Owl Observer News

Although it was a short week, we certainly packed a lot into our three days together! We continued our celebration and learning in honor of Black History Month, our second graders enjoyed an exciting field trip experience, and students quickly returned to focusing on the important standards we are continuing to master before the end of the school year.

We now have several full five-day weeks ahead of us, and consistent attendance will be especially important. Please continue partnering with us to ensure students are present each day, ready to learn and grow. Every day truly matters.

As a friendly reminder, report cards were recently sent home. If you have any questions about your child’s progress, we encourage you to reach out directly to the teacher for that content area. We deeply value our partnership with families and appreciate your ongoing support.

Thank you for all you do to support your child and our school community.

We currently have a large number of items in our Lost and Found. Please encourage your child to check for any missing belongings as soon as possible. Families are also welcome to stop by and look through the Lost and Found table next week between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day.

Any items that remain unclaimed will be removed at the end of the school day on Friday, February 27th. Thank you for helping us reunite students with their belongings!

In honor of Black History Month, one of the many ways we are uplifting this important and meaningful time for our students is by highlighting individuals they may or may not have learned about before. Each day during morning announcements, we share interesting and “cool” facts about influential Black leaders, innovators, and trailblazers.

This week, our students learned about Marley Dias, a young author, activist, and literacy advocate who began making a national impact at just 11 years old. Students were inspired to learn that Marley launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign to collect and donate books featuring Black girls as the main characters—helping ensure more children could see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

They also learned that Marley is a published author, has been recognized on national platforms for her advocacy, and continues to use her voice to promote representation, equity, and the power of reading. Her leadership reminds us that age does not limit impact and that one determined learner can spark meaningful change.

The image below highlights some of the facts and accomplishments our students explored together.

We are getting excited to start our March attendance contest- running from March 2–March 27!

Here’s how it works:

Each day that a homeroom reaches 95% attendance or higher, that class earns one point. Every day counts!

There’s a little friendly competition involved—classes within each grade level will compete against one another, and the class with the highest number of points at the end of the contest will win a special award. But that’s not all! Grade levels are also working together, because the grade level with the highest overall total of points will earn a celebration as well.

It’s teamwork, responsibility, and school spirit all rolled into one! Let’s build strong attendance habits and show up ready to learn each and every day. We can’t wait to see which class—and which grade level—comes out on top! 🏆✨ Remember: Every day matters. Every student counts.

Tuesday, March 3rd: Students dismiss at 12:15 No half-day pre-K/RECC

Friday, March 20th: Schools Closed for Students

Monday, March 30th - Monday, April 6th: Schools Closed for Spring Break

Tuesday, April 7th: Schools reopen from break

The SMILE Dental Program is coming to DLES on 4/16/26 and 4/17/26. If you would like your DLES student to see the Dentist at school please fill out this link.

El Programa Dental SMILE llega a DLES el 16/4/2026 y el 17/4/2026. Si desea que su estudiante de DLES vea al dentista en la escuela, complete este enlace.

Hello everyone and we hope you are having a great year. The spring season of the DLES Running Club is approaching. This will allow students to come together, engage in physical activity, and have fun. Please check in next weeks Thursday Folders for how to register

Registration: February 26 - March 12.

During the month of February - March 13th, students are invited to participate in the Chesapeake Baysox Read & Hit a Homerun Challenge. Students who read at least four books and recorded their participation on their classroom poster will earn two FREE tickets to the Chesapeake Baysox game on Saturday, May 9th at 6:35pm. More information and tickets will be sent home once they meet the goal.

Sincerely,

Media Team: Ms. McAfee, Ms. Riley, and Ms. Jean-Louis

The Ducketts Lane Elementary school counseling team is looking for volunteers to speak to classes for Career Day on March 26th, 2026.

Please complete this form if you are interested in coming in to share more about your career. You will be asked to share about your occupation/career in an approximately 15-minute presentation and answer questions that students may have. After gathering responses from interested speakers we will contact you to schedule specific times for your presentation on March 26th (different grades will be presented to at different times throughout the day).

Whether you plan to speak at our career day or not we would love to hear more about the work that you do and your path along the way. Please take a couple of minutes to share your journey!

Thank you for your time and consideration!

~The DLES Counseling Team

What is the Kids Heart Challenge?

Building on key learnings from nearly 45 years in America’s schools, the Kids Heart Challenge focuses on whole body wellness, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids facing heart-health issues.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Abramson at robert_abramson@hcpss.org

One of the best ways to strengthen math skills is by talking about math at home! When children explain their thinking, they deepen their understanding and build confidence. We encourage families to invite their child to “teach” them something they’ve been learning in math.

Try asking questions like:

• “What strategy did you use to solve that problem?”

• “Can you show me a different way to solve it?”

• “How do you know your answer makes sense?”

• “What is a tricky type of problem you’ve been working on?”

• “Can you make up a problem for me to solve?”

Ask your child to grab paper, a whiteboard, or even household objects to model their thinking. Whether they’re explaining addition strategies, fractions, multi-step word problems, or measurement, letting them be the teacher builds ownership and pride in their learning.

When students can teach it, they truly understand it!

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.

🎬 Movie Night & General Meeting – Friday 2/20 6:00pm
Bring your family, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a fun movie night while connecting with our amazing PTA community.

Your involvement—big or small—makes a huge difference in supporting our students and school community. Come join the fun, meet other families, and help make these events memorable!

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

Learn how to set and uphold reasonable limits with your children and their use of electronic devices.

We'll explore:

• What exactly bothers me as a parent about my child's tech use?
• What role does tech play in my child's life?
• How do we collaborate to set and uphold reasonable limits?

If you’re concerned about the time your children spend with electronics -- what they might be doing, or what they’re NOT doing when glued to a screen – join us for this webinar.

For: Parents of school-age children and teens

When: Thursday, February 26, from 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET

Cost: $25

Tackling screen time: Registration link

Please join us for our Primary Grades Library Night, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the Elkridge Library.

See flyer for more details and register HERE.

Calling all young athletes ready to learn, grow, and compete! The Western Howard County Warhawks football program provides a fun, safe, and supportive environment where players of all experience levels can develop their skills and confidence. Our dedicated coaches focus on fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership—both on and off the field.

Whether your child is new to football or looking to build on their experience, the Warhawks offer an inclusive program that emphasizes player development, physical fitness, and a true love for the game. Most importantly, we pride ourselves on building a strong football family where athletes make lasting friendships and unforgettable

See Howard County Rec and Parks Activity Guide or www.gowarhawks.com in February 2026 for registration and cost. Registration is now open.

Registration for our Department of Recreation & Parks' Camp Guide Summer 2026 is NOW open for all. From hands-on science and art exploration to LEGO robotics and engineering, nature discovery, and a wide variety of sports, there is a ton of great camp opportunities available to keep your children active, engaged, and inspired this summer. As spots for some camps fill up quickly, be sure to register online, in-person, over-the-phone, or mail-in today.

If you’re looking to fill a particular week or weeks this summer, check out Recreation & Parks’, “2026 Camps By Weeks” website, which for your convenience, breaks down what camps are being offered each week.

Higher winter bills are often tied, in part, to increased energy use during extreme cold. There are steps you can take now!

This includes scheduling an HVAC tune-up, using a programmable thermostat, lowering water heater temperatures, and tracking usage with online tools and alerts. See the available resources at www.bge.com/winter.

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