February 11, 2024


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

February 12-15 - Kindness Week

Monday February 12 - Wear your Ox Ridge Spirit wear

Tuesday, February 13 - Superhero Day – Dress up as your favorite superhero! (No masks please.)


February 13 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm

February 15 - 4th & 5th Grade Beginner Band Winter Showcase at 8:30am

February 16-25 - February Break (No School)

February 27 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm


Useful Links:


Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

The first day of the February Break is Friday, February 16th. School begins again on

Monday, February 26th.


This year, we have replaced timed math fact fluency practice and assessments with

teaching students strategies that they can apply flexibly to solve problems, explain their

approaches, and generate accurate answers with efficiency. To learn more about our

approach, our District Math Team created these resources for families:


K-2 Math Fact Fluency Parent Handbook

3-5 Math Fact Fluency Parent Handbook


Valentine’s Day - We are asking that no candy or food be sent with the Valentine's Day

cards or brought to class parties. If you are sending in cards to be distributed to other

children, please be sure to include all of the children in the class.


Smart Watches for Children

As technology advances, there are more options for our children to have updated devices.

Recent Congressional hearings have highlighted the dangers that children can face in using

social media and other websites. These devices also provide opportunities that increase the

ability to monitor the whereabouts and communicate with children when they are away from

home. When my children were growing up, my oldest son got his first cell phone when he went

away to college. The age when children get their first devices has come way down. The

decision of when children get their first device is a deeply personal, family decision. It is

important however, to take appropriate safety precautions.


Here are two websites that explore this topic:


Pros and cons of smartwatches for children


Looking for the best smartwatch for your kids? A complete parent’s guide:


Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Interim Principal

Ox Ridge Elementary School

Dear Ox Ridge Community,


Thanks for all your support for the SOUPer Bowl canned food drive to support Person2Person.  We hope you enjoy watching the Super Bowl game this evening.  Kindness Week returns to Ox Ridge this week, and the PTO has planned a few in class activities to emphasize core kindness concepts.  We also look forward to the in class Valentine’s celebrations hosted by your child’s teacher and room parents.


The next Board of Education (BOE) meeting, scheduled for 7:30 PM on Tuesday, February 13th, marks the last opportunity for you to make your voice heard by the BOE!  After public comment at the top of the meeting, board members vote line-by-line on each proposed modification (aka the add/cut list) to the Superintendent's budget, and then vote to adopt the budget as a whole. Please consider making a public comment or emailing the Board of Education (BOE) to share your thoughts and opinions ahead of Tuesday's vote. 


The most recent budget deliberations took place on Tuesday, February 6th, the Board of Education (BOE) during a special meeting.  A link to the replay of the meeting can be found here. All budget materials are posted here


Have a good week and we hope everyone has a wonderful February school vacation.  The Hoot will return on February 25.

 

Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman

PTO Co-Chairs

oxridgepto@gmail.com

2024-2025 BUDGET DETAILS

Below are highlights for the Ox Ridge community that the Board of Education will be voting on February 13:


Elementary Schools

  • Add all instructional aides
  • Cut total number of Assistant Principals from 10 to 8
  • Cut one building substitute per school
  • Add one instructional aide per school

 

Special Education

  • Cut K-12 Program Director
  • Add SESS Director K-5


ELP

  • Allow parent choice for 4 or 5 day program (discussed at 1:55:00)
  • Cut 5-day ELP plan


Key links


KINDNESS WEEK IS COMING

Ox Ridge will be celebrating National Kindness Week on Monday, February 12 – Thursday, February 15. The PTO will sponsor fun activities for our students that week, emphasizing the core kindness concepts of:

Respect - Treating people, places, and things with kindness.

Caring - Feeling and showing concern for others.

Integrity - Acting in an honest and right way in all situations.

Responsibility - Being reliable to do the things that are expected or required of you.

Inclusivity - Including others, inviting them in and welcoming them.

Courage - Being brave when facing new or difficult circumstances.

We hope you’ll enjoy the following fun days and celebrate along with us; please note that participation is always voluntary.

