time by bringing your completed waiver with you: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vlz0ZJi6YbJZVxctvJak7rQMprFDZMcuiajWx3knN9I/edit?usp=sharing.
We hope you can come join the fun!
Questions? Contact Christy Pine at vicepresident@clemenscrossingpta.org
TWO CLEMENS CROSSING STUDENTS WIN TOP PRIZES IN THE PTA REFLECTIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL
An enormous congratulations to Emma Rhee and Abha Singh, who won top prizes at the state level of the PTA Reflections Program. Emma R. won 1st place in the state, the Outstanding Interpretation in Literature - Primary Division, for her poem titled "I Can Change the World". Abha S. won 2nd place in the state, the Award of Excellence in Dance Choreography in Dance Choreography - Primary Division, for her dance titled "Reuse Dance". Both of these Reflections submissions are going on to compete at the national level. Bravo!
Are You Moving?
If you have moved or are moving soon, please notify us as soon as possible.
We are available to assist you with transitioning to your child's new school. Whether it be another HCPSS school, private school, or a school outside of the HCPSS district, we are here to help.
If you have an address change, bring your new residency documents to the front office and we will update your address in the system. If you have any questions, call Jennifer Aballo, our Registrar.
Maryland Day
Baseball Day
Earth Day
Spanish Program at Clemens Elementary School!
Howard County Recreation and Parks in partnership with The Language & Cultural Club is offering this exciting After-School Program.
6-week session/Spring - 2022
Tuesdays: 3:50 to 4:50 pm. March 29 to May 10
Grades: K to 5th. Tuition: $149/per student (6 weeks)
Registration deadline: March 25, 2022
Questions: Email: operations@t-lcc.com or Information: 410 313-4622 Scott Corning
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Order Your 2021-22 Yearbook
Help Wanted
Headphones
CCES International Night 2022 - UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT UPDATE!
Clemens Crossing's International Night is back, and we now have permission to serve food!
On Friday, March 25th, we will celebrate the amazing diversity that we enjoy at our school. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring country tables and a fun photo booth, and at 7:15 p.m. we will enjoy a special presentation by West African drummer Kofi Dennis, who will bring the vibrant rhythms of a West African village to life through music, storytelling, drumming and dance. There will be an outside tent with tables available to eat outdoors.
We are looking for volunteers to host country tables during the event. Country table hosts will receive half of a cafeteria table sized space to display any items you would like to bring to represent your country - a trifold with facts, books, artifacts, and, of course, food! If you'd like to bring something small to give away to students, like temporary tattoos, coloring pages, paper fans, or easy crafts, that would be wonderful!
We have space for approximately 18-20 different countries. We would love to see multiple families team up to represent a single country/region, and we may be able to provide additional table space for teams. Please help us make this another amazing and fun event by sharing your culture with us!
If you are interested, please sign up as a country table host and indicate your country: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA8A72CA2F49-international1
Once you sign up, we will reach out to you with additional details and answer any questions you might have.
Country table hosts are asked to arrive at 6:00 p.m. to set up.
We are also looking for a few volunteers to assist with set up and clean up - if you are able to help with that, please sign up below, and THANK YOU!
If you have any questions, please contact us directly at culturalarts@clemenscrossingpta.org.
Thanks!
Risa Carlson and Suzanne Papailiou, Cultural Arts Co-Chairs
Field Day Volunteers
Our annual Field Day will take place on June 3rd, 2022 with a rain date of June 6.
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 Captain's 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 p.m. If you are selected for the Scores table, you will be required to stay until at least 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Robinson/Mr. Griffis
CCES PE Teachers
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.