The Weekly Duck
Fri, 04/05/2024 - 2:43pm
Dear Manor Woods Families,
It has been a great start back following our Spring Break! We hope all of our Mighty Ducks and families had a wonderful break. It was so nice to see our students arriving on Tuesday morning with smiles and excitement despite the pouring rain!
Thank you to the many families who completed the Google form to show your appreciation for Mrs. Jennifer Zinn, our amazing AP, this week for National Assistant Principals Appreciation Week. Your messages have been shared with Mrs. Zinn and she has truly enjoyed receiving these messages of thanks and appreciation. If you haven’t had the opportunity to send a message to Mrs. Zinn, you can still do this by completing the following Google survey ~ Celebrating our AP: Mrs. Zinn! Our school is incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Zinn as our Assistant Principal.
This week HCPSS shared the updated school calendar for the remainder of SY23-24. Please make note of the following adjusted calendar dates:
As of Tuesday, April 2, HCPSS has used three inclement weather days this school year. Therefore, the last day of school for students in full-day Pre-K through grade 12 is now scheduled to be Friday, June 14. The last day for half-day Pre-K/RECC students is currently Tuesday, June 11.
The two final weeks for the 2023-2024 school year are as follows:
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Monday, June 3 – Regular school day
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Tuesday, June 4 – Regular school day
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Wednesday, June 5 – Schools dismiss three hours early (Professional Work Day)
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Thursday, June 6 – Regular school day
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Friday, June 7 – Regular school day
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Monday, June 10 – Regular school day
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Tuesday, June 11 – Regular school day (Last day for half-day Pre-K/RECC students)
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Wednesday, June 12 – Schools dismiss three hours early (Professional Work Day)
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Thursday, June 13 – Schools dismiss three hours early
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Friday, June 14 – Schools dismiss three hours early (Professional Work Day – Last scheduled day for full-day Pre-K-12 students)
The complete HCPSS academic calendar is available online. This information is subject to change, pending any additional inclement weather.
Wishing everyone a wondergul weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
April
9 - End of 3rd Quarter
10 - Professional Work Day - Schools Closed for students
11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM
17 - Report Cards to View on HCPSS Connect, 4:00 PM
18 - Culture Night @ Marriotts Ridge High School, 6:00-8:00 PM
INFORMATION TO SHARE
Solar Eclipse Visible in Howard County
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Howard County, Maryland. This partial eclipse will begin at 2:05 pm, with maximum coverage at 3:21 pm, and end around 4:35 pm.
We will be dismissing during the solar eclipse.
Safety during a solar eclipse is important. Please review this information with your child(ren) to ensure safety at home:
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Never look directly at the Sun, especially during a solar eclipse.
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It is dangerous to look directly at the Sun and can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
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Do not look at the Sun through sunglasses, telescope, or binoculars.
We encourage you and your family to read more about solar eclipses and safety and enjoy experiencing this rare, exciting phenomenon.
2024-2025 School Year Bus Transportation Registration Opens Monday, April 8
Parents/guardians whose children are eligible for bus transportation are asked to register to receive bus service each year to help the school system plan for student transportation needs. The transportation registration process will open at 9 a.m. Monday, April 8 through May 31, and will be completed online via HCPSS Connect Synergy. Registration must be done for each eligible child.
To be eligible for bus service, your child’s home address must be outside of a school’s walk zones. You can verify address eligibility in the HCPSS School Attendance Area Locator. After inputting your address, a window will appear that will indicate either bus or walk for each school level. Please note, the attendance area locator also includes a link for the bus stop locator, which is set for the current school year. Bus stop information for the 2024-2025 school year will be available in August.
You do not need to take any action if:
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Your child is not eligible for bus transportation
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Your child receives transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, or
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Your child is a graduating senior
Details on bus transportation registration, including a guide to register and scenarios families may see when registering, can be found online.
MCAP
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual state assessments to all students in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school.
Manor Woods students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in both ELA and math. The MCAP provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. For more information, visit https://www.hcpss.org/academics/testing/mcap/.
The MCAP assessment window is Thursday, April 4 - Friday, May 31. Specific testing dates are below for each grade level. Please make every effort to have your child attend school on testing days and to refrain from scheduling any appointments during these times to minimize missing instruction due to make-up testing. There is no need to study for the MCAP. To prepare, have your child get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time.
MCAP ELA
3rd Grade - April 17, 19, 22, and 23
4th Grade - April 17, 19, 22, and 23
5th Grade - April 9, 12, 15, and 16
MCAP Math
3rd Grade - May 3, 6, 7, and 8
4th Grade - May 3, 6, 7, and 8
5th Grade - April 26, 29, 30 and May 1
MSDE PARENT SURVEY ~ PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH IEPs
Parents of students with IEPs,
Please take time to complete the MSDE Parent Survey that was recently mailed to you. This survey provides HCPSS the information about how well we are partnering with you and promoting parent involvement. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in HCPSS. Please access the survey using this link: https://www.mdparentsurvey.com/.
