Owl Observer News

Greetings Ducketts Lane Friends and Families,

We want to thank all the families that were able to attend our PTA Annual Movie Night. It was another wonderful event enjoyed by all!

Mark your calendars! We are excited to celebrate Black History Month here at Ducketts Lane this February, highlighting the remarkable achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history.

We wanted to gauge interest from the community for coming into the building during the month of February to do class read aloud. We will be hosting school wide Trivia Tuesdays during the month of February and the classes that get the trivia answers correct will win a read aloud with a special guest (which could be YOU!). Please fill out this form with your name and availability if you would like to join us as a guest reader this month. Thank you!

We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.

Proudly serving you,

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

The ACTIVATE™ cognitive training program is available for free (right now) for 1st-5th grade students in our school. This program has helped students across the country build important skills like focus, self-control, and memory, and improve their reading and math scores. Students who participate in ACTIVATE will win for prizes throughout the year.

To learn more about ACTIVATE™ or sign up today, please visit https://www.brainfutures.org/youth/activate-in-howard-county/

Today, January 31- Coffee & Conversations 9:00am

Wednesday, February 5th-School close 3 hours early-Students dismiss at 12:15pm. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, February 6th-School close 3 hours early-Students dismiss at 12:15pm. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, February 7th- School closed for students

On Jan. 21, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive allowing immigration enforcement actions to occur in sensitive areas, including schools and bus stops.

While staff in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) are not aware of any such incident occurring in Maryland or nationally, school administrators have been provided with instructions if a representative from any State or Federal agency arrives unexpectedly at one of our schools.

When visitors arrive at the school, the school principal or assistant principal will greet the visitor, ask them to join them in an office or private conference area, and seek to learn the reason for the visit. At that time, the school administrator will contact their representative from the HCPSS Division of Schools and General Counsel’s office to receive guidance. This practice has been in place as it is not uncommon for schools to receive unannounced visitors and receive support from Central Office leaders.

While staff will not obstruct a state or federal agent carrying out a lawful order on school grounds, we hope that our learning environments will remain free of disruptions. Staff will also continue to monitor the situation in our county, state and nation, and work with county officials and community groups to guide families in need of additional support to the appropriate available resources in our community.

HCPSS and our school staff remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive, nurturing, and supportive school climate.

More Information on support for Immigrant Students and Families

The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) winter testing continues. The following are the testing dates for grades 3 and 4 during this window:

3rd grade - ELA February 3 (AM) and Math February 10 (AM)

4th grade - ELA February 4 (PM) and Math February 11 (PM)

Each student will complete one session of reading testing and one session of math testing. The MAP assessment allows teachers to view instructional strengths and needs for each student. MAP is an adaptive test in which it adjusts based on the students’ answers to each question. The test gets more difficult as correct answers are given and easier as incorrect answers are given until an instructional match is found.

At the conclusion of the test, each student receives a RIT score that aligns to their instructional level. MAP, in conjunction with other measures throughout the school year, helps teachers differentiate instruction within their classrooms. Please be sure your students are present and on time to school each day to set them up for success during this testing period.

Please reach out with any questions and thank you!

DLES Administration

Ducketts Lane Coffee & Conversation Sponsored by Title I

Please Join us in the DLES Cafeteria for a Coffee and Conversation This MORNING from 9 am - 10:05 am.

Parents will have the opportunity to discuss three topics in small groups with DLES staff and other parents, and debrief as a full group. Additionally, there will be time for open Questions & Answers. There is no formal presentation of scheduled material.

RSVP Below if you plan to attend (RSVP is not required, just encouraged for planning purposes) and if you have a topic to suggest for one of our "campfire discussions."

We hope to see you there!

1/31/25 Coffee and Conversation Registration Link

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our students. One of the most critical issues we face as a school community is bullying, which can have lasting effects on children’s well-being, social development, and academic success. We believe that addressing bullying requires a partnership between students, families, and school staff.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying is more than just occasional teasing. It is intentional, repeated aggressive behavior that can be verbal, physical, or social, and it often involves an imbalance of power. While some bullying behaviors can be overt, others are more subtle but just as harmful. Examples of bullying include:

• Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging property.

