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

Dear Centennial Lane Parents & Community,

As we approach Thanksgiving, this season naturally invites us to pause and reflect on what we are most grateful for. This past week, during American Education Week, we had the joy of welcoming so many of you into our building. Your presence and enthusiasm to learn more about your child’s day to day life at school is much appreciated!

We hope that during your visit, you were able to see some of the wonderful learning, growth, and community-building happening each day at Centennial Lane. We also hope you gained an appreciation for the incredible work that goes into supporting children in a school environment, every challenge, every success, and every moment in between.

We are deeply thankful for our dedicated staff who care for our students with such heart, ensuring that every child feels included, valued, and a true sense of belonging here at Centennial Lane. Their commitment is at the core of everything we do.

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. Thank you for your continued collaboration, involvement, and trust in us as partners in your child’s education. We look forward to seeing you next week for conferences, whether you choose to join us in person or virtually.

Our next Dolphin Detail will be sent on Friday, December 5, 2025!

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and relaxing holiday!

Debra A. Anoff, Principal

Siobhan Drumgoole, Assistant Principal

November

• 27 & 28- Thanksgiving Break-schools and offices closed

December

• 5 - PTA Reflections Interest Form due
  
• 9- PTA Restaurant Night (Chipotle)
• 12- PTA Reflections final submissions due
• 15- PTA Cookie Bar Donations due - CLES Staff
• 15-Band/Orchestra Concert @ CHS: Band begins at 6pm, Orchestra begins at 7:30 pm
• 18-Twinkle Thursday-Wear something with lights or that lights up!
• 19-Wacky Winter Head Gear-Wear your favorite headband or hat!
• 22-What Not to Wear-Mismatch your outfit!
• 23-Pajama Day-Get comfy cozy in pajamas or sweats!
• 24-Winter Break-Schools closed, reopens January 5, 2026

January

• 5-School reopens from Winter Break
• 13-4th & 5th Gr. Chorus Concert @ CHS begins at 6:30 pm
• 16 - PTA Winter Dance
  
• 19-Schools & Offices Closed-Martin Luther King Jr. Observance
• 22-Professional Learning Day-3 hr Early Dismissal (12:15 pm)
• 26-Professional Work Day-Schools Closed for students

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 spirit of generosity was on full display this season as the entire Centennial Lane community contributed to our annual PTA Gobble Gobble Give Program. Thanks to your incredible kindness, we were able to assemble over 30 complete Thanksgiving baskets to support local families in need.

Each basket—filled with food items, essentials, and thoughtful touches—will help ensure that families in our community can enjoy a warm and special holiday meal. This achievement was made possible only through your compassion and willingness to give.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every student, family, and staff member who donated food items or contributed financially. Your generosity is both valued and deeply appreciated. Together, we have made a meaningful difference for more than 30 families this Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Centennial Lane community, for showing once again what it means to come together and care for one another!

This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students in 3rd grade. The CogAT is a group-administered abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.

The test is made of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The CogAT helps educators understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.

All students in Grades 3 will participate in the testing. The CogAT will be administered on the following dates:

• Grade 3: December 2, 4, and 5.

The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes and middle school Gifted/Talented content classes.

Our Lost & Found is overflowing! We encourage all parents and students to check for any missing belongings. All unclaimed items will be donated after Wednesday, November 26th.

Thank you for helping us keep our school organized!

Friday, December 12 – Burleigh Manor MS Articulation Concert (Grades 3–5)
We are excited to welcome the Burleigh Manor Middle School music department for their annual articulation concert at CLES. Their band, orchestra, and choir will perform for our 3rd–5th graders during the school day. This event helps our students see what’s possible in middle school music and inspires our young musicians to continue their musical journey.

Sunday, December 14 – CHS Wind Ensemble Pre-Midwest Clinic Performance
The nationally recognized Centennial High School Wind Ensemble will present a special preview performance at the University of Maryland before traveling to the prestigious Midwest Clinic. This concert is open to the public, and we warmly encourage CLES families to attend and cheer on the many former CLES students in the band! Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved using the link below.

