Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments

Jaime Gittleson - Assistant Principal

Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-6866
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces

For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice in the upper right-hand corner.

Spanish

Para otros idiomas, haga clic en Traducir Newsletter y elija el idioma que prefiera.

Korean

다른 언어의 경우 뉴스 레터 번역을 클릭하고 원하는 언어를 선택합니다.

Chinese

对于其他语言，请单击翻译新闻通讯，然后选择所需的语言。

Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

Dear Families,

As we approach the days prior to the Winter Break, please continue to send your children to school each day, on time, and for the full day, unless they are sick. Instruction is still taking place in all our classrooms!

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

December

• 21 - Ugly Sweater Day
• 21 - CCES Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m. at Atholton HS
• 22 - Pajama Day
• 25 - Christmas
• 25 - Winter Break December 25 through January 1, Schools Closed
• 26 - Kwanzaa

January

• 1 - Schools Closed, New Year's Day
• 10 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 11 - Literacy Night, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
• 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Schools Closed
• 17 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, Professional Work & Wellness Day, 12:55 p.m.
• 19 - End of 2nd Marking Period
• 22 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day
• 25 - PTA Science Fair, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
• 30 - Q2 Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m.
  
  

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

HCPSS recommends that parents/guardians or another trusted adult wait at the bus stop with the students to supervise their behavior and to help with any problems that may arise.

HCPSS would like to remind families to arrive at the bus stop at least five to seven minutes prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus. Please do not stand or sit at the roadway edge and wait in a safe space well off of the roadway. Please discourage running and playing where a student may be too close to the roadway. Once the bus arrives, please wait to board the bus until it’s stop sign and warning lights have stopped all traffic and the doors open. Children should never play near or run towards a moving bus. If a child accidentally drops an item near the bus, please alert the driver before an adult retrieves the item. Finally, avoid hanging objects or loose clothing that could get caught on tight spaces boarding the school bus.

Additional bus safety information for both parents and students can be found on the HCPSS website:

https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/responsibilities/#parents

If you wish to “opt-in” to receive CCES and HCPSS texts with emergency information or reminders, please follow the directions below:

Send a text to the number: 67587

Text “Yes” in the message.

Reply “Yes” when prompted if you want to “opt-in”

Families, please join us at our Clemens Crossing Literacy Night on January 11, 2024. This night is meant for both parents and students! Parents will see a short presentation about resources to help their students at home and then join their students in playing different games and activities with their peers. It will be glow-in-the-dark themed and will be a night for students to remember! Please scan the above QR code or use this link to sign up!

Attention parents/families of students in grades K-2! This is NOT only for older students - it’s for all grades!

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming Science Fair. This is an incredible opportunity for your child to explore the world around them through hands-on learning. By collecting and organizing something they find interesting, they'll be able to answer questions and deepen their understanding of the world. Don't miss out on this exciting adventure! Sign your child up today and let their curiosity soar to new heights

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTumsMnM0LWzcavNxPfOsdTsMplCx3zA1zZtiu1iPRk3NxFg/viewform?usp=pp_url

More details here: https://sites.google.com/view/chess-sciencefair/home

Questions? Contact us at sciencefair@clemenscrossingpta.org

Who doesn't feel a bit peckish throughout the workday? And who wouldn't get excited to find something tasty or fun in the lounge? For sure our CCES teachers & staff love a good pick-me-up and we want to give it to them!

Please consider helping the PTA "Stuff the Staff Lounge" with goodies throughout the year. It's an easy way to show our appreciation for all the hard work that goes on in our school! You can signup here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49AEAE2DA5F8C07-45327230-stuff

Many CCES families choose to get a gift for their child’s teacher during the holiday season - if you would like to know what your child's teacher likes, here is the link to the helpful wishlist.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k9ACqZmdL02_SGghcBi3gDxl5vEvhTespY4Maj1Yz8E/edit?usp=sharing

iCOOK AFTER SCHOOL : Mondays Starting January 29 (Open to K-3)

Link to register: https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-monday

WINTER 2024: Flour Power🧁

Our pastry-chefs-in-training will learn about the power of flour in our new Baking and Sweets course. We will explore ingredients familiar and new to bake savory and sweet dishes. Students will make Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies, Blueberry Muffins, Dessert Fruit Salsa, and so much more! Foundational cooking skills will be taught, including proper techniques for measuring, mixing, slicing, dicing, and of course, kitchen safety! We hope to see you in the kitchen soon.

iSTEAM AFTER SCHOOL : Wednesdays starting January 31 (Open to 1st to 4th)

Link to register: https://www.isteamafterschool.com/event-details/clemens-crossing-wednesday

WINTER 2024: Secret Agent Academy 🕵️

"Secret Agent Academy" is a STE(A)M-focused after school class with a spy-themed curriculum. The class will include a range of hands-on activities and challenges that will encourage students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They will learn about the science of encryption and code-breaking, as well as the physics of motion and energy. Students will also explore the world of forensic science, analyzing fingerprints, DNA samples, and other evidence to solve mysteries. Led by experienced instructors, students will work collaboratively and have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a final mission. The class aims to excite and inspire students about STE(A)M and encourage further studies in science and technology.

Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!

https://www.hcpss.org/academics/what-your-child-will-learn-guides/

The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where all policies are enforced fairly and consistently. HCPSS policies and regulations emphasize instruction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and are designed to foster and reward appropriate behavior and keep students connected to school so they can graduate college and career ready. Please read and review the HCPSS student code of conduct with your child(ren) before the school year begins:

https://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/student-handbook/student-code-of-conduct.pdf

HCPSS parents/guardians are required by Board of Education Policy 9000 Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment to notify HCPSS if they move to a new home address by submitting residency documentation to their student’s current school. Students who have a change of residence on or after the first day of the 2023-2024 school year must request a student reassignment in order to complete the school year at their previous school.

Listed below are the many ways to stay informed at Clemens Crossing Elementary School.

Twitter

• Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hcpss_cces
• We use Twitter to inform, celebrate, and engage our community.
• Twitter is used to share what is going on in our school, our community, and throughout the Howard County Public School System.
• Turn on notifications to get information the second it is tweeted.
• We live-stream our concerts on Periscope through Twitter.

• Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
• We have found that Facebook is the social media most used by our parents so we are now on Facebook, too!
• Our Facebook page is updated automatically from our Twitter feed.
• Please use Facebook to share the good news from CCES with your friends and families.

Instagram

• We use Instagram periodically. We do post pictures and information there.

Website

• Our website, cces.hcpss.org, is updated regularly.
• Important news and information is located on the main page of the site including an archive of our weekly newsletter, Cougar Comments.
• Staff information and email is located under the "Our Staff" tab.
• A subscribable google calendar is located on the "Calendar" tab.

Email

• Email is our main form of communication.
• You will receive news and information automatically to the email address you provide in your Family File. We will not inundate your inbox with email. Look for the weekly Cougar Comments on Friday mornings.
• If you would like email sent to different email addresses, update your email in Family File with the email address you prefer.
• You can subscribe additional email addresses by visiting the HCPSS News site here. http://www.hcpss.org/hcpss-news/
• Weekly announcements, important information and updates, and more will primarily be sent through email.
• You also have the opportunity to opt-in for text messaging

Would you like your child to learn about service while having fun? Cub Scout Pack 618 might be just the ticket! Tomorrow, we'll have an awesome sock snowball fight, and then wash and donate the socks to those in need. We will also have a coat drive, and in January we collect canned food in the local neighborhoods; you've probably seen our flyers in past years! We are open to girls and boys in all grades K-5. If you're interested in checking us out, find out more on our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.