January 28, 2024

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

January 29 - 3rd Grade Orchestra Winter Concert at 8:15am

January 30 - Dance China Enrichment Event

January 30 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:00pm

February 5-9 - Canned Food Drive

February 5 - 100th Day of School (assuming no more Snow Days)

February 9 - Kids Care Club at 8:15am

February 10 - Ox Ridge Night at the Bridgeport Islanders Game at 7:00pm

February 11 - SOUPer Bowling Event at Bowlero at 11:00am

February 12-15 - Kindness Week

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

February 16-25 - February Break (No School)

Useful Links:

Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

First an announcement:

Here is a link for the 4th and 5th grade concert videos.
Whenever the playground and blacktop recess areas are inaccessible due to snow and ice, we will block off the parking lot on the ELP side of the building for the children’s outdoor recess.

I came across this article that I thought would be of interest. It is from the “Better Help” website

at https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/childhood/what-are-the-stages-of-childhood/

It discusses the characteristics of growth at various age levels. Please remember that child

development is a continuum, with uneven movement through the stages and between different

individuals. Clicking on the highlighted links in the article provides more detail on the points being made.

Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Interim Principal

Ox Ridge Elementary School

Dear Ox Ridge Community,

We had a great turnout for Dr. Dadd’s (Director of Mental Health) workshop this past Monday. We will share out dates and time options for future workshops as soon as they are available.

Our second school-wide Enrichment event is this Tuesday - Dance China! The 3rd grade strings students will also be holding their first performance for parents on Monday morning.

We are excited to partner with Person2Person to hold our SOUPer Bowl canned food drive the week of February 5. We will also be hosting a SOUPer Bowling event at Bowlero to kickoff the Super Bowl Sunday festivities on February 11.

At last Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, after over 1 hour of public comment, including many Ox Ridge parents, members of the Board of Education (BOE) proposed specific modifications to the Superintendent's proposed FY25 budget. Each of these modifications will be discussed further during BOE meetings on January 30th and February 6th. Board members will vote to adopt or reject each proposed modification on February 13th.

A link to the replay of the January 23rd meeting can be found here and a link to all BOE members’ proposed modifications to the Superintendent’s proposed budget along with relevant time stamps can be found here.

Below are highlights for the Ox Ridge community:

Elementary Schools - 2:30:04

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 - 3:01:15

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

ELP - 3:02:50

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

Now that the Board of Education has identified the modifications to vote on, your voice and opinion matters now more than ever. We thank those who have already sent emails and made public comments, and we encourage parents to continue to do so until the vote (planned for February 13).

Key links

Have a good week!

Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman

PTO Co-Chairs

[email protected]

3RD GRADE STRINGS CONCERT - JANUARY 29TH AT 8:15AM

Please have your child arrive no later than 8:00am on Monday January 29. After the concert, students will stay with Mr. Cruz until their classes begin. Please fill out the Parent/Family RSVP form for Monday in order to ensure appropriate seating is available within the Ox Ridge Auditorium/Gym.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Please see the link below for important information regarding Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year. In order to get the most accurate enrollment numbers to determine the number of class sections for next year, we ask that you please register your child prior to February 9, 2024.

Kindergarten Registration Details

We would also be grateful if you could forward this information on to any families you know who have a child who will be registering for Kindergarten or who is considering registering their child for next year's class. Please reach out with any questions! We look forward to welcoming your Kindergarten student to our Ox Ridge School family!

OX ROCKS 2024 - CALLING ALL TALENT!

The Ox Ridge PTO is excited to bring you the 2nd Annual 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!

Why: This is a chance for students to come together in a fun and inclusive environment to showcase their many talents - singing, dancing, comedy, magic, gymnastics, and acting are just a few ideas. Let’s get creative!

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

Questions: Please email Ox Rocks Talent Show .

SAVE THE DATE FOR MMS PANEL DISCUSSION: 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

SOUPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT PERSON2PERSON

Help replenish Person2Person’s food pantry by supporting the Ox Ridge SOUPer Bowl Canned Food drive. Boxes will be placed at the school entrance to collect the week of February 5th. Most needed items can be found here.

OX RIDGE SCHOOL - NIGHT WITH THE ISLANDERS

Enjoy a night of hockey with Ox Ridge Elementary School on Saturday, February 10th! Listen to the Ox Ridge choir perform "God Bless America" with the Darien elementary schools followed by a National Anthem performance by Middlesex Middle School! Doors open at 6pm for a 7pm game! Ox Ridge students can sit in the same section. Click here to purchase tickets.

SAVE THE DATE - SOUPER BOWLING EVENT ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH AT 11:00AM

Get ready for Super Bowl LVIII with a parent + child bowling event at Bowlero in Norwalk on Sunday, February 11th from 11:00-12:30. The price will be $30 per person and includes 90 minutes of unlimited bowling, complimentary shoe rentals, unlimited soft drinks, 1 slice of Cheese Pizza, and a $10 arcade card for each child. An email will be sent this week with the Pay4School stuff link.

BEGINNER BAND SHOWCASE - FEBRUARY 15TH AT 8:30AM

Save the Date - 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.

DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL - EMBRACE THE SEASONS OF FUN!

Discover, learn, and connect in our exciting Winter and upcoming Spring sessions! Whether it's Sports, Art, or more, there's something for everyone.

Winter Session thru 3/12. Rolling registration open throughout the session*

Get ready for new adventures!

