Owl Observer September 21, 2018

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 11:31am

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Sept 27  Donuts for Dads at 8:00am

Sept 27  PTA Meeting and Popsicle Party at 7:00pm - All are welcome!

Sept 28   Yankee Candle orders due

Oct     3   School closes at 12:20pm/ No half-day PreK/RECC

Oct     4   Chick Fil A Spirit Night at Arundel Mills    4:00-8:00 PM

Oct     9   Interim Progress Reports sent home with students

Oct  12    Flu Vaccine Clinic at DLES

Oct  15    2nd Grade Field Trip to the Carroll County Farm Museum

Oct  16    PreK/ RECC Field trip to Clark’s Elioak Farm

Oct  18    Joe Corbi pizza fundraiser orders and money due

Oct  19    Schools closed for students- Professional Work Day for staff

 

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION

Dear Ducketts Lane families,

We were so happy to see many of our Ducketts Lane parents and guardians at our two Back to School Nights this week.  The home /school connection is strengthened by the joint efforts of staff and our supportive families.

 

It is wonderful to note the progress of our students in many ways. Most students continue to demonstrate their very best each day. As a school, we are earning many CARE Owl Feathers and we are very proud of our students. Each grade level team is spending a significant amount of time each week planning collaboratively to be sure that all students in each grade receive consistent, effective instruction. This collaboration allows staff to differentiate for instruction so students are learning appropriately. The exchange of ideas that goes on at the team meetings is incredible. We are very proud to be working with such a dedicated group of educators.

 

If you shop at Giant please register your card.  We need you to designate your card for Ducketts Lane Elementary School.   For Giant Foods go to the following website www.giantfood.com/aplus and enter Elkridge, MD or enter the DLES code 18209.  Please take a few minutes to register your card for DLES!

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Balter and Mrs. Madden

 

PTA NEWS

Message from our PTA President, Chris Lawrence:

The PTA has many exciting things planned this year, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. Even if you don’t have time to volunteer, your dues help fund the many events and opportunities that make Ducketts Lane such a special community. Join today via the website http://dles.hcpss.org/support or Facebook page https://facebook.com/dles.pta/. As a special bonus, each student whose parent joins will receive ten Owl Feathers!

 

Mark your calendars for Donuts with Dads, our kickoff event for Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students), a national school-based organization focused on helping fathers and father figures make a positive impact by volunteering in their local schools. Learn more and enjoy a donut on Thursday, September 27th at 8:00 AM in the cafeteria.

The first PTA general meeting and popsicle party will be Thursday, September 27th at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria. We hope you’ll join us!"

Yankee Candle Fundraiser – Packets were sent home in the Thursday folder for the fall/holiday Yankee Candle fundraiser, which features candles, wrapping paper, household goodies and more! All paper orders are due back to the school by September 28th for delivery to the school in October. Online ordering for fast home delivery and/or out-of-town customers is available now through January 2019 at the following website (https://www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/) with DLES Group # 990063017! Please note that DLES gets 40% or more of every order, and you get high quality gift items.

 

SCHOOL MEALS

Lunch is $2.75. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay for lunch online.  Additional information about the meal programs is on the HCPSS Website.

HCPSS participates in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) program.  Students (PreK-12) who meet the federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Applications are available on-line or in paper forms. A new application must be submitted each year.  Please complete the application (Spanish and English) as soon as possible to avoid delays in your student receiving a meal. Go to http://www.hcpss.org/food-services/farms/

 

5th GRADE JOE CORBI’S FUNDRAISER
Sale Starts: Thursday, September 20th
Order Forms were sent out in your child’s Thursday folder

Money Due by Oct. 18th
Delivery/Pick Up: Monday, November 19th (Just in time for the HOLIDAYS!)
All profits will be utilized to purchase class t-shirts and yearbooks for all 5th grade students and to help decrease the cost of our field trip to Philadelphia. Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

FAMILY FILE

It is time to update your child's emergency contact information in HCPSS Connect!  

 

Your Family file needs to be updated every school year.

 

Having this information is critical to us as soon as the first day of school.  The Family File MUST be updated before your student can go on a field trip.  Several grade levels are planning trips in October and November.  HCPSS uses Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect and selecting the Family File tab and then clicking on Family File.

Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to provide or update the following information:

  • Student information
  • Parent/guardian contact
  • Emergency contacts
  • Medical information
  • Arrival/dismissal procedures
  • Media release (photo approval)
  • Data confidentiality
  • PTA/PTSA directory

Changes of address may not be made through Family File. If you have recently moved, please contact DLES at 410-313-5050 as soon as possible as we need to update your address in our files as well.  You will need to complete an Address Change Form and provide a copy of your new lease or deed.

 

Parents who have forgotten their login credentials for Family File may click the “Forgot Password” link on the sign in page. If you need additional assistance, please fill out this Connect Help Form.

Please complete the Family File through HCPSS Connect as soon as possible!

 

THURSDAY FOLDERS

Important information and flyers about community events will go home in Thursday Folders.  This will give families time to review the information and return completed information to school before the weekend.  Please be sure to check Thursday folders on a regular basis and return them to school.

 

GIRLS ON THE RUN  

The 2018 Fall Season will begin the week of September 16th and will end the week of December 3rd.  Practices at Ducketts Lane ES will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:25-4:40pm.

 

**For any questions regarding registration or financial assistance please call Susan at 443-864-8593.

**Please be advised that all programs are subject to change due to availability of coaches or permits. In the event we have to cancel a program, we will give you a refund. If you would like to volunteer, email susan.michel@girlsontherun.org for more information.  

  

Here's the link to register for GOTR:

https://www.raceplanner.com/register/index/GOTRFall2018Registration
                                   

We look forward to a FAANNN-Tastic season!

 

COMMUNITY NEWS AND PROGRAMS

Please visit the Community News and Programs page at

http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.