The Weekly Duck 12/22/23
Fri, 12/22/2023 - 12:33pm
Dear Manor Woods Families,
It is hard to believe our winter break is here! This will be the final Weekly Duck for 2023. We will resume The Weekly Duck on January 5, 2024. We know the month of December has been very busy for so many students, staff and the larger community. At Manor Woods, we have experienced many activities, events and a lot of teaching and learning this month. We hope winter break will offer a time for our community to pause and enjoy the quiet moments with family and friends.
For our families celebrating Christmas on the 25th, we wish you a blessed Christmas and extend our wishes for a wonderful holiday. In addition, for our families celebrating Kwanzaa starting on the 26th, Heri za Kwanzaa. We send warm wishes for a joyful Kwanzaa.
As we look ahead and on behalf of all of us at Manor Woods, we would like to wish everyone good health, peace and joy during the holiday season and in the coming year. Thank you for sharing your children with us each day. They are a joy to teach! We love our Manor Woods community and look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
We wish you good health and wellness for 2024!
Kelli Jenkins, Principal
Jennifer Zinn, Assistant Principal
2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
DECEMBER
- 12/25 -1/1/24 - School Closed for Winter Break
INFORMATION TO SHARE
Winter MAP Dates
MSDE Report Card Released
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released the annual school accountability measure this past week. This is the fourth time MSDE has issued the School Report Card star ratings. The Report Card was created in alignment with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) – a federal accountability standard initiated in 2015. The MSDE School Report Card considers multiple data points before ultimately assigning a star ranking (1-5) for every school in the state.
The Report Card provides broad insights into 4 categories of school measures on the elementary school level. They include:
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Academic Achievement
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Academic Progress
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English Language Proficiency
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School Quality and Student Success
Overall school performance is determined by a formulaic combination of these four categories. The combination of points, assigned by the state in each category, results in a percentage that is then associated with a school’s star ranking.
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75-100% = 5 Stars
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60-74% = 4 Stars
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45-59% = 3 Stars
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30-44% = 2 Stars
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>30% = 1 Star
Manor Woods Elementary School earned a 77.2% and as a result was designated as a 5-star school by MSDE on the 2022-23 School Report Card. The 77.2.% percent rate placed MWES in the 95th percentile among all elementary schools in Maryland.
The information ascertained from the Maryland Accountability Program is a snapshot of the dedicated efforts put forth every day by our staff to enhance an environment conducive to teaching and learning. As with other data points, we will be intentional with how we use this information to build upon successes and address areas needing improvement. Even with a 5-star rating, there are many opportunities to grow as a school and community of learners in the coming years.
More information about the Every Student Succeeds Act is located on the HCPSS website. For additional details about Manor Wood's Report Card, and report cards from other schools/districts throughout the state, please visit https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/
HCPSS Emergency Notifications
As we head into winter weather, families are reminded that in emergency situations (including inclement weather), information will be shared with the community only through the HCPSS website, email and text, Twitter and the HCPSS weather hotline. Be sure your Family File is up to date and that you have opted into texts to receive emergency messages.
Late Openings For Inclement Weather
If inclement weather conditions develop overnight, the Director of Transportation follows the procedures used to determine late openings or school closures. Decisions regarding closings due to inclement weather will be made no later than 5:30 a.m. Two-hour delays will be called by 5:30 a.m. and reevaluated for closure no later than 7:30 a.m.
Early Dismissals For Inclement Weather
Now that we are in the Winter Season with the possibility of Inclement Weather, please make sure your child is aware of their dismissal plan for an unexpected early closure. Additionally, please make sure their teacher is aware of this dismissal if it is different from their normal dismissal from school.
If inclement weather conditions develop during the school day, the Director of Transportation follows the procedures used to determine late openings or school closures. Generally, a decision to close schools early is made no later than 10:30 a.m. In deciding whether or not to close schools early, the Superintendent will consult with the Director of Transportation, the Deputy Superintendent, the Director of Operations, the Community Services Specialist, the Coordinator of Athletics, the Director of Public Relations, and other staff members as appropriate.
Cold Weather Reminders
Cold weather has arrived!!! We wanted to remind you that students will still be going outside for recess each day. Please make sure you send your child to school with warm clothes. All clothing needs to be labeled with your child's name. Below you will find the HCPSS criteria we consider when having outdoor activities.
• Temperature and humidity
• Wind chill
• Heat index and air quality
• 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)
• Thunder and lightning
Generally, it is assumed that students will be outside for recess, physical education, or any other outdoor activity when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is less than 95.
Register for Spring 2024 BSAP Saturday Math Academy, Jan. 6
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 9 a.m.- until capacity is reached, online registration
All HCPSS students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12 are invited to participate in the HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy. Registration will take place online via HCPSS Connect and remain open until capacity is reached. Class space is limited. Additional program details, including dates, cost, and payment options, are available online.
Road to Kindergarten Workshops, January 2024
First session: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Centennial High School
Save the date for an upcoming Road to Kindergarten parent information session, providing information on expectations for school readiness, the HCPSS kindergarten program, and more.
Board of Education Coffee & Conversation, Jan. 6
Community members are invited to meet informally with Board of Education members on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Oakland Mills High School. Register by emailing boardoffice@hcpss.org.
Howard Count Recreation and Parks Afterschool Classes
These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!
Link for parents to view & register for the Manor Woods ES After School classes:
PTA NEWS
Happy Holidays from the PTA! We hope all our families have a safe and enjoyable winter break! Please enjoy this Holiday Book of Recipes and Crafts filled with contributions from teachers, staff and PTA board members.
https://www.mwespta.com/assets/07514/MWES_Holiday_Recipe_and_Craft_Book_2023_FINAL_.pdf
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
HCPSS and The Council of Elders (TCOE) Community Academies
HCPSS and The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County (TCOE) have partnered to sponsor the following parent workshops series:
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January 27: Processes for Parent Empowerment
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March 9: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
Each engaging session is held virtually on Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. Please see the save the date flyer for more information.
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 12/15/2023 Weekly Duck