Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
September 24, 2022 - Volume 44, Issue 6
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, United States
Phone: 410-313-6866
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
September
- 26 - Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed
- 27 - Inclusive School Week - Hero Day - Dress like a hero you admire
- 28 - Inclusive School Week - Exercise Your Right to Be Different Day - Wear athletic clothes
- 29 - Inclusive School Week - Acceptance Day - Wear words of kindness
- 30 - Inclusive School Week - Rainbow Kindness Day - Wear rainbow colors or colorful clothes
October
- 5 - Yom Kippur - Schools and Offices Closed
- 12 - PTA meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- 12 - Flu Clinic
- 19 - Spirit Day - Unity Day, wear orange
- 21 - Professional Work Day, Schools closed for students
- 24 - Professional Work Day, Schools closed for students
- 28 - Fall Festival Trunk or Treat, 5:00 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.
September 2022
September 2022
October 2022
October 2022
From School Administration
Did you know that we have a school improvement team at Clemens Crossing? That team creates a school improvement plan to monitor progress and craft goals in order to improve teaching and learning at our school. Continuous school improvement is essential to creating an effective educational learning environment for our students. Each year, various forms of data are used to create, monitor, and evaluate our school improvement plan. Additionally, target areas are established to provide benchmarks for student achievement and growth. Our plan also outlines action steps we use to accomplish our goals for the year. Here at Clemens Crossing, we are always striving to improve our teaching and learning environment. Throughout the school year, our team regularly meets to ensure that our staff and community are aware of the learning and behavioral goals that we have developed. We also monitor the data benchmarks to measure how well we are doing towards meeting our schoolwide, team level, and classroom goals. Our school improvement plan along with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports strategies are used to improve the educational setting and environment so children can learn in a positive and productive environment.
A copy of our School Improvement Plan Snapshot is available below. It is also located on our school's website under "About Us." We would like to thank Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Haube, Mrs. Yung, and Mr. Allen for serving on our school improvement team during the summer.
Mr. Cosentino and Mrs. Gittleson
NEW INFORMATION
What is SEL? How can you help at home?
At Clemens Crossing, we focus on SEL daily in each homeroom classroom. This builds a strong classroom community, and relationship while fostering a sense of independence as students learn to become problem solvers.
Fostering Social and Emotional Learning at Home
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a framework that gives students the skills to recognize and manage emotions and help solve problems effectively by establishing positive relationships. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), encouraging SEL yields positive results for students, adults, and school communities. Parents can use these tips to help foster SEL at home.
Focus on Strengths
When your child brings home a test, talk first about what they did well. Then talk about what
can be improved. Praise specific strengths; don’t just criticize things that were done wrong.
Ask Children How They Feel
When you ask your child about their feelings, the message is that feelings matter and you
care. It shows the importance of being a good listener and helps children feel heard in a way that fosters a strong parent-child relationship.
Be Willing to Apologize
Parents need to be able to apologize to their children if what they said was not what they
meant. Calmly explain what you really wanted to say. By doing this, you’re being a good role model. You’re showing how important it is to apologize after hurting someone. You’re
teaching that it’s possible to work through problems with respect for the other person.
Give Children Choices—and Respect Their Wishes
When children have a chance to make choices, they learn how to solve problems. If you make all their decisions for them, they’ll never learn this key skill. Giving children ways to express
preferences and make decisions shows that their ideas and feelings matter.
Ask Questions to Help Children Solve Problems on Their Own
When parents hear their child has a problem, it’s tempting to step in and take over. However, this can harm a child’s ability to find solutions on their own. A helpful approach is to ask good questions. Examples include, “What do you think you can do in this situation?” and “If you choose a particular solution, what will be the consequences of that choice?”
Published with permission from the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Next Week - Inclusive School Week
INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING
Cultural Awareness Committee
Again this year, we will be using our display case in the front lobby to celebrate the different cultures in our community. Our first display will be for National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. If you would like to participate, please contribute anything that represents this culture (such as crafts, photos, and objects from family traditions, pictures of foods and recipes, etc.). Please send them in with your child next week, and be sure to label them with your child’s name and homeroom so we may return them. Thanks in advance!
- Mid-Sept/Oct: Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month
- Nov: American Indian Heritage Month
- Dec: Holidays Around the World
- Feb: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- March: Youth Art Month
- April: Arab American Heritage Month
- May: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Mrs. Haube and Mrs. Hodgins,
Cultural Awareness Committee
MAP Testing
Flu Vaccine Clinic
The flu vaccine is for students and staff only (no parents or family). It is called quadrivalent. The vaccines do not have preservatives (thimerosal, mercury) because they are single-dose syringes. Prior to signing up, you will need a front and back photo of your insurance card. If you need to cancel, you may do so in the confirmation email you will receive after signing up.
Come Work at CCES as a Temporary Employee
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 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 (6.5 hours per day)
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 (Links to an external site.). Please contact Jaime Gittleson at Jaime_Gittleson@hcpss.org or at 410-313-6866 when you have completed all parts of the application.
