Owl Observer News
May 1, 2026
News and Notes from Ducketts Lane Administration
🩵Greetings DLES Families & Community Partners! 🩵
What an incredible week at DLES! From exciting field trips to focused testing moments—and plenty of learning and laughter in between—our students truly showed what it means to live out our DLES values. Each day, they’ve been showing up ready to learn, grow, and give their best effort, and it shows!
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we need your partnership. We’ve noticed an increase in late arrivals, and being on time makes a big difference in how students start their day. Just like in a football game, it’s often the 4th quarter that determines the outcome—those final plays matter most. Let’s work together to make sure our students are here, ready, and strong from the very first bell.
Let’s finish strong, DLES! 🏈
Attendance Matters at DLES!
Related Arts Colors
Save the Date
Monday, May 25th- Schools Closed-Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 27th- Schools Closed-Eid ul-Adha
🎉 Calling All Community Members!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to serve as judges for our 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearings (SCH)—one of the most exciting and meaningful learning experiences of the year!
This is a powerful opportunity to see our students bring their social studies learning to life as they take on the role of constitutional experts—presenting, defending ideas, and engaging in thoughtful dialogue. It’s a moment they remember long after they leave elementary school!
📅 Event Date: Friday, May 29th
📍 Location: Ducketts Lane Elementary School
Your presence truly makes this experience authentic and impactful for our students.
👉 Interested in volunteering as a judge?
Click HERE be sure to select Ducketts Lane when completing the form.
Thank you for supporting our students and helping make this experience so special! 💙
Baysox Game
Congratulations, Readers! Students who completed the program earned 1 FREE student ticket and 1 FREE adult ticket to the Bowie Baysox game on Saturday, May 9 at 6:35 p.m. Stay after the game for fireworks! Over 400 DLES students participated—let’s show our school spirit!
Gates open at 6:00 p.m.; pregame begins at 6:15 p.m. Seating is general admission (choose your seats upon entry).
Directions: https://www.milb.com/bowie/tickets/directions
Note: Concessions are cashless.
f you cannot attend, tickets are valid for Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 1:05 p.m. and can be exchanged at the stadium that day.
Please return unused tickets to the media center so others can attend.
Questions? Contact Ms. Jean-Louis, or Mrs. McAfee
ESPAÑOL
¡Felicidades, lectores! Los estudiantes que completaron el programa ganaron 1 boleto GRATIS para estudiante y 1 para adulto para el juego de los Bowie Baysox el sábado 9 de mayo a las 6:35 p.m. ¡Quédese para los fuegos artificiales! Más de 400 estudiantes de DLES participaron—¡esperamos verlos allí!
Puertas abren a las 6:00 p.m.; ceremonia a las 6:15 p.m. Asientos de admisión general (elige tu asiento al entrar).
Direcciones: https://www.milb.com/bowie/tickets/directions
Nota: No aceptan efectivo.
Si no puede asistir, el boleto es válido el domingo 24 de mayo de 2026 a la 1:05 p.m. y se puede cambiar ese día en el estadio.
Por favor devuelva boletos no usados al centro de medios.
¿Preguntas? Contacte a Srta. Jean-Louis o Sra. McAfee
MUSIC NEWS
Congratulations
Solo & Ensemble Festival Participants!
Congratulations
to the Band, Orchestra and Chorus students who participated in the HCPSS Elementary Solo & Ensemble Festival on April 18. These students worked diligently to prepare music for the Festival and we are so proud of their efforts!
Phillip Anderson
Lysander Perez Perez
Davi Moon
Quincy Kabwasa
Abbie Prehn
Khush Shah
Nevin Patel
Kent Goulet
DLES Spring Concerts!
Our Spring Concerts are right around the corner! If your child is in Band, Orchestra or Chorus, please review the concert flyers linked below.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 @ DLES
6:00pm Concert (students arrive at 5:30pm)
5th Grade Band
5th Grade Orchestra
5th Grade Chorus
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 @ DLES
*PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION
6:00pm Concert (students arrive at 5:30pm)
4th Grade Orchestra
4th Grade Band
4th Grade Chorus
If your child is in need of a white shirt, black pants or black shoes please contact their music teacher. DLES has a small closet of donated concert clothes available for students in need.
