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

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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۔

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

September

• 18 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, Professional Work and Wellness Day, 12:55pm Dismissal
• 23 - PTA School Scoop Night with The Charmery (see details below)

October

• 1 - Fall Picture Day
• 3 - Schools and Offices Closed
• 8 - PTA Restaurant Night at Honeygrow (see details below)
• 9 - PTA Meeting, 7:00pm
• 18 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day
• 30 - End of 1st Marking Period
• 30 - PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:00 - 8:00pm
• 31 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work and Development 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

Calendario en español

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

Dear Families,

Thank you to everyone who attended our Back-to-School Nights this week! We appreciate your partnership! We also want to thank the staff for sharing great information and helping in many ways! It was good to see everyone this week!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Each year, families update/complete their child's Family File with all emergency information. Please complete this info ASAP so that we have this information prior to school starting. This is required EACH year. We appreciate your assistance! Anyone who has it completed by Wednesday, August 21st will be able to access their child's teacher information later that day.

So far we have 76% of families who have completed their Family File! Let's get to 100%!!

https://www.hcpss.org/connect/

Family File Directions.pdf

Starting next week, students in grades 1-5 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The MAP window runs through October 17th. 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.

HCPSS parents, guardians and family members are invited to join HCPSS Superintendent Willliam J. Barnes, school system leaders and community organizations for this valuable information night to prepare for a successful academic year. The event will also feature various workshop topics which provide access to resources and support.

The 2024-2025 Parent Academy Kick-Off will be held Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6-8:30 p.m at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. Dinner will be provided from 5:15-6 p.m. Registration is encouraged.

Workshop topics include:

• College and Career Readiness/Career Exploration

• Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future

• Navigating the School System for Student Success

• Mental Health

• Advanced Programs K-12

• Social Media Safety & Security

• Elementary ELA, Reading, and the Library

• Math Programs

• Financial Literacy

• Immigration Law

• Early Childhood Programs

Flyers for distribution:

• Parent Academy Kick-Off Flyer - English

• Parent Academy Kick-Off Flyer - Spanish

• Parent Academy Kick-Off Flyer - Korean

• Parent Academy Kick-Off Flyer - Chinese

Please contact 410.313.1293 for more information.

5th Grade GT Seminar Information

4th Grade GT Seminar Information

3rd Grade GT Seminar Information

2nd Grade GT Seminar Information

The Howard County Public School System seeks new members for the GT/Advanced Programs Advisory Committee. Curriculum advisories serve as a forum for sharing ideas, information, and concerns, as well as suggesting initiatives for continuous improvement and academic excellence in HCPSS. The Advisory will meet between 3-5 times during the school year.

By Sept. 13, please complete the interest form if you are interested in serving on this advisory committee. All applicants will be contacted by October 1. If you have any questions, please reach out to Debbie Blum, Coordinator, Gifted and Talented Education, at debbie_blum@hcpss.org.

As part of the HCPSS strategic planning process, 5th grade students, staff and families are being

asked to provide input about their values for our school system. Parents/Guardians: Please complete this HCPSS Strategic Planning Input Survey by 9/20/2024 and share the student version with your Grade 5-12 student(s).

This survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. If you have students at more than one

school, please complete the survey one time, and indicate each school your students attend.

If your student needs assistance completing the survey, please contact our front office for assistance.

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.

The Howard County Public School System is partnering with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring flu immunizations into our schools for students. This year, they will also be offering the latest Covid vaccine if it is available at the time of the clinics. The clinic at Clemens Crossing Elementary will be held on Wednesday, October 16th during school hours. If you would like your child to be vaccinated against the flu and/or Covid at this clinic, please register at this link: https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/9010256127 prior to October 9th. You are not required to provide your child’s insurance information. If you have any concerns about the new Covid vaccine, speak with your child’s pediatrician. If you wish to cancel your child’s appointment after they've been registered, please call Ms. Schrumm, School Nurse at 410-313-5609.

Picture Day is coming on October 1! Lifetouch School Photography, known for capturing school pictures from K-12 nationwide, will take our school photos this year. For more information about Picture Day, check out the flyer provided or visit: https://schools.lifetouch.com/for-your-families/

The CA (Columbia Association) Points Program is offered to students in grades 3-12 enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program at participating schools. Students can earn a free CA membership for themselves and their immediate family through their grades and attendance.

