Dates to Remember

February 25:  Open Meeting:  Discussion of CLES's choice of new math textbooks at 6:30pm in the media center

February 29   Interim Report Cards Issued

March 7^th      Cultural Arts Assembly:  Native Brazilian storyteller Antonio Rocha presents Jungle Tales.

March 17-24  Spring Break!

April 10^th      BMMS GT Orientation – details in future issue, 7pm

April 25^th      Sock Hop – Details to follow

Band Week      B          For Strings Check PTA website at CLESPTA.org             Volunteer Week 2

After School Activity Update:  Hoof and Claw (Stock Market Game) is a ten week class, after school (3:35pm – 4:35pm), on Thursday's, only for CLES students in 4^th and 5^th grade. The class will be taught by Ms. Epstein (GT team leader). Young investors in this class will be participating in the state-wide Stock Market Game to see who can make the most money in 10 weeks. Each team will be set up with a simulated on-line account with $100,000. They will use this "money" to buy and sell stocks regularly traded on the NYSE and NASDAQ.  Everything is real except the money!  Registration starts 2/21/08.     

Problem Solvers after school activity is an interdisciplinary creative problem solving opportunity.  This class will provide strong writing and language arts components but will also utilize logical thinking skills.  This is a six week class, after school (3:35pm – 4:35pm), on Tuesday's, only for CLES students in 4^th and 5^th grade.  The class will be taught by Ms. Epstein (GT team leader).  Registration starts 3/7/08.

·        Please read the posted information on the CLES PTA website for after school activity procedures, the registration process, and Q&A at www.clespta.org.

·        Any questions or comments can be directed to the PTA coordinator for these programs Terri Chiu at tachiu@comcast.net.

SGA Fundraiser:

The CLES Student Government Association (SGA) is collecting your old electronics as part of a school fundraiser. The money we earn will be used to create an outdoor classroom for our CLES community. The classroom will be located on our campus and will have student seating, permanent exhibits and native plants and trees. It will be constructed during the 2008-2009 school year. We are REALLY excited about this project so please help us by bringing in your new, used, working or broken:

Printers        Cell phones    Cartridges     Laptops        DVDs and portable players    Game consoles

MP3 players   Digital cameras CD players (portable) GPS devices   Digital picture frames

Items can be turned in to the box in the front office or the box in Mrs. Epstein's room.  We are also looking for people who would be willing to work with the SGA students to design this outdoor environment. If you are a master gardener or landscape architect and you're available during the day, please contact Mrs. Epstein at: Joanna_epstein@HCPSS.org

Say cheese :)  The creation of this year's CLES yearbook is underway.  Please digitally forward any school candids you would like considered to dmjackson1@comcast.net.  Photos saved to a CD or snapshots can be dropped in the yearbook mailbox in the teacher's workroom, Attn: Michele Jackson.  Note student's name & grade when possible. The more pictures there are to choose from the better our yearbook will be! 

New Date - the CLES Sock Hop is On!  The CLES Sock Hop is back on the calendar for Friday April 25th.  We will go ahead and keep the advance admissions unless we hear from you for a refund.  An updated flier will be posted on the website & distributed in the folders in a couple of weeks.  Hope you can make it to the HOP!   Michele Jackson dmjackson1@comcast.net  

March is Vision and Learning month.  1 out of 4 children struggle with reading and learning due to undiagnosed vision problems.  Parents and educators can learn more about the critical link between vision and learning from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development website:  www.covd.org or by attending one of Dr. Michael Kotlicky's free seminars in Columbia on March 11 or April 15 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.  Attendees can schedule free developmental vision screenings for their school-aged children.  A child can have 20/20 eyesight, yet lack the visual skills critical for reading. Click on the Signs and Symptoms link on the right side of the COVD site to determine if your child should be screened for a Binocular Vision Disorder that could be preventing them from achieving to their full potential. Call 410-960-6317 for reservations. For other questions call Bonnie Sorak 410-465-0427 or  bsorak@juno.com.

CLES Summer Band Camp – The 6^th Annual CLES Summer Band Camp will be help from July 21 through August 1, 2008 at Burleigh Manor Middle School.  The directors of the camp are Frank Owens and Richard Lucas (Waverly ES).  The camp is open to all band students with at least one year of experience.  All profits from the camp go to support the band program at CLES.  Camp brochures with additional information will be coming home soon.  For further information, please contact Frank Owens at frank_owens@hcpss.org.

CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS - MARYLAND UNIQUE ALLSTARS

Registration for the 2008-2009 cheer season is now open. We have openings available in our cheer groups for ages 5 – 14. Each cheer group is age appropriate.  Mention Centennial Lane E.S. and receive a free individual pre-screening before the April 27^th tryout.  Please see team website www.marylandunique.com or send email to helovesme95@msn.com or call 410-381-7565 for more information.  This is sponsored by the Unique Cheer Parent's Association.

Scouting For Food:  Please support the Scouting For Food campaign of Cub Scout Packs 361 and 362.  A bag will be dropped off at your house the week of February 25th and we ask that you fill it with non-perishable food and set it out by your mailbox. Items such as canned soups, canned fruit, canned tuna, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, granola bars, and instant mashed potatoes are most needed. Cub Scouts will be picking up your donations on Saturday, March 1st, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.. Last year, our two packs collected about 2,700 lbs. worth of food which went to re-stock the supplies of local food banks. Thank you for your generosity.  

Preschool Space:  Middle Patuxent Nursery School (MPNS), located at the Meeting Room next to the River Hill Pool in Clarksville, is currently accepting applications for 3 and 4 year olds for the Fall of 2008.  More information, as well as an application for enrollment, can be found at www.mpns.net or by calling 443-535-9030.

Li'l Dolphins Gathering – Future CLES Dolphins will be meeting for a fun filled playgroup on Friday, Feb. 29th. If you have a preschooler that will attend CLES in the next few years (or know someone else who does) contact either Bonnie Sorak at bsorak@juno.com 410-465-0427 or Bridgett Littlefield at bridgetl@verizon.net 410-465-2069 for the details

Brochures Available - On the circular rack in the front hallway you may find these brochures:

Cub Scouting – It's Fun at Every Turn!              Get Connected with Girl Scouts

Rec & Parks Spring Lacrosse                 Rec & Parks Karate Winter 2008                                  

Capital Debate Public Speaking Workshop 4^th & 5^th Grade bratt@capital-debate.com or 443-538-4992