FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Student Pajama Day is tomorrow, Monday the 25th
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Ox Ridge Staff Participates in Underground Spirit Week
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce that tomorrow, Monday, November 25th will be Pajama Day at Ox Ridge School! Our students have earned this cozy celebration as a reward for their incredible efforts in fundraising for the Fun Run event. Their hard work and enthusiasm truly showcased the spirit of our Ox Ridge community! Students are welcome to wear their favorite school-appropriate pajamas to school on this special day. Let's celebrate their achievement together in comfort and style! Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement of our students' success.
This week, the Ox Ridge staff took a creative and "underground" approach to building our school’s positive culture and climate by secretly participating in a Spirit Week. From Monday through Friday, staff members embraced the chance to connect with one another—and with students—in a lighthearted and playful way. The results? Smiles, laughter, and a renewed sense of unity among the entire school community.
Spirit Week featured a different theme each day, allowing teachers and staff to showcase their fun side while sparking curiosity and excitement among students.
- Monday: Black-on-Black Day
- Staff started the week in sleek, chic, all-black outfits, setting a tone of quiet intrigue and sophistication.
- Tuesday: Hat Day
- Hats of all shapes, sizes, and styles were on display, bringing a touch of whimsy and personality to the halls of Ox Ridge.
- Wednesday: Athleisure Day
- Teachers donned their coziest and sportiest attire, proving that comfort and professionalism can go hand in hand.
- Thursday: Crazy Sock Day
- From polka dots to stripes, unicorns to tacos, socks stole the spotlight, peeking out from under pants legs and sparking countless conversations.
- Friday: Pajama Day
- The week wrapped up with the ultimate comfort: pajamas! The halls were filled with fuzzy slippers and flannel, giving students a delightful glimpse of their teachers in a whole new light.
The Underground Spirit Week wasn’t just about having fun; it was about fostering a stronger sense of connection among staff and students. The students were thrilled to see their teachers stepping out of their usual roles to "dress like kids" and share in the joy of playful creativity.
By participating in this week of camaraderie and fun, the staff reinforced the importance of a positive school environment. Spirit Week served as a reminder that learning isn’t just about academics—it’s also about fostering a sense of community and belonging. At Ox Ridge, we’re proud to lead with joy and connection, showing our students what it means to embrace both hard work and celebration.
Here’s to more opportunities to build an inspiring and uplifting school culture together!
Sincerely,
Chris Melillo
Principal, Ox Ridge School
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We are celebrating the success of Fun Run this week. After raising $42,000, the school will have pajama day on Monday and then in school celebration Tuesday where pies will be thrown at Mr. Mellilo. Thanks for all your support in raising funds for the Ox Ridge PTO.
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday (no school Wednesday through Friday). If you’re looking for a quiet activity over the next week, your children can show their teachers support by making a poster and/or card to celebrate National Special Education Awareness Day.
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
OxRidgePTO@gmail.com
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SUPPORT THE PTO - MINTED DISCOUNT CODE
It’s holiday card season and Ox Ridge is Fundraising with Minted! Get 20% off your Minted card and gift purchases, including custom photo gifts, tote bags, stationery, children’s art and more. For every order placed, Minted will donate 15% back to the Ox Ridge PTO! Apply code FUNDRAISEOXRIDGE at checkout to claim your 20% discount. The code can be used year-round!
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HOLIDAY HOPE CHEST
Ox Ridge is marking its 23rd year of supporting the Family & Children’s Agency through their Hope Chest program, which sponsors foster children in Fairfield County during the holidays.
Please consider contributing to this great cause! Just 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. CLICK HERE
Please wrap your gifts/your gift card and label them with the child’s name. Wrapped gifts should be dropped off at 383 Middlesex Road (hidden driveway between houses 375 and 385 - red mailbox) and left in the box by the porch by Monday December 2nd. Gifts will be hand delivered to FCA in time for their holiday party on December 5th, when the foster children will receive their gifts.
