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

As part of our school system’s commitment to equity and inclusion, we continue to focus on building community and creating welcoming environments for all students.

For the past several years, Halloween celebrations have not been held in HCPSS elementary schools. While we recognize that these traditions have been meaningful for many families, and wearing Halloween costumes at CLES has been a long-standing tradition, we also acknowledge that an increasing number of students across the county have opted out of Halloween celebrations. To ensure that every child feels included and valued, we will continue to celebrate the season with fall activities tied to our curriculum.

That said, we are thrilled to share that our PTA is hosting a Trunk-Or-Treat Family Heritage Event in the Centennial High School parking lot, on Wednesday, October 29th beginning at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by CHS’s Spooktacular Community Event—a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy the holiday together outside of the school day.

Please remember that during the school day we will not have Halloween parties, and students may not bring or wear costumes to school. Instead, grade-level teams will continue to plan, as they have in the past, fun and meaningful Fall-themed activities connected to the curriculum.

We look forward to celebrating this special season with our community in a way that is joyful, inclusive, and welcoming for all!

Mrs. Debra A. Anoff, Principal

Mrs. Siobhan Drumgoole, Assistant Principal

October

• 13 & 14 Fall Individual Picture Day-Teachers will communicate the date they are assigned
• 14- CLES Music/Boosters Restaurant Night at Chin Xi’an Style Restaurant, Princess Plaza
• 17 - Professional Work Day, schools closed for students
• 20- Diwali, schools & offices closed
• 22 - PTA Restaurant Night (Ledo's)
• 29-Hearing & Vision Screening-More information coming soon.
• 29 -PTA Trunk or Treat Family Heritage Event at CHS(6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
• 31 - Professional Work Day, schools close 3 hours early (12:15 p.m.)

November

• 4- PTA Meeting TBD
• 5- Walk and Wheel (walk or bike to school)
• 7- Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Window Opens to Everyone
• 10-Report Cards Issued
• 12-Picture Retakes and Pictures for new or absent students
• 12-Professional Learning/Wellness Day, schools close 3 hours early (12:15 p.m.)
• 13-PTA Math Night (Mathnasium of Ellicott City)
• 17-21-American Education Week
• 18- 2nd grade FT to Maryland Science Center-more information coming soon.
• 19 & 20- 3rd grade FT to BMI-more information coming soon.
• 24 & 25- Parent/Teacher Conferences-schools close 3 hours earl7 (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

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.

Parenting Classes: Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. Evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years old, but it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: November 11, 13, 18, 20 and December 2 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://tinyurl.com/GGC-Fall2025

Drive-Thru Medication Disposal: Saturday, October 25 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, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more. Unlike previous events, we will not collect sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens). Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Earn Community Service Hours! Giving away 100 medication lockboxes. For more information and to volunteer visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/

Free Newsletter: Stay up to date with HC DrugFree's free events offering Community Service Hours to HoCo students, resources, and a variety of substance use and behavioral health information! S

Sign up for HC DrugFree's free digital newsletter: https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/

Lifetouch will be at CLES on October 13th and 14th to takeFall individual student portraits and the yearbook.

Your child’s teacher will notify you of the specific day your student’s photo will be taken as we get closer to Picture Day.

Order forms will be sent home on Wednesday, October 8th for families to review and select the portrait package that best fits your needs.

📅 You have two ways to order:

• Send the completed order form with your child on Picture Day

• Order online anytime before October 13th at www.mylifetouch.com
  ➡️ Use Picture Day ID: EVT4M386G

Support CLES!
A portion of every portrait package sold goes back to our school. Thank you for your support!

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.

Get ready to show off your CLES Music pride! Spirit wear sales kick off next week with our brand-new t-shirt design and a few exciting new items. Details will be sent to Band, Orchestra, and Chorus families—look out for a flyer and messages from your director.

Tuesday, October 14 – Chin Xi’an Style Restaurant, Princess Plaza
Support our young musicians while enjoying a great meal! Mention Centennial Lane ES Music Boosters when ordering, and 15% of your purchase will be donated to support our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus programs. Whether your student is currently in a performing ensemble or planning to join, this is a wonderful way to give back. More details coming soon!

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 Staff Coffee Bar

As the new school year starts, we are restocking our coffee bar for all of the amazing CLES staff. Last year the coffee bar was a simple pleasure for staff and they were so grateful for your contributions. Everyone enjoys a little pick-me-up throughout their day!

We appreciate any donations you are willing to provide for the CLES Staff Coffee, Tea, and Beverage bar.

Click on the link below to view the Amazon wish list:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1T3AJH1CKVMWR?ref_=wl_share

(Please ship all items directly to: 3825 Centennial Lane Ellicott City, MD 21042 to the attention of ATTN: CLES Coffee Bar or drop them off in the front corridor.)

Restaurant Night - Ledo’s (Balt Natl Pike)

Wednesday 10/22

It’s a PTA Pizza Party! Hit the easy button for dinner with Ledo’s pizza for the whole family!! No code needed, all day. (Note: Previously on 10/29, we moved this to deconflict with the Trunk or Treat event.)

Trunk or Treat Heritage Event

Wednesday 10/29 at CHS

Come join us for an amazing family event! This year we are joining forces with CHS: 2 great events, all combined in one amazing day! CHS will have fun indoor activities like they had last year and CLES will host our trunk or treat like we have in the past except it will be in the parking lot of CHS! See all details here including ways to RSVP and volunteer! www.clespta.org/events-list/trunk-treats

Help Needed:

THANK YOU to those of you who have reached out - we have filled a few critical positions!! We still have leadership roles open including: International Festival, Community Outreach, Reflections, Winter Bazaar, and more! We are STILL at risk of cancelling events that we have hosted in the past. Reach out if interested in learning 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.