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۔

September

• 1 - Labor Day - Schools and Offices Closed
• 5 - PTA Back-to-School Picnic - 5:00-7:00pm on the CCES Playground/Blacktop
• 8 - PTA Restaurant Night at The Charmery
• 9 - 6:30-7:30pm - Back-to-School Night - Grades K, 1, & 2
• 10 - 6:30-7:00pm - Back-to-School Night - GT Info Session
• 10 - 7:00-8:00pm - PTA Meeting in the Media Center
• 11 - 6:00-6:30pm - Band/Strings Information Session
• 11 - 6:30-7:30pm - Back-to-School Night - Grades 3, 4, & 5
• 17 - School Dismisses at 12:55pm - Professional Learning/Work & Wellness Day
• 23 - Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed
• 25 - PTA Restaurant Night at Noodles & Co.
• 27 - HCPSS Family Academy Kickoff - 9:00 a.m. - noon, Oakland Mills HS

October

• 2 - Schools & Offices Closed, Yom Kippur
• 8 - Stop Bullying Day - wear orange
• 10 - School Picture Day
• 14 - CCES Lit Night - 5:45-7:30pm
• 17 - Schools Closed for Students, MSEA Convention/Professional Work Day
• 20 - Schools & Offices Closed, Diwali
• 21 - PTA Restaurant Night at Chick-fil-a (Johns Hopkins Rd.)
• 24 - PTA Trunk-or-Treat
• 31 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day, End of 1st Quarter

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 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

Dear Families,

We have had a great first week of school! It has been wonderful having our students in the building. We have spent a lot of time building relationships and establishing classroom routines. These will continue to be the focus as we move into the second week of school.

At home, please work with your family to establish your home routines that help your child(ren) have a routine bedtime and morning wake-up schedule. By being consistent with these routines, you help your child be ready for their busy day at school. We appreciate your assistance and support!

In addition, please ensure that you have completed your child's family file at hcpss.org/connect. We current have 74% of our forms completed and this information is critical should there be an emergency with your child.

Thank you!

Michelle Leader, Principal

Jaime Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Each year, families update/complete their child's Family File with all emergency information. Please complete this info ASAP so that we have this information prior to school starting. This is required EACH year. We appreciate your assistance!

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

Quick Reference Guide

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.

Safety at our bus stops is essential. For younger children (elementary and middle school students), HCPSS recommends that parents/guardians or another trusted adult wait at the bus stop with the students to supervise their behavior and to help with any problems that may arise, such as a delayed bus or injury while waiting. Both adults and students should stand at a safe distance from the roadway.

Please see the info here about parent/guardian expectations that support bus stop safety. Thank you!

Our first bell rings at 9:10am and this is when students may begin entering the building. All students need to be in the building before the second bell which rings at 9:25am. If your child arrives after this, they will be marked tardy and must be signed in by an adult in our vestibule.

With nearly 500 students at Clemens Crossing Elementary, it is important to be patient during arrival and dismissal. The carefully planned logistics of arrival and dismissal help us keep our students, staff, parents, and visitors safe. If you are in a non-transportation zone (walker or car rider) it is extremely important to familiarize yourself with our routines for arrival and dismissal.

As adults, we must follow predictable patterns and routines, because children can be unpredictable. Parking in a wrong or illegal place creates unpredictable situations, and those types of situations can put students at risk during arrival and dismissal.

Arrival and dismissal safety is everyone's responsibility. Please review the map below and listen to our staff members who are outside to assist your children when they enter and leave school daily.

NOTE: Please follow the posted signs along Quarterstaff Road. Traffic engineers studied the road and placed signs to help maximize sight lines for drivers. This helps to reduce risks and provide a safe crossing of Quarterstaff Road for walkers who live on the other side of the road.

Do not park along Quarterstaff Road where signs state "No Parking or Standing." Howard County Police will ticket drivers who park or drop-off/pick-up students where no parking signs are posted.

