Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
March 2, 2018 - VOLUME 39, ISSUE 22
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.
March
- 2 - Read Across America Day & Dr. Seuss Spirit Day
- 2 - International Night, 6:30 p.m.
- 5 - Kindergarten Registration Begins Daily 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- 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.
- 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
- 22 - Boys' 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)
April
- 2 - Schools Closed (State mandated holiday)
- 3 - Schools Closed
- 4 - Schools Reopen - Inclement Weather Make-up Day #1
- 5 - Schools are Open - Inclement Weather Make-up Day #2
- 6 - Schools are Open - Inclement Weather Make-up Day #3
- 12 - Kindergarten Field Trip to B&O Museum Baltimore
- 13 - End of Third Quarter - Early Dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
- 17 - PTA Restaurant Night - Chipotle in Fulton
- 18 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 23 - Report Cards Issued
- 25 - In-School Banking
From School Administration
March is here already. Although we are not completely beyond the threat of winter weather, Spring is on the horizon. It is noticeably lighter outside for a couple of hours after dismissal. We still have a lot of teaching and learning over the next three and a half months of the 2017-18 school year. Here at Clemens Crossing, we continue to strive to provide high-quality educational experiences for our students.
In my time as an educator and as an observer of kids in schools since being five years old, one phrase I have heard uttered many a time from numerous individuals is, "I can't." Usually, this is in response to being asked to do a routine learning task. Sometimes, this is stated not because someone truly cannot do it, but rather that he does not want to do it. Sometimes, the person may feel that the task, whatever it is, cannot be done because they do not know to how complete it. It can be due to a lack of confidence or as a result of a fear of being wrong (and subsequently judged by peers as being wrong). Sometimes, a generalization is formed (i.e. "I am just not a math person!").
I, too, have been in these shoes at various points in my time as a student. There are a few valuable lessons that we can take away from these scenarios to help kids on their learning journey.
- #1: We can use successes to build confidence step by step within kids. Confidence comes after having the feeling of being successful. We have to provide opportunities where kids can experience success, and feedback has to be given acknowledging what led to that success so that it can be repeated. That is one reason why we believe in our Twitter hashtag, #gr8suCCESs. Success builds upon success!
- #2: At some point, we all have gotten something wrong. That's just a part of the learning process. In most cases, it's not the end of the world. We have to teach kids to embrace errors that they make, learning from them to prevent repeating them in the future. They cannot be the reason for "I can't."
- #3: We all grow, change, and learn over time. Just because you cannot complete a task right now (2-digit addition, writing a paragraph, etc.) doesn't mean that you will never be able to do it.
Here are three links to resources that expand upon these and help give some ideas of actions you can take to help foster confidence, grit, and growth mindset.
An article about building confidence
An article from Scholastic on "Grit"
A webpage about one parent's approach to "growth mindset"
I hope you find this information helpful. Building confidence and grit while embracing a growth mindset are all strong learning skills and behaviors.
Mr. Cosentino
School Safety and Security
Dr. Martirano's community forum on school safety and mental health was held this past week. He shared a message and reaffirmed the urgency for our school security measures to be followed with fidelity. A summary of the community forum can be found on the HCPSS website. You also can reference resources by visiting: HCPSS School Safety
We want to remind you of the process we follow when visitors come to Clemens Crossing:
- The front door is the only entrance point for all visitors.
- We ask that you buzz the front office and look in the camera.
- The office staff will ask you how they can help you and your purpose for visiting.
- All visitors then walk directly to the front office with their identification.
- Each visitor will have their ID checked and sign in on LobbyGuard.
- A visitor’s sticker will be given to all visitors and must be worn and prominently visible.
- Any visitor in our building without a sticker will be escorted directly back to the office by a staff member.
- We also ask that visitors not hold doors open for other visitors.
Additionally, if you see something out of the ordinary, say something. Say something to school staff if it pertains to school business and operations. If the "something" is in the neighborhood, report it to the police.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for helping us to follow these procedures for the safety of our entire school community.
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. Beem
Maryland Integrated Science Assessment
In March our Fifth grade students will be participating in MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment). This is a computer based, state mandated assessment.
