Owl Observer News
April 11, 2025
A Message from Administration
Greetings Ducketts Lane Friends and Families
It has been a fantastic week here at Ducketts Lane. Students across the grades were busy working together, learning new skills, and laughed while creating memories along the way.
This was a fun week of celebrating our amazing Mrs. Van Osdel and Mrs. Yerashunas during National Assistant Principal's week.
We would like to remind everyone that schools will be closed Monday, April 14th through Monday, April 21st.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday, April 22nd.
Proudly serving you,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, and Mrs. Yerashunas
Students in Grades 1-5 all have Activate Accounts & can WIN
Students in grades 1-5 have account and they know how to log in and play!! Students can play on a computer, tablet or phone!
Spring Break is an excellent time to use ACTIVATE to exercise your student’s brain! BrainFutures is offering the following incentives for students who play ACTIVATE over Spring Break (Friday April 11 @ 4pm - Monday April 21 @ 11:59pm).
Students who play at least 60 minutes over Spring Break will be entered into a drawing for a $10 McDonald’s gift card.
Students who play at least 120 minutes over Spring Break will be entered into a drawing for a $15 Chick-fil-A gift card.
Winning students and their parents will be contacted after Spring Break.
For any questions, please contact activatehelp@brainfutures.org
It's Math Month
Did you know April is Math Month? You are invited to your child’s math class during Math month to play a math game with your child on the dates/times below. You will learn a game at school and then take it home so you can play at home again and again. Your child’s math teacher will send you a Talking Points message; please let them know if you will be coming when you receive the message. We look forward to seeing you!
PreK April 25, PreK 10:00 - 11:00, MINC PreK 10:00 - 10:45, MINC PS/PreSchool 10:00 and 2:00
K April 29, 9:00 - 10:00
1st April 29, 12:00 - 1:15
2nd April 25, 9:45 - 11:00
3rd April 10 9:45 - 10:15
4th April 29, 1:00 - 2:15
5th April 30, 10:55 - 12:10
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, April 14th- Monday, April 21st -Schools Closed for Spring Break
Tuesday, April 22nd- Schools reopen for all students
Spirit Days
Related Arts Schedule
Bringing Clarity to our HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
Quarter 3 officially ended on Friday, April 4, 2025. The end of the quarter is a good time to review our discipline violations in terms of Incident Reports (IRs) and Office Disciplinary Reports (ODRs) that were completed and analyze our data as a whole. Our School Improvement Plan focus is to lower our total number of Incidents Reports this year compared to last year.
Our current data shows:
Total Office Disciplinary Referrals (ODR) for 2024-2025 = Level 3-5 Response
12 dispositions (dispositions are defined as a behavioral incident)
8 students - this reflects that some students have had more than one ODR
67%, or 8 of the 12 ODRs, were classified as Attack on Student/Staff
17%, or 2 of the 12 ODRs, are violations of Bullying/Cyberbullying/Harassment/Intimidation
17%, or 2 of the 12 ODRs, are violations of Fighting
Office Disciplinary Reports are part of a child’s permanent record
In comparison:
Total Incident Reports (IR) for 2024-2025= Level 1-3 Response
138 dispositions - Data reflects students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade
89 students, Top violations were Attack on Student/Staff and Disrespect/Disruption
Locations of majority of violations were Playground/Blacktop and Classroom
Incident Reports are not filed within a student’s permanent record
In comparison:
Our data is directionally correct and is trending lower than previous years. As a school team, we meet continuously to implement actionable steps and strategies to meet the needs of our students.
Bridges Has Come to an End
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end — and sadly, so does our time with Bridges for this year. 😢
That said, we are incredibly grateful to have had such an AMAZING year, filled with AMAZING experiences alongside your AMAZING young people. It has been a pleasure!
Just a quick reminder: Our last day of programming for the year was yesterday Thursday, April 10th.
Lastly, a big thank you to those of you who took the time to share feedback about your students' experiences this year—we truly appreciate it!
