THE HOOT

Ox Ridge Elementary School

June 4, 2023


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Field Day

June 5: 1st Grade 9:30-10:50am

        K 1:00-2pm

June 6: 2nd Grade 10-11:20am

June 7: 3rd Grade 10-11:20am

       4th Grade 12-1:20pm

June 9: 5th Grade 11-12:20pm


June 13: 5th Grade Graduation and Spirit Day

June 14: Last Day of School (updated)


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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Hi All,

 

We are excited to get into our annual Field Days for kids this week! Due to construction, we are keeping the field day for students and staff only. Please see the update from Mr. Bartol below:

 

Your children have been assigned a Field Day color of either bright yellow, green, orange , or pink. These colors were picked because they should look best under the blacklights during Cosmic Bowling. Your child can feel free to wear as much or as little of their color as they wish. Games were modified to be played in the limited space due to our construction. Activities will include Home Run Tee Ball (K-1), Cornhole Relay (K-5), Duel (K-5), 4 Square (2-5), and Cosmic Bowling (K-5).

 

Looking forward to celebrating athletics, good sportsmanship and Ox Ridge fun!

 

Also, thanks to our partners at the Darien Library, I’m pleased to share the Darien Library summer reading challenge “Midnight at the Museum”. Mrs. Constantine will be speaking with students about this offering and I certainly encourage you to engage in the reading fun this summer!

 

Thanks,

Luke

FROM THE PTO

Dear Ox Ridge Parents,


The school year is wrapping up! We cannot believe there is only one more full week left of school. As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we wanted to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and generosity. Together we have navigated through challenges, celebrated achievements and fostered a nurturing environment for our students.  


We have our last Ox Ridge Spirit Day on Tuesday, June 13th for all students in ELP through 4th Grade. Please encourage your student(s) to wear their Ox gear as we celebrate our 5th Graders on graduation day!


Have a fantastic week!



XO OX

Christina & Meghan


Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton

PTO Co-Chairs

[email protected]

OX RIDGE NEWS

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.

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!

MMS SUMMER READING BOOK FAIR

Come check out books on the MMS summer reading book list at Barrett Bookstore from June 6 to June 9.

CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEERS



Jen Clemow, Mary Elizabeth Garvey, Ashley Hinchman and Sibel Magripli-Mesta (Ox Appeciation) for arranging soft pretzels and lemonade requested by the Sunshine Crew on May 31st for our amazing teachers, faculty and staff!

Jenn Moller (Grade Level Enrichment) for organizing all our students' class field trips this year!

Cathy Bailey (DEI) for the beautiful Juneteenth display in our trophy case. 

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 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]

BEGINNER BAND RECRUITMENT NIGHT

All current 3rd and 4th Grade students who wish to begin learning a Band instrument for the first time next school year are highly encouraged to attend an evening meeting on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00pm in the Middlesex Middle School Cafeteria.  An explanation of our band program, instrument demonstrations and sign-ups will take place at this time. All interested students must be accompanied by a parent. If you are unable to attend the meeting, a notification with a link to the Online Registration Form will be sent out on June 8th. Please contact Colin Walters, Band Director, with any questions: [email protected](5th Grade Advanced Band and 4th & 5th Grade Orchestra registration will take place in the fall.)

INTRODUCTION TO STRINGS

All second graders and their parents are invited to attend the Darien String Program's INTRODUCTION TO STRINGS on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:00 P.M. at Middlesex Middle School Auditorium. This evening program will introduce the violin, viola, and cello to interested incoming third graders. Parents will receive information on the in-school lesson program and string rental procedures. The Third Grade String Program involves weekly half-hour lessons during the school day and two concerts a year. If your child is interested in playing a string instrument in the Third Grade String Program, please attend this evening information session. For more information, please contact Mr. Cruz at [email protected]. (Orchestra registration for 4th & 5th graders will be in the fall).

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!

DARIEN SUMMER SCHOOL

Registration for Darien Summer School and Enrichment programming is currently open. DSS&E provides a wide variety of options including Authors and Art, Globetrotters, Summer Academy, Leap Ahead Reading, Marvelous Math and more! For more information and registration, visit our website.

PARENTS, GET READY FOR SUMMER WITH YWCA PARENT AWARENESS AND DARIEN LIBRARY!

Join us on June 6th from 10-11am at Darien Library to learn about camps & activities that are still open for registration, tips on packing for camp and summer trips and organizing a summer playroom, Darien Library summer reading and events, volunteer opportunities in town and more! Presenters include Jen Cippolletti from Tips on Trips and Camps, Professional Organizers Adele Mahabir and Debi Coles, and Mia Orbona from Darien Library. Register at https://www.darienlibrary.org/event/get-ready-summer-panel-parents

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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