Owl Observer News

Greetings Ducketts Lane Families,

What a wonderful week we have had. The weather was perfect and we all were able to enjoy a little bit of the weather. First, we want to thank the large number of parents and students that were able to attend our 3rd-grade math parent night with a focus on mathematics. We were also so happy to see our children leave with a few new books and a couple of math games to keep the learning and practice continuing at home.

We would also like to thank the families that were able to join us last night for our most recent PTA meeting. We continue to be so inspired and appreciative of the amazing dedication and hard work our parents give to support our school community.

We wish everyone a safe weekend and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday at 8:30am.

Proudly Partnering With You,

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

We will be hosting a special event exclusively for our 2nd grade students and parents/guardians on November 7th. This event requires an RSVP! Your invitations were sent home yesterday you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to join together for dinner and learn some specific ways that you can start supporting your child's learning at home.

We reviewed a lot of our feedback from last year's family nights and the intended purpose that allows us to bring these events to our school under the additional supports that are made available to our school community because of our Title I status.

Families previous years, adults who attended our nights shared that they enjoyed the night but were still looking for specific ways to support learning at home. Title I is designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports. Moreover, our school needs to use our School Improvement Plan that is grounded in our students performance data around English Language Arts, Mathematics, Behavior, and Attendance.

This year, each grade-level is looking at the group and the needs around a potential performance gap and utilize a family night to increase parent knowledge and how they can actively engage in learning at home that matches the language and strategies that are taught here at school.

We want to empower our parents with some of the specific strategies that can be used at home, because they are often very different than those that were utilized for teaching us when we were in school.

It is always powerful for our children to see us as learners and provide them with an opportunity to share their knowledge with their adults. This allows for us to share the message that even adults are learners and that learning is a never ending goal.

Our staff and PTA work to find additional ways throughout the year to engage in events that build community through learning and play but not with a specific focus tied to grade-level standards or performance needs.

There are a few opportunities to come to our school and enjoy time with your child and our community at large.

Just Some of our PTA Hosted Events

This Saturday, a Trunk or Treat Event

In November, a Family Game Night

In January, Family Glow Dance

Just Some of What School Staff is Looking to Host (based on interest)

~Talent Show

~Family Fun & Fit Night

~Run Along with our Child During Running Events

~ Specific Times to Join Classes to Read

This link will allow you to access free online books that can be read. Many of these books can be read aloud in a variety of different languages.

Free Children's Stories: Free Children's Stories allows you to search books for age 3 through 10 and includes middle grade novels. Book are available in six languages by clicking the flag on the bottom right while navigating the site.

Wondering how students might use an open number line to solve addition problems? Take a look at this video to see how a student might use an open number line to solve addition problems. *Please note that in this video, the example uses the commutative property of addition applies to both numerical and algebraic expressions. (For example, 4 + 5 = 5 + 4 and a + 5 = 5 + a.). This is not required but as students become more confident of their understanding this can become more efficient to show addition on a number line.

Wondering how students are learning one way to multiply multi-digit numbers? Take a look at this video to see area model multiplication explained.

Saturday, October 26th- PTA Trunk or Treat in the bus loop at 4:00pm

Wednesday, October 30th- End of the 1st Marking Period-SPIRIT DAY

Thursday, October 31st- Schools Closed for Students

Friday, November 1st- SPIRIT DAY

Tuesday, November 5th- Schools Closed for Students

Friday, November 8th- Report Cards Issued

October 30th is the end of the 1st quarter. We have all gotten to know each other better this first quarter! Show what you know!

Students dress like their teacher

Teachers & Staff dress like our students

November 1st might find some of us a little more tired-it's Comfy Cozy Day

Students, Teachers & Staff Dress

in your Comfy Cozy clothes (pj's, sweats, or other most comfy clothes)

As we approach the end of National Bullying Prevention Month, Mr. L and Mrs. Barron want to continue to educate families about how they can help their students navigate peer conflicts.

Part of the school counseling program at Ducketts Lane is to support students on an individual basis when dealing with any form of peer conflict or suspected bullying. However, YOU play a huge part in mitigating the impacts of bullying and peer conflict at home, as well. Here are some things you can do as your child's number one support system:

• Offer comfort and support. Talking about any bullying experiences you had in your childhood might help your child feel less alone.
• Let your child know that it's not their fault. Bullying says more about the bully than the victim. Praise your child for doing the right thing by talking to you about it. Remind your child you're in this together. Reassure your child that you'll figure out what to do.

