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October
3: No School - Rosh Hashanah
7: Schoolwide Enrichment Event - Mario the Magician
8: Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm
9: Walk, Bike and Roll Day
14-16: Fall Book Fair
19: Family Photo Day Fundraiser
22: Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm
22-25: Conference Week - 2 Hour Early Dismissal
22-25: PTO Halloween Boo Bag Event
26: Family Photo Day Fundraiser
26: UConn Football Game Fundraiser
31: Halloween / Kindergarten Parade
Useful Links:
DPS Calendar 2024-25
Six Day Schedule for Elementary Schools 2024-25
PTO website
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
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Dear Ox Ridge Families,
We want to extend a sincere thank you to all Ox Ridge families for your patience as we continue to refine our afternoon dismissal process. Your cooperation has been invaluable as we made adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce wait times.
We also want to recognize the incredible teamwork of our staff, who worked diligently to implement new practices and systems. These efforts have resulted in a much smoother and quicker dismissal, and we couldn't be more grateful for everyone's role in this improvement.
As part of this effort, we remind families to use the PikMyKid app for dismissal changes. If you haven’t already, please be sure to download the app and familiarize yourself with its features. Making adjustments in the app ensures we have accurate, real-time information to organize student pickups efficiently.
Important Reminder: Please make any changes to your child’s dismissal plans in the PikMyKid app before 2:45 PM. This allows us time to update our system and ensure a smooth dismissal process for all students.
Thank you again for your continued support and for helping us keep afternoon dismissals safe and efficient!
Sincerely,
Christopher Melillo
Principal
Ox Ridge Elementary School
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
The Ox Ridge directory is live. To access, go to membership toolkit to register/login to update your family’s information if needed. You do not need to pay to be listed or to access the directory.
Conference week is October 22-25. You can sign up for an activity via Darien After School. The PTO will also be offering a kids Halloween boo bag event - additional details below and registration details are coming soon.
Have a great week ahead!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
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WALK, BIKE AND ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY: OCTOBER 9, 7:30-8:30AM
Meet at Highland Farm starting at 7:30AM.
Let's Bike the Loop and Walk to School Together! Ox Ridge will join the nation and other Darien schools!
Departure for School: 8:30AM (please note, this is not a drop-off event)
Details here: You're Invited! Walk, Bike and Roll to Ox Ridge!
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DARIEN MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Darien Music Parents Association (formerly known as Music for Youth). Our mission is simple: Empowering Excellence in Music Education and Community Engagement. We aim to support and enrich music education for students in grades PreK-12 in our Darien public schools and within our community.
Here's how you can get involved:
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Follow Us on Social Media: Stay updated with our latest news, events and initiatives by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Become a Member: Join us in supporting music education by becoming a member. You can sign up on our website at www.darienmpa.org.
SAVE THE DATE: We will have a kick-off meeting on Wednesday, October 9th at 7pm in the DHS Orchestra room.
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SAVE THE DATE - FALL INTO READING BOOK FAIR
Fall into reading at The Ox Ridge Book Fair which runs October 14-16th. Family Nights are Monday (14th) & Tuesday (15th) from 5-7pm (those needing a quieter shopping experience may enter at 4:30).
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FAMILY PHOTO DAYS FUNDRAISER
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.
3 spots total are available for:
- Saturday, October 19th - Mead Park, New Canaan
- Saturday, October 26th - Cranbury Park, Norwalk
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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SAVE THE DATE - KIDS HALLOWEEN BOO BAG EVENT
Join the PTO for some Halloween fun during the October 22-25 conference week! Kids will decorate and stuff three Boo Bags with crafts and Halloween swag. We'll also ice and decorate three Halloween cookies from DiMare to add an extra special treat to each Boo Bag. We're looking forward to a fun Halloween event! Opportunities for parent volunteers as well.
Registration and volunteer signup details coming soon. The cost is expected to be $30 per child. Only one sign-up per child.
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FUNDRAISE WITH THE UCONN HUSKIES!
