IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
May 9 Title 1 information meeting 5:30-6:30pm in Media Center & 2nd Grade
May 9 Storybook Bingo sponsored by the PTA 6:30pm in cafeteria
May 15 Muffins for Mom 8:00-8:30am
May 16 4th Grade Field Trip-Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum
May 16 Night of Excellence and Art Show 6:00-8:00pm
May 17 School closes at 12:20pm-Staff Professional Day
May 17 International Night 6:30-8:00pm
May 21 5th Grade Field Trip to Thomas Viaduct MS
May 21 Advanced Concert (4th/5th Orch, 5th Band) 6:00pm at Thomas Viaduct MS
May 22 1st Grade Field Trip to Sharp’s Farm
May 23 3rd Grade Field Trip-Baltimore Zoo- rescheduled date
May 24 RECC and PreK Field Day activities- 9:15am/ 2:00pm
May 27 School closed- Memorial Day
May 29 4th Grade Field Trip- Myrtle Woods Farm
May 30 Kindergarten Orientation for NEW 2019-20 students/parents 4:00-5:00pm
May 31 Field Day Grades K-5
June 3 Dine & Dance Family Event 5:00-7:00pm
June 4 School closes at 12:20pm- Staff Professional Day
June 5 Chorus Concert 6:00pm at DLES
June 5 Beginner Concert (3rd Orch/ 4th Band) 7:15pm at DLES
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
Dear Families,
Please put May 16th on your calendar to participate in our Art Exhibit and Fundraiser (beginning at 6:00pm) and our Night of Excellence (beginning at 6:30 pm). All of our students will be honored and each of them will offer an artifact from their work this year for you to see. This evening also offers us the chance to showcase the products created in our enrichment program. There is something for everyone and we look forward to seeing you that night!
Lock in your calendar for Book Bingo Night and our Title 1 parent meeting on May 9th.
Next week is Staff Appreciation Week. We hope you will join us in congratulating the DLES staff on doing such an outstanding job working with your wonderful children. We feel very fortunate to work with so many talented teachers and staff. If you have time over the next week to send an email or card sharing your appreciation with at least one of our staff members, I know they would really value your feedback. The PTA has planned special treats for the staff with your contributions so thank you in advance. The teachers will love it!
Please let the front office know if you are moving over the summer. We want to set your child up for success at their new school and will need mailing information to send to your child’s records to the new school. Please call 410-313-5050 with your new address and school name.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Balter and Mrs. Madden
PTA NEWS
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th-10th! Please visit the link to sign up for volunteer and donation opportunities! Let's help show our wonderful teachers and staff just how much we appreciate them! Sign up link: https://tinyurl.com/DuckettsLaneAppreciation
International Night is coming! On May 17th, take a trip around the world in one fun-filled, delicious evening! Join us as we celebrate our communities’ diversity through food, traditional dress, displays, artifacts, and stage performances from the many countries our DLES families represent. Any questions, please email Erin Martin Nelson at erin.m.nelson@gmail.com.
LAST CHANCE to get your Hershey Park Family & Friends Discount!
Summer is right around the corner and that means family vacation and fun. It's time to get in your orders for Hershey Park tickets while you can still get a discount. Tickets are good for the entire regular season (May 3 - September 29, 2019), and they even include a "free preview" for 2.5 hours the night before, for some extra fun. Orders are due with payment to the school by Wednesday, May 15th. Hurry-get your tickets today!
Join us in congratulating our newly elected PTA Executive Board for 2019-20:
President: Bethany Lightcap
1st Vice President: Tasha Vanterpool
Treasurer: Nancy Millan
Corresponding Secretary: Jacqui Lom
PTA Council Delegate: Christopher Lawrence
We still have two open positions that we are seeking committed volunteers to fill- 2nd Vice President and Recording Secretary.
TITLE I FUNDING FOR 2019-20
Title I is a Federally funded program that allocates funds based on Free and Reduced-priced Meals (FARMs). HCPSS will be adding Ducketts Lane to the elementary schools receiving Title I funding for the 2019-2020 school year.
Designated Title I schools receive funding to increase staffing, provide additional interventions in reading and/or mathematics, and increase family involvement. Title I, Part A funds are allocated to schools in order to ensure all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. The goal of this Federal program is to close the achievement gap for all students.
Please join us for the second family information night that will take place on Thursday, May 9th from 5:30- 6:30pm prior to the PTA Book Bingo Night.
PARCC AND MAP TESTING
We would like to share the upcoming dates when the 2019 Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) assessments will be administered at Ducketts Lane ES. Below are the assigned testing dates for students in grades 3, 4and 5. Testing for most students will occur between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm during each assigned day (listed below). The PARCC assessment consists of 7 sections. Each student will complete 3 sections for reading and 4 sections for mathematics. Please carefully review the dates below for your students’ testing days and ensure that your student(s) get a good night’s rest and arrive on time at the start of school each day by 8:35 am.
Students in Grades 1 and 2 will be taking MAP testing on the following dates:
Night of Excellence & Art Show Thursday May 16th 6:00-8:00pm
Families are invited to attend the 6th Annual DLES Night of Excellence. Each student will have an original piece of Art Work framed and available for purchase. Each student will also have their best work from this school year displayed on their desks, as well as in the Gym, including projects from our GT Enrichment Program. There will also be a number of interactive exhibits including Ozobots, Cryptology demonstrations, Wave Machines, Math Magicians and Wonder Robots. Students from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Band and Orchestra will also be performing throughout the evening. Come out and take a look at the amazing things our students have worked so hard on this year! There is something for everyone!
UPDATE ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
The Maryland State Department of Education has approved HCPSS’ request for a waiver of one school day. As a result, the last day of school for students is Friday, June 21.
The final, updated calendar for the 2018-2019 school year includes:
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2019-20
The time to register your child is NOW! Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in fall 2019 has begun in all Howard County public elementary schools. 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.
NEW KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION
Incoming 2019-2020 Kindergarten parents and students are invited to join us from 4:00-5:00 pm on May 30th to meet the teachers, explore the kindergarten classrooms and enjoy a popsicle! Parents will receive information about the upcoming school year, and students will get to spend time in a kindergarten classroom! Please join us!
PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM 2019-20
Enroll now for our half day Pre-K programs at DLES 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 enroll according to the criteria described above.
Informacion de la biblioteca publica de Elkridge
Biblioteca pública: El segundo martes de cada mes a las 6:30 p.m. la biblioteca pública de Elkridge ofrece una “hora de cuentos” en español para niños. La siguiente será el 14 de mayo, y será la última hasta septiembre.
El Club de conversación en inglés para adultos se reúne cada lunes por la noche de 7:00 a 8:30 p.m. Este evento sucede para el año entero, y aunque no tienen guardería para niños, sí tienen actividades en las cuales los niños pueden participar.
MEDIA CENTER INFORMATION
The end of the school year is fast approaching. The last day for students to check out library books will be Friday, May 24, 2019. All DLES library books will be due back no later than Friday, June 7, 2019. Current overdue book notices are in the Thursday folders. Please locate and return all overdue books as soon as possible. For books that are lost or damaged, we accept cash or check made payable to DLES for the replacement cost indicated on the overdue notices. Any questions-email Cathy_Hastings@hcpss.org. Thank you so much for all your continued support!!
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.