The Weekly Duck

Important Dates

March
20 - Schools Closed For Students
30 - April 5 - Spring Break

April

6 - HCPSS CALENDAR UPDATE ~ FULL DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
15 - HCPSS CALENDAR UPDATE ~ SCHOOLS OPEN FOR STUDENTS ~ Early Dismissal
14 - End of 3rd Quarter
16 - PTO Multicultural Night, Marriotts Ridge HS, 5:45-8:00 PM
21 - Chorus Concert, Marriott Ridge HS, 7:00 PM
22 - 3rd Quarter Report Cards Viewable, 4:00 PM

RELATED ARTS ~ COLOR CALENDAR SCHEDULE

MWES NEWS

MCAP

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual state assessments to all students in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school.

Manor Woods students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in both ELA and math. The MCAP provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. For more information, visit https://www.hcpss.org/academics/testing/mcap/.

The MCAP assessment window is Tuesday, April 7 - Friday, May 29. Specific testing dates are below for each grade level. Please make every effort to have your child attend school on testing days and to refrain from scheduling any appointments during these times to minimize missing instruction due to make-up testing. There is no need to study for the MCAP. To prepare, have your child get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time.

MCAP ELA

3rd Grade - April 20, 21, 22, and 24

4th Grade - April 8, 10, 13, and 14

5th Grade - April 8, 10, 13, and 14

MCAP Math

3rd Grade - May 4, 5, 6, and 8

4th Grade - May 4, 5, 6, and 8

5th Grade - April 27, 28, 29 and May 1

MISA and MSDE SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY ~ 5th GRADE STUDENTS

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 18. 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 https://www.hcpss.org/academics/testing/mcap/. Fifth grade students at Manor Woods will take the MISA on Monday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 11.

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

After School Programs At MWES

Howard County Recreation & Parks

Spring 2026 After School Classes flier for Manor Woods ES

MWES Artwork

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Information Worth Repeating

2026-2027 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

March 2 – March 6, 2026 is the designated countywide kickoff registration period. Registration assistance should be available throughout the school day during the kickoff week. Please consult the HCPSS website for updated information on Enrollment and Registration.

Age Eligibility for Kindergarten:

Kindergarten is a mandatory grade in the state of Maryland.
Children must be five years old on or before September 1st to attend kindergarten.
Children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2026 must have been born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022.
Students will be enrolled in the attendance area in which they live. Please refer families to School & Bus Locator to confirm the assigned school.

Every child who is 5 years old on or before September 1 must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver.

HCPSS SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FAIR

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. Get connected to services for students with a developmental delay or disability including:

Services within HCPSS
Recreational Activities
Camps
Community Groups
Service Providers
Transition Information
Assistive Technology
Behavioral Health
Howard County Government Resources
And Much More!

For information, please contact FSRC@hcpss.org. Registration is not required. 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.

Flyer

UNDERSTANDING SPEECH & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Flyer

PTO NEWS

MULTICULTURAL NIGHT

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

MRHS MUSIC NEEDS YOUR FLEA MARKET DONATIONS!

Don’t trash your gently-used items - gather them for donation to the MRHS Mustand Flea Market! All donations are tax-deductible, and all profits generated will support MRHS Music! We take all saleable items, big AND small, and your used textiles for recycling too!

Then Shop the Sale on March 14th and discover a new treasure!

For more info, visit our website info page at https://www.mrhsmusic.net/fundraising/mustang-flea-market

Donation Mustang Flea Market Flyer

BINGO NIGHT EVENT TICKETS ARE HERE!

Join the excitement at our annual Bingo Night event! Food, fun and socializing, with a chance at great prizes, auctions and raffle items! Tickets are $35 in advance at the link below (fees apply), or $40 at the door.

Only 300 seats available! Get yours now at https://events.mrhsmusic.net/bingo

Jazz at the Ridge Returns to MRHS on April 9th

The award winning MRHS Big Band, Jazz Combo & MVMS Jazz Band will be rocking the stage with the MRHS Jazz Madrigals, Vocal Ensemble and the MVMS Jazz Choir! Come early to enjoy refreshments (light appetizers & a popcorn station) at 6:30pm in the Commons and hear the Jazz Combo play. Dessert & beverages served in the Commons at Intermission.

Tickets: $10 each/$30 per family (2 adults & their children) with discounts for staff/military/senior adults. Purchase at the door, or reserve in advance at https://events.mrhsmusic.net/jatr

APPLYING FOR DDA ELIGIBILITY: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
English presentation 6:00-7:00 p.m. Breakout session to review the application/Q&A 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Spanish presentation 7:00-8:00 p.m. Breakout session to review the application/Q&A 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Non-Profit Collaborative of Howard County
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive
Columbia, MD
Families with a transition-age child (14-21) will learn the what, when, how and why of submitting an application to determine their child’s eligibility for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services as an adult, or prior if they qualify. Mary Anne Kane Breschi of DDA will present an overview in English at 6:00 p.m. and with Spanish interpretation at 7:00 p.m. During the breakout sessions, families will have the opportunity to review how to complete the DDA eligibility application, receive a checklist of the recommended supporting documents, and ask questions. Registration opens to Howard County families starting 2/20 and to surrounding counties on 2/26. Please register ASAP!
Visit registration page in English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1pa4xMJUlTVOHgSKA_6pXz-qr54QWkNnzupXbGHjiIIt9Hg/viewform

For questions, please email FSRC@hcpss.org. This event is sponsored by the Autism Society of Maryland and the Howard County Public School System.

CONFIDENTLY NAVIGATING AN IEP

Monday, March 16, 2026 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
Feeling overwhelmed by the IEP process? This session is designed to help families better understand Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and feel more confident advocating for their child. We’ll break down key components of an IEP and explain common terminology. Whether you’re new to the IEP process or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this session offers guidance, support, and space for questions. Presented by Dr. Annie McLaughlin. Visit registration page.: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/downsyndromeassocmaryland/event/annualeducationseries/ Sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland.
There is a $5 fee for this event.

HOW CAN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT THE NEURODIVERSE STUDENT?

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
Presented by Lori Berrong, Executive Director, Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MD TAP, Maryland Department of Disabilities. We’ll learn about how different technologies can aid and support neurodiverse students, including learning, communication skills, executive function skills, social stills, behavioral regulation and more. This event is offered simultaneously in English and Spanish. Visit registration page.: https://pathfindersforautism.org/assistivetechnologywebinar/ Sponsored by Pathfinders for Autism and the Autism Society of Maryland.

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

https://news.hcpss.org/