Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments

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

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,

On Wednesday, you were able to access your child's report card. Here are the directions again in case you need them! We are so proud of the students' progress during the first quarter!

Parents/guardians may view/download report cards by taking the following steps:

1. Log in at hcpss.org/connect

2. Select More Options from the left panel

3. Select Report Cards from the middle

4. Select the report card you wish to access

More info about our report cards can be found at the links below:

Understanding Your Child's Report Card (PreK-2)

Parent/Family Canvas course also includes translated versions

SBIR CANVAS COSBIR Family Canvas Course

Understanding Your Child's Report Card (grades 3-5)

Starting Monday, November 13th at 8am, you can log in to schedule a conference with your child's homeroom teacher. Directions to sign-up are here. You can schedule them through Friday, November 17th at 12:00pm. After November 17th, you can call the office for assistance.

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

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

November

• 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 12:50 p.m. for Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 20 & 21 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1:15 p.m. - 7:35 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, 4:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

December

• 4 - Inclusive Schools Week begins
• 5 - Spirit Day: Be a hero for inclusion. Dress up as someone you look up to.
• 5 - PTA Restaurant Day, Chick-fil-a (Johns Hopkins Rd.), 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• 6 - Spirit Day: Exercise your right to be different. Wear athletic wear.
• 6 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 7 - Hanukkah Begins
• 7 - Spirit Day: Acceptance Day. Wear a shirt with an inclusive/kind message.
• 8 - Spirit Day: Rainbow Kindness Day. Wear something with rainbows.
• 13 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, Professional Work & Wellness Day, 12:55 p.m.
• 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

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

National American Education Week, during which we celebrate our school community and our continued dedication to excellence in education, is held this year from Monday, 11/13/23, through Friday, 11/17/23. Our designated visit day is Monday, November 13th. We encourage you to visit on this day and remain for an hour or less. If you need to visit on another day that week, please email your child’s teacher so he/she knows to expect you. Thank you!!!

IMPORTANT: Tips to remember when visiting during American Education Week:​​​​​​​

• For safety purposes, please report to the Front Office with your driver’s license to sign-in and wear your visitor sticker for the duration of your visit. Guests will only be authorized to enter and exit through the front doors.
• Parking will be tight. Please do not block the road and entrance in and out of our school. Please consider walking to help with parking concerns, or carpool with a neighbor/friend when visiting. Parking in the bus loop will only be authorized between 9:45AM and 3:00PM.
• Please silence electronic devices. If you need to make a call, please do so outside of the building.
• Please remember not to take any pictures of any other child than your own due to the privacy and confidentiality of all our students. This includes students present in the background of the photo.
• Participation in American Education Week is for ADULTS ONLY. Unfortunately, due to classroom and safety regulations, we are unable to accommodate siblings or other children in the building. This includes infant siblings.
• If you are visiting for lunch, please remember that we must ensure that all of our students can sit comfortably, so guests might need to stand. Visitors are not authorized on the playground during recess.
• Once your visit is over, please exit through the main entrance only.

There are many items in our lost and found. Please check the tables in the front lobby during American Education Week or during conferences for any items your child may have lost. Thank you!

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to jane_choi@hcpss.org by December 11, 2023. Contact Jane Choi with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

We are collecting gift cards to support some of our families in need this holiday season. If you would like to contribute, please bring gift cards to the front office. (Do NOT send them in with your child.) There will be a donation box available during American Education Week or on the first day of parent conferences. Please select gift cards from the following stores in $25 increments:

~Safeway

~Giant

~Target

~Walmart

If you are a family in need of support, or have any questions, please contact Ann Rogers: ann_rogers@hcpss.org

Thank you for your generosity!

November 28th - 30th, 4:30pm-7:30pm in the CCES Music Room

Calling all parents! Our annual Holiday Shop is coming soon! It's a wonderful opportunity for kids (CCES students & their siblings) to shop for the holiday that's special to their family and choose gifts for their loved ones.

So many of us have items lying around the house that our kids have lost interest in - but are still in perfect condition! This year we are asking families to donate new or like-new small gift items to supplement our inventory for this year’s holiday shop. It could be small toys, puzzles, activities or even fun kids jewelry - really anything you think a child might love to give as a gift. It doesn't have to be kids' stuff either - maybe something a child might like to give to their parent or grandparent? This is a fantastic opportunity to move things on to someone else who will love it!!! Simply send your new or like-new items into the school office marked “Holiday Shop”.

We also need volunteers to help run the shop! Sign up for a shift here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AAEAD29ABFE3-45648522-cces

The Shop will run over 3 consecutive afternoons after school - Tuesday Nov 28th to Thursday Nov 30th. Gifts will range in price from $0.50-$20, with the vast majority of gifts costing less than $5.

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

The following Howard County Parks and Rec classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!

Clemens Crossing ES Class Registration Link

Clemens Crossing ES Class Flier

November/December Classes at Clemens Crossing ES:

• Learn Now Music After School - Groovy Guitar
• Learn Now Music After School - Poppin' Piano
• Cats & Dogs Veterinarian After School with Medical Me

*Some classes have met minimum enrollment; other classes are shy of the minimum number of students needed to run the class.

Art with KidzArt, Thursdays starting Nov 16, Open to K-5

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

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

Clemens Crossing Cub Scout Pack 618 is an awesome group of girls and boys in all grades K-5, and we always have fun events planned. Just this past month, kids learned knots, woodworking, camping skills, and more! Look for us on Sunday morning, November 12th at 9:30am, marching in the Columbia Veterans day parade starting near Toby's Dinner Theatre. Join us on November 18th at 5pm at Rockburn park for a chilly evening of jokes, skits, and songs around the campfire. Find out more on our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.

Upcoming Community Health Fair. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.

Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Glen Mar Church, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Planned Activities:
• Annual Flu shots (for 6-month-old and up)
• Hearing & Vision screening (for pre-school & up)
• Blood pressure and stoke risk assessment
• Women, Infants, & Children information
• Domestic Violence prevention information
• Mental Health related information
• Crisis Intervention info and referrals
• Health and Wellness coaching
• Living Wellness Chiropractic
• Senior Placement Navigator

This information is neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, but serves to extend resources for students and families.

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.

November 2023 Parent Pages Newsletter www.howardcountymd.gov/parentpages

Upcoming Workshops from Office of Children and Families

* For assistance with registering, call 410-313-5992 (voice/ relay) or email children@howardcountymd.gov

* To request sign language, interpreter or other accommodations to attend, call at least one week in advance.

Picky Eating: How to Help Your Child Grow and Eat a Balanced Diet

Helping your infant and toddler build healthy eating habits for life is very important yet daunting. Review typical infant to toddler development, eating patterns, growth, and how to determine when to ask for help.
Thursday, November 30, 7:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop Register here

Parenting Apart: Navigating Co-Parenting through the Holiday Season and Beyond

The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness for many families, but they can also be reminders of who and what we have lost. For those co-parenting during or in the aftermath of divorce, the holidays can bring unique challenges and disruptions to the usual routine. This presentation is tailored to parents who are going through divorce or separation and are eager to create a parenting plan that minimizes conflict and promotes stability and harmony for your children. Explore essential considerations when creating an access schedule that prioritizes your children's well-being throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. Gain insights into effectively managing common co-parenting issues that can arise. Learn valuable communication and co-parenting strategies to navigate this period of transition, and as well as resources for ongoing support and assistance.

Monday, December 4, 7:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here