Spring Session 3/18 – 5/31. Registration opens 1/30 @ 8PM.

Conference Day programs 3/13 – 3/15. Registration opens 2/13 @ 8PM.

Questions: Reach out to us anytime! [email protected] / 888.212.3837

See you after school…

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS

Julia Swan (School Wide Enrichment) and Lia Stewart (Enrichment Chair) for planning our Dance China event.

Jenn Marty (Hoot editor) for managing our parent communication this month, especially with many last minute updates related to the budget communication.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF

Sarah Sproch (Teacher - Grade 3) January 30th

JoAnn Mittelstadt (Teacher - Grade 1) January 31st

Danielle Pimpinella (Paraprofessional) January 31st

Yvette Picariello (Paraprofessional) February 3rd

THE DEPOT YOUTH CENTER

Safe@Home Class at The Depot Youth Center

Want to feel more comfortable leaving your 4th thru 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. The classes are being held on Feb 6, 12 (4pm to 5:30pm) and 15 (5pm to 6:30pm). The $45 cost includes a student manual and Important Information memo board to take home. Contact Amy Daniels with any questions.

The Depot's 5th Grade Valentine's Party

Join 5th graders from all 5 elementary schools (as well as area private schoolers residing in Darien) for music, games, food and fun on Thursday, February 8th from 4pm to 6pm. Register at dariendepot.com. Tickets are $25 and will sell out! Spread the love and sign up with friends!

THE SOCIAL SCENE: COACHING YOUR TEEN/TWEEN TO MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS!

The Thriving Youth Darien 2023 Youth Survey of 6th-12th graders showed that the most significant increases in alcohol use happen between 8th and 9th grade, and then again between 11th and 12th grade – most often at a party or with friends at a home. How can you help your kids stay safe & manage tricky social situations?

Please join Joyce Sixsmith, Darien High School’s Connections Counselor, and John Hamilton, President and CEO of Liberation Programs, on February 8th at 7pm for an interactive Zoom webinar about how to help your teen/tween make healthy decisions about the social/party scene and tips for talking about the potential risks and consequences of substance use – its impact on physical health, mental well-being, academic performance, and future opportunities. The program is targeted to parents of middle and high schoolers, but anyone interested in helping youth navigate the social scene is welcome to join us! Registration is free and required at www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-programs-and-events.

HISTORY AT PLAY VISITS MATHER HOMESTEAD

Head to the Mather Homestead on February 10th at 4pm to see “A Revolution of Her Own!” a one hour performance followed by a Q&A session featuring actress Judith Kalaora. Judith will play the role of Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist in the US military and serve in the Revolutionary War. Come see history come to life! Family performance is at 4pm. Tickets: purchase here

The Mather Homestead is located at 19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien. Any questions please email [email protected]

DARIEN LIBRARY MINI GOLF

Saturday, February 10 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 11 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Darien Library is thrilled to announce its 9th annual Mini Golf fundraising event, where players of all ages will putt their way through the building on an 18-hole miniature golf course. All golfers are welcome to a free hot chocolate courtesy of Michael Joseph’s along with snacks for purchase at the Café at Darien Library anytime during the event. The cost is $5 per player and all proceeds will go directly to the purchase of books, movies, and technology as well as the support of countless programming opportunities at the Library. If you buy tickets in advance, you will be automatically entered into a raffle with a choice of several amazing prizes donated by ZSTRICT Indoor Golf Simulation, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics (SoNo Collection), and Two Roads Brewery. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event. For more information and to register in advance, visit darienlibrary.org/minigolf or contact the Darien Library Administrative Office at 203-669-5220

OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON

OPUS for Person-to-Person invites you to Feathers and Fedoras: A Speakeasy Casino Soiree, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, 7-11 pm at The Darien Community Association.

Festivities include "real" casino games (craps, roulette, blackjack, poker) * live 10-piece band * all-night open bar with signature cocktails* passed hors d'oeuvres * dinner * champagne and bourbon tasting rooms * ragtime piano player * and many more fun surprises.

Proceeds raised will support Person-to-Person's vital services including three food pantries, casework support, clothing and care programs, Door2Door home delivery, scholarship and campership programs, layettes for babies, holiday toy store, and emergency financial assistance for those in need.

Buy your tickets here

DARIEN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

DLL is excited to announce that registration is now open for spring house softball and baseball! It's a great team sport that promotes skill development while having fun! Please register, as evaluations for upper grades will be soon!

Click here for information and to register for 2024 Spring House Softball

Click here for information and to register for 2024 Spring House Baseball

Please email Akshay Das with any questions about registration!

HELLO SQUASH PLAYERS

The Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club is organizing a Winter Matchplay Series gathering junior squash players from Darien and nearby towns to come together and enjoy playing squash in a fun environment while improving their game and building new friendships. There are 2 levels of Matchplay, and players are invited to stay at Ox Ridge’s restaurant to enjoy lunch together afterwards.

Here are the details:

Dates: February 3rd and February 10th.

Junior Development Level: Matchplay from 12pm-1pm

Elite/Pro Level: Matchplay from 2pm-3:30pm

The cost per player is $20 dollars. Additional cost for pizza.

Please RSVP by sending your name, age, and playing level to [email protected] or at this JotForm Event Registration - Google Forms

Any questions or inquiries about our squash program please email: Rodney at [email protected] or Adam at [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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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