

Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
Volume 45, Issue 19 - December 22, 2023
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
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Spanish
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From the Administrators
Dear Families,
As we finish out this week and begin winter break, we wish each of our families a wonderful winter break! We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!!!
Thank you!
Michelle Leader, Principal
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
December
- 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.
Bus Stop Safety
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 itās 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
Opting into CCES and HCPSS Text Messages
If you wish to āopt-inā to receive CCES and HCPSS texts with emergency information or reminders, please follow the directions below:
Send a text to the number: 67587
Text āYesā in the message.
Reply āYesā when prompted if you want to āopt-inā
Literacy Night
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!
PTA News
Afterschool enrichment from DRAMA LEARNING CENTER in partnership with the CCES PTA
Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS!
Open to 3rd, 4th, & 5th Graders
Rehearsal Dates: 2/15, 2/22, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 4/4, 4/11, 4-6pm
Tech Rehearsals: 4/16 & 4/17 - 5:30-8pm
Show Date: Thursday 4/18 - 7pm
Tuition: $225.00
Scholarships available - email PTA below
Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. When the monstrous Cruella de Vil plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat, the dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue!
REGISTRATION Now OPEN!!
1. Go to https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?class=dralc and click"Register Now"
2. Select the "SEASON 2023-24 WINTER CLASSES"
3. Scroll down to class 4A. Clemens Crossing Elementary School
QUESTIONS? Contact president@clemenscrossingpta.org or callDLC directly at 470-997-9352.
NEW CCES Spirit wear!
Brand new CCES spirit wear on sale now!! Check out the new designs for kids and adults. Water bottles too! Store open for a limited time - until January 10th.
SCIENCE FAIR January 25, 2024
Attention parents/families of students in grades K-2! This is NOT only for older students - itās 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
More details here: https://sites.google.com/view/chess-sciencefair/home
Questions? Contact us at sciencefair@clemenscrossingpta.org
Let's Stuff the Staff Lounge!
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
Upcoming PTA After-School Activities
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 Powerš§
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 šµļø
"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.
In Case You Missed It
December 2023
January 2024
February 2024
December Related Arts
January Related Arts
February Related Arts
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 childās grade level, use the yellow ācourse navigationā 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 studentās 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
Community News
Cub Scout Pack 618
Happy holidays from your local Cub Scout Pack! We hope you have a happy and safe winter break. If your New Year's resolutions include finding an awesome social and character-building activity for your child, come check us out in January! We are open to girls and boys in all grades K-5. find out more on our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.