Owl Observer: March 8, 2019

Fri, 03/08/2019 - 10:25am

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Mar 11   Kindergarten and PreK Registration begins for 2019-2020

Mar 14   4th Grade Field Trip to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Mar 15   1st Grade Market Day

Mar 15   PTA Movie Night   “Smallfoot”   Doors open at 6:30PM/Movie at 7:00 PM

Mar 19   Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night  4:00-8:00 PM

Mar 21   1st Grade Field Trip to Robinson Nature Center (rescheduled date)

Mar 27   Family Bedtime Math Night  5:30-6:30 PM

Mar 28   K  Field Trip to Elkridge Library (resched. date-Sneeringer/Shull classes only)

Mar 29   Deadline to return Learning Together Peer program applications (see below)

Apr    4    PTA Silent Auction

Apr    5    Career Day for Grades 3, 4 and 5 in the morning

Apr    5    School closes at 12:20 PM-Professional Work Day for staff

Apr    8   2nd Grade Field Trip to the Maryland Science Center

Apr    9   PreK/ RECC Field Trip to the Baltimore Zoo

Apr  10   Volunteer Breakfast  8:00 AM

Apr 15-22  Spring Break- Schools closed

 

MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION

Dear Families,

 

We are all hoping spring is just ahead with longer days and warmer weather. Our staff and students have worked so hard through the winter months and many are looking forward to the upcoming time off.  However, we do have a few weeks left before the break and we need your help to maximize instructional time.  As you know, you play a critical role in your child’s education and right now we need your assistance.  Please take time this weekend to talk to your child about being responsible for his/her own behavior.  We need every family to have a conversation about responsible behavior and caring for each other.  

 

Here are a few messages that you can use as talking points for your family meeting:

 

When someone mentions a role model, people often think about a parent, teacher, or other adult.  That’s great.  But the truth is each one of us at DLES, old or young, is a role model to others every day.  Try to be a good one!

 

Your family and teachers have taught you what it means to make good choices.  Your conscience is there to help lead you in the right direction.  Remember:   In the end, it’s up to YOU to choose to do the right thing.  What choices will you make for yourself on this wonderful Friday?  Make every choice count.

 

Hard work helps us realize our potential.  If we strive for quality in all that we do at DLES, successes will bring us more confidence, and our confidence will bring us more success.

 

Promise yourself you’ll do quality work today.  It will become a habit- and we know how hard it is to break a habit!  If you form GOOD habits now, it will lead to success at DLES- and success in other areas of life.

 

Many students and local residents come to Ducketts Lane school grounds after school hours to utilize the playgrounds and blacktop areas. We strongly encourage that children be accompanied by adults in order to ensure their safety during these times.  The safety of our students in and out of school always remains a top priority and we appreciate the continuous support of the broader DLES community.

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Balter and Mrs. Madden

 

PTA NEWS

Hershey Park tickets are on sale now! If your family looks forward to great rides, fun water park, and lots of delicious chocolate, then this is the deal for you. An order form came home in the March 7th Thursday folder. Tickets are for one-day (plus a few hours the night before) in the summer season, and cost $38 each until March 28th (this is a great bargain, as regular ticket prices are $68.95). Please note that any orders received after March 28th will be charged $40 per ticket (after that date Hershey Park increases their costs). The sweetest place on earth is waiting for you this summer!

 

PTA Elections       April 11, 2019

The PTA invites you to consider running for a position on the board of directors for the 2019-2021 school year. The terms of several current members are coming to an end, and we need new volunteers to run. Attached, please find an outline of the responsibilities for each available position, as well as a nomination form to fill out for yourself or another member of the DLES community who might be a good fit.

Please note that the fun and important ways that the PTA supports our school depend on great volunteers like you. If we do not fill these positions, the PTA will no longer function. The workload is quite manageable if we all pitch in and most of it can be done at home, though attendance at monthly meetings is required. Please email DuckettsLanePTA@gmail.com if you have any questions.

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION   2019-20

GREAT NEWS!  You can now begin the registration process for Kindergarten online!  Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in fall 2019 begins next week in all Howard County public elementary schools.  The time to register your child is NOW!  Children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2019 must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2019.  Children entering first grade in the fall of 2019 must be 6 years old on or before September 1, 2019.  For details about registration and enrollment, visit www.hcpss.org/enroll/.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule a registration appointment, please call the DLES front office at 410-313-5050.

