Owl Observer News
January 26, 2024
A Message from Administration
Greetings DLES Families,
It was great to welcome our students back and we hope that there is a break in the snow so that our students can get back into a consistant schedule and refocus on the important learning that our teachers have planned for the second half of the year.
Please remember to send your students to school today wearing bright colors. This is a reminder that kindness can be the bright spot in someone else's day.
We have started to see an increase in the number of students that are arriving to school after 8:45am. It is important to remember that instruction begins at 8:45 and we don't want any students to miss out on their learning, but we also want to decrease the number of disruptions taking place in the classroom due to students who are arriving late. This often results in the teacher stopping instruction and getting both the late student and the rest of the class resettled. Please note that our doors open at 8:30am, and we encourage our walkers to arrive at that time. It is also important to note that our bus schedule has really been running nicely and if your address is allocated for the use of bus transportation, we strongly encourage you to use this service. Here is the link to identify if your home address is allocated for a bus.
Our Student Support Team will be looking closely at students who have a high number of absences and or tardies and making additional contact to see what steps can be done to improve attendance. Some parents have inquired about our MDk12 Report Card start rating. You will see that we show academic acheivement and progress improvement for the prior year, but did you know that absentism is also taken into account towards our overall rating? This past year, we only earned 9.5 out of 15 total points in this area. Together, we can improve this section of our report card, which in turn will improve our overall report card but also support even greater improvement within our academic acheivement.
As we approach the second half of the school year, we wanted to remind you that HCPSS is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment that focuses on student well-being. We are taking this time to uplift the importance of reporting any type of bullying that has occurred. We will be reviewing this with our students and staff as we start the second half of the school year, and hope that you too can uplift this at home.
For children facing the emotional toll of bullying, a supportive individual can make all the difference. Please encourage your children to reach out to a trusted staff member at school should they need to report anything. As parents and guardians, you will use the same reporting form as students by following the steps outlined below.
How do I report bullying?
When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:
Complete a BCHI online reporting form
BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office
An oral report to a staff member
It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.
Proudly Serving You,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
Save the Date
January 25: Yesterday was the last day of the 2nd quarter
January 26: SPIRIT DAY-Wear Bright Colors to show how kindness can be a bright spot in someone else's day
February 1: Class Picture Day
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.
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.
Is your child on the road to kindergarten?
If you are the parent of a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2024, save the date for one of the Howard County Public School System's (HCPSS) Road to Kindergarten parent information sessions.
Each session will cover:
- Expectations for school readiness; receive a Ready for Kindergarten toolkit;
- Details about the HCPSS kindergarten program;
- Information about kindergarten registration; HCPSS website; support for families and children during the transition to kindergarten.
Sessions will be held at the following date/time/locations:
- January 18, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. / Centennial High School**
- January 23, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. / Hammond High School*
- January 31, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. / Wilde Lake High School*
* A Spanish interpreter will be present at these sites.
** Chinese, Korean and Spanish interpreters will be onsite.
Childcare is available for children ages two and older; the information session is designed for adults only. The program will include information regarding kindergarten readiness, program components and registration applicable to all HCPSS schools. Specific school information will be shared by schools after registration is finalized. For more information, visit HCPSS online or call 410-313-5693 (voice/relay).
Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten
The Ducketts Lane Elementary School Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 or 4 by September 1st, applications will be available and accepted in mid February.
In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, a limited number of new applications for students turning 4 by September 1 will be available. The Howard County Public School System continues to offer a prekindergarten program for income eligible children who will be four years old by September 1. For additional information contact the school or visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, in person, or class quarantine). If you have any additional questions , please contact Alexis Rape or Terri Canter at (410)-313-5050.
PTA NEWS
Get ready for our Read-a-thon beginning Thursday, January 25th! To activate your reader's account, register online here.
We hope to see you at our next General PTA meeting on Thursday, February 1st at 7 pm in the cafeteria!
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.
Happening Around Town
Military Connected
Family Night
Tuesday, January 30
5:30-6:30
Bellows Spring Elementary
( 8125 Old Stockbridge Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043)
We would like to invite our military connected families to a special event to network and learn about the educational resources and supports available to military families. The school liaison officer
from Fort Meade will share resources and information and give an overview of the MIC3 law (Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission).
Please RSVP using the link: https://forms.gle/1ZjkoRbbD1LiCBQP7
If you have any questions about this event you may reach out to Eric Soskil, Leadership Intern @ Bellows Spring Elementary. esoskil@hcpss.org or 410-313-5057.
Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin, Maryland National Guard, Army Reserves, Navy Reserves, Marine Corps Reserves, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves, Coast Guard Reserves
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