Owl Observer News

As summer begins to wind down, it's the perfect time to start easing your child back into school routines. A smooth transition can help set the tone for a successful year ahead. Here are a few simple and effective steps families can take now to help students feel ready and confident on the first day of school:

1. Shift Sleep Schedules Gradually
   Start moving bedtime and wake-up times earlier by 10–15 minutes each day to help kids adjust naturally to school hours.

2. Practice the Morning Routine
   Try out the morning schedule — from getting dressed to eating breakfast — to help mornings feel less rushed and more predictable.

3. Create a Learning Space at Home
   Set up a quiet spot for schoolwork or reading. A dedicated space helps build focus and routine.

4. Talk About the School Day
   Start conversations about what your child can expect — seeing friends, meeting new teachers, learning exciting things — to build positive anticipation.

5. Read Every Day
   Spend just 10–15 minutes a day reading with your child. It’s a great way to re-engage their mind and build a love for learning.

6. Limit Screen Time Gradually
   Ease back on recreational screen time and encourage more outdoor play or creative activities to reset focus.

7. Get Organized Together
   Go through school supplies, label items, and let your child help organize their backpack to build excitement and ownership.

8. Add Light Responsibilities
   Reintroduce simple daily tasks or chores to help re-establish structure and independence.

9. Reconnect with the School
   Walk or drive by the school, visit the playground, or talk about how they’ll get to school each day to help reduce any first-day nerves.

10. Celebrate the New Year Ahead
    Start a fun back-to-school tradition — whether it’s a special dinner, picking out a first-day outfit, or creating a countdown calendar.

We’re so excited to welcome our students back soon and appreciate your partnership in helping them return to school feeling prepared, supported, and ready to thrive.

We will see you very soon!

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

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.

Friday, August 22nd:

• For Parents & Students that attended other schools and will be new to Ducketts Lane and will be in Grades 1-5-join us for a New Student & Family Orientation at 12:45pm

Friday, August 22nd:

• For Parents & Students registered in Preschool, PreKindergarten, Kindergarten join for a meet the teacher and first day of school information session at 1:00-1:30pm

Friday, August 22nd:

• Preschool-Grades 5 Open House between 1:30-2:30pm
• This is an opportunity to drop in and meet your classroom teacher, find your desk, and say hello to a friend, and drop off your school supplies (they can be heavy and you don't want to have to bring them all in on the first day of school)

Monday, August 25th:

• First Day of School for Kindergarten - 5th Grade students

Thursday, August 28th:

• First Day of School for Preschool and PreKindergarten students

Thursday, September 4th:

• Back to School Bash 5:30pm *More Details to Come

Doors will open for students at 8:30 AM, and the late bell rings at 8:45 AM. All students should be in the building and ready for instruction by that time. Walkers, bike riders, and car riders should plan to arrive no later than 8:38 AM to ensure a smooth start. As a reminder, adults will not be permitted to walk students inside the building, and dogs are not allowed on school property during arrival or dismissal.

Please plan to be at the designated walker zones by 3:15 p.m., and your child will come directly to you. Talk with your child ahead of time about where in the zone you plan to wait so they know exactly where to look. If your child is a car rider, be sure to have your 2025–2026 school year car rider number clearly displayed, remain in the car line, and follow all traffic patterns. For safety reasons, staff will not buckle seat belts or car seats, so now is a great time to practice this skill with your child. Also, please remember that dogs are not permitted on school property, including during arrival and dismissal times.

As we prepare to welcome students back for an exciting new school year, we want to share an important reminder about arrival and dismissal procedures for the first day of school.

To maintain a safe and secure environment, we will be following our standard safety protocols:
➡️ All visitors must be signed in and scanned at the front office before entering the building.

This means that parents and guardians will not be able to walk students to their classrooms on the first day of school.

We know how special that first day can be — especially for our youngest students — and we want to reassure you that our staff will be present and ready to support your child from the moment they arrive. Starting the year with the same routine your child will follow each day helps build confidence and reduces anxiety. Having a different routine on the first day can actually make the separation more difficult.

So please, take those first-day photos, give the extra hugs at home, and send your child off with a big smile and lots of encouragement. We’ll take great care of them — rain or shine!

For families with walkers or car riders, please take a moment to review our arrival and dismissal procedures to help us maintain a smooth and safe process for everyone.

👉 Walker & Car Rider Arrival & Dismissal Proceduers

Additionally, if your child will be walking to and from school, we encourage you to practice the walking route together now. This helps both you and your child feel more confident and prepared for the first day and beyond.

Please note:
🚶‍♀️ Preschool through Kindergarten students will not be released to walk home without an adult present at the walker zone.

It is essential that arrangements are made to ensure our youngest learners are met by a trusted adult each day.

⏰ All staff leave the building at 3:30 p.m., and we are not equipped to provide child care after dismissal. We appreciate your support in ensuring all students are picked up promptly and safely.

Bus pickup/drop off times and bus stop locations will be available prior to the first day of school.

It is important that your child be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to the posted bus arrival times and that for our preschool-kindergarten aged students that there is an adult there to greet them at the bus stop in the afternoon, as our youngest learners are not allowed to be left at a bus stop without a trusted adult there to get them home safely.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will host a Family Academy Kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m.-noon at Guilford Park High School, 8500 Ridgelys Run Road, Jessup. 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/

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

• Counselor Mr. Leisawitz Alexander_Leisawitz@hcpss.org

• Counselor Mrs. Barron Krista_Barron@hcpss.org

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