Car Riders - All car riders are dismissed on the parking lot side of the building.
Car riders are expected to be dropped off and picked up in the car loop (school parking lot). We do not allow students to cross the bus parking lot and load into their car along Quarterstaff Road. Please do not tell your children to meet you along Quarterstaff Road.

• During arrival and dismissal, we expect car traffic to enter the car loop from the Martin Road side of Quarterstaff Road (right turn only into the parking lot). Exiting the car loop is a right turn only as well. Please plan your trip accordingly (see information below). Left-hand turns into the car loop are not permitted during arrival and dismissal. Left-hand turning traffic creates back-ups in addition to making it difficult to see blind spots.
• It is suggested that you enter Quarterstaff Road from Martin Road.
• If you do park legally along Quarterstaff Road, your child is considered a walker and will be dismissed with walkers.

Walkers - Walkers who cross Quarterstaff Road must cross the street with the crossing guard.
Please never cross Quarterstaff Road near the car rider traffic. It is unsafe!

It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe during arrivals and dismissals.

Below, you will find a helpful graphic for arrival and dismissal.

Please note, any change of residency/address must be reported through Family File within 10 school days of the move. Current residency documentation must be provided to the school each time residency changes. Also, please call the office so we can assist you with navigating how your child might remain at CCES for the duration of the school year.

The CA (Columbia Association) Points Program is offered to students in grades 3-12 who are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) program at participating schools. Students can earn a free CA membership for themselves and their immediate family by meeting goals for grades and attendance.

To participate in the CA Points Program, you must complete a FARMs application and complete the CA Points Enrollment Form. Online enrollment will close on Friday, September 28, 2025.

For more information, visit CA Points Program or email CAPoints@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Parents, Guardians, and Families,

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy as well as preventative and responsive measures.

We know how important your role is in not only supporting your children, but also reporting possible incidents as you become aware of them. The Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report all alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur at school or have a connection back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. An online version is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. Hard copies of this form are available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office. If you believe your child has been bullied, please complete and submit this form as soon as possible and/or assist your child in doing so.

Once the form is submitted, school administrators will ensure the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged offender are aware of the report and will begin an investigation within two school days of receiving the report. Parents/guardians can expect a school administrator to reach out to them during the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, parents/guardians will be provided written notice of the outcome of the investigation within fifteen days of receiving the compaint, excluding extenuating circumstances.

There are times when incidents of peer conflict or code of conduct offenses may occur that may not be bullying, but may need follow up action. If you become aware of something that falls under conflict and/or a code of conduct offense, please notify a school administrator via email or phone call so that they can become aware and follow up as needed.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to specifically lift up cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic media like computers, cell phones, and game systems. Our digital interconnectedness makes bullying different and more damaging than it’s ever been before. It allows hatred and publicly humiliating gossip or photos to be instantly far-reaching and inescapable as electronic media is everywhere. It can NOT simply be ignored. In October 2013, the State of Maryland enacted Grace’s Law, making misuse of interactive computer services a criminal offense. Its purpose is to prohibit anyone from using electronic media (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) to maliciously engage in conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor and/or places that minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines.

While all of this information will be reviewed with students at school, we are asking you to do the same at home. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring all of our students feel a sense of safety and belonging in their school communities! More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

The supply list for the 2025-26 school year can be found on the main page of our school's website.

We encourage you to drop off your school supplies during Open House on August 22. Please be sure to clearly label your child's supplies with his/her name.

Use the link below to learn more about CCES!

CCES Family Guide

Zum RFID Cards:

Again this year, students who are bus riders will use their Zum RFID Bus Cards to scan on and off the bus each day. Students who were at CCES last year should use their card from last year and attach it to their backpack again. It should be used starting the first day of school, Monday, August 25th. If your child's card was lost, we will note this at the start of the year and request a new one.

