Owl Observer News

Thank you for another great week! It is hard to believe that next week is our last full week of school.

We had an amazing week filled with field trips, concerts, and today’s celebration of our annual #WeAreDucketts Day. These moments truly highlight the joy, connection, and pride we share as a school community.

It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our incredible staff, supportive parent volunteers, and the community at large. Together, we create meaningful experiences for our students and continue to show just how rich we are in support, care, and commitment to our children.

Thank you for all that you do to make DLES such a special place!

Attention families—yearbook order forms were sent home. Be sure to purchase your yearbook soon, as we have a limited number available. Please note that 5th grade students do not need to purchase a yearbook. Don’t miss out—get your yearbook before we sell out!

This challenge is in partnership with our ongoing grade-level competition!

Monday, June 8th through Thursday, June 18th, any K–5 grade with 97% or higher attendance earns FREE seating in the cafeteria for the day 🙌

Even better—any grade that hits TWO days in a row of 100% attendance will earn an EXTRA RECESS! 🛝

Don’t miss out—your grade-level friends are counting on you! Let’s finish the year strong! 💪

Join us on Wednesday, June 10th, starting at 2:45 pm until supplies last. We will be located as normal next to the roving radish truck on the side of Ducketts Lane. This is the last distribution for the year!

Monday, June 8th- Coffee & Conversation 9:00am here at Ducketts Lane

Please join us for Coffee & Conversation on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 9:00 AM till 10:00 PM in the DLES cafeteria.

This informal gathering is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation while enjoying coffee and light refreshments. We value your partnership and look forward to spending time together in a relaxed setting.

Whether you stop by for a few minutes or stay for the entire time, we would love to see you there!

Please register with this LINK.

Monday, June 15th- Full day for students; Last day for half-day pre-K/RECC

Tuesday, June 16th- Students dismiss at 12:15pm

Wednesday, June 17th- Students will dismiss at 12:15pm

Thursday, June 18th-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. Students dismiss at 12:15pm

This special countdown will bring our school community together in a fun, inclusive way while keeping the focus on learning and end-of-year celebrations.

Get ready for school spirit, community pride, and lots of fun as we celebrate all that makes Ducketts such a special place. We can’t wait to see everyone join in the excitement!

In P.E., we have continued our collaborative games unit with the focus on getting our students ready for a great “We Are Ducketts Day (field day)!!!” Students are engaging in activities emphasizing the importance of being Determined Learners, Embracing, and Safe. We hope that We Are Ducketts Day will be the best one yet and that your student will have memories that will last a lifetime! Please ask your students what their favorite part of the day was.

Also, THANK YOU!! To the families are supporting later today.

This event is not open to spectators in order to ensure safety and proper supervision. All adults on campus are required to complete volunteer training and sign in through the front office prior to accessing assigned areas, ensuring that staff can easily verify authorized visitors on school grounds.

Warm regards,

The P.E. Department

Mr. Anderson & Mr. Abramson

#WEAREDUCKETTS

If your child has borrowed an instrument from DLES this school year, the instrument must be returned to DLES by the dates below.

Band Instruments are due by Wednesday, June 10

(Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion)

Orchestra Instruments are due by Thursday, June 11

(Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Marsh (Band) josiah_marsh@hcpss.org or Mrs. McKay (Orchestra) amanda_mckay@hcpss.org

Starting on Monday, students are no longer allowed to check out a book from the Media center for the remainder of the year. Mrs. McAfee and Mrs. Hastings have begun their inventory, and we have found that we have a lot of books still checked out. ALL BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED BY JUNE 5th.

Please have your child look in their room, backpacks, closets, cars and any other location that a book may have been placed and return them to school as soon as possible.

Families will begin receiving an invoice for the cost of the hardcover book replacement. We will need the book returned or the funds required to purchase the book again. It is important that we all work together to get these books back so that they can be available next year.

If you have any questions regarding an overdue book, please contact Mrs. McAfee at rebecca_mcafee@hcpss.org or Ms. Jean-Louis at esther_jean-louis@hcpss.org

End of Year Medication

If your child has medication in the Health Room at school, please be sure to pick it up during the last week of school. Please contact the school Health Room to arrange a time to pick up medication. Medication is not able to be kept in the Health Room over the summer and may be discarded if not picked up by the last day of school. Please contact the school Health Room to arrange a time to pick up medication.

Annual Health Checkups

As you schedule your child/ren to have an annual health checkup, please remember to send completed forms to the Health Room.

Immunization Reminder

If your child/ren receive any immunizations, please be sure to provide a copy to the Health Room. Each year we must submit data to the State showing we are in compliance with student immunizations. If all required immunizations are not complete your child/ren may be excluded from school within the first few weeks of returning for the 2026-27 school year until immunizations are updated.

Medications in Health Room for 2026-27 school year

Students who require medications to be kept in the Health Room for 2026-27 school year, both Prescription and Over the Counter Medications will need to have new orders provided to the Health Room. New orders must be dated on or after July 1, 2026. We are unable to use orders from 2025-26 school year for next year (2026-27). Medication orders expire at the end of the school year. ALL MEDICATIONS, BOTH PRESCIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER REQUIRE A NEW MEDICATION ORDER EACH YEAR. Please note HCPSS Health Rooms do not provide any medication to students unless provided by Family with proper order form.

Show your DLES pride and let everyone know you’re part of one of the best school communities! Check out our new school spirit wear store—new weekly deals are added regularly, so be sure to check back often.

Join today at https://duckettspta.givebacks.com/shop! When you become a member you are supporting the students and teachers at DLES, as well as the nation. Each voice makes the PTA louder when advocating for what they need.

To stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events, visit our website and Facebook page.

Please click on the Feedback Form to share your thoughts with how we can make DLES the best for everyone.

• Principal, Mrs. Caroland Molly_Caroland@hcpss.org

• Assistant Principal, Mrs. Van Osdel Amy_Van_Osdel@hcpss.org

• Leadership Intern, Mrs. Poquette Laurie_Poquette@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

• Synergy and Family File Support, Secretary Mrs. Haque Puna_Haque@hcpss.org

• Counselor Mr. Leisawitz Alexander_Leisawitz@hcpss.org

• Counselor Mrs. Barron Krista_Barron@hcpss.org

• Community School Coordinator Mrs. De La Cruz- Van Natta ndelacruzvannatta@hcpss.org