

Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
Volume 45, Issue 30 - March 15, 2024
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
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
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Korean
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Chinese
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Urdu
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From the Administrators
Dear Families,
We are looking forward to families joining us tonight for the PTA International Night and Book Fair! Please ensure that while you attend either of these events that your children remain with you at all times. This is to ensure safety.
Thank you!
Michelle Leader, Principal
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
March
- 15 - PTA Scholastic Book Fair begins, 5:30-7:00pm
- 15 - PTA International Night, 6:30-8:00pm
- 18-21 - PTA Book Fair, 4:00-7:00pm in the Media Center
- 25 - Schools and Offices Closed, Spring Break begins (through April 1)
April
- 2 - School Resumes after Spring Break
- 3 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 4 - Wear green for "Think Green Thursday"
- 9 - End of 3rd Marking Period
- 10 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day
- 17 - Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m.
- 24 - PTA Talent Show Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
- 25 - PTA Talent Show, 6:30 p.m.
- 26 - PTA Talent Show, 6:30 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.
Spring Pictures
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
Winter MAP Reports
Detailed Winter MAP home reports are available in Synergy. To access Winter MAP home reports:
- Log in to HCPSS Connect
- Select More Options from the left panel
- Select Report Cards from the middle
- Select the applicable report from the Student's MAP Reports section
Note: Students in Algebra I/II or Geometry, and English 8 G/T do not participate in MAP testing and will not have a report displayed. If your child did not participate in the most recent administration, a report may still appear based on the previous administration.
Kindergarten and New First Grade Enrollment
It is that time of year when we enroll kindergarteners and new students to first grade for next year! If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1st, please enroll them now! If you know anyone who has a child this age, please have them enroll their child now!The link to on-line enrollment is below! Please feel free to call the office at 410-313-6866 with any questions!
PTA News
PTA Spring Events
Add these dates to your calendar! There are plenty of exciting PTA events coming up through the spring. All the details coming soon!
March 15 - International Night
March 15-21 - Scholastic Book Fair
April 1 Year Book online sales begin
April 25 - Talent Show (K-2nd)
April 26 - Talent Show (3rd - 5th)
May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week
May 10 - Spring Carnival
PTA Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! It will be open in the Media Center on Friday, March 15th from 5:30-7 PM and Monday-Thursday, March 18th-21st from 4-7 PM. This is a big fundraiser for the PTA and a lot of fun, so please come shop and support CCES! Book fliers will be coming home with students next week. Also, if you are able to volunteer at the fair or help with set up/take down, please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FAEA62BA6FF2-48093901-cces
At the fair, there will be opportunities to shop for books and gifts and to buy books to donate to your child's classroom. You can also buy gift certificates for your child's teacher at the fair! Speak to any PTA volunteer at the fair for more information.
The fair accepts cash and credit cards. You can also pay in advance through a Scholastic E-Wallet. More information about eWallet:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/ewallet.html
We looking forward to seeing you there!
Clemens Crossing International Night 2024
Mark your calendars for a vibrant celebration of our school's incredible diversity at the CCES International Night on Friday, March 15th! Immerse yourself in a global experience brimming with cultural exploration, delicious food, and electrifying performances.
The festivities begin at 6:30 pm with:
- Country Tables: Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of different countries! Explore interactive displays, learn fascinating facts, and savor delicious treats from around the world.
- Rock Creek Steel Drums: Don't miss the electrifying performance by this talented group! Get your hands on a steel drum and learn a few beats in group lessons before they take the stage at 7:20 pm.
Country table hosts arrive at 6 PM on the night for set-up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA8A72CA2F49-48111682-international
Spread the Word and Join the Fun! We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the mosaic of cultures that make the Clemens Crossing community so vibrant.
Questions? Contact us at: culturalarts@clemenscrossingpta.org
In Case You Missed It
March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
Family Guide - The ABC's of CCES
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
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/
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
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
Change of Address
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.
Connect with CCES and Stay Informed
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.
- 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 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
Opting into CCES and HCPSS Text Messages
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”
Community News
STEM Fair
Date: April 6th, 2024
Time: 12 pm - 3 pm
Location: Howard High School (8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043)
Who? 3rd to 8th graders in Howard County (parents will need to stay at the event)
THERE WILL BE PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES FOR ALL WHO COMPETE
About the Fair
This STEM fair is a platform designed to inspire and showcase the creativity and talent of young students from grades 3 - 8. This event invites participants to present their projects across various STEM categories, with the opportunity to win exciting prizes! The purpose of this event is to encourage a passion for learning and exploration, allowing children to express their unique ideas. Judges will score each project, provide constructive feedback, and give out medals at the end of the event but all participants will nevertheless receive certificates.
Parents/Guardians must stay during the entire event.
PLEASE READ ALL THE GUIDELINES HERE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mlbzNFQOPIateiW2pUyp_b4gA6IbhJkxpPGcDULSxfk/edit?usp=sharing
Contact Information:
Email - hohs.stemroots@gmail.com
AHS Boosters Camps
Does your child love sports? Atholton High School coaches are ready for a fun and exciting summer! Coaches and staff will help your child grow their skills in several sports. Registration is now open. Click on the link below.
VIDEO PRODUCTION CAMP: THE SHORT FILM
Do you have an aspiring filmmaker in your family? Sign them up for video production camp! Three sessions are running this summer at River Hill High School where campers can make their very own short film. Camera use, storytelling techniques, and editing skills will exercise participants’ creative and technical abilities. Sessions run from 8:30am - 12:00pm Monday through Thursday with a film festival at the end, and children ages 9 to 17 are welcome to enroll.
Sign up at https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp2024
Cub Scout Pack 618
It sure feels good to shake off the winter blues and get into the swing of spring. And what better way to get out there than finding community within an awesome group of kids and adults in Pack 618!? If you want your child to learn outdoor skills, civic duty, history, astronomy, environmentalism, pet care, knots, woodworking - the list goes on and on - all while having a ton of fun, it's not too late to join Cub Scouts! To check out the Pack, go to our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.