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

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۔

March

• 3 - Hats off to Reading! Wear your favorite hat today!
• 4 - Time to be Green Tuesday - wear green!
• 5 - Individual Spring Photo Day
• 7 - PTA Bingo Night, 6:30 p.m.
• 10 - PTA Restaurant Night - Chipotle on Broken Land Parkway
• 14 - Pi Day - wear something with numbers on it
• 14 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Work and Wellness Day, 12:55 p.m.
• 21 - PTA Book Fair Begins, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. (every evening through 3/27)
• 25 - Maryland Day - wear Maryland shirt or red, black, and yellow
• 28 - Baseball Day - wear your favorite baseball team's jersey, hat, or colors
• 31 - Full Day of School due to calendar change

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,

Recently, our Board of Education revised Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media. The expectations remain unchanged for students at the elementary level. Our students may have a cell phone with them at school, but it must remain turned off and in their backpack at all times. More information can be found here. The new policy update outlines consequences should a cell phone be used during the school day. We wanted to make sure parents were aware of these updates.

Thank you!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

We would like to take a moment to recognize and support our students and staff who will be observing this important time. Ramadan begins on Friday, February 28, and ends on Sunday, March 29. Ramadan is a time of fasting, reflection, and community, and we want to ensure that we create a respectful and inclusive environment for all.

Beginning on Friday, February 28, we will have an alternative location available for students during lunch who observe Ramadan and prefer not to be in the cafeteria.

If your child will be fasting and you would like them to spend their lunchtime in a supervised alternative location, please email our School Counselor, Ann Rogers, at ann_rogers@hcpss.org.

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025? Or, do you know a student who lives in our neighborhood that will be 5 years old by September 1, 2025? If so, then it is time to start thinking about Kindergarten! Kindergarten registration is an online process. Please see this website for the information you'll need to gather ahead of time and starting March 3, this is where you'll go to register. Feel free to contact our office with any questions at 410-313-6866.

Hello Clemens Crossing Cougars! We’re a group of fifth graders trying to collect items and money for people in need at Grassroots. We’re looking for items that people would need if they became unhoused.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Register! Thank you!

Ruari, Katie, Vedanshi, Frank, Aadhav, Daniel, Lulu

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.

The Howard County Health Department came to CCES yesterday, Feb 27, and performed hearing and vision screenings on all Kindergarteners, 1st graders, and any 2nd-5th grader new to Maryland public schools. If you did not receive notification from Ms. Schrumm, your child passed the screenings. If your child was absent, please ensure they are present on Monday, March 10th when the rescreening will happen. Please direct any questions to the Health Room at 410-313-5609.

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.

Please do not send medication (over-the-counter or prescription) to school with your child. An adult must bring it in with the necessary form signed by a healthcare provider.

Cough drops without medication in them may be self-carried by students with written parent permission and specific instructions. The instructions should include the name of the product, reason for administration, and amount and frequency of administration; no more than 3 cough drops per day (every two hours) for no longer than 5 school days. Please instruct your student not to share them with others.

March 10th

9851 Broken Land Parkway

Mark your calendars for a vibrant celebration of our school's incredible diversity at the CCES International Night on Friday, March 21st! Immerse yourself in a global experience brimming with cultural exploration, delicious food, and electrifying performances.

The festivities begin at 6:30 pm with our exhibition of tables from different nations and cultures. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of different countries! Explore interactive displays, learn fascinating facts, and savor delicious treats from around the world.

Sign up here: https://evite.me/ePmvUKV9QR

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/

Family Resiliency Program—a free, 8-week online program designed to help parents support their child's mental wellness, build resilience, and foster success in school.

What FRP Offers:

✅ Practical tools for handling parenting challenges

✅ Strategies to support your child’s emotions and motivation

✅ A supportive community of parents

✅ A $50 gift card for attending at least 5 sessions + the final session

Program Details:

📅 Offered in February, April, and October – Meets once a week in the evening for 1.5 hours over 8 weeks

💻 Held online via Zoom – Join easily from home

👥 Led by expert PEP facilitators with engaging discussions & videos

📍 Open to families in Montgomery, Howard, Frederick & Dorchester Counties

👉 Click here to register now!

👉 For additional information about PEP

Curious about the program? Watch this video to learn more!

Spots are limited to 25 participants per group, so don’t wait!

Saturday, March 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Cedar Lane School
11630 Scaggsville Road
Fulton, MD
The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services (those who have an IEP or IFSP). Get connected to:
Recreational Activities
HCPSS Speech, OT, PT, Vision, and Adapted PE
Camps
Community Groups
Service Providers
Transition to Adulthood Information
Assistive Technology
Behavioral Health
Howard County Government Resources
And Much More!
For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. The event will be cancelled if HCPSS has an inclement weather closure. This event is part of the HCPSS Parent Empowerment Series including training sessions related to special education and events for families of students with an IEP or IFSP. Free

Parents, is your child interested in STEM and leadership?

STEMVillage Leadership Summer Camp is the perfect opportunity for rising 3rd–6th graders to explore the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, and math, all while building key leadership skills! Through hands-on projects and fun challenges, campers will strengthen their critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and public speaking—all while creating lasting summer memories.

This summer, we’re offering two exciting sessions:

Session 1 (July 7–11, 2025):
Dive into the world of simple machines and rockets! Campers will build catapults, design bottle rockets, and work on group STEM pitches. They’ll also boost their confidence with interactive presentations and public speaking activities.

Session 2 (July 28–August 1, 2025):
Get creative with problem-solving challenges, including egg drops, bridge-building competitions, and teamwork exercises. This session focuses on collaboration, innovation, and leadership in group settings.

Early bird pricing is just $350 per week if registered by February 28, 2025!
Don’t miss out on a summer full of STEM fun and leadership development—sign up now!

For more details and to register, visit tinyurl.com/stemvillage25. Spaces are limited!

Coaches wanted!

Girls on the Run, an after school program to empower girls to move, build confidence, make intergrade level connections (grades 3-5) is looking for both a head and assistant coach for CCES. The girls complete a community impact project as well as do a fun run 5k. Coaches are supplied with curriculum and materials for practices.

Practice would start the week of 3/17 and end the week of 6/2. The fun run 5k will be 5/31.

If interested, please register online here:

https://www.pinwheel.us/volunteer/signup/GOTRNew-coach-SP25

or contact susan.michel@girlsontherun.org

Thank you for your interest in supporting our students!

Free Life Skills Classes for HoCo Middle/High School Students

• Classes will be taught by HoCo college students with high school student assistants and adult supervision. Botvin’s Evidence Based Curriculum promotes positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. (Slightly younger students will be considered especially if joining an older sibling, and students older than 9th grade may be invited to join our high school team to earn Community Service Hours while learning.) If parents/guardians have questions about the appropriateness for students, register the students and HC DrugFree’s team will contact you. Siblings and friends are encouraged to take these classes together.
• Class dates: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 31, April 7, 28, and May 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register students at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025LifeSkills
• HoCo High School Student Leadership Opportunity to Earn Community Service Hours: Join HC DrugFree’s instructional team to assist college students teaching online Life Skills classes – all while serving as a role model and mentor to younger HoCo students. This leadership experience looks good on resumes and college applications. For more information and to register to volunteer, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AssistLS2025spring

Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes

• Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. This evidence-based, interactive prevention program provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs including alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC