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October 31: Kindergarten Halloween Parade - 2:00 PM
November 3: Mom's Night Out at Element Medical Aesthetics
November 8: Professional Development (No School)
November 10: Veteran's Day Program - students wear red, white, & blue
November 10: School picture retake day
November 17 & 18: School Wide Enrichment--Surcari performances at Ox Ridge
November 23: Early Dismissal - 1:25 PM
November 24-25: Thanksgiving Recess (No School)
November 29 - December 2: Early Dismissal (Conference Week) Darien After School and Gingerbread Houses will be available
December 1 - Special Education Appreciation Day
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Hi All,
We are thrilled to offer you an opportunity to hear Dr. Yeap Ban Har, a world-renowned mathematics professor, speak in Darien. On Wednesday, November 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middlesex Middle School auditorium, Dr. Yeap Ban Har will present a workshop for parents on the background of Singapore Math and how it ties into teaching and learning in Darien.
Dr. Yeap Ban Har taught mathematics education courses at the National Institute of Education, a teacher education institute in Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. His research interests include problem solving and problem posing, early numeracy, and teacher professional development. He holds a Master of Education, a Master of Arts in Southeast Asian Studies, and a doctorate in mathematics education. He has served on the editorial board of two mathematics education journals—Mathematical Thinking and Learning and The Mathematics Educator.”
For more information about Dr. Yeap Ban Har, please click here.
Dr. Yeap is spending several days with our elementary and middle school teachers during the week of November 7th, providing professional development in strategies that engage all students in higher-level mathematical thinking.
We highly encourage all parents to attend this presentation. It will be an informative event for the Darien community.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to know more!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We are so excited that Halloween is almost here! We are looking forward to our Kindergarten Halloween Parade being held outside the school at 2:00 PM on October 31st as well as seeing all the students dressed in their costumes. If you plan to trick or treat in the community have fun and please be safe!
There are still a few spots available for our Mom’s Night Out at Element Medical Aesthetics on Thursday, November 3rd. You can also join for cocktails at Uncorked after the event. More information is below.
We are looking forward to our Veteran’s Day Program which is being held this year on Thursday, November 10th. More information is below including a sign up genius for veterans who would like to participate.
Have a fantastic week!
XO OX,
Christina & Meghan
Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail
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BOARD OF EDUCATION CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
The Board of Education Curriculum Committee, along with Dr. Addley (Superintendent of Schools), Dr. Chris Tranberg (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction) and other educators held a meeting on October 13th. Topics included the process for selection of instructional materials, the responsive curriculum development cycle and the process for selection of classroom resources. A link to the agenda can be found here and a link to the YouTube replay can be found here. Please contact PTO Chairs Christina Kreuz or Meghan Thornton or Ox Ridge Principal Luke Forshaw if you have any questions.
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BUDDY POPPIES
Ox Ridge will be honoring our veterans during our annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, November 10th. 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. 10th to support veterans in need right here in Connecticut. The Ox Ridge community will wear these poppies on the day of the program with pride to show veterans that we care, and to teach our children to respect and honor the defenders of our nation. Thank you for participating!
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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. We are excited to be hosting the event in person! Each child will get their own gingerbread house from DiMare’s to decorate from start to finish with icing and candy! Sign up on pay4schoolstuff by November 25th for a slot during Parent-Teacher Conference week (Nov 29th-Dec 2) from 1:30-2:30pm in the Ox Ridge Cafeteria. Select the student's name, then “Gingerbread Decorating” to see the signup options. Cost is $32 per child. Space is limited. We’re looking for 10 parent volunteers for each day, please volunteer HERE. Questions? Contact Barbara May or Erin Morphy.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL - CONFERENCE WEEK
Darien After School at Ox Ridge brings you enrichment where students discover their passion, enrich their mind, and unleash their creativity. Conference Week classes are offered November 29 thru December 2.
Registration Opens on October 30 at 8pm @OxRidge Conference Week
info@darienafterschool.com / 888.212.3837.
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MOM'S NIGHT OUT
There are still a few spots open for the Mom’s Night Out at Element Medical Aesthetics (80 Main Street, 2nd Floor, New Canaan) on Thursday, November 3 from 7-9 PM. Meet Merry Thornton, PA-C, MBA and Element Medical Aesthetics Founder who will present information about her practice and services while enjoying appetizers, wine and soft drinks. Skinceuticals and other companies have donated samples and products in gifts bags for all. The event will include a complimentary consultation appointment with Merry ($150 value) to be used at a later date, and 20% off first service at Element. Guests will have the opportunity to pre-purchase Dysport at $150 per area (to be used within one year). Please register here. Join us for cocktails at Uncorked at 9pm following the event!
