Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
May 28, 2021 - Volume 42, Issue 38
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
May
- 28 - Spirit Day #2 - CCES Cougar Day
- 31 - Schools and Office Closed - Memorial Day
June
- 1 - Spirit Day #3 - Hat Day
- 1 - Library books due
- 9 - 5th Grade Promotion Drive-Thru
- 10 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day
- 11 - Spirit Day #4 - Crazy Hair Day
- 11 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day
- 14 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day
- 15 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day
- 16 - Report cards available in HCPSS Connect
August
- 27 - Open House/Orientation (Time TBA)
- 30 - Frist Day of School for Students
From School Administration
We also have information about the final four half days. Teachers will communicate specific information as we get closer to the final four half days.
Stay tuned to the Cougar Comments in the next two weeks. We are getting close to sharing important information about next year. Information includes our open house times on August 27 and Back-To-School Nights in September. We want to be sure you can save important dates for planning purposes.
This weekend is Memorial Day. We hope you have a nice long weekend.
New Information
June 10-14 Half Day Schedule
End of Year Chromebook Procedures
Returning Devices - Leaving CCES and HCPSS
Only students leaving the school system at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, including those unenrolling, must return their HCPSS assigned device(s), which may include laptops, Chromebooks, hotspots, and other borrowed devices.Returning Students Can Return Device Over the Summer
All students who will remain enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year may continue to borrow the device(s) assigned to them over the summer. Please review the Chromebook Care guidelines with your child(ren) to ensure that the devices are kept safe over the summer.
Families who do not wish to keep possession of HCPSS technology device(s) may return them to Clemens Crossing for safekeeping. The appropriate technology will be reassigned to the student in the fall.
Procedures for Returning Devices
Devices can be returned to CCES or one of the Technology Support Centers listed below.
If you are returning your device to CCES, please call the CCES front office at 410-313-6866 to arrange a time to drop off your child's Chromebook. We will have a form for you to sign acknowledging the condition and return of the Chromebook at that time.
When you call, we will need the following information:
- Parent and student names,
- Student grade level for this past year,
- Whether you are returning the device for good or for the summer, and
- **The blue "Property of HCPSS" tag number affixed to the computer.**
You will need to bring the computer and charger cord to the school. You will get a receipt indicating that you returned the device and charger. At that time, the device(s) will be unassigned in Synergy/Family File until we re-assign the device when school reopens.
**Families returning HCPSS technology devices should log in to HCPSS Connect to ensure they are returning the correct device.
Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials
Select More Options from the left navigation.
Select Student Technology from the list displayed in the center of the screen.
Compare the asset tag number that appears on a sticker on the device with the words “Property of HCPSS Inventory” to the one displayed on the Inventory List table.
Check all devices in the household and ensure the correct devices are returned to the appropriate school locations.
If the asset tag number listed in HCPSS Connect does not match any of the devices in the household, let staff know when the device is being returned so that the data can be updated appropriately and the device can be unassigned.
Technology Resource Center
Devices may be picked up, exchanged, or returned at either of the following Technology Support Centers:
- Old Bushy Park Elementary School, Room E2 (door to the left of the front entrance), 2690 Route 97, Glenwood (Building is between Glenwood Middle School and Bushy Park Elementary School)
- Old Cedar Lane, Gymnasium (door on the left side of the building; follow the signs), 5451 Beaverkill Road, Columbia (Building shares a parking lot with Harper’s Choice Middle School)
Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. Please note that Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed.
The hours of operation of the Technology Resource Center are subject to change. It is best to check their website for the most up-to-date information. - https://www.hcpss.org/devices/#support.
What if you cannot return your device in person?
If you are no longer in the area and cannot return your device in person, you can mail the device to the following address below:
HCPSS C/O Monique Ingram
Logistics Center
9645 Gerwig Lane
Columbia, MD 21046
Student Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations
In alignment with Howard County Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media, students who are assigned portable technology devices, including Chromebooks, must adhere to provisions outlined in the policy and the HCPSS Mobile Technology Duties and Obligations notice, and may be fiscally responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices.
