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Clemens Crossing Cougar Comments
Volume 45, Issue 37 - May 10, 2024
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
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
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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۔
From the Administrators
Dear Families,
We wanted to share an update about our roof replacement. The left side of the roof will be replaced this summer. Pre-construction work will occur on June, 1, 2, 8, and 9 from 6am-5pm. In addition, the main construction will begin on Saturday, June 15th. Because of the length of the summer, the construction crew will be working on the roof Monday through Saturday from 6am-5pm to ensure the roof is completed for the start of the school year. If we end up having a rainy summer, they may work on Sundays as well. During the summer, the front bus loop and side walk areas will be fenced off and there won't be access to the front door. Access to the building will be through the side door that is by the parking lot and near the dumpsters. We appreciate everyone's patience and look forward to the new roof!!!
We also want to give an AMAZING shout out to our PTA and families for all of the treats, cards, flowers, breakfast, lunch, and snacks this week for our staff! You truly went above and beyond for Staff Appreciation Week!!! The staff definitely felt appreciated!!!
Thank you!
Michelle Leader, Principal
Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates and Events
May
- 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
- 22 - PTA Restaurant Day @ The Meadows Frozen Custard
- 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.
From Wilde Lake Middle School
Hello future Wilde Lake Middle School families! We are hosting a parent/ guardian only “sneak peek” on Wednesday, May 29th at 6:00pm to run through the visit your students will be experiencing the following day! We want you to have an opportunity to hear what they are going to hear from our admin team, receive tours from our current sixth graders, and hear from our upper classmen about programs WLMS offers. This will be the exact program your children will see the next day in a preview... so please do not bring your future tiger sharks just yet. We just want you to be able to know what they will be experiencing so you can discuss it all together.
Please use the link below to rsvp so we know how many adults to expect!
2024/2025 School Bus Transportation Registration
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.
Kindergarten and New First Grade Enrollment
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!
Kindergarten, Here We Come!
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
Kindergarten, Here We Come Flyer - English
Kindergarten, Here We Come Flyer - Spanish
Minecraft Airport Design Challenge!
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
Pull those TABS Cougars! Let’s turn TRASH into TREASURE!
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 News
Spring Carnival (Fri May 10) is canceled
Unfortunately the weather has not been kind to us this year and we have made the very difficult decision to cancel this year's spring carnival. The grass around the blacktop is already very sodden and squelchy and the cold and rainy forecast for tomorrow has led us to make this tough call.
The small silver lining is that we will get to have the inflatable obstacle course and bounce house at our Back to School picnic in the fall instead!
Our online Silent Auction is still on!! Don't miss this!
Don't forget to bid on one (or more!) of the FIFTEEN different amazing baskets in this year's silent auction!
Support our amazing school community and snag some amazing stuff!! All proceeds go to Clemens Crossing PTA.
Check out all the incredible possibilities and all of the details right here:
In Case You Missed It
Family Guide - The ABC's of CCES
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
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/
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
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
Change of Address
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.
Connect with CCES and Stay Informed
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.
- 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 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
Opting into CCES and HCPSS Text Messages
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”
Community News
AHS Boosters Camps
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.
VIDEO PRODUCTION CAMP: THE SHORT FILM
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
Cub Scout Pack 618
What's your plan for next weekend, when the rain will hopefully be in the rearview mirror? If you're at loose ends, come join us out in western Maryland for camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying a campfire. 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! Even if camping isn't your cup of tea, your child will learn leadership, outdoors skills, and make new friends through Scouting. To check us out, 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!