The Weekly Duck 11.17.23
Fri, 11/17/2023 - 3:35pm
Dear Manor Woods Families,
It has been a wonderful American Education Week for all! We welcomed so many visitors this week and we are so appreciative of all the parents/guardians/family members who spent time with us throughout the week. Our students were super excited to have family members in the building and we hope everyone enjoyed seeing a “snapshot” of a typical day at Manor Woods. Thank you for helping us celebrate American Education Week and the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students and communities to unify in providing the best educational experience possible!
We want to send a huge SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to our PTA for an AMAZING DUCK DASH today! It was a fantastic day and we are beyond thankful for all the volunteers that made today possible. Thank you to the PTA Fundraising volunteers for the endless hours of planning, organizing and making the Duck Dash come to life. In addition, thank you to the many volunteers throughout the day to ensure all was a success as well as our parent/family member spectators cheering for and supporting our students and staff. AND thank you to the many, many donations made for our school and community. This is another example of coming together to provide the best possible for our school community. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Parent Conferences will be held next week, and school will dismiss three hours early on Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21 at 12:15 pm. Just a reminder , conferences on Monday are in-person and conferences on Tuesday and/or Wednesday are virtual. Our staff is excited for another opportunity to connect and share about your child’s progress during the first quarter as well as goals set for the second quarter.
Next week, we will take a break from sending our newsletter. Our next Weekly Duck will be sent on December 1. With Thanksgiving upon us, this is a great time to reflect on the many things for which we are grateful. We are grateful for all the wonderful people at Manor Woods Elementary School. We have amazing students, staff and families. We want to share our gratitude for your partnership and collaboration and we look forward to continuing our work together.
On behalf of the entire Manor Woods Staff, we wish you and your family a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
NOVEMBER
- 20 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early at 12:15 p.m. for In person Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 21 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early at 12:15 p.m. for virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 22 - Schools Closed for students,virtual Parent/Teacher Conference
- 23 & 24 - Schools Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday)
- 29 - Family Reading Night
DECEMBER
- 4 - Inclusive Schools Week ~ Draw Me In
- 4 - Winter Chorus Concert for 4th and 5th Graders
- 7 - Winter Choir Bash for 5th Graders
- 6, 7, and 8 - CogAt Teasting
- 13 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early at 12:15 p.m. ~ Professional work and wellness da
INFORMATION TO SHARE
This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students in grade 3. The CogAT is a group-administered
abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential.
The test is made of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The CogAT helps educators understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.
All students in Grade 3 will participate in the testing. The CogAT will be administered on December 6, 7, and 8. No special preparation is required. Just send your child to school ready to learn as you do daily. The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes. Students’ individual scores will be reported to parents in late February/early March.
MWES ~ Staff Appreciation
Month of Gratitude, Let's Give a SHOUT OUT to our Staff
As we move forward into the month of November, this is always a great time to share our appreciation, thanks and gratitude. Reflecting on our many blessings and sharing our gratitude with others can truly make a difference. The staff at Manor Woods works so hard every day to make sure our students and families are happy and successful and we would love your help in recognizing our staff during this month of Thanksgiving. Will you join us in recognizing a staff member? Will you recognize any staff member who is making a difference for your child(ren)?
Please take a moment to recognize a staff member who is making a positive difference. Use this link to SHOUT OUT a MWES staff member: #MWES STAFF SHOUT OUT. We will share the SHOUT OUT with individual staff members as they are received. Thank you for your support in recognizing our amazing staff!
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.
Bedtime Stories Family Reading Night
Please join the MWES Reading Committee and staff on Wednesday, November 29th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Click here for more information on Bedtime Stories
Click here for more information on Meet The Author
4th and 5th Grade Chorus Winter Concert is Monday, December 4!!
All Chorus members will participate in two concerts that day. One concert will be for the staff and students of MWES (during the school day) and the second concert will be at 7 pm in the Marriotts Ridge High School Auditorium for families and friends.
All information for Chorus members is on the attached flyer. We can't wait to sing for you!! 
Calling all 5th Graders!!
The 5th graders of Manor Woods ES, Waverly ES, and West Friendship ES, along with singers from MVMS and MRHS have been invited to participate in the Winter Choir Bash at MRHS on December 7. All 5th graders are learning the combined choir song for the performance during Music class. Information about the Winter Choir Bash is on the attached newsletter, as well as in their Music Canvas Course under "Modules." Please use the QR code on the information sheet to sign up!
PTA NEWS
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
Parent Cafe
We are happy to announce an evening Parent Cafe in December that will expand a gathering opportunity to our families who work all day and can't make a morning event. The cafe will take place on December 6th from 6-8pm. Dinner will be served from 6:00-6:30 and the cafe conversations will begin promptly at 6:30. This event is for families of children with an IFSP or IEP, please see this Parent Cafe Flier for details and share out as appropriate. Any questions can be directed to EISFamily@hcpss.org.
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 VACCINE BAGS, COMMUNICATION BOARDS, SOCIAL STORIES AND MORE!
Improving the vaccination experience is a critical step towards achieving more equitable healthcare for people with autism and all neurodiverse individuals. The Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI) addresses systemic barriers, while promoting vaccine education, confidence, and access. Kits contain noise-canceling headphones, fidgets/spinners, squeezy ball, shot blocker, sunglasses, and stickers to make your child's vaccine experience easier! Please call 410 290-3466 or email nicole.leblanc@howard-autism.org to reserve your free kit. The web site features visual schedules, social stories, support tips and communication boards, visit https://autismsociety.org/vei/. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Maryland, Autism Society of America (ASA), and the Howard County Health Department.
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 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 11/10/23 Weekly Duck
MAP READING AND MATH REPORTS AVAILABLE
MAP Reading and Math reports for students grades 1-5 are now available
Parent directions for how to access scores can be found 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.