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۔

April

• 14-21 - Spring Break, Schools Closed
• 22 - Earth Day - wear blue and/or green
• 23 - Hat Day or wear bright colors - The Sun is bright, so turn off the lights!
• 24 - Wear blue - reminds us to protect our oceans
• 25 - Stuffed Animal Day - reminds us to save our endangered species
• 25 - Report Cards Issued, 4:00 p.m.
• 29 - Talent Show Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
• 30 - Talent Show Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

May

• 1 - Talent Show (K-2), 6:30 p.m.
• 2 - Talent Show (3-5), 6:30 p.m.
• 5 - Staff Appreciation Week begins
• 6 - Time to be Green Tuesday
• 7 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early, 12:55 p.m. - Professional Work and Wellness Day
• 14 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 15 - Crazy Hair Day
• 16 - Schoosl Close 3 Hours Early, 12:55 p.m. - Professional Learning Day
• 16 - PTA Spring Carnival, 5:00 p.m.
• 19 - Simulated Congressional Hearning (5th Grade event)
• 23 - Wacky Tacky Day, Be YOUnique
• 26 - Schools and Offices Closed - Memorial Day
• 27 - Wilde Lake Middle Parent Sneak Peek, 6:30p.m.
• 29 - 5th Grade Middle School Visits
• 30 - Field Day

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,

We wanted our families to be aware that the spiderweb net on the big playground is frayed at the point where it attaches to the pole. To ensure the safety of our students, our grounds department will be removing it on a day when we don't have students. In addition, we just learned that the playground will be replaced in the summer of 2026! So, we will not be replacing the spiderweb net since it is very costly.

In addition, information came out from us this week regarding possible redistricting that could impact CCES and about an increase in our area to receive transportation starting next year. Please read these individual emails carefully.

Wishing everyone a wonderful spring break!!!

Thank you,

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Attention families and friends of Clemens Crossing artists! Original Works is here again! Your artist should have come home with a flyer full of details for our Art fundraiser (if not, it’s on its way). If the paper is lost in the black hole that is an elementary student’s backpack, don’t fret!

Your artists have created beautiful artworks that are available for purchase through the Original Works website. You can choose to have their artwork featured on items such as bags, keychains, travel mugs, and more! Once the fundraiser has concluded, items will be shipped to CCES and sent home. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly toward the art room and back to your students through supplies and new art experiences.

The deadline to order is Friday, April 18th.

Don’t have the flyer? Follow this link and search for your student:

https://store.originalworks.com/gallerylogin

From here you can look for your student’s work.

Congratulations to the following students for their performance in the String Fling!

Mateo Magdoff

Christopher Meza

Alissa Ferrucci

Lulu Stroup

Laila Howard

Katie Yung

Bella Day

Zaiyd Sterling

Vedanshi Patel

Sinclair Evelyn

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.

It is time to sign up for the GT Instructional Seminar Arts and Crafts: Spring Edition! During this seminar, students will create arts and crafts related to Spring. I look forward to working with your child! Please use the link below to sign up.

https://forms.gle/psurTn2zVwJ4LkrY7

Mrs. Register :)

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.

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.

Dear Clemens Crossing Elementary School Families,

We're excited to announce our upcoming 2025 CCES Talent Show and would like to invite students to participate in this wonderful showcase of creativity and talent! We're also organizing a bake sale in conjunction with the show and need parent volunteers to help make this event a success.

🎭 TALENT SHOW INFORMATION

For Grades K-2:

• Registration Deadline: Monday, April 22nd
• Mandatory Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 29th at 6:30PM
• Talent Show: Thursday, May 1st at 6:30PM
• Registration Link: CCES 2025 Talent Show Registration (Grades K-2)

For Grades 3-5:

• Registration Deadline: Monday, April 22nd
• Mandatory Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 30th at 6:30PM
• Talent Show: Friday, May 2nd at 6:30PM
• Registration Link: CCES 2025 Talent Show Registration (Grades 3-5)

Important Guidelines:

• All performances must be appropriate for a school setting
• Lyrics, costumes, and content must be approved by the Talent Show Committee
• For group acts/performances, please submit only one form
• Maximum performance time is 3 minutes per act
• If using audio playback, you must specify the exact song and artist in the registration form or include the link to the song
• Audio tracks that cannot be found online should be emailed to christineporras@gmail.com at least one week before the rehearsal

🧁 BAKE SALE DONATIONS

We'll be hosting a bake sale during both talent shows to raise funds. Please consider donating homemade treats! When registering through either of the forms above, you can indicate:

• What items you'll be donating
• Quantity of items
• Any allergens or special ingredients

All bake sale donations must be dropped off at the school no later than 6:00PM on the day of the show.

