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Dear Ox Ridge Owl Families,
Did you know that tomorrow is Patriot Day? Patriot Day is an acknowledgement of a sad day in American history when many Americans needed help and our first responders were right there to give that help.
Patriot Day, which takes place on Sept. 11th each year, is a time for us to honor the men and women who help us by serving their communities. They are firefighters, police officers, emergency medical workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, or the people who run our government. Every community helper deserves our thanks.
This week think about how you could honor those community helpers. You could help your family, your class, your school, or your town in so many ways. Picking up litter, planting a tree, collecting food for those in need, or donating clothes to help others - these are just some of the ways you could celebrate Patriot Day and perform acts of service.
Patriot Day is a chance for all of us to help our community and our country.
Have a great week!
Melissa Kay
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Dear Ox Ridge Community,
We hope everyone survived the heat wave this week! Be sure to check out the calendar above for the a few important dates to be aware of, including School Photo Day and Parent/Guardian Open House night.
Also, registration is open for before and after school activities offered here at Ox Ridge by Darien After School, LLC. There’s something for everyone and we are pleased to be able to offer activities before school this year starting at 8am!
As always, please feel free to reach out to us at any time with any questions or concerns related to our Ox community, or even to share ideas for this upcoming school year!.
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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OPEN HOUSE
Thank you for your support these first few weeks of school! It has been an exciting start to the 2023-24 school year.
Open House will be held on Thursday, September 14. This is an opportunity for you to be in your child’s classroom, meet your child’s teachers, and other families. Classroom teachers will present on curriculum, classroom routines, and grade level expectations.
The schedule for the evening is below:
5:00 – 5:30 – Early Learning Program
6:00- 6:30 –Grades 4 and 5
6:40 – 7:10 –Grades 2 and 3
7:20 – 7:50- Grades K and 1
6:15 – 6:45 – Special Education Teachers, SLPs and School Psychologists, Special Education and Student Support Facilitators and SRBI Specialists
6:45 – 7:15 – Specialist Teachers (Art, Music, P.E., World Language and Library Media)
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS NEEDED
The Ox Ridge yearbook committee is requesting 1st day of school photos. Please send your pictures to OxRYearbook@gmail.com. We would love photos with more than one child if possible. Thank you so much for helping us out!
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COME SING WITH THE OX RIDGE CHORUS
The Ox Ridge Chorus is back and is open to ALL fourth and fifth grade students. Rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays from 8:00am to 8:55am starting September 13. Band and orchestra students can also participate in chorus.
The Ox Ridge Elementary School Chorus performs in the Winter and Spring Concerts and for the Bridgeport Islanders Hockey game every January. Members of the Ox Ridge Chorus are also eligible to audition for the “Darien Elementary All-Town Chorus.” Sign your child up here
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OX RIDGE OUTFITTERS
Hoot, Hoot! Give a cheer for new OX gear! All new t-shirts, socks and hats are available online now! We will be selling in person at the open house on 9/14 and again for Sunday Funday! More information regarding a pre-sale site for cold weather styles will be coming out soon. All orders can be picked up at school.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Be sure to check out the great activities available both BEFORE and after school hours, offered by Darien After School, LLC. Classes include Sports, Music, Art, Science, Theater and MORE...
Registration is open!
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FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER - ONLY 10 SPOTS REMAIN!
Reserve your spot now for our fall Family Photo Day Fundraiser with the talented Karen Morneau Photography! It’s a great opportunity to have professional family photos taken and support the Ox Ridge PTO at the same time.
Spots are still available for:
Saturday, October 14th - Tilly Pond
Sunday, October 15th - Cherry Lawn
Click here to select an open time slot and pay the $75 sitting fee (which will be donated directly to the Ox Ridge PTO). There are several digital and print packages available to choose from following the session.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Libby Cook for updating our website.
Sara Santana (Treasurer) for finalizing our Ox Ridge PTO budget for the 2023-2024 school year.
Jennifer Falk for setting up the Darien After School fall classes.
Danielle Kohlberger (Hoot) for publishing our weekly email newsletter this month and modernizing our graphics.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Lauri-Ann Pirraglia (Paraprofessional) on September 11
Donna Asaro (Nurse) on September 16
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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. 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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DARIEN ARTS CENTER - UPCOMING EVENTS
WOOF WOOF the Shadow Pup: A magical shadow puppet performance perfect for the whole family! Performances are on Saturday, September 23rd at 4pm and Sunday, September 24th at 11am and 1pm in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. Recommended for ages 3 & up. Tickets are $30.
