Owl Observer News

We’ve had a fantastic week of learning here at school! A special thank you to all the parents and family members who joined us in our math classrooms—it was a joy to see so many adults engaging in learning alongside our students.

As spring weather arrives, we’re noticing more students wearing sandals and other shoes that are not appropriate for safe engagement in PE. Please remember that proper footwear is essential—students must wear sneakers on days they have PE. Without them, they may not be able to participate, which means missing out on fun, important skill-building activities, and it can impact their grades. Your support in making sure students come prepared is greatly appreciated.

Our students are also busy with spring testing, so it’s especially important that they are present and on time each day to give their best effort.

Next week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Our amazing PTA has some wonderful plans in place to celebrate, and there are several ways you can support these efforts—please see below for more details. We also encourage families to have their child draw a picture or write a note of thanks for the adults who help make each school day meaningful.

We are so lucky to work with such an incredible community of students, families, and dedicated staff. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday.

Proudly serving you,

Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas

Dear Ducketts Lane Parents and Guardians,

As you may know, Ducketts Lane (DLES) is a Schoolwide Title I School. Parent Involvement is an important part of Title I. DLES and Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) value your input and partnership in supporting the academic success of your child. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding school improvement, climate, and family engagement. This will be used to evaluate our Title I program so that we can better serve you. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential.Please complete the online survey by May 16, 2025.

Estimado Ducketts Lane Padre y Tutor:
La Escuela Primaria Ducketts Lane (DLES, por su nombre en inglés) es una Escuela de Título I a lo Largo de la Escuela. La participación de padres es una parte importante de Título I. La DLES y el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard (HCPSS, por su nombre en inglés) valoran su opinión y asociación en apoyo del éxito académico de su niño. Por favor, dedique algunos minutos para completar esta encuesta sobre la mejora escolar, clima y compromiso familiar. Esto será utilizado para evaluar nuestro programa de Título I para poder asistirlo de una manera mejor. Sus respuestas serán estrictamente confidenciales. Por favor, complete el cuestionario en línea antes del Mayo 16 2025.

EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

Wednesday, May 7th- Students dismiss at 12:15pm

Friday, May 16th-Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Friday, June 6th-Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Monday, June 16th-Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Tuesday, June 17th-Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Wednesday, June 18th- Students dismiss at 12:15pm NO PRESCHOOL CLASSES Last Day of School

PLANNED SCHOOL CLOSURE

Monday, May 26th- Memorial Day-school is closed for all

Wednesday, May 7th-Disney Day-wear your favorite Disney gear

Yearbook order forms were sent home in your student's Thursday folders before spring break. Yearbooks are $12.00 each. Students in Fifth Grade do not need to purchase a Yearbook, each fifth grader will be provided a Yearbook. All payment information is listed on the order form. Yearbooks will be given to students the last week of school. We have a limited number of Yearbooks so please place your order early.

You can use the code to order your yearbook as well.

Our Spring Concerts are right around the corner! If your child is in Band, Orchestra or Chorus, please review the concert flyers linked below.

May 12 Concert @ DLES

6:00pm Concert (students arrive at 5:30pm)

• 4th Grade Band

• 4th Grade Chorus

• 4th Grade Beginning Orchestra

7:00pm Concert (students arrive at 6:30pm)

• 3rd Grade Orchestra

May 21 Concert @ DLES

6:00pm Concert (students arrive at 5:30pm)

• 4th Grade Advanced Orchestra

• 5th Grade Band

• 5th Grade Orchestra

• 5th Grade Chorus

* If your child is in need of a white concert shirt, black pants or dress shoes, please contact Mrs. McKay, Ms. Abrams or Ms. Eng. We have a small closet of white polo shirts in several sizes, black pants and black dress shoes that are available for students in need.

amanda_mckay@hcpss.org

hana_abrams@hcpss.org

taylor_eng@hcpss.org

It's almost that time of year again, and we're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help support our annual culminating event…
#WEAREDUCKETTS(Field) DAY 2025!

On Friday, May 23rd, 2025, we will come together as a school community to celebrate another year full of amazing experiences. We invite you to join us in making this day truly special for our students — one filled with fun, connection, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Please click the link below to sign up and support our school, our students, and this unforgettable event. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

📅 '25 #WEAREDUCKETTS(field) DAY:) Volunteer Sign-Up

As always, we appreciate your continued support and partnership.

#WEAREDUCKETTS

- The P.E. Team

Mr. Anderson & Mr. Abramson

Detailed infromation will be sent home through Canvas.

As we prepare for our upcoming school year, it is important to have your child registered to ensure we have the correct amount of teachers for our students. Please do not delay! Help us with the process by registering your new kindergartner or first grader as soon as possible.

Children must be 5 years old by 9/1/25 in order to enroll in kindergarten next school year. Every child who is 5 years old by this date must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver. HCPSS kindergarten is a full day program.

• Please make certain you are on the screen for 2025-2026 if registering for the next school year.

• Parents or guardians are to register students at the school serving the address where the child’s parent or guardian resides. Information on neighborhood schools can be found through HCPSS School Locator.