To enroll your student, please complete the CA Points Enrollment Form. Online enrollment will close on Friday, September 27, 2024.

For more information, visit CA Points Program or email CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2023-2024 Annual Snapshot has just been released. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The snapshot highlights how partners play a vital role in encouraging students to reach their full potential.

With nearly 500 students at Clemens Crossing Elementary, it is important to be patient during arrival and dismissal. The carefully planned logistics of arrival and dismissal help us keep our students, staff, parents, and visitors safe. If you are in a non-transportation zone (walker or car rider) it is extremely important to familiarize yourself with our routines for arrival and dismissal.

As adults, we must follow predictable patterns and routines, because children can be unpredictable. Parking in a wrong or illegal place creates unpredictable situations, and those types of situations can put students at risk during arrival and dismissal.

Arrival and dismissal safety is everyone's responsibility. Please review the map below and listen to our staff members who are outside to assist your children when they enter and leave school daily.

NOTE: Please follow the posted signs along Quarterstaff Road. Traffic engineers studied the road and placed signs to help maximize sight lines for drivers. This helps to reduce risks and provide a safe crossing of Quarterstaff Road for walkers who live on the other side of the road.

Do not park along Quarterstaff Road where signs state "No Parking or Standing." Howard County Police will ticket drivers who park or drop-off/pick-up students where no parking signs are posted.

Car Riders - All car riders are dismissed on the parking lot side of the building.
Car riders are expected to be dropped off and picked up in the car loop (school parking lot). We do not allow students to cross the bus parking lot and load into their car along Quarterstaff Road. Please do not tell your children to meet you along Quarterstaff Road.

• During arrival and dismissal, we expect car traffic to enter the car loop from the Martin Road side of Quarterstaff Road (right turn only into the parking lot). Exiting the car loop is a right turn only as well. Please plan your trip accordingly (see information below). Left-hand turns into the car loop are not permitted during arrival and dismissal. Left-hand turning traffic creates back-ups in addition to making it difficult to see blind spots.
• It is suggested that you enter Quarterstaff Road from Martin Road.
• If you do park legally along Quarterstaff Road, your child is considered a walker and will be dismissed with walkers.

Walkers - Walkers who cross Quarterstaff Road must cross the street with the crossing guard.
Please never cross Quarterstaff Road near the car rider traffic. It is unsafe!

It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe during arrivals and dismissals.

Below, you will find a helpful graphic for arrival and dismissal.

Find answers to all of your questions here in our Family Guide.
https://cces.hcpss.org/news/2024/08/cces-family-guide

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.

There is no limit to the number of a la carte items a student can buy. Parents are encouraged to discuss acceptable a la carte purchasing for their children, and parents have the right to restrict a la carte purchasing for their students. Parents may contact the Food and Nutrition Service office at 410-313-6738 or 410-313-6744 to add restrictions to their child's meal account, including placing a limit or blocking the student's account for a la carte items.

CCES Band and Orchestra registration: https://forms.gle/YMDAZPyNWadDTqkJA

Band: Wind & Percussion Instruments - 4th & 5th Grade
Orchestra: String Instruments - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

Registration deadline: 9/13

Email Mrs. Yeager with any questions! elizabeth_yeager@hcpss.org

* For assistance with registering, call 410-313-2273 (voice/ relay) or email children@howardcountymd.gov

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

September 2024 Parent Pages Newsletter here

Discipline and Communication in the Elementary Years
Moving into the school year and getting into the swing of new expectations can lead to a lot of strong emotions and conflict in the household for the entire family. Discipline is about teaching and skill building –not punishment. Learn to develop strategies to proactively prevent meltdowns by preparing your home and routine to encourage success. Become familiar with temperament types, tune into different needs and learn how to use this information to individualize your interactions with your child.
Monday, September 16, 12:30 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here

Navigating Howard County Housing Programs
Whether you're looking to rent or find affordable housing, this session will guide you through the available options, resources and support systems in Howard County. Learn about different types of housing options, financial assistance programs such as eviction prevention and foreclosure resources and how to navigate the local housing market so you can make informed decisions.
Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here

The Power of Partnering with Your Childcare Provider

A parent’s involvement in their child's development plays a crucial role in their personal growth and lifelong success. Explore the importance of building strong partnerships with your child's program and offer strategies to enhance communication, proactively navigate challenges and engage with teachers and providers. By creating a meaningful partnership with the school, you can help nurture your child's potential, contribute to their success and create a support system that empowers them to thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

Tuesday September 24, 7:00 p.m., Free virtual workshop, register here

Detangle With Me
During this interactive workshop, learn firsthand how to detangle thick, curly, or coily textured hair without causing damage. Discover effective techniques tailored for these hair types and gain the confidence to apply what you've learned at home.