Ticket Reservation Link

January 2026 – Music Department Practice-A-Thon Fundraiser
Throughout January, our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students will participate in a month-long Practice-A-Thon. This event encourages consistent practice while raising funds to support instruments, music, and program needs across the CLES music department. More information will be shared soon!

The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program Saturday Math Academy Spring Session is approaching! The BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for Howard County Public School System students in all levels of math for grades 3-12, based on course availability. Registration will take place online on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:00 am until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Families can register by accessing the HCPSS Connect WebsiteLinks to an external site. on the registration date. For more information, please visit HCPSS NewsLinks to an external site.

Flyers for distribution:

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (English)Links to an external site.

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Spanish)Links to an external site.

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Chinese)Links to an external site.

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Korean)Links to an external site.

The CLES PTA is once again excited to host the 2025-2026 Reflections Program. This year‘s theme is “I Belong: Explore the arts and express yourself!“ Submissions will be considered in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts! There is also an Accessible Artists Division!

To indicate your child's interest in participating, please complete this google form: https://forms.gle/eXiiWPZ5xGPUmNc59

Official entry forms will be sent by email in November to those who have indicated interest in participating. Official submissions are due December 12, 2025.

Also, if you have an idea for the 2027-2028 theme (due by 11/14), email reflections@clespta.org

More details to follow. For now, please review the attached general guidelines and rules for each category.

2025-2026 General Guidelines

Rules Sheet for the Six Categories

We are looking forward to celebrating the immense creativity within our community! Please see our pta website for more details:

https://www.clespta.org/reflections

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.

PTA EVENTS SECTION

Gobble Gobble Give: FOOD DRIVE and MARKET NIGHT

Thank you so very much for all your generous donations. We were able to assemble over 30 baskets for local families in need!!!

Reflections Contest: “I Belong!”

December 5 - interest form due

December 12 - final submissions due

Let your creativity shine! The CLES PTA is once again excited to host the 2025-2026 Reflections Program. This year‘s theme is “I Belong: Explore the arts and express yourself!“ Submissions will be considered in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts! There is also an Accessible Artists Division!

Submit interest form here (no obligation but helps us plan ahead): google form
More details: https://www.clespta.org/reflections

Family Fit Night

Thursday 2/12 Time TBD

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Get ready to move, stretch, and have fun together at this year's Family Fit Night! We're looking for volunteers to lead mini fitness/wellness sessions. See our website for more info: www.clespta.org/events-list/family-fit-night

CLES Staff Cookie Bar

All treats due December 15th!

Calling all bakers and shoppers! Please join us in providing special treats to our CLES staff on December 16, 2025 for our Annual Staff Cookie Bar.

www.clespta.org/events-list/staff-cookie-bar

ADVOCACY SECTION (Stay connected)

Howard County PTACHC (PTA Council of Howard County)

Next PTACHC Meeting: 12/1 at 7:30 p.m. Homewood Center cafeteria. PTACHC meetings are open to the public.

Legislative: ZRA-218: In regard to accessory dwelling units. This will affect residential zoning across the county, our budgets, and our schools. Learn more here: ZRA-218

APFO committee recommendations are still pending. Learn more here: APFO Report.

FARMS applications are still available for furloughed Federal workers.

HB1450 Revenue Options Task Force Call-to Action: Write to the council about reserving a minimum of 50% from PAYGO funds for schools. Supported by board members Ms. Mosley and Ms. McCoy and Councilwoman Jung. Learn more here: HB1450 Revenue Options Task Force. Council member information here: HoCo County Council Page.

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

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

Howard County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee)

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

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

PTA Committee Leads Needed

• Spring Fair Chairs (all levels of commitment)

• Communications (newsletters, etc.)

• Community Outreach

• International Festival (April)

• Fundraising Chair (ongoing)

• And more…just ask!

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.