Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
January 22, 2021 - Volume 42, Issue 21
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
We're Here to Help You!
Edward Cosentino, PrincipalSonia Hurd, Assistant Principal
Stacey Wells, Principal's Secretary
Jennifer Aballo, Teachers' Secretary
Dulce Boyer, Teachers' Secretary
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
January
- 21 - Incoming 6th Grade Wilde Lake School Parent Night, 6:30 p.m. CODE: hyw-ykst-zev
- 26, 27 - FULL DAYS for ALL SCHOOLS
- 27 - Reflections Celebration - Zoom Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 28 - HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE A HALF DAY - THIS IS A FULL DAY FOR CCES
- 29 - School Closed for Students: Professional Work Day
- 29 - End of Second Quarter
- 29 - Parent Teacher Conference scheduling window Opens
February
- 3 - Math MAP, 9:00 a.m.
- 5 - Parent Teacher Conference scheduling window Closes
- 10 - ELA MAP, 9:00 a.m.
- 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 11 - Half Day Schedule - (Orange Day): Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 12 - School Closed for Professional Work Day
- 15 - Schools and Offices Closed for President's Day
March
- 17 - School Picture Day
FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Once again, we are so grateful for all the students, parents, and staff that bring joy to us on a daily basis. As the first semester is getting near the end, it is time to turn the page on the second marking period and head into the second semester of the school year. Please talk to your child to make sure he/she has all of his/her school work complete. Teachers have notified students and parents if they are at risk of an unsatisfactory grade in any area. We are very pleased that so many students are managing and doing well in this virtual setting. In the big picture, children have progressed so much since September. There are many reasons for the progress that is being seen, not the least of which is the support of parents and families with student learning. We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow as learners in the days ahead! I know the challenges of online learning, but we are so excited to have our students back in the building full time.
As we approach mid-year, we need to renew our efforts and commitment to learning online. Last week's Cougar Comments included Behavior Talks videos to help you with a variety of learning styles and situations at home. This week, I want to share language we use at Clemens Crossing for PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports). Throughout the course of the school year, we encourage students to exhibit ROARing behaviors. This helps to teach and reinforce strong habits to help students with their suCCESs in school.
ROAR stands for:
- Respectful
- Organized
- Achieving
- Responsible
Please see the poster below which explains each component of ROAR. Many of these expectations and behaviors can be used at home. We wanted to share some our school expectations so you can continue to help your child in school so they are ready to learn each day.
For example, in order to help students be organized, find a location in the home conducive for learning. This space should be free of distractions so students can focus on their work and interactions. We do not recommend a couch or bed, but a fixed location in the home where they can attend to learning.
Now that our routines have been in place for almost two full quarters, work with your child to take responsibility for his/her own work and learning. Completing work on time without parental or teacher's reminders is essential now and in the future.
On time reporting to Google Meet classes, following the schedule, persisting when tasks are difficult are all characteristics and behaviors of students who are achieving.
Teachers continue to use this language in the online classes. Being familiar with our PBIS expectations can help at home and help with the eventual transition back to the in-person school setting in the future.
NEW INFORMATION
Road to Kindergarten
Kindergarten Registration kicks off the week of March 8, 2021. The HCPSS Getting Ready for Kindergarten page, which includes resources to support kindergarten readiness and online registration, has been updated with additional information and resources for families. This includes information that is typically covered in the Road to Kindergarten live event, such as kindergarten readiness, the kindergarten program, and registering children for school. The live Road To Kindergarten events will not take place this year due to the pandemic. We also encourage families to visit the HCPSS Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home. The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year. The Transition to Kindergarten Workgroup is working on additional readiness resources that can be implemented at home or in early learning centers - these resources will also be posted on the Getting Ready for Kindergarten page this winter.
"Books & Bundts" Reading Program
Nothing Bundt Cakes at 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia is offering a youth reading incentive program for Grades Pre-K to 5th from January 15 to March 31, 2021! Click the flyer below describing the program.
Just use the attached Book Tracker to keep track of the books and minutes your child reads. When they reach 400+ minutes, take the tracker to Nothing Bundt Cakes and your child will receive a free "Bundtlet" and an award certificate.
Happy Reading!
The Virtual Magic Show from the CCES PTA
The PTA is excited to offer students the opportunity to attend The Virtual Magic Show with Jay Mattioli on Thursday, February 11th at 1 pm. This is a half-day for students. The interactive show will last 55 minutes and take place via Zoom. Please RSVP to the Evite here http://evite.me/jHUPfVAYFx
The Zoom link for the show will be emailed through the Evite prior to the event. Please email any questions to Allie at mcdonald.allie@gmail.com
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
HELP WANTED FOR PTA
The PTA is looking for some help. We need volunteers for the following committees: Nominating, Bylaws, and Auditing. All of these will meet virtually just a few times in the spring. Please email president@clemenscrossingpta.org or vicepresident@clemenscrossingpta.org for more info.
End of 2nd Quarter and Grading
Grading
Grades for all classes are a combination of assignments in class and online, observational data, and assesments. Please note, at the elementary level the gradebook may not reflect the final grade for a particular class as teachers collect many data points during class that are not always captured in the Canvas gradebook.
If your child receives a grade lower than a C, the teacher will have notified you prior to receipt of your student(s) report card. Again, grades are a reflection of completed assignments both online and in class, observations and assessments. Teachers have reached out to families where there have been concerns with completion of assignments, participation and/or attendance. Please let your teacher(s) and/or administration know if you need assistance with completion of any assignments or have attendance issues. We are here to support all students in achieving success in this virtual learning environment.
Related Arts -- Please make sure your student(s) has all assignments for all Related Arts completed and submitted before the end of the semester (January 28). Please access the gradebook in Canvas to verify all assignments are turned in. If you have any questions about Related Arts grades or assignments, please email or use Canvas Inbox to contact your child’s Related Arts teachers.
Conference Scheduling
SAVE THE DATES! - Winter MAP Testing
On Wednesday February 3rd and 10th, students in grades 1-5 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure your student’s academic progress. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/
The math test will be offered on February 3rd from 9-11 am. The reading test will be offered on February 10th from 9-11 am. If your child is unable to attend, makeup testing will be offered during asynchronous learning times. Teachers will share Google Meet information and your student’s testing group as we get closer to the February dates.
Community News and Programs
Please find the link to the Howard County Public School System's Community News and Programs page.
In alignment with Howard County Board of Education Policy 10010, Distribution and Display of Materials and Announcements, the following announcements have been approved by the 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.
The below community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System.