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October 17-19 : Ox Ridge Book Fair
October 18 : SE Social
October 21: Kids Care Club Kick-Off Meeting - 8:15 AM
October 21: Ox Spirit Day
November 8: Professional Development (No School)
November 10: Veteran's Day Program
November 23: Early Dismissal
November 24-25: Thanksgiving Recess (No School)
November 29 - December 2: Early Dismissal (Conference Week)
December 1 - Special Education Appreciation Day
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Hi All,
Looking forward into October, know that we will have a spirit day on Monday, October 31st for all students. Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year for children and we want to celebrate the joy on campus! I’m pleased to share the our annual kindergarten parade will happen that afternoon as is tradition!
For students in grades K - 5, there are some choices in how to participate in this fun day. With parental permission, students may wear costumes. “Weapons”, scary or gore-y costumes, excessively large or cumbersome outfits / accessories are not permitted.
Teachers can certainly ask students to remove a part of their costume if it becomes overly distracting or disruptive to the learning process. In addition or as an alternative to costumes, students can celebrate the day by wearing pajamas, orange and black or Darien School colors of Blue and White. Our ELP classes will have their own safe and fun way to celebrate; ELP teachers will reach out to their families with details.
Finally, I know many students who plan to trick or treat in the community. In addition to the yearly safety reminders, I also encourage you to learn more about the inclusive-awareness building work lead by FARE's "Teal Pumpkin" campaign. As you see these teal pumpkins in the neighborhood, I hope you can appreciate the sensitivity and awareness our community has regarding food allergies on this exciting day!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
Thanks to all who were able to join us for the PTO Speaker Series and Parents Cocktails at Bodega this past Thursday. Dr. Forshaw provided an excellent review of RULER and how teachers are supporting student Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). And it was so fun to get together afterwards for a margarita!
The Book Fair is quickly approaching—please make sure to set-up your Scholastic eWallet so that your child can shop at the Book Fair. We are so excited that parents will be able to come to the library to shop with their children again during their designated class time! Ox Ridge Outfitters will be selling OX gear in person at the Book Fair the evening of Monday, October 17th, including the new collaboration items from Dudley Stephens! Make sure to buy your gear for our upcoming Spirit Day on Friday, October 21st!
We are happy to highlight that the Kids Care Club will have their first meeting of the year this coming Friday, November 18th. This is a great opportunity for your child to learn more about community service and helping others! We are so fortunate to have a club on campus that focuses on kindness, acceptance and compassion.
Lastly, we want to hear your opinions about school matters. Please email us at oxridgepto@gmail.com to share your thoughts.
Thanks and have a wonderful week!
XO OX,
Christina & Meghan
Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail
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OX RIDGE BOOK FAIR - THIS WEEK!
The Ox Ridge Fall Book Fair “Fall Into Reading” is here! The fair runs this week from October 17-19th. Family Nights are Monday (17th) & Tuesday (18th) from 5-7pm (those needing a quieter shopping experience may enter at 4:30). Payments accepted include cash, check and eWallet (an alternative to cash, the Book Fair eWallet can be used to fund your students' purchases at the Fair). In addition to volunteering, parents are welcome to come shop with their children. Set up your eWallet here & click here for full Fair details and class schedule.
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KIDS CARE CLUB COAT DRIVE
For October, the KCC is working on a Coat Drive with Person-to-Person. There will be a collection box placed in the lobby of Ox Ridge School starting on Monday. Please help your children collect coats from home, neighbors, family and friends. They can be dropped off anytime during school hours and we will continue to fill the box through the end of the month. Let's build excitement around this and teach our kids one way they can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate in our local community, especially before temperatures really drop! Please reach out to Alexis Starzynski or Kerry Goldberg with any questions.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT SOCIAL
Please join us on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:30 PM at Louie's Italian Restaurant (10 Center Street) for an evening of cocktails and conversation. This event, hosted by the Ox Ridge Special Education Committee, is an opportunity for parents of children with IEPs or 504s, or who are simply interested in Special Education resources, to connect in a casual and fun setting. Please feel free to drop in for a quick hello, or stay awhile and mingle. All parents / guardians are encouraged to attend, and please feel free to bring a friend outside of the Ox Community who would also like to connect with our Special Education parent community. The more the merrier!
We will gather on the patio and appetizers will be provided (drinks purchased separately), so please dress according to the weather. In the event of rain, we will move indoors. No sign up is required, but if you plan to attend or have questions, please contact your Special Education Representatives: Anne Cotton, Dayna Checketts, and Kira Saunders. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Nicole Sweeney (Social Chair) for organizing our Parents Cocktails at Bodega.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Ms. Krystal Talarico on October 17
Ms. Livia Flood on October 18
Ms. Kristen Turkosz on October 23
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HOLLY POND FAMILY FUN DAY
Family Fun Day, hosted by Holly Pond School, will be held this year from 11am-2pm on Sunday, October 23rd at the Darien YMCA. Admission is $30 per family. Activities include a DJ, pumpkin decorating, bake sale, frame making station, keychain decorating, bag decorating, candy shop, magic show, bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, rock wall, nail painting, face painting, balloon animals, spin art, Hands On Pottery, Heights Pizza, a Hot Dog Cart from Uncle’s Deli and more. Tickets can be purchased online through the Darien YMCA or here.
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DARIEN HIGH STUDENT GOVERNMENT TRUNK OR TREAT
The Darien High School Student Government will be hosting a Trunk or Treat Event on Sunday October 23rd at the Darien High School Athletic Loop from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm (if rain indoors). Clubs, sports teams, and student groups will be decorating cars and providing attendees with a safe and fun trick or treating experience. Each group/car will have the option of hosting a game or activity to make the experience more engaging, with a showing from town emergency services. All children in grade 5 and under from the town of Darien are offered the opportunity to attend the event, register here . There will be no cost to the event; however, parents will be asked to give a suggested minimum donation of $5 per person to support Darien Social Services or to donate a new or gently used Halloween costume for Person to Person.
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DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL HALLOWEEN CONCERT
Current and Future Elementary Musicians, and families, are invited to the DHS Halloween Orchestra Concert on October 27 at 7pm. The concert will take place in the Darien High School auditorium, with a special guest performance by the MMS 8th Grade Sinfonia. Costumes welcome!
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DARIEN EMS - POST 53 HAUNTED HOUSE SUNDAY OCT 30 FROM 2-4 PM
The Post 53 Haunted House is back! Come join us as we return to providing three different levels of fright on Sunday October 30th from 2-4pm at our headquarters 0 Ledge Road, Darien. Get your Halloween costumes ready and join us for a fun filled afternoon with exciting events and fun games for kids of all ages. There will be ambulance tours, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and many more games and treats! CPR/AED training will be offered to any adults or children interested. Suggested donation is $10 per child and all donations will support Darien EMS-Post 53, Darien’s Volunteer Emergency Medical Service staffed with state certified Emergency Medical Technicians, who are Darien High School Students and their Adult Advisors.
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EDITORS NOTE:
Meghan Egan - Nov, Jan, May, June 19
Danielle Kohlberger - Oct, Feb, Apr, June 12
Baye Larsen - Sept, Dec, Mar, June 5
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