February 25, 2024

Trouble viewing? Click here

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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

March 6-7 - Ox Rocks Auditions / Initial Rehearsals

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

March 13-15 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 15 - Kids Care Club at 8:15am

March 21 - Games Night

March 25-27 - Spring Book Fair

March 26 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm

March 28 - Ox Rocks Talent Show

March 29 - No School for Good Friday

Useful Links:

Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

The week before break we were treated to two concerts–The Kindergarten Concert under the direction of James Allen and the 4th Grade Band Concert under the direction of Colin Walters. Both of these concerts highlighted Ox Ridge’s wonderful music program. In both cases, we saw students just starting out on their musical journeys, able to handle playing and singing their own piece, but also collaborating with peers in order to present a concert to the Audience.

The transition from vacation time to a school schedule is difficult for some children. Perhaps the most difficult area is returning to a school day sleep schedule. Experts suggest that the schedule should be introduced over several days by pushing bedtime back by 15 to 30 minutes daily. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends the following optimal amounts of sleep:

Ages 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)

Ages 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)

Ages 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)

Age 6-12 years: 9-12 hours

Age 13-18 years: 8-10 hours

For additional tips on preparing your child to return to school after a break, this article presents a series of valuable ideas:

Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Interim Principal

Ox Ridge Elementary School

Dear Ox Ridge Community,

We hope you had a great February break. Before the break on February 15, the Board of Education voted on the Superintendent’s proposed budget. The BOE approved a budget of $121,864,475 up 6.48% from last year. The budget now moves on to the Board of Finance (BOF). Below is the link of the replay of the meeting and a summary of budget modifications approved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTYmHy5hEKs&t=22s

Approved budget initiatives/modifications:

Addition of an Asst Principal at both DHS and MMS
Combining Music and Art departments into one Visual and Performing Arts department (elimination of Art Coordinator position - 0.2 FTE)
Removal of the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Restructuring of Special Ed Administration (MMS and DHS will each now have a 12-month SESS Program Director; current Elementary and Secondary Program Director positions will now be combined into one K-12 Director of SESS)
Removal of the World Language Department Chair
Extend ELP to a 5 day program (with ability for parents to opt for 4 days in 2024-25)
Addition of 5 MMS teachers (English, Math, Science, Social Studies & World Language) - note that the proposed 0.6 FTE Music Teacher cut was approved so music staff will be reduced at MMS
Addition of FTEs for elementary music and art specials - note that proposed FTE cut for Physical Education teaching was approved so PE staff will be reduced
Addition of 1 instructional aide at each elementary school (proposed budget reduced instructional aides to 2 at each elementary school; as approved each school will have 3 instructional aides in 2024-25)
Reduction of 1 building sub at Royle due to smaller school size (proposed budget increased building subs to 4 at each elementary school; Royle will only have 3 in 2024-25)
$100K cut to Athletics (uniforms/equipment)
Removal of one campus monitor at MMS
Note: Proposed modifications for elimination of Wellness Room Coordinator & Mental Health Director, reduction of Elementary SESS APs and removal of an English Department Chair were not approved.

Hope it’s a good week settling back in.

Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman

PTO Co-Chairs

oxridgepto@gmail.com

YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON SALE

Yearbooks for the 2023 - 2024 school year are now on sale!

Click this link to place an order. Each yearbook is $25 with options to personalize. Yearbook sales will close on April 1st.

If you are ordering multiple yearbooks for each of your children, please fill out their names, grade and homeroom teacher individually, adding each yearbook to the cart one at a time. If you are ordering one yearbook for your children to share, please enter the name, grade and homeroom teacher of the child who should receive the yearbook. Yearbooks will be distributed to students during the last week of school. Please contact Natalie Gould at natalie.j.gould@gmail.com with any questions.

Finally, financial assistance is available to eligible families for yearbook purchases. Please contact Dr. Laub at hlaub@darienps.org for more information.

100TH DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS NEEDED

The Ox Ridge yearbook committee is requesting photos from the 100th day of school for use in the yearbook. Please send your pictures to Oxryearbook@gmail.com. Thank you so much for helping us out!

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

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!

Embark on a Spring adventure with Darien After School!

Spring Session & Conference Day program registration is Now Open!

Sprint into action: Join us from 3/18 to 5/31. Don’t miss out – grab your spot at https://www.darienafterschool.com/OxRidge.html.

Conference Day Program 3/13–3/15 - Don't miss out on this unique opportunity

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

Enroll now for a season of fun and learning!

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS

Meghan Thornton and Christina Kreuz for being our liaisons for the budget process

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF

Happy Belated Birthday - Nilanjana Radhakrishnan (Paraprofessional) February 20

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.

THE 203 PROJECT AT DCA

The 203 Project: A Sustainable Showhouse at the DCA presented by CTC&G

Attention Darien friends! March 21-24, thirteen local interior and landscape designers will collaborate to produce a breathtaking one-of-a-kind permanent showhouse in the heart of Darien. Get your tickets here and take a self-guided tour through this beautiful space in March. All proceeds go towards the DCA, a non profit, and the DCA Scholarship Program for DHS students. www.dariendca.org

All proceeds go towards the DCA, a non profit, and the DCA Scholarship Program for DHS students.

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. Please note that the sale of 2024 beach permits will begin on Wednesday, March 6th.

DARIEN ARTS CENTER

Snowman Luminaries Workshop at Naya - PreK-Grade5, Thursday, 2/29, 4:30-5:45pm. Craft mason jars with tissue, snowman faces and ear warmers, and when complete, drop a battery tea-light inside to watch them glow! After creations are complete, participants enjoy a NAYA Kids Meal with their classmates. Workshop fee is $35 and each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Cartooning, Drawing & Painting, Expressive Art Classes for all ages starting soon.

Taylor Swift Fashion Doll Workshop - For Grades 1-5, Sat., Mar. 9 3:30-5pm

Come join Srishti Sawhney from Savvy Juniors in creating a mini outfit from scratch, based on a Taylor Swift look! Students can bring their Barbie dolls or use the little mannequins that will be provided. Learn to cut a pattern, hand sew, and enhance the outfit with embellishments and accessories. A popular program that channels students’ innate creativity ensures enhanced focus and fun! Workshop fee: $55

2D Animation Workshop with 'The Comic Tree' - Grades 5-8, Two Wednesdays, April 3 & 10, 4:45-6pm. Join instructor Phil Lohmeyer of TheComicTree.com and draw characters, create settings and animate short stories. Animate in 2D with Stop Motion Studio using Cut Paper and Whiteboards, edit clips with iMovie, adding narration and foley audio with Garageband Breakdown. $175.

To register for classes, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.

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.

See what's happening on our social media sites:

@oxridgepto