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October 31: Halloween! See below for costume rules!
November 7: No School - Election Day
November 9: Picture Retake Day
November 9: Veteran’s Day Program
November 9: Speaker Series at 6:00pm: Dr. Alycia Dadd (DSP Director of Mental Health) Parent Social at Riko’s Following Speaker Series
November 16: Special Education Parents Social
November 17: Kids Care Club
November 22: Early Dismissal
November 23-24: No-School - Thanksgiving Recess
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Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Dear Families,
Please note the following exciting events coming up at Ox!
HALLOWEEN
We will have a spirit day on October 31, 2023 for all students. Our annual kindergarten parade will be held at 2:00pm and our ELP students will be partaking in the festivities (information to be shared via our ELP teachers). Kindergarten parents are welcome to view the parade from the ELP playground on Tuesday afternoon as shared by the kindergarten 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. Please remember that we do not celebrate Halloween with food related treats at the elementary school.
While trick or treating, we remind families of the importance of safety. Please look to Safe Kids Worldwide. We encourage you to learn more about the inclusive awareness building work led by FARE”s "Teal Pumpkin" Campaign. 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.
VETERANS DAY
Ox Ridge will be honoring our veterans during our annual Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, November 9, 2023. 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. 9 to support veterans in need right here in Connecticut. The Ox Ridge community will wear these poppies with pride on 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. Thank you for participating!
Looking forward to a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Melissa Kay
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Dear Ox Ridge Community,
Thank you for coming out in this beautiful weather to visit our fall book fair, which was a great success! It was great to see many of you during the evening hours and thank you again to our book fair committee for all their hard work.
Although it hasn't exactly felt like fall outside, October is already coming to an end with Halloween on Tuesday! 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.
Also, a reminder that our Kids Care Club is still collecting coats to benefit Person2Person. Now is a great time to go through your closet for any cold weather jackets that we may have outgrown.
Have a wonderful Halloween!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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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 9th! Sign up here
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Darien After School - brings you enrichment where students find a new favorite, be anything they want to be and make new friends! BLAST through the Fall with Sports, Music, Art, Science, Theater and MORE.
Fall classes are offered thru 12/21. Rolling Registration Open Throughout the Session @Darien After School *late fees may apply. Questions: Reach out to us anytime! info@darienafterschool.com / 888.212.3837 . Follow us on social media and see you after school.
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HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Gingerbread Houses are back! Let's get into the holiday spirit with one of our favorite Ox Ridge traditions. The PTO is excited to be hosting the events in the new cafeteria! Each child will get their own freshly baked gingerbread house from Di Mare's to decorate from start to finish with icing and candy!
The events will be held Tuesday through Friday of Parent Teacher Conference Week (November 28th- December 1st) from 1:30-2:30 in the cafeteria. The cost is $35 per child and space is limited.
Registration begins on November 14th at 8pm, click HERE and select "Gingerbread House Building" for your selected day- registration will close on November 20th. Please consider your date selection carefully as we cannot accommodate signup changes.
The PTO is looking for 10 parent volunteers for each day, please sign up Here to help out!
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KIDS CARE CLUB
Join the Kids Care Club in warming hearts and bodies this winter! Our annual Coat Drive is in full swing, and we're teaming up with Person to Person to collect new and gently used coats, new hats, gloves, mittens, and socks for those in need. We welcome donations of all sizes and for all genders. You can find our collection box in the main lobby of the school from 10/23 to 11/6. Let's make this winter a little warmer for our community.
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HOOTIE ARTWORK FOR THE YEARBOOK
Every year we include students' drawings of Hootie in the yearbook, and feature one drawing from a 5th grade artist on the cover. Please fill out this form and upload your child's artwork to be included! The due date is Friday, November 3rd.
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OX RIDGE PARENT PRESENTATION
Please join Alycia Dadds, Director of Mental Health, on November 9, 2023, 6-7pm at Ox Ridge.
BUILDING YOUR TOOLKIT FOR PARENTING IN THE 21ST CENTURY: Strategies for Having Challenging Conversations with Your Child (Session 1 in a series of 4)
In the first of a series of four workshops, Dr. Alycia Dadd, Director of Mental Health, will provide parents with strategies to increase effective communication with their children. The primary focus of this workshop is to equip you with techniques to create an environment that promotes productive conversations. These conversations may encompass a variety of topics, such as setting boundaries around technology use, addressing sensitive news topics, or helping your child navigate their peer relationships. A prerequisite to successful family conversations includes being able to regulate our own emotions in challenging situations. Annie Farson, Ox Ridge School Psychologist, will provide an overview of how the RULER Meta-moment, which is currently being taught to students, is a tool relevant for parents as well.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Kristen Smith (PTO Secretary) for her behind the scenes work on our PTO executive board.
Jen Brauman (Grade Level Enrichment) for working with the grade level teachers to plan field trips.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Laura DiScala (SLP ELP) on October 30th
Yvonne Dempsey (Nurse) on November 4th
Karen Albro (ELP PT) on November 4th
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DRIVE THRU FOOD DRIVE
The Darien Youth Commission and P2P are proud to partner on another Drive-through Food Drive (our seventh in less than three years!). During those drives, we have collected and donated over 10,000 lbs. (over FIVE TONS) of food to our local pantry. The current economic situation continues to create real difficulties for our friends and neighbors & Darien has proven in the past to be extraordinarily generous in supporting these drives. Taking place on Saturday, November 4 from 9am – 12pm in the Darien Train Station Parking Lot (Koons Lot, across West Ave. from Tilley Pond Park), volunteers will remove donations directly from donors’ cars. Visit the DYC website for additional details and a list of most needed items here. We look forward to seeing you on the 4th!
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HOPE DAY
The Darien Mental Health Task Force invites you to HOPE DAY, a community event dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Please join us at The Depot, Sunday, November 5th from 1-4pm, to visit Resource Tables with various kid-friendly activities from rock painting to slime. Let the voices of the DHS Tudor Singers lift your spirits as we come together to promote mental health awareness in our community. Wave Strong, the Depot, Child Guidance, NAMI, YMCA, COFFI, and Thriving Youth Darien are some of the organizations anticipated to be in attendance.
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DARIEN YOUTH LACROSSE
Registration opens on November 9th for the 2024 Spring Season!! Darien Youth Lacrosse, Inc. (DYL) promotes lacrosse among youth residing in Darien, CT, through grade-level programs open to all interested participants. The developmental program focuses on teaching fundamentals of the game and promoting good sportsmanship, respect for all participants and teamwork, and by cooperating with the Darien High School lacrosse programs. Registration is open for all interested players in grades 1-8 from November 9th until January 10th at a discounted rate (full rates apply starting January 11th). Our season starts in March! For questions or additional information, please email - dylaxregistrar@gmail.com
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DARIEN DEPOT OVERSTUFFED TURKEY TROT ON FRIDAY, NOV 24TH
After Turkey Day, come out to burn it off with a family friendly 5K or 1 Mile Walk/Run on the gorgeous Darien High School running trail. Under 5 years old, free; 6-12 $25 and 12+ $40pp. 1 Mile fun run- 9:30-10am; 5K - 10:00-11:30am; Snacks and fun after the races. All finishers will receive a medal. Sign up here
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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 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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