Edward Cosentino, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, 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

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March

• 8 - Class/group/individual picture day
  
• 8 - PTA meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 9 - Hearing & Vision re-screening
• 9 - CCES Parent University, Session 2, 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria

• 12 - Daylight Savings starts
• 14 - Pi Day - School spirit day
• 15 - Schools close 3 hours early, 12:45 p.m. Professional Work and Wellness day
• 16 - CCES Parent University, Session 3, 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria
• 23 - CCES Parent University, Session 4, 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria
• 24 - Maryland Day - School spirit day
• 24 - International Night, 6:30 p.m.
• 24 - PTA Book Fair starts and continues through March 30
• 30 - Baseball Day - School spirit day
• 31 - Schools close 3 hours early, 12:45 p.m. Professional Work day
• 31 - End of 3rd quarter

To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.

Typically, this time of year is marred with many starts and stops due to weather-related school closures, late arrivals, and illnesses, in addition to scheduled closings already on the calendar. With the conclusion of a snow-free February, we are enjoying the benefits of instructional continuity this year! Hopefully, we will continue to have that continuity throughout the month of March before Spring Break.

We are entering our second of five, five-day weeks in a row on Monday before Spring Break. On that note, this is a great time to review our behavioral expectations and reinforce expectations both at school and at home. We find that children need those reinforcements and reminders at this time of the school year. Please take the time to review our behavioral expectations below (PBIS). By reiterating the importance of our behavioral expectations, we can maximize our children's time in school and in their classes with limited or no disruptions related to behaviors. This helps maintain a positive and productive teaching and learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for continuing to be great partners in education!

Mr. Cosentino and Mrs. Gittleson

PBIS – POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS

What is PBIS? PBIS is a research-based behavior system that uses incentives and acknowledgments to motivate students to make positive choices. Each PBIS school identifies three to five easy-to-remember behavioral expectations for students which are communicated frequently and reinforced with student acknowledgments. Staff members make it a point to call attention to moments when a student demonstrates desired behaviors. This positive reinforcement is for all students and also provides an excellent model for students who need extra encouragement in making appropriate choices.

PBIS is an important aspect of Clemens Crossing. The staff of Clemens Crossing Elementary School is committed to working with students and their families to promote a safe and nurturing environment in all school settings.

Below are the guiding principles of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS):

• PBIS is a behavioral support system to promote and recognize positive behavior.
• The program rewards students for exhibiting positive behavior.
• Expectations, language, and consequences concerning behavior are consistent throughout the school.
• The program promotes the development of intrinsic motivation.
  
  

We have three school expectations that are reinforced daily.:

Our expectations are:

• Perform Resiliently
• Act Respectfully
• Work Responsibly

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

Students are taught the school rules for classroom and non-classroom settings. All students are told what the expected behaviors or tasks are in each classroom. If a child does not exhibit the expected behavior, any of the following strategies may be used to help redirect and reteach that behavior:

• Individual verbal warning with an explanation about expected behavior.
• Time out in the classroom.
• Time out in a different classroom or the pod area.
• Students are given an opportunity to calm down using a Self-Calming Kit.
• Minor Incident Report/Reflection Form (MIR) is completed and sent home to parents/guardians to be signed and returned the following day.
• If the behavior still does not improve, an administrator will be called in to intervene.

*Certain actions, such as fighting, using inappropriate language, harassment and threats warrant immediate administrative involvement.

We recognize students may have situations or incidents at school that require consequences. As adults, it is our responsibility to help teach children acceptable and appropriate behavior in our school setting. These are teachable moments to reiterate and reinforce our expectations in a school community of learners. Overall, this helps to create a positive learning environment and maximize children's opportunities to learn. We know a strong home and school connection will help reinforce those expectations.

How Can You Help at Home?
Please review the information on this page with your child.

• Ask your child to tell you the school rules.
• Ask your child to discuss ways that he or she can use these rules to help them to learn and participate at school.
• Ask your child how his/her behavior affects others.
• Discuss ways that your child can be a helpful and kind classmate.
• Discuss ways that these rules can be used at home and in the community.

If you have any questions about our PBIS Program, please ask your child's teacher, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Braxton-Cheek, Mrs. Gittleson, or Mr. Cosentino.

PAW PRINT TICKETS

Students who follow the school rules and display appropriate behavior may be recognized for their efforts by receiving Paw Print Tickets from any member of the school staff.

