Weekly Duck

Dear Manor Woods Families,
 

It was a great week at Manor Woods! Having our students in school for five full days of instruction and following a consistent schedule was wonderful! We know the importance of structure and consistency for our students and for our staff. Adding some sunshine and warmer weather made this a fantastic week! 
 

Today HCPSS shared the updates for our 2024-2025 school year calendar including the adjustment to the last day of school. Please see the information below that was sent via email today from the county.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) 2024-2025 school year calendar included five inclement weather days, June 12–13 and June 16–18. As of Feb. 28, HCPSS has used six days. In order to meet the State-mandated 180 days for students, HCPSS must add a day to the school year calendar.

At its Feb. 27 meeting, the Board of Education approved making Monday, March 31, a full day for students, shifting the scheduled Professional Work and Development Day for school staff to Monday, April 14, which is the first day of spring break. HPCSS did request a waiver for the sixth inclement weather day from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), but it was not approved.

The Board also approved moving the end of the third marking period from March 28 to April 4, which accounts for inclement weather days and better balances the number of days in each marking period.

Barring any additional inclement weather days, the last day of school will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Updates to the June calendar include the following:

  • Friday, June 6: Schools dismiss three hours early; No half-day pre-K/RECC
  • Monday, June 9-Friday June 13: Full school day
  • Monday, June 16-Tuesday, June 17: Schools dismiss three hours early
  • Wednesday, June 18: Last day of school; schools dismiss three hours early

An updated HCPSS Calendar can be found online.

 

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!


 

Kelli Jenkins & Jennifer Zinn

Principal & Assistant Principal

 

 

 

 

2024-2025 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

 

March
 

  • 3 - Kindergarten and New First Grader Registration Begins
  • 3 - MWES Celebrates Read Across America ~ Wear a READABLE Shirt!
  • 4 - Field Trip To SkateZone For 3rd Graders
  • 14 - Schools 3 Close Hours Early (Professional Work and Wellness Day)
  • 31 - HCPSS UPDATE CALENDAR ~ FULL DAY FOR STUDENTS

Related Arts Color Calendar Schedul

RA Color Calendar

                                         

                                                                         

MWES NEWS


 


 

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan is set to begin this evening, Friday, February 28, 2025. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine days from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar.

With Ramadan upon us, we know that many of our students will be fasting during the day. Earlier this week, each grade level sent a survey for parents/guardians to complete for any students who would like to request to fast in an alternate location during their lunchtime. This will start on Monday for any students/parents requesting this on the survey.

We want to say a huge THANK YOU to our PTA Social and DEI Committees for planning our Explore Ramadan through Facts, Food, and Crafts night this week! It was a wonderful event with great crafts, delicious food and there were even a few performers. The event was well-attended and we heard wonderful feedback from all participants. Thank you to our PTA!

Ramadan Kareem! We wish all who are celebrating a peaceful and happy month of Ramadan. 


 

UNHEARD PERSPECTIVES ~ Investigations of Underrepresented Voices

We are incredibly proud of our students who participated in the Unheard Perspectives Showcase last weekend at Marriotts Ridge High School. Their hard work and dedication were truly inspiring, and we commend them for representing our school with such passion and talent. 

Congratulations to all of our GOLD winners who participated. Thank you, Mrs. Parker for creating this valuable learning experience for our students!
 

                            
 


 

MWES Celebrates Read Across America ~ Monday, March 3rd

Join MWES in an optional Spirit Wear Day to celebrate Read Across America on Monday, March 3rd!! Wear a READABLE Shirt! (a shirt with words). 

                                         
 

Kids Heart Challenge                                       

Join for the Manor Wood's Kid's Heart Challenge. We need 75 more students to register for FREE in order for our school earns $500 in PE equipment. Help support the school and the American Heart Association. Donations are optional and tax deductible! Register at heart.org/schools

 

 

Information Worth Repeating


 

MISA and MSDE SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY

Dear Parent/Guardian of a MWES 5th grader,

State law requires that all public schools in Maryland survey students about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to gain valuable information about the quality and character of each school’s learning environment so that schools can promote a climate that supports student learning.

Fifth grade students will take the Maryland School Survey during regular school hours on Wednesday, March 12. The survey will ask students about topics such as student engagement, interactions with adults and with other students in the school, the school environment, bullying, and safety. The survey will not ask about a student’s personal experiences, and students will not be asked to provide any information that might violate their privacy. 

The survey is confidential and school personnel will not have access to the responses of specific students. The responses your child provides will be combined with the responses from other students in the school, and results will be reported for each school and district.

Fifth graders will also participate in the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) as part of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP).  MCAP provides information to educators, parents and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards.  Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement.  For more information, visit Maryland Comprehensive Assessment (MCAP) . Fifth grade students at Manor Woods will take the MISA on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5.

Please make every effort to have your child to school on time on the days mentioned above.  If you have any questions about the survey or MISA, please contact Jennifer Zinn at jennifer_zinn@hcpss.org

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

HCPSS Kindergarten is a full-day program. Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins March 3, 2025. Children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2025 to enroll in kindergarten. Every eligible child must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver form. Waiver forms will be available in March.

