Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
March 8, 2019 - Volume 40, Issue 24
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
Upcoming Events
March
- 11 - Kindergarten Registration Week Begins
- 11 - Gr.1 Field Trip to Toby's
- 11 - JA in a Day Volunteer Training, 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
- 13 - Class Picture Day
- 13 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 14 - PTA International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 14 - SPIRIT DAY: Wear clothes that represent your culture
- 18 - Junior Achievement In A Day
- 20 - Family Math Night Cancelled
- 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
- 25 - SPIRIT DAY: Wear Maryland Colors
- 27 - In-School Banking, 9:00 a.m.
- 28 - Gr.2 Field Trip to Toby's
April
- 26 - PTA Talent Show (NEW DATE! Moved from the end of March)
June - Adjusted Final Days of School
- 17 - Full Day of school
- 18 - Full Day of School
- 19 - School Closes 3-Hours Early, 12:45 p.m.
- 20 - School Closes 3-Hours Early, 12:45 p.m.
- 21- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: School Closes 3-Hours Early, 12:45 p.m.
For a complete list of dates and events visit cces.hcpss.org/calendar.
To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system click the +Google Calendar icon in the bottom right-hand corner to add our calendar to your personal device. By subscribing to the calendar, school events and activities will always be up-to-date.
From School Administration
In a world where children are "growing up digital," it's important to help them learn healthy concepts of digital use and citizenship. Here at Clemens Crossing Elementary School we work diligently with all of our students to make sure they are being the best “digital citizens” that they can be. We also know that you, the parents, play an important role in teaching these skills at home as well and we thank you! As we all know, media and digital devices are an important part of our world today. The benefits of these devices, if used in moderation and appropriately, can be great. But, research has shown, and I think we can all agree, that face-to-face time with family, friends, and teachers play an essential and even more important role in promoting children's learning and healthy development. Let’s all make a bargain… Let’s keep the face-to-face up front and don't allow it to get lost behind a stream of media and other types of technology.
Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help parents manage the digital landscape they're exploring with their children.
- Treat media as you would any other environment in your child's life. The same parenting guidelines apply in both real and virtual environments. Set limits; kids need and expect them. Know your children's friends, both online and off. Know what platforms, software, and apps your children are using, where they are going on the web, and what they are doing online.
- Set limits and encourage playtime. Tech use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Unstructured and offline play stimulates creativity. Make unplugged playtime a daily priority, especially for very young children. And—don't forget to join your children in unplugged play whenever you're able.
- Families who play together, learn together. Family participation is also great for media activities—it encourages social interactions, bonding, and learning. Play a video game with your kids. It's a good way to demonstrate good sportsmanship and gaming etiquette. And, you can introduce and share your own life experiences and perspectives—and guidance—as you play the game.
- Be a good role model. Teach and model kindness and good manners online. And, because children are great mimics, limit your own media use. In fact, you'll be more available for and connected with your children if you're interacting, hugging and playing with them rather than simply staring at a screen.
- Know the value of face-to-face communication. Very young children learn best through two-way communication. Engaging in back-and-forth "talk time" is critical for language development. Conversations can be face-to-face or, if necessary, by video chat, with a traveling parent or far-away grandparent. Research has shown that it's that "back-and-forth conversation" that improves language skills—much more so than "passive" listening or one-way interaction with a screen.
- Create tech-free zones. Keep family mealtimes and other family and social gatherings tech-free. Recharge devices overnight—outside your child's bedroom to help children avoid the temptation to use them when they should be sleeping. These changes encourage more family time, healthier eating habits, and better sleep, all critical for children's wellness.
- Don't use technology as an emotional pacifier. Media can be very effective in keeping kids calm and quiet, but it should not be the only way they learn to calm down. Children need to be taught how to identify and handle strong emotions, come up with activities to manage boredom, or calm down through breathing, talking about ways to solve the problem, and finding other strategies for channeling emotions.
- Apps for kids – do your homework. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research has demonstrated their actual quality. Products pitched as "interactive" should require more than "pushing and swiping." Look to organizations like Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) for reviews about age-appropriate apps, games and programs to guide you in making the best choices for your children.