Please visit the FCA webpage (Welcome to Family & Children's Agency) to learn more about the work of this vital organization and contact Suzanne Anderson with any questions about the Hope Chest Program.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY - CELEBRATE TEACHERS
In honor of National Special Education Day, please help us show our amazing teachers and staff how much we appreciate them and all that they do to support our student body, while promoting inclusion and acceptance within our Ox Ridge Community. Please consider having your child create a thank you poster to be displayed in the Ox Ridge teachers lounge (sign up here for posters) or thank you card for their teachers, service providers, administration or staff (children may create their own cards, or download this card template).
Posters and Cards can be dropped in the Ox Ridge Main Office with a deadline of Monday December 2nd.
Questions, please contact the PTO Special Education Committee: Laura Costello llmh219@gmail.com, Kristin Saltzman Kristinsaltzman@gmail.com and Kristinia Tomai Schuster kristiniatomai@gmail.com
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HOOTIE COMEDY CELLAR
Hootie Comedy Cellar invites you to an evening of comedy featuring EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH IMPROV! Featured on the weekends in NYC Times Square, and at our very own Ox Ridge Gym on December 3rd! This will be an interactive family friendly show, so get ready to laugh your feathers off owls! EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH IMPROV has toured 1000s of public and private events from The Smithsonian to local YMCAs. This show will be hosted by Walt Frasier, as seen on MTV, HBO, Billions, Blue Bloods, Letterman, etc.
Tickets are $5 per person and everyone attending needs to have a ticket.
There will be 2 showtimes: 5-6PM and 6:15-7:15PM. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
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PICKUP LOOP UPDATE
Driving to school for drop-off or pick-up? You will now see new signage that was recently added to the Ox Ridge community: Ox Ridge is now a "No Idling Zone"! Please make sure to turn your car off until you're ready to depart, whether it's to the next waiting point or from the entire school community. Thanks for your attention and participation!
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KIDS CARE CLUB - COAT DRIVE AND USED BOOK DRIVE
Over the next few weeks, the Ox Ridge Kids Care Club is collecting new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves/mittens, new socks, and any other warm outerwear you may have. We will be donating them to Person2Person. They have the greatest need for coats, especially kids’ coats. There will be boxes in the Ox Ridge lobby for your convenience. Our Kids Care Club kiddos decorated posters that are hung throughout the school advertising our winter-wear drive. We'd love your kids to join our meeting next month... stay tuned for more details!
The PTO is also collecting gently used children's books, especially those books for Kindergarten through 2nd grade readers. We will be donating these books to Find Book Joy, an organization that will rehome the books with children in Fairfield County who cannot afford their own books at home.
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POPPY DRIVE - THANK YOU
Thank you to the entire Ox Ridge family for participating in this year’s Poppy Drive. We raised over $1300! This money will be used to support the rehabilitation of disabled veterans here in Connecticut.
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FUN RUN - THANK YOU
Last week we held our school's second annual Fun Run. We wanted to say a HUGE “Thank you!” to our students, staff, and donors for their participation in this incredible fundraiser. We exceeded our original goal of $35,000 and raised over $42,000 for PTO activities, and our students completed more than 15,000 minutes of exercise combined! Thank you for making the event a great success!
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEER
- Lauren Lawrence for being our PTO Secretary.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY OX RIDGE STAFF!
November
18 Ben Bartol - Gym Teacher
23 Colleen Gomola - Speech & Language Pathologist
25 Heather Youngquist - ELP Speech & Language Pathologist
25 Mariana Begonja - Assistant to the Principal
28 Dana Falcioni - Paraprofessional
30 Erin McIntosh - Paraprofessional
December
2 Sydney Kazlouskas - Building Substitute
3 Nikki Oczkowski - ELP Paraprofessional
6 Stacy Johnson - 2nd Grade Teacher
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DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES - HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING PROGRAM
With prices of food and energy continuing to rise, many Darien residents continue to feel the strain. During the holidays Darien Human Services manages a Holiday Gift Giving Program to help Darien families and seniors in need. We are looking for individuals or groups (book clubs, neighbor groups, scout troops) to help make someone’s holiday a little brighter by adopting a local family or senior. Alternately, Darien Human Services also has an Amazon Wishlist including gift cards and home good items that we give our clients on a monthly basis throughout the year LINK HERE.
