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November 20: Meet & Greet with Harry Laub, new interim principal, at 6:30pm
November 22: 2 Hour Early Dismissal
November 23-24: Thanksgiving Recess
November 28: Board of Education meeting
November 28-December 1: Conference Week, 2 Hour Early Dismissal
November 28-December 1: Gingerbread Houses
November 30: Special Education Awareness Day
December 7: Social Event - Wreath Making at Nielsen’s Florist
December 12: Board of Education meeting
December 22: 2 Hour Early Dismissal
December 23-January 1: Winter Recess
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Dear Families,
Last week, our educators had the privilege of engaging in a professional learning experience led by Dr. Yeap Ban Har, a globally recognized expert in mathematics education. Dr. Ban Har's distinguished background includes teaching at the National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, with research spanning problem-solving, early numeracy, and effective approaches to teacher development. His expertise is further affirmed by his Masters and Doctoral degrees in the field, along with esteemed positions on the editorial boards of notable mathematics education journals.
On November 7th, during our professional learning day, Dr. Ban Har conducted two interactive sessions tailored to the diverse needs of our teachers across kindergarten to fifth grade, including those working with special education and gifted students, as well as our math specialists and school administrators. His presentations delved into enhancing mathematical content knowledge, nurturing both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, and cultivating a mindset that promotes the beauty and rigor of mathematics.
A highlight of the sessions was the live demonstration lessons with students, allowing our teachers to observe and learn from Dr. Ban Har's innovative strategies. These approaches not only promote advanced mathematical thinking and communication but also encourage persistence and productive struggle, essential components of learning that benefit students of all abilities.
Building on the momentum of this enriching day, Dr. Ban Har returned to Ox Ridge on November 8th. He dedicated this time to work closely with our third to fifth-grade teachers, continuing to share tailored instructional methods and fostering a collaborative learning environment. We are confident that these experiences will have a lasting impact on our teaching practices and, most importantly, on our students' mathematical journeys.
Have a lovely weekend,
Melissa Kay
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Dear Ox Ridge Community,
We look forward to the meet and greet with our new interim principal, Harry Laub Ph.D., on Monday evening at 6:30 in the Ox Ridge cafeteria.
Please show your support for the Ox Ridge teachers and staff by having your children complete this printable and bring it in on Tuesday 11/21.
Registration for the Darien After School winter programming begins tonight (Sunday, November 19) at 7pm - go to Spots always fill up quickly, don’t wait to register!
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your friends and family!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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POPPY DRIVE
Thank you to the entire Ox Ridge family for participating in this year’s Poppy Drive. We raised over $1100! This money will be used to support the rehabilitation of disabled veterans here in Connecticut.
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SPANISH LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Mr. Javier Gomez has been secured as the long term Spanish substitute teacher starting on Monday, November 20 until December 22, 2023. Mr. Gomez is a fluent Spanish speaker who taught in Greenwich and Bridgeport and who has held various long-term substitute teaching positions at Darien High School, Fitch Academy, and Middlesex Middle School since February of 2019. As was communicated to parents recently, Ada Cordoliani will commence as Ox Ridge’s Spanish teacher on January 2, 2024.
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WE ARE THANKFUL
We would like to show our appreciation for our teachers and staff this Thanksgiving season. With all the changes happening, they have been consistent and caring with our children. Our hope is to send them off to Thanksgiving break knowing we greatly appreciate their efforts.
To do this, we would love for your children to complete this printable and bring it in on Tuesday 11/21. There is an option to print in color or black and white if they’d like to color it in. Feel free to do additional for any specials teachers and other staff.
If you do not have a printer, please email Meghan Shain (shain.meghan@gmail.com) to arrange to get a printed copy. Download printables here.
The PTO will also be providing the staff breakfast Tuesday morning to show how thankful we all are for their hard work and dedication to our children.
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SEEKING NEW DEI CHAIR
The Ox Ridge PTO is currently looking for a new DEI Chair. The DEI Chair is a member of the Ox Ridge PTO executive board and also works with the CDSP (Council of Darien School Parents) DEI Committee. Together with the Ox Ridge DEI Committee, the DEI Chair promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ox Ridge through monthly heritage and events such as our upcoming Passport Night in the winter. Please email oxptorecruiting@gmail.com if you are interested in the role.
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WREATH MAKING AT NIELSEN'S
Join the Ox Ridge PTO for Holiday Wreath Making at Nielsen's Florist on Thursday, December 7th at 6:30pm! Gather with friends, enjoy light bites and drinks, and get into the Holiday spirit. You'll go home with a gorgeous Holiday wreath from Nielsen's for your front door! Tickets are $105 and can be purchased here: https://www.pay4schoolstuff.com/activityitem?id=31852&school_id=090105000170. Nielsen's is limiting headcount to 60 people, so buy your ticket quickly. Reach out to Alison Muench with questions.
