Owl Observer News

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Back to School Night and our first PTA meeting! Your presence and participation reflect the incredible partnership we’re so fortunate to have with our parent community. When families are engaged, our work becomes more impactful—and together, we help our students meet and exceed their potential.

A friendly reminder: On Wednesday, September 17th, all students will be dismissed at 12:15 PM. Please ensure dismissal arrangements are in place, as all staff will begin a required professional learning session promptly once students are dismissed.

Joe Corbi's Fundraiser!

Our 5th Grade Joe Corbi's Fundraiser has begun! Packets went home in your child's Thursday Folder yesterday. The sale is open until Friday, October 3rd. Online payment/text-to-pay and direct ship-to-home is available. Go to www.FundPrizes.com to register and share! If you choose to pick up your order, items should be delivered on Monday, November 24th. Please email Jennifer_Abramson@hcpss.org with any questions. Thank you for your support of our DLES 5th Graders!

We’re grateful for your continued support and partnership. With your help, we’re building a school community where every child feels seen, supported, and set up for success. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Proudly Partnering with You,

Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, Mrs. Poquette

We haven’t had a single day this school year with 100% attendance—and that’s a concern. Our current average is 96%, which means about 20 students have been absent each day. That’s 20 missed opportunities for learning, connection, and growth—daily. We must do better, together, to ensure every child gets the full benefit of their school experience.

Every minute in school matters—especially in the early years. Research shows that students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by third grade, a key milestone for future academic success. Even frequent late arrivals and early dismissals can disrupt learning routines and cause students to miss important instruction and classroom connections.

Good attendance helps children:

• Stay engaged in learning and classroom activities.
• Build strong relationships with peers and teachers.
• Develop routines, responsibility, and confidence.
• Keep pace with the curriculum and avoid falling behind.
  
  

When students miss school—or arrive late or leave early—it affects not only their own progress but also the flow of learning for the entire class.

Here are a few simple ways families can help reduce absences and improve punctuality:

• Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to make mornings smoother.
• Schedule appointments and vacations outside of school hours whenever possible.
• Reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor if your child is facing challenges that make attendance difficult.

Let’s work together to build strong habits early and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive—one school day at a time.

Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Order forms were sent home last week. Orders may be placed online at strawbridge.net (code FM484152) or using the envelope attached to the order form.

Wednesday, September 17th: Students dismiss at 12:15pm

Wednesday, September 17th: PTA Ledo's Spirit Night 4:00-8:00pm

Thursday, September 18th: School Picture Day

Saturday, September 21st: DLES Fall Clean up 1:00-2:00pm (meet at the flag pole)

Tuesday, September 23rd: Schools are CLOSED for ALL Students

Tuesday, September 30th: Annual Title I Meeting 5:30 - 7:00pm

The Howard County Public School System is committed to ensuring equity and giving every child

an opportunity to succeed. Essential to this mission is hiring and retaining highly effective teachers

and support staff who are invested in providing safe and secure classroom environments where

every child is encouraged to thrive.

Your school has been identified as a Title I participating school for the 2025-26 school year.

Title I is a federally funded program that is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

(ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Title I is designed to

close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high quality

education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports.

The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a

parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents at Title I

Schools the right to ask for and receive information in a timely manner about the professional

qualifications of their child's classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:

● Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels

and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

● Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through

which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived

● Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher

● Whether the parent's child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their

qualifications

If you would like to request the above, please submit a written request to the principal. The

principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.

Thank you for supporting your child’s education. Strong partnerships with parents and families

are essential to a student's academic success and social-emotional well-being.

Sincerely,

William J. Barnes

Superintendent

Did you know that without this being done, students are not allowed to attend a field trip? It's true, complete this task today!

Parents/guardians must verify and/or update emergency information for each child every school year. This is completed online in Family File, which has several new updates, including how and where to access. Full details on updating your Family File are available online.

Click Below to Update Now!

HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Free and Reduced Meals eligibility provides discounts for summer programs, SAT, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and internet programs. FARMs eligibility can also provide our school with much needed Federal funding.

Families must submit a new application every school year

How to Apply

Please submit only one application per household. We will host some events later in the month for families that need computer or language assistance to apply online. Be on the look out for more information.