More information regarding Kindergarten registration may be found on the HCPSS website.

https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/kindergarten/
 

Please also feel welcomed to call our front office with any questions or clarifications (410-313-7165) about the Kindergarten registration process.
 

HCPSS Student Personal Device Changes

On January 30, 2025, the Board of Education approved adjustments to Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media that changes the ability for students to use personal devices during the school day. The Board approved the following changes related to the use of personal devices by students at school:

  • No students, PreKindergarten-12, will be permitted to use cell phones and other personal technology devices during the student day (first bell to last bell of the day or posted school hours) except for reasons detailed in a student’s IEP, 504, or health plan. Under the prior version of the policy, elementary and middle school students were not permitted to use personal devices during the school day at any time. For high school students, this policy removes access to personal device in between classes and at lunch. For all grade levels, the addition of consequences for violating the policy is new.
  • When a personal device is used in violation of the new policy, the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the student day. Following the first violation, the student may retrieve the device at the end of the student day. For all subsequent violations, a parent/guardian must retrieve the device from the school.
  • A device that is confiscated during the final period of the student day will be confiscated for the entire next student day. The student may retrieve the device at the end of the day it was originally confiscated to take home but must provide it to the front office upon arrival on the next student day.
  • Students may be in possession of personal devices, but they must be “away and silenced,” meaning devices are not able to be seen by either the student or staff member and are set to make no noise. Additionally, devices may not be a distraction.
  • Smart watches will be permitted to be worn to check time but may not be a distraction.
  • Personal laptops may be used for instructional activities in high school when permitted by the teacher.
  • A staff member on a school-sponsored field trip may permit the use of a personal technology device by a student in limited situations where capturing a picture or video may be appropriate or contacting a parent/guardian is necessary.
  • School administrators and school administrators’ designees may authorize use of a personal device in rare instances such as an emergency for communication purposes.

These new expectations will take effect on Monday, March 3, 2025. The complete changes and expectations links to an external site may be found online. Please take time to review these new expectations with your student to ensure they do not violate the new policy.

Our school will adhere strictly to the policy with hopes that the elimination of the distractions that personal devices cause use will result in healthier and more productive learning and social environments during the school day. More information will be shared before the implementation date.
 

 

 

PTA News

PTA Calendar: https://www.mwespta.com/calendar

 

Please visit the PTA website at https://www.mwespta.com/

Join the PTA- Executive Board Members needed for next school year

Several of our executive positions will be vacant next year. The PTA needs at minimum a President, Secretary, and Treasurer to stay active. We are very fortunate to have Kaitlin O’Hara returning as Treasurer for next year, however, our President and Secretary positions will be open. In addition, our VP positions will also be open next year. Many events and school supports will not be possible without a functioning PTA. Please review the position descriptions and consider helping out. An interest form is available below. All current officers are available to answer any questions regarding the positions. Thank you in advance for your consideration!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeS-8AUDvH7fMNORaQtUiYjtrKPqJG88dUPMVReYgs1AO6a4Q/viewform
 

Position Descriptions

  • President-
    • Communicates with other officers and committee chairs about: meetings, budget, upcoming events  
    • Communicates with school admin about events, fundraisers and donations
    • Fields questions from PTACHC or State PTA, distributes information to school
    • Leads PTA meetings
    • Signs Checks
  • Vice President I (Finance)-
    • Works with President, Treasurer and committees to coordinate fundraising and budgetary initiatives.
    • Occasionally sign checks
  • Vice President II (Committees)-
    • Coordinates and liaises with Program & Committee leaders
    • Occasionally signs checks
    • Assists with communication and maintenance of PTA website and Facebook page
  • Secretary-  
    • Records meeting minutes
    • Sends PTA emails to membership
    • Assists with maintenance of PTA website and Facebook Page

Multicultural Night Volunteers Needed

Multicultural Night- Save the Date

Thursday, April 24th 6pm-7pm Mount View Middle School

We are looking for volunteers to bring this event to life! Use the link below to sign-up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F084BA5A92BA0FC1-52283709-mwes?useFullSite=true#/
 

Event RSVP link coming soon!
 

 

HCPSS News

 

HCPSS SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FAIR

Saturday, March 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Cedar Lane School 11630 Scaggsville Road Fulton, MD

The HCPSS Special Education Resource Fair provides families with information available from the community and HCPSS to support their students receiving special education and related services (those who have an IEP or IFSP).

Get connected to:

Recreational Activities

HCPSS Speech, OT, PT, Vision, and Adapted PE

Camps

Community Groups

Service Providers

Transition to Adulthood Information

Assistive Technology

Behavioral Health

Howard County Government Resources

And Much More!

For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. The event will be cancelled if HCPSS has an inclement weather closure. This event is part of the HCPSS Parent Empowerment Series including training sessions related to special education and events for families of students with an IEP or IFSP.

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:  HCPSS Student Code Of Conduct

HCPSS Student & Parent 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 NEWS

Click here for the latest updated hcpss news.