• Notify the school. Tell the principal, school nurse, or a counselor or teacher about the situation. BUT before reporting the problem, let your child know that you plan to do so, so that you can work out a plan that makes you both feel comfortable.

• Encourage your child not to respond to cyberbullying. Doing so just makes the situation worse.

• Keep records. Keep screen shots of the threatening messages, pictures, and texts. These can be used as evidence as the possible bullying is investigated.

• Get help. If your child agrees, meeting with a therapist or counselor may help work through feelings.

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• Mr. L and Mrs. Barron will continue to serve as your partners and offer a safe space for your student to visit for support anytime they are at school.

We have brought attention to our top violations of our Student Code of Conduct and have discussed considerations that staff and administrators must reference to determine consequences. This week we will highlight the different levels of behavior and how this informs our response.

Level 1 response to behavior is teacher/staff-led and focused on a direct conversation with a student to explain expectations and redirect behavior. Reminders of behavioral expectations are frequent and immediate, often using PBIS incentives and 1-2-3 Magic to count stop behaviors. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons are taught to target specific areas of need within a classroom. Teachers and staff are teaching appropriate behavior and helping students understand the impact their behavior has on others. Most Level 1 responses are verbal warnings and redirection, but written documentation using an Incident Report may be used depending on the specific violation.

Level 2 responses follow all of the strategies in Level 1 in addition to adding removal as a possible option. Sometimes a change of environment and an opportunity to allow time for reflection and reset, is what is needed to redirect student behavior. A parent/guardian conference may be requested by staff members to help address unexpected behaviors and put a more individualized support system in place. An Incident Report is written to communicate the behavioral “incident” that occurred.

Level 3 response to behavior is when administrators are called because a student is not able to be redirected with correction, behaviors are escalating, and there is a disruption to learning and or a safety concern for the student or others. A Level 3 response involves parent/guardian communication and an assigned consequence; i.e. loss of privilege, school community service, or extended school day to name a few. Referral to administration will determine the severity of the behavior and whether or not an Office Disciplinary Referral (ODR) is required. An Office Disciplinary Referral is part of a student’s permanent record in HCPSS.

Level 4 is a combination of all the above responses, with a more severe consequence to reflect the more serious violation. School safety of the student and others is a priority and HCPSS disciplinary policies and the Code of Conduct indicate when an in-school intervention, in-school suspension, or a short-term out-of-school suspension is appropriate. A short-term suspension is defined as 3 days or less.

Level 5 is the most severe level response to a student behavior violation. Level 5 consequences for behavior include long-term suspension, a suspension ranging from 4-10 days, and also an extended suspension, a suspension that is 11 days or longer. Level 5 behaviors most likely will include referral responses from the school team for an additional layer of support.

DLES is planning its first Talent Show! Students who sign up will get to share their skills with our school community in an evening performance.

Right now, we are looking to see how many students/groups would be interested in performing and how many people would attend the performance. If your student wants to perform, please fill out the form! DLES Talent Show Interest Survey

Please note: this is NOT a registration or sign-up form. We will send out a sign-up later in the school year.

Student Progress reports are now available in ParentVue. Here are the directions parents and guardians can use to access students’ scores.

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.

Not a member yet? Join the DLES PTA today at https://duckettspta.givebacks.com/store! When you become a member you are supporting the students and teachers at DLES, as well as the nation. Each voice makes the PTA louder when advocating for what they need.

Charleston Wrap Fundraiser- Our Fall fundraiser flyer came home in last Thursday folders and we need your help! Register online at https://www.registercw.com/. Our Organization ID is 26189. Orders placed using your participant link by October 31, 2024 will be credited to you and help you win cool prizes! Every purchase makes a difference and we appreciate your support!

Trunk or Treat- Our 4th annual Truck or Treat is on Saturday, October 26th from 4-5 pm. If you would like to decorate your trunk and pass out candy or volunteer at the event, visit our sign-up page here.

To stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events, visit our website and Facebook page.

If so, consider applying for our Learning Together Program! The Learning Together Program (LTP) enables all young children to play with each other, develop long-term friendships, and benefit from a diverse and stimulating environment. A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities. Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form and space availability. Participation in the Learning Together Program requires a monthly fee, and families are required to provide their own transportation daily.

If interested, please download and complete the 3-Year-Old LTP Application. You can also get a copy of the application at the DLES front office.

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