Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments

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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Urdu

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Dear Families,

The weather has gotten colder!!! Please assist your child in dressing for the weather. Students go outdoors if the temperature is 20 degrees or higher with the windchill. Please dress your child in a coat, hat, and gloves to assist them with being warm when we are outside.

Also, if your child is a bus rider, please see the Bus Safety info below and review expectations with your child(ren). We have many drivers reporting students are needing a reminder of the expectations. Your support is appreciated!

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

December

• 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

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.

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 it’s 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

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”

We truly live in a world surrounded by technology and this technology is growing every day! It is becoming very clear that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works and/or their career will most likely be affected by technology in some way.

Interestingly however, only a tiny fraction of us who use technology are actually learning HOW our technology works and how creativity fosters the continuing advancement of technology.

This is why our entire school participated in the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code during National Computer Science Education Week December 4th-8th.

By participating in the Hour of Code, Clemens Crossing Elementary School is making a statement that we are ready to introduce these foundational 21st-century skills even to our youngest learners. During our Hour of Code every student at Clemens Crossing was given the opportunity to learn, try and enhance their coding skills.

Be sure to ask your child about their experience with the Hour of Code!

See the link below for more details and a chance to try coding as a family.

https://hourofcode.com/us/learn

Attention All Second Graders!

Starting in December, you will have the opportunity to sign up for the seminar Arts and Crafts: Winter Edition. During this seminar, you will be able to create wonderful winter themed crafts and have a lot of fun doing it. Arts and crafts helps with motor skills, boosts brain power, and is totally fun! Use the link to sign up or send Mrs. Register an email or a canvas message! Thank you!

https://forms.gle/d4cn8ZvWpUgexAnx7

Third Grade: Card Games seminar

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tpAYqYJNd7i8MzjTRPfs0LvWKN2pzr7hlTUeFG6-g9Q/edit?usp=sharing

Fourth Grade: Math Games seminar

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yh6LYukLrsFViOZ4oSUKxUrW0ZIAuhablK21au-vSt0/edit?usp=sharing

Fifth Grade: Environmental Leaders seminar

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OaUgKciyRLlM2c1_rL3RR0un1JC2rtQtKY6jZshPQEU/edit?usp=sharing

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.

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!

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!

Get Ready for Science Fair Fun at Clemens Crossing Elementary School!

Hello Clemens Crossing Parents! It's Maleeta, and I'm thrilled to announce that the annual Science Fair is just around the corner! We can't contain our excitement, and we hope you and your little scientists are just as thrilled as we are.

The Science Fair is a fantastic opportunity for our young learners to showcase their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities. We've seen some truly amazing projects in the past, and we can't wait to see what this new batch of eager minds brings to the table!

Your child doesn't need to be the next Einstein or Curie to participate. The Science Fair is all about having fun, exploring different scientific concepts, and embracing the joy of discovery. It's a chance for you to witness the wonders of science firsthand and be a part of an unforgettable community event.

To ensure your child doesn't miss out on this incredible opportunity, we kindly request you to sign them up for the Clemens Crossing Science Fair. It's a breeze to get involved: simply click on the registration link below and fill out the form. Don't worry; we'll guide you through the process in a jiffy! Science Fair sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTumsMnM0LWzcavNxPfOsdTsMplCx3zA1zZtiu1iPRk3NxFg/viewform?usp=pp_url

We also need lots of adult volunteers! Are you willing to help out on the night? Would you be willing to be a judge? Or help us get ready beforehand? If you're an ace at behind-the-scenes, we need you too! Volunteer here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekLyY7SIC-Z8Gm4kvlRQkotOh6zYLimlnffqJVrgFPO65WjQ/viewform

Questions? Contact us at sciencefair@clemenscrossingpta.org

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

Many CCES families choose to get a gift for their child’s teacher during the holiday season - if you would like to know what your child's teacher likes, here is the link to the helpful wishlist.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k9ACqZmdL02_SGghcBi3gDxl5vEvhTespY4Maj1Yz8E/edit?usp=sharing

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 Power🧁

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 🕵️

"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.

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.

• 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

Would you like your child to learn about service while having fun? Cub Scout Pack 618 might be just the ticket! In December, we'll have an awesome sock snowball fight, and then wash and donate the socks to those in need. We will also have a coat drive, and in January we collect canned food in the local neighborhoods; you've probably seen our flyers in past years! We are open to girls and boys in all grades K-5. If you're interested in checking us out, find out more on our website at www.pack618md.com and contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.