Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
February 2, 2018 - VOLUME 39, ISSUE 18
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Elizabeth Yankle, 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
Events Coming Up
visit cces.hcpss.org/calendar.
February
- 2 - PTA Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m. (Snow Date 2/9)
- 2 - NFL Spirit Day
- 3 - JUST ADDED: McDonald's (Harper's Farm Rd.) Community Celebration, 12-4 p.m.
- 5 - School Counselor Week Begins
- 5 - Report Cards Issued
- 7 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 9 - SNOW DATE - PTA Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 13 - 5th Grade Parent Preview of Puberty Education, 6:30 p.m.
- 14 - Valentine's Day Parties
- 14 - School Spirit Day - Wear Red or Pink
- 15 - Vision and Hearing Screening
- 16 - No School - Countywide Professional Day
- 19 - Schools Closed - President's Day
- 21 - Pointers Run ES Welcome Meeting (families affected by redistricting), 7:00 p.m. at Pointers Run ES
- 24 - Roller Skate Night at Supreme Sports Club, 4:30 p.m.
- 28 - In-School Banking, 9:00 a.m.
March
- 1 - National Women's History Month Begins
- 2 - Read Across America Day & Dr. Seuss Spirit Day
- 2 - International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 5 - Kindergarten Registration Begins 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Daily
- 6 - Kindergarten Registration Evening Hours #1, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 7 - Interim Progress Reports Issued
- 8 - Kindergarten Registration Evening Hours #2, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 9 - Career Day (Grades 3-5)
- 14 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 15 - Family Math Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 22 - Boy's Night Out
- 23 - Grade 1 Field Trip to Toby's Dinner Theater
- 27 - Grade 4 Art Field Trip
- 28 - In-school Banking
- 30 - Schools Closed (State mandated holiday)
From School Administration
Social-Emotional Wellbeing in the Digital Age
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 not 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.
It's OK for your teen to be online. Online relationships are part of typical adolescent development. Social media can support teens as they explore and discover more about themselves and their place in the grown-up world. Just be sure your teen is behaving appropriately in both the real and online worlds. Many teens need to be reminded that a platform's privacy settings do not make things actually "private" and that images, thoughts, and behaviors teens share online will instantly become a part of their digital footprint indefinitely. Keep lines of communication open and let them know you're there if they have questions or concerns.
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 sexting, 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.
2015 - American Academy of Pediatrics
Report Cards Issued on February 5
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. Chuppetta
Mrs. Chupetta earned her undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Her graduate degree is in Education Technology from Loyola University in Maryland. She was drawn to education because she always loved helping others to learn and grow. She especially loves the "A-ha!" moments when a child finally understands something they have been working hard to learn. Outside of school, Mrs. Chupetta enjoys spending time with her family. Mrs. Chuppetta is married with three children; Mia (age 8), Dominic (age 6), and Vince (age 2).
Career Day 2018
Clemens Crossing Career Day is Friday March 9, 2018. Do you have a job that you like to talk about? Would you like to spark an interest in the next generation? Can you spare an hour or two? We invite you to be part of this exciting day! We are in need of parents to speak to students in Grades 3-5 about their careers. Presenters will speak to individual classes during 30-minute blocks. You may sign up for as many or as few blocks as you like. Our goal is to expose students to a variety of occupations. Whether your child is participating or not, we would love to have you! Please consider sharing your experiences and helping the children to begin thinking about the world of work. If you would like more information, please email our School Counselor,
Ann Rogers at ann_rogers@hcpss.org. To sign up, click here or fill-out the form below.
The Great Kindness Challenge
we have been certified as a Kindness Certified School. Congratulations CCES! Kindness Counts!
Thank You from Grassroot
On behalf of Grassroots, we sincerely thank you for hosting our Change Matters campaign! We can’t thank you and the CCES community enough for your extraordinary efforts and generous donation of $594.00! Way to go, Clemens Crossing Change Matters Superheroes!
Here are some costs to show how much the donation means to Grassroots and the individuals and families staying at Grassroots:
· $55 a month provides diapers and wipes for one baby staying at the shelter.
· $250 provides one night’s worth of overnight staffing for the shelter.
· $500 a month provides milk for all the children and adults at the shelter.