• Staff members distribute tickets to students to recognize their positive behavior.
• Once received, the students collect their tickets to trade in for various rewards.
• Rewards are special privileges the students can earn. A few examples are sitting in a special seat for the day, being first to pick classroom jobs, or lunch with a staff member or administrator.
• Students are also recognized when they earn 25, 50, 75, and 100 Paw Print tickets. At 25, they receive a certificate and have their picture taken and displayed on the bulletin board. At 75, they earn a coupon for the school store, and at 100, they earn a wristband and are recognized at a PEP rally.
• Students with exemplary behavior will participate in quarterly celebrations!

Hi! We are a group of fifth graders trying to make a difference for the people at Grassroots. We are asking for donations in order to help those in need. These items can be purchased and then brought into school and put in the box in your grade-level. Thank you so much for your support!

Items Needed:

Pillows, queen sheet sets, plungers, broom/dustpan sets, Swiffers, plastic hangers, extension cords, cups, fabric softeners, aluminum foil, floor lamps, trash bags, dinnerware sets, gift cards to Target/Walmart, and cash/coins. To make an online donation click here.

Thank you again!

-Laura C., Sophia H., Ryan L., Sam M., and Mrs. Register

Counting down the days to Spring Break? Read away the long days of March with our March Madness 15 Minute 21-Day Read Aloud Challenge! Look for the green Challenge Recording Sheet in your student's backpack. Read aloud with your student for any 21 days between now and the end of Spring Break. Record it on the Challenge Sheet and return it to Mrs. Greene in the Media Center by April 12. We will then send home a special certificate to celebrate! Thank you for taking the Challenge, and Keep Reading!

Have you always been interested in the movie making process? Do you dream of being a YouTube Vlogger? This is the camp for you! AM and PM camps are available to learn how to improve your composition and continuity editing skills and how to work as part of a video production team. Possible topics include stop motion animation, broadcasting, lighting, green screen techniques, and more - all tailored to the needs and wants of the campers."

When: 7/10-14 AM and/or PM; 7/24-28 AM and/or PM; Where: River Hill HS Media Center;

Who: Videographers age 9-17 River Hill Boosters

Kindergarten Registration begins Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, at Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2023, must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration is online. Please visit the Howard County Public School System website for complete information about enrollment and registration. In addition, there is information on the HCPSS website, Getting Ready for Kindergarten, which provides an overview of the kindergarten program in Howard County.

Please share this information with neighbors who have children entering kindergarten in the fall.

Temporary Employee Opportunity

We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to assist students with disabilities who require direct adult supervision throughout the school day. The position works under the daily supervision of the school administration and the direction of a special education teacher and/or a classroom teacher. Some experience working with children or individuals with disabilities preferred. Below, please are details regarding the position.

• Temporary Employee (TE) positions are with Social Service Consultants, Ltd.

• Compensation is $15.00 per hour

• The hours are 9:15 AM – 3:45 PM Monday-Friday.

To apply, please email Robert Tencher at Rtencher@gmail.com to request an application packet. Please specify the school you are interested in. You can also apply using this link. Please contact Jaime Gittleson at Jaime_Gittleson@hcpss.org or at 410-313-6866 when you have completed all parts of the application.

Spring picture day is coming up on March 8! Individual portraits as well as classroom group photos will be taken. Students will receive proofs of their individual portraits to bring home. If parents would like to purchase the individual portrait, then you will keep what you receive and send payment. If you do not wish to purchase the portraits, simply return the entire photo package to school with your child. Classrom group photos must be purchased on or before picture day, using the Classroom Group Photo envelope that will be sent home with your child. The cost for classroom group photos is $10 each. Both the individual and classroom group photos are a fundraiser for our school.

My name is Mr. Allen, and I am a 4th-grade teacher at Clemens Crossing! I will host an after-school program for you to attend called Parent University. Parent University is designed to help you, the parent, help your child at Clemens Crossing and in their time in the Howard County Public School System. During the sessions, I will be able to provide you with resources that will allow your child to receive the best education possible here at Clemens Crossing. These sessions will take place in February and March in the Clemens Crossing cafeteria.

Session 2 (March 9th, 2023, 7 pm-8 pm) - Navigate Canvas and the many online resources - This session will provide you with an opportunity to explore the available resources our county has available for you to use.

Session 3 (March 16th, 2023, 7 pm-8 pm) - Digging Deeper into Math Standards - This session will allow you to take a look at the math common core standards that your child is and will be working on.

Session 4 (March 23rd, 2023, 7 pm-8 pm)- The Importance of English Language Arts - This session will develop your understanding of the English Language Arts common core standards that your child is and will be working on.

Don’t miss these sessions, as they will be essential to giving your child the best possible education. Please fill out this survey to RSVP for the sessions. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at dale_allen@hcpss.org.

Thank you so much!

Mr. Allen