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October 5-6: Whalemobile enrichment
October 7: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Assembly Wing
October 8: Sunday Funday Welcome Back Event from 3-5, soft opening at 2:30
October 9-11: Coffee with Principals and PTO at 9:30
October 13-15: Family Photo Fall Fundraiser with Karen Morneau Photography
October 20: Kids Care Club
October 23-25: Fall Scholastic Book Fair
November 7: No School - Election Day
November 9: Veteran’s Day Program
November 17: Kids Care Club
November 22: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
November 23-24: Thanksgiving Break
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Dear Ox Ridge Families,
We are now able to use our beautiful new field! Students have been enjoying this additional space as we enhance their outdoor experience during recess time. We are also continuing to see less traffic on Mansfield as we direct parents picking up students to wait at our lower lot. Please remember to keep eyes open for students as well as faculty who are exiting the lower lot at 3:30.
REMINDER – RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00am. We are working with our PTO and will be providing tours and placing our time capsule in the space within the front of the building.
HALLOWEEN
Looking forward to October, we will have a spirit day on October 31, 2023 for all students. Our annual kindergarten parade will be held (2:00pm with details to come from our kindergarten teachers) and our ELP students will be partaking in the festivities (information to be shared via our ELP teachers).
As this is one of the most anticipated holidays for kids, students in grades K – 5 may wear a Halloween costume with parent permission. “Weapons”, scary or gory costumes, excessively large or cumbersome outfits/accessories are not permitted. As an alternative, students can celebrate the day by wearing pajamas, orange and black, or Darien school colors of blue and white. Teachers may ask students to remove a part of their costumes if it becomes overly distracting or disruptive to the learning process.
While trick or treating, we remind families of the importance of safety. Please look to Safe Kids Worldwide (https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips). We encourage you to learn more about the inclusive awareness building work led by FARE”s “Teal Pumpkin” campaign (https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project). As you see these teal pumpkins in the neighborhoods, I hope you can appreciate the sensitivity and awareness our community has regarding food allergies on Halloween and every day.
All the best,
Melissa Kay
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Dear Ox Ridge Community,
Our PTO committees have been hard at work planning lots of exciting events for this month! This week students will enjoy a visit from the Whalemobile, first of several school-wide enrichment programs they will experience this year.
We hope you’ll join us next Saturday, October 7, for the official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the school’s building project. We’re looking for some enthusiastic 5th grade volunteers to give tours of the new assembly wing to attendees! See below for more details or Sign up here to attend!
Finally, we’re excited to be able to host Ox’s annual school kick-off event, Sunday Funday, back on Ox Ridge school grounds this year! We look forward to seeing you all next Sunday, October 8! See below for more details from the Social Committee.
Have a great week ahead!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
[email protected]
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WHALEMOBILE COMES TO OX RIDGE
On October 5 & 6, the PTO will host our first school wide enrichment activity of the year! The Whalemobile is a life size inflatable whale that each class will get to go inside! Students will explore how whales and humans are similar, discuss why whales are an important part of our ecosystem and learn how students can help whales. Students will have the opportunity to touch baleen, bones and teeth from real whales. After going in the inflatable whale, students will participate in a second immersive activity in which they will learn about the oceanic ecosystem.
Click here to learn more about this innovative program: Thewhalemobile.com
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OX RIDGE SUNDAY FUNDAY
Join our Family Back to School event on Sunday, October 8th from 3-5pm at Ox Ridge. Meet other Ox Ridge families, enjoy the new playground, music, bubbles, ice cream and pizza!
As was done in previous years, the event will open early (at 2:30pm) for students who enjoy a sensory friendly environment.
Tickets are $5 per person. Children under 4 are free. Buy your tickets here. Bring cash for ice cream and pizza.
Reach out to Nicole Sweeney if you have questions.
SPED Update: Ox Ridge Elementary school is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. We recognize that large PTO-sponsored events, such as Sunday Funday, may pose challenges for students with individualized needs.
To best support all students, Sunday Funday will open thirty minutes early for those who enjoy a quieter and less crowded environment. Please join us at 2:30pm to partake in the fun prior to general opening.