Online Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year are available on the new LINQ Connect website. Just click on the button below.

Students in grades 1–5 will participate in the Fall administration of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment beginning next week. The MAP assessment measures students’ academic achievement and growth over time in reading and mathematics. Combined with classroom-based information, MAP results help teachers make instructional decisions that best support each child’s learning needs. MAP is an untimed, computer-adaptive assessment. As students respond to questions, the test adjusts in difficulty, creating a personalized assessment experience for each child.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare your child for the MAP assessment other than ensuring they get a good night’s rest the night before testing. Please look out for an announcement from your child’s teacher for specific testing dates. Please make every effort to have your child present on their assigned testing days. The testing window is as follows:

In addition to MAP, fall testing is in full swing here at Ducketts. Students in Kindergarten - 5th grade are currently being screened with DIBELs. The DIBELS screener, which stands for the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, is an evidence-based assessment system for monitoring reading development and identifying early reading difficulties.

Kindergarten students will participate in the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, This assessment, also known as KRA, evaluates a child’s skills and behaviors in the first few weeks of kindergarten.

Lastly, our students in 3rd-5th grade will be taking the CommonLit Assessment. This assessment is administered three times a year to track growth and proficiency with literacy standards.

Please be on the lookout for more specific information and dates coming from your child’s teacher.

Don’t miss your chance to order your child’s grade level color shirt—orders cannot be placed later! The first 200 students to order will also receive a free special DLES surprise gift with their shirt. These shirts will be worn for field trips, spirit days, and field day, making them an important part of building school spirit and unity. ALL ORDERS MUST BE TURNED IN BY SEPTEMBER 19TH.

The Smiles Dental Program Clinic is coming to DLES on October 7, 2025, and October 16, 2025. A licensed Dentist and Hygienist will be on-site to provide dental exams and cleanings for students. Consent forms will be sent home with your child. To authorize your child’s participation, you may complete the paper form or sign up online using the link below: https://www.myschooldentist.com/DLHCMD_schsrm

As we begin another exciting school year, we’re thrilled to share the first edition of DLES P.E. News! Each month, we’ll highlight what’s happening in Physical Education at DLES and give you a look ahead at what your students will be learning and experiencing.

In P.E., we strive to create meaningful opportunities where students are active, engaged, and learning how to grow as Determined, Learners, who are Embracing and Safe members of our school community.

We kicked off the year with Collaborative Games, giving students the chance to practice collaboration, positive communication, goal setting, and resilience. These skills set a strong foundation not only in the gym but throughout the school day and beyond.

Looking ahead, we’ll begin exploring fitness concepts and learning how exercise supports our overall health. We encourage you to join us in this journey by reinforcing healthy habits at home.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference, and we’re excited to continue this journey together!

The P.E. Department

Mr. Anderson & Mr. Abramson

#WEAREDUCKETTS

We value your voice and partnership in supporting our students’ success. You are invited to join us for our Family–School Partnership Meetings this school year. At these meetings, we will:

• Discuss ways families and staff can work together to support student learning

• Gather your input and ideas to help shape future school activities and goals

• Explore ways for parents to get involved in the classroom

If you are interested in joining us for one or more meetings this year, please complete this form. All parents/guardians are encouraged to join virtually on Google Meet using the code: meet.google.com/uzc-wrrx-tgm. You can also scan this QR code to join the meeting.

Welcome back to a great new school year. The fall season of the DLES Running Club is approaching. This will allow students to come together, engage in physical activity, and have fun.

Registration: September 4th - September 19th. Scan the QR code below to register! Registration will be first come, first serve, with only 25 roster spots available!

When & Where: Practice will be on Wednesday’s at DLES from 3:20 - 4:20!

Dates: 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5

Final Run: We will have culminating run on Tuesday, 11/18 (pizza to follow)

(rain date for final run: Thursday 11/20)

Who: Open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys.

Cost: This will be FREE and the Run Club will be limited to 25 runners!