 

For more information please go to: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2019/03/2019-2020-kindergarten-registration-online-enrollment-open-completion-in-schools-march-11-15-2019/

 

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM   2019-20

Ducketts Lane is beginning to make preparations for our half day Pre-K programs for the 2019-20 school year. The Pre-K program is a high-quality, early childhood instructional program designed to support early learning and school readiness. It aims to provide experiences that foster children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development. The Maryland State Department of Education requires that the Pre-K program be made available to students who meet priority criteria. Parents of children who will be 4 by September 1, 2019 may contact Ms. Lynette or Mrs. Grove in the DLES front office for an application package. All application information will be kept confidential and reviewed only by school staff. The school will review applications and supporting documentation and then invite students to be enrolled according to the criteria described above.

 

LEARNING TOGETHER PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM   2019-20

The Ducketts Lane Elementary School Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) preschool programs are making preparations for classes for the 2019-20 school year.  These classes include children with and without disabilities.  The program’s focus is helping children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor and social skills.  Parents/guardians of children who will be 3 by September 1st or 4 years of age may contact Mrs. Grove or Ms. Lynette in the front office for an application package.

 

All applications must be returned by March 29th to the front office.  A mandatory playdate will be held on April 24, 2019 from 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM.  A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities.  Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form and the “Ages and Stages Questionnaire”, as well as observations of the child’s participation in a playgroup.  If necessary, a lottery process will be conducted.  If you have questions, please contact Ms. Geiser (mary_geiser@hcpss.org) or Ms. Kest (amy_kest@hcpss.org) or call DLES.

 

COUNSELING NEWS- CAREER DAY

We need YOU for our annual DLES Career Day on April 5th!  

Would you like to inspire our 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders about interesting and different careers?  Inspire kids to be on a career track?  We need volunteers for the following time slots:

 

3rd Grade:   9:15AM-10:45AM

4th Grade:   9:45AM-11:15AM

5th Grade: 10:00AM-11:30AM

 

Please reach out to Mrs. Tobin at danielle_w_tobin@hcpss.org or call 410-313-5050 if you have questions or would like to volunteer by March 8th!  We can't wait to see you there!

 

FAMILY BEDTIME MATH NIGHT

Make sure to check your child's Thursday folder for information on our Family Bedtime Math Night on March 27th from 5:30-6:30 PM.  We will be reading stories and math problems to get your child's mind in a "mathy" mood before going to sleep, as they eat their milk and cookies that are provided.  We will also go over how to download the free Bedtime Math app, so you can do this with your child on daily basis.  Don’t forget to wear your pj’s!  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

GT SUMMER INSTITUTES

Registration for the G/T Summer Institutes is here. You can view the catalog and find directions to register your child for these classes at https://www.hcpss.org/f/summer/gt-summer-institutes-talent-dev-catalog.pdf.

 

Scholarships are available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meals program. Please feel free to contact either Katie Martinelli (katie_martinelli@hcpss.org) or Gavin West (gavin_west@hcpss.org) if you have any questions at all.

 

GIRLS ON THE RUN

Girls on the Run Registration Opened February 10: Girls on the Run® inspires girls in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Teams of 15-20 girls meet twice weekly after school for 10 weeks. Each season concludes with the girls and their running buddies completing a 5k run. The Spring season will start the week of March 17, with the season-ending 5k scheduled for June 1, 2019, in Columbia, MD.  Practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Registration opens on Sunday, February 10 at 12:00 noon. Program registration fee is $175 and includes 5k registration, water bottle, t-shirt, and all program materials. Financial assistance is available – no girl is turned away. Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org for a list of program sites and to register. Questions? Call 443-583-7740.

 

HEALTH, HOME and HARVEST EVENT

We are hosting our 5th annual Health, Home, and Harvest Festival on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 am-12:00 pm and we are looking for local Howard County wellness and environmental professionals to set up informational displays and demos at this year's event.  This would be an opportunity for you to provide information for our DLES community on your educational resources and promote your business. In addition to being a wonderful outlet to promote your work, it is a chance for our DLES community to improve the health and wellness of their families through a fun and interactive experience.  If you are interested in being one of this year's vendors, please contact Meaghan_Liwosz@hcpss.org by April 12th.

 

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.