Owl Observer
Community Newsletter
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Happy Friday, Ducketts Lane Families!
As we head into the middle of November, we are grateful for the strong partnership between our families, staff, and community. Next week is American Education Week, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and the dedicated educators, staff, and families who make Ducketts Lane such a special place for our students to grow as determined learners who are embracing and safe.
We are excited to welcome you into the building over the next two weeks—whether you are stopping by for a classroom visit, browsing the PTA Scholastic Book Fair, cheering on our students at the Fall Fun Run, or connecting with your child’s teacher during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Now that Quarter 1 report cards are available, these upcoming conferences are a great time to celebrate your child’s progress and set goals together for the rest of the school year.
With You in Partnership,
Mrs. Natalya De La Cruz-Van Natta
Community Schools Site Coordinator - Ducketts Lane Elementary School
November: Native American Heritage Month
Monday, November 16th-Friday, November 20th: American Education Week
Monday, November 16th-Monday, November 23rd: PTA Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, November 23: Students are Dismissed at 12:15; no Half-day PreK, In- Person Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 24: Fall Fun Run, Students are Dismissed at 12:15; no Half-day PreK, Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 25: School Closed for Students, Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, November 26- Friday, November 27th: Schools and Offices Closed
Monday, November 30: Dental Clinic
Wednesday, December 9th: Students are Dismissed at 12:15; No Half-day PreK
American Education Week Classroom Visitations
Ducketts Lane Elementary invites parents and guardians to visit classrooms next week to experience a glimpse into your child’s typical school day.
Focus Visitation Day: Monday, November 16. (If you plan to visit on a different day between Nov. 17–20, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly to confirm.)
Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (scheduled to avoid arrival and dismissal traffic).
Important Visitation Guidelines:
Check-In: Please bring a valid photo ID to sign in at the front office before heading to the classroom.
No Lunch or Recess Visits: Per updated HCPSS policy, parent visits to the cafeteria and recess are no longer permitted. Please check your child’s class schedule so you can plan your visit during instructional time.
Adults Only: To minimize classroom distractions, please make arrangements for younger siblings and babies not to attend.
Classroom Etiquette: Please silence your cell phones and refrain from taking photos to protect student privacy.
We look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms next week!
DLES FALL FUN RUN EVENT
We hope you have had a great start to the school year, we are planning to celebrate with students by doing a FALL FUN RUN EVENT on Tuesday (November 24th). During this event, students will be trying their best to run around the entire DLES property. Our amazing PTA will be offering each child a snow cone as the special treat. If you do not want your child to have a snow cone, please send a message to your child's teacher, otherwise, we will offer them a snow cone. As part of this fun day, we are inviting parents/guardians to come out and run or cheer on their student as they participate. If you would like be a part of this special day please fill out the form below and we hope to see you there!
Dental Clinic🦷
Ducketts Lane Elementary School is partnering with a mobile dental program to offer dental cleanings, preventative and limited restorative care* for students at school beginning on November 30, 2026! (*Restorative services may vary between districts and counties based upon legal agreements.)
Parents can enroll their student(s) to take advantage of this opportunity online or by completing and signing a paper permission form and returning it to school by November 27th, 2026.
🔗 Enroll online here: https://www.myschooldentist.com/DLHCMD_schsrm
Need Help or Have Questions? Parents or guardians who need help with enrollment, updating information, opting out, or deciding if the program is a good fit should contact the Patient Support Call Center at:
📞 (800) 409-2563
🕒 Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET
🕒 Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Reading Spotlight: Helping Quiet Readers Share Their Ideas
In classrooms, we’ve been practicing ways to help students feel more comfortable talking about what they read—especially kids who tend to freeze up or say "I don’t know" when put on the spot. You can use these same low-pressure strategies during reading time at home:
Jot or Sketch First: Give your child a sticky note or mini whiteboard to draw a quick reaction or write one word about a character before talking. Getting ideas on paper first takes away the pressure of answering immediately.
