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 finally gotten warm!!! We have many activities planned from now through the end of the school year. We hope you can join us!

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

May

• 7 - PTA Restaurant Day - Chick-fil-a Johns Hopkins Rd. (all day)
• 8 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 10 - PTA Carnival, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 14 - Schools and Offices Closed - Primary Election Day
• 17 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Learning Day, 12:55 p.m. Dismissal
• 20 - SCH - 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearings
• 27 - Schools and Offices Closed - Memorial Day
• 30 - Fifth Grade Middle School Visit Day
• 31 - Field Day

June

• 3 - Field Day - RAIN DATE
• 5 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Work Day, 12:55pm Dismissal
• 6 - Wear Green for "Think Green Thursday"
• 6 - Spring Concert, 6:30pm
• 12 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, 12:55pm Dismissal
• 13 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, 12:55pm Dismissal
• 13 - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, 2:30pm at Atholton High School
• 14 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal, 12:55pm Dismissal, Last Day of School

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

Parents/guardians whose children are eligible for bus transportation are asked to register to receive bus service each year. Families whose students have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan that includes transportation do not need to register.

The transportation registration process is completed online via HCPSS Connect Synergy and must be done for each child eligible for bus service. See the Transportation Opt-In Directions for details on how to complete.

It is that time of year when we enroll kindergarteners and new students to first grade for next year! If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1st, please enroll them now! If you know anyone who has a child this age, please have them enroll their child now!The link to on-line enrollment is below! Please feel free to call the office at 410-313-6866 with any questions!

https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/#docs

The Howard County Library System will be hosting Kindergarten, Here We Come classes this summer!

• Offered in July and August
• 45-60 minute classes
• Classes include an opportunity for participants to practice boarding a school bus
• Some classes will be offered in English and some will be offered in Spanish
• Registration required

Dear CCES Community,

I know how much many of the students in our community enjoy Minecraft – so wanted to share some information about a program being offered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA is sponsoring a Minecraft Airport Design Challenge where small teams of students work together to learn about their local airport and to complete development tasks in Minecraft.

During the Airport Design Challenge, students have the opportunity to design virtual airports in Minecraft based on guidance from FAA aerospace and engineering experts. Participating students meet aviation professionals, engage with other designers, and learn about the aerospace industry. The challenge offers first-hand experience in an aviation-related application of STEM concepts and helps students apply their academic knowledge and skills to professional simulations.

While participants are encouraged to form teams of up to five members, they may also participate individually. Instructional modules cover topics ranging from airport layout, to pavement and lighting, then on to structures, and finally, innovative growth. Module knowledge check assignments and screenshots of students’ designs are used to assess progress and provide feedback.

This year’s challenge ends August 31, 2024 so there’s plenty of time to participate.

To learn more, or to sign up, please visit Airport Design Challenge | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).

Please keep in mind that this activity is meant for students to participate at home. I just wanted to share this wonderful opportunity with you.

Thank you,

Mrs. Gelinas

A huge THANK YOU to all who have donated so far!

Starting on April 2, CCES will be collecting for Grassroots Center. Donating and giving to those in need is as easy as ABC!

A: Amazon Link! Go to the Amazon wish list and purchase an item or two. It will come directly to our school to donate to Grassroots.

B: Bring in items!! We are accepting canned goods, body lotion and wash, toothpaste, towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, juice boxes, and baby wipes. You can simply place the items in the box in your pod.

C: Cash or coins! You can also bring in cash or coins or go to the direct donation page to donate. Your teacher will be collecting any money that you bring in.

Thank you so much for your donations!

~Mrs. Register and some fifth grade friends 🙂

Why: Our school will be participating in the “Pull Tab Program” to help benefit the Maryland Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Who: Everyone! Lead by our very own 5th Grade Eco-Leaders.

Where: Send your tabs in with your student and have them place them in the bin in their pod area.

When: We will collect tabs through June 7th.

Our Eco-leaders would like to remind you that our Earth is important!

For more details be visit https://rmhcmaryland.org/pull-tabs/.

Please email Mrs. Seifert with any questions. jhonna_seifert@hcpss.org

PTA could use your help in celebrating all of our amazing educators! PTA is running several giveaways, activities and catering in the staff lounge during this special week. Please take a look at our sign up! Thank you for your support!

There are also lots of ways your child can also celebrate their own teacher/s next week. Here is a link to the current teacher wish list

5pm - 8pm on the CCES blacktop

We are looking for plenty of parent volunteers to help the event run smoothly. Sign up here to volunteer some time on the day.

Don't forget to check out the amazing baskets in this year's Silent Auction!! All proceeds go to CCES PTA to support our amazing school community! Bid on some amazing baskets from a Mother's Day basket filled with spa goodies, fun in the sun basket for outdoor fun, foodie baskets and more! Our silent auction will begin on Thursday, May 9th and end at 6:30 pm on May 10th!

Are you interested in stepping up and getting more involved in PTA next year? Nominations are now open for Executive Board positions for the 2024-2025 school year. We warmly welcome all who may be interested -- it can be lots of fun to be more involved! In particular, the PTA is looking for a new Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, as our amazing current team members are finishing their terms in those roles. Interested?

Executive positions will be voted on at our meeting on the evening of May 8. Contact Jen Nwosu for all the details president@clemenscrossingpta.org

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

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”

Does your child love sports? Atholton High School coaches are ready for a fun and exciting summer! Coaches and staff will help your child grow their skills in several sports. Registration is now open. Click on the link below.

https://www.atholtonboosters.org/packet/76811653

Do you have an aspiring filmmaker in your family? Sign them up for video production camp! Three sessions are running this summer at River Hill High School where campers can make their very own short film. Camera use, storytelling techniques, and editing skills will exercise participants’ creative and technical abilities. Sessions run from 8:30am - 12:00pm Monday through Thursday with a film festival at the end, and children ages 9 to 17 are welcome to enroll.
Sign up at https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp2024

It's May! Only about 6 weeks left of school - where did the time go? Though we are nearing the end of the year, there's still time to join in the fun with the Cub Scouts! You just missed the Cub Scout Olympics at this month's Pack meeting, where everyone had an awesome time learning about and trying out a few events that will be held during the Olympics this summer, but you can find us at the School Carnival on May 10th. We'll be running the dunk tank where the kids attempt to dunk their favorite teachers! Then the next weekend we'll be camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying a campfire. We'd love to see you at both events! We make camping fun and easy, whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first-timer. Cub Scout camping means the kids have a great time outside away from screens, and parents don't have to do much at all since the Pack provides meals and the cooking equipment! Visit us at the Carnival, go to our website at www.pack618md.com, or contact us at Cubmaster@pack618md.com.

Swim team registration is open! If you haven't joined yet, it's a great opportunity for your kids to build their swimming skills in a fun, community, non-competitive environment. As long as your swimmer can get across the pool independently after 2 weeks of guidance (the first week is a trial week, so if you're not sure, check it out anyways without registering!). It's a lot of fun and the highlight of my family's summer.

Registration Link: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/reccnsl/page/home

Our Facebook group: Clemens Crossing Cyclones Please PM Deena Englander if you have any questions!