Join the Ox Ridge community for a day of college football! Purchase tickets for the UCONN Huskies vs. the Rice Owls on Saturday, October 26th and the Huskies will donate a portion of sale proceeds to Ox Ridge. Tickets are $25 plus fees. Limited tickets available in the Ox Ridge section so buy today! Click here to purchase tickets
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
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Vanessa Donatello for updating the Ox Ridge Directory.
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Antonia Karlan for setting up this year’s ELP PTO.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
October
1 Kristin Gomes – Paraprofessional
5 Molly Read – Teacher (K)
7 Cindi Imp – Teacher (Special Ed)
8 Danielle Rathey – Psych
11 Moura Morash – IDEA
18 Livia Flood – DLC, Teacher (Special Ed)
23 Kristen Turkosz – Teacher (Music)
24 Christina Acocella – ELP Para
26 Seth Von Schmidt – Paraprofessional
30 Laura DiScala – SLP ELP
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TROLLEY THROUGH TIME WITH THE MUSEUM OF DARIEN
The Museum of Darien is offering a “Trolley Through Time” on Saturday, October 5th. Participants will enjoy a guided tour on a trolley ride through Darien with Museum educators Sarah Das and Michele Mengwall, and Town Historian Sarah Lexow Keena, and will learn about Darien’s history that is hidden in plain sight. Guests will explore the story of the town’s founding and its place in the Revolutionary War, and will learn the history behind familiar landmarks including Rings End Bridge, the Noroton River Burial Ground, the Bates-Scofield House, and Tilley Pond. The tour takes place from 1:30-4:30pm. To purchase tickets ($80 for members, $100 for nonmembers) or to find out more, visit museumofdarien.org, call (203) 655-9233 or email ekoch@museumofdarien.org. The Museum of Darien is located at 45 Old King’s Highway in Darien, CT.
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THE SCIENCE OF MOTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE
Join us for an evening with David Yeager, PhD, author of the newly released book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, in conversation with Lorena Seidel. Monday, October 7th from 7:00-9:00pm at the Darien Library Community Room. For more details and to register: Click Here
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YALE SPIZZWINKS AT THE DCA
The Spizzwinks will be performing at the Darien Community Association on October 15th for its fall tour. John Raskopf, a current sophomore at Yale University and Darien High School alum, is the Music Director of the Spizzwinks, America’s first and oldest underclassman a cappella group. Register for tickets at www.dariendca.org.
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COTILLION - STARTS OCTOBER 16
Attention parents of 4th-6th graders! The DCA is happy to host Cotillion again this fall. These engaging classes inspire kids to use proper manners, reinforce the importance of respectful behavior and teach them about social graces. They will also learn how to dance with a partner. Robin and Ed Poska, Directors of the Cotillion of Fairfield County, have been teaching social skills and social dancing for 35 years. Visit www.dariendca.org to register.
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MUSEUM OF DARIEN FUNDRAISING GALA
Darien, it’s time to get geared-up for fall activities and enjoy a night out with friends! So, pull out your best party clothes for the upcoming fundraising gala, Darien Dresses Up! on Saturday, October 19th at 7pm. To purchase tickets ($125) or to find out more, visit Darien Dresses Up!, call (203) 655-9233 or email ekoch@museumofdarien.org. The Museum of Darien is located at 45 Old King’s Highway in Darien, CT
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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
The Town of Darien is offering another chance to attend the Mental Health First Aid 8-hour interactive certification course. This course is designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Like CPR training helps a non-medical professional assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps an individual who doesn’t have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Dates are October 23 and 24th, both days from 8:30am-1:00pm, at EMS Post 53. Please register by emailing Ali Ramsteck at aramsteck@darienct.gov. This program is being funded by ARPA funds.
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DARIEN YOUTH SQUASH REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Team registration is now open for all Darien players in grades 3-8. The program is open to all kids in grades 3-8 who live in Darien, regardless of what school your child attends (private school kids welcome, too). Registration entitles your player to participate in team matches, round robins, intramurals, FairWest Squash Jamborees (grades 6-8 only), US Squash Nationals (MMS students only) and more! Register here. For more information go to: http://www.dariensquash.com
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OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE
EDITORS NOTE:
Jenn Marty - September, December, March, June 1
Roberta Brodis - October, January, April, June 8
Aynsley Joyce - November, February, May, June 15
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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