The Weekly Duck 12.8.23

Fri, 12/08/2023 - 2:56pm

Dear Manor Woods Families, 

We hope everyone had a great week. We are well into the month of December and our school is busier than ever! 

This past week was Inclusive Schools Week. It was a week where we highlighted and celebrated our inclusive community at Manor Woods. Our core values center around a climate/culture of inclusivity and this is our focus every day! At Manor Woods, we are an inclusive community that celebrates each person’s unique self. We foster genuine connections where everyone feels valued and heard. We create a safe, welcoming environment that encourages risk-taking. And we provide engaging, student-centered instruction. It was great to see our students and staff showing their spirit on Tuesday with “Be Comfortable, Be YOU!” Manor Woods is the place to be! 

CONGRATULATIONS to our MWES 4th & 5th Grade Choruses! Both choruses were fantastic. Our students worked hard and did an AMAZING job! Even with technical difficulty during the evening concert, our students were impressive with their ability to pivot and make a change while waiting on stage! We were in awe of every student! Thank you to Mrs. Rinaldi and Mr. Dobson for all your hard work and dedication to our chorus students and to our school. BRAVO! 

For our families celebrating Hanukkah, “Chag Urim Sameach '' (Happy Festival of Lights). We extend wishes for well-being, joy, warmth, and happiness to accompany the celebrations during the Festival of Lights.  

With just ten more days of school until the winter break, it is our goal to continue to follow normal routines and we encourage you to do the same. During a busy holiday time, following normal routines can be challenging, and we are here to partner with you to ensure as much consistency as possible leading up to Winter Break. 

Please remember that Wednesday, December 13, is a half-day, and students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm.

Have a great weekend and a fantastic next week!

Kelli Jenkins, Principal

Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal                                                                                         

 

2023-2024  IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

 

DECEMBER

  • 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

Congratulations

 To the following orchestra members for their outstanding performances in Saturday's Howard County GT Orchestra and Sinfonia concerts: Jessie Cheng, Myla Durland, Olivia Gurvits, Lucas He, Dana Kim, Sam Lee, Nicole Li, Sophie Mao, Dylan Patel, Riley Pearsall, Edgar Rodriguez Abrego, Jayden Sun and Nathan Zhang.

The orchestra is proud to announce that Praneeth Anireddy, Dominik Cha-Cardinale, Nishat Khan and Leen Matit were nominated to represent MWES in the upcoming Howard County Honors Orchestra.

Congratulations

 to the 4th and 5th Grade Choruses on two fabulous Winter Concerts on Monday, December 4.  We are so proud of your success!  

Best Wishes to the MWES members of the Howard County Children's Chorus.  They will perform a Winter Concert on Sunday, December 10 at 3 pm at Mt. Hebron High School. MWES singers who will be performing: Riley Beno, Aris Daniels, Jonah Diamant, Andrew Ewis, Neil Gandhe, Vivian Sanders, Haajean Song and Lasya Velivelli. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend to hear some beautiful music!

~Mr. Dobson & Ms. Rinaldi~

 

Cold Weather Reminders

Cold weather has arrived!!!  We wanted to remind you that students will still be going outside for recess each day. Please make sure you send your child to school with warm clothes. All clothing needs to be labeled with your child's name. Below you will find the HCPSS criteria we consider when having outdoor activities. 

• Temperature and humidity

• Wind chill

• Heat index and air quality

• Age of students

• Length of time outdoors

• Adequacy of the children’s clothing

• Condition of the playground

• Falling precipitation (more than a sprinkle or mist)

• Thunder and lightning

Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is less than 95.

Book Fair December 11th-20th

The Book Fair starts Monday the 11th and runs through the 20th!

Family Shopping Night is December 14th from 5:00-7:00 PM

in the MWES Library Media Center

Students will have the opportunity to shop the fair during their Library Media classes from the 11th-19th. Students will also be creating a Wish List that they will bring home to show you after they attend Library Media next week. We are asking parents to create an e-wallet for your child to purchase items during class. See directions on creating an e-wallet here. 

We hope to see you at Family Shopping Night on December 14th where we will accept e-wallets and credit cards. Alternatively, you may shop the book fair online December 11th-24th:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/manorwoodselemschool1Links to an external site.

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. 

HCPSS Emergency Notification Procedures

As we head into winter weather, families are reminded that in emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community through the HCPSS website, email and text, Twitter and the HCPSS weather hotline.

Planned Internet Outage, Dec. 11

HCPSS technology staff have planned regular maintenance to HCPSS systems on Monday, Dec. 11 from 9-11 p.m. During this time, those in HCPSS buildings will experience periods where the internet is not accessible, and all users accessing HCPSS systems, including Canvas, Synergy, and others, will experience times of no or sluggish response. Once the work is complete, users may continue to log in as usual.

Register for Spring 2024 BSAP Saturday Math Academy, Jan. 6

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 9 a.m.- until capacity is reached, online registration

All HCPSS students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12 are invited to participate in the HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy. Registration will take place online via HCPSS Connect and remain open until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Additional program details, including dates, cost, and payment options, are available online.

Road to Kindergarten Workshops, January 2024

First session: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Centennial High School

Save the date for an upcoming Road to Kindergarten parent information session, providing information on expectations for school readiness, the HCPSS kindergarten program, and more.

 

PTA NEWS

 

MWES Teacher and Staff Holiday Gifting

Every holiday season we do a school wide monetary collection for our wonderful teachers and staff, and ultimately present each with one cumulative gift card. Simply use the drop down menu to filter the staff list by grade or department, click on the individual's name, add how much you would like to contribute to their gift, and add it to your cart. You can go back and add as many individuals as you would like with all different amounts prior to checking out.

The store will close December 18th to give the PTA time to purchase the gift cards in the appropriate amounts and present them to the staff prior to winter break. Please note that all cards will be from "All Manor Woods Families".

https://www.mwespta.com/holiday-gifts

If you have any questions please reach out to Lizzy at mweswebmaster@gmail.com

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

Holiday Jazz Cabaret

Move Over, Nutcracker!  Marriotts Ridge Has a New Music Tradition to JAZZ UP Your Holiday Season!

Join us for our annual Holiday Jazz Cabaret at Marriotts Ridge High School on December 19th at 7:00 PM.  It's the most swingin' celebration in town with upbeat and fun musical performances by the Marriotts Ridge Jazz Band & Combo, Madrigal Singers, and featured jazz and vocal soloists.  

Fill a plate with fabulous hot appetizers and desserts (included with admission) and enjoy jazzed-up seasonal favorites in our Winter Wonderland Atrium, transformed with tinsel, tulle, and twinkle lights.  Then top it all off with whipped cream and peppermint at our hot cocoa/coffee bar!

You don't want to miss this joyous, family-friendly concert event!  Tickets on sale at the door - $15 for adults, $12 for students and staff, and $50 for a family (2 adults & children).

Health News

HCAM’S Inaugural Open Enrollment Community Resource Fair, Saturday, December 9th, 10 till 2pm.

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 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 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: 

  • December 16: Social Emotional Well-Being and Substance Abuse

  • January 27: Processes for Parent Empowerment

  • 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 12/1/23 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.