Michelle Leader - Principal

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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Korean

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Urdu

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Dear Families,

We held our first Parent University event earlier this week! Thank you to the families that came out! Helpful information was shared by our TERRIFIC staff!!! You don't have to attend all 4 nights. We would love for you join us for any of the sessions! Here is the link to the signup genius and more information is listed in the "In Case You Missed It" section of our Cougar Comments!

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

For a complete list of dates and events visit cces.hcpss.org/calendar.

October

• 9 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Learning Day for Staff
• 10 - Parent University, 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. OR 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
• 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 17 - Parent University, 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. OR 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
• 19 - Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic
• 20 - Schools Closed for Students
• 24 - Parent University, 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. OR 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
• 24 - PTA Restaurant Day - Chick-fil-a (Johns Hopkins Rd.), 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• 27 - PTA Trunk-or-Treat, 5:00 p.m.
• 31 - End of Q1, 3hr Early Dismissal at 12:50 p.m.

November

• 1 - National American Indian Heritage Month Begins
• 2 - Fall Picture Make-up Day
• 8 - Q1 Report Cards Issued
• 8 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Media Center
• 10 - Veterans Day - wear red, white & blue
• 13 - American Education Week begins
• 13 - World Kindness Day - wear your favorite hat, or a shirt with a kind message
• 20 & 21 - Schools Close 3 hours early at 12:55 p.m. for Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 20 & 21 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
• 22 - Schools Closed for students, Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 24 & 25 - Schools and Offices Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday
• 28, 29, 30 - PTA Holiday Shop after school, 4:00p.m. - 7:00 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.

October is the start of National Bullying Prevention Month! We wanted to use this opportunity to share with our students, parents, guardians, and families some information and definitions to better help you understand bullying. It is important that you understand what bullying is to ensure you are able to report it when you see it or are told about it. Thank you for helping to ensure our school a safe place for all students!

How do I know if something is bullying?

Conflict between students is inevitable, but it’s not always easy to identify whether the conflict is bullying or mean/rude behavior. Understanding the difference is important so we know how to respond. Here are a few key points to consider when determining if something is bullying:

• Bullying - Repeated, harmful, and involves an unfair power match

• Mean - Hurt is intentional/purposeful, but not part of a larger pattern or a mismatch

• Rude - Accidentally hurting another person’s feelings

All of these behaviors require attention. Addressing mean/rude behavior early can help prevent a student from turning their behavior into a pattern of bullying.

What are some of the different types of bullying?

Bullying can appear in many different forms. Below are a few examples.

• Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

• Teasing

• Name Calling

• Inappropriate sexual comments

• Taunting

• Threatening to cause harm

• 
  

• Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone's reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:

• Leaving someone out on purpose

• Telling other children not to be friends with someone

• Spreading rumors about someone

• Embarrassing someone in pubic

• Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:

• Hitting/kicking/pinching

• Spitting

• Tripping/pushing

• Taking or breaking someone’s things

• Making mean or rude hand gestures.

• Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.

• Most common places cyberbullying occurs are: social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, text messages, direct messaging, chat rooms, emails and online gaming communities.

• Includes sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

• At times can cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

• More information on Cyberbullying can be found on the Stopbullying website.

  
  

How do I report bullying?

1. When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:

1. Complete a BCHI online reporting form

2. BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office

3. An oral report to a staff member

2. It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.

Each year, HCPSS joins the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring our students flu immunizations into the school. This year, they are offering students the Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine (preservative-free, and non-egg based), as well as the latest Moderna Covid vaccine. These will be administered in two separate shots- you may choose for your child(ren) to receive one or both. Please refer to the link at the bottom of this message for more info on receiving both at the same time. The CCES clinic will be on Thursday, October 19th during school hours. These vaccines are not available to parents. We respect your child's decision whether or not to receive the vaccine(s) at the time of the clinic, and you will be notified by a paper sent home indicating if they received it/them or not.

To register your child(ren) use this link: https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/7981620132 . You will not be required to pay anything or provide your child's insurance information. The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 11th to make sure enough vaccinations are ordered. If you choose the Covid vaccine for your child, be sure to select which age-appropriate category applies to your child based on their age as of 10/19/23. No walk-in registrations will be accepted on clinic day. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email, which will contain a link to cancel if you change your mind or your child receives the vaccination(s) elsewhere. Paper consent forms can be provided upon request. Please contact the School Nurse, Ms. Schrumm, at jessica_schrumm@hcpss.org or call 410-313-5609.

For more information on receiving the flu and Covid vaccinations at the same time, refer to this link. Ask your child's primary care physician any follow up questions: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/coadministration.htm

We recently held a parent information night about the updated report card for our primary grades. If you were unable to attend or wish to review the information again, you can find the PowerPoint on Canvas at the link below along with many other resources.

