Owl Observer News
December 1, 2023
A Message from Administration
Greetings DLES Families,
It was a great week back after the break. The weather has shifted and it is getting pretty cold outside. We ask that students bring a jacket as we continue to go outside for recess. It is very important that you write your child's first and last name on the inside of jackets, as many get lost and are never claimed. If your child has lost something, please encourage them to look in the lost and found area during lunch.
We wanted to remind all adults and older siblings that are walking to the school for drop-off and/or pick-up that we can't have any people waiting under the awning and close to the front doors. We ask that you wait on the grass area or you may stand inside the playground next to the front doors. We have a lot of foot traffic and having extra adults or older siblings standing in front of the doors and along the sidewalk makes it very difficult for all the students and staff to safely exit and go to their assigned area.
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
December 2: Chipotle PTA Spirit Night 4:00-8:00pm
December 4-8: Inclusive School Week
December 9: PTA Winter Vendor Fair
December 12: Vision & Hearing Clinic
December 12: 5th Grade Winter Concert 6:00pm
December 13: Early Dismissal-Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO Half-Day PreK
December 20: 3rd & 4th Grade Winter Concert-see times below
December 25: January 1: Schools closed for winter break
January 2: School is back in session
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)
Social Emotional Learning at School and at Home
One focus of social emotional learning here at school is around Responsible Decision-Making: The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being.
Schooling plays a large role in the moral development of students as they learn to navigate rules, fairness, and standing up for what is right. For the youngest learners, this happens at the most basic level as they come to recognize positive and negative consequences for their actions. As students age, however, determining “rightness” becomes somewhat subjective, and it becomes clearer that there are gray areas. What is right for one person may, certainly, not be for another, and as students navigate the winding pathways of ethics, the adults in their lives, including teachers, largely influence how they will define what is right later in life.
Giving students the chance to actively sort through how to make responsible decisions supports their development as deep thinkers and problem solvers, as well as skilled communicators. Just like helping our children learn to read, write, and do math, we need to assist them by teaching them how to preform responsible decision making in and outside of school.
PTA NEWS
Last call to support our Charleston Wrap fundraiser! 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.
Gift Card Drive: The DLES PTA is collecting gift cards in $10 increments to pass out to teachers and staff before winter break. You may drop off donations by December 15th to the front office or send them in with your student in an envelope marked PTA.
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.
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! Food trucks Blowfish Poke & Grill and Something Delicious will be at the event! 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.
Helping Others in Our Community
Happenings Around Town
Enjoy a Show and Support WBAL Radio Kids Campaign
Enjoy a performance at Oakland Mills High School on December 2nd in partnership with WBAL Radio. The 1 PM Matinee includes a post-performance Kids Craft as well as pictures with Santa! Get tickets here:
https://concertforkids.ticketleap.com/cfk2023/
The annual Concert for Kids to benefit the WBAL Radio Kids Campaign is a holiday concert which supports our community by raising funds and awareness for the WBAL Radio Kids Campaign. Since it premiered in 2007, the Concert for Kids has raised over $105,000 for the WBAL Radio Kids Campaign.
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