Throughout the event we welcome you to visit our designated Zen Den sensory-friendly relaxation area. The Zen Den is designed for those looking to take a break from all the Sunday Funday excitement or seeking a soothing atmosphere.
Please contact Ox Ridge PTO’s Special Education Representatives, or Maya Feldman, Ox Ridge Special Education Support Service Assistant Principal with any questions or concerns:
Laura Costello [email protected]
Kira Saunders [email protected]
Kristin Saltzman [email protected]
Maya Feldman [email protected]
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NEW FAMILIES: OPEN REFERRAL PERIOD FOR DARIEN'S GIFTED PROGRAM
The Darien Public Schools recognizes the diverse needs of all students through the differentiation of a robust and rigorous curriculum that is engaging, meaningful, creative, and cognitively complex. Differentiation and choice exist within the general education program to serve all students within the social, emotional, and learning spectrums. The Darien Public Schools also recognize that gifted students require specialized instruction due to their high intellectual ability and exceptional demonstration of the following traits: original or divergent thinking, curiosity, abstract reasoning ability, passion for learning, and creativity.
The Idea Program offers distinct instruction for students in grades two through eight, based on their unique learning pathways, through rigorous, enriching, interdisciplinary programming through the domains of English Language Arts and Mathematics. The National Association for Gifted Children has identified common characteristics of gifted individuals which can be found by clicking here.
If you believe your child consistently demonstrates a preponderance of these traits, both in and out of the school setting, then you may want to discuss the possibility of a referral with your child’s teacher. Parents/guardians or teachers may make a referral for evaluation for students who are new to the district in grades 2-8 from October 9th to October 27th. For additional information about the evaluation process and related referral forms visit the program's website, www.darienps.org/idea or contact your building administrator.
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OX RIDGE BOOK FAIR
The Ox Ridge Fall Book Fair “There’s No Place Like Home” runs October 23-25th.
Family Shopping Nights are Monday (23rd) & Tuesday (24th) from 5-7pm (those needing a quieter shopping experience may enter at 4:30). Click here to set up your child's eWallet and keep your eyes on the Hoot for more information about volunteer opportunities.
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OX RIDGE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Saturday, October 7 at 10am is the ribbon cutting ceremony for the assembly wing. Calling all 5th graders! We are looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to give tours of the new assembly wing to ceremony attendees. All who wish to attend are welcome and we encourage students to wear their Ox gear! Sign up here to attend.
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PTO COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPALS
On October 9-11, we will be hosting Coffee with Principals and the PTO. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. There are 3 sessions:
- Monday, October 9 at 9:30 - Kindergarten and 1st grade families
- Tuesday, October 10 at 9:30 - 2nd and 3rd grade families
- Wednesday, October 11 at 9:30 - 4th and 5th grade families
More information will be coming for ELP parents - stay tuned! Each session will be similar. If you have children in different grades, you can come on the day that is most convenient for you.
We are also planning our first Speaker Series for an evening in November, which is another opportunity to hear from the PTO.
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PTO FUNDRAISER - MABEL'S LABELS
Our school is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels! If you’re not familiar with Mabel’s Labels, they are personalized, durable, waterproof labels. They are great for everything from shoes, clothing tags, water bottles and backpacks. You can customize them with your name and a design, and they are dishwasher, laundry and microwave safe. Mabel’s Labels also offers clothing stamps and silicone bands for water bottles! This is a great way to ensure your items don’t end up in the lost & found or mixed up. To support our fundraiser visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and select Ox Ridge (Darien). You can pick out whatever labels or products you want, and it will ship for free directly to your house! Thank you for supporting us!
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Caitlin Griswold and Elizabeth Melaugh (Outfitters) for their hard work getting our online school spirit-wear sales up and running.
Julia Swan and Lia Lopez (School-Wide Enrichment) for coordinating the Whalemobile visit.
Bethany Reade (ELP Liason) for setting up our ELP PTO.
Carolyn Elmi (Directory) for setting up our school-wide Membership Directory.
