December 17, 2023


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

December 18-22: Spirit Week

  • Monday - Ox spirit gear
  • Tuesday - Crazy hair day
  • Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
  • Thursday - Inside out day
  • Friday - Pajama Day

December 22: Early Dismissal 

December 23-January 1: Winter Recess

January 12: No School - Professional Development Day

January 15: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day



Useful Links:


Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Who Do You Call?

The telephone number of the school is (203) 655-2579. This will get you to the main office

secretaries who can answer many questions or direct your call to the right party.


● For most questions or issues, the starting point is your child’s teacher. The best way to

reach a teacher is by email. All emails are the first initial, last name @darienps.org. It is

important to note that teachers are with the children all day long and are not checking

their emails. Therefore it may take some time before a teacher is able to answer.


If your child will be absent, please notify the school at oxridgeatt@darienps.org. This

email will go to both the office and the nurse. You may also wish to copy your child’s

teacher.


For any health or medical concerns, please call our nurse. Also note–If you are emailing

the classroom teacher about any health issues (for example, “Johnny wasn’t feeling well

this morning, but doesn’t have a temperature, so I am sending him to school”) also copy

the nurse at OXRnurse@darienps.org. This way if your child ends up in the nurse’s

office, they will know that you had a concern.


● For any special education questions, please call your child’s case manager. If need be,

you can also reach out to Maya Feldman, our assistant principal who works with the

special education and DLC programs.


● For questions related to our support programs (SRBI) and 504 program, please contact

Siobhan McCormrick, our other assistant principal.


● For any major concerns, any one of our administrative staff will be able to get back to

you.


● For bus questions please reach out to Dani Powers, Darien’s Transportation Coordiantor

at (203) 656-7465.


On another note...


On Wednesday the PTO sponsored a Coffee With The Principal. We had a meaningful

conversation, where we discussed some of their thoughts regarding Ox Ridge. Some issues

that came up, that bear repeating here are:


● Sometimes parents are present at class parties or events. If you take any pictures at

those events, please do NOT post them on social media, if they include children other

than your own. A number of parents do not want pictures of their children on social

media.


● Smartwatches–some of the children are getting smartwatches. While they have many

benefits, these can become a distraction in the classroom. Most smartwatches have a

“school” (or similar) setting that allows the watch to only tell time during designated

hours. It was suggested that these settings be used. Additionally, one parent added a

current catch phrase, “It is okay to delay.” Additionally, security experts recommend that

parents check the history on these devices to be sure that the children have not been

exposed to any inappropriate contacts. Children will be less resistant to this if it

becomes a condition set up when the child receives the smartwatch.

Dear Ox Ridge Community,


As we head into the last week of school for 2023, we are excited to celebrate with an Ox Spirit Week.  Please be sure to mark your calendars with each day’s theme (schedule above).  


We hope all of the classrooms enjoy their in-class parties and celebrations this week (please remember that any pictures taken of other children are for the yearbook only, not for your personal social media accounts). 


Have a great holiday season and happy new year! See you in 2024!


Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman

PTO Co-Chairs

oxridgepto@gmail.com

PAJAMA DAY FUNDRAISER FOR CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

On Friday, December 22nd, we will be inviting all of the children to wear pajamas to school as part of a fundraising event to raise money to fight childhood cancer by supporting the Connecticut Children's Hospital. Families who wish to are being asked to contribute at least $1 to support this effort. In any case, all children are encouraged to wear pajamas.  Please click here for information about this program. 

COMMUNICATIONS FOCUS GROUPS

The Board of Education Communications Committee is in the process of reviewing District communications to support the development of a District Communications Plan. As a follow-up to the Communications Survey administered last spring, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) will be facilitating a series of focus groups with parents, staff, and the community.  

Focus groups for elementary, middle, and high school parents are scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024. An evening opportunity is scheduled for Thursday, January 18th, and is open to parents from all of the schools. All sessions will be held at Central Services located at 35 Leroy Avenue. Times for the focus groups are noted below:

January 17th: High School Parents: 8:15 - 9:45 AM

January 17th: Elementary Parents: 10:00 - 11:30 AM

January 17th: Middle School Parents: 11:45 - 1:15 PM

January 18th: Parents from any age group: 6:00 - 7:30 P

In order to facilitate productive sessions, each focus group will include 15 - 20 (max) parents from each school level (elementary, middle, and high school) for each session. The 15 - 20 parents from the elementary level will include 3 - 4 parents from each of the five schools. Click here to fill out the form.

ELP OPEN HOUSE

ELP is hosting an Open House for the families interested in the Early Learning Program Preschool for the 2024-2025 School Year.


Monday, December 18, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. 

