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 would like to warmly welcome all our CLES students and families back from Winter Break. We hope you had time to relax and enjoy special moments with family and friends. We are excited to begin the new year together as we welcome 2026!

The week before the holidays, we had the joy of celebrating our wonderful musicians with an amazing music concert. Congratulations to our Orchestra and Band students for treating our school community to an outstanding performance! Their hard work, dedication, and talent were evident throughout the concert.

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the families who support these talented students and encourage them to practice. Your partnership plays a vital role in our students’ success.

In addition, we would like to recognize and thank Mr. Henley and Ms. Lahan for their dedication to our rigorous music program. Their passion for music education enhances our school in so many ways. They are truly talented and committed educators, and we are grateful for all they do for our students.

We look forward to our upcoming Chorus concert on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and hope you will join us to continue celebrating our students’ musical achievements.

Warmly,

Debra A. Anoff, Principal

Siobhan Drumgoole, Assistant Principal

January

• 13-4th & 5th Gr. Chorus Concert @ CHS begins at 6:30 pm
• 13-PTA General Meeting (virtual only) 7pm
• 16 - PTA Winter Dance
  
• 19-Schools & Offices Closed-Martin Luther King Jr. Observance
• 22-Professional Learning Day-3 hr Early Dismissal (12:15 pm)
• 22-Scheduling for Winter Parent/Teacher Conferences Opens @ 8am
• 23-REGULAR School Day for Elementary students.
• 26-Professional Work Day-Schools Closed for students
• 27-Dream of Kindness-Wear your favorite pajamas
• 27-PTA Restaurant Night (Chipotle)
• 28-Wild for Kindess-Wear animal prints
• 29-Hats off to Kindess-Wear your favorite hat, headband or head gear
• 30-Color our World with Kindess-Wear a colorful outfit
• 30-Scheduling for Parent/ Teacher Conferences CLOSES @ 4pm

February

• 3-PTA General Meeting (hybrid) 7pm
• 4- Schools Closed for students-Professional Learning Day
• 5-Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences-3 hour Early Dismissal
• 6-Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences-3 hour Early Dismissal
• 10-CHS Jazz Feeder Concert featuring the CLES Jazz Band, as well as other CHS feeder schools. CHS Auditorium 7pm
• 12 - PTA Family Fit Night
• 16-Schools & Offices Closed, President's Day
• 17-Schools & Offices Closed, Lunar New Year

March

• 21-PTA International Festival (at risk of canceling)@ BMMS

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

Families can begin signing up for parent-teacher conferences on January 22, 2026 at 8:00a.m. Conferences will take place on February 5th & 6th. For your planning purposes, please note the schedule below:

• In- person conferences will be held on Thursday, February 5th from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Virtual conferences will be held on Thursday, February 5th starting at 3:30 p.m.
• Virtual conferences will also be held on Friday, February 6th depending on teachers' schedules

• Additional Information:
• February conferences will focus on Math
• Mr. Pellegrino(GT) will hold math conferences for his 5th Grade GT Math class only.
• 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 Thursday, January 22nd, at 8am through Friday, January 30th at 4pm.

Below are the Virtual office hours scheduled for each of our Related Arts teachers.

Mrs. Beyer Virtual on Feb 5th from 4-5

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wqa-bqvf-idk

Mrs. Kallemyn Virtual on Feb 6th from 1:15-2:15

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tyg-cemt-eun

Mr. Kilberg Virtual on Feb 5th from 4:00-5:00

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wqa-bqvf-idk

Mr. Henley Virtual on Feb 6th from 1:30-2:30

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hhx-izfk-yiz

Mr. Long Virtual Feb 6th from 1:30-2:30

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

https://meet.google.com/otw-qkbs-chc

Ms. Thomas Virtual Feb 6th from 5:00-:00 pm

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

https://meet.google.com/jzd-xbzm-piv

Mr. Pusloskie, Mr Watts and Mr. Cicmanec Virtual Feb 5th 3:30-4:30

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/whh-ossp-fsx

Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Travers Virtual on Friday Feb 6 from 1-2.

Conferences Office Hour Google Meet joining info

Mr.Hopkins- meet.google.com/nxy-asuc-zvi

Mr. Travers- TraversArtFebOHH

Winter Chorus Concert - 1/13

This is a reminder for our winter chorus concert, which is Tuesday, January 13th at Centennial High School. The concert will include the 4th and 5th grade choruses as well as a combined 5th grade, Burleigh Manor MS and Centennial HS chorus. The performance will start at 6:30pm.

We encourage everyone to stay for the entire concert to support the efforts of all groups.

Arrival:

• 5th Grade: Promptly at 5:45pm on stage at Centennial High School
• We need to practice with the MS and HS choruses and accompanist.
• 4th Grade: 6pm Centennial High School Chorus Room

Attire:

• Shirt: White Top
• Bottoms: Dress pants or skirt, black or a dark
• Shoes: Dark dress shoes and socks preferred

Attendance:

The choruses have been preparing for months for our concert, and we hope every student can attend the concert. For the students, we explain the concert is like a playoff or championship game. While there are many practices or rehearsals, there is only one concert, and every student has a vital role to support their group.

