
Owl Observer News
March 14, 2025
A Message from Administration
Greetings Ducketts Lane Friends and Families
Just a reminder that we dismiss at 12:15pm today.
It was another fantastic week here at Ducketts Lane. It was such a pleasure to see all of our 4th and 5th grade students and families that were able to join in our family nights. Partnering together to support academic growth is so meaningful for all of us. We know how busy our schedules are, but taking some additional time out of your evening to join us means so much. Thank you to all of the teachers who worked so hard to make these events a true success for all.
We continue to schedule and welcome rising Kindergarten families who would like to register for the upcoming school year. 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
It is recommended that you work on a laptop or desktop to complete registration. Cell phone registration is not recommended. If you or a neighbor will have a child who is going to be in kindergarten in the fall, please contact the front office at 410-313-5050 for support to ensure your child is registered and ready to start in the fall.
Our lost and found table is getting crowded. We will be getting rid of any unclaimed items at the end of the day on March 21st. Encourage your child to check the lost and found if they are missing any items. Parents are welcome to come check the lost and found, but must check in with the front office prior to visiting the lost and found area.
Proudly serving you,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
Mark Your Calendars
Friday, March 21- DLES Talent Show-this is a family event to enjoy together 5:30pm
Thursday, March 27- DLES Family Fun & Fitness Night-this is a family event to enjoy together 5:30pm
Monday, March 31- Full School for Students (this is a change-it had originally been scheduled to be a teacher work day and no school for students but to make up some of the snow days, now we will have school)
Monday, April 14th- Monday, April 21st -Schools Closed for Spring Break
Tuesday, April 22nd- Schools reopen for all students
SPIRIT DAYS
MONDAY, March 17th-WEAR GREEN
FRIDAY, March 21st-Show your DLES PRIDE! Wear any DLES spirit wear!
Related Arts Schedule
Attention Fifth Grade Families!
In honor of our fifth-grade graduates, we have reserved some pages in our yearbook for dedications. Parents, grandparents, other relatives, and friends have the opportunity to send congratulations messages to a student for $5.00. Let them know how proud you are of them and all of their hard work! Space is limited and dedications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
https://forms.gle/xqUpJ4XoTvQ75fzD7
Payments can be submitted online through https://osp.osmsinc.com/HowardMD/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=DA083-145
or $5 in CASH can be sent in to your child's homeroom teacher.
Please email Mrs. Abramson at Jennifer_Abramson@hcpss.org with any questions.
The dedication will include space for 1 picture to be placed with up to 300 characters of text, pictures are OPTIONAL. Our deadline is MARCH 21st!
2025 DLES Spring Testing Dates
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, MCAP for short, began this week at DLES. Our 5th graders take MISA- the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment. This science assessment is for our 5th graders only and is part of our MCAP testing.
For students in 3rd-5th grades, the MCAP assessment helps build students’ career and college readiness skills and provides teachers with timely information to inform instruction and provide student support. This assessment is 8 total days, 4 days of ELA testing and 4 days of Math testing.
Additionally, some students participate in our Alternate MCAP Assessment - called The Dynamic Learning Map. This assessment is administered one-on-one and will take place during the student’s grade level assigned MCAP dates.
MAP, our Measures of Academic Progress assessment that students are very familiar with, will take place for students in 1st and 2nd for both Math and Reading this spring. Additionally this year, students in 3rd and 4th grade will take only MAP Math. The dates are below for these specific grades:
Boys Run Club
Our Spring season of the DLES Running Club is approaching. This will allow students to come together, engage in physical activity, and have fun.
Registration: March 6 - March 21 . Scan the QR code to register! Registration will be first come, first serve, with only 25 roster spots available!
When & Where: Practice will be on Wednesday’s at DLES from 3:20 - 4:20!
Dates: Wednesdays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/14
Final Run: We will have culminating run on Tuesday, 5/20 (pizza to follow)
Who: Open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys.
Cost: This will be FREE and the Run Club will be limited to 25 runners!
For more information, please contact:
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE
GREAT NEWS DLES Community
WE HAVE DECIDED TO EXTEND OUR KIDS HEART CHALLENGE!!!
Our DLES Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser is underway and we have already raised over $2,000! Since we are doing such an amazing job, we have decided to let the fundraiser extend one more week.
You now have until FRIDAY, MARCH 21st to add to get your donations in!
Thanks to all who have donated already!!
Donation Options: Online only
Click the link below or scan the QR Code for more info on registration
Girls on the Run
Registration for the Spring Season is open!
The program will begin Tuesday March 18 and will end Tuesday, June 3.
The 5k will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 8:00 a.m
Girls on the Run is an afterschool program unlike any other. We are proud to be one-of-a-kind, just like the incredible participants we serve. Our program utilizes a research-based curriculum that inspires confidence in 3rd-8th grade girls by:
· Thoughtful group discussions that teach social-emotional skills ❤️
· Participants build confidence through learning 💪
· The intentional fun, physical movement-based curriculum promotes a healthy lifestyle 🏃♀️
· Dynamic team-building exercises that unlock empathy and inclusion 🔑
· Setting goals in preparation for a celebratory 5K event 🏅
We take great pride in creating safe spaces of belonging where every participant can thrive, achieve their dreams and unlock their inner power.