· $500 pays for complete staffing of counselors for an 8 hour shift to respond to crisis calls and walk-ins at Grassroots for one evening.
· $5,000 provides 4 months worth of food purchased for residents in the shelter.
MAP - Measure of Academic Progress
The Winter MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) Assessment will be administered between January 29th and February 23rd for
Grades 1-5. Each grade level will determine the best time for their classes and will communicate that with families.
We use MAP scores to measure and monitor student progress and inform instructional decision-making. After the administration of the Fall MAP Assessments, teachers met with students to review their MAP scores, and they established academic goals. Teachers will meet with students again to celebrate growth and establish new goals after the Winter Assessment. We encourage each student to do his or her best on the MAP, and we look forward to sharing the information with parents when we issue third quarter report cards.
Kindergarten & New First Grade Registration Starts March 5
Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Children who will be five hears old as of September 1, 2018 must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year.
Registration will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
There will be two Evening Registrations available on Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
You will need to bring the following documents:
- Birth certificate, birth registration or passport.
- Current immunization record - must be a print out from the pediatrician and signed.
- Deed or lease to your home
- Current utility bill
- Photo ID of parent/guardian registering the student
Please visit the Howard County Public School System website for complete information about enrollment and registration.
PLEASE NOTE: Families in the River's Edge neighborhood will need to go to Pointers Run Elementary School to register for Kindergarten.
McDonald's Community Celebration
Sunday, Feb 4, 2018, 12:00 PM
McDonald's, Harpers Farm Road, Columbia, MD, United States
FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
Vision and Hearing Screening - February 15
Our annual Vision and Hearing Screening will take place on Thursday, February 15.
Vision and Hearing Screenings are required for students in Kindergarten and First Grade. Your child will also be screened if they are new to the state of Maryland school system.
A letter was sent home last week with additional information regarding this annual screening.
If you have any questions, please call the Health Room at 410-313-5069.
Most importantly, if your child wears glasses or contact lenses, please make sure they wear them to school on screening day!
Front Office Notes
Office Hours
Early Dismissal Reminder
before 3:15 p.m.
Visiting or Picking-up Students at CCES
All visitors to Clemens Crossing must bring a driver’s license and sign in on our LobbyGuard visitor management system. Details regarding this mandatory process are explained in Superintendent Michael Martirano’s blog.
Additionally, we require a picture ID when you pick-up your child early from school.
Feedback From the CCES Community
The electronic feedback form below goes directly to Mr. Cosentino, Clemens Crossing Principal. For any urgent issues, call the school at (410) 313-6866 or email Mr. Cosentino directly at ecosentino@hcpss.org. Thank you for your feedback!
Reflections Arts Recognition Contest Winners
The CCES PTA is pleased to announce that three Clemens Crossing students have won top prizes at the Howard County Level of the National PTA Reflections Arts Recognition Contest and their artwork will go on to be judged at the state level.
They are:
Literature - Dominic Vega (Kindergarten) won 2nd prize in Howard County for his story,
Blue Lion.
Music Composition - Beah Magdoff (2nd Grade) won 2nd prize in Howard County for her song, Reach into the Stars.
Visual Arts - Marco Platino (2nd Grade) won 1st place in Howard County for his painting,
The Diamond.
Here is a link to all the winners at the Howard County Level: https://www.ptachc.org/?page_id=379
We would also like to recognize the participants in this year's Reflections Contest at the Clemens Crossing level. We were so impressed with the effort put into the submissions! A huge thank you to our wonderful judges: Mr. Schmitt, Ms. Alban and Ms. Ritchie. All submitted artwork will be displayed at the Enrichment Fair later this year. The artwork of the top 3 winners in each category went on to be judged at the Howard County Level.
The following Clemens Crossing students participated in this year's Reflections Contest:
Primary Division (K-2)
Amana Farooqi
Beah Magdoff
Ava Neugroschel
Marco Platino
Daphne Richardson
Trey Scata
Dominic Vega
Intermediate Division (3-5)
Aleena Farooqi (Intermediate)
Lily Stoll (Intermediate)
Cameron Vega (Intermediate)
Clemens Crossing Reflections Prizewinners
Primary Division
Literature
- Dominic Vega (Kindergarten) won an Award of Excellence in Literature for his story Blue Lion.
