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September 14 : School Picture Day
September 18 : Sunday Funday at Highland Farm (rain date September 25)
September 26 : No School - Rosh Hashanah
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Hi All,
I thought it helpful to get some solid resources in your hands for discussion and reflection about today's September 11 memories. A huge thanks to our library media specialist, Mrs. Calla Constantine, for creating this guide. I have shared here are a variety of print, digital, and video resources for your consideration:
Most of these materials are appropriate for our older students (grades 3 – 5). However, you might decide as a family that some of these texts are still useful for younger children. For our students, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 are now a historical abstraction but I am keenly aware of and sensitive to the personal impact felt in our Darien community and across our country. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or would like to discuss further.
We recognized the anniversary with an “extended” moment of silence Friday morning as an Ox Ridge community. I hope you find a way to reflect and remember this weekend as well.
On a brighter note, I also want to thank all of our amazing faculty for a terrific “Open House” event this Thursday! It was an absolutely joy to see so many of you enjoying our beautiful new academic wing together! I promise parking will be better next season when the assembly wing and the accompanying upgrade parking lot is complete :)
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
It’s hard to believe that we are already headed into mid September! The first two weeks have been terrific and students are getting accustomed to navigating around the new school with success. It was wonderful to have an in person open house after two years! We hope that you were able to take a look at the new classrooms and meet the teachers. Our ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday was a great success as we did a “soft launch” of our academic wing. A nice addition was to see students from the OX Ridge graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 attend and take a tour of the new building.
Coming up the PTO has organized our “Sunday Funday” for 9/18 and we couldn’t be more excited. Grit ninja, Hootie, a DJ and some special treats will be there. Please keep an eye out for additional information including an earlier start time for children with special needs as well as information on class meet-ups at the event. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We hope you have a great week!
XO OX,
Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail
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OX RIDGE SUNDAY FUNDAY
Join our Ox Ridge Back to School event on September 18th from 3-5pm at Highland Farm (560 Middlesex Road). DJ, Grit Ninja, Dessert Trucks…click HERE for more info! As was done last year, the event will open early (at 2:30pm) for students who enjoy a sensory friendly environment. Also, this year we will have designated locations for classes/grades to meet up. You will be hearing more details from your Room Parents by Friday.
Purchase tickets HERE; select one student as the main family contact and then select the quantity that reflects the total number of family members attending - $10 per person (under 5 free).
Please fill out the Grit Ninja waiver if any of your children plan on trying out the obstacle courses.
A few reminders for the event:
- Bring cash for the dessert trucks ($5 per ticket / dessert)
- Check out the new Ox swag at the Ox Outfitters tables
- Feel free to bring your beach chairs or blankets for the field
- Be mindful of the horses. Please don't approach the fence along the Riding Club border.
Reach out to Nicole Sweeney if you have questions.
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FOOD SERVICES UPDATE
For more information on menu plans during construction, see our flyer.
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OX RIDGE LIBRARY NEEDS OUR HELP
Thank you to those who volunteered at the library last week. Ms. Constantine really appreciates the help and she says there is still more to do! She is hoping another round of helpers will volunteer to organize books and supplies Please click on: Sign Up Genius to sign up.
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COME SING WITH THE OX RIDGE CHORUS
The Ox Ridge Chorus is BACK!!!! LIVE and IN PERSON!!! The Ox Ridge Chorus is open to ALL fourth and fifth grade students. Rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays from 8:00am to 8:55am in the Common Room. 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 Honors Chorus. Register HERE.
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OX RIDGE OUTFITTERS
New Year, New Gear! Ox Ridge Outfitters will be selling all new styles at the Family Fun Day on Sept 18 and limited styles online. Don't miss out on new styles featuring the new OX logo and grab your restocked faves! All online orders can be picked up at Ox Ridge. Can't wait to see your school pride, OX Rocks!
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Brings you Fall Enrichment where students find a new favorite, be anything they want to be and make new friends! Fall Session – 9/27 to 12/22 school until 4:30pm. Registration closes on September 19 – Last chance to Register Before Late Fees.
Welcome Kindergarteners and New Families too! Schedule, Program Details & Registration HERE. Questions? Email or call 888.212.3837
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RESERVE YOUR SPOT: FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER THIS FALL
Reserve your spot now for our fall Family Photo Day Fundraiser! Get beautiful holiday photos done early with the talented Karen Morneau! This is a wonderful fundraiser for the PTO (the sitting fee will go directly towards Ox Ridge PTO Fundraising) and an ideal way to create a cherished family memory. Sessions will be held September 26th (Weed Beach), October 7th (Weed Beach), October 15 (Cherry Lawn Park), and October 16 (Mead Park). Each session lasts 15-20 minutes; Ms. Morneau will take multiple pictures of your family and you will receive options to purchase digital proofs and/or prints.
Spots fill quickly! Please sign up HERE. You will receive a reminder closer to the date to submit payment for the $75 sitting fee. Questions? Email Erika Rodormer.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Kate Kauffman & Vanessa Donatello (Vice Chairs) and Megan Katz & Jaklyn Limoges (Recruitment Chairs) for organizing and orienting all the room parents!
Bethany Reade (Before & After School Programs) for working with Darien After School to offer enrichment courses before and after the school day!
Beth Morgan (Social Media) for updating Instagram and Facebook with all the OXR news!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mr. Matt Barrett (Substitute) on September 15
Ms. Jessica Rosado (ELP Para) on September 20
Ms. Sharon Amato (Paraprofessional) on September 26
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OX RIDGE CUB SCOUTS
Darien Cub Scouts welcomes BOYS and GIRLS in grades K-5 for the 2022-23 school year! Cub Scouting is a chance to get outside, go camping, play games, try new things, and to help other people. Our first Pack Meetings are an ice cream social and bike day on Sunday Sept 11th at 1pm, a campout at the Wolf Conservatory on Sept 17-18, and launching rockets on Sunday Oct 2nd! Or stop by our town wide Intro to Cubs Party and Open House on Sunday Sept 25 at Weed Beach. For all info or to join, visit our website. Question? email us.
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MOMSnext GROUPS AT ST. LUKE'S
We know that your job as a mom does not stop when your children head off to school. Though new challenges and struggles arise as you enter the school years with your kids, the need for community, hope and friendship remains. That’s why Saint Luke’s Parish offers MOMSnext. These groups are specifically designed to meet the needs of moms with school-age children. Please join us every other Thursday for lunch and fellowship beginning October 6th, 12:30-1:30pm. Please invite your friends! Register HERE with code: PRK5. Contact Maggie Dumont for more information.
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DARIEN ARTS CENTER IS NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL CLASSES
DANCE classes for ages 3 & up include Ballet, Hip Hop, Broadway Dance, Teen Lyrical & Contemporary.
VISUAL ARTS classes for kids include Cartooning, Digital illustration, Drawing/Painting, Mixed Media & Collage, and Caregiver & Me: Create! Adults can choose from Colored Pencil Drawing and fun workshops including a Sip and Paint.
Private MUSIC lessons are available in piano, voice, guitar and strings, flute or percussion instruments, and group classes in ukulele, guitar, or a Caregiver and Me: Music class!
MARTIAL ARTS classes are available for all ages
To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683
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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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