Make a Dry-Erase "Chat Mat": Slip a piece of paper divided into three boxes (My Prediction, Favorite Part, A Question) inside a plastic sheet protector or Ziploc bag. Having a visual prompt helps them focus their thoughts—and wiping it clean makes it fun.
Model & Revise Together: Share your own thoughts about the story first ("I was surprised when...") so your child hears an example of how to talk about a book. Afterward, ask if your idea changed their mind or made them think of something new!
Message from the Art Room!
Schoolwide "SEA of BELONGING" Project!
Each student made a fish expressing their individuality and personal voice!
Essential Question : How can we use art to show what makes each of us unique while also showing that we all belong together?
THROUGH ART of COURSE!
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN ART!
K- Designed Mexican Sarapes - seen in main hallway.
Painting and collage techniques were explored and students chose shapes to create
the beautiful patterns seen in Mexican Art
Other Grade level projects of study included...
Pre-K - Learning our first mark-making strategies, color mixing, lines and Art Routines
1st grade - Painted Modern Leaves and observing the changes in Nature
2nd grade - Sweater Weather Animals, pattern, weaving and personifying a chosen animal !
3rd - 3D Recycled and Painted Cardboard Birds
4th- Line by Line Spider Design Collages/Sketchbook Design
5th grade county-wide Art unit Translation - Poetry to Imagery/Creative Journaling
Parent Teacher Conference
Important Scheduling Info:
Sign-up Closes: Thursday, November 19 at 4:00 PM
Directions: How to sign up from HCPSS
We can’t wait to chat about your child’s progress and growth!
PTA News
Staff Conference Dinner Donations: Conferences are coming and we need your help supporting our amazing Ducketts Lane staff. While they are busy working long days, we want to make sure they are well fed. Please make a donation to help feed our incredible staff!
- Please drop off non-perishable items between November 12th and November 20th
- Please drop off perishable items November 22nd and November 23rd
- Sign Up Here!
Book Fair: November 16- 23 the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to DLES. The PTA is looking for volunteers to help make the Book Fair a success — from setup and sales to cleanup. If you can lend a hand, please use SignUpGenius to volunteer
Reflections: "What My Culture Means to Me" The National PTA reflections program invites students to explore their creativity and share their unique voices through the arts. All Ducketts Lane students are encouraged to participate. Students can submit original entries in visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, dance, or film production.
More information about program: visit PTA of Howard County website
Questions: email duckettslanepta@gmail.com
Day with a Dude
Ducketts Lane Elementary is inviting dads, stepdads, grandpas, uncles, older brothers, and male mentors to spend a fun and meaningful day volunteering at school. Your presence makes a difference!
How You’ll Help: Volunteers will greet students in the morning, assist in classrooms, read to kids, and help out during recess or lunch duty.
Sign Up: Ready to be a positive role model? Register online
- Questions? Please email emma_jordan@hcpss.org
Roving Radish Market
Looking for an easy, affordable way to put fresh, healthy dinners on the table? The Roving Radish brings locally grown produce and meal kits right next to Ducketts Lane Elementary every Wednesday!
Weekly Specials & No Commitment: Order only when you want to! Each week features new recipes (with both meat and vegetarian options) and special weekly pricing. Each meal kit includes fresh ingredients and a recipe to feed a family of four.
Convenient Pickup: While Roving Radish has several locations across Howard County, you can pick up your order right next to our school every Wednesday.
Subsidized Pricing Available: Roving Radish is committed to making fresh food accessible to everyone. Families who have participated in programs like Free/Reduced School Breakfast or Lunch, SNAP, WIC, TCA, or SSDI within the past 12 months qualify for discounted subsidized pricing (and EBT is accepted).
Visit rovingradish.com to browse this week's specials and place your order, or check out rovingradish.com/pages/subsidized-price-requirements for details on subsidized pricing!
