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October:
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,
Safety Tips for Halloween and Fall Activities
Fall is officially here, and with it comes one of the most exciting times of the year, Halloween! It’s a season filled with cozy sweaters, colorful leaves, and of course, trick-or-treating fun. As we gear up for these festivities, we want to make sure our Ox Ridge families stay safe while enjoying all that fall has to offer. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you and your children get ready for Halloween and other outdoor adventures.
When picking out Halloween costumes, be sure to choose ones that fit just right, nothing too long that might cause trips and falls. Face paint is a great alternative to masks, as it won’t block your little one’s vision. And if you're shopping for a costume, look for flame-resistant labels to keep everyone extra safe. If you’re heading out for trick-or-treating, especially on Darien’s narrow and sometimes dimly lit roads, make sure your kids are easy to spot! Flashlights, glow sticks, or even some reflective tape can help them stay visible to drivers. Stick to sidewalks wherever possible and remember to cross the street at designated crosswalks. It’s also a good idea to take a quick look at their candy before they dive in, just to make sure everything is sealed and safe.
For all the drivers out there, Halloween is a great time to be extra cautious. Our town’s charming but narrow streets can get pretty busy with excited trick-or-treaters, and we know how difficult it can be to see them, especially in darker costumes. Please slow down, stay alert, and keep those headlights on, even during daylight hours. As for pumpkin carving, let’s leave the sharp tools to the adults. The kids can still get creative by decorating with paint, markers, or stickers. And for a safer glow inside your pumpkins, opt for battery-operated candles or glow sticks instead of traditional candles.
Aside from Halloween, fall brings plenty of outdoor fun. If your kids love jumping into leaf piles, just make sure the piles are far from roads or driveways, and free of any hidden sticks or stones that could cause injuries. Whether it’s recess, weekend hikes, or a stroll through the neighborhood, make sure everyone is bundled up for the cooler weather, and that shoes are sturdy to avoid slipping on wet leaves. And don’t forget to pack water—even though it’s cooler outside, staying hydrated is just as important!
If your family is planning to enjoy a bonfire this season, be sure to keep a safe distance from the flames, and remind the kids about fire safety. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby, and double-check that the fire is completely out before heading in for the night.
We hope these tips help make your fall and Halloween full of fun and good memories. Whether you’re trick-or-treating, exploring the outdoors, or simply enjoying time with loved ones, safety is always a priority here at Ox Ridge. From all of us, we wish you and your family a safe and spook-tacular Halloween!
Sincerely,
Chris Melillo
Principal, Ox Ridge School
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
Thanks for making all our October PTO events a success! It’s hard to believe October is already coming to an end with Halloween on Thursday. We know our students are excited! Costumes will be allowed but make sure to review the guidelines and check whether your teachers have sent any additional rules or requests.
Hope it’s a great week!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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SAVE THE DATE - FUN RUN IS NOVEMBER 14
The Fun Run fundraiser is coming back to Ox Ridge.
Key Dates:
Site is open! You can start signups and donations
November 4 - Kickoff in the school
November 14 - Event day at Ox Ridge (parents can watch if held outside)
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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
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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.
Green Team Halloween Fun Facts:
Fake spider webs are made of plastic, and they can trap birds and insects. Hang a garland of bright marigolds that can dry and last for months.
Store-bought costumes are often full of microplastics. Their synthetic fabrics, like nylon and polyester, shed when washed. And, 83 percent of the fabrics in conventional Halloween costumes are oil-based. Participate in Ox's Upcycle Halloween program to help limit this impact!
For more information on smarter Halloween choices, check out this NYT article.
The Green Team thanks you as Ox Ridges gets greener!
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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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VETERANS DAY
Ox Ridge will be honoring our veterans during our annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 12th. We will also help to rehabilitate disabled veterans by distributing “Buddy Poppies” to all students.
Please consider sending in $1 with your child by Nov. 8th to support veterans in need right here in Connecticut.
The Ox Ridge community will wear these poppies with pride on both Veterans Day itself (Nov. 11) and the day of the ceremony to show veterans that we care, and to teach our children to respect and honor the defenders of our nation.
BREAKFAST FOR OUR VETERANS
To honor our veterans during our breakfast celebration at our annual Veterans Day ceremony, please consider donating baked goods for the morning of November 12th! Sign up here
Thank you for participating!
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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.
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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Roberta Brodis for being our October Hoot editor
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAF
October:
- 30 Laura DiScala – SLP ELP
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SIDEWALK IN DARIEN Q&A
You are invited to join a Q&A session on sidewalks in Darien with First Selectman Zagrodzky on Wednesday, October 30 at 7pm at Darien Town Hall. If you think you might come, please RSVP to get an accurate participant count and identify the right room at Town Hall. If you want a question asked, but can't make it, email your question to safestreetsindarien@gmail.com.
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DPS ELEMENTARY LITERACY PROGRAM: A SESSION FOR FAMILIES
Darien Public Schools held a session on Wednesday, October 16 in the Darien Library Community Room. In this session, they shared about the elementary literacy program in the Darien Public Schools so parents can gain a deeper understanding of how DPS is addressing the science of reading and the Right to Read legislation in our curriculum. You can view in the link bellow.
10/16/24 Literacy Overview for Families (recording)
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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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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!
Team Up for a Great Time! Join your elementary school team with your friends and family. On the registration page, opt to join a team and select your school from the dropdown list under an Existing Group/Team. The school with the largest team will win a pizza and candy party at the Darien Depot, while all other teams will earn well-deserved bragging rights! Register HERE.
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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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