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 at the top of this page.

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۔

January

• 31 - Spirit Day - Positive Word Day - wear a shirt with a positive message
• 31 - 4pm Conference Scheduling Closes at hcpss.org/connect

February

• 3 - Celebrate Black History - Wear red, black, and yellow and/or green
• 4 - Time to be Green Tuesday - wear green
• 4 - Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m.
• 5 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Math), 3 Hr. Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
• 6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Math), 3 Hr. Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
• 6 - Football Day - wear your favorite football team colors, jersey, or hat
• 7 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Learning Day
• 12 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 12 - PTA Restaurant Night - Red Robin
• 13 - PTA Science Fair, 6:30 p.m.
• 14 - Valentine's Day - wear hearts, pink, or red
• 17 - Schools and Offices Closed - Presidents' Day

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

There will be no printed 2024-2025 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar
3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to
4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

You also may view and/or download printable PDFs of the full calendar and/or important dates only. Updates to the PDFs will be noted on the HCPSS calendar page.

PLEASE NOTE! The calendar is subject to change. The online calendar reflects the most recent version.

Calendars in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

Dear Families,

As we continue to foster a feeling of belonging at CCES, we are encouraging all families to participate in our Belonging Initiative Project! Your child came home with a house poster that is titled "My Home, My Heart". We encourage you to complete the activity together. We plan to display each poster throughout the building to show how each of us are connected, unique, and that we all are part of our CCES community. More information can be found here. We thank you to all of the students and staff who have already turned theirs in!!!

Thank you!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

We have rescheduled our Social Emotional Parent Night for Tuesday, February 25th. Please see the info in the flier below. Also, please RSVP here. We ask that you RSVP again even if you did it for the previous date. This will help us to ensure we have ample resources and can plan for childcare.

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025? Please save the date and join us for an upcoming Road to Kindergarten parent information session. All sessions will run 6:30-7:30 p.m. and cover the same content. More information and upcoming dates can be found here.

Thank you to all of the students who participated in this year’s Howard County Young Author’s Contest! We were so impressed with all of the wonderful writing.

Congratulations to the following students whose submissions were selected to advance to the county level of the Young Authors Contest: Mikayla H., Lucy M., Alexa L., Brandon H., Lulu S., and Sinclair E.

Keep up the writing CCES authors!

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our students. One of the most critical issues we face as a school community is bullying, which can have lasting effects on children’s well-being, social development, and academic success. We believe that addressing bullying requires a partnership between students, families, and school staff.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying is more than just occasional teasing. It is intentional, repeated aggressive behavior that can be verbal, physical, or social, and it often involves an imbalance of power. While some bullying behaviors can be overt, others are more subtle but just as harmful. Examples of bullying include:

• Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging property.

• Verbal bullying: Name-calling, teasing, and hurtful comments.

• Social/Relational bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding others, and social manipulation.

• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass or intimidate someone.

How You Can Help at Home

Parents play an essential role in preventing bullying and supporting their children through difficult experiences. Here are some steps you can take:

• Talk to Your Child: Encourage open communication with your child about their social experiences, both online and offline. Discuss how they should handle situations where they witness bullying or experience it themselves.

• Set a Positive Example: Show your child how to be kind and respectful toward others. Modeling good behavior in your interactions will teach them valuable social skills.

• Monitor Online Activity: If your child uses social media or online platforms, make sure you are aware of their online interactions. Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging, and it’s important to stay engaged with your child’s digital life.

• Reinforce Respect and Empathy: Remind your child that treating others with respect and kindness is always the right thing to do, no matter the situation. Teach them how to stand up for others in a positive way, not by fighting, but by seeking help and offering support.

• Support School Efforts: Be an active partner in your child’s education and in the school’s anti-bullying efforts. Attend parent meetings, participate in workshops, and reinforce school policies at home.

Together, we can build a culture of respect, kindness, and safety in our school, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe. More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. An online version for reporting is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Click the button below to apply.

Please do not send medication (over-the-counter or prescription) to school with your child. An adult must bring it in with the necessary form signed by a healthcare provider.

