Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
May 19, 2023 - Volume 44, Issue 35
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
May
- 19 - Schools closed for students - Professional Learning Day
- 22 - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Howard County Conservancy
- 23 - 5th Grade's Simulated Congressional Hearing
- 24 - Wilde Lake HS graduation, 3:00 p.m.
- 25 - Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m. CCES Cafeteria/stage
- 26 - Field Day
- 29 - Schools and offices closed for Memorial Day
- 30 - Rain Date for Field Day
June
- 1 - LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- 1 - Atholton HS graduation, 11:00 a.m.
- 2 - School Spirit Day - Summer Sports Day
- 2 - 3rd grade picnic, 12:30 p.m.
- 7 - Kindergarten picnic, 10:00 a.m.
- 7 - Schools close 3 hours early
- 8 - 2nd grade picnic, 11:05 a.m.
- 9 - Full day of school
- 9 - 1st grade picnic, 12:05 a.m.
- 12 - 4th grade picnic, 11:00 a.m.
- 12 - Schools close 3 hours early
- 12 - 5th-grade promotion ceremony at Atholton HS, 2:00 p.m.
- 13 - 5th-grade picnic, 11:00 a.m.
- 13 - Schools close 3 hours early
- 14 - Last Day of School - Schools close 3 hours early
- 16 - Final report cards will be mailed
To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.
Calendar
June 2023
Related Arts Color Days
From School Administration
Recently, we are noticing the severe and adverse effects of children and their unrestricted access to smartphones and social media. As a result, students have been exposed to more adult language and content and are sharing that inappropriate content with peers in school.
Below, I've included some information to consider as parents about smartphones and social media access for your children. When children have unrestricted access, assume they might be exposed to the worst on the internet.
Finally, as we close out the school year, please pay attention to the staffing news section of the newsletter. This week, you will find the staffing allocations for each grade, along with retirements and other vacancies created for a variety of reasons.
NEW INFORMATION
WAIT UNTIL 8TH
From https://www.waituntil8th.org/
We empower parents to say yes to waiting for the smartphone.
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. By banding together, this will decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over the kids having a smartphone.
Smartphones are distracting and potentially dangerous for children yet are widespread in elementary and middle school because of unrealistic social pressure and expectations to have one.
These devices are quickly changing childhood for children. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books and hanging out with family is happening a lot less to make room for hours of snap chatting, instagramming, and catching up on You Tube.
Parents feel powerless in this uphill battle and need community support to help delay the ever-evolving presence of the smartphone in the classroom, social arena and family dinner table. Let’s band together to wait until at least eighth grade before children are allowed to have a smartphone.
The Wait Until 8th pledge is encouraging parents to delay the smartphone. If you need to get in touch before 8th grade, we have some great basic phones and watches featured here. If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts or a two-way calling watch, you still can sign the pledge! Theses basic options avoid many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
Childhood is too short to waste on a smartphone. Take the pledge today!
Social Media and Elementary Aged Children
We all know that as much as technology has opened new worlds to our children, it has also put them at risk of predators and of growing up too soon through exposure to things they shouldn’t see, especially among elementary-aged children. The risks associated with social media and online platforms are compounded by the fact that those platforms are on mobile devices and can be used anywhere.
Recently, even with all of the technology classroom lessons focused on the cautions about online activity and social media, we became aware that students at Clemens Crossing have social media accounts such as TikTok. The content involved other students and school business in a negative manner. While most social media platforms have terms of service age restrictions of 13 years of age or older, TikTok has a “Younger Users” provision allowing children younger than 13 years of age on their social media site. Because of TikTok's emphasis on popular music, many videos include swearing and sexual lyrics, so it may not be age-appropriate for kids to use on their own. It's also easy to find people wearing revealing clothing and dancing suggestively, although TikTok won't let you search for objectionable content. If you supervise your kids and stick to songs you already know from the radio, TikTok can be a kid-friendly experience. In 2019, after settling with the Federal Trade Commission for child privacy violations due to all the children under 13 on the site, the developers created a separate section of the app for kids that only allows them to access curated, clean videos. They can't comment, search, or post their own videos. However, bypassing that section only requires entering a false birthdate.
The decision to allow your child to participate in social media platforms under the age of 13 is a parental decision. Most social media platforms require users to be 13 years old or older. If you allow your child to be on social media, consider information from the Common Sense Media - Elementary-aged Children on Social Media website Elementary-aged Children on Social Media and Parents’ Ulitmate Guide to Tik Tok. We also encourage you to review the school system’s policies; Responsible Use of Technology, Social Media (Policy 8080), Safe and Supportive Schools (Policy 1040), and Bullying/Cyberbullying (Policy 1060). It’s important for parents and caregivers to do all we can to help our children use technology safely and wisely. If social media spills into school on the elementary level, accounts will be reported as violations of terms of service to the social media platform. Furthermore, depending on the situation, school-based disciplinary actions could result in violations of school system policies.
