Owl Observer News

What a wonderful week it has been at our school! Our winter concert filled the building with music, joy, and so much talent—thank you to our students and staff for another memorable performance. We’d also like to give a big round of applause to our 3rd graders, who showed focus, perseverance, and responsibility as they completed their CogAT assessment sessions this week. Way to go!

As we head into the final stretch of the year, please remember that we have two full days of school next week, and they are packed with fun. Monday, the 22nd is Penguin Day—wear your black and white as we waddle together into our final Monday of 2025! 🐧 On Tuesday, the 23rd, every grade level has planned a special winter celebration, making it a day you won’t want to miss.

Be sure to join us both days so your child can be part of all the learning, laughter, and winter fun. We can’t wait to celebrate together! ❄️

We would like to share some observations and reminders regarding student attendance on our scheduled half-days. While these days include an early dismissal for students, they remain full instructional days. Students continue to receive their complete reading, writing, and math instruction, and new learning still takes place.

With only 180 school days in the year and a large amount of curriculum to cover, teachers are unable to pause instruction when students are absent. When students miss school—even on shortened days—they miss important learning that is difficult to fully make up.

Currently, our average absence rate on half-days is a little over 10% of our students. This means a significant number of students are missing instruction on these days, which impacts learning progress and classroom continuity.

We are also working to make half-days engaging and enjoyable for students. Teachers and staff are planning fun and meaningful activities during recess and lunch to keep students excited and connected throughout the day. In order for students to benefit from both the learning and these activities, we truly need your help in ensuring they are present on half-days.

We understand that early dismissals can create challenges for families when it comes to childcare and schedules. We appreciate your efforts to plan ahead, especially as we have several half-days coming up in the months ahead:

• January 22

• February 5

• February 6

• March 3

Your partnership and support make a difference in helping students stay on track academically and feel part of our school community. Thank you for working with us to prioritize attendance and learning, even on half-days.

Monday, December 21st- Penguin Day-Wear black and white to dress like penguins

Wednesday, December 24th-Friday, January 2nd: Schools Closed for Winter Break

Monday, January 5th-DLES Spirit Day-wear your DLES grade-level shirt or other spirit wear to kick off 2026

Monday, January 19th- Schools Closed-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Winter break is for rest, family, and fun—but sprinkling in a few minutes of reading and math each day helps keep skills strong. No worksheets needed! Just 15-20 minutes of everyday learning makes a big difference.

❄️ Grades K–1: Learning Through Play

Reading Focus: Letters, sounds, and understanding stories

• Read aloud together every day (favorite books count!).

• Have your child point out letters and words they recognize.

• Ask: Who was in the story? What happened?

• Let them “read” pictures and tell the story in their own words.

Math Focus: Counting, adding, and recognizing numbers

• Count toys, steps, or snacks together.

• Practice adding small numbers using fingers or objects.

• Look for numbers around the house (clocks, calendars, mail).

❄️ Grades 2–3: Building Independence

Reading Focus: Fluency and understanding what they read

• Encourage daily reading—books, comics, instructions, or signs.

• Ask fun questions: What was your favorite part? Why?

• Take turns reading pages aloud.

Math Focus: Adding, subtracting, and early multiplication

• Play card or board games that involve counting or scoring.

• Practice math facts in short bursts (5 minutes works!).

• Use real-life math: How many days until school starts?

❄️ Grades 4–5: Thinking Deeper

Reading Focus: Comprehension and vocabulary

• Talk about what they’re reading: What’s the problem? How is it solved?

• Ask them to summarize or explain the story to you.

• Encourage reading a variety of texts—fiction, nonfiction, magazines.

Math Focus: Multiplication, division, fractions, and problem-solving

• Cook or bake together to practice fractions and measurement.

• Ask them to solve real-life problems: If we buy 3 packs, how many total?

• Challenge them with math games or logic puzzles.

❄️ Keep it light, keep it fun, and follow your child’s interests. Learning that happens through conversation, play, and everyday moments helps students return to school confident and ready to learn. Thank you for supporting learning at home!

Sign up here- A Day With a Dude Volunteer Sign Up

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.

Together, we can wrap our school community in warmth this season. Thank you for giving, supporting, and sharing kindness! ✨

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