![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/baseball.e6ae4958.jpg)
Owl Observer News
May 17, 2024
A Message from Administration
Greetings DLES Families,
We had another busy and fantastic week here at Ducketts Lane. We were so happy to welcome parents on Monday to join in one of our PTA's final events. If you were not able to attend the Pastry with Pals event, please be on the look out for this event, along with all the other PTA sponsored activities, as they are always a lot of fun. They also offer us a great opportunity to come together and connect as a community.
We have a lot of fun activities planned throughout the remainder of the school year, and we are looking forward to the joy and laughter that these events bring. However, it is important to remind our students that our school expectations are still in place and that there is a variety of learning that we need to complete before the end of the school year.
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Proudly Serving You,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
We Need Your Feedback on Our Title I Program
IMPORTANT
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you may know, Ducketts Lane (DLES) is a Schoolwide Title I School. Parent Involvement is an important part of Title I. DLES and Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) value your input and partnership in supporting the academic success of your child. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding school improvement, climate, and family engagement. This will be used to evaluate our Title I program so that we can better serve you. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential. Please complete the online survey by May 28, 2024.
Estimado Padre y Tutor:
La Escuela Primaria Ducketts Lane (DLES, por su nombre en inglés) es una Escuela de TÃtulo I a lo Largo de la Escuela. La participación de padres es una parte importante de TÃtulo I. La DLES y el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard (HCPSS, por su nombre en inglés) valoran su opinión y asociación en apoyo del éxito académico de su niño. Por favor, dedique algunos minutos para completar esta encuesta sobre la mejora escolar, clima y compromiso familiar. Esto será utilizado para evaluar nuestro programa de TÃtulo I para poder asistirlo de una manera mejor. Sus respuestas serán estrictamente confidenciales. Por favor, complete el cuestionario en lÃnea antes del Mayo 28 2024.
Save the Date
TODAY May 17: Schools dismiss at 12:15pm. No half-day Pre-K/RECC
May 23: Community Coffee & Conversations
May 24: We Are Ducketts Day
May 27: Schools closed for students and staff
June 3: Family Dine & Dance 5:00pm
June 5: Schools dismiss at 12:15pm. No half-day Pre-K/RECC
ABC Countdown to Summer
Join in the spirit days and fun as we close out this school year!
Related Arts Schedule
Coffee & Conversation May 23rd
Parents will have the opportunity to choose from topics to discuss in small groups with staff and other parents. Additionally , there will be time for open Questions & Answers. Lite refreshments will be provided. RSVP if you plan to attend and if you have a topic to suggest for one of our "conversations". It is not necessary to confirm your attendance it is only recommended for planning purposes.
Order Your Yearbook
Attention RECC - 4th Grade Students & Parents only
Yearbook order forms were sent home with your students in last week's Thursday folders. We have a limited number of Yearbooks for sale, please order early. Yearbooks will be given to students during the last week of school.
You may order online at www.strawbridge.net use online code:YB28570, or a check made payable to STRAWBRIDGE, or $10.00 cash, exact amount please. Please contact the DLES front office with any questions.
2024-2025 Bus Transportation Registration Open
Bus transportation registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open for parents/guardians of eligible students.
Parents/guardians whose children are eligible for bus transportation are asked to register to receive bus service each year to help the school system plan for student transportation needs. The transportation registration process opened at 9 a.m. Monday, April 8 and will remain open through May 31st. This registration will be completed online via HCPSS Connect Synergy. Registration must be done for each eligible child.
To be eligible for bus service, your child’s home address must be outside of a school’s walk zones. You can verify address eligibility in the HCPSS School Attendance Area Locator. After inputting your address, a window will appear that will indicate either bus or walk for each school level. Please note, the attendance area locator also includes a link for the bus stop locator, which is set for the current school year. Bus stop information for the 2024-2025 school year will be available in August.
You do not need to take any action if:
- Your child is not eligible for bus transportation
- Your child receives transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, or
- Your child is a graduating senior
Please click here for directions and registration in multiple languages, including English.
DLES Spring Concerts!
Our next Spring Concert is right around the corner! If your child is in Band, Orchestra or Chorus, please review the concert flyer linked below.
May 21 Concert @ Thomas Viaduct MS
6:00pm Concert (students arrive at 5:30pm)
4th Grade Intermediate Orchestra
5th Grade Band
5th Grade Orchestra
5th Grade Chorus
* If your child is in need of a white concert shirt, please contact Mrs. McKay, Ms. Abrams or Mr. Wagner. DLES has been given white polo shirts in several sizes that are available for students in need.
Bravo to our Chorus Students
CONGRATULATIONS HCCC STUDENTS!
On Sunday, May 5, Maya A (Cantus), Adetoye R (Cantus), and Adeseye R (Lyric) represented DLES in the HCPSS Children’s Chorus concert at Reservoir High School. These students were selected to participate in these year-long choruses based on their musicianship, work ethic, and dedication to music. We are so proud of them and their musical effort!
CONGRATULATIONS FESTIVAL CHORUS STUDENTS!
On Friday, May 17, Kaila A, Abi C, and Cole L represented DLES in the HCPSS Festival Chorus at Atholton High School. These students were nominated to participate in the festival based on their vocal technique, leadership, and commitment to chorus. We are so proud of them and their dedication to singing!