Sounds from Latino America by INTEMPO: This fun free concert on Sunday, September 17th at 3pm features musical traditions from Latin America & high-level artistry. Lead teaching artists perform as well as student performers who were finalists in the 2018 Darien’s Got Talent. All are welcome, but reservations are encouraged at darienarts.org.
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OX RIDGE CUB SCOUTS
Darien Cub Scouts welcomes BOYS and GIRLS in grades K-5 for the 2023-24 school year! Cub Scouting is a chance to get outside, go camping, play games, try new things, and to help other people. Our first outing is a West Point football game on Saturday, Sept 9th, and our first Pack Meeting is on Sun, Sept 17th, at 1PM! We'll also be camping at the Wolf Conservatory in late September and will host a new parent info night on Wednesday, Sept 27th. For more info or to join, visit our website.
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DARIEN ARTS CENTER IS NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL CLASSES
Registration is open for Darien Arts Center fall classes that begin in September for all ages in dance, visual arts and music. To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.
DANCE:
The DAC Dance Program offers classes for ages 3 through adults that include Ballet Technique, Dance Beginnings, Pre Ballet, Kinderballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Broadway, Lyrical Jazz and Partnering. New this year for the more serious dancer are Apprentice and Trainee classes, which prepare students for DAC’s Pre-professional Company.
MUSIC:
The DAC music program includes private lessons for both adults and children in piano, voice, guitar, violin, viola, bass, flute and percussion. Email Music Director, Juanita Bosee for private lessons at juanita@darienarts.org.
NEW Happy Harps Course: Sun. Oct. 1-Dec. 10 | Grades 1-3 from 10-10:45am, Grades 4-6 from 11-11:45am | $300. Join accomplished Scottish harpist Eilidh McRae and learn to play the harp with friends in this fun and engaging small group class! Instruments provided and no experience necessary.
VISUAL ARTS:
Students:
Art Explorations: Grades 1-3 | Tues., 3:45-4:45pm | Sept. 19-Nov. 21 | $285
Cartooning: Grades 1-3 | Mon., 4:10-5:10pm | Sept. 18-Nov. 27 | $265
Cartooning 2: Grades 4-7 | Mon., 5:20-6:20-pm | Sept. 18-Nov. 27 | $265
Drawing, Painting & More: Grades 5-8 | Wed. 3-4:30pm | Sept. 20-Dec. 6 | $360
Chapter 2 Creative Writing: Grades 6-9 | Thurs. 3:30-4:30pm | Sept. 21-Nov. 2 | $200
Collage & Mixed Media: Grades 5-7 | Wed. 5-6:30pm | Sept. 20-Nov. 8 | $300
Drawing & Painting: Grades 3-5 | Thurs. 3:45-5:15pm | Sept. 21-Nov. 30 | $375
NEW Expressive Art Group: Grades 6-8 | Tues. Sept. 26-Nov. 14 | $385. Students who enjoy art will be exploring, designing and creating art projects that allow them to express themselves and their points of view, finding their voice and building self-esteem and confidence. They will work on art projects that will help them to develop a deeper and better understanding of themselves, incorporating stress relief and self-discovery skills in a relaxed atmosphere.
Little Artist & You: Pre School | Wed. 1-2pm | Sept. 20-Nov. 29 | $200 or $30 Drop-in
Gingerbread House Workshop: Pre School-Grade 3 | Mon. Dec. 17 | 3-4pm | $65
Adults:
NEW Draw & Paint the Still Life as You Like it!: Adults | Wed. 10-11:30am | Sept. 20-Nov. 22 | $375. Join Nancy McTague-Stock on Wednesday mornings and have fun as you learn to navigate the media of your choice. Work in the spacious and light-filled DAC Visual Arts Studio and learn in a collective and supportive individual environment. Bring along your own still life objects or photos, or work with the ones provided.
Acrylic Pours Sip & Pour Workshop: Adults | Fri. Oct. 6 | 7-9pm | $75
Wreath Workshops: Adults | Friday Dec. 1 | Friday Dec. 8 | 7-9pm | $75
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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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