We are very excited about the winter concert and have been working hard to look and sound our best. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you so much for your support,

Mr. Long and Ms. Thomas

Practice-A-Thon Fundraiser for CLES Music Boosters:

During the month of January, our CLES music students are having a Practice-A-Thon Fundraiser! This helps raise funds for our music programs to purchase instruments, supplies, music, and hire guest musicians to work with our students. Sponsor a student's practice or make a flat donation using the link below!

https://go.rallyup.com/32f092/Campaign/Details

We hope to see many CLES families next week at the annual CLES PTA Winter Dance. This annual event is well loved by CLES families and students, so please save the date! Festivities include a live DJ, hula hoop contest, tasty treats, glow sticks, and an opportunity to give back to the community. Come have fun, connect and build community with your CLES family! More details are on the PTA Winter Dance event website. This year we are gathering winter clothing donations for families in need in our CLES community. Please consider donating new or gently used coats, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves & socks, or make a monetary donation here to support this cause.

As we continue to experience snowy winter conditions, we want to remind families and students of the importance of staying safe on school grounds. Students are expected to stay out of the snow and refrain from throwing snow or ice, especially during arrival and dismissal times.

Recently, a student was accidentally injured during dismissal after being struck by ice. While the injury was minor, it serves as an important reminder that situations can become unsafe very quickly, even when actions may seem harmless.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations with your children and partnering with us to ensure a safe environment for all members of our CLES community. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe this winter!

In the event that schools need to close early due to an unexpected weather event, please be sure to share with your child how he/she will go home if it is different than their normal dismissal routine.
All parents were asked to indicate how children are to go home in the event of an emergency/unscheduled closing when they completed their Family File information in August or September.

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 PTA Winter Dance - Next Friday Jan. 16th

The CLES PTA Winter Dance is next week on Friday, Jan. 16th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Burleigh Manor Middle School (BMMS). This annual event is well loved by CLES families and students, so please save the date! Festivities include a live DJ, hula hoop contest, tasty treats, glow sticks, and an opportunity to give back to the community. Come have fun, connect and build community with your CLES family! More details are on the PTA Winter Dance event website. This year we are gathering winter clothing donations for families in need in our CLES community. Please consider donating new or gently used coats, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves & socks, or make a monetary donation here to support this cause. If you’d like to help volunteer at the dance, please contact Annette Bartlett at: social@clespta.org.

Yearbook SY2025-2026

• Check it off your list early and order your yearbook NOW! (Last day Feb 28, 2026)

• Please help us out and submit your candid photos soon after each school or PTA event

• Click link for more details, including how to order/submit and the rules for candid photos: https://www.clespta.org/yearbook

International Festival - NEED VOLUNTEERS NOW OR NEED TO CANCEL

We are in desperate need of volunteers to be on the planning committee for the International Festival. We will need to cancel events like the fashion show or performances if we do not fill these needs ASAP. We are already behind vs. where we were last year. Please email Volunteer@clespta.org if interested. This year the event will be combined with BMMS and will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at BMMS.

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Family Fit Night
Thursday 2/12 Time TBD
SAVE THE DATE

Get ready to move, stretch, and have fun together at this year's Family Fit Night! Registration will be required to hold your place - keep an eye out for a separate email! There will be a variety of 30 minute fitness/wellness sessions to choose from. See our website for more info: www.clespta.org/events-list/family-fit-night

If interested in volunteering or if you have questions, please email Health@clespta.org

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ADVOCACY SECTION (Stay connected)

Howard County PTACHC (PTA Council of Howard County)

Prefiles for Legislation that will affect school funding:

CB3-2026 ZRA 218: Accessory Dwelling Units. Public Hearing on 1/20/2026

CB4-2026 ZRA 219: Age Restricted Housing. Public Hearing on 1/20/2026

Upcoming Candidate Forums for State and Local Elections:

March: TBD

August: TBD

Budget:

Superintendent Barnes is presenting his budget request at the 1/8/2025 BoE meeting. Additional dates and public hearings are listed on our PTA advocacy page.

Effective Advocacy for Budget/School Funding:

Superintendent Barnes attended the 1/5/2026 PTACHC meeting. When asked how we can most effectively advocate for school funding, he recommended asking for dollars that we can use toward interventions and support in math and reading.

1. Write to council members and the executive. Follow up with phone calls.

2. Attend public hearings or write in testimony at BudgetTestimony@howardcountymd.gov.

3. Important dates can be found on our PTA advocacy page.

4. Email your state senators and delegates.

More info: https://www.clespta.org/advocacy

Questions: contact our PTACHC chairs at ptachc@clespta.org

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Howard County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee)

SECAC is a parent-driven advisory council advocating for special education issues in HCPSS. It collaborates with community groups to enhance special education services and outcomes. All community members are welcome to attend the SECAC monthly meetings. SECAC also regularly appears before the Howard County Board of Education to ensure the voices of students with disabilities, their families, and educators are heard at the decision-making table.

More info: https://www.clespta.org/sped

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

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PTA Committee Leads Needed

• Spring Fair Chairs (all levels of commitment)

• Communications (ongoing - newsletters, etc.)

• Treasurer (ongoing)

• Community Outreach (flexible commitment)

• 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.