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October:
21-23: Ox Ridge Library Storybook Pumpkins Due
22: Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm
22-25: Conference Week - 2 Hour Early Dismissal
22-25: PTO Halloween Boo Bag Event
24: Parent Social at Molto Restaurant
26: ELP Trunk or Treat
26: Family Photo Day Fundraiser
26: UConn Football Game Fundraiser
31: Halloween / ELP & Kindergarten Parade
November:
4: Fun Run Kickoff (in classrooms)
5: No School (Election Day)
6: Picture Retake Day
6: Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm
12: Veteran’s Day Celebration
12: Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm
14: Fun Run Event Day
Useful Links:
DPS Calendar 2024-25
Six Day Schedule for Elementary Schools 2024-25
PTO website
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Dear Ox Ridge Families,
As we approach the heart of the fall season, it's time to start preparing for our Elementary Fall Conferences, which will take place from Tuesday, October 22nd through Friday, October 25th.
Please note that these will be early release days, with students being dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
We kindly ask that you mark your calendars and ensure your early dismissal plans are arranged and entered into PikMyKid.
This year, we're excited to host conferences earlier in the school year, a purposeful change aimed at fostering the home-school connection as soon as possible. We believe that these early conversations will lay the groundwork for better communication and a clearer understanding of expectations, helping to ensure a smoother school year for all.
The primary goal of Fall Conferences is to strengthen the partnership between families and teachers. During these meetings, your child's teacher will provide valuable insights into how the year has begun, including your child’s strengths, social adjustment, their academic baseline, and the goals for the year.
We also invite you to share your family's Hopes and Dreams for your child and any additional information that can support their growth and success. Our teachers will offer suggestions on how you can help your child work toward achieving these goals.
- Reflect on Your Child’s Progress: Consider how your child has adjusted to the start of the school year. Are there areas where they seem particularly happy, challenged, or in need of support?
- Come with Questions: This is a great time to ask about how your child is adjusting socially, their academic progress, and how to support them at home.
- Share Your Hopes and Dreams: Teachers appreciate learning about your aspirations for your child—whether it’s developing social skills, building academic confidence, or anything else important to your family.
- Be Open to Feedback: Conferences are an opportunity to hear how your child is performing and ways you can collaborate with their teacher to support their growth.
As always, Progress Reports will be shared at the end of the First Trimester in early December, providing a detailed look at your child's progress toward Grade Level Standards.
We look forward to these important conversations and working together to ensure a successful school year for your child!
Warm regards,
Chris Melillo
Principal, Ox Ridge School
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
With this week being fall conference week, we hope your children enjoy the Halloween Boo Bag event or other programing from Darien After School.
We look forward to seeing you at the parent social this Thursday evening.
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Join us for an Ox Ridge Parents Night Out at Molto Darien this Thursday October 24th from 7-10PM! Catch up with old friends, and meet some new ones.
$20 per person will cover the use of the space and light appetizers. Drinks and additional food available for purchase. Please purchase tickets here by October 21st.
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PHOTOS NEEDED FOR THE YEARBOOK
The Ox Ridge yearbook committee is requesting photos from the following events to be included in our yearbook:
- 1st day of school
- Sunday Funday
- Walk, Bike or RollFall
- Book Fair
Please send your pictures to OxRYearbook@gmail.com and be sure to label them with the relevant event info. We would love photos with more than one child if possible. Thank you so much for helping us out!
HOOTIE ARTWORK FOR THE YEARBOOK
Every school year we include students' drawings of Hootie in our yearbook.
All grades are welcome to submit their artwork to be included and one drawing from a 5th grade artist will be featured on the cover.
Please send a jpeg photo of your child's submission to OxRYearbook@gmail.com and be sure to include the following information:
- Student's Name
- Student's Grade
The due date is Friday, November 1st. We look forward to seeing your Hootie artwork!
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OX RIDGE UPCYCLES HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
Have your kids outgrown their Halloween costumes? Not sure what to do with Halloween costumes in perfectly good condition? Look no further! Drop any gently-used Halloween costume(s) in the Ox Ridge lobby box starting November 01-18. Then, in September of 2025 come and choose from one of these amazing, upcycled Halloween costumes: save time, money, and most importantly our wonderful planet!
Pllease note: violent, gory or excessively large costumes will not be accepted.
The Green Team thanks you as Ox Ridges gets greener!
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WHAT IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION?
This month, the DEI committee is educating students on what it means to celebrate diversity, practice equity, and be inclusive. If you are in the school building, we invite you to check out the display in the trophy case near the gym. The display explains DEI in an age-appropriate way, and we have provided action steps that students can take in each area. If your family is looking for resources to use at home, please reach out to the DEI Committee.
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VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Ox Ridge will continue the tradition of our Veterans Day program this year on Tuesday November 12th. We look forward to paying tribute to all the veterans in our families and broader community – past, present, near and far – with an in-person program. Our goal is to continue to develop a deep appreciation amongst students for our country and the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our safety and freedoms.
How to participate:
If any of the veterans in your life are able to join us in-person that day, please contact us by Monday October 21st by emailing oxridgepto@gmail.com with the Subject Line “Veterans Day 2024”.
We will have our veterans participate in a brief Q&A panel with our students as we have done in the past.
If you have a veteran or active duty service member in your family, or if you know a veteran who you would like to honor by having their biography and picture displayed in school, please complete this form by October 21st as well. The photos and biographies will be posted in the pod area for each grade.
