Chorus - Fifth graders again have the option to participate in fifth grade chorus for the year. Interested students may participate in chorus and band, chorus and orchestra, or just chorus. A permission slip to participate in the chorus program is sent home in the student's Take Home Folder in September. There are two chorus concerts during the school year - winter and spring and an additional field trip outlined below.
Orchestra - This is the third year that CLES students may participate in the orchestra program. This program offers year long instruction in violin, viola, cello, and bass both as a whole orchestra and as a sectional (where the orchestra director instructs a smaller group of students playing one instrument). A permission slip to participate in the Orchestra program is sent home in the student's Take Home Folder in September. There is a back to band and orchestra night that takes place in September that outlines the expectation of these music programs to parents. Orchestra instruction occurs by fourth graders missing other instructional or recreational time in school. The rotation of the band schedule is published at the beginning of the school year and is on a four week rotation (weeks A, B, C, and D). A reminder of the current band/orchestra rotation week is published in the weekly Dolphin Detail email newsletter. Students may participate in chorus and orchestra. However they may not participate in band and orchestra. There are two concerts during the school year - winter and spring. Orchestra students are required to purchase a white CLES orchestra polo shirt offered for purchase at the beginning of the school year. There is typically a winter and spring concert. There is often an additional concert in May/early June for interested students and an additional field trip outlined below.
Band - This is the second year that CLES students may participate in the band program. It is a year long program that involves whole band instruction and sectional instruction (where the band director instructs a smaller group of students playing one instrument). A permission slip to participate in the band program is sent home in the student's Take Home Folder in September. There is a back to band and orchestra night that takes place in September that outlines the expectation of these music programs to parents. Band instruction occurs by fourth graders missing other instructional or recreational time in school. The rotation of the band schedule is published at the beginning of the school year and is on a four week rotation (weeks A, B, C, and D). A reminder of the current band/orchestra rotation week is published in the weekly Dolphin Detail email newsletter. Students may participate in chorus and band. However they may not participate in band and orchestra. There are two concerts during the school year - winter and spring. Band students are required to purchase a white CLES band polo shirt offered for purchase at the beginning of the school year. There is typically a winter and spring concert. There is often an additional concert in May/early June for interested students. There are also additional field trips for band outlined below.
Jazz Band - The band teacher at school organizes a jazz band for interested 5th graders. The jazz band consists of the following instruments: piano, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Children express interest in participating in the jazz band at the beginning of the school year by speaking to the band director. There is a audition and select students are chosen to be the CLES jazz band for the year. Rehearsal/Practice time for the jazz band is before school once a week (classically on Thursdays). There are additional concerts and performance for the jazz band throughout the year. There is no additional cost to be in this band.
Fifth Grade T-shirts - A PTA volunteer facilitates the fifth grade T-shirt. This tie die t-shirt has an outline of the graduating year on the back with each fifth grade student's signature on the back. Order forms for the T-shirt are sent home in the Take Home Folder in the fall.
Media - In fifth grade second grade students are allowed to borrow three books form the media center during their weekly media related arts time. This is an increase for the two book they can borrow in second, third, and fourth.
Safeties - Fifth grade students have an option to become a safety for the year. These volunteer students wear a fluorescent yellow belt and sash during the beginning of school and at dismissal. They stand in the hallways to maintain order during school wide start dismissal by asking children to walk. There are designated Safeties on each bus that help bring the kindergartners to and from their classrooms to the bus.
CoGAT testing - in January fifth graders take the CoGAT test in school. This test determines their academic placement in middle school. Results are available in March.
Battle of the Books (BOB) - A competition lead by the Howard County Public Library and the Howard County Public school system where 5th graders at CLES form teams of 5 students. The public library designates 13-15 books for the children to read throughout the year. Teams form in the fall with the guidance of a parent volunteer coach and assistant coach per team. In March there is a Mock BOB held at CLES. One day after school parent volunteers and the media specialist at CLES organize practice BOB questions. All BOB teams at CLES are welcome to participate. In April there is a competition at a local high school where children answer questions based on the pre-designated books. More information about the battle of the books can be found here.
Puberty Education - Part of the HCPSS curriculum teaches fifth grade students about the changes their bodies go through during puberty. There is a permission slip that is sent home allowing your child to participate in this health unit. There is also a parent preview option where parents may go to school one evening prior to the start of the unit to see what is taught in the course
SCH - (Simulated Congressional Hearing) - Fourth quarter of fifth grade year every fifth grader participates in this county wide program. Fifth graders are assigned groups of 4 or 5 students in their class to research a topic based on the Constitution of the United States, laws of the Federal Government, and laws of the local Maryland Government. They also use historical evidence to support their topic. A oral presentation is written to support their arguments. There is a day in school in May where the 5th grade teams dress in more formal clothes and present their research. Parent and teacher volunteers judge their presentation and ask follow up questions. Parents are encouraged to attend this event in school.
Inner Harbor Field Trip - Members of the fifth grade music program take a spring field trip to the Inner Harbor to perform at the outdoor amphitheater. Students and chaperones ride school buses to the inner harbor with their instruments. They wear their CLES band/orchestra shirts if applicable and perform. This field trip is weather dependent and may be cancelled due to the forecast of rain.
Frederick Keys Field Trip - the CLES concert band has a field trip to a Frederick Keys minor league baseball game in May. At this field trip, the CLES concert band plays the national anthem before the first pitch and then enjoys the baseball game with their families. Tickets for the game are available for purchase.
Fifth Grade Dedication - A special section of the CLES yearbook is designated for fifth grade dedications. Parents submit a photograph and a message to their fifth grader which is published in the year book.
Field trip to Burleigh Manor Middle School (BMMS) - in the spring the fifth graders take a field trip to BMMS to get a tour of the school. Parent chaperones are not needed on this field trip.
Fifth Grade Graduation - in June the school will hold a graduation ceremony in the evening at Centennial High School auditorium where the fifth graders graduate. Fifth graders wear dress clothes, there is a slide show, a musical performance by the 5th grade, and each child's name will be called and they will walk across the stage and shake the principal's hand. Afterwards there is a small reception in the cafeteria where light snacks are served and photographs can be taken. This event is held for fifth graders and their families.
Clap Around - At the end of the school year the students, teachers, administration and staff of CLES line the hallways and applaud as the fifth graders walk through the halls as a goodbye to the school.