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HOLIDAY HOPE CHEST
Ox Ridge is marking its 22nd year of supporting the Family & Children’s Agency through their Hope Chest program, which sponsors foster children in Fairfield County during the holidays. If your family would like to contribute to this great cause, please assign your name to a foster child listed on the Sign-Up Genius and purchase one of the child’s desired gifts/gift cards from any convenient location. Please wrap your gifts and label them with the child’s name. Wrapped gifts should be dropped off at 66 Holly Lane (box on the side porch) by Friday November 30 so that all donations can be hand delivered to FCA in time for their holiday party, when the foster children will receive their gifts. Please visit the FCA webpage to learn more about the work of this vital organization and contact Beth Marengo and Suzanne Anderson with any questions about the Hope Chest Program.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Winter session Registration opens 11/19 @ 7PM
Winter Session - Monday thru thru Friday ; Starting 1/2 through 3/12
Schedule, Program Details & Registration @ https://www.darienafterschool.com/OxRidge.html
Questions: Reach out to us anytime! info@darienafterschool.com / 888.212.3837
Follow us on social media and see you after school….
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Meghan Shain for organizing the “We Are Thankful” breakfast.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mariana Begonja (Secretary) November 25
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NOROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL TOYS 4 TOTS COLLECTION
Noroton Fire Department is an official drop off location for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Foundation. With the community’s help we donated over 1,600 toys in 2023, and we’re hoping you’ll join us again this year as we collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys For Tots. Please stop by Noroton FD anytime and leave a donation in the Toys for Tots bin in the back parking lot. We’re located at 1873 Post Road across the street from St. Luke’s Church. Or better yet, get together with your friends and neighbors and start your own collection. Then give us a call and we’ll come to your neighborhood with a fire truck to pick up your donations. We’re available on weekends (and can make most weekdays work too!) from December 2nd to December 17th. This is a great cause and giving back is what the holiday season is all about so please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to a local child in need.
We have also had the pleasure of working with Scout Troops, Kids Care Clubs and sports teams. We would love to partner with you again this year and either come to your meeting with a fire truck or offer a tour of the fire house.
Please contact Alan Hyatt at 203.943.8649 or hyatt1996@yahoo.com to schedule a pick up for your neighborhood or organization.
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DARIEN YOUTH LACROSSE
DYLAX 2024 Spring registration is open! Check us out at www.dylax.com to register and to find all the information you need for the season. Early registration is open now until January at a discounted rate (no code needed).
Darien Youth Lacrosse is a developmental program for boys and girls in grades 1-8.We welcome all players at all levels looking to learn the game, focus on fundamentals, embrace sportsmanship and to have fun! This year we've expanded our Boys Blue Wave Buddies (Grades 1&2) program - it will mirror what we do in the House Leagues with weekly clinics and parent coaches supporting the 8th grade leaders.
Please contact DYLAX Registrar with questions or for additional information dylaxregistrar@gmail.com
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OK TO DELAY DARIEN MEETING
A group of parents are starting a Darien chapter of OK to Delay. The mission of OK To Delay is to unite parents who share a growing concern about the effects of early and excessive use of social media and smartphones. We are dedicated to building a community of informed and empowered parents who will delay giving their kids smartphones, and reverse the devastating trends we are seeing with teen mental health.
We will provide programming through speakers, film screenings, coffees, etc. to educate and encourage parents to delay smartphones and social media. The overarching goal is to create a “village” to support one another in protecting our kids and standing strong with a united front.
If you are interested in learning more, please fill out this google doc here to be added to our distribution list.
KICK OFF MEETING: The first meeting is happening on Tuesday, November 28th at 7pm at the DCA. Invitation here
For any questions, please reach out to oktodelay.darien@gmail.com.
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YOUTH LACROSSE CLINIC
This is a wonderful opportunity over Thanksgiving weekend for our younger community to interact and get one-on-one instruction from the varsity team.
November 25th, 2023 @11:30AM-1:00PM
DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM + EAST FIELD
CLICK HERE https://darienboyslaxgobblegames23.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
BRING EQUIPMENT: HELMET, PADS, GLOVES, STICK
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DARIEN SQUASH
The 2023-2024 Middle & Elementary School Season Starts Soon.
Registration is now open to players in grades 3-8. Registration for the team enables you to participate in team matches, round robins, intramurals, FairWest Squash Jamborees (grades 6-8 only), US Squash Nationals (MMS students only) and all team events.
We will play home matches, intramurals, and round robins at Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club in Darien (512 Middlesex Road).
To learn more, visit: dariensquash.com
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MUSIC FOR YOUTH
Mark your calendars for a new concert event called Tenor and Bass Showcase on Thursday, November 30th at 7:00pm in the DHS auditorium. The purpose of the showcase is to celebrate the music of Tenor and Bass ensembles and to encourage more Tenors and Basses to get involved with chorus in the Darien Public Schools. The concert will feature the DHS chorus tenors and basses with special guest performers the Yale Spizzwinks, including recent graduate John Raskopf! DPS elementary and middle school student performers will be featured in the final song. Tickets to Tenor and Bass Showcase are $10 per person, or a maximum of $20 per family. Proceeds will benefit Darien Music for Youth, who provide music enrichment opportunities and scholarships to DPS students. The concert is FREE for performers and all DPS students and staff. Tickets can be purchased at darienmusicforyouth.ludus.com.
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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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