*Please note: If you have submitted your veteran’s biographical information before, it is not necessary to do so again*
If you are able to volunteer your time, either with set up before, during, or after the celebration or in preparation for the event, please contact us at oxridgepto@gmail.com. Please also keep an eye out for some volunteer sign up opportunities in future editions of the Hoot over the next few weeks. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to honoring our country’s heroes once again!
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SAVE THE DATE - FUN RUN IS NOVEMBER 14
The Fun Run fundraiser is coming back to Ox Ridge. Key Dates:
October 21 - Site opens to start signups and getting donations
November 4 - Kickoff in the school
November 14 - Event day at Ox Ridge (parents can watch if held outside)
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DISCOVER GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL AND FUNDRAISE FOR OX RIDGE
For families that register in the month of October at Goldfish Swim School and mention Ox Ridge, the $25 annual membership fee will be donated to the Ox Ridge PTO. Goldfish Swim School offers lessons for kids 4 months to 12 years with trained certified instructors in their shiver free, 90 degree pool. For more information on Goldfish Swim School click here.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
The Winter After School schedule is open for registration! Join us for an all-new Kid Chemists, Sports, and more! Grab your classmates and join us for FUN and enriching classes to explore your passions, build social skills, and stretch your mind before and after the school bell.
Don't forget to sign up for the Conference Day Program next week!
Class Schedule and Register @ (our new website):
www.YourAfterSchool.com
Call 888.212.3837. Email: info@yourafterschool.com
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
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Susie Ortigao and Megan Davolos for planning our Halloween Boo Bag Event
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Caroline Verrone and Sally Merwin for treating the Ox Ridge staff to a Conference Week lunch this Wednesday
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Meghan Shain for organizing Thursday’s Parent Social at Molto
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAF
October:
- 23 Kristen Turkosz – Teacher (Music)
- 24 Christina Acocella – ELP Para
- 26 Seth Von Schmidt – Paraprofessional
- 30 Laura DiScala – SLP ELP
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WEEKEND MEAL PROGRAM
Darien Human Services participates in a partnership with Filling in the Blanks weekend meal program. Filling in the Blanks is a local non-profit organization that provides food on the weekends to school aged children (www.fillingintheblanks.org). Each packet consists of a variety of nonperishable food items such as oatmeal, granola bars, fruit cups, mac and cheese, canned food, tuna and chips. Meal packets are distributed bi-weekly at Town Hall during designated times to families who struggle with food insecurity. If you have questions or would like to find out if your family meets eligibility requirements, please contact Darien Human Services 203-656-7328.
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MUSIC FOR HOPE BENEFIT CONCERT FEATURING GUNSMOKE & WINGMEN
Saturday, November 9th at 6pm, Piedmont Club, 152 Hecker Ave., Darien
Local country western band Gunsmoke, in partnership with the Piedmont Club of Darien, are presenting the annual Music for Hope charity concert and dinner on Saturday, November 9th at 6pm. Gunsmoke, along with local band Wingmen, will be performing and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Admission is $25 and reservations or donations may be made in advance at (203) 554-1507. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the show, which begins at 7 p.m. For more information about the Piedmont Club, go to piedmontclub.org. To find out more about Gunsmoke, visit gunsmokeband.com.
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FALL EVENT AT MATHER HOMESTEAD
October 26th is the Mather Homestead annual Fall Festival! Our largest event of the year promises to be better-than-ever with pony rides, petting zoo, hay rides, fire truck visit and George Washington on his horse! Children’s author Stephanie Pearson will read her new book, “50 True Tales from our Great National Parks”. Live bluegrass music, face painting, pumpkins and crafts too! Tickets: https://www.matherhomestead.org/event-details/fall-harvest-festival-sponsored-by-bmw-of-darien-1
The Mather Homestead is located at 19 Stephen Mather Road. Questions? Please reach out to info@matherhomestead.org.
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HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THE DEPOT
4th & 5th Grade Halloween Party at The Depot:
Join us for a spooktacular night of fun at The Depot! We'll have pizza, games, costume contests, and more, complete with candy and prizes! Friday, October 25th from 5:15pm to 7:30pm. Register here.
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
The Town of Darien is offering another chance to attend the Mental Health First Aid 8-hour interactive certification course. This course is designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Like CPR training helps a non-medical professional assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps an individual who doesn’t have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Dates are October 23 and 24th, both days from 8:30am-1:00pm, at EMS Post 53. Please register by emailing Ali Ramsteck at aramsteck@darienct.gov. This program is being funded by ARPA funds.
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THRIVING YOUTH
The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana and Teen Mental Health:
Please join us for an interactive Zoom webinar with Laura Stack, founder and CEO of Johnny's Ambassadors, on October 24th at 7pm. When her son, Johnny, died by suicide after becoming psychotic from dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates, Laura Stack made it her mission to help parents, educators, and our community understand the risks of high potency THC, specifically around youth mental health and suicide. Join us to learn about how marijuana affects the teenage brain and can lead to mental health consequences.
This webinar is geared towards parents, but anyone invested in supporting young people is welcome to attend. Registration is free and required at www.communityfunddarien.org/tydevents. Program brought to you by Thriving Youth Darien, The Darien Depot and YWCA Parent Awareness.
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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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