The Weekly Duck
Wed, 12/06/2023 - 9:12am
Dear Manor Woods Families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. The time between Thanksgiving and Winter Break can be a very productive time with 20 consecutive days of school. It is the longest uninterrupted period of school in the second quarter. We hope to see our students in school each day (unless they are ill) until the Winter Break.
Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) takes place in early December. This year's theme is Draw Me In! HCPSS joins the Inclusive Schools Network during this week to celebrate the progress in supporting quality inclusive education for diverse learners. Knowing that schools across Howard County create inclusive communities all year long, this week highlights the great work that occurs every day in HCPSS as well as at Manor Woods!
In recognition of Inclusive Schools Week as well as the excitement leading up to Winter Break, we have some great spirit days planned for the month of December. See the below flier, “A Spirited December at Manor Woods” for detailed information and we hope all our students can join in the fun!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
DECEMBER
- 4 - Inclusive Schools Week ~ Draw Me In
- 4 - Winter Chorus Concert for 4th and 5th Graders (see info below)
- 5 - Inclusive Schools Week ~ Wear what makes you most comfortable and/or what represents YOU.
- 7 - Winter Choir Bash for 5th Graders
- 6, 7, and 8 - CogAt Testing
- 13 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early at 12:15 p.m. ~ Professional work and wellness day
- 12/15 - Wear Your Fuzzy Flannel Day
- 12/19 - Wear your favorite cozy winter apparel ~ Winter sweater, hat, scarf, and/or socks.
- 12/22 - Wear your PJs.
- 12/25 -1/1/24 - School Closed for Winter Break
INFORMATION TO SHARE
This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students in grade 3. The CogAT is a group-administered
abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.
The test is made of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The CogAT helps educators understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.
All students in Grade 3 will participate in the testing. The CogAT will be administered on December 6, 7, and 8. No special preparation is required. Just send your child to school ready to learn as you do daily. The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes. Students’ individual scores will be reported to parents in late February/early March.
Hour of Code
We truly live in a world surrounded by technology and this technology is growing every day! It is becoming very clear that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works and/or their career will most likely be affected by technology in some way.
Interestingly however, only a fraction of us who use technology are actually learning HOW our technology works and how creativity fosters the continuing advancement of technology. This is why our entire school is again joining the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code during National Computer Science Education Week December 4th-8th.
By participating in the Hour of Code, Manor Woods Elementary School is making a statement that we are ready to introduce these foundational 21st-century skills even to our youngest learners. During our Hour of Code every student at Manor Woods will be given the opportunity to learn, try and enhance their coding skills.
Be sure to ask your child about their experience with the Hour of Code!
See the link below for more details and a chance to try coding as a family.
https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
Lost and Found
Students are starting to collect belongings that have been displayed on tables in our front lobby from our lost and found. Please take a look at the updated pictures and if you recognize something, let your child know to retrieve it from the lost and found area or parents/guardians can stop by school to retrieve the item(s). In the meantime, if your child is missing something, tell them to take a look at the lost and found area outside of the cafeteria or on the tables in the front lobby. As our students are starting to dress in more layers with the colder weather, please consider labeling your child’s coat, sweatshirts, etc. with their name. This makes it easy to return items to students rather than place them in the lost and found area.
4th and 5th Grade Chorus Winter Concert is Monday, December 4!!
All Chorus members will participate in two concerts that day. One concert will be for the staff and students of MWES (during the school day) and the second concert will be at 7 pm in the Marriotts Ridge High School Auditorium for families and friends.
Calling all 5th Graders!!
The 5th graders of Manor Woods ES, Waverly ES, and West Friendship ES, along with singers from MVMS and MRHS have been invited to participate in the Winter Choir Bash at MRHS on December 7. All 5th graders are learning the combined choir song for the performance during Music class. Information about the Winter Choir Bash is on the attached newsletter, as well as in their Music Canvas Course under "Modules." Please use the QR code on the information sheet to sign up!
PTA NEWS
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
Parent Cafe
We are happy to announce an evening Parent Cafe in December that will expand a gathering opportunity to our families who work all day and can't make a morning event. The cafe will take place on December 6th from 6-8pm. Dinner will be served from 6:00-6:30 and the cafe conversations will begin promptly at 6:30. This event is for families of children with an IFSP or IEP, please see this Parent Cafe Flier for details and share out as appropriate. Any questions can be directed to EISFamily@hcpss.org.
MY CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, NOW WHAT?
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 12:00-1:00p.m.
Virtual Event
Join Marlo Lemon and Kristen Paul from the Parents' Place of Maryland to learn about first steps to consider taking after receiving an initial early childhood autism diagnosis. The presenters will also share information about local resources and services that can be helpful after a diagnosis. Registration is required, please visit https://pathfindersforautism.org/my-child-has-been-diagnosed-with-autism/ Sponsored by Pathfinders for Autism and the Autism Society of Maryland.
Free
SENSORY FRIENDLY VACCINE BAGS, COMMUNICATION BOARDS, SOCIAL STORIES AND MORE!
Improving the vaccination experience is a critical step towards achieving more equitable healthcare for people with autism and all neurodiverse individuals. The Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI) addresses systemic barriers, while promoting vaccine education, confidence, and access. Kits contain noise-canceling headphones, fidgets/spinners, squeezy ball, shot blocker, sunglasses, and stickers to make your child's vaccine experience easier! Please call 410 290-3466 or email nicole.leblanc@howard-autism.org to reserve your free kit. The web site features visual schedules, social stories, support tips and communication boards, visit https://autismsociety.org/vei/. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Maryland, Autism Society of America (ASA), and the Howard County Health Department.
Free
SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY AT THE ROBINSON NATURE CENTER
Sunday, December 10, 2023 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
These events are designed for families with children, teens, and adults with sensory-processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. Center exhibits, trails and outdoor play areas will open early. Enjoy self-paced activities including sensory bins and pathways, scavenger hunts and crafts or games. The planetarium will be open 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Preregistration is recommended, please call 410-313-0400. Sponsored by the Robinson Nature Center and Howard County Recreation & Parks.
There is a fee for non-members, adults $5, children $3. Children under three are free
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 11/17/23 Weekly Duck
The Young Authors Contest
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to natalie_miskimins@hcpss.org by December 11, 2023. Contact Mrs. Miskimins with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.
Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.