- Monday 2/12: Ox Ridge School Spirit Day – Wear your Ox Ridge spirit wear or Ox Ridge colors.

- Tuesday 2/13: Superhero Day – Dress up as your favorite superhero! (No masks please.)

OX ROCKS 2024 – LAST DAY TO SIGN UP

DO YOU SING, ACT, DANCE, PLAY AN INSTRUMENT OR HAVE SOME OTHER SPECIAL TALENT? DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE A STAR ON MARCH 28TH! TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 OX ROCKS TALENT SHOW!

When: Thursday, March 28th at 7pm 

Where: Darien High School

Who: All 4th and 5th Grade Ox Ridge students are invited to participate and we encourage all students to attend on March 28th!

How do I sign up: Please complete this Google Sign-Up no later than Monday, February 12th.

Questions: Please email Ox Rocks Talent Show.

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

March 2nd...Come celebrate by letting us read to you!

Who: Parents of students in Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades

When: Friday, March 1st from 9:30-10:00

Where: Your child’s classroom


This is a voluntary and informal visit where students will read in the classroom with parents or caregivers. For planning purposes, please kindly RSVP by February 27th by filling out the form here. We kindly ask that young children stay at

home. Thank you! Questions? Please contact the main office or Siobhan McCormack at

smccormack@darienps.org.

PREPARING FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS WITH IEPS AND 504S FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Middlesex Middle School Administration in collaboration with the Middlesex Parent Association (MPA) invite you to join us for an informative panel discussion and explanation of the middle school transition process for fifth grade students with IEPs and 504 accommodations on Wednesday, February 28th 9am to 10am in the MMS Cafeteria. 



Topics will include:

-Overview of Middlesex Middle School Schedule Structure, Services, and Specialized Programs

-Understanding the Transition to Middle School Process for students who have IEPs or 504 Plans (Articulation PPT Meetings/5-6th 504 Meetings)

-Q&A

BEGINNER BAND SHOWCASE - FEBRUARY 15TH AT 8:15AM

The 4th and 5th Grade students who participate in the Beginner Band Program will have a performance in the Ox Ridge School Gym. 

No special dress is necessary - students can wear their normal school clothes. The showcase will last around 25 minutes. Daily practice is essential for the success of this showcase. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

FUNDRAISE WITH THE YANKEES

Join the Ox Ridge community for a day at the ballpark! Purchase tickets for the Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox on Sunday May 19th at 1:35pm in the "Ox Ridge Section" and the Yankees will donate a portion of sale proceeds to Ox Ridge. Tickets are $60 plus fees and include a Yankees backpack and a $15 food and beverage voucher. Limited tickets available in the Ox Ridge section so buy today!  Click here to purchase tickets.  

GAME NIGHT - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Ox Ridge Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the planning and running of Game Night scheduled for March 21st. If you are interested in helping plan this fun night for our students, please sign up here

DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL - EMBRACE THE SEASONS OF FUN!

Unlock Fun & Learning with Darien After School!

In an effort to support the participation of families in the past BOE meeting, the new Spring Session registration is open.

Spring Session dates 3/18 to 5/31. Preview classes @ www.DarienAfterSchool.com/OxRidge.

Save the Date: Conference Day Program Registration opens 2/13 @ 8PM!

Join us 3/13–3/15 for an unforgettable experience.

After registering for Conference Day Programs, please update your child’s dismissal plans to CONFERENCE DAY PROGRAM in School Dismissal Manager for each day your children are registered.

Questions? Contact us: info@darienafterschool.com / 888.212.3837

Follow us on social media for updates & let's make every session a BLAST!

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS

Claudia Ebert and Lauren Lawrence (Co Vice Chairs) for planning Ox Ridge Kindness Week.

All Room Parents for organizing Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Roberta Brodis for being this month’s Hoot editor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF

Cheryl Viesto (Paraprofessional) February 12

Jahan Fanek (Paraprofessional) February 14

DARIEN SOCCER ASSOCIATION SPRING REGISTRATION

for K-2 House and 3/4 House Development is now open! Please CLICK HERE to sign up. If you already have a SportsEngine account, you will be prompted to sign-in. Otherwise, please create an account and proceed with registration.

