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

For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice at the top of this page.

Spanish

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Korean

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Chinese

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Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

October

• 16 - In-school Flu/COVID clinic
  
• 18 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work Day
• 21 - PTA Read-a-Thon Begins
• 30 - End of 1st Marking Period
• 30 - PTA Trunk or Treat, 5:00 - 7:00pm
• 31 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Work and Development Day

November

• 5 - Schools and Offices Closed - Election Day
• 8 - Q1 Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m. via HCPSS Connect
• 11 - Veteran's Day - wear red, white & blue to school
• 13 - World Kindness Day - wear a hat or shirt with kind messages on it
• 13 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 19 - Picture re-take day
• 25 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Parent/Teacher Conferences (in person)
• 26 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
• 27 - Schools Closed for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 28 - Schools and Offices Closed
• 29 - Schools and Offices Closed

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,

We have seen an increase in students bringing fidgets and toys to school. Please help with keeping these items at home as they become a distraction at school. If your child is in need of a fidget, please connect with your child's teacher to determine an appropriate plan that meets your child's needs.

Thank you!!!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

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 labeled bin in their pod area.

When: The entire school year!

Our Eco-leaders would like to remind you that it is “time to be Green”!

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

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

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 stephanie_pazornick@hcpss.org by December 20, 2024. Contact Stephanie Pazornick, CCES Reading Specialist, with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

Hi, families! Mrs. Angie Haube (our school Diversity, Equity, and inclusion Liaison) and I work with our other wonderful staff to help all of our students feel seen and valued at CCES. One piece of that is filling our front display case. To honor various nationwide acceptance of celebration months, we invite any and all families to send in/share items that celebrate their heritage and traditions.

Our first month is Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month from September 15-October 15. If you're interested in displaying special photos, recipes, figurines, books, attire, etc. please send this in with your student.

It would be helpful if you let the homeroom teacher know an item is coming in with your student, or email Megan_hodgins@hcpss.org to be on the look out. Thank you for making CCES a welcoming place to honor and highlight all of us! -Megan Hodgins and our DEI Team

Each year, families update/complete their child's Family File with all emergency information. Please complete this info ASAP so that we have updated information in case of emergency.

So far we have 85% of families who have completed their Family File! Let's get to 100%!!

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

Family File Directions.pdf

Students in grades 1-5 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.

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.

* 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.

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.

Learn tools to help your children handle stress and setbacks. Join the nonprofit Parent Encouragement Program's free 8-week online program for parents/caregivers of children preK to 12th grade, in English or Spanish. Learn to support your children’s mental wellness and resiliency and connect with other parents. Complete at least 5 sessions and the evaluation to receive a $50 gift card. Classes start the week of October 14, register today: tinyurl.com/2w4k2sxp

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 Health Department is hosting several flu vaccine clinics around the county for those with or without health insurance. They are offering both the regular dose for ages 6-months and older, as well as the high dose for 65-years and older.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/seasonal-flu

Saturday, October 26 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the Swim Center from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication, EpiPens and other sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Giving away 25 medication lockboxes purchased by HCPSS. For more information and to volunteer, go to : https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/

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/

Register your student for the CCES Read-a-thon!! Once you sign up you will have a unique fundraising link to share with family and friends to sponsor your student as they read. You will also receive a confirmation email that details how to log your student’s minutes etc. Happy reading CCES!

https://app.givebacks.gives/ccesreadathon2024

5pm-7pm Wednesday October 30th

Sign up and more details here: https://evite.me/2YrTUKVNXV

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaHQ_vyQpZT2FEhHRTfUp0Xz7A7-bBn0QpcBsVsTK67uwYGw/viewform

Union Church would like to be a blessing to families in the Howard County area and provide a Thanksgiving Meal 🍽 kit during this holiday season. If you are in need of a Thanksgiving meal, please complete the registration at the link below by October 29th. They will either personally deliver a Thanksgiving meal kit on Saturday November 16th or invite families to pick up their Thanksgiving meal kits on Sunday, November 17th during the Sunday Worship Experience.

Family Registration Form (Columbia/Howard County Area)

Cub Scouting provides a ready-made community of people who all care about kids AND having fun while learning. We teach good citizenship, outdoorsmanship, and STEAM through the meetings and activities held every month. October's pack activity is shooting rockets on the CCES fields on October 19th at 2pm. This is an awesome opportunity to see physics in action! 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.

CCES Family Guide

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

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