The Weekly Duck
Mon, 10/16/2023 - 12:07pmThe Weekly Duck
October 13, 2023
Dear Manor Woods Families,
Happy Friday! The month of October is moving quickly and the end of the first quarter will be here before we know it. Please remember parents/guardians can access Canvas gradebook at any time to monitor your child’s grades/progress throughout the quarter. Checking periodically throughout the quarter is encouraged as it can result in conversations around strengths and areas of need with your child in terms of work completion and content mastery. In addition, it may result in questions that may arise for your child’s teacher prior to the end of the quarter.
Did you know at the elementary level Related Arts grades are formally documented on the report card at the end of the first semester/2nd quarter? This area on the first quarter report card will be shaded and you will not see a grade until the second quarter report card. However, parents/guardians can check Canvas gradebook for Related Arts grades at any time. Grades for these classes are available now and will continue to be available throughout the year.
We are excited for our upcoming PTA events. Please join us next week for our PTA sponsored 2nd Annual HIspanic Heritage Month Celebration. It would be great to have more volunteers. Use the link below to sign up.
Our PTA is also sponsoring our first Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 27th from 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm. Once again, consider volunteering for the Trunk or Treat by clicking on the link below. We are so appreciative of our PTA and the many activities and events provided for our students and families by our PTA throughout the school year.
We look forward to seeing many families at these upcoming events.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
OCTOBER
- 19 - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, MWES Cafeteria at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- 20 - Schools Closed for Students, Professional Work Day
- 25 - Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic (more information to come)
- 27 - PTA Manny's Trunk or Treat
- 31 - End of Q1, 3hr Early Dismissal at 12:15 p.m.
NOVEMBER
- 8 - Q1 Report Cards Issued
- 10 - PTA Duck Dash
- 13 - American Education Week Begins
- 13 - PTA Restaurant Night @ Coal Fire
- 17 - PTA Duck Dash (Rain Date)
- 20 & 21 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early
- 22 - Schools Closed for Students, Parent/Teacher Conference
- 22 & 24 - Schools Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday)
INFORMATION TO SHARE
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the unique voices and experiences of Hispanic/Latino Americans and recognize their history, journeys, and achievements.
The DEI Parent Team will be hosting our 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on October 19th from 6pm-8pm. Parents can scan the QR Code or use this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DA8AF29ABF8C34-44470164-mwes#/ to bring a dish to share.
If you have any questions please contact DEI Chair Jasmine Brenan at jbrennan1217@gmail.com.
PTA Sponsored Trunk or Treat
The MWES PTA is excited to announce that we will be hosting our first Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 27th from 5:15pm - 6:30pm!
This will be a fun celebration for our students and their siblings! In order for this event to happen, we need participation from our MWES families. Please view the signup genius below for full details about the event and opportunities to sign up. Whether you decorate a car trunk or donate candy and trinkets, there are plenty of options for you to support the Trunk or Treat.
Click here for more information: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849AEA62FA5FC1-44975944-mwes
A Note From The School Nurse
Dear Manor Woods Elementary School Community:
Each year, the Howard County Public School System partners with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention to bring flu immunizations into our schools for students. This year, they will also be offering the latest Covid vaccine (Moderna). The clinic at Manor Woods will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 during school hours. If you would like your child to be vaccinated against the flu and/or Covid at this clinic, please register at this link: https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/1202978606
You are not required to provide your child's insurance information. It is perfectly fine to receive both vaccines on the same day. If you have any concerns about the new Covid Moderna vaccine, you are advised to speak with your child's pediatrician. All in-school clinics will be closed to registration one week (Wednesday, October 18, 2023) before the clinic date to allow our health room staff time to review and prepare the consents and make sure enough vaccine is ordered. If you have any questions, please call your school's health room at 410-313-8326.
PLEASE NOTE THE LINK IS ONLY FOR MANOR WOODS STUDENTS AND STAFF ONLY.
Laura D. Ruiz, BSN, RN, NCSN
School Nurse, Manor Woods Elementary School if you have any questions.
Save The Date For Picture Retakes
Picture Retake Date is Novemeber 15, 2023.
Order Form Click Here
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.
PTA NEWS
Duck Dash
We are busy planning for our biggest fundraiser of the year! SAVE THE DATE: Friday, November 10th (Rain date: Friday, November 17th)!
We plan to have the 99Pledges fundraising website up and running by early next week so students can start fundraising. Stay tuned for more information about registering on our fundraising website.
In addition to student fundraising, we are also looking for sponsors who help pay for a Duck Dash t-shirt for all of our students, teachers, and staff. If you or someone you know owns a local business and would like to become a sponsor, please reach out to Allie at manorwoodsfundraising@gmail.com for more information about this year's Sponsorship Levels. More Duck Dash information to come as details are confirmed!
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
BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program will host the upcoming BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night on October 12 at Long Reach High School. This event provides an opportunity for scholars in grades 8 - 12 countywide to network with working professionals, colleges/universities, explore post-secondary opportunities and learn more about HCPSS pathways. The evening will highlight a variety of colleges and universities as well as local businesses and organizations. The Registration Form is linked here.
HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academy - Navigating HCPSS
On October 14 from 9-10:30 a.m., parents and families are invited to attend a virtual session regarding how to effectively maintain communication with your child’s school. HCPSS staff will demonstrate how parents can monitor students’ performance by utilizing school system online resources. Additionally, families will receive strategies to help ensure successful parent-teacher conferences. This session is for families of students at elementary, middle or high. To register, please complete the registration form linked here. Please see the TCOE Navigating HCPSS flyer for more information.
Social Skills Group
In partnership with The Judy Center and the Lighthouse Center for Therapy & Play, the Howard County Local Children's Board is funding a social skills group for 3- & 4-year-olds starting Tuesday October 17th . A flier is now available, with additional information included on the referral form. Please share with families as appropriate.
Groups will be held on Tuesdays at The Judy Center from 12:30-1:00 PM at the Judy Center. Parents will need to stay with their children and active participation is encouraged. Questions about registering can be directed to Candace Ball at 410-313-6552 or cmball@howardcountymd.gov
Office of Early Intervention Services
OEIS will host a Parent Cafe on 10/24/23 for families of children birth-5. This is an opportunity for parents & caregivers to come together to share ideas to help take care of themselves, develop strong relationships with their children, and strengthen their families. Childcare and light refreshments are provided! Please share the October Parent Cafe flier with families--this event is free but registration is required. Any questions can be directed to EISFamily@hcpss.org.
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 10/6/23 Weekly Duck