Ox Ridge Elementary School 

Zoom option: https://darienps.zoom.us/j/97610100389

 

If you are interested in applying for the Early Learning Program, Preschool Program for the 2024-2025 School year. please apply online.

OX ROCKS 2024 - SAVE THE DATE

Our 2nd ANNUAL TALENT SHOW

Ox Rocks is a chance for the school and community to come together in an inclusive, empowering and fun environment to celebrate the talent and creativity of our students! We are so excited to celebrate and showcase the diverse talents and interests of the Ox Ridge Students!

WHEN: Thursday, March 28th @ 7pm

WHERE: Darien High School Auditorium

WHO: All 4th and 5th Graders are Eligible

Auditions are mandatory and will take place on March 6th and/or March 7th after school at Ox Ridge. Dress rehearsal is also mandatory and will be held the afternoon of the show at DHS. Much more info to come after the holiday break. Questions? Email Ox Rocks.

DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL

The holidays are just around the corner! Remember to sign up for Winter Enrichment programs here at Ox Ridge.


Schedule, Program Details & Registration

Questions? Reach out to info@darienafterschool.com  / 888.212.3837

Follow on social media and see you after school!

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS



Claudia Ebert and Lauren Lawrence for providing holiday gifts to the Ox Ridge staff and administration.


Our amazing Room Parents for hosting class parties and celebrating our homeroom teachers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF


Jessica Santos (ELP Para) December 28

DARIEN ARTS CENTER

Registration is open for winter/spring classes for all ages in dance, visual arts and music. Winter/spring classes begin in January. To register for classes, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.

 

DANCE:

The DAC Dance Program offers classes for ages 3 through adults that include Ballet Technique, Dance Beginnings, Pre Ballet, Kinderballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Broadway, Lyrical Jazz and Partnering. New this year for the more serious dancer are Apprentice and Trainee classes, which prepare students for DAC’s Pre-professional Company. 

 

MUSIC:

The DAC music program includes private lessons for both adults and children in songwriting, music theory, harp, piano, voice, guitar, violin, viola, bass, flute and percussion. Look for beginning group harp classes coming this winter. Email Music Director, Juanita Bosee for private lessons and questions about the music program at juanita@darienarts.org.

 

VISUAL ARTS: 

Art Explorations: Grades 1-3 

NEW Adventures in Art: Grades 3-5 

Cartooning: Grades 1-3 

Cartooning 2: Grades 4-7 

Drawing, Painting & More: Ages 9-12

Drawing, Painting & More: Ages 12-16 

Drawing & Painting: Ages 8-10 

NEW Expressive Art: Grades 6-8 | Drop-in 

Little Artist & You: Pre School | Drop-in 

Kids Create Art & Eat Naya Workshops*: Pre School-Grade 3 

Adults:

NEW Creating the Still Life – Your Way!

Acrylic Pours Sip & Pour Workshop

NEW Art & Sound Meditation Retreat

 

MARTIAL ARTS:

The Martial Arts Program offers classes that are divided by age and designed to hone fine motor skills and improve focus. Enhanced awareness and better self-discipline are achieved while having fun.

DECEMBER AT THE DEPOT

Henry L. Farmer Memorial Toy Drive at The Depot

Now through December 19, donate new, unwrapped toys, books, and games in Henry Farmer's honor. Collections will go to Adam J. Lewis Academy in Bridgeport, serving underserved students in Pre-K through 4th grade. Donations are accepted at The Depot (25 Heights Road) Monday-Friday from 10am to 8pm or shop their Amazon Wishlist


Depot Wrap Up: December 18-23

No time to wrap? Let the Depot "elves" help in our annual charity gift wrap fundraiser! Drop off your unwrapped, labeled presents from 10am to 9pm Monday-Friday the week of December 18th and we'll have them wrapped and ready for pick-up! You can bring your own paper, or we'll use ours. On Saturday, December 23, we'll be accepting presents from 9am to noon, and offering pick-up until 3pm. Find out more at dariendepot.com

OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE


EDITORS NOTE:

Danielle Kohlberger - September, December, March, June 2

Jennifer Marty - October, January, April, June 9

Roberta Brodis November, February, May, June 16


OX RIDGE HOOT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

The Ox Ridge Hoot is emailed every Sunday during the school year. The deadline for submission is Thursday at noon. Please send your submission to oxridgehoot@gmail.com with the text of your e-mail, single spaced and left adjusted (NO FORMATTING!), with "Ox Ridge Hoot Submission" in the subject line. 


"Community News" information/events will run for a maximum of two consecutive Hoot editions. Please time your submissions accordingly. 


WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR DECLINE ALL SUBMISSIONS.


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