Parent/Family SBIR Canvas Course

High school athletic events serve as a wonderful opportunity for students, friends, families, staff and community members to come together in support of their favorite teams. To ensure these games are able to be safely enjoyed by all in attendance, it is imperative that everyone adheres to the rules, expectations and laws in place to ensure safety.

All children who are in 8th grade or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all HCPSS athletics contests or will be turned away from entry. Adult supervision must continue for the entirety of the athletic contest.

Athletic contests are considered extensions of the school day, and behaviors that violate the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct or Board of Education policies are subject to the same disciplinary measures as those that occur during the school day. Any students found to engage in inappropriate, illegal or dangerous behavior, including verbal and physical abuse at games, are subject to discipline, including the forfeiture of the game itself. Non-student spectators who violate event rules may be asked to leave the premises and may be banned for the remainder of the season. Additionally, the Howard County Police Department maintains a presence at games and will ensure all applicable laws are adhered to.

Please note that substances such as tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol are illegal to have on school grounds. Furthermore, no spectators are permitted to be under the influence of these substances upon entering school grounds.

HCPSS schools are welcoming environments for our friends around the county and state. All spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship to the athletes, coaches, officials, members of the marching band, cheerleaders and poms, dance teams, opposing fans, and everyone in attendance. Please show respect for all those around you.

Please use this link for guidance should your child test positive for COVID:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

The Board of Education did not approve the 2023-2024 Inclement Weather Asynchronous Day Plan. As a result, HCPSS will not use asynchronous days this school year. Any days that schools are closed for inclement weather will be made up at the end of the school year.

Students in grades 1-5 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment again this year. The MAP window runs through October 19th. Each grade level team will send out messages letting parents know the exact dates for testing. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure your student’s academic progress. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/. Please make sure your child has headphones at school since they will be used for testing throughout the school year.

We are hosting 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, we will 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 October, and we will offer two different time slots to accommodate you best! Child care will also be provided for families who are able to attend

Session 2 (October 10th, 2023, 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.) - 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 (October 17th, 2023, 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.) - 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 (October 24th, 2023, 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.)-

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 signup genius to RSVP for the sessions. If you have any questions, please feel free to email dale_allen@hcpss.org.

The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program invites you to attend the upcoming BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Long Reach High School. This College and Career Opportunities Night invites scholars in grades 8 - 12 countywide to network with working professionals, colleges, and universities, explore post-secondary opportunities, and learn more about HCPSS pathways. The evening will highlight a variety of colleges and universities as well as local businesses and organizations. To register, please complete the Registration Form linked here.

If your child is registered for bus service and rides a Zum bus, you now have access to use the Zum App, which will allow you to track your child’s bus and receive notifications.

Zum App
Using the app will allow you to track your child’s bus in real-time, receive pick-up notifications if you choose, and view the driver for each ride.

To start using the Zum app, please follow these instructions:

1. Download the app
2. Log in to your account with the phone number or email address you have listed on your child’s record in Family File in HCPSS Connect
3. Verify your access by entering the one-time code sent to your device
4. Check the notification settings to ensure you’re receiving Zum notifications, if desired, so you’ll know when the bus is approaching and when your child has arrived at school

Additionally, HCPSS will continue to work with Zum to improve the parent/guardian app experience as needed.

Bus Delay Notifications
Effective Monday, Sept. 11, bus delays will no longer be posted to the HCPSS website. Parents/guardians with a child served by Zum may utilize the app to receive push notifications when their child’s bus is running more than 10 minutes late. These notifications will be sent only via in-app notifications if enabled to the parent/guardian who has downloaded and logged in to the app. Parents/guardians are encouraged to use the app in real-time to monitor their child’s bus status during school arrival and dismissal. Due to the larger than usual volume of delayed buses each day, it is likely that school-level email and texts may be delayed and the Zum application will provide the most up-to-date information.

Data Privacy
In order to create routes, issue timely notifications and updates, and provide the level of service HCPSS expects of our transportation contractors, some student/family data is shared with the contractors. This information sharing is vetted through our Office of Data Privacy, and a data privacy agreement is signed to require that contractors do not use this information for any reason beyond what is agreed upon.

This is not uncommon and occurs with contracted companies who provide services related to transportation, food and nutrition services, and other student and family supports. Only the necessary information to adequately provide the expected services is provided.

Answers to frequently asked questions related to the Zum app are posted on the HCPSS website and will be updated regularly.

The Family Guide - The ABCs of CCES is a lengthy document that provides information about our school. Click below to download the CCES Family Guide. The guide is also located on the main page of the CCES website.

