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September 26 : No School - Rosh Hashanah
September 26 : Family Photo Day (Ox Fundraiser)
September 27 : Darien After School Fall Session begins
October 5 : No School - Yom Kippur
October 7 : Family Photo Day (Ox Fundraiser)
October 13 : PTO Speaker Series
October 15 : Family Photo Day (Ox Fundraiser)
October 16 : Family Photo Day (Ox Fundraiser)
October 17-19 : Ox Ridge Book Fair
October 18 : SE Social
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Hi All,
Your child’s Individual Student Report for the 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessment was mailed to your home last week. Please join Julie Droller, Director of Elementary Education and District Testing Coordinator, for a Virtual Parent Presentation on the Smarter Balanced Assessments, on Thursday, September 29th at 11:00 am, to learn more about how to interpret these results.
Zoom link: https://darienps.zoom.us/j/98566594838 (Meeting ID: 985 6659 4838)
This meeting will be recorded and posted on the District website for families who are unable to attend on 9/29.
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Droller at (203) 656-7479 or jdroller@darienps.org, your child’s teacher, or me with any questions.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
It is officially fall! As days get cooler please remember to start labeling sweaters/sweatshirts and jackets so they come home from school with your children!
Our fall photo fundraiser is happening over the next two weeks and we hope you were able to secure a time slot. Also the PTO calendar is starting to get very busy as we have our PTO Speaker series planned for October 13th and our SE Social on October 18th! Both will be followed up with parents cocktails - details to come!
XO OX,
Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail
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DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION
In an effort to promote diversity, equality and inclusion this year, we will focus on celebrating differences. Differences can be as simple as wearing glasses to a rich cultural heritage, DEI will commemorate various cultural events throughout the year.
This month (Sept 15 to Oct 15) is Hispanic Heritage Month and we will be celebrating with book selections at Ox Ridge library to encourage learning about this rich heritage.
We invite you to learn more with the following websites: Hispanic Heritage Month, National Park Service, National Museum of American Latino
Happy reading!
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS NEEDED
The Ox Ridge yearbook committee is requesting 1st day of school photos. Please email your pix directly to us! We would love photos with more than one child if possible. Thank you so much for helping us out!
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FALL BOOK FAIR
The Ox Ridge Fall Book Fair “Fall Into Reading” runs October 17-19th. Family Nights are Monday (17th) & Tuesday (19th) from 5-7pm. Those needing a quieter shopping experience may enter at 4:30.
Click here to set up your child's eWallet and keep your eyes on the Hoot for more information about volunteer opportunities.
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OxFITTERS AT THE BOOK FAIR - WITH DUDLEY STEPHENS
Back by popular demand, Ox Ridge Outfitters will be selling at Book Fair night on 10/17. We are excited to offer the Dudley Stephens collaboration for both children AND adults! Don't miss new adult T shirts and your chance to grab new OX gear as we head into fall. You can shop ONLINE starting at 8AM and in person at the book fair! Don't miss your chance to support our school and Dudley Stephens, co-founded by an OX parent - and do it in style!
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SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT SOCIAL
Please join us on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:30 PM at Louie's Italian Restaurant (10 Center Street) for an evening of cocktails and conversation. This event, hosted by the Ox Ridge Special Education Committee, is an opportunity for parents of children with IEPs or 504s, or who are interested in our resources, to connect in a casual and fun setting. We will gather on the patio and appetizers will be provided (drinks purchased separately). No sign up is required, but if you plan to attend or have questions, please contact your Special Education Representatives: Anne Cotton, Dayna Checketts, and Kira Saunders.
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OX RIDGE DIRECTORY IS LIVE!
Please access our online school directory HERE and update your family's information if needed. You do not need to pay to be listed or to access the directory. You may also download the "Membership Toolkit app" for your mobile phone.