Thursday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here

Drop-in Play Group

Children ages 2 to 4 and their families are invited to explore and play at our Family Support Center!

Parents must stay with their children.

Wednesdays, September 4, 11, 18. 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. | Free, Register here

Cook With Me Playgroup

Engage your 2 to 4-year-olds in interactive healthy cooking and nutrition education class facilitated by Healthy Little Cooks! Tailored for a parent and child, these sessions focus on promoting healthy eating habits through cooking, reading, movement, and kindergarten readiness skills. Each class typically includes 1 to2 quick recipes alongside fun activities like crafts, physical activities or coloring pages. This program offers a holistic healthy learning environment for families.
Monday, September 9, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. | Free, register here

On the Journey to Fatherhood, coming in October 2024

This four-part series is designed to support Howard County fathers develop healthy parenting habits, while networking and strengthening the bond between dads and their children from birth to age five. If you are interested in participating, for more information contact Ovan Shortt 410-313-1453 oshortt@howardcountymd.gov

The Basics Howard County (updated flier attached)
Research shows that 90% of brain growth happens by age five. The Basics provide five simple things parents can do to make the most of these early years. Parents in Howard County can receive free tips directly to their phone to support their child by signing up for Basics Insights. These weekly text messages provide suggestions based on your child’s developmental stage, from birth to age five (available in English or Spanish).
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/children-families/basics

Howard County Parent Pages Newsletter

Sign up for the Parent Pages, a newsletter published by the Howard County Office of Children and Families for parents, caregivers and agencies working with families. Each monthly issue features information to help parents and caregivers learn how to promote positive parenting for children’s development. It highlights workshops, local resources, events, parenting information, and agency programs targeted to help families grow and thrive in Howard County. This newsletter is a part of the Howard County Family Institute, an education, information and community outreach program.

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

**GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every parent/guardian who signs up by Sept 15th will also go into the draw to win a $25 Meadows Frozen Custard gift card! (those who have already signed up are included in the draw!)

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/

iCook - Mondays starting Sept 23

10 week session at $270 + registration fee

Pick up 5:15pm

iCook needs a few more signups to happen. Delayed a week to starting 9/23.

https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-monday-2

iCook Flour Power 🍰 🍮 In this baking course, 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.

Chess - Tuesdays starting Sept 24

12 week session at $252

Pick up 4:55pm

https://chessacademy.com/collections/howard-county-chess

Learn chess with Magnus Academy, the five time world champion’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 outside of club time, which may have an additional fee. All chess supplies provided. We welcome all grades and skill levels!

Free Online Extras

ChessKid Gold membership (normally $49/year)

Weekly evening practice tournament

Bonus event with a BIG guest once per season - last year's guests were Magnus (the world champion) and Judit Polgar (the best female chess player of all time)!

KidzArt - Thursdays starting Sept 26

6 week session at $159

Pick up 5:15pm

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland?orglink=camps-registration

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!

Good Afternoon All,

My name is Matthew Aubin, I am the head of the Wilde Lake women's soccer program. I would like to invite all of you and your students to attend: the Wilde Lake High School women's varsity soccer game, on October 1st,2024. The game will start at 5:30, with a pre-game ceremony (5ish) welcoming you and our future cats! We are looking for our future wilde cats to come on out, and get a taste of the magic! Thank you so much for your time, I look forward to our fun night together! Go Cats!

Whether you got a chance to build a boat with us at the PTA picnic last week or not, you have more chances to check out the fun that is Cub Scout Pack 618! Come join us for our fall cookout picnic at 5pm on Saturday at Martin Road Park, or at our new family info night on Thursday, September 18th at 6:30pm in the CCES cafeteria. If you can't make either of those events, contact us and come camping at the end of September. We make it easy for first-time campers and experienced outdoors-folks alike by providing the meals and activities, so all you have to do as parents is show up with your tent! We can even provide equipment if need be! To find out more, email us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com or go to our website at www.pack618md.com.

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