For more information, please contact:

Robert_abramson@hcpss.org

Registration for Girls on the Run® Fall 2025 Season opens on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at noon. Girls on the Run® inspires participants in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion. The DLES Team of 20 girls will meet Tuesdays and Thursday after school 3:15-4:30 pm beginning September 25 through December 9th with Coach Rinehart and Coach Auroux. The season-ending 5K for Howard County will be on Saturday, December 6 at 8:30 a.m. The program registration fee is $210, which includes lessons, all program materials, 5K and program shirts, a water bottle, and more. Click here to register. Financial assistance is available, and no girl is turned away! Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org for information and to register. Questions? Call 443-583-7740 or 443-864-8593.

We are looking for parent volunteer coaches. If you are interested in coaching or have any questions, then please email: karen_rinehart@hcpss.org

Howard County Recreation & Parks is offering a variety of after-school classes this fall right here at Ducketts Lane! Each course has both a minimum and maximum enrollment requirement, so spots may fill quickly. Take a moment to review the flyer and see if your child might be interested in one of these engaging opportunities.

1. The Attached PDF flier is below or can be seen here: Ducketts Lane ES Fall 2025 Before & After School Classes Flier.
2. This link will take you to the specific location where you can register for before/after school classes offered at Ducketts Lane ES by HCRP: Ducketts Lane ES Registration Page.

Join the DLES PTA 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.

The DLES PTA's Double Good pop-up store is open now until Saturday, September 13 at 12 pm. 50% of all funds raised will help support the DLES PTA and the various activities we have planned this school year! The link for our online store is https://popup.doublegood.com/s/w3ihf875. You can also share this link with others who may want to support our efforts. Thank you for supporting the DLES PTA!

Ledo's Pizza Spirit Night- Join us at Ledo's Pizza in Elkridge on Wednesday, September 17th from 4-8 pm. Use the online code: Fundraiser, show the flyer on your phone, or just mention you are supporting the DLES PTA's fundraiser.

Fall Clean-Up- Come out and help clean up the school grounds on Sunday, September 21st from 1-2 pm. We will be meeting by the flagpole in front of the school. We will provide trash bags.

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The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has implemented new school safety protocol to be used when protective actions are required during the school day. The new protocols are based on the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, a nationally recognized school safety framework that provides clear and simple language and actions for schools to follow during emergency situations. The HCPSS Office of Safety & Security led the process for evaluating and adopting this response protocol, which is endorsed by the Maryland Center for School Safety.

The new protocols integrate practices and terminology specifically for school settings and have been analyzed by school safety experts.

The Hold protocol is used when all hallways must be cleared, but normal classroom operations may continue. This could include scenarios such as a medical emergency or fight between students.

The Secure protocol is used when there is an emergency outside the building. This could include scenarios such as police activity in a nearby neighborhood, an aggressive animal on campus, or a non-specific threat.

The Lockdown protocol is used when there is a perceived or actual threat inside the building and immediate security measures are necessary. This could include scenarios such as an intruder, or a student or staff member within the school who poses an immediate threat to students and staff.

The Evacuation protocol is used anytime students and staff must exit a building or a particular part of the building. This could include scenarios such as floods, fires, hazardous materials incidents, or other situations that may render the school site unsafe.

The Shelter protocol is used when there is a specific hazard that requires you to take protective action inside the building. This could include scenarios such as severe weather, a hazardous materials spill, or other air quality emergency.

We will use these terms in messages when protective actions are required during the school day. We encourage you to speak with your children to help familiarize them with these new terms. More information about these protocols may be found online.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will host a Family Academy Kickoff on Saturday,Sept. 27th from 9 a.m.-noon at Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. The districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:

• An informative session with HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes
• Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
• Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year

Childcare and language access will be provided.

Registration is encouraged via online form listed below.

• Register in English
• Inscripción al evento 2025
• 家庭学校 2025 年开学典礼注册
• 2025 HCPSS 가족 아카데미 출범 행사 등록
• Event Flyers

For more information about the event or to get involved, contact Dr. Shereé Tilley-Whitaker at sheree_tilley-whitaker@hcpss.org or 410-313-6804.

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/07/hcpss-kickoff-to-build-on-school-family-community-relationships-aug-16-2025/

ENROLLING PARENT GROUPS STARTING FALL 2025

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is an evidence-based treatment approach that aids parents in changing their own behavior to help children better manage anxiety.

Use the appropriate QR Code to Register:

We strive to be a school that actively partners with our students, staff, families, and surrounding community members. We welcome your feedback.

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