It is extremely important for parents and guardians to learn about how and what online content children access. Supervision is essential at this age. This includes social media, online searches, and gaming. We want to make sure students are safe and responsible at school and at home while online.
As a reminder, students who have cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches are permitted to have them at school, but they must be on silent or powered off and stored in their backpacks during the school day.
Staffing New: Updates for the 2023-24 School Year
The conclusion of each year always brings changes to our school and staff for a variety of reasons. As of this week, here are some changes regarding school staff, enrollment, and classroom locations.
Classrooms Allocations Per Grade Level
We have a few changes with the number of classrooms per grade level. Below is a summary of those changes:
- Kindergarten - We will continue to have 5 kindergarten classes next year.
- First Grade - No change. There will continue to be 4 first-grade classes next year.
- Second Grade - There will be 4 second-grade classes next year. This is a decrease of 1 classroom compared to this year.
- Third Grade - No change. There will continue to be 4 third-grade classes next year.
- Fourth Grade - No change. There will continue to be 4 fourth-grade classes next year.
- Fifth Grade - No change. There will continue to be 4 fifth-grade classes next year.
Staff Changes for Next Year
Retirements
Please join our school staff as we congratulate Ms. Joanne Addy, Mrs. Diane Cohen, and Ms. Bev Parks, who are retiring at the end of the school year.
- Ms. Joanne Addy has been teaching for 32 years at Clemens Crossing. During her 32-year career, she taught first grade, second grade, third grade, and fifth grade.
- Ms. Bev Parks has been a paraeducator at Clemens Crossing for 21 years. Ms. Parks worked with students in all grade levels during that time period but most recently supported the first and second-grade teams.
- Mrs. Diane Cohen has been a paraeducator at Clemens Crossing for 29 years. Mrs. Cohen supported students in all grade levels during that time period but most recently supported the kindergarten team.
Farewell and Thank You!
The following teachers and staff members are moving on for a variety of reasons, and they will no longer be at CCES. Please join me in thanking them for their service to our community.
- Mr. Ben Schmitt, Art Teacher, was recently elected to be the next president of HCEA (Howard County Educators Association). This means he will be leaving our school to serve in his new role. Mr. Schmitt leaves CCES after 25 years as our art teacher. Mr. Schmitt has inspired so many children for a quarter century to love art and express their talents in his classroom.
- Mrs. Katherine Chandler, Special Education Resource Teacher, took another job in the education field. Mrs. Chandler has been an integral part of our special education team for 12 years.
- Ms. Brielle Roda, Special Education Resource Teacher, is relocating. Ms. Roda started teaching at CCES three years ago during the pandemic year.
Please join us in thanking these fine educators for their incredible service to our school community.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to update the community with changes to our staff, along with grade-level teacher assignments for next year.
Howard County Family Wellness Day
15th Annual Howard County Family Wellness Day on Sunday, June 4th from 8:30am to 2pm at Centennial Park South, brings together the entire community, challenging every organization, public and private, and every citizen, to make a commitment to healthy living. HCPSS, as an event partner, invites you and your family for a day of fun & fitness in the park.
With games, crafts, performances, vital health screenings and health education, Family Wellness Day is a total community collaboration.
The event starts with remarks from our community dignitaries and the Matzohball 5K Run/Walk. For more information, schedule of activities, and booth space availability, visit: www.FamilyWellnessDay.org
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Families Must Register for Bus Service by June 1
Families whose children are eligible for bus transportation must register through HCPSS Connect Synergy to receive bus service for the 2023-2024 school year. Instructions on how to register students are available online. Families who reside in non-transportation areas and families of students who receive transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan do not need to take any action.
Wilde Lake Middle School PTA Call for Volunteers
The Wilde Lake Middle School PTSA is looking for volunteers for President and Vice President for the ‘23/‘24 School Year. If you are interested, please email Rachael Kelly at wildelakemiddleschoolptsa@gmail.com
WLMS PTSA Website: https://tigersharks.memberhub.com
PTA Nominations now open for 2023-2024 school year
Are you interested in stepping up and getting more involved in PTA next year? Nominations are now open for Executive Board positions for the 2023-2024 school year. We warmly welcome all who may be interested -- it can be lots of fun to be more involved! Currently, the PTA is looking for volunteers for the following positions: 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary. These positions will be voted on at our meeting on the evening of May 10. Contact Jen Nwosu for more details president@clemenscrossingpta.org
PTA - Parent Teacher Association
COMMUNITY NEWS
CNSL Swim Team
It's nearly time for the 2023 summer swim team season! Summer Swim Team is an exciting and fun way to be together with friends and neighbors throughout the summer. They offer daily practices, swim meets, pep rallies, and more! It's fun for all ages and all are welcome to join! Please check out the CNSL Website to learn more about this season.
Students who attend Clemens Crossing Elementary School are assigned to swim on either the Clemens Crossing Cyclones or the Clary's Forest/Hawthorn/Swansfield Sundevils. Team assignment is based on your home address.
If you have questions about the Cyclones Swim Team email clemenscyclones@gmail.com.