Cough drops without medication in them may be self-carried by students with written parent permission and specific instructions. The instructions should include the name of the product, reason for administration, and amount and frequency of administration; no more than 3 cough drops per day (every two hours) for no longer than 5 school days . Please instruct your student not to share them with others.

Health Services information can be found online and will be continually updated. All students, staff and visitors should perform daily health checks and may not enter an HCPSS bus or building if they exhibit any signs of a communicable disease. Details, including infection control protocols for communicable diseases like COVID-19, are available online.

CCES Science Fair is on Thursday February 13th, 2025. The deadline to register is February 6th.

Register your child to participate here: https://forms.gle/1TQc8xcDtaGB5rFy5

The Science Fair is a fantastic opportunity for our CCES students 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!

Science Fair is all about having fun, exploring different scientific concepts, and embracing the joy of all things STEM and science-related. It's a chance for your child - no matter their grade-level - to witness the wonders of science firsthand and be a part of a fun school community event!

Detailed information/instructions for families can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cVZSS659vqmrhLU9ieNQORKBBrkVLJpwrIxwTzKNW0g/edit?usp=sharing

We are looking for parents & teachers to volunteer as judges on the night! Do you work in a STEM field? Would you be willing to chat to students about their project? Each judge will judge 5-8 students' work. Full information and instructions will be provided. Email sciencefair@clemenscrossingpta.org if you're interested!

Questions? Do you need more information? Email sciencefair@clemenscrossingpta.org

SIgn up link: https://cctarts.shop/programs/elementary-after-school/

Questions about the play? Email Tamara Bishop at vicepresident@clemenscrossingpta.org

Donate candy: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49AEAE2DA5F8C07-47268247-sweets

Donate money: https://clemens.givebacks.com/store/items/1153053

Join here: https://clemens.givebacks.com/

The single most important thing you can do to support PTA this year is to join! Your $15 membership goes a long way to help us run programs like the Science Fair, International Night, Talent Show, Trunk or Treat, the Book Fair, Holiday Shop and so much more. Did you know that our PTA helps reduce the cost of school field trips through direct sponsorship? PTA also offers scholarships for students to participate in after school activities. All of these things and more are made possible through families and staff joining our PTA!

Our CCES PTA makes a big contribution to our school through family events, student enrichment and staff appreciation. Be part of it! Becoming a member does not obligate you to volunteer your time. There are many ways big and small to be involved in PTA throughout the year but if there is only ONE thing you're able to do for PTA , simply become a member and make a contribution to the excellence of our Clemens school community.

Join here: https://clemens.givebacks.com/

Coaches wanted!

Girls on the Run, an after school program to empower girls to move, build confidence, make intergrade level connections (grades 3-5) is looking for both a head and assistant coach for CCES. The girls complete a community impact project as well as do a fun run 5k. Coaches are supplied with curriculum and materials for practices.

Practice would start the week of 3/17 and end the week of 6/2. The fun run 5k will be 5/31.

If interested, please register online here:

https://www.pinwheel.us/volunteer/signup/GOTRNew-coach-SP25

or contact susan.michel@girlsontherun.org

Thank you for your interest in supporting our students!

Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students

• Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
• Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
• HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring

Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes

• Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC

FREE 8-week program for parents and caregivers to support your child’s mental wellness, resiliency, and success in school!

• Learn new tools each week.
• Meet with parents to share ideas and support each other.
• For parents of children ages 5 to 18.
• In English, Spanish, and Amharic.

Classes in English, Spanish, and Amharic will be offered on select evenings starting the first week of February 2025. Click on the link below to register and choose your preferred meeting dates. We will send you an email or text to confirm your registration.

• Classes will meet 1 night a week for 8 weeks.
• Classes will meet online via Zoom, with a video presentation followed by a group discussion led by a PEP facilitator.
• Each participant who attends at least 5 sessions and the evaluation session (week 8) will receive a $50 gift card (limit one per family/household).
• Classes are limited to 25 participants each.

Click on this link to learn more and register: https://pep-frp.org/.