Centennial Lane Elementary:

Centennial Lane Elementary School

Mrs. Debra Anoff, Principal

Mrs. Siobhan Drumgoole, Assistant Principal

3825 Centennial Lane

Ellicott City, MD 21042

(410) 313-2800

(410) 313-2804 - Fax

(410) 313-1710 (Health Room)

Student Hours: 8:45a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

cles.hcpss.org

We look forward to seeing everyone at our PTA Trunk-Or-Treat Family Heritage Event in the Centennial High School parking lot, on Wednesday, October 29th!

Event Details:

Trunk-or-Treat Heritage Event

Wednesday 10/29, 6-8PM

NEW THIS YEAR! CLES Trunk-or-Treat is combined with CHS Spooktacular Event!

Location: Centennial HS Parking Lot & Cafeteria (4300 Centennial Lane)

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat (Outdoor Activity - CHS parking lot) - FREE to all (sponsored by CLES PTA) - kids (age 12 & under) visit festive displays for prizes & treats. Families/groups can sign up to decorate vehicle/table displays (use RSVP form).

• 6:00-8:00 p.m. Spooktacular (Indoor Activity - CHS cafeteria) - Haunted house, kids crafts, fun activities! Tickets are $5 per child (purchase in advance here or at door) - adults are free, but should accompany children (this is NOT a drop-off event).

• Costume Contest FREE for all CLES students & families - Prizes for individual, group, and best family costumes. Enter the contest at the photo booth in the CHS front lobby.

Everyone Please RSVP! Visit bit.ly/cles-rsvp-trunk for RSVP link and more info.

October

• 29- Hearing & Vision Screening-More information coming soon
• 29 - PTA Trunk or Treat Family Heritage Event at CHS 6:00 p.m.-8:00 pm
• 31 - Professional Work Day, schools close 3 hours early (12:15 p.m.)

November

• 4- PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
• 5- Walk and Wheel (walk or bike to school)
• 5- Gr. 5 Band Field Trip
• 7- Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Window Opens to Everyone at 8:00 am
• 10-Report Cards Issued
• 11-CLES Veteran's Day Celebration 9:45 am- Information below
• 12-Picture Retakes and Pictures for new or absent students
• 12-Professional Learning/Wellness Day, schools close 3 hours early (12:15 p.m.)
• 12-PTA Restaurant Night (Yama Sushi)
• 13-PTA Math Night @ CLES (2 sessions: 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm)
• 17-21-American Education Week
• 18- 2nd grade FT to Maryland Science Center-more information coming soon.
• 20-Parent Teacher Conference Schedule Window Cloes at 4 pm
• 24 & 25- Parent/Teacher Conferences-schools close 3 hours early (12:15 p.m.)
• 26-Parent/Teachers Conferences-schools closed for students
• 27 & 28- Thanksgiving Break-schools and offices closed.

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۔

There will be no printed 2025-2026 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

CLES is very excited to invite and honor the veterans and active-duty service members of our CLES students to an assembly and breakfast on Tuesday, November 11th @ 9:45am. If you or a family member can attend with their CLES student, please RSVP using the link below by Friday, October 31st so that we can plan accordingly.

RSVP for CLES Assembly & Breakfast

If you have not yet sent us pictures of your veteran and/or active-duty service member from your family, please do so that we can share these in the hallways for all of our students to see and read about throughout the month of November. Please complete this link by Friday, October 24th so that the pictures can be printed and added to our wall together.

2025 Veterans Day Community Pictures

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Lawson at Carrie_Lawson@hcpss.org

Families can begin signing up for parent-teacher conferences on November 7th. Conferences will take place on November 24-November 26. For your planning purposes, please note the schedule below:

• In- person conferences will be held on Monday, Nov. 24th only
• Virtual conferences will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 25th and/or Wednesday, Nov. 26th only, depending on teachers' schedules

• Additional Information:
• Fall conferences will focus on ELA
• Mr. Pellegrino(GT) will hold math conferences for his 4th Grade GT Math class only. Math conferences for all other grades/teachers will be available in February.
• Related Arts teachers will have a limited number of conferences slots available as well as offering office hours.

To schedule your conference, please log in to HCPSS Connect to view and select your time slot:

1. Go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
2. Select “Conference” from the left menu.
3. Choose “Parent Scheduled Conferences” at the top right.
4. Pick a convenient time slot.

If you have trouble accessing HCPSS Connect, please contact the front office for assistance. The scheduling window will remain open from Friday, November 7th, at 8am through Thursday, November 20th, at 4pm.

Get ready to show off your school pride and support CLES with our yearlong fundraiser through Spiritwear Direct!

🗓 Starting Friday, October 24th, Spiritwear Direct will be kicking off a special sale on select spiritwear items!
It’s the perfect time to grab your favorite CLES gear, show your school pride, and help raise funds for our school community.

👕✨ Don’t miss out—stock up, save, and show your spirit all year long!

🛍 Shop Now: centenniallanespiritwear.com

Lifetouch Pictures will be on campus Tuesday, November 12th to photograph:

• Students who were absent on the original picture day

• Students who registered after the original picture day

• Students who were photographed on the original day and would like a retake

If your student would like a retake, please make sure they return their original picture package or proof envelope to the photographer on retake day.