• Verbal bullying: Name-calling, teasing, and hurtful comments.

• Social/Relational bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding others, and social manipulation.

• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass or intimidate someone.

How You Can Help at Home

Parents play an essential role in preventing bullying and supporting their children through difficult experiences.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Talk to Your Child: Encourage open communication with your child about their social experiences, both online and offline. Discuss how they should handle situations where they witness bullying or experience it themselves.

• Set a Positive Example: Show your child how to be kind and respectful toward others. Modeling good behavior in your interactions will teach them valuable social skills.

• Monitor Online Activity: If your child uses social media or online platforms, make sure you are aware of their online interactions. Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging, and it’s important to stay engaged with your child’s digital life.

• Reinforce Respect and Empathy: Remind your child that treating others with respect and kindness is always the right thing to do, no matter the situation. Teach them how to stand up for others in a positive way, not by fighting, but by seeking help and offering support.

• Support School Efforts: Be an active partner in your child’s education and in the school’s anti-bullying efforts. Attend parent meetings, participate in workshops, and reinforce school policies at home.

Together, we can build a culture of respect, kindness, and safety in our school, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe. More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. An online version for reporting is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, or Mrs. Yerashunas.

The start to 2025 has brought with it a lot of significant national and world-wide news stories, much of which can be distressing for adults, who have prior knowledge, experiences, and logical thinking abilities to process the news. Without context or fully developed logical thinking abilities, children do not have the same ability to process the information they hear on the news. Here are some things to consider when exposing children to media coverage:

• Monitor what children are looking at on tv and the internet; if they are watching news coverage, make sure you are watching with them to know what they have heard and to evaluate their reactions.

• Have a conversation with them about what they heard, in order to provide necessary (and age-appropriate) context, but also to correct any misperceptions or false assumptions they may have.

• If information they hear is upsetting to them:

• Validate their feelings, acknowledging that you understand why they are feeling the way they are in response to the news.

• Reassure them where you can, but don't offer promises that you can't reasonably make;

• Limit their exposure to coverage about that event going forward; many children operate with an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality.

• If the information is upsetting to you as an adult, assume it will be upsetting to your child. If you need to have conversations with other adults about the subject, do so when your child is not within hearing distance.

• If your child isn't exposed to news coverage, consider whether you actually need to have a conversation with them about it at all. Most likely they are fine, if not better off, not knowing the information. If you feel there is something they do need to know, limit it to the absolute minimum information they need to know.

If you are aware that your child is overly distressed about anything that they heard, do not hesitate to let your child's teacher and/or school counselors know that they are having big feelings, as this can impact their ability to focus and function in school.

Sincerely,

Mr. L and Mrs. Barron

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!

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

Snacks for Staff During Winter Conferences!
The PTA is excited to offer a build-your-own trail mix station for all DLES staff during Winter Conferences on February 5th! Want to help? You can donate a snack item or two! Sign up at www.bit.ly/snacksforstaffDLES25.

Please drop off donations at the front office by Tuesday, February 4th, and please mark them "PTA." Thank you for being so supportive in making this a special treat for our hardworking staff!

Chipotle Spirit Night

Join us for a guac'n time at Chipotle (6181 Old Dobbin Ln Ste 100, Columbia, MD, 21045) on February 5th from 4-8 PM. Order online for pickup using code WNQD76R or show the flyer in the restaurant.

Family Glow Dance

Ready to light up the night? Join us on Friday, February 21st, from 6:30-8:00 PM for the ultimate glow party! It will be a glowing good time with music, dancing, and fun for the whole family! Remember, this isn’t a drop-off event – all students must be accompanied by an adult.

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

• Counselor Mrs. Baron Krista_Baron@hcpss.org

• Community School Coordinator Ms. Medina Alejandra_Medina@hcpss.org