Owl Observer News
November 24, 2023
A Message from Administration
Greetings DLES Families,
We want to start this week's newletter by thanking our amazing PTA for the fabulous dinner on Monday. It was perfect and allowed teachers to eat quickly and continue on with the great opportunity conferences provides to ensure our students are getting all the support that they need to be successful in their academics and social-emotional development. Additionally, we enjoyed welcoming so many of our families in for conferences. This is such a great opportunity to partner with you as we strive towards the same goal-your child's academic success. We also want to thank any of our families that supported our 5th grade Joe Corbi fundraiser.
We hope that everyone has been able to enjoy the break. The building was so quiet on Wednesday without students here. We missed hearing the laughter of students and patter of footsteps in the halls.
We are such a fortunate and well loved school commnity. We want to take a moment to thank AKA Sorority, Dorsey Emmanuel Church, and Grace Community Chruch for providing over 75 meals and supports to our families this holiday break. Additionally, Cummins Sales and Service in Glen Burnie donated 500 bags of food for the Blessings in a Backpack program. The last moment of gratitude for this newsletter acknowledges the generosity of our community partners Knights of Columbus and Doug Brice, we were able to provide brand new winter coats to over 130 students.
Thank you for partnering with us to make Ducketts Lane a truly special place to be.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.
Proudly Serving You,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
Save the Date
November 24-Thanksgiving Holiday – Schools and offices closed
November 27- Schools Reopen for all students
December 2- Chipotle PTA Spirit Night 4:00-8:00pm
Related Arts Schedule
Inclusive School Week
Spirit for Inclusive Schools Week
December 4- Wear Bright Colors
Decemebr 5- Wear Comfortable Exercise Gear
December 6- Wear Something That Let's Everyone Know About Something You Love
December 7- Wear Tye Dye or Multicolored clothing
December 8- Wear Your Favorite Spirit Gear-School or Team
WINTER CONCERTS ARE COMING
It's almost concert season at DLES! If your child participates in Band, Orchestra or Chorus, please find specific information about their performances in the flyers linked below (including arrival times and concert dress.)
5th Grade Winter Concert Flyer
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
6:00pm
@ DLES
3rd & 4th Grade Winter Concert Flyer
Wednesday, December 20
6:00pm - 4th Band & Chorus
7:00pm - 3rd & 4th Orchestra
@ DLES
If your child is in need of a white shirt, please let their music teacher know. DLES has been given white polo shirts in several sizes that are available for students in need.
Mrs. McKay (Band & Orchestra)
Mr. Wagner (4th Chorus)
Ms. Abrams (5th Chorus)
Supporting your child's understanding of self-awareness at school and at home
What Exactly is SELF-AWARENESS?
The ability to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one's strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.
What Does SELF-AWARENESS Look Like?
Identify Emotions
Recognize Strength
Self Confidence
Self Efficacy
What Does SELF-AWARENESS Sound Like?
How am I feeling and why?
When am I at my best?
When do I feel angry?
What kind of person do I want to be today?
What stresses me out?
Where do I fit into my family/community?
What Can I Do At Home to Help Promote My Child’s Self-Awareness?
Show them what feelings look like- identify feelings when they occur- even within you, the adult.
Help them identify the feelings of others.
Set a good example by expressing your emotions in a constructive way. If you lose your cool, use it as a teachable moment. Explain to your child what you were feeling and what strategies you used to regulate your emotions.
Do your best to empathize with your child when they communicate their feelings with you.
Eliminate the blame game and when a problem occurs- ask your child what can be done to solve the problem instead of asking who started the problem.
Let your child communicate freely with you. Provide a safe space for your child.
Be present and be a good listener, even when busy try to pay attention to what they are trying to communicate.
Nurture their passions.
Try new things.
Embrace a growth mindset-Having a growth mindset challenges us to rise above negativity and limitation. It encourages perseverance in the face of failure, determination in the face of difficulty, and a focus on what is possible for us to achieve. For these reasons and others, the growth mindset is one of the most valuable attitudes we can nurture within our children.
Greetings Family Involvement Team Members and Future Members!
It is time to hear your voice! Parents, staff, families, and stakeholders please join us on the first Fridays of the month at 8 am for our Family Involvement Team meeting. We will continue to discuss our focus for the 2023 - 2024 school year and the upcoming Family Reading Night. We need your input to help us plan what our families would find useful at home for us to work together to build a stronger learning environment at Ducketts Lane Elementary School.
The Family Involvement Team is composed of DLES staff across all grade levels and includes Related Arts and Student Support Services staff as well. The GOAL of the team is to:
Help create positive home-school connections
Increase family involvement
Maintain effective communications with families
Plan family events and programs
Please consider joining us for one of our meetings either VIRTUALLY or in person the first Fridays of the month at 8:00 am. Our next meeting of the school year is this Friday, 12/1/23, and we would LOVE to have you join us!
Below is our running Agenda for the school year. Feel free to take a glance to stay in touch with topics we will be discussing. We also welcome input on topics for future meetings. Please email annemarie_chairs@hcpss.org with topic suggestions.
DLES Family Involvement Team Meeting Agenda
To join the meeting Virtually, please use the link below:
Google Meet joining link: https://meet.google.com/gep-chki-ymu
Or dial: (US) +1 219-379-3433 PIN: 445 884 084#
To join us In Person please arrive at school and go to Ms. Carothers’ first grade classroom B130
We welcome your VOICE as part of the TEAM!
PTA NEWS
Our Charleston Wrap fundraiser is wrapping up and we need your help! Every purchase makes a difference and we appreciate your support! Register online at registercw.com. Our Organization ID is 26189. The PTA will still receive credit on all orders placed through December 4th. Please note orders placed by December 2nd will receive delivery by December 24th.
Winter Vendor Fair: On Saturday, December 9th, from 12-3 pm the PTA is hosting a Winter Vendor Fair in the cafeteria. Come out and shop local vendors! If you own a business you would like to promote or have handmade crafts to sell, sign up to be a vendor by emailing duckettslanepta@gmail.com. Vendor registration is $25 and includes a 6ft table and 2 chairs. Student vendors are also encouraged. The student vendor registration fee is $5 and includes a desk-size table and chair.
Chipotle Spirit Night: Join us for a Guacin' time on Saturday, December 2nd from 4-8 pm at the Chipotle in Columbia (6181 Old Dobbin Ln Ste 100). Use code 9TKRR3M if ordering online or show the flyer in the restaurant. The DLES PTA will receive 33% of all sales!
To stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events, visit our website and Facebook page.
Happenings Around Town
HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academy - Social Emotional Well-being and Substance Misuse
On December 16 from 9-10:30 a.m., parents and families are invited to attend a virtual session regarding how to effectively support students in maintaining positive Social and Emotional Well-Being and prevent substance misuse. Representatives from HCPSS and community partner organizations will provide resources for social and emotional development and education on prevention, risk factors, and warning signs of substance misuse. This session is for families of students at the elementary, middle, or high school levels and will be held virtually. To register, please complete the registration form linked here.
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