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۔

August

• 13 - Maryland Tax Free Week starts
• 23 - Class Assignments open in Family File
• 24 - Open House - Kindergarten (Last Names A-L) 2:30 - 3:15 p.m.
• 25 - Open House - Kindergarten (Last Names M-Z) 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
• 25 - Open House - First and Second Grades, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  
• 25 - Open House - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades , 1:00 - 1:45 p.m.
• 28 - First Day of School
• 29 - Gifted & Talented Information Session, 6:00-6:30 p.m.
• 29 - Back-to-School Night for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades at 6:30 p.m.

September

• 4 - Labor Day - Schools and Offices closed
• 5 - Back-to-School Night for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade at 6:30 p.m.
• 8 - PTA Welcome Back Family Picnic, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 13 - PTA Kick-Off Meeting, 6:30 p.m. social and 7:00 meeting
• 15 - National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month begins
• 15 - Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed
• 21 - Fall Individual Picture Day
• 25 - Yom Kippur - Schools and Offices closed

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

There will be no printed 2023-2024 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar
3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to
4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

You also may view and/or download printable PDFs of the full calendar and/or important dates only. Updates to the PDFs will be noted on the HCPSS calendar page.

PLEASE NOTE! The calendar is subject to change. The online calendar reflects the most recent version.

Calendars in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

We want to remind you that Open Houses are Thursday 8/24 and Friday 8/25 during the following times:

• Kindergarten last names A-L - 2:30 p.m. t0 3:15 p.m. on August 24
• Kindergarten last names M-Z - 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on August 25
• First and Second Grades - 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on August 25
  
• Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades - 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on August 25
  
  

Open House is a time for students to meet their teachers, classmates, and to drop off school supplies.

We look forward to seeing parents/guardians on Back-to-School Nights:
Tuesday, August 29 for Grades 3, 4, & 5

Tuesday, September 5 for Grades K, 1, & 2

If you have any questions or need any help, please reach out to us. We look forward to a great partnership this year!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Each year, families update/complete their child's Family File with all emergency information. Please complete this info ASAP so that we have this information prior to school starting. This is required EACH year. We appreciate your assistance!

https://www.hcpss.org/connect/

Family File Directions.pdf

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Click the button below to apply.

Beginning this week, families with students new to HCPSS and whose registration has been finalized will receive an email from noreply@hcpss.org with the subject “Technology account information for new HCPSS student.” The email will be sent to the email address used during the student registration process. The email contains personalized and important information regarding new students’ technology accounts. If you have a child new to HCPSS and do not receive the email and/or cannot locate the email in the junk/spam folder of the email account you used during registration, you can use the Forgot Password or Username button on the hcpss.me student landing page to retrieve both your child’s username and password. Directions for Account Self Service directions are posted online.

Here are some translated messages for new Synergy families:

English

Chinese

Korean

Spanish

Temporary Employee Positions

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.

Lunch and Recess Monitor Positions

We are seeking monitors to support our students during lunch and recess. Lunch and Recess Monitors support and assist students and paraeducators during multiple lunch and recess shifts. Below, please find some details regarding the position of Lunch and Recess Monitor.

• Lunch and Recess Monitors are considered temporary HCPSS employees
• Lunch and Recess hours are 11:05 AM - 2:05 PM each day
• Compensation is $15.00 per hour

Communication, initiative, and flexibility are important attributes for those interested in the Lunch and Recess Monitor position. Interested applicants can use this link to begin the application process. Please contact Jaime Gittleson at Jaime_Gittleson@hcpss.org or at 410-313-6866 when you have completed all parts of the application.

The PTA needs your help throwing a “Welcome Back” Breakfast for our amazing staff on Thursday, August 17. Use the sign-up genius link below to donate items for the breakfast, or to help with set up or clean up on the day. Thank you for your support in this annual CCES tradition! Any questions? Simply email Jen Nwosu at president@clemenscrossingpta.org

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AAEAD29ABFE3-cces2

This is an annual thing! To join the Clemens Crossing PTA for this 2023-2024 school year, please fill out the form below and pay the membership dues (plus any donation you choose to give) through the PayPal link that follows.

https://clemenscrossingpta.org/get-involved/family-membership/

The PTA will be sponsoring the following after school activities in the fall. Registration is through the link provided (directly with the vendor). If anyone has a need for financial assistance, please reach out to me, Karolina DuBois (karolina3@gmail.com).

Chess Club with Magnus Academy, Tuesdays starting Oct 3, Open to K-5

12 sessions, $243

Learn chess with Magnus Academy, five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen’s academy! We’ve taught 100,000 children to play including state & national champions, but most students are beginners looking to learn a new skill and have FUN. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons range from the basic rules to advanced tournament strategies.Students will have the opportunity to play in tournaments (in-person and online) outside of club time. This in-person club includes free online extras including weekly practice tournaments, a Chesskid Gold membership ($69 value!), and an event with a chess celebrity. Last year's guests were World Champion Magnus Carlsen and Judit Polgar (the best female chess player of all time). All chess supplies provided. All skill levels are welcome.

https://chessacademy.com/products/clemens-crossing-chess-club

Cooking with iCook, Wednesday starting Sept 13, Open to K-5

10 sessions, $250

Our chefs-in-training will learn how to make delicious and nutritious recipes inspired by international cuisine. We will travel across the globe to learn about cuisine and traditions of Europe, Southeast Asia, Central America, and beyond. We will make recipes like Nigerian chin chin, Turkish cacik dip, Peruvian veggie ceviche, Italian tiramisu, and so much more! Students will work hands-on with fresh herbs and vegetables, and experience how they enhance the aroma and flavors of our dishes. We will master cooking safety, slicing, dicing, chopping, folding, baking, zesting, mixing, and more! All ingredients and supplies will be provided!

https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-wednesday

Art with Abrakadoodle, Tuesdays starting Oct 3, Open to K-5

8 sessions, $165

Art Adventures-Express Yourself!

This session is all about exploring and celebrating your unique personality through art. Discuss superpowers, symbols, words, and emotions and create one-of-a-kind artwork! Exploring different mediums and techniques is part of the fun of art! Unlock your creativity as we create a new piece of art each week!

www.abrakadoodle.com/md04

Art with KidzArt, Thursdays starting Oct 5, Open to K-5

Signup link coming soon.

In addition there are some activities listed through Parks & Recreation.

Soccer, Music, Med School, Spanish, and Science

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/resource/2023-fall-activity-guide

There is also a Girls on the Run program that meets twice a week at CCES in the Fall for girls in grades 3-5. https://www.gotrcentralmd.org/ Registration opens August 20.

We encourage you to drop off your school supplies during Open House on August 24/25. Please be sure to clearly label your child's supplies with his/her name.

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