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OX ROCKS! TALENT SHOW
This Spring, Ox Ridge will host its first annual Talent Show — OX ROCKS— in an effort to celebrate all talents and creativity. This is a chance for the school and community to come together in an inclusive, empowering and fun environment to cheer on friends and peers. All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be invited to participate. Details are still being finalized, but to get started, volunteers are needed to serve on the OX ROCKS committee, led by Sarah Evans Thelen and Ashley Hinchman. We're looking for 6 to 8 spirited volunteers to help with the planning, coordination, and execution of the talent show, including show production and technology support, stage crew, event marketing and promotion, and ticket sales. If you're interested or have additional questions please email Sarah and Ashley.
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BOOK CLUB
Calling all 4th and 5th Grade Bookworms!
The Ox Ridge 4th and 5th Grade Book Clubs are open for registration! If you have a 4th or 5th grade child who loves to read — this is the club for them! Each club will read a book over the December break and meet twice in January during their lunch/recess time to share and discuss. The books will be decided upon with the help of Mrs. Constantine and we will notify you of the selection by December so the students have plenty of time to read the books before we meet in January. We will read a second book over April break and will meet twice after that break, as well.
4th Grade January Meetings - 1/18 and 1/27 from 1pm-2pm
5th Grade January Meetings - 1/18 and 1/27 from 12pm-1pm
The deadline for registration is Friday, November 18th. Please sign-up via the links below. Please note that space is limited.
4TH GRADE BOOK CLUB SIGN-UP
5TH GRADE BOOK CLUB SIGN-UP
QUESTIONS? Please contact Jennifer Antoszewski at or Julie Brown.
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HOOTIE ARTWORK FOR THE YEARBOOK
Every year, students' drawings of Hootie are included in the yearbook, and one drawing from a 5th grade artist is featured on the cover. Please fill out this form and upload your child's artwork to be included! The due date is Friday, November 4th.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Kerry Goldberg and Alexis Starzynski (Kids Care Club Co Chairs) for a fun and successful first Kids Care Club meeting!
Jen Clemow, Mary Elizabeth Garvey, Ashley Hinchman, Sibel Magripli-Mesta (Ox Appreciation) for delivering Halloween-themed goodies to the staff lounge.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Ms. Yvonne Dempsey on November 4
Ms. Claudia Torti on November 6
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MUSEUM OF DARIEN COFFEE AND TOUR
Every year, Darien's 3rd and 5th graders have field trips with the Museum of Darien, and we are looking for interested volunteers to join us! Come for a coffee, get a tour of Darien's Bates-Scofield house, and learn more about volunteering with the Museum's school educational programs. No prior knowledge of history or of Darien required, just an interest in our town and our children. Thursday, November 10th at 10:00am at the Museum of Darien, 45 Old King's Highway North. RSVP appreciated but walk-ins welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Das 917-880-7528, or Michele Mengwall 203-559-8679.
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HOLIDAY EVENT TO BENEFIT DARIEN EMS
Please join us for a holiday shopping event to benefit Darien EMS - Post 53 on Thursday November 10th from 5-7:30pm at Nielsen’s florist. There will be shopping discounts, raffle prizes, festive displays and ideas for the holidays. Come and enjoy a night out with friends supporting Darien’s ambulance service. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door, inclusive of beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Purchase tickets here.
Since 1970, Darien EMS-Post 53 has provided the town of Darien with high-quality emergency medical services, while providing local high school students with an exceptional opportunity to serve their community. The dedicated volunteers of Post 53 staff three fully-equipped state-of-the-art ambulances, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Darien EMS-Post 53 does not rely on any town funding for our annual operating budget. The organization depends on the generous support of our friends and neighbors to maintain our growing operating budget.
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DARIEN ARTS CENTER
SHORTCUTS FILM FESTIVAL Screening - Wednesday, November 16, 7-9pm. The Darien Arts Center is delighted to announce a special screening of award-winning documentary short films from the Short Cuts Film Festival, curated from the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The screening, a JIB Productions event, takes place in the DAC Weatherstone Studio and will be followed up with a Zoom discussion with Director Elena Francesa Engel. Tickets are $25. AUTUMN LEAVES CREATIVE WORKSHOP - For Kindergarten through Grade 3, Friday, Nov. 4, 4-5:30pm. Students create a colorful decoupage autumn leaf lantern to bring home for the holidays and vibrant leaf print paintings to take home and feature in a November Student Art Exhibit in the downtown CVS window! Fee: $55.
REGISTRATION IS ONGOING at darienarts.org for classes for ages 3 through adult.
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OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE
EDITORS NOTE:
Meghan Egan - Nov, Jan, May, June 19
Danielle Kohlberger - Oct, Feb, Apr, June 12
Baye Larsen - Sept, Dec, Mar, June 5
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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