The Student & Parent Handbook can be found online and outlines districtwide practices and policies related to parents and students, including the Student Code of Conduct, school procedures, student responsibilities and more.

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.

Facebook

• 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

As educators, we are well aware of the ever-increasing pressures placed on students. The academic demands, social challenges, and rapidly changing world can be overwhelming. Our Guiding Good Choices parenting classes can equip parents and/or grandparents with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9 - 14 yrs. old and held over Zoom.

October 28 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription medication, over-the-counter meds, sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Also, 100 medication lockboxes purchased by HCPSS will be given away for FREE! http://www.hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/

Welcome to our new school year! I’m so excited for the year ahead. Please join the CCES PTA! It costs only $15 per family for the yearly membership. PTA is all about creating wonderful opportunities for enrichment, fun and interesting experiences for every child in our school.

We encourage families to choose an extra amount to donate to Clemens PTA, over and above the annual membership, if you can. This is simply because our PTA is a nonprofit that runs on donations. If you choose to donate in addition to the membership fee, simply nominate an amount you would like to give as your way of investing in PTA, and be part of building our marvelous CCES community!

(Just because you join PTA doesn't put you on the hook for volunteering your time - I know for some people it is easier to give a monetary gift or donate items from time to time for a specific event, whereas for others, they are able to give of their time and volunteer for different things. All of the above are great!)

Join the Clemens PTA here:

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

Jen Nwosu

CCES PTA President

Friday, October 27th

5pm - 5:45pm Fall Fun on the CCES blacktop

5:45pm Costume Parade & Trunk or Treat

At CCES, our Halloween celebration takes place after school hours. We do not have parties or dress up during the school day. Instead, we have a school-wide celebration after school where you can dress up, participate in games, walk in a parade and Trunk or Treat! Please join us!

Come one, come all for some family fun this Fall!! Wear your costume and participate in any or all the events below. The Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat is free, and Cougar Pumpkin Raffle tickets will be available for purchase ($0.25/each or 5 for $1.00).

Would you like to decorate your vehicle for Trunk or Treat? Or simply lend a hand at the event? Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AAEAD29ABFE3-44917229-cces

If you plan to simply attend, just show up – no sign up required! All CCES students and siblings can participate in Trunk or Treating, regardless of whether their family is decorating a vehicle. BYO Bucket or bag to hold treats! We also encourage families not decorating a trunk to donate extra candy to help the cars who are participating! A bin will be available near the parking lot to drop off your donation. Extra treats will be distributed amongst all cars participating in Trunk or Treat.

Please walk to the event if you can - there won’t be much parking right at school as the parking lot is reserved for those decorating their trunks.

5:00 – 5:45: FALL FUN

• Eat (Bring your own dinner or eat before you arrive)

• Dance in the Monster Mash

• Pose for a smile in front of the photo wall

• Get your ghoul game on near the blacktop

• Enter the Cougar Pumpkin Raffle for the chance to win a special pumpkin decorated by CCES staff/grade levels! (Kids will have already voted for their favorites in school the week before the Fall Festival!)

5:45pm COSTUME PARADE & TRUNK OR TREAT

• Parade will begin on the Blacktop, move past the playground, wind onto the field, and will end near the entrance to the parking lot.

• Kids will reunite with their families at the end of the parade for Trunk or Treating!

• Cougar Pumpkin Raffle winners will be announced at 6:50PM!

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

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

6 sessions, $150

KidzArt is a FUN, art-enrichment program designed to enhance drawing skills and build each child’s confidence. By using our simple drawing method and specialized format, students will learn to focus, relax and think creatively. Our Certified Instructors help students create original works of art, take risks and think outside of the box. Within each session, students will explore a variety of artist grade materials, such as oil and chalk pastels, watercolor, charcoal, clay, copper, textured papers and much more. Younger children practice following directions and using fine motor skills. Older children love having the creative freedom and guidance to further their skills. KidzArtists will bring home a new masterpiece each week with a kid-tested and educationally rich curriculum that NEVER REPEATS!

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland#/selectSessions/3391044

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.

Clemens Crossing Cub Scout Pack 618 is open to both boys AND girls in all grades K - 5, and we'd love it if your family joined us! We have a fun event planned every month. Coming up next is our annual rocket launch at the CCES fields on the afternoon of October 21st, then we'll be marching in a local Veterans day parade on November 12. For more information, please visit our website at www.pack618md.com or contact Cubmaster@pack618md.com.

SAVE THE DATE AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Howard High School. Our 100+ vendors will be selling crafts, books, candles, kitchen goods, jewelry, home decor, clothing, accessories, and much more! General Info link: https://tinyurl.com/3tzxuhme.

We are still accepting craft and food truck vendors, so please spread the word and this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdfuta49.