Music Composition
- Beah Magdoff (2nd Grade) won an Award of Excellence in Music Composition for her song Reach Into the Stars.
Visual Arts
- Marco Platino (2nd Grade) won an Award of Excellence in Visual Arts for his painting The Diamond.
- Trey Scata (1st Grade) won an Award of Merit in Visual Arts for his collage Moon Walk.
- Amana Farooqi (2nd Grade) won Honorable Mention in Visual Arts for her drawing Art is Amazing.
Intermediate Division
Literature
- Cameron Vega (4th Grade) won an Award of Excellence in Literature for his story Ash's Dream.
- Lily Stoll (4th Grade) won an Award of Merit in Literature for her story Within the Earth.
Visual Arts
- Aleena Farooqi (4th Grade) won an Award of Excellence in Visual Arts for her drawing Reaching My Goals.
Congratulations to all participating students!
Turn In Box Tops for Education
Clemens Crossing receives cash for your Box Tops! Remember to cut them out and send them in with your child. Each grade level has a collection bin -- the more Box Tops your grade brings in, the more cash your child's class receives! Box Tops are collected all year-round. The next shipment will go out in late February, so please send in what you have by Feb. 9 and then keep sending them in for the remainder of the year for the next shipment.
Questions? Contact Angela Stark, stark.angela@gmail.com
PTA Skate Night at Columbia Skate Arena at Supreme Sports Club
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018, 04:30 PM
Supreme Sports Club, Deepage Drive, Columbia, MD, United States
International Night - COUNTRY TABLE HOSTS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
CCES International Night will be held on March 2nd, 6:30 pm. This is great opportunity to experience other cultures in our CCES family. For the first hour, families can visit country tables and experience the many cultures of our CCES family. Starting at 7:30 pm in the cafeteria, there will be an Indian Bhangra dance performance and workshop by JHU's Blue Jay Bhangra. So far we have tables representing Bangladesh, Bolivia, China, Denmark, India, and Puerto Rico. We are looking for more countries to be represented. Country tables include food, costumes, posters, games, and/or other items of interest relevant to that country. Even if you cannot host a table, we could use your help with decorating and clean up. You can sign up through this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090448a4a928a46-international2. Feel to send any questions about the event or volunteering to jkashim@gmail.com or katjevans@yahoo.com. We look forward to a wonderful cultural evening!
Valentine's Day Treats for Teachers
Let's spread the word... We LOVE our Teachers and Staff at Clemens Crossing Elementary!
Sign up here http://signup.com/go/zxhdBKQ to bring a dessert or fruit for our teachers to indulge a bit during the school day. Thank you for all your support in advance!!
Giant Food A+ Rewards
Clemens Crossing Elementary earns cash every time you shop at Giant Food Grocery Stores and use your Giant card. All you need to do is register your card online and designate CCES as your school of choice (school ID: 01008) through Giant's A+ School Rewards Program. Follow the steps below to register your card and designate CCES as your school today:
- Visit www.giantfood.com/school-rewards/ and select the purple box that says "Log in to get started."
- Log-in or follow the prompts to create your online account. You will need your 12-digit Giant Card number.
- (If you don't know your Giant card number, call 1-877-366-2668, Option #1)
- Under the "Rewards and Savings" tab, follow the prompts to designate Clemens Crossing Elementary as your school. You will need the School ID # for CCES, which is 01008.
- If you need assistance selecting your school, call or email the A+ Hotline at 1-877-275-2758 or askaplus@cranecommunications.com
NOTE: If you registered your Giant card last year - you do NOT need to re-register. CCES will automatically start earning money from your purchases once the program begins this school year!
The A+ rewards program has been going on for three months now and will continue through March 15. Please be sure to register your card if you have not done so already. Visit the Giant Food A+ Rewards website to register. Last year this program earned more than $4,600 for our school!
Don't forget to encourage your friends and family members to register their cards for CCES, too!
Note: The Public Information Office encourages all community organizations to distribute notices electronically through this online resource. However, organizations may choose to distribute printed documents, such as the 2018 Parent Guide, through student backpacks, etc. per the provisions of HCPSS Policy 10010. For more information, please refer to Distribution Guidelines for Schools. Contact the Public Information Office with any questions, at 410-313-6682 or publicinfo@hcpss.org.