Sara Gordon (Treasurer) for all her behind-the-scenes hard work that makes it possible to keep things running!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Lisa Bhagirathy (PT) on October 3
Jennifer Sutherland-Padgett (Teacher WL Itinerant) on October 3
Diane Carr (Teacher SPED) on October 6
Cindi Imp (Teacher SPED) on October 7
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MOVIE NIGHT AT HIGHLAND FARM: THE SUPER MARIO BROTHERS
The Darien Youth Commission and the Darien Parks & Recreation Department invite families to enjoy the showing of this fun, family-friendly movie under the stars at Highland Farm on Friday, October 6th. The film will begin at approximately 6:30 PM. Pack a picnic dinner, grab some friends, a few chairs and blankets, and come with the family for a relaxing evening outdoors. And, to round out the fun, Mister Softee will be selling his ice cream treats until the movie begins. (Please note: attendees are encouraged to remove their own trash at the end of the event.)
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ROCKTOBERFEST
Family Fun for everyone on October 7th 12-6pm!
Darien Parks and Recreation brings you face painting, live music, a corn maze, pedal karts, family games, an egg hunt and more at Rocktoberfest. Learn more and purchase advance tickets until 10/5 at: darienct.gov/rocktoberfest
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DARIEN HALLOWEEN COSTUME EXCHANGE
Costumes needed! Please join in the first ever Darien Halloween Costume Exchange, hosted by the YWCA and the DHS Youth Empowerment Committee on Sunday, 10/8. Please donate your gently used children's costumes through 10/3 at the home of Julia Sheaffer (741 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd) or Kim Huang (8 Revere Road) or at the YWCA (49 Old Kings Highway North). Then, come down to the YW on Sunday 10/8 to pick out costumes for your children! YW Members can "shop" early from 10AM-noon and YW and Non-YW members can shop 12-2PM ($25 tax-deductible donation per family suggested). Any remaining costumes will be donated to families at Open Doors. For more information, please contact the YWCA at (203) 655-2535 or visit www.ywcdn.org.
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TOKENEKE SCHOOL PUMPKIN CARNIVAL
The 2023 Tokeneke School Pumpkin Carnival - Saturday, October 14th, 10am - 4pm
For over fifty years, on one special day in October, Tokeneke Elementary School is transformed into a Halloween themed festival and amusement park! There are mechanical rides and boardwalk games as well as a variety of lawn games and art activities including slime and face painting. There is something for children of all ages to enjoy. For those seeking a thrill, make sure to try the Cliffhanger and Zero Gravity rides. Younger children are sure to love the Spinning Cars and the Happy Swing ride. Play the many games to win prizes! Nosh on delicious food from Burgers Shakes & Fries, Heights Pizza and the Tacos Los Potrillos food truck. The Tokeneke Parent and Teacher Organization is once again partnering with Darien Human Services to offer the event free of charge to families in need. Advance discounted ride tickets and punch cards for lawn games and activities can be purchased online HERE and picked up at the WILL CALL table at the event. Questions can be sent to Vickie Coghlin, Pumpkin Carnival Co-Chair. Please spread the word!
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FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL AT MATHER HOMESTEAD
Come to join us on October 21st from 11am-2pm for fall family fun at the historic Mather Homestead! Hay rides, petting zoo, Revolutionary War reenactor, fire truck visit, face painting, pumpkins, crafts, games and live music by On the Trail bluegrass band! Check out www.matherhomestead.org for more information or to purchase tickets in advance. Event is rain or shine and Mather Homestead is located at 19 Stephen Mather Road. Questions? Email [email protected].
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DARIEN YOUTH SQUASH OPEN HOUSE
Join us Sunday, 10/1, from 6:00-7:00pm at Ox Ridge Club, 512 Middlesex Rd, Darien, to learn more about the 2023-24 Junior Team program (open to all Darien residents in grades 3-8).
Please RSVP for Open House with the link below.
https://www.dariensquash.com/open-house.html?utm_source=sqmktg_email
Come ready to play! Kids will have the chance for fun on the courts with some of the Darien High School players. All levels, including total beginners, welcome!
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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 [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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