Please note the following instructions when first accessing the Directory:
1) Click “Register/Login” (NOTE: If you already have a Membership Toolkit Account, you can use the same email and password from last year to login. You're ready to go.)
If you are new, create a “New User” account.
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Click on “Create Account”
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Create your family’s account and click “verify my email”
2) You’ve got mail!
- Check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
3) Finish your registration/Review
- Review and validate the details listed for your family and child – you may suppress and edit the visibility of any personal information
- Elect to Opt-in or Opt-out in the “Directory Publish Preferences”. The default is to Opt-In (note, this is not linked to your preferences in Aspen)
If you have any questions, please email oxridgedirectory@gmail.com or Carolyn Elmi.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Darien After School at Ox Ridge after school clubs started right here at your school, full of enrichment activities where students can try, make, do something new! Fall classes start this week and are offered Monday-Friday; starting 9/27 through 12/22. Rolling Registration Open HERE Throughout the Session *late fee may apply
Classes include Sports, Music, Art, Science, Theater and MORE... Welcome Kindergarteners and New Families too! Schedule, Program Details HERE. Questions? Email or call 888.212.3837
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FOOD SERVICES UPDATE
For more information on menu plans during construction, see our flyer.
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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
Vanessa Donatello, Mary Elizabeth Garvey, Ashley Henchman, Kate Kaufman, Sibel Magripli-Mesta (Ox Appreciation Committee and vice chairs) for restocking the teachers lounge with coffee, seltzer and yummy treats.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Ms. Sharon Amato (Paraprofessional) on September 26
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CONNECTING WITH YOUR TWEEN
Middlesex Parent Association and YWCA Parent Awareness present Connecting with your Tween While They are Still Listening on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30pm. Event will feature Darien's own, Dr. Amanda Craig, Marriage and Family Therapist who is the author of "Who Are You & What Have You Done With My Kid?"
Join us for an interactive and engaging workshop where you learn about the unique tween age group and gain tips and tricks to stay connected with your child while also starting to learn to let go. Click here for more information.
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YOUTH COMMISSION AND P2P DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE
The Darien Youth Commission and P2P are proud to partner on another Drive-through Food Drive (our fifth in less than two years!). Hunger and food insecurity continue to be a reality for many local families. Let's keep up Darien's past generosity - P2P collected over 3000 pounds of food in one three hour drive! Drop off on Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. – Noon in the Darien Train Station Parking Lot (across 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.
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OUTDOOR EXPLORERS AT THE DARIEN NATURE CENTER
Head to the Darien Nature Center for an afternoon exploring the great outdoors! This is a 3-part series full of educational fun. Our October theme is Birds! Through hikes, games, exploration, science experiments, and more, students will learn all about birds through bird watching, identification of common birds in CT, and learning about bird migration! Registration, age requirements, dates and times HERE.
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DCA PRESENTS SKYHUNTERS IN FLIGHT: BIRDS OF PREY
Come to the Darien Community Association on Sunday October 2 at 2-3pm for an up-close look at live owls, hawks, and falcons from around the world, with Master Falconer Brian Bradley. You will see some of these trained athletes in flight, so join us for an informative, entertaining and action-oriented program for both adults and children (age 3 and up). Tickets HERE range from $15 for members to $40 for the whole family. More info HERE.
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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 at 203-656-7328.
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MOVIE AT HIGHLAND FARM
The Darien Parks & Recreation Department and Darien Youth Commission invite you to an outdoor showing of ENCANTO! under the stars on Friday, September 30 at Highland Farm. ENCANTO! is noted for its fun music and tremendous messaging (not to mention overall great entertainment!), this is the perfect film for the whole family. Start time at 6:45pm; running time is 1h 49 m. This is a free event (there will be limited concessions for sale). Rain date is Saturday, October 1.
In an effort to anticipate attendance and parking we'd appreciate if you would RSVP for this event. That said, walk-ins are welcome! (Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis.) Register HERE (please only register one person per family).
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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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