Owl Observer News

What a wonderful start to the school year it has been! The energy, smiles, and sense of community at Ducketts Lane grow stronger each week, and we are so grateful for the partnership you bring to our school. As we’ve settled into our daily routines, it’s clear that when families and staff work hand in hand, our students thrive.

One important reminder: for the safety of our students and staff, we ask that any adults or older siblings who are coming to walk children home remain in the designated walking wait areas. Students will come to you. If necessary, you may step into the fenced playground area, but please have children meet you inside and exit through the gate closest to the street. It is essential that we keep the sidewalk in front of the main doorway clear for car rider students and maintain clear space near our school doors. We understand this may feel like an added inconvenience at times, but these steps are critical in ensuring dismissal runs smoothly and safely for all. Your support truly makes a difference.

We also want to give a huge thank you to the many families who joined us for our Back to School Bash! 🎉 This event is always one of our favorites, and this year was no exception—it was filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. Over 50 dedicated staff members volunteered their time—baking cakes, planning, prepping, running activities, and cleaning up—to make sure it was a success. We are so grateful for their efforts and the joy they helped create. They’re already brainstorming ways to make next year’s Bash even bigger and better!

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for next week’s Back to School Night information sessions. These sessions are designed for parents and guardians to learn more about grade-level expectations, curriculum, and the ways we can work together to support your child’s success. We look forward to seeing you there!

Proudly Partnering with You,

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

Our students follow a color day schedule for related arts. This is especially important for Physical Education (PE) days, as students need to be dressed and ready for physical activity.

✅ What this means:

• Students should wear tennis shoes on PE days.

• Sandals, Crocs, flip flops, and other open-toed shoes are not safe and students will not be able to participate.

• Clothing should allow students to move comfortably—ready to run, skip, jump, and roll safely.

Until students become familiar with their color day schedule, it’s a good idea to dress ready to play every day. This ensures that every child can safely take part in PE from the very first day of school.

Tuesday, September 9th: Preschool & PreKindergarten Back to School Night for Parents 5:00-6:00pm

Tuesday, September 9th: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Back to School Night for Parents 6:00-7:00pm

Thursday, September 11th: 4th and 5th Grade Strings and Band information for Parents 5:30-6:00pm

Thursday, September 11th: 3rd Grade - 5th Grade Back to School Night for Parents 6:00-7:00pm

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

Thursday, September 18th: School Picture Day

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

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

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.

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

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe, engaging, and supportive school environment that fosters the social and emotional safety, dignity, and well-being of all students. HCPSS acknowledges the need for employees

1. to use an array of research-based positive behavior interventions, strategies, and a tiered system of supports to address student behaviors and keep students safe and free of harm

2. to minimize the practice of exclusion from the classroom environment

3. to minimize the use of physical restraint (which may only be used when necessary to protect a student or other person from imminent, serious, physical harm and only after other less intrusive, nonphysical interventions have failed or been determined inappropriate).

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It is the expectation of the Board that HCPSS employees will be knowledgeable of and implement proactive positive behavior interventions in an effort to reduce the need for exclusion or physical restraint.

Additional information can be found at HCPSS Policy 9400 - Student Behavior Intervention. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

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.

Flyers have gone home but you can also scan the QR Code and join from your phone.

English: This newsletter provides valuable information and resources for students and families in Howard County, Maryland. It covers topics such as housing assistance, child care financial aid, food pantry locations, and upcoming events.

Spanish: Este boletín proporciona información y recursos valiosos para estudiantes y familias en el condado de Howard, Maryland. Cubre temas como asistencia de vivienda, ayuda financiera para el cuidado de niños, ubicaciones de despensas de alimentos y próximos eventos.

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/

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