If your child is new to CCES, we will request a card for them at the start of the school year. All kindergarten students will begin using the cards later in the year. Communication will come out later with the start date for our kindergarteners.

Bus Locator Information:

The HCPSS Bus locator will be updated before school starts. Please be sure to check your child's bus stop location, bus time, and bus number as they may have changed from last year. Please be sure to arrive at your bus stop at least 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time.

https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/

This year, band and strings will be offered in 4th and 5th grade. Please use the links below to sign up your child. Mrs. Yeager will continue as our band teacher and we are happy to welcome Mrs. Lahan as our strings teacher.

Band: https://bit.ly/bandregistration25

Orchestra:https://bit.ly/orchestraregistration25

General Information: https://bit.ly/ccesmusicinfo

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will host a Family Academy Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m.-noon at Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Rd. The districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:

• An informative session with HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes
• Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
• Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year

Childcare and language access will be provided.

Registration is encouraged via online form listed below.

• Register in English
• Inscripción al evento 2025
• 家庭学校 2025 年开学典礼注册
• 2025 HCPSS 가족 아카데미 출범 행사 등록
• Event Flyers

For more information about the event or to get involved, contact Dr. Shereé Tilley-Whitaker at sheree_tilley-whitaker@hcpss.org or 410-313-6804.

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/07/hcpss-kickoff-to-build-on-school-family-community-relationships-aug-16-2025/

Please help our school be pest-free all year long. Since food is one of the main reasons rodents try to get inside a building, please consider the following guidance:

• Send snacks and lunches in sealed, hard plastic or metal containers rather than loose in bags. Rodents can easily chew through paper and thin plastic.
• Use reusable lunchboxes with zipper closures, and make sure the zipper fully closes.
• Send foods with strong odors like peanut butter and sweet treats in airtight containers.
• Remind your child to bring home any uneaten food daily—don’t store snacks in desks, lockers or cubbies overnight.
• Make it a routine to empty and wipe down lunchboxes every day.

Thank you for your assistance!

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.

If your child will be attending school with a brace, sling, crutches, or cast, or needs to be excused from P.E. for more than three days, please provide a doctor's note to the School Nurse, at jessica_schrumm@hcpss.org

Please do not send medication to school with your child. If you plan to keep prescription or over-the-counter medication in the Health Room this school year, an adult must bring it to the Health Room with the HCPSS medication form signed by a health care provider. Thank you.

Backpack Bundles is a PTA-led initiative that discreetly provides nourishing, easy-to-prepare meals to students who need a little extra support. This program is 100% funded by donations and powered by volunteers like you. It’s a simple way to make a big difference in our community.

Interested in receiving a backpack bundle? Please reach out to our school counselor, Mrs. Rogers at ann_rogers@hcpss.org OR your child's homeroom teacher. All requests and distribution are confidential.

There are several easy ways to contribute:
👉 Sign up here: Click Here
🛒 Order from our Amazon Wishlist: Click here
🎉 Bring donations to the CCES Back to School Picnic
📦 Drop off items in the CCES foyer bin
💵 Make a monetary donation: Donate here

Questions?

Jenny Lease – jenniferfisher4@gmail.com
Annie Weinschenk – annie.weinschenk@gmail.com

Let’s come together to make sure every child at CCES has what they
need to thrive 💙

Don't miss the annual kick off to family fun this school year! Bring your own dinner and a blanket or chairs to sit on. Get to know our Clemens Crossing community! Snowballs, popcorn, and spiritwear will be available for purchase. We are still looking for a few parent volunteers to assist with popcorn and snow cone sales. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4AABA72FA5FC1-58091139-ptabacktoschool

1st PTA Meeting of the Year - Sept 10th from 7-8pm, CCES Media Room

Are you curious about what the PTA does? Do you have ideas about ways we can build community at CCES? Please join us for the first PTA meeting of the school year! We will review and approve the budget for the year, share highlights from the summer, and preview some exciting ways to get involved with PTA this year.

