The Weekly Duck
Fri, 02/02/2024 - 3:11pm
Dear Manor Woods Families,
It was a wonderful 5-day week at Manor Woods! The positive energy and engagement we see/feel as we are in classrooms, the hallways during transitions, during arrival/dismissal, etc. is contagious. Our Manor Woods students and staff are showing up, working hard and making a difference every day!
The excitement in our school was ENERGIZING today with our Eric Energy assembly. Thank you to our PTA and to all our families for your Duck Dash donations making today’s assembly possible. Our students and staff were fully engaged and actively participating throughout the event.
CONGRATULATIONS to our MWES Fourth and Fifth Grade Bands! Our day and night concerts on Wednesday were both AMAZING! Our students worked hard and ROCKED the cafeteria! We were in awe of every student! Thank you to Mr. Marini for all your hard work and dedication to our band students and to our school. BRAVO!
Hard to believe we have transitioned to the month of February. Black History Month is celebrated every year in the United States during the month of February. It is a time to recognize and honor the achievement, contributions, and history of African Americans. It is a month dedicated to acknowledging the significant impact that Black individuals and communities have had on the nation’s history, culture, and progress.
Our PTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is planning an amazing Black History Month Celebration, ‘African Americans in the Arts’. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, February 28th from 6:30-8:00. Please be on the lookout for additional information as we get closer to the event.
Quarter 2 report cards will be available for all students on Monday, February 5th at 4:00 pm. Families should log in to their HCPSS Connect account to access their child’s report card. In addition, parent/teacher conferences will be taking place on Wednesday the 7th and Thursday the 8th. We will have early dismissal on both days at 12:15 pm. In addition, HCPSS schools are closed for students on Friday, the 9th due to a Countywide Professional Learning Day for staff.
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
February
2 - Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling Window CLOSES in Synergy
5 - Report Cards Issued Electronically at 4:00 p.m.
5 - Re-screening for Hearing and Vision
5 - PTA Restaurant Day/Night ~ Pure Greens
7 & 8 - 3 Hours Early Dismissal - Parent/Teacher Conferences
9 - Schools closed for students - Professional Work Day
12 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM
13 - PTA Valentine’s “Art with Heart” Night
19 - Schools and Offices Closed - Presidents Day
28 - PTA Black History Month Celebration 'African Americans in the Arts', MWES Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 PM
INFORMATION TO SHARE
Rising 6th Grade Middle School Information
Fine Arts Requests Between Feb. 1 through Feb. 14, 5th gr. students and their parents/guardians are required to make a first-choice fine arts course selection for 6th gr. AND choose two alternate fine arts courses (2nd and 3rd choices) in HCPSS Connect. Instructions and additional information can be found here:
Middle School Course Request and Placement Information and Instructions
National School Counseling Week 2024
National School Counseling Week (#NSCW24), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be February 5th-9th. The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems, Howard County, and here at Manor Woods ES. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success.
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs. We are fortunate to have school counselors in each of our schools throughout the county, and at MWES, we are fortunate to have two school counselors. Ms. Heinlein and Ms. Salapata are a vital part of our school and student services team. They actively engage in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as well as partner with parents/guardians whenever needed.In addition, they provide support for staff to help them meet the social, emotional, and academic strengths/needs of our students.
Please join us in saying a huge THANK YOU to Ms.Heinlein and Ms. Salapata for their dedication to our students and community. A card or email of thanks would be a great way to recognize and thank our amazing counselors!
Lunar New Year Celebration
Join the HCPSS STARTALK Program and Centennial High School for a spectacular Lunar New Year Celebration on Friday, February 9 from 5:15 to 8:30 pm at Centennial High School. Enjoy an evening filled with authentic Chinese food, student performances, professional groups, cultural activities, and Chinese New Year entertainment. Past and potential HCPSS STARTALK Chinese Language Program participants and their parents/guardians are welcome. Space is limited. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/DhAeuaG1FiazABPd6. Please contact startalk@hcpss.org with questions.
Kids Heart Challenge
Kids Heart Challenge- During Related Arts on February 8, 2024, all students will participate in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. To support the event, register at https://www2.heart.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app30057b?company_id=460329&fr_id=9739&pg=company&NONCE_TOKEN=888E8C13ED6C2F71416BCFD1D1B85D81 For more information, please visit (pdf attached).Kids Heart.jpg
Trex Recycling Program
Manor Woods is happy to participate in the Trex Recycling program through the end of the year. Please help your student gather and bring the soft plastics on the poster to school. Thanks for helping us make the world a little cleaner!
Safe and Supportive Environment
As we approach the second half of the school year, we wanted to remind you that HCPSS is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment that focuses on student well-being. We are taking this time to uplift the importance of reporting any type of bullying that has occurred. We will be reviewing this with our students and staff as we start the second half of the school year, and hope that you too can uplift this at home.
For children facing the emotional toll of bullying, a supportive individual can make all the difference. Please encourage your children to reach out to a trusted staff member at school should they need to report anything. As parents and guardians, you will use the same reporting form as students by following the steps outlined below.
How do I report bullying?
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When you believe bullying has taken place, you should report it through the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI) reporting form. Reporting can take place in one of three ways:
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Complete a BCHI online reporting form
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BCHI paper reporting form (available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office
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An oral report to a staff member
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It is important to note that policy states “in the event the reporting party does not complete a BCHI Reporting Form, school administrators/supervisors will take the appropriate steps to address and document the incident.” Therefore, if you or someone else makes an oral report, it then must be documented (i.e. through a BCHI reporting form) by the administrator.
Thank you for your partnership and attention to this important topic.
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!
Link for parents to view & register for the Manor Woods ES After School classes:
PTA NEWS
Yearbook Cover Contest
Yearbook Purchase
Be sure to purchase a yearbook for the 23-24 school year!
Go to: www.Treering.com/validate
School 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.
Celebrate the love of friendship and creativity with a special Valentine's Day drawing workshop
Led by HCPSS teacher and MWES parent, Kate Martiyan! In this fun and interactive session, students will explore different drawing techniques and create their own unique Valentine's Day masterpiece.
Tuesday, February 13th • 6:30 - 7:30PM • Manor Woods Cafeteria
Please register on the MWES PTA website https://www.mwespta.com/ so we have a headcount for supplies, Thank you!
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
Maryland State Boys
Quality music education and outstanding opportunities for performance and travel await boys who become members of The Maryland State Boychoir. Auditions are now being scheduled. Please call 410.554.8644 for more information or visit: www.marylandstateboychoir.org
The Maryland State Boychoir is now in its 37th season of providing quality music education and outstanding opportunities for boys who love to sing.
We are looking for boys between the ages of six and seventeen who love to sing, have a good ear, and possess a natural singing voice.
We will audition boys privately in person in low-key small groups. A call to our office or reaching out to us by email is all that is necessary.
HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academies
HCPSS and The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County (TCOE) have partnered to sponsor the following parent workshops series:
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January 27: Processes for Parent Empowerment
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March 9: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
Each engaging session is held virtually on Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. Please see the save the date flyer for more information.
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 1/26/2024 Weekly Duck