Remember: Kids will be kids. Kids will make mistakes using media. Try to handle errors with empathy and turn a mistake into a teachable moment. But some indiscretions, such as bullying or posting self-harm images, may be a red flag that hints at trouble ahead. Parents should take a closer look at your child's behaviors and, if needed, enlist supportive professional help, including from your pediatrician.
KINDERGARTEN & NEW FIRST GRADE REGISTRATION STARTS NEXT WEEK
Kindergarten Registration begins Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15 at
Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2019 must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year.
Registration will take place daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at CCES Front Office.
There will be two evening registrations available: Tuesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
You will need to bring the following documents:
- Proof of child's birth - Birth certificate, birth registration or passport
- Photo ID of parent/guardian registering the student and additional legal document showing proof of parental/legal guardianship (if not stated on birth cert/registration)
- Current Immunization record - must be a print out from the pediatrician and signed.
- Deed or Lease to your home
- Current Utility bill
Please visit the Howard County Public School System website for complete information about enrollment and registration. You can follow steps 1-4 Online from your home before finalizing the process in step 5. You may begin the online registration as early as February 25.
SECAC RECOGNITION EVENING
The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) is seeking nominations for their annual SECAC Recognition Evening. Families are encouraged to nominate an individual or group of people who have significantly enhanced their child’s educational experience. Nominees may be teachers, bus drivers, guidance counselors, psychologists, administrators, nurses, paraprofessionals, occupational, physical and speech therapists or any other staff member who works with a child with an IEP. SECAC will accept nominations from parents, guardians or students. If you are nominating an individual, please describe in 50-200 words an action, attitude or approach that you feel has made a difference. For team nominations, please describe in 50-400 words how the team has worked together to provide an exceptional educational experience. You must include the first and last name (with correct spelling) of all nominees, the school, and bus company where applicable, or the nominee will not receive the information. The firm deadline is April 5, 2019, no nominations will be accepted after that day. All nominating families, the nominees, and administrators will be invited to join us as we recognize these outstanding individuals on May 1, 2019 at River Hill High School at 7pm.
We believe that all nominees should be recognized for their work. The nomination form is available at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo8sbA-mfDhlnLyd2ZW_mEHHUszOz5e04wez_m3dWA1BcMmg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
Family Math Night Cancelled
Due to scheduling conflicts, we are unable to hold our Family Math Night this year. We will plan for it in 2019-2020.
Choose Civility 2019 Poster and Video Contest DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 3/17/19
We Are All Welcome Here
Design a poster or create a video illustrating the theme.
Use your imagination, creativity, and artistic talent to show how everyone is welcome in our school, neighborhood, and entire community.
Start by asking yourself a few questions:
- How can you welcome and include others?
- How has someone welcomed and included you?
- What does it mean to be part of a community?
More information: Choose Civility Website
MARYLAND INTEGRATED SCIENCE ASSESSMENT
In March our Fifth Grade Students will be participating in MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment).
This is a computer based, state mandated assessment.
The dates for this assessment are:
March 14, 15 (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
Upcoming Spirit Days
Special Guest for March 13 PTA Meeting
We are very excited to announce that we will be joined by a special guest speaker for our March 13th PTA Meeting. Dr. Zaneb Beams, a local pediatrician and mom, will be speaking to us about her approach to preventive mental health care and overall wellness for parents and their children of all ages. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center for this informational session. A modified PTA Meeting will follow at 7:15 p.m.
Please be sure to make time in your schedule to attend this great event! You are welcome to join the open Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/rubixwellnessgroup/.
Calling all performers!
The CCES Talent Show is coming Friday, April 26!!
* Acts can be solo or group numbers
* Acts must be three minutes or less
* Mandatory Dress Rehearsal will be the week of April 8-12 (specific date coming soon)
* Registration deadline -- Thursday April 4
Registration Form coming soon!
The Talent Show is organized by Christine Porras. Please email christineporras@gmail.com with any questions!
Community News and Programs
Public Information Office for distribution. Please visit Distributing Community Information through the School System or contact the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682 if you have any questions.