Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
Volume 45, Issue 31 - March 22, 2024
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Jaime Gittleson - Assistant Principal
Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-6866
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces
For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice in the upper right-hand corner.
Spanish
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Korean
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Chinese
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Urdu
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From the Administrators
Dear Families,
Wishing everyone a wonderful spring break! See everyone after break on April 2nd.
Thank you!
Michelle Leader, Principal
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
March
- 25 - Schools and Offices Closed, Spring Break begins (through April 1)
April
- 2 - School Resumes after Spring Break
- 3 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 4 - Wear green for "Think Green Thursday"
- 9 - End of 3rd Marking Period
- 10 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day
- 17 - Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m.
- 18 - CCES School Play "101 Dalmatians Jr."
- 24 - PTA Talent Show Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
- 25 - PTA Talent Show, 6:30 p.m.
- 26 - PTA Talent Show, 6:30 p.m.
To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.
Spring Pictures
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
From the Health Room
Updated COVID-19 Guidance
The Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education recently endorsed the CDC's Respiratory Virus Guidance, and no longer require a 5-day quarantine period for COVID-19. Students and staff are still expected to remain home if they are experiencing symptom(s) associated with any communicable disease.
Please note, students, staff, and visitors may not enter an HCPSS bus or building with a fever of 100.0 or higher.
Kindergarten and New First Grade Enrollment
It is that time of year when we enroll kindergarteners and new students to first grade for next year! If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1st, please enroll them now! If you know anyone who has a child this age, please have them enroll their child now!The link to on-line enrollment is below! Please feel free to call the office at 410-313-6866 with any questions!
Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development
The Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology and fine arts.
No testing nor prior G/T coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.
For Summer 2024, we will be offering one two-week session from July 8 - 19 at Burleigh Manor Middle School. While the program is half-day, before and after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks.
A few highlights ---
- Bus transportation to area collector stops!
Exciting courses in Humanities, STEM, and the Arts!
Financial assistance is available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meal Program.
Families of HCPSS students may enter registration requests through HCPSS Connect beginning on April 2 at 6 p.m.
For more information on how to register, please see this registration guide.
Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.
Seeking Donations for Grassroots
Starting on April 2, CCES will be collecting for Grassroots Center. Donating and giving to those in need is as easy as ABC!
A: Amazon Link! Go to the Amazon wish list and purchase an item or two. It will come directly to our school to donate to Grassroots.
B: Bring in items!! We are accepting canned goods, body lotion and wash, toothpaste, towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, juice boxes, and baby wipes. You can simply place the items in the box in your pod.
C: Cash or coins! You can also bring in cash or coins or go to the direct donation page to donate. Your teacher will be collecting any money that you bring in.
Thank you so much for your donations!
~Mrs. Register and some fifth grade friends 🙂
Please join us for a fun evening of math on Thursday, April 11th. The evening runs from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. It is an open house where you can come and go as you please. There are no start and end times for the activities. There will be hands-on activities for all grade levels - kindergarten through fifth grade. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have an estimation jar, where the students can win prizes! We look forward to an exciting evening!
Original Works is coming to Clemens Crossing!
The Clemens Crossing artists have been working hard over the last few weeks to create beautiful pieces you can order on items such as bags, keychains, travel mugs, aprons, journals, matted prints, and more. These items are a great way to showcase your artist’s work, to give as gifts, and to have as a keepsake. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly toward the art room and back to your students through supplies and new art experiences. Ordering information will be coming out in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! -Mrs. Denkeli and Mrs. Aristidou
PTA News
PTA Spring Events
Add these dates to your calendar! There are plenty of exciting PTA events coming up through the spring. All the details coming soon!
April 1 Year Book online sales begin
April 18 - School Play "101 Dalmatians Jr."
April 25 - Talent Show (K-2nd)
April 26 - Talent Show (3rd - 5th)
May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week
May 10 - Spring Carnival
CCES Talent Show
The Talent Show is coming up in April!!
We would love to see all kinds of talent represented: playing a musical instrument, singing a song, dancing a Tik Tok dance, telling great jokes, solving a Rubik's cube, reciting poetry, acting, hula hoop tricks, karate demonstrations, sports tricks, juggling, magic tricks or anything else that our students would like to share! We would love a couple of student volunteers to help out during the shows as well.
Tuesday, April 23: Grades 3-5 Dress Rehearsal
Wednesday, April 24: Grades K-2 Dress Rehearsal
Thursday, April 25: Grades K-2 Talent Show
Friday, April 26: Grades 3-5 Talent Show
Sign up here:
Grades K-2nd
https://forms.gle/jM8SievartCenK9c8
Grades 3rd-5th
https://forms.gle/4scjJB2AyfD7Ttz78
Deadline for signing up for the Talent Show is Friday April 12th.
Questions? Contact Christine Porras at christineporras@gmail.com
After School Acivities
iCook: Spicing Things Up🌶️ 🌿 (MONDAYS starting April 22) Our chefs-in-training will learn how the addition of spices and herbs can transform food and provide added nutritional benefits too. Each class will highlight an herb or spice including basil, rosemary, garlic, vanilla, and cinnamon! We will make Black Bean Sliders, Rosemary Crackers, Enchiladas, and more! Our little chefs will build on their knowledge of cooking safety and the fundamental cooking techniques including peeling, breading, blending, melting, slicing, dicing, chopping and more.