For students who are continuing to borrow their Chromebook over the summer, we must emphasize that the Chromebook is for educational use. Please store it in a safe place over the summer and maintain the device properly by keeping it clean. We highly recommend not to travel with your school-issued device so it will not be at risk of getting lost, damaged, or stolen when you are away from home.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CHROMEBOOK
Chromebooks should be fully charged when you arrive at school each day. Students should bring the device and power cord, as well as any external keyboard/mouse they may opt to use.
Do not place foreign objects into the Chromebook’s ports. Cords, cables, and removable storage devices (e.g. thumb drives) must be inserted carefully into appropriate port on the Chromebooks. Be careful when inserting and removing cords, cables, and external devices.
Your Chromebook screen can easily be damaged! Excessive pressure can break the screen. Do not place anything on the keyboard before closing the lid. Never place heavy objects on top of the Chromebook.
Use only your clean finger or a touch-screen stylus when touching your screen. Do not use anything that may mark or scratch the screen surface.
Use a soft dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth to clean the screen or keyboard. Do not use liquid to clean the screen.
Keep all food and drinks away from your device. If liquid spills into the Chromebook, unplug it immediately. Do not plug the device back in until it is thoroughly dry.
Do not add any stickers or any other decorative items that would alter the appearance of the Chromebook from when you received it. Do not tamper with HCPSS or school tags that are present on the Chromebooks.
Make sure that the Chromebook and its cords are kept away from pets, and that the power adapters and cords are not left within their reach.
CCES Partners with Notre Dame University of Maryland
Pesticide Application at Clemens Crossing ES
Please find attached information about a pesticide application scheduled for Clemens Crossing on May 29-30 or June 5-6, 2021, weather permitting, to control Canadian Thistle. Canadian Thistle is classified as a noxious weed in the state of Maryland and requires that it be eradicated. The HCPSS is operating under a universal pesticide application notification procedure for all school facilities. Under the universal notification procedure, every staff member and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of every student must be notified each time a pesticide is used at the school facility that they attend.
Temporary Itinerant Kindergarten Assistant Position for the Fall
Under the general supervision of the Office of Early Childhood Programs, and with the direct supervision from a kindergarten teacher, the Itinerant Temporary Kindergarten Assistant provides support to kindergarten students in small groups or in a one-to-one format during the school day. This position performs data collection and clerical work as related to the assignment. This position will be available for all elementary schools.
This temporary position is anticipated to start in August of 2021 and is anticipated to end December 2021. Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/hcpss/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute%2fTemporary+Employment&subcategory=Other
Job ID #3519
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Related Arts Grades
CCES Spiritwear
It's not too late to get your CCES Spiritwear! We have a limited amount of various items and sizes. Contact vicepresident@clemenscrossingpta.org to order today!
Spirit Days Added to the Calendar!
Did you Move? Are You Moving?
According to HCPSS Policy 9000 - Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment, and Assignment, "A student attending a public school in Howard County will attend the designated school serving the school attendance area in which the parents have bona fide residence unless reassignment is granted or administrative placement occurs."
If you have moved or are moving soon, please notify us as soon as possible. Please do not wait for us to find out through other means. We are available to assist you with transitioning to your child's new school. Whether it be another HCPSS school, a private school, or a school out of the HCPSS district, we are here to help. If you are transferring to another HCPSS school, our registrars will partner to make the transition as smooth as possible.
If you have an address change, please fill out the attached fillable Address Change Form below and email it back to us with your new deed or lease. This way we can electronically verify your school district and update your new address on file. If you have any questions, contact our registrar, Jennifer Aballo: jennifer_aballo@hcpss.org
It is very important for us to have the most accurate information about your residency.
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.