📘 Note: Any students photographed on retake day will have their original photo replaced with the retake photo.

Vision and hearing screening will take place on October 29th, 2025. Screening will take place for kindergarten, first grade, and students new to the state. If your child wears glasses, please make sure they bring their glasses to school on screening day.

The health room needs volunteers for the screenings. Help is needed between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm on October 29th, 2025. If you are available to assist, please contact the health room at 410-313-1710 or email erica_haskell@hcpss.org.

Erica Y. Haskell, BSN, RN

Cluster Nurse - Centennial Lane Elementary School

(p) 410-313-1710
(f) 410-465-4358

Howard County Public School System

Erica_Haskell@hcpss.org

The message below was shared to all of HCPSS, but we are reposting to ensure that folks who need the assistance know what is available:

As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.

Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.

Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.

Additionally, many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.

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 PDF 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 jaimie_shirokobrod@hcpss.org by December 15, 2025. Contact Jaimie Shirokobrod with any questions.

Please save and email documents in the following format:

5 SS My Story Title or 3 P My Poem Title

(student names should ONLY appear on the Cover Sheet)

*SS- short story *P- poem

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.

Volunteers coming to CLES or chaperoning a field trip are required to complete two training sessions. Please follow the steps below to complete and submit the training certificates.

Step 1: Complete the required Confidentiality Training for volunteers & chaperones.

https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/

Step 2: Complete the Confidentiality Training Certificate to verify you completed the training. https://www.hcpss.org/f/parents/volunteer-confidentiality-certificate.pdf

Step 3: Review the Training Powerpoint about How to Report Child Abuse

MD State Law & HCPSS Policy 1030 (PDF)

• Reporting Form

• Reporting Procedure (PDF)

Step 4: Complete the Abuse Training Certificate to verify you completed the training. Abuse Training Certificate (PDF)

Step 5: Complete and submit this Volunteer & Chaperone Google form below to submit your certificates: https://forms.gle/EJwVvp2sqq4isZS98

Students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price. Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees, and many others in addition to free or discounted meals. Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year. Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.

Parents can email CLESabsence@hcpss.org to report a student’s absence. Please include your child(ren)’s full name, parent’s/guardian’s full name and phone number, the date your child(ren) was absent and the reason. Parents may instead choose to send in a paper excuse note to their child’s teacher with the same information when the student returns to school.

For families requesting local discretionary absences, please complete a Local Discretionary Absence Request Form and submit it to the front office at least one week in advance.

CLES Trunk or Treat Family Heritage Event & CHS Spooktacular

Everyone Please RSVP! Visit bit.ly/cles-rsvp-trunk for RSVP link and more info.

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Centennial High School (parking lot & cafeteria) at 4300 Centennial Lane

WHO: All CLES students, families, friends, neighbors

WHAT: Join in one or more of these fun & festive activities:

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat - FREE to all (sponsored by CLES PTA) - kids (age 12 & under) visit festive displays for prizes & treats.

• 6:00-8:00 p.m. Spooktacular - Haunted house, kids crafts, fun activities (sponsored by CHS Class of 2027 Leadership Board). Tickets are $5 per child (purchase in advance here or at the door - adults are free, but should accompany children - this is NOT a drop-off event).

• Costume Contest for all CLES students & families - Prizes for individual, group, and best family costumes. Enter the contest at the photo booth in the CHS front lobby.

Decorate a Trunk or Treat vehicle/table displays

We need families/groups to create Trunk or Treat stations. Make a fun display representing your family heritage, favorite characters, or spooky season. Sign Up Here

Donate $ or Supplies

Donate to the fund for mini pumpkins and crafts supplies here

Drop off donations of treats or candy in the Trunk or Treat Donation Box in the CLES vestibule or contact social@clespta.org for other drop off (or pickup) options.

SECAC Meetings and Events

https://howardcountysecac.com

• October 28, 6:15 PM – 7:45 PM

HCPSS Budget Team present the Special Education Budget

Location: East Columbia Library – Marvin Thomas Room

• November 6, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

SECAC Monthly Meeting

Location: Patuxent Valley Middle School

• November 11, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Community Meeting featuring special guest Guy Stephens https://endseclusion.org/

Location: Patuxent Valley Middle School

Questions: contact our SECAC chair Shirley at SECAC@clespta.org

PTA Membership Drive

Life’s busy. PTA membership is flexible. Get involved as much or as little as you want. By joining the PTA, parents and guardians can stay informed about their child's school life and contribute to their child's learning experience. Hear directly from our school administration at our PTA monthly meetings. Raise your concerns and suggestions with the group that can support change. Join Today!

PTA Committee Leads Needed

• Community Outreach (1st event in Nov)

• Reflections Contest (Nov/Dec)

• Winter Bazaar (Dec)

• International Festival (April)

• Fundraising Chair (ongoing)

• And more…just ask!

Without you, these events can’t happen. Reach out to learn more about these roles or any others: Questions@clespta.org

The PTA Website is linked HERE.

In alignment w/ Policy 10010, the following announcements have been approved by the Public Information Office for distribution.

The below community notices are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the HCPSS.