Sign up on our website: https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-monday-1
iSTEAM: Color Lab 🎨 (Wednesdays starting April 24) Our young scientists will get to experiment with creativity and outside of the box thinking while learning about science. Scientific concepts are introduced through hands-on projects like exploring the water cycle with colorful raindrops, learning about molecular binding through painting, and exploring what traits make animals special by creating their own creatures! Our young scientists are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, experiment, and explain their reasoning and problem-solving. As a result, they will deepen their collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills, as well as their understanding and interest in science.
Sign up on our website: https://www.isteamafterschool.com/event-details/clemens-crossing-wednesday-1
In Case You Missed It
March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
Family Guide - The ABC's of CCES
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!
https://www.hcpss.org/academics/what-your-child-will-learn-guides/
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where all policies are enforced fairly and consistently. HCPSS policies and regulations emphasize instruction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and are designed to foster and reward appropriate behavior and keep students connected to school so they can graduate college and career ready. Please read and review the HCPSS student code of conduct with your child(ren) before the school year begins:
https://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/student-handbook/student-code-of-conduct.pdf
Change of Address
HCPSS parents/guardians are required by Board of Education Policy 9000 Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment to notify HCPSS if they move to a new home address by submitting residency documentation to their student’s current school. Students who have a change of residence on or after the first day of the 2023-2024 school year must request a student reassignment in order to complete the school year at their previous school.
Connect with CCES and Stay Informed
Listed below are the many ways to stay informed at Clemens Crossing Elementary School.
Twitter
- Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hcpss_cces
- We use Twitter to inform, celebrate, and engage our community.
- Twitter is used to share what is going on in our school, our community, and throughout the Howard County Public School System.
- Turn on notifications to get information the second it is tweeted.
- We live-stream our concerts on Periscope through Twitter.
- Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
- We have found that Facebook is the social media most used by our parents so we are now on Facebook, too!
- Our Facebook page is updated automatically from our Twitter feed.
- Please use Facebook to share the good news from CCES with your friends and families.
- We use Instagram periodically. We do post pictures and information there.
Website
- Our website, cces.hcpss.org, is updated regularly.
- Important news and information is located on the main page of the site including an archive of our weekly newsletter, Cougar Comments.
- Staff information and email is located under the "Our Staff" tab.
- A subscribable google calendar is located on the "Calendar" tab.
- Email is our main form of communication.
- You will receive news and information automatically to the email address you provide in your Family File. We will not inundate your inbox with email. Look for the weekly Cougar Comments on Friday mornings.
- If you would like email sent to different email addresses, update your email in Family File with the email address you prefer.
- You can subscribe additional email addresses by visiting the HCPSS News site here. http://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/
- Weekly announcements, important information and updates, and more will primarily be sent through email.
- You also have the opportunity to opt-in for text messaging
Opting into CCES and HCPSS Text Messages
If you wish to “opt-in” to receive CCES and HCPSS texts with emergency information or reminders, please follow the directions below:
Send a text to the number: 67587
Text “Yes” in the message.
Reply “Yes” when prompted if you want to “opt-in”
Community News
Howard County Recreation & Parks After School Activities at CCES
Spring & Summer Clothing Giveaway | Primavera y Verano Regalo de Ropa
Free new and gently used clothes, jackets, and shoes. Sponsored by Grace Community Church.
Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Lines may form at 7:30 a.m.)
Location: Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045
Ropa, chaquetas, y zapatos nuevos y usados gratis. Patrocinado por Grace Community Church.
Sabado, 6 de abril, 2024, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045
STEM Fair
Date: April 6th, 2024
Time: 12 pm - 3 pm
Location: Howard High School (8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043)
Who? 3rd to 8th graders in Howard County (parents will need to stay at the event)
THERE WILL BE PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES FOR ALL WHO COMPETE
About the Fair
This STEM fair is a platform designed to inspire and showcase the creativity and talent of young students from grades 3 - 8. This event invites participants to present their projects across various STEM categories, with the opportunity to win exciting prizes! The purpose of this event is to encourage a passion for learning and exploration, allowing children to express their unique ideas. Judges will score each project, provide constructive feedback, and give out medals at the end of the event but all participants will nevertheless receive certificates.
Parents/Guardians must stay during the entire event.
PLEASE READ ALL THE GUIDELINES HERE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mlbzNFQOPIateiW2pUyp_b4gA6IbhJkxpPGcDULSxfk/edit?usp=sharing
Contact Information:
Email - hohs.stemroots@gmail.com
AHS Boosters Camps
Does your child love sports? Atholton High School coaches are ready for a fun and exciting summer! Coaches and staff will help your child grow their skills in several sports. Registration is now open. Click on the link below.
VIDEO PRODUCTION CAMP: THE SHORT FILM
Do you have an aspiring filmmaker in your family? Sign them up for video production camp! Three sessions are running this summer at River Hill High School where campers can make their very own short film. Camera use, storytelling techniques, and editing skills will exercise participants’ creative and technical abilities. Sessions run from 8:30am - 12:00pm Monday through Thursday with a film festival at the end, and children ages 9 to 17 are welcome to enroll.
Sign up at https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp2024
Cub Scout Pack 618
Cub Scouts is more than a service organization and more than just fun. Our Scouts learn outdoor skills (camping and campfires!), civic duty (scouting for food! coat drive!), history (visiting Ft. McHenry!), astronomy (the eclipse! a planetarium visit!), environmentalism (nature walks!), pet care (animal shelter visit!), knots, woodworking, and so much more, all while having a ton of fun with friends new and old. It's not too late to join Cub Scouts this year; we have a trip to Fort McHenry planned for April 27th and our spring campout is May 17-19! To check out the Pack, go to our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.