Owl Observer News

Greetings Ducketts Lane Friends and Families,

We hope that everyone has been enjoying the last few days off of school. If you have not already heard from your students about the fantastic assembly presented by Kangaroo Kids that we had on Monday, be sure to ask them about it. If you want more information about Kangaroo Kids you can visit this link Kangaroo Kids | Jump Rope | Howard County, MD .

We also want to take a moment to thank our fantastic PTA for the yummy dinner provided on Monday. Most of our staff worked very long 11-hour days on Monday and Tuesday so that they could spend some time with parents discussing student learning progress. This dinner allowed for our teachers to offer more conference windows for parents to meet with them.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, December 2nd.

Proudly serving you,

Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas

Take a moment to see all of the amazing options available to show your Ducketts Lane spirit and pride.

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Offer
Save and extra 5% sitewide between Black Friday and Cyber Monday! That is a total savings of 30%! You can download your Black Friday/Cyber Monday ad here.

Click here to see all the options and deals!

Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.

Inclusive Schools Week allows us all to take a moment to applaud the progress we’ve made toward building more inclusive school communities while pledging to continue our work toward becoming a more inclusive society.

Join us in a week of Spirit Days to Celebrate our Inclusive School.

December 2- Wear Bright Colors-Together our future is bright

December 3- Wear Comfortable Exercise Gear-The more we know the more comfortable we are

December 4- Wear Something with Words-Words are Powerful and EVERY Voice Matters

December 5- Wear Something that you Love-We have a lot more in common than we have differences

December 6- Wear Your Favorite School or Team Gear-Working together as a team can help dreams come true.

Monday, December 2nd-Schools reopen for all students

Monday, December 23rd-January 1, 2025- Schools closed for Winter Break

As we quickly approach the close of another month and look forward to the holidays, we hope you have heard some of the great things we have been learning in Physical Education. During the month of November, our PreK students continue to learn Locomotor Skills and throw and toss activities.

Our k-5th graders have been working hard learning and demonstrating Soccer Skills/Striking with their feet. They have been actively dribbling, trapping, and passing balls and rings of different sizes and shapes using the inside of their foot with varying force and speeds while working independently, with partners and groups if the weather permits, take some time to go out and pass a ball around with your young people so they can show off some of their skills. After the holiday break, going into December we will move on to our Dance & Jump rope unit.

Also, yesterday, we sent information regarding DLES participating in the Raven's Play 60 challenge. We hope to get your support as we strive to be selected as a top school and get that Ravens Pep Rally!!

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and partnership. Your involvement is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

The P.E. Department

Mr. Anderson & Mr. Abramson

#WEAREDUCKETTS

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines ( en Espanol) for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet DLES YAC Student Cover Sheet, 2024-25 HOWARD.docx sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to Casey_Sawyer@hcpss.org by December 20, 2024. Please contact Mrs. Sawyer or Mrs. Esposito (Keri_Esposito@hcpss.org) with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

Winter Vendor and Craft Fair:

The DLES PTA is hosting our annual Winter Vendor and Craft Fair on Saturday, December 14th from 12-3 pm. If you own a business you would like to promote or have handmade crafts to sell, sign up to be a vendor by filling out the form below. Vendor registration is $25. Student vendors are also encouraged and there is no fee for students to register.

https://forms.gle/iCm49pZnTBVQk7U19

Staff Supplies Drive

The DLES PTA is collecting supplies for our staff to help replenish classroom items before winter break! Wanted items include gel pens, felt pens, and dry erase markers. An amazon wish list has been created for convenience, but please feel free to donate any items from any retailer. Donations can be dropped off to the front office labeled "PTA". Be on the lookout for any great deals you see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Thank you for your amazing support for our staff and the DLES PTA—we couldn’t do it without you!

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1DVWTE0BVX32U

Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing FREE bikes and new helmets to those most in need. The public donates gently used bikes, FB4K organizes scores of volunteers to clean and refurbish them, and then gives them away to children referred to them by schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. In Maryland FB4K conducts an annual campaign during which they collect bikes until October, refurbish them in ten weeks, and give them away at 6725 Business Parkway, Elkridge by the holidays.

If you would be interested in receiving a FREE used bike and new Helmet and can pick a bike up at 6725 Business Parkway in Elkridge, on December 14 please fill out this FB4K Interest Form and FB4K will contact you with further instructions on how to sign up for a FREE bike.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Annie Chairs, DLES Family Involvement Contact at annemarie_chairs@hcpss.org or 410-313-5050.

The Toys for Tots registration link is now live and ready to accept applicants!

Please use this sign-up link for Toys For Tots to register your child to receive a toy this year from the Howard County Toys for Tots Holiday Campaign.

Families being submitted must be Howard County residents.***

Submission via this online portal does not necessarily constitute approval. You will be contacted if there are any questions. Toys for Tots is thrilled to support children up

to 14yrs old.

Please print email Approval Confirmation, which will help guide you through the lines faster during distribution.

If you have any questions or need help filling out the form please contact Annie Chairs at annemarie_chairs@hcpss.org or 410-313-5050.

We strive to be a school that actively partners with our students, staff, families, and surrounding community members. We welcome your feedback.

Please click on the Feedback Form to share your thoughts with how we can make DLES the best for everyone.

• 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