With gratitude,
Kevin Anderson,
DLES Bridges Site Coordinator & Staff
MUSIC NEWS
Congratulations HCPSS Elementary School Honors Orchestra Participants!
Congratulations to Derek M. And Anaelle D. who represented DLES in the HCPSS Elementary School Honors Orchestra Concert on March 22. Two elementary orchestra students were nominated and selected from each elementary school to participate in this special ensemble. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and efforts!
Congratulations HCPSS Solo & Ensemble Participants!
Congratulations to all of the Band and Orchestra students who participated in the HCPSS Solo & Ensemble Festival on April 5. Tyler E., Jordan E., Justin E., Derek M., Navneeth S., Mahi T., Abigail P., Phillip A., Brady C., Colette B., Kenton G., Nevin P., Anaelle D., and Kya V.
These students prepared music to play and performed in small groups or alone at the Festival. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and efforts!
Save the Dates for our Spring Concerts!
Monday, May 12 @ DLES
6:00pm - 4th Grade Band, Beginning Orchestra, Chorus
7:00pm - 3rd Grade Orchestra
Wednesday, May 21 @ DLES
6:00pm - 4th Advanced Orchestra, 5th Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Get Your Yearbook
Yearbook order forms were sent home in your student's Thursday folders last week. 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.
Spirit Wear Store
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!
Need Help Navigating all the Techonology Resources?
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.
PTA News
Hersheypark Early Bird Discount Tickets are available for 2025 (valid during the full season, 04/05/2025-01/04/2026). If you need an additional order form, please email us at duckettslanepta@gmail.com. For the earliest ticket delivery, return your completed form with payment to the school by March 25th. A second order will be placed on April 25th, for any forms received after March 25th. We hope you enjoy your time at the Sweetest Place on Earth!
Happening Around Town
PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Family Resiliency Classes are being
Executive functioning can be a real challenge for kids and adults alike. It requires a combination of identifying and managing a series of tasks, collaborating with others, regulating emotions, and staying focused to the finish. While strengthening these skills is a main focus for kids with an ADHD, autism or other diagnosis, any child can benefit from strategies to boost their ability to organize and complete tasks. In this webinar, a PEP Parent Educator and coach for parents of neurodivergent children will share strategies, supports and language for parents to set the stage for success. We will discuss strategies and scaffolds for supporting your children in managing tasks and assignments, and strategies to help keep them regulated so they can best access and build their executive functioning skills. For: Parents of children in elementary through middle school When: Thursday, April 24, from 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET Cost: FREE Register here: https://pepparentonline.org/p/executive-function-2025
PEP also offers many other classes FREE on critical topics on parenting. Explore the topics HERE
Egg Hunt
CrossLife Community Church invites children in fifth grade and under to attend an Easter Egg Hunt at Ducketts on Saturday, April 12, at 11:00 am. The rain date is Sunday, April 13, at 1:00 pm. Please pre-register for this free event at www.crosslifeonline.com/events/easter-egg-hunt.
La Iglesia Comunitaria CrossLife invita a los niños de quinto grado o menores a asistir a la Búsqueda de Huevos de Pascua en Ducketts el sábado 12 de abril a las 11:00 a. m. Si llueve, la fecha es el domingo 13 de abril a la 1:00 p. m. Inscríbase con anticipación para este evento gratuito en www.crosslifeonline.com/events/easter-egg-hunt.
HoCo RapidRide
Howard County's new on-demand rideshare service offering fast and convenient transportation along theRoute 1 Corridor, including parts of Elkridge, Hanover, Columbia, and Jessup. Rides are just $2 per trip and are free for Howard County public school students, Howard County Community College students, and seniors 60+ with valid ID. Service operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Download the HoCo RapidRide app to book your ride, or call 443- 348-9572 for assistance. Enjoy free rides until April 17, 2025 https://city.ridewithvia.com/rapidride
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. 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