From the Physical Education Department
- Appropriate athletic and supportive footwear is needed for safety, protection, and performance. Students should wear athletic shoes that can be tied or Velcroed.
- No attire on/around the neck (necklaces, lanyards, garments).
- No dangling clothing (scarves or clothes that are baggy). Exceptions should be made for religious garments.
- No jewelry, with the exception of stud earrings, medical bracelets, and fitness trackers, may be worn during physical activity.
Art Help
We're off to another great creative year in the Art Room. However, we need your help with a unit in 5th grade. 5th Graders will be working on photomontage using magazines. As much as we have a great supply, we could use more, up-to-date magazines. We are definitely in need of magazines related to sports and cars, but we'll take anything. Please remove address labels, and anything you would deem inappropriate before sending them in with your child. Thank you!
PTA - Parent Teacher Association
Message from the PTA President
Welcome to our new school year! I’m so excited for the year ahead. Please join the 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 PTA, over and above the annual membership, if you can. This is simply because our PTA is a nonprofit that runs on donations, and unlike elsewhere, we don’t ask you to sell things for school fundraising - there’s no selling candles or wrapping paper or candies to your family & friends. Simply choose 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/
As the year progresses our monthly meetings will continue on that schedule - 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm in the media center.
Check out our website to see all the different activities and events and available roles:
https://clemenscrossingpta.org/
Email me anytime at president@clemenscrossingpta.org - please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions or suggestions throughout the year. I would love to hear from you!
Jen Nwosu,
CCES PTA President
COMMUNITY NEWS
Howard Lions' Pride Second Annual Craft Fair
SAVE THE DATE AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Howard Lions' Pride Second Annual Craft Fair: Sunday, November 6th 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.
MLK Poster Contest
On behalf of the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, I am inviting your students, their families, and your staff to participate in two exciting contests.
Each year the MLK Holiday Commission recognizes students, individuals, and organizations with several contest initiatives. Our student contests include a Poster Contest, Essay Contest, and Oratory Contest for ages K through 12. Contestants must generate original artwork, essays, and speeches that highlight Dr. King’s visionary track record of service to human rights. The “Living the Dream Award” celebrates a student, individual, and organization whose outreach efforts are in alignment with Dr. King’s message and vision.
The theme is “Promoting Peace: Within Yourself, Your Community and the World!”
The closing date for these contests is October 31, 2022.
The Celebration will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Howard Community College Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center, Smith Theatre,
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia MD 21044. Contest winners will be recognized at the January 15, 2023, Dr. Martin Luther Celebration with a certificate and cash prize.
The tribute to Dr. King continues Monday, January 16, 2023, with the Day of Service, a county-wide volunteer- effort in partnership with Volunteer Howard and community organizations. Numerous organizations will have on-site volunteer activities for individuals and families in addition to off-site service opportunities. I hope you will partner with the Office of Human Rights & Equity and the MLK Commission by sharing the attached fliers with students, staff and families and enabling us to get a variety of diverse variety of winning candidates.
Thank you so much for your attention to this matter.
Marla Moore
Community Outreach Coordinator
Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity
9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 237
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6430 (Main Office)
After School Activities
iCook: Baking and Sweets, Mondays starting Sep 19, ends Dec 5
This fall, our chefs-in-training will learn how to make delicious and nutritious desserts. We will explore ingredients familiar and new to bake savory and sweet dishes. Students will make Key Lime Pie, Little Orange Cakes, Avocado Brownies, 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.
https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-monday-k-1st
Abrakadoodle Art Adventures (K-5), Tuesdays starting Sep 20, ends Nov 15
Join us as we explore art in many forms! We’ll learn fun drawing techniques, we’ll use different mediums-Markers, Crayons etc. and we’ll explore animals, people and more! This 8-week session will be an art experience your child will love! Space is limited, so register today!
KidzArt (K-5), Thursdays, starting Oct 6, ends Nov 10
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 kid-tested and educationally rich curriculum that NEVER REPEATS!
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland?orglink=camps-registration#/selectSessions/3212831
Kaizen Karate (K-5), Wednesdays starting Sep 21, 8 weeks, ends Jan 11
This popular class is a disciplined introduction to the sport by Kaizen Karate. Your child will learn the beautiful art of karate while gaining safety and defensive skills in a respectful environment. The class will also emphasize the basic karate principles of focus, patience and self-discipline. Returning students will continue to work toward new belts while first time students will be able to start the belt program.
https://www.gomotionapp.com//team/mdkfu/page/class-registration?subProgId=17429&classId=89149
Magnus Academy Chess Club (K-5), Tuesdays starting Oct 4, ends Jan 10
Learn chess with Magnus Academy (formerly Silver Knights), 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 and an event with world champion Magnus Carlsen or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player of all time. All chess supplies provided. All skill levels are welcome.