Mrs. McKay (Orchestra) amanda_mckay@hcpss.org
Mr. Marsh (Band) josiah_marsh@hcpss.org
Ms. Abrams (5th Chorus) hana_abrams@hcpss.org
Ms. Eng (4th Chorus) taylor_eng@hcpss.org
If you have any concert clothes (shirt, pants/skirt, shoes) that no longer fit your child, please consider donating them to the DLES Concert Closet for another student to wear.
Dude for the Day News
A big thank you goes out to the following “Dudes” and “Dudette” for volunteering their time to the Dudes for the Day program at DLES! Our students and staff loved and appreciated having you in the classrooms, in the cafeteria, and out at recess. We hope you come again soon.
2026 Dudes for the Day
Matthew Burger
David Cherry
Joshua Davis
Antineil Oliver
Greg Ambler
John Groth
Carlos Perez
Diante Jolin
John Groth
Diante Jolin
Michael Miller
Toniee Parker
Jahir Hoilett
Joshua Davis
If you would like to volunteer as Dude for the Day and make our “Hall of Fame” window please visit the Dude for the day Sign up Sheet. Please contact Annie Chairs, our Family Contact with any questions.
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Testing
The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, or MCAP for short, is underway here at DLES. For students in 3rd-5th grades, the MCAP assessment helps build students’ career and college readiness skills and provides teachers with timely information to inform instruction and provide student support. This assessment is 8 total days, 4 days of ELA testing and 4 days of Math testing. We encourage students to come to school on time, be well rested, and ready to learn and do their DLES best!
Our MCAP testing schedule for students in grades 3-5 is:
Additionally, some students participate in our Alternate MCAP Assessment - called The Dynamic Learning Map. This assessment is administered one-on-one and will take place during the student’s grade level assigned MCAP dates or a specified time chosen by your child’s teacher.
We Need Your Input for Title I - Please Complete the Survey!
Howard County Public School's Title I Office receives Title I funds to provide additional support and resources to Title I Schools. The Title I Office supports family engagement through the implementation of its Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Plan and by providing schools with funds to support family engagement. Please take a moment to complete the HCPSS Title I Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Input Survey, providing feedback on the district's Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Plan and parent engagement funds.
La Oficina de Título I de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard recibe fondos Título I para proveer apoyo y recursos adicionales a Escuelas Título I. La Oficina de Título I apoya el compromiso familiar mediante la implementación de su Plan de participación de padres, familias y la comunidad y proporcionando a las escuelas con fondos para apoyar la participación familiar. Por favor, dedique un momento para completar la Encuesta de opinión sobre participación de padres, la familia y la comunidad del HCPSS, realizando comentarios sobre el Plan de participación de padres, familias y la comunidad y los fondos para la participación de padres del distrito.
Looking to Boost Your Ducketts Lane Spirit Wear this Year?
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.
PTA NEWS
🌸 Muffins In The Morning 🌸
Join us for a special morning on May 11 from 8-8:30 am as we celebrate all the moms, grandmas, aunts or any special guest of honor! Enjoy delicious muffins, warm smiles, and quality time together before the school day begins.
We look forward to sharing this sweet moment with you!
Not a member yet? Join the DLES PTA
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.
Happening Around Town
Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program (GBI2)
Program Overview
The GBI2 Pilot Program will provide selected households with $500 per month for 12 months. In addition, $500 per month will be set aside in a savings account and released in July 2027 upon completion of a financial literacy program delivered by a CAC partner. This flexible financial support is designed to help families meet their most pressing needs, including housing, food, transportation, education, and healthcare.
Eligibility Criteria (High-Level)
To qualify, applicants must:
- Reside in Howard County
- Have at least one child under age 17 in the household
- Have a household income between 150% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Not receive income-based housing assistance (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher, BRHP, MIHU, or tax credit housing)
- Be able to participate in monthly check-ins and complete a financial literacy program by June 2027
Application Window
- Opens: April 24, 2026, at 8:00 AM
- Closes: May 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM
Selection Process
All eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery, with participants randomly selected in early June. Selected households will be required to submit documentation within 14 days to confirm eligibility.
*This information is neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, but serves to extend resources for students and families.
Your Voice is Important
Please click on the Feedback Form to share your thoughts with how we can make DLES the best for everyone.
We are here to help!
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