• Complete your child’s registration online by providing the documents listed below. The registration process will be more efficient if you upload the required documents during online registration. Otherwise, you will be asked to submit the required documents via email as pdfs, or you may contact the office to make arrangements to bring the documents in and we will copy them for you. The following documents are needed for registration and should be submitted during the online registration process: Click here for a checklist for registration.

  • Child’s evidence of birth (i.e. birth certificate, baptismal certificate)

  • An authorized record of immunizations

  • Proof of residency in the form of your entire signed lease/deed including signature pages.

  • Current utility bill with your name and address that has been issued within the last 45 days. (cellular device bills not accepted)

  • Photo ID of parent/guardian

Additional Documents to bring if applicable to your child:

Proof of custody - only if there is information the school must adhere to during school hours (full document including the signature pages)

• Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for Special Education Services

• 504 plan

• Psychological report or related services reports/plans

• English Language Learner (ELL) plans or previous assessments

These forms should be completed by your child's pediatrician and dentist and emailed to our Health Room prior to the first day of school or as soon as your child has their 5 year check-up

• Blood Lead Testing

• Dental Health Form

• Physical Exam Form

• Immunization Form

It is recommended that you work on a laptop or desktop to complete registration. Cell phone registration is not recommended. Please call our front office at 410-313-5050.

HCPSS offers high-quality half-day and full-day prekindergarten programs. Students must be four years old by September 1, 2025 to be considered for enrollment in the 2025-2026 school year. The comprehensive curriculum, taught by certified staff, supports early learning and school readiness and provides experiences that foster children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development.

2025-2026 School Year

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will begin on March 10, 2025.Interested applicants must submit a completed 2025-2026 Pre-K Application for consideration; please note that 2024-2025 applications will not be considered. The HCPSS Pre-K program is made available first to children who will be 4 on or before September 1 and meet first priority criteria: income eligible, homelessness, and foster care. Unlike enrollment for K-12, parents must first apply and be accepted into the program before beginning online registration.

Any applications submitted prior to the official opening of registration will be dated March 10, 2025.

Click here for more information

Click here for the Application

Take a moment to see all of the amazing options available to show your Ducketts Lane spirit and pride.

Click here to see all the options and deals!

Are you still confused about the difference between HCPPS Connect and Canvas? Did you receive a new Chromebook and are unsure how to use it? Have you forgotten your HCPSS password? If you need any computer assistance, we are here to help you feel confident in accessing your student's grades, emailing a teacher, seeing attendance records, making a parent teacher conference, and downloading the Canvas app on your phone.

If you answered YES to any of these questions, please sign up on this Computer Assistance Request Form. A Ducketts Lane Liaison will then reach out to you to set up a time to meet for Computer, Chromebook, HCPSS Connect or Canvas assistance.

We are here to help you learn how to access HCPSS information on your computer or phone for you to support your student's success.

¿Aún tiene dudas sobre la diferencia entre HCPPS Connect y Canvas? ¿Recibió una Chromebook nueva y no sabe cómo usarla? ¿Olvidó su contraseña de HCPSS? Si necesita asistencia con la computadora, estamos aquí para ayudarle a acceder con confianza a las calificaciones de su estudiante, comunicarse con un maestro, ver los registros de asistencia, programar una reunión de padres y maestros o para descargar la aplicación Canvas en su teléfono.

Si respondió SÍ a alguna de estas preguntas anteriores, complete este Formulario de solicitud de asistencia informática con la computadora. Un enlace de Ducketts Lane se pondrá en contacto con usted para programar una reunión con ellos para obtener asistencia con la computadora, HCPSS Connect o Canvas.

Estamos aquí para ayudarle a aprender a acceder a la información de HCPSS en su computadora o teléfono para que pueda apoyar el éxito de su estudiante.

Staff Appreciation Week is next week May 5th -9th! We have some exciting things planned for the DLES Staff and need your help to make it possible.
Please consider signing up to send in a donation or two. The signup page is located here. Thank you in advance for your support!

Muffins in the Morning:

All students are invited to bring a special woman or person in their life (mother,

family member, caregiver, etc.) for muffins and pastries in the cafeteria on Monday, May 12th from 8-8:30 am.

The DLES PTA Is Seeking New Board Members!

Are you interested in getting involved with the DLES PTA? We need your support now more than ever! Please consider becoming a member of the Executive Board. We need YOU!

The PTA is seeking volunteers for the following positions:

President

Vice-President

Corresponding Secretary

Recording Secretary

Treasurer

Committee Members

Elections will take place at our next General PTA meeting on Wednesday, May 21st. Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the meeting. Please help us spread the word. We’d love to have you join us at this important meeting!

If you have any questions or want to learn more, please reach out to us at duckettslanepta@gmail.com or on Facebook @dles.pta.

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. Yerashunas Brianna_Yerashunas@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. Baron Krista_Baron@hcpss.org

• Community School Coordinator Ms. Medina Alejandra_Medina@hcpss.org