From School Administration
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 a few days of warmer weather made this a fantastic week!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
LUNAR NEW YEAR ~ 2026
Lunar New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17th, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on March 3rd. Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family. Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a fifteen-day celebration marked by many traditions. The fifteenth and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival. In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the year of the horse.
Wishing all who are celebrating ~ Xin Nian Kuai Le (新年快乐) – “Happy New Year!”
RAMADAN ~ 2026
The Muslim holiday of Ramadan is expected to begin around sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 and conclude around sunset on Thursday, March 19, 2026 (exact dates may shift by a day depending on moon sighting and community announcements). The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and ends with the festival of Eid-al-Fitr, anticipated for Friday, March 20, 2026.
With Ramadan upon us, we know that some 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 Wednesday for any students/parents requesting this by completing the survey. The following is the link to the survey if needed:
If your child is fasting during the school day and would like to spend the lunch block in an alternate location, please complete this form. Only students who have completed the form will be included in the alternate location plans during lunch time each day from February 18 - March 19. If you have multiple children, please complete the form for each child. Please complete the form no later than February 17. Thank you!
Ramadan Kareem! We wish all who are celebrating a peaceful and happy month of Ramadan.
Important Dates
February
16 - Schools & Offices Closed
17 - Schools & Offices Closed
20 - PTO Be Mine BINGO
March
3 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early
9 - PTO Meeting, Media Center @ 7:00 PM
10 - Spring Class Picture Day
20 - Schools Closed For Students
30 - April 6 - Spring Break
RELATED ARTS ~ COLOR CALENDAR SCHEDULE
MWES NEWS
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST
2025-26 Yearbook Cover Contest flyer (3).pdf
All Students are invited to enter the Yearbook Cover Contest. Teachers and staff will vote for their favorites, based on creativity and representation of the yearbook theme. First and Second Place will be displayed on the front or back cover of the yearbook and Third Place will be included on the first inside page. All other entries will be displayed throughout the yearbook.
Please see Flyer for more details: 2025-26 Yearbook Cover Contest flyer (3).pdf
Information Worth Repeating
COLD WEATHER INFORMATION REMINDERS
To learn about the decision process for closing schools, please view the Vimeo video below.
You can also visit the section of the HCPSS website listing the many ways you can be informed of weather-related school closings. Manor Woods Elementary will not send any additional email out because that communication comes directly from the HCPSS Communications Office.
Unscheduled Emergency Early School Closing
In the event that schools need to close early due to an unexpected weather event, please be sure to share with your child how he/she will go home if it is different from their normal dismissal routine.
All parents were asked to indicate how children are to go home in the event of an emergency/unscheduled closing when they completed their Family File information in August or September.
Weather Guidelines for Outdoor Recess
Exercise outdoors is healthy and is strongly encouraged. It provides a break from the regular school routine, a chance to get some outside air, and an opportunity to run off excess energy.
If conditions preclude the full recess time, even a five-minute break can revitalize children and prepare them for more sitting and academic learning. Children are expected to wear warm clothing to protect them during cold weather when participating in recess or outside activities.
The decision to go out or stay in for recess is the decision of the Administrator at individual schools. However, the following are to be considered in determining whether recess is to be held outside:
- Temperature and Windchill
- 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)
Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Children with certain health conditions may need special accommodations during extremely cold weather. Parents of those children should provide medical documentation and may be consulted to determine if other arrangements are necessary.
PTO NEWS
Join us in making our Multicultural Night a vibrant celebration of the cultures that make our community so special! We're inviting parents and teachers to volunteer their time, talents, and traditions to create an evening filled with food, music, and meaningful connections. Together, we can create an unforgettable night that celebrates diversity, builds understanding, and brings our school community closer than ever. We'd love to have you be part of it! Check out the SignUpGenius below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A9AC23A7FAC25-61774260-mwes#/
Thursday, April 16th 5:45-8:00
Community News
2026 HCPSS Family Academy Conference
HCPSS families are invited to save the date for the 2026 Family Academy Conference on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 pm at Long Reach High School. Families can look forward to a light dinner, a community resource fair, and interactive workshops focused on academic achievement, well-being, and family engagement. Workshop topics will include college and career readiness, special education supports, curriculum updates, hands-on learning strategies for use at home, and more. For more information, visit HCPSS News.
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.
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!
What Your Child Will Learn Guides
HCPSS / Community News and Programs
https://community-programs.hcpss.org/
HCPSS NEWS