Owl Observer News
February 2, 2024
A Message from Administration
Greetings DLES Families,
It has been a fantastic week here at Ducketts Lane. Our students smiles were simply perfect during class photos. We have such a fantastic looking school community.
We wanted to remind you that next Wednesday and Thursday students will be dismissed at 12:15pm and there will be no PreK/RECC classes. These early dismissals have been scheduled to allow parents to connect with math teachers to discuss academic progress. Additionally, there will be no school for students on Friday, February 9th. This day has been scheduled for all staff to attend professional development sessions across the county.
We have had some concerned neighbors reach out to use about our car rider and walker practices. We ask that you please follow traffic laws and not make U-Turns in the middle of Ducketts Lane or have students exit or enter a car that has not pulled completely over and parked. Lastly, if you are meeting your child who is walking across the street to join you in a waiting car, please don't block the parking spots of our neighboring residents, as they need to be able to access their home and not be hindered from gaining access to their home.
We kicked off our month long celebration of Black History month, and look forward to learning from and alongside our students as we highlight Black/African Americans who have been influential to our country throughout the month.
Quarter 2 report cards will be available in HCPSS Connect Synergy after 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. Instructions on how to access report cards are available online.
We wish everyone a great weekend and look forward to welcoming all of our students back on Monday.
Proudly Serving You,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
Save the Date
February 2: Parent Teacher Conference window closes at 4:00 pm
February 5: Report Cards are available for parent view after 4:00pm
February 7: Students dismiss at 12:15. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 8: Students dismiss at 12:15. No half-day Pre-K/RECC. Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 9: Countywide Professional Learning Day – Schools closed for all students
February 19: Presidents Day – Schools closed for all students and staff
Related Arts Schedule
Parent Teacher Conferences
The window to schedule Parent Teacher Math conferences is open at this time but will close at 4:00pm today.
Please use the attached guide below for instructions on how to schedule your conference.
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024 conferences will be in person from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm and Virtual from 3:45 pm to 6:45 pm.
On Thursday, February 8, 2024 conferences will be Virtual from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm.
The window to schedule a conference will close at 4:00 pm on February 2, 2024.
Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences
SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Corner
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.
Kindness Week is Coming
Random Acts of Kindness Week takes place for one week each year. It's a week dedicated to kindness and taking that extra, conscious step to brighten somebody’s day. This year Kindness Week is February 12th - 16th. There are so many ways that you can join in, spread some kindness and positivity and possibly make someone's day!
Although we are always teaching our students how to be kind, we will be specifically focusing on ways to show kindness to others and ourselves during this special week!
Missed our Family Literacy Night?
There has been a lot of great feedback from our Family Literacy Night and we all had a lot of fun. The resources that our team created are so great and we thought that it might be helpful to share the resources with everyone.
Click here for resources that might help you and your child's reading progress at home.
PTA NEWS
Read-a-Thon is here! To activate your reader's account, register online here. The top 3 readers will be able to be the Principal or Assistant Principal for a day.
The PTA is providing a build-your-own trail mix bar for all DLES Staff to fuel them during the upcoming Winter Conferences. If you would like to donate any items, please visit our sign-up page https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090B49ACA628AAFC1-47290303-winter. Donations can be sent to the school with your student or dropped off at the front office by Tuesday, February 6th. Please label all donations "DLES PTA."
Join us for Family Movie Night on Friday, February 16th at 5:30 pm. Bring your family, a blanket, and wear your pajamas. Each student will receive one free snack and drink. Additional snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Discounted Hershey Park Ticket order forms are coming! We all love a great discount and helping our students! Be on the look out for order forms to be coming in Thursday folders soon.
Happening Around Town
Lunar New Year Celebration
Join the HCPSS STARTALK Program and Centennial High School for a spectacular Lunar New Year Celebration on Friday, February 9 from 5:15 to 8:30 pm at Centennial High School. Enjoy an evening filled with authentic Chinese food, student performances, professional groups, cultural activities, and Chinese New Year entertainment. Past and potential HCPSS STARTALK Chinese Language Program participants and their parents/guardians are welcome. Space is limited.
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/DhAeuaG1FiazABPd6. Please contact startalk@hcpss.org with questions.
Get Ready for Summer Camps
Registration for Recreation & Parks’ Summer Camp Guide Begins this Week
Howard County residents don’t forget! Online registration for our Department of Recreation & Parks' 2024 Summer Camp Guide opens this Wednesday, January 31st at 6:00 p.m., with all other registration methods (i.e., over-the-phone, mail-in and in-person) beginning this Thursday, February 1st morning. From art, chess, Lego, magic and sports camps, there is something to keep your child’s mind and body active during the summer months.
For non-Howard County residents, online registration begins for you next Wednesday, February 7th at 6:00 p.m. and all other methods the following day.
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