Dear Manor Woods Families,
It was a wonderful week here at Manor Woods. It is great to see our students throughout the day smiling, laughing and enjoying the school day.
Our lost and found area is getting full. Soon we will be providing pictures of items in our lost and found area to share with the community. Please take a look at the 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.
Looking ahead, we want to encourage our students to start dressing in layers as the weather is beginning to change. We want our students to be comfortable for both indoor and outdoor activities throughout the day.
We hope to see many of you this evening for our Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration from 6:00-8:00 pm.
We hope that everyone has a fantastic weekend. A friendly reminder that there is no school for students tomorrow, Friday the 20th. We will see our students on Monday.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
OCTOBER
- 25 - Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic (more information to come)
- 27 - PTA Manny’s Trunk or Treat @ 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- 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 at 12:15 p.m. for Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 22 - Schools Closed for students, Parent/Teacher Conference
- 23 & 24 - Schools Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday)
INFORMATION TO SHARE
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK
We are excited to share that this week was Digital Citizenship Week 2023 (October 16-20). This initiative aims at promoting responsible and safe online behavior among our students. In today's digital age, our students must develop the skills and awareness necessary to navigate the online world confidently. One critical improvement point is balancing screen time and offline activities. Encourage your children to set limits on their screen time, engage in physical activities, and enjoy face-to-face interactions with friends and family. Use conversation starters like, "What's your favorite non-screen activity?" or "Tell me about a positive online experience you had recently." Additionally, explore resources such as Common Sense Media's Family Media Agreement and ConnectSafely.org for valuable tips and guidelines to help create a healthy digital environment at home.
PTA News
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 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm!
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
MWES ~ DUCK DASH ~ Weekly Update
We have some mighty duck fundraisers this year! Last week we crossed the $10,000 mark and are already at $12,091! You know what that means?! It is time for our next spirit day: Crazy Hat and / or Socks Day!! Since we do not have school on Friday, this week’s Spirit Day will be Thursday, October 19.
LAST CALL for…
T-shirt designs: students can submit a four color design including a duck and 2023 MWES Duck Dash, with our new Fun Run theme in mind by Wednesday, October 18 to be included in the contest. We have received many great designs so far and will be sharing the designs with the teachers to vote on the winning design at the end of the contest.
Corporate sponsors: interested in becoming a corporate sponsor to assist in covering the cost of our event t-shirts? Sponsorship must be acknowledged by Friday, October 20 in order for your logo to be featured on the event shirt. Reach out to us today at manorwoodsfundraising@gmail.com
This year’s prize structure…
In addition to the school-wide Spirit Days, we will offer three additional levels of prizes:
Grade-wide: the grade with the highest percentage of participation will receive a prize. Participation is defined as registering for the Duck Dash, fundraising not required.
Homeroom: the homeroom with the highest fundraising total will receive a classroom party.
Individual: the student who raises the most money in each grade will receive an in-school experience sponsored by the teachers and administration.
**Finalized prize information to be announced before the event!**
Volunteers and Family Spectators
More information to be sent home soon for volunteer and family spectator sign-up. We will need volunteers around the track to cheer students on and assist them with the agility activities and obstacles as needed. Volunteers must complete the volunteer training: https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/. There will also be a section for other spectators to come and cheer their students on!
For later…
Start thinking about your outfits for our other Spirit Day milestone themes:
$15,000: Twin Day | find a friend or friends and match your outfits for the day.
$20,000: SuperHero Day
If you haven’t registered yet, REGISTER TODAY! https://app.99pledges.com/fund/MWESDuckDash2023
**Don’t forget to register to ensure your child receives the right size event t-shirt!**
If you have any questions or would like to become an event sponsor, please reach out to Allie Panetti or Hannah Zirrolli, Duck Dash Committee Co-Chairs at manorwoodsfundraising@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
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 10/13/23 Weekly Duck
Save The Date For Picture Retakes
Picture Retake Date is November 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.