ADDING PRONOUNS TO YOUR CHILD’S PROFILE
Kindergarten and New First Grade Enrollment
It is that time of year when we enroll kindergarteners and new students to first grade for next year! If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1st, please enroll them now! If you know anyone who has a child this age, please have them enroll their child now! The official date to begin enrolling was March 4th, and the enrollment link remains open for registration. The link to on-line enrollment is below!
Please feel free to call the office at 410-313-7165 with any questions!
Register Your Child For School
Counselors Corner
NAMI Howard County
The mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness and their families through education, advocacy and support, and to increase awareness of mental illness throughout the community. Visit NAMI Howard County for more information about support group offerings.
Schools Counselors
Ms. Heinlein and Mrs. Salapata, School Counselors, are here to support our students and families. Mrs. Heinlein works with grades K, 1, 4 and 5. Mrs. Salapata works with grades 2 and 3. Ms. Sam Schildt, Counseling Intern from McDaniel College, will be working with us on Wednesdays this semester. Please reach out through email or by calling 410-313-7165 if we can be of assistance. monica_heinlein@hcpss.org; christina_salapata@hcpss.org
Howard Count Recreation and Parks Afterschool Classes
These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!
Click here for Flyer
Link for parents to view & register for the Manor Woods ES After School classes:
PTA NEWS
Yearbook Purchase
Be sure to purchase a yearbook for the 23-24 school year!
Go to: www.Treering.com/validate
Schoold Passcode 1014749226162236
Customize Your 2 Free Yearbook Pages by April 11!
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Add photos from your computer, Facebook, Instagram, Google Drive & more.
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Answer fun Memory Questions to help remember the year.
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The 2 Custom Pages are FREE and are printed ONLY in your book.
Want more pages? Each additional 2 pages is just $0.99.
Click Here To View The PTA Newsletter
JOIN THE PTA!
If you haven't already, please take a moment to join the PTA! It's quick, easy and membership funds help to support our school! The PTA funds and supports school-wide presentations, family fun events, teacher appreciation activities, items needed by the teachers for their lessons and classrooms and much more!
Join Today!
https://www.mwespta.com/
Did you know the PTA has a Facebook group to stay up to date with PTA events? Join here today!
Community News & Events
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, the Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) will sponsor the annual Children’s Discovery Fair, "Math All Around Us". This free event for preschoolers and caregivers will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new East Columbia 50+ Center (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045)..
This school readiness event, part of the Launch into Learning initiative, is in celebration of Howard County’s Month of the Young Child. The Children’s Discovery Fair has been very successful in past years, attracting hundreds of families. This event is an opportunity for Howard County programs and organizations to give back to the community by offering fun, hands-on learning opportunities for children. Families will learn important information about school readiness and community resources.
This year's event will include the Colgate Dental Van, which will be offering free on-site dental screenings for children!
Please share news of this event with your students and families!
Children's Discovery Fair Flier- English
Children's Discovery Fair Flier-Spanish
Children's Discovery Fair Flier-Chinese
Children's Discovery Fair Flier-Korean
Sensory Friendly Story Time & More!
Children ages birth-5 with an IFSP or IEP are invited to a free Story Time Class at the East Columbia Library Branch on Wednesday, 4/10/24 at 11:00 AM. These classes are a partnership between HCPSS and the Howard County Library System for families who receive Early Intervention Services. Classes include stories, music, and movement in a supportive environment, and an optional playtime is available after class. Please see this April Story Time flier (also available as PDF version Download PDF version) for details and registration information and share with families!
Spring Family Fun
The OEIS Family Engagement team is gearing up for our Spring Family Fun Party This free event is for children age birth-5 with an IFSP or IEP and their families. There will be a variety of activities for all interests & abilities, including spring crafts, stories, music, & movement. The event will take place on April 20, 2024 in the cafeteria at Running Brook Elementary School and is a drop-in format from 10am-noon. Please share thisSpring Party Download Spring Party flier with families!
HCPSS News
Families are encouraged to visit the HCPSS website for all your needs, including:
HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook
Click HERE for the county's 2022-23 handbook. The Student & Parent Handbook can be found online and outlines districtwide practices and policies related to parents and students, including the Student Code of Conduct, school procedures, student responsibilities and more.
HCPSS Student Code of Conduct
The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where all policies are enforced fairly and consistently. HCPSS policies and regulations emphasize instruction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and are designed to foster and reward appropriate behavior and keep students connected to school so they can graduate college and career ready. Please read and review the HCPSS student code of conduct with your child(ren) before the school year begins: https://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/student-handbook/student-code-of-conduct.pdf
WEEKLY DUCK ~ REPEATED INFORMATION
Click here to access the 3/22/24 Weekly Duck