Join PTA Today

One of the best ways to support the PTA is by becoming a member. Membership dues are used to support the many initiatives and activities sponsored by PTA throughout the year. Grab you individual or family membership today: bit.ly/ccesPTA

PTA Volunteer Opportunities

The PTA needs parent volunteers to run the many PTA sponsored activities and events throughout the school year. There are so many ways to volunteer! To learn more, fill out this interest form: bit.ly/ccesPTAvolunteer

The PTA sponsors several exciting afterschool activities. Check out the opportunities below.

iCook: Bake it 'Til You Make It - Mondays starting September 15

In this exciting after-school baking adventure, kids will whip up delicious treats with a healthier twist! Each class features two recipes— a mix of sweet and savory—that are seasonally inspired, like pumpkin brownies or avocado chocolate mousse. From muffins to mini-pizzas, young chefs will discover how to turn wholesome ingredients into mouthwatering creations. With hands-on learning, simple techniques, and a dash of creativity, kids will gain confidence in the kitchen while developing lifelong skills. Let’s bake up nutritious and delicious fun together!

https://www.icookafterschool.com/events/clemens-crossing-monday-3

Volleyball After School - Mondays starting September 22

One of the fastest-growing sports in the country—is coming to Clemens Crossing Elementary School! Our programs are designed to build physical literacy, community, fun, and a lifelong love for sports for kids ages 5–11. Join Volleyball Academy’s 8 week co-ed program this fall and give your child the chance to learn, play, and grow in a positive, exciting environment.

• FIRST TOUCH ACADEMY - Ages 5–8: Build fundamentals with fun games and drills. Players develop coordination, balance, and confidence in a low-net, small-court setting that makes volleyball easy to learn and love.

• RISE ACADEMY - Ages 8–11: Grow skills in a structured, supportive environment. Through engaging games and smart coaching, players improve technique, decision-making, and teamwork—without the pressure of club volleyball.

Learn more about our programs at www.volleyballacademy.com.

To register now, visit www.volleyballacademy.com/locations/Howard-County

Silver Knights Chess Academy: Chess Club - Tuesdays starting September 30th

Learn chess with Silver Knights Academy, [formerly known as Magnus Chess Academy]! We’ve taught 100,000 children to play including state & national champions, but most students are beginners looking to learn a new skill and have FUN. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons range from the basic rules to advanced tournament strategies.Students will have the opportunity to play in tournaments (in-person and online) outside of club time. This in-person club includes free online extras including weekly practice tournaments, a Chesskid Gold membership ($49 value!), and a bonus lesson with chess grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player ever. All chess supplies provided. All skill levels are welcome. For more information please visit chessacademy.com.

https://chessacademy.com/products/clemens-crossing-chess-club

KidzArt: After School Art - Thursdays starting September 25

Information and sign up link TBD

http://kidzartmd.com/

There are also activities scheduled through Howard County Parks & Recreation

Includes Music, Sports, Medical, and Spanish

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&center_ids=113&date_after=2025-08-18&viewMode=list

The Mental Health Advisory Council (MHCAC) is a group of community members who seek to remove barriers and build awareness for behavioral health support in Howard County for our children and families. HCPSS is an active member of MHCAC.

MHCAC Fall Newsletter 2025

These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students on site at Clemens Crossing ES, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!

Welcome back to school - the first week is in the books! This year, why not go beyond after school activities and open up a world of skills, friends, and new experiences for your child(ren)? Joining a cub scout pack provides activities throughout the year that teach not only outdoorsmanship and social skills but science, art, and good citizenship, while forging new friendships. Want to know more? Find us at Back to School Nights on 9/9 & 9/11 and at the Back to School Picnic on 9/5! We welcome all children, kindergarten - 5th grade. Email any inquiries to Cubmaster@pack618md.com or visit our website at www.pack618md.com.