#WEAREDUCKETTSDAY 2024
It's almost that time. #WEAREDUCKETTS DAY (a.k.a. field day) is next Friday, the 24th. Please see a few reminders to ensure your kiddos have a fantastic day.
Our #WEAREDUCKETTS DAY t-shirts have arrived and should come home today for those who placed an order.
Students should dress accordingly in their #weareducketts field day, grade level, or t-shirt according to the grade level below. Athletic, breathable clothing and shoes are suggested
5th - Blue 4TH - Purple 3RD - Red 2ND - Yellow 1ST - Orange K - Green PRE-K/RECC - Pink
Crocs and flip-flops will NOT be allowed.
Students should bring a water bottle.
We will have water activities; students may temporarily get wet. K-2 may want to bring a change of clothes and a towel, as their activities are in the morning.
Hats and sunglasses are allowed as well.
Sunblock can be applied at home but is not allowed in school.
Lastly, we still have a few volunteer opportunities if you are able. Please visit our sign-up here.
Thank you all.
The P.E. Department
Kindergarten Registration is Open
There will be a special parent night to prepare for kindergarten on May 29th.
This will be an invite only session for families that have registered their child for kindergarten at DLES in the fall by May 20th.
Each year, we have to rely on the number of students who are registered for kindergarten to anticipate the number of kindergarten classes we will have next year. We have one of the most amazing kindergarten teams and we would like to keep that team at 4 teachers next year, and even increase to another teacher if we have enough students register. All of this will depend on the number of kindergarten students we have registered for the fall.
We need your help in spreading the word regarding new Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year.
Registration for incoming kindergarteners and newly enrolled first graders is open. As we prepare for our upcoming school year, it is important to have your child registered to ensure we have the correct amount of teachers for our students. Please do not delay! Help us with the process by registering your new kindergartner or first grader as soon as possible.
Children must be 5 years old by 9/1/24 in order to enroll in kindergarten next school year. Every child who is 5 years old by this date must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver. HCPSS kindergarten is a full day program.
Please make certain you are on the screen for 2024-2025 if registering for the next school year.
Parents or guardians are to register students at the school serving the address where the child’s parent or guardian resides. Information on neighborhood schools can be found through HCPSS School Locator.
Complete your child’s registration online by providing the documents listed below. The registration process will be more efficient if you upload the required documents during online registration. Otherwise, you will be asked to submit the required documents via email as pdfs, or you may contact the office to make arrangements to bring the documents in and we will copy them for you. The following documents are needed for registration and should be submitted during the online registration process: Click here for a checklist for registration.
Child’s evidence of birth (i.e. birth certificate, baptismal certificate)
An authorized record of immunizations
Proof of residency in the form of your entire signed lease/deed including signature pages.
Current utility bill with your name and address that has been issued within the last 45 days. (cellular device bills not accepted)
Photo ID of parent/guardian
Additional Documents to bring if applicable to your child:
Proof of custody - only if there is information the school must adhere to during school hours (full document including the signature pages)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for Special Education Services
504 plan
Psychological report or related services reports/plans
English Language Learner (ELL) plans or previous assessments
These forms should be completed by your child's pediatrician and dentist and emailed to our Health Room prior to the first day of school or as soon as your child has their 5 year check-up
It is recommended that you work on a laptop or desktop to complete registration. Cell phone registration is not recommended. Please call our front office at 410-313-5050.
Dine & Dance is Coming
Your child brought home the Dine & Dance order form yesterday in their take home folder. Get your order form and money turned in before May 28th so that you can join in the fun!
Below you can also find an order form that you can print out and turn in if you need a new copy.
Early Childhood Programs is accepting Pre-K Applications for 2024-25 School Year
For consideration and enrollment into the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Pre-K Program you must first submit a completed application and proof of household income. Household income documentation is required by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and will be used to determine eligibility for the program as well as state reporting. Families applying for Pre-K must provide income verification. If this is not submitted, your application cannot be considered.
Please click here to get a copy of the Pre-K application.
Families that need language support should contact the Multilingual Family Registration Center at 410-313-1525.
If you have questions regarding Pre-K registration for next school year, please call the front office at 410-313-5050.
Howard County Library System Summer Reading
Take a moment to watch this commercial about the fun reading program that our local library system will be offering. Some of you may recognize a Ducketts Lane student in the video.
Don't let your child miss out on the fun of reading and activities this summer! A positive is that this is FREE!
PTA NEWS
Guilford Park High School Girls Lacrosse Camp from June 17th-21st!
Your Voice is Important
Please click on the Feedback Form to share your thoughts with how we can make DLES the best for everyone.
We are here to help!
Principal, Mrs. Caroland Molly_Caroland@hcpss.org
Assistant Principal, Mrs. Van Osdel Amy_Van_Osdel@hcpss.org
Leadership Intern, Mrs. Yerashunas Brianna_Yerashunas@hcpss.org
Principal Secretary, Mrs. Canter Teresa_Canter@hcpss.org
Registration Support, Secretary Ms. Lynette Carmen_Lynette@hcpss.org
Attendance, Synergy and Family File Support, Secretary Mrs. Forman Julie_Forman@hcpss.org
Counselor Mr. Leisawitz Alexander_Leisawitz@hcpss.org