Owl Observer News

What a week it has been! Even with two scheduled days off, the energy in our building never slowed down. Our incredible teachers kept the learning going, and our students continued to grow, create, and make lasting memories.

On Tuesday, our fourth graders had the exciting opportunity to visit our local community college. Experiences like this help plant the seeds for the future, and we hope our students walked away inspired and confident that their futures are bright!

Last night, our PTA hosted our annual International Night—and what a celebration it was! This special evening highlighted the rich diversity within our school community. From learning about different cultures to exploring traditions from around the world, it was a powerful reminder of what makes our school so unique. We’re already looking forward to growing this event even bigger next year!

Later this morning, our 5th grade students will welcome community members and showcase their constitutional knowledge as they participate in our Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH). We know they are beyond ready and are looking forward to celebrating their hard work and learning!

As we head into next week, the excitement continues to build as we welcome the final month of school—June is almost here! Be sure to join in on our Spirit Days starting Tuesday. Our fourth graders will also take the stage for their spring concert on Thursday evening, and we’re all eagerly anticipating our long-awaited Field Day on Friday, June 5th.

This is just a glimpse of all we’ve accomplished—and all the fun still ahead—before we wrap up an amazing school year. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Attention families—yearbook order forms were sent home. Be sure to purchase your yearbook soon, as we have a limited number available. Please note that 5th grade students do not need to purchase a yearbook. Don’t miss out—get your yearbook before we sell out!

Tuesday, June 2nd- Spirit Days to Summer Starts

Friday, June 5th- Field Day

Monday, June 8th- Coffee & Conversation 9:00am here at Ducketts Lane

Please join us for Coffee & Conversation on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 9:00 AM till 10:00 PM in the DLES cafeteria.

This informal gathering is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation while enjoying coffee and light refreshments. We value your partnership and look forward to spending time together in a relaxed setting.

Whether you stop by for a few minutes or stay for the entire time, we would love to see you there!

Please register with this LINK.

Monday, June 15th- Full day for students; Last day for half-day pre-K/RECC

Tuesday, June 16th- Students dismiss at 12:15pm

Wednesday, June 17th- Students will dismiss at 12:15pm

Thursday, June 18th-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. Students dismiss at 12:15pm

We heard your feedback—and we’re excited to make our countdown to summer even more meaningful and fun! Instead of many separate spirit days, we are streamlining the celebration into one exciting event: our “We Are Ducketts” Spirit Countdown!

This special countdown will bring our school community together in a fun, inclusive way while keeping the focus on learning and end-of-year celebrations. We’re giving you plenty of time to get ready so that every student can participate and feel included.

📅 The countdown kicks off on Tuesday, June 2nd!

Get ready for school spirit, community pride, and lots of fun as we celebrate all that makes Ducketts such a special place. We can’t wait to see everyone join in the excitement!

In P.E., we have continued our collaborative games unit with the focus on getting our students ready for a great “We Are Ducketts Day (field day)!!!” Students are engaging in activities emphasizing the importance of being Determined Learners, Embracing, and Safe. We hope that We Are Ducketts Day will be the best one yet and that your student will have memories that will last a lifetime! Please ask your students what their favorite part of the day was.

Also, THANK YOU!! To the families who be joining us and supporting on the day. Please see a few reminders below.

• Guests: Arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and receive info. Check your sign-up for details.
• Donations: Drop off items anytime before June 5; let the front office know they’re for Field Day.

We truly value your continued support and partnership. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference, and we’re grateful to continue this journey together.

Warm regards,

The P.E. Department

Mr. Anderson & Mr. Abramson

#WEAREDUCKETTS

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

4th Grade Spring Concert

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.

If your child has borrowed an instrument from DLES this school year, the instrument must be returned to DLES by the dates below.

Band Instruments are due by Wednesday, June 10

(Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion)

Orchestra Instruments are due by Thursday, June 11

(Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Marsh (Band) josiah_marsh@hcpss.org or Mrs. McKay (Orchestra) amanda_mckay@hcpss.org

Starting on Monday, students are no longer allowed to check out a book from the Media center for the remainder of the year. Mrs. McAfee and Mrs. Hastings have begun their inventory, and we have found that we have a lot of books still checked out. ALL BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED BY JUNE 5th.

Please have your child look in their room, backpacks, closets, cars and any other location that a book may have been placed and return them to school as soon as possible.

Families will begin receiving an invoice for the cost of the hardcover book replacement. We will need the book returned or the funds required to purchase the book again. It is important that we all work together to get these books back so that they can be available next year.

If you have any questions regarding an overdue book, please contact Mrs. McAfee at rebecca_mcafee@hcpss.org or Ms. Jean-Louis at esther_jean-louis@hcpss.org

End of Year Medication

If your child has medication in the Health Room at school, please be sure to pick it up during the last week of school. Please contact the school Health Room to arrange a time to pick up medication. Medication is not able to be kept in the Health Room over the summer and may be discarded if not picked up by the last day of school. Please contact the school Health Room to arrange a time to pick up medication.

Annual Health Checkups

As you schedule your child/ren to have an annual health checkup, please remember to send completed forms to the Health Room.

Immunization Reminder

If your child/ren receive any immunizations, please be sure to provide a copy to the Health Room. Each year we must submit data to the State showing we are in compliance with student immunizations. If all required immunizations are not complete your child/ren may be excluded from school within the first few weeks of returning for the 2026-27 school year until immunizations are updated.

Medications in Health Room for 2026-27 school year

Students who require medications to be kept in the Health Room for 2026-27 school year, both Prescription and Over the Counter Medications will need to have new orders provided to the Health Room. New orders must be dated on or after July 1, 2026. We are unable to use orders from 2025-26 school year for next year (2026-27). Medication orders expire at the end of the school year. ALL MEDICATIONS, BOTH PRESCIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER REQUIRE A NEW MEDICATION ORDER EACH YEAR. Please note HCPSS Health Rooms do not provide any medication to students unless provided by Family with proper order form.

The HCPSS Pre-K Program is now accepting applications for the 2026-27Links to an external site. school year! The Pre-K Program is offered at no cost to families who qualify and is made available to eligible children in all attendance areas. Children must be four years old on or before September 1, 2026, to be considered for fall 2026 enrollment and must also meet the eligibility criteria.

Please visit the HCPSS Pre-K Program websiteLinks to an external site. for information about the program, eligibility criteria, and how to applyLinks to an external site.. If you have additional questions about the program, please contact the Office of Early Childhood Programs at 410-313-6836.

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.

To stay up-to-date on all of our upcoming events, visit our website and Facebook page.

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