Owl Observer News
September 26, 2025
🌟 A Warm Welcome from Ducketts Lane Administration
Learning Is in Full Swing at Ducketts Lane!
Classrooms are alive with curiosity and growth as students dive into new learning across all grade levels. Our educators are tailoring instruction to meet each child’s needs, and the progress we’re seeing is inspiring!
You can help keep that momentum going at home. Ask your child what they learned today—whether it was a new letter, number, word, or math strategy. Practice reading together, point out letters and numbers in your surroundings, or play simple math games that reinforce classroom learning. These everyday moments make a big difference in your child’s confidence and success.
🌟 Title I Night – Your Voice Matters! 🌟
We’re excited to host our upcoming Title I Night, but our RSVP numbers are currently very low—and we don’t want you to miss this important opportunity! This event is designed to help families learn more about how our school and students are performing, where we’re headed, and most importantly, to hear from you. As a vital partner in your child’s education, this is your chance to share your hopes for our school and help shape the shared commitments we make for our children’s success.
✅ Spanish interpreters will be available
🍕 Ledo’s Pizza will be provided
📅 RSVP today using the link below—don’t let your voice go unheard!
✨ Special Highlight: FOOD BOXES generously donated by the Rapid Response Team will be available in limited supply for those in attendance.
Register here: https://forms.gle/Tt9sh5ewCoxcA5Xx7
Please continue to prioritize daily attendance, ask your child to share specific skills they’ve learned or practiced, and check in on homework. Whether it’s reading together, being read to, or practicing number skills, every little bit helps reinforce learning.
📅 Reminder: There is no school for students on Thursday, October 2nd.
Proudly Partnering with You,
Mrs. Caroland, Mrs. Van Osdel, Mrs. Poquette
Related Arts Colors
Save the Date
Tuesday, September 30th: Annual Title I Meeting 5:30 - 7:00pm
✨ Special Highlight: FOOD BOXES generously donated by the Rapid Response Team will be available in limited supply for those in attendance. Register here: https://forms.gle/Tt9sh5ewCoxcA5Xx7
Thursday, October 2nd: School is Closed for All Students
Tuesday, October 7th: Dental Clinic at DLES
Thursday, October 16th: Dental Clinic at DLES
Friday, October 17th: School is Closed for All Students
Monday, October 20th: School is Closed for All Students
Tuesday, October 21st: PTA Meeting 6:00pm
Friday, October 31st: Students are dismissed at 12:15-no preschool classes
We've Got Spirit Days
Friday, October 3rd: Sports Day-wear your favorite sports team gear
Monday, October 6th: Pajama Day-wear your cozy pajamas or cozy clothes
Friday, October 10th: Crazy hat day-wear a fun or crazy hat
Monday, October 13th: Mismatch Day-wear all the things that don't match but can be fun to wear together
Thursday, October 16th: Disney and Superhero Day-dress as your favorite disney or superhero
Tuesday, October 21st: Grade Level Color: Wear your grade level DLES shirt or color and together we will create a beautifull rainbow of color
Friday, October 24th: Wild Hair Day-wild and wacky hair
Monday, October 27th: Wear the Words-wear clothes with words
Friday, October 31st: Wear the Numbers-wear clothes with numbers
🎨 Welcome to a Colorful Start in Art at DLES! 🎨
Flying into Learning at Ducketts Lane!
We kicked off the school year with a fun, school-wide art project called “Hootie’s Colorful Wings.” Every student created a unique feather to show their creativity and personality. These feathers were combined into large, colorful wing displays in each pod.
This project helped students feel welcomed and connected, showing that while each of us is unique, we all BELONG to something bigger, DLES!
At Back to School Night, families saw these beautiful wings, and some students even took photos “flying” in front of them!
This is just the beginning of a creative year in Art. We’re excited to keep exploring, creating, and learning together!
– The DLES Art Team
Ms. Mellendick & Ms. Bresky
Looking to boost your Ducketts Lane Spirit Wear this year?
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.
IMPORTANT~Update Your Family File
THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE EVERY YEAR
Field Trips are coming and if you have not done this your child will not be able to go!
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!
Also IMPORTANT ~ Title I Programming
Title I ~Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) Program and SO Much More!
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.
Partnering Together for Student Success
At Ducketts Lane, we believe that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends—it continues at home, in conversations, routines, and everyday moments. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us at our Title I Annual Meeting, where we’ll share important information about how our students are doing in reading and math. You’ll also learn how we can work together—at school and at home—to help every child grow and succeed.
To support this partnership, we’ll be sharing easy reading and math tips you can try at home. These activities are simple, don’t require special materials, and can make a big difference in your child’s learning.
This Week’s Reading Tip: Tracking Print
Tracking print is a helpful skill for beginning readers or those working on fluency. It means pointing to each word as it’s read aloud. This helps children connect spoken words with written ones and stay focused during reading time.
Here’s how you can try it at home:
- While reading with your child, encourage them to point to each word as you read together.
- Use a finger, pencil, or even a fun pointer to make it engaging.
- Model tracking print yourself so they can see how it’s done.
If you’re not sure whether this would help your child, feel free to email their teacher and ask if tracking print is a good practice for them.
Together, we can build strong reading habits and help our students thrive!
Joe Corbi's Fundraiser!
Our 5th Grade Joe Corbi's Fundraiser has begun! Packets went home in your child's Thursday Folder last week. The sale is open until Friday, October 3rd. Online payment/text-to-pay and direct ship-to-home is available. Go to www.FundPrizes.com to register and share! If you choose to pick up your order, items should be delivered on Monday, November 24th. Please email Jennifer_Abramson@hcpss.org with any questions. Thank you for your support of our DLES 5th Graders!
We want to hear from you!
Please take a few moments to fill out the survey below. Your feedback will help us better understand your family’s needs, the types of family events you would like to attend, and your interest in volunteering at Ducketts Lane. We truly value your input and look forward to working together this year to strengthen family engagement—something research shows has a positive impact on students’ academic success.
2025 DLES Family Needs, Family Events and Volunteer Interest Survey
PTA NEWS
JOIN THE PTA
Join the DLES PTA 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.
Happening Around Town
Click here for more information on the BSAP Math Academy.
Parents can register via HCPSS Connect: hcpss/org/connect/
HCPSS Kickoff to Build on School/Family/Community Relationships, Sept. 27, 2025
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.
CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE PROGRAM 2025
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program is designed to offer a little extra help to families in need during the holiday season. If your family could benefit from support this year, we encourage you to review the attached information to see if you qualify.
📅 Applications are due by September 30th.
📎 Please click on the attachment for details on how to apply.
No Cost Flu Shots
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. 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