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

This morning, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students were treated to an absolutely amazing and beautiful concert presented by our feeder school, Burleigh Manor Middle School. The performance showcased the incredible talents of the BMMS Orchestra, Chorus, and Band, and our students were captivated from start to finish.

What made the experience even more special was seeing so many of our CLES alumni on stage—students who once walked our halls and are now thriving as members of the BMMS music program. Their growth, confidence, and musicianship were truly inspiring. What a talented group of young scholars!

I was also honored to have the opportunity to conduct one of the band performance pieces—a moment I will not soon forget!

A huge thank-you goes to our very own Mr. Henley for organizing this wonderful BMMS Music Articulation Day. His efforts continue to build strong connections between our schools and inspire our budding musicians.

It was a memorable morning filled with joy, pride, and extraordinary music!

Debra A. Anoff, Principal

Siobhan Drumgoole, Assistant Principal

December

• 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

February

• 12- PTA Family Fit Night

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

More exciting things happening to share out about. This one is a fundraiser for HoCoPride. They are having a Winter Wonderland Gala coming up on Saturday, December 20th at Howard County Fairgrounds. More information about the event can be found on their website: https://www.howardcountypride.org/gala

Looking for the perfect gift for your student this holiday season? Check out the CLES Spiritwear Store — open all school year! Free Shipping 11/25/25-12/11/25! CLES Spiritwear Store

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.

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 Website on the registration date. For more information, please visit HCPSS News.

Flyers for distribution:

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (English)

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Spanish)

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Chinese)

BSAP SMA Spring 2026 Flyer (Korean)

Mid-year Band Registration now open! Didn't sign-up to play an instrument at the beginning of the year? Now is your chance! Join the band today! Use the band registration link below. Also, explore www.clesbands.org for more information:

Mid-year Band Registration Link

Reach out to Mr. Henley if you have any questions.

Brandon_henley@hcpss.org

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.

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.

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 International Festival early next year. We may need to cancel certain 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.

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Reflections Contest: “I Belong!”

Friday December 12 - final submissions due
More details: https://www.clespta.org/reflections
Questions: Reflections@clespta.org

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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 30 minute fitness/wellness sessions or host an information table. See our website for more info: www.clespta.org/events-list/family-fit-night

If interested in volunteering to lead a session, please email Health@clespta.org

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CLES Staff Cookie Bar

All treats due December 15th!

WE NEED MORE COOKIES!!! 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

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ADVOCACY SECTION (Stay connected)

Howard County PTACHC (PTA Council of Howard County)

Redistricting: The board is scheduled to approve redistricting on Dec 4. During the straw vote on 11/13, the board voted 5-2 to defer CLES to 2029. This is to prevent potential overcrowding of West Columbia schools due to unknowns with development, and to align CLES with future middle school adjustments. The board voted unanimously to adopt plan 4B to relieve BWES, with minor adjustments added during a second straw vote on 11/20.

Capital Improvement: On 11/6, the board voted 6-1 to use Built-to-Learn Funds to build ES#43 in the SE corridor, renovate Patapsco MS, and put in a new HVAC at Atholton ES.

Budget: First Residents' Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2027 at 6 PM on Dec. 18, 2025

Sign up to testify at the upcoming HoCo Budget Hearing, and ask the County Executive to put HCPSS first. We need investment in both operating and capital needs. You can sign up to testify in-person, virtually, or write in.

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/budget/first-residents-budget-hearing-fiscal-year-2027

Legislation: Howard County Delegation Local Bill Hearing Signup - 2026 Legislation December 16th at 6pm

Please fill out and submit this form to support/oppose local billing legislation, or to testify at the Howard County Delegation Local Bill Hearing. You can also send in written testimony. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_KpK1skKe_ewZbyjV_HsUEmqfUTqfnG9VXB8mNl-nka40aw/viewform

Bills that affect HCPSS include:

• Minimum funding

• Transfer Tax Use

• Mandatory School Holidays

• Increasing Board Student Member Voting to include restricted items such as budget, capital improvements, and redistricting,

• Lowering the voting age for electing BOE members

• School scheduling options

Next PTACHC Meeting: Open to the public. Jan 5, 7:30 p.m. in the Homewood Center Cafeteria

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)

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

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.