The dates of this assessment are:
March 5, 6 (10:45 am - 11:45 am)
March 13, 14 (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)
Kindergarten & New First Grade Registration Starts March 5
Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2018 must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year.
Registration will take place daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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 original documents:
- Birth certificate, birth registration, or passport with proof of parental relationship.
- 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. Information about their registration is on the Pointers Run ES website.
Online Kindergarten Registration Option
There is a new online option for the kindergarten registration process this year. The online process replaces the registration form itself and allows parents to complete the form online. This process establishes an account for that child in Family File. Part of the registration process permits registrants to upload documents. In addition to doing the online registration and uploading of original documents, parents/guardians must come to the school to meet with the secretary in order to verify their identity and pick up our school-specific information.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this option, please download the directions below.
Science Fair 2018
Your child is invited to participate in this year’s Science Fair on Monday, May 21 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. during the Clemens Crossing Elementary School Showcase.
The Showcase will highlight the remarkable things our extraordinary students have done this year at Clemens Crossing Elementary School. The Science Fair, GT Enrichment Fair, PTA Reflections, and Classroom Displays are all part of the annual showcase.
If your child is interested in doing a Science Fair Collection, Investigation, or Invention at home, please download the attachments below or visit the Clemens Crossing Elementary School website to download documents for one of the three different types of science fair projects. Students may work individually or in groups. Once your child has identified a project, please complete the online form titled, “Intent to Participate.” That form is also included below. Students who elect to participate will have their name read on the morning announcements and their name printed and hung on a hallway wall display. Directions on where and when to bring in the projects will be shared individually with participants and in future Cougar Comments and by email correspondences. We are excited to highlight the commitment shown and the hard work done by the CCES students this year. Many thanks for all of your support at home and in the building this year.
Types of Science Fair Projects
· Students in Kindergarten, First, or Second Grade may submit a Science Collection.
Students will collect and organize something of interest answering questions related to observations made while exploring their world.
· Students in any grade may conduct a Science Investigation to answer a question/problem. Students will use The Scientific Method to learn the systematic approach to solving a problem.
· Students in any grade may submit a Science Invention. Students will use the engineering design process to create an invention that will solve a problem or answer a question.
Family Math Night - March 15
Please join us for a fun evening of Math on Thursday, March 15. The evening runs from 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m. 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. Students will be given a No Homework Pass for attending. We are also giving away door prizes. We look forward to an exciting evening!
Siblings During Lunch, Recess, and Classroom Visitation
While we do allow siblings to accompany parents during lunch, we do not recommend that. Younger children should be closely monitored by the parent at all times, and they should not interfere with the operations of the lunch shift.
Siblings are not permitted at recess or in the classrooms.
Animals on School System Property Including Arrival and Dismissal
PTA School of Excellence - Whole Child, Whole Health
Earlier in the school year, the PTA issued a baseline survey to help identify areas of need to address with our community. The area of focus identified in the survey was to distribute and provide information on community resources that serve the needs of families within our community. Over the next few months, the PTA will share important resources for our whole health initiative which includes social-emotional well-being, nutrition, sleep health, and physical health.
The PTA School of Excellence Committee includes Joanna Lake, Karen Pang, Jennifer Molinari, Andrea Nelson, Jennifer Aballo, and Ed Cosentino.
Volunteers Needed for Career Day
Clemens Crossing Career Day is Friday, March 9th for students in Grades 3 to 5.
CCES parents speak to students in each of these grades about their career - it's a wonderful day for the kids!
We need 3 volunteers to help check in presenters from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and also be available to assist each grade with speaker set up as needed.
Please contact Andrea Sykes at arsykes23@verizon.net to volunteer!
International Night - Tonight, March 2
Gymnasium doors open at 6:30 p.m.! Come join us for a cultural evening filled with food, fun, and entertainment. We are excited to have tables representing Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Germany, Guam, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan! Families have the opportunity to view different country displays, sample food from around the world, get henna tattoos, and do crafts. At 7:30 pm in the cafeteria, JHU's Blue Jay Bhangra will perform an Indian Bhangra dance and will offer a workshop. We hope to see you there!
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.