THE HOOT

Ox Ridge Elementary School

June 11, 2023

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

June 13: 5th Grade Graduation and Spirit Day

June 14: Last Day of School Early dismissal

ELP- 12pm

K-5- 1:15pm

Useful Links:

Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Hi All,

Thank you to Mr. Bartol and to our awesome teachers for a successful round of field days this week! The kids all had a chance to show off their athletic prowess and more importantly, their capacity for good sportsmanship in this exciting context!

As we head into the last week of the school year, we want to share some fun learning activities for the long summer months to maintain your child’s skills and help avoid the summer slide! You can find wonderful suggestions and tips from our Elementary Literacy and Math Teams, by clicking on the links below:

DPS Summer Reading Newsletter

Thanks,

Luke

FROM THE PTO

Dear Ox Ridge Parents,

Congratulations to our 5th graders! We would like to take a moment to celebrate this milestone. As you move on to middle school, remember that you are well-prepared for the exciting challenges that lie ahead. The skills, values, and friendships you have developed during your time at Ox Ridge will continue to guide you onto MMS next fall and we wish you the very best!

This is our final weekly HOOT of the year and we would like personally thank the Outgoing 2022-2023 Slate slate for their time and dedication to the PTO. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Incoming 2023-2024 Slate. Special shout out to our incoming chairs Kate Kauffman and Vanessa Donatello - we look forward to another incredible year of collaboration, growth, and shared success! Also thank you for all who took the time to vote for our new PTO Slate and Budget for the upcoming school year.

To administration, staff and teachers, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding efforts, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our school community.

To parents, we are grateful for your continued support and look forward to another year of growth, learning, and shared achievements!

Wishing you a wonderful and safe summer break!

Christine Kreuz and Meghan Thornton

XO OX

Christina & Meghan

Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton

PTO Co-Chairs

[email protected]

OX RIDGE NEWS

OX RIDGE SPIRIT DAY ON TUES. JUNE 13 (ELP - 4TH GRADE STUDENTS)

It’s our final Ox Ridge Spirit Day of the school year! All students in ELP through 4th Grade are encouraged to wear their Ox Ridge gear or Darien Blue Wave themed (just plain ol’ BLUE will also do!) on Tuesday, June 13th. It’s graduation day for our 5th Graders and as part of the tradition, the rest of the school will clap them out on their way to the graduation ceremony. Help us show our support and celebrate our 5th Graders’ accomplishments as they head off to MMS!

ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR

The Ox Ridge 1st-5th grade teachers have compiled their list of necessary supplies for the next school year. Order now and school supply kits will be delivered directly to your child's classroom and will be available on the first day of school.

To order, log on Supplies to Please and click on the blue "Log In" button in the top right corner. Username: OxRidge Password: ox2023 (case sensitive)

We are encouraging families to place their orders by the end of the school year. You will receive a confirmation email once your order is placed. If you do not receive an email, please contact Supplies to Please that day. Click Here to view the flyer.

Please contact Dr. Forshaw for information about school supply scholarships.

When purchasing your kit(s), please consider making a donation to the Darien Human Services' Back-to-School program to help provide much-needed school supplies and other services to local families in need. This is a high need year! Please contact Jeanne Zimmer with questions.

FAMILY PHOTO FUNDRAISER

SMILE!!! Ox Ridge Fall Family Photography Day sign up is here! Have your holiday photos and portraits done early with gorgeous photos taken by Karen Morneau. Sign up here.

CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEERS

Vanessa Donatello and Kate Kaufman - Vice Chairs

Beth Morgan - Communications Chair

Cathy Bailey - DEI Chair

Lia Stewart and Jenn Moller - Enrichment Chairs

Kristen Smith - Secretary

Marisa Chada - Treasurer

Sara Santana - Asst Treasuer

Dayna Checketts, Anne Cotton, Kira Saunders - Special Education Chairs

Heather DeBie and Danielle Paccione - Fundraising Chairs

Megan Katz and Jaklyn Limoges - Recruiting Chairs

Libby Cook and Mary Elizabeth Garvey - Ex-oficio

OX RIDGE STAFF BIRTHDAYS FOR JUNE

Kristen Walsh - Teacher - June 1

Jo-Ann Sawitsky - Assistant Principal's Secretary - June 2

Shannon Hernandez - Paraprofessional - June 3

Rocio Villanueva - Cafeteria - June 3

Christopher O'Connor - Teacher - June 7

Thalia Goo - Teacher SPED - June 8

Vicki Palushaj - Paraprofessional - June 16

Calla Constantine - Teacher Library - June 23

Tara Brewer - Teacher - June 24

COMMUNITY NEWS

DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES IS AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND

School may be out, but Darien Human Services is available year round!!! This Town's department provides support and assistance with mental health issues or other personal challenges that may arise. Additionally, Mental Health Resources are just a click away on the Town website. There, you will find a list of providers currently accepting new clients as well as links to programming, including the recent Demystifying Resilience. Finally, you can contact Human Services Director Ali Ramsteck, LCSW at [email protected] to schedule an appointment or find further information.

DARIEN JUNIOR FIELD HOCKET REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Darien Junior Field Hockey (DJFH) promotes a fun, positive, inclusive, and robust youth field hockey experience for young residents of Darien, CT. The program is designed to teach fundamental skills, build a love of the game, and foster camaraderie across the entire Darien field hockey community. Our season starts in September! Registration is open for all interested players in grades 1-4. Students in grades 5-8 can still sign up for our house program (late fees apply starting June 30, 2023). Please visit our website to register and to learn more. Any questions, please email: [email protected]

FAMILY CONCERT AT WEED BEACH

Back by popular demand, the Darien Youth Commission is honored to be hosting a family concert at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 at Weed Beach. Headliners are ANNIE & SAFARI BOB OF THE NATURAL WONDER BAND! What better way to end the school year and kick-off summer vacation than hanging at the beach with the kids and enjoying some fun, family entertainment. (The cost is $4.00 per person or $10 per vehicle…Beach stickers are not required to attend this event). Concession stand will be open. So grab a blanket, beach chair and beach toys and make an evening of it!

NEW YWCA PLAYGROUP

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is starting a new playgroup for families raising children with different support needs and abilities to provide children with an opportunity to socialize and connect through play while also creating a space for parents to engage in peer support and community building. There is an option of parents-only meet-ups as well. Everyone is welcome! If you are interested in joining or learning more, please click link to complete survey https://forms.gle/NvUehgbhnnBtbdMc7 or visit www.ywcadn.org

OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE

EDITORS NOTE:

Meghan Egan - Nov, Jan, May, June 18

Danielle Kohlberger - Oct, Feb, Apr, June 11

Baye Larsen - Sept, Dec, Mar, June 4

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 [email protected] 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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