The program registration fee is $185, which includes lessons, all program materials, 5K and program shirts, a water bottle, and more. Financial assistance is available and a discount for co-coaching! Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org for a list of program sites and to register. Questions? Call 443-864-8593.
DLES Family Fun & Fitness Night, March 27th, 2025
We’re excited to invite you to our 2nd Annual DLES Family Fun & Fitness Night! This special event is open to students, staff, and parents, offering an evening full of engaging fitness activities, games, and fun throughout the building.
Enjoy activities like cornhole, mini-golf, bowling, Giant Jenga, Uno, and even Lava Lamps—plus much more!
📅 When: March 27, 2025
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to connect, have fun, and strengthen our school community. We hope to see you there! Please click the link below to register your family today!
DLES Family, Fun & Fitness Night 2025
If you have any questions, please contact Kevin_anderson@hcpss.org. Thank you for your continued support and partnership:
The DLES Family, Fun & Fitness Committee:)
#WEAREDUCKETTS
Career Day
The Ducketts Lane Elementary school counseling team is looking for volunteers to speak to classes for Career Day on Wednesday, April 2nd.
Please complete this form if you are interested in coming in to share more about your career. You will be asked to share about your occupation/career in an approximately 15-minute presentation and answer questions that students may have. After gathering responses from interested speakers we will contact you to schedule specific times for your presentation on April 2nd (different grades will be presented to at different times throughout the day).
Thank you for your time and consideration!
~The DLES Counseling Team
Career Day Posters
Let's Decorate with Our Artwork!!!!
The DLES Counseling Team is planning a career day at Ducketts Lane, which is set to take place on Wednesday, April 2nd.
We would LOVE to have your student help us mark the occasion by creating a poster that highlights information on a particular career, trade, OR college/university. We would like to create connections between jobs/careers and the major school subjects, so if your child chooses a career, consider selecting one from the following categories:
Art (Animator, Video Game Designer, Architect, etc.),
English (Writer, Author, Librarian, Researcher, etc),
Math (Accountant, Astronaut, Computer Scientist, etc.),
Music (Music teacher, Music producer, Audio engineer, Conductor, etc.)
Science (Biologist, Climatologist, Meteorologist, etc.),
Social studies (Politician, Historian, Police Officer, etc.), or
Technology (Software developer, Information Security, IT Manager, etc)
If your child is interested in creating a poster please have them include information such as:
For career/trade
What is the selected career/trade?
What are the responsibilities of this career/trade?
Where does the work typically take place?
What kinds of education or training are required to attain this type of job?
Any other information or pictures (drawn or printed out) your student finds interesting and important
For college/university
What is the name of the college/university?
Where is this college/university located?
How many students attend this college/university?
What are some of the top degrees/programs at this school?
What is the school's mascot?
Any other information or pictures (drawn or printed out) your student finds interesting and important
There are no strict requirements on the size or color of posters so please let your creativity run wild! The only thing we ask is that your student delivers their poster to the counselors (Mr. L or Mrs. Barron) by Thursday, March 27th so we can begin to display them around the school.
If you need paper-just let us know.
If you have any questions at all please email or call us at 410-313-5050. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and collaboration!
Mr. L + Mrs. Barron
Spirit Wear Store
Take a moment to see all of the amazing options available to show your Ducketts Lane spirit and pride.
Click here to see all the options and deals!
PTA News
Ready-set-read: Join our Read-a-thon!
We will be raising money by focusing on reading for the next few weeks and we need your help.
Sign up to activate your child's Read-A-Thon page. From there you can track their reading, and receive donations from friends and family. Together let's show everyone how rewarding reading can be.
Sign up is easy and only takes a minute.
1. Go to: www.read-a-thon.com/readers
2. Enter Code: 3277193
3. Create and share your page.
Prizes will be awarded to the top readers! Happy Reading!
Spring Clean-Up: Join Us on Sunday, March 16th!
We’re inviting you to lend a hand in sprucing up our school grounds! Meet us at the flagpole from 1-2 pm. Trash bags will be provided, but don’t forget to wear gloves and boots. We look forward to seeing you there!
Hersheypark Early Bird Discount Tickets are available for 2025 (valid during the full season, 04/05/2025-01/04/2026). If you need an additional order form, please email us at duckettslanepta@gmail.com. For the earliest ticket delivery, return your completed form with payment to the school by March 25th. A second order will be placed on April 25th, for any forms received after March 25th. We hope you enjoy your time at the Sweetest Place on Earth!
Library Night for Families of Students in Grades 3, 4, & 5
Happening Around Town
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
Counselor Mrs. Baron Krista_Baron@hcpss.org
Community School Coordinator Ms. Medina Alejandra_Medina@hcpss.org