Please contact Darien Human Services at 203.656.7328 with any questions - thank you for your consideration and support!
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NOROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT - 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 1,000 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, 1873 Post Road (across from St. Luke’s Church). Better yet, get together with your friends, neighbors, Scout Troops, Kids Care Clubs or sports teams and start a collection - give us a call and we’ll come to your neighborhood with a fire truck to pick up your donations, or host a station visit! To schedule or questions, contact Alan Hyatt at 203.943.8649 or hyatt1996@yahoo.com
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DLL SOFTBALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN - EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Darien Little League Youth Softball Registration for the Spring House Program is now open to girls in Kindergarten through 7th grade! Please CLICK HERE for a schedule of games and practices based on age groups and CLICK HERE to register your child! Our goal is for your daughter's experience on the softball field to be fun and rewarding, while developing skills and fostering friendships! If you have any questions about the registration process or the program, please contact Emily Brown.
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DARIEN YOUTH LACROSSE
Darien Youth Lacrosse Registration is now open for the 2025 Spring Season!
Please CLICK HERE for all interested players in grades 1-8. Registration I runs November 14th until January 9th at a discounted rate (full rates apply January 10th). Shorts are included for players who sign up now. Our season starts in March! For questions or additional information, please email - dylaxregistrar@gmail.com
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YOUTH HOCKEY SKATE WITH DHS BLUE WAVE - BLACK FRIDAY CLINIC
Come skate with the Boys Varsity Hockey team and Coach Mac Bud! Expect drills, skills and lots of FUN! All youth players can join us on Friday November 29th at SoNo Rink: 10am-11:15am, Mite/Squirt; 11:30am-12:45pm, Pee Wee/Bantam. $60 per skater.
Register to secure a spot HERE.
Same day walk-ins welcome! Proceeds will support DHS Boys Hockey Team. No refunds.
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THE DEPOT'S TURKEY TROT
Join the Fun at The Depot's Overstuffed Turkey Trot 5K and 1M Run!
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 29, 2024, and get ready to run, walk, or trot on the scenic Darien High School running trail! This year's event will feature live music, food trucks, games for kids, and more and all proceeds benefit The Depot, Darien's Youth Center. We'll have a school team comprised of students and families, so you can click "Join Team" when you register and select your school! Learn more and register HERE.
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THANKSGIVING LAX CLINIC WITH BLUE WAVE LACROSSE
Calling all youth players looking to work on their skills in a fun-filled environment led by our Blue Wave Varsity Lacrosse Players and Captains. Join us on Saturday, November 30th from 8:30am am - 11am at the Darien High School Upper Oval Field for drills, scrimmages, Prizes and fun!. Cost is $75 per player, Same day walk in’s welcome! Register at https://darien-high-school-gobbler-games-2024.itemorder.com/
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MERRY MEADOWLANDS: A HOLIDAY HOME & MARKET ON DECEMBER 5th
Eat, drink, be merry and get your holiday shopping done at our fundraising event! The Darien Community Association will be beautifully decorated for the holidays by local retail partners and the market will feature over a dozen vendors and artisans. Sign up for the daytime event from 10am-2pm or the evening sip & shop from 6-9pm at dariendca.org/merry-meadowlands
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OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE
EDITORS NOTE:
Jenn Marty - September, December, March, June 1
Roberta Brodis - October, January, April, June 8
Aynsley Joyce - November, February, May, June 15
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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