Our spring season will likely begin in early April and end in mid-June. Please register early as space is limited. Registration officially closes February 29th, 2024. Late registrations in March from 3/1-3/10 will be accepted ONLY if space permits with a $100 late fee. 

More info can be found here: K-2 House and 3/4 House. Please also review registration guidance on the DSA website based on your child's birth year given the program shift to birth year next fall. See you on the field!

DARIEN MUSIC FOR YOUTH

The Darien Music for Youth and DPS Music Department 2024 Poster Contest is here! Create, have fun, and win a chance to have your artwork displayed and be recognized from the stage at the district-wide United in Song Choral Concert on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30pm at DHS! Posters are due by Friday, March 1st. Instructions and entry form here.

DARIEN YOUTH COMMISSION'S SUMMER CAMP

The Darien Youth Commission’s Summer Camp registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12. Online resident registration link will be live then (non-resident registration begins Monday, 4/22/24) and is on the DYC website (www.darienct.gov/yc).  There will again be three grade-level programs, all operating out of Tokeneke School as follows:  Camp Stony Brook (students who are entering grade 1) Camp Settlers (students who are entering grades 2 & 3); Camp Mather (students who are entering grades 4, 5 & 6). Summer camp dates are 6/24 – 8/02 (three, two-week sessions). FAQs regarding pricing, program content and registration information is currently on the DYC website. For those not registering online, downloadable registration forms will be posted on the DYC website on Thursday, 2/8/24. 

DARIEN PARKS AND RECREATION SPRING AND SUMMER REGISTRATION

The Darien Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that registration for 2024 spring & summer programs will begin on Wednesday, February 28th online at www.darienct.gov/parkrec, in-person in Room 110 of the Darien Town Hall or through the mail. Program offerings are currently available to view online. The 2024 spring and summer brochure will be mailed out to all Darien residents the week of February 19th. Please note that the sale of 2024 beach permits will begin on Wednesday, March 6th.



February Programs with openings at Parks and Rec:

Edible Valentines Class

Date: February 12th, 2024

Time: 4pm-5pm

Location: Weed Beach Paddle Hut

Cost: $38/resident, $46/non-resident

Description: Create edible masterpieces that can be eaten at home or taken to school and passed out to classmates! Chef Lisa will have 20 cookies per child that will be decorated by your child with a variety of frosting, sprinkles and candies. All supplies will be provided. Don’t wait, register today


Winter Break Camp: Fairytales and Recipes

Dates: February 19th-February 23rd

Time: 10am-2pm

Location: Weed Beach Paddle Hut

Cost: $480/resident, $576/non-resident

Description: This Winter Break Camp is for grades Kindergarten-Sixth aspiring chefs. This week is all about having fun and being creative with words and food. The first day is planned, but all the other days after that will be tailored to fit the participants’ abilities and interests. The campers will spend each day making their own lunch and creating their own cookbook to take home at the end of the week. All recipes, ingredients, and equipment will be provided. Don’t wait, register today

THE DEPOT YOUTH CENTER

Safe@Home Class at The Depot Youth Center

Want to feel more comfortable leaving your 4th through 6th grader home alone? Our new Safe@Home class is a 90-minute program designed to prepare your child to be safe when they are home by themselves. Students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students are also introduced to the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart and learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. The program is designed to prepare students for their first steps toward independence. Register at dariendepot.com. NEW DATE ADDED: Feb 13th. The $45 cost includes a student manual and an Important Information memo board to take home. Contact Amy Daniels with any questions. 


Back to the 90's Adult Dance Party March 9th

Parents: Support Darien's Youth as you dance the night away! Taking place on March 9th at Woodway Country Club, don't miss the party of the year! Fresh off of last year's sell-out event, this year we are moving to the 90's and spinning all of your favorite 90's jams from Hip Hop to Hairbands, Britney to the Backstreet Boys to transport you back in time. Learn more and purchase tickets before they sell out 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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