🙋 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The success of our talent shows depends on parent volunteers! Through either registration form, you can sign up to help with:

• Setup and decorations
• Backstage assistance
• Ushering
• Photography and video recording
• Concessions and bake sale management
• Cleanup

Even an hour of your time makes a tremendous difference in creating a memorable experience for our students!

🗓️ CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE

For your planning convenience, here's the complete schedule:

• Monday, April 22nd - Registration deadline for all grades
• Tuesday, April 29th at 6:30PM - Mandatory rehearsal for grades K-2
• Wednesday, April 30th at 6:30PM - Mandatory rehearsal for grades 3-5
• Thursday, May 1st at 6:30PM - Talent show for grades K-2
• Friday, May 2nd at 6:30PM - Talent show for grades 3-5
• 
  

Any questions? Please reach out to Christine at christineporras@gmail.com or text 917-620-0584.

We look forward to showcasing the amazing talents of our CCES students and coming together as a community for this special event!

Thank you,

Christine (Daniel and Ellie's Mom) & CCES PTA

It's time to preorder your child's year book!! Simply go to: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob?utm_source=Flyer&utm_medium=Electronic&utm_campaign=YB25USYBPY and enter our Yearbook ID code: 15206525

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/

Join Columbia for a family-friendly concert that explores exciting journeys through music! Experience the adventures of Harry Potter, Moana, and Peter and the Wolf, brought to life with dancers from Dance Connections and narration by Greg Jukes.

✨ Two showtimes: 10:30 AM (home by naptime!) & 1:00 PM

🎵 50-minute concert—just right for little ones

📸 Meet the dancers & take photos before and after!

🎭 Kids are encouraged to come in costume!

This is the perfect way to introduce children to live music in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

Tickets can be purchased at https://columbiaorchestra.org/orchestra-series/peter-and-the-wolf/

Teen Advisory Council - Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday May 19, 2025, from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. For more information, visit: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/

NEW! Refer a Friend and Get Free Aftercare!

STEMVillage Leadership Summer Camp offers rising 3rd–6th graders an opportunity to dive into STEM and leadership. Through hands-on projects and fun challenges, campers boost their critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and public speaking—all while making lasting summer memories.

This summer, we’re hosting two sessions:

Session 1 (July 7–11, 2025):

• Explore simple machines and design bottle rockets

• Sharpen public speaking skills with interactive presentations and group STEM pitches

Session 2 (July 28–August 1, 2025):

• Tackle problem-solving challenges like egg drops and bridge-building competitions

• Enhance collaboration and innovation through teamwork exercises

Special Offer: Refer a friend, and if they sign up, you’ll receive free aftercare!

Early bird pricing is just $350 per week—now extended to March 14, 2025 due to popular demand.

Don’t miss this chance for a summer full of STEM fun, leadership development, and extra aftercare benefits. For more details and to register, visit tinyurl.com/stemvillage25. Spaces are limited—sign up now!

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

Register Here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&center_ids=113&activity_department_ids=3&viewMode=list

We are Girl Scout Troop 2113. For our Bronze Award project, we have decided to help kids with pediatric cancer. They can be stuck in bed or at home without much to do or something to make them feel better. We would like to help cheer them up and let them know we think they are brave and strong!! There are items you can donate listed below. We are collecting items through April 25th. There is a big blue box in the front vestibule at CCES. We are looking for comforting items (all new, please) such as:

Fuzzy Socks

Tissues

Chap Stick

Stuffed Animals

Coloring Books

Crayons

Colored Pencils

Art Supplies

Hot Wheels

Fidgets

Lotion

Hand Sanitizer

Blankets

Bar of Fun Soap

Soft hat or Beanie

We are grateful for your donations. You can help make a difference for children with cancer. Thank you for supporting our Bronze Award.