Ox Ridge Elementary School
April 10, 2022
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April 11th -15th : NO SCHOOL - April Break
April 18th - *22nd : Earth Week
*EARTH DAY - students wear GREEN on Friday, April 22nd!
April 18th : Darien After School Spring Programs Begin @ OXR
April 19th : Maritime Aquarium coming to ELP
April 19th & 20th : School Wide Enrichment - Acrobat Li Liu
April 23rd : Unified Sports Skills Day @ DHS Stadium Field (10:30 am)
April 25th : Incoming Kindergarteners “Meet and Greet” @ OXR
April 28th : PTO Speaker Series @ OXR (7:00 pm)
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
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Hi All,
We are excited to welcome pre-registered Kindergarten students this year for a “meet and greet” at Ox Ridge! The event will be held on the morning of April 25th. If you have any friends or neighbors who are planning to enroll their child in Kindergarten next year, spread the word and ask them to register so they can join the fun!
Also, with thanks to our district library media specialists, I’m happy to share some beautifully curated books to consider for April break. Please see their most recent newsletter.
Thank you – have an awesome April break!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
No school this week – May the Force be with you! There are many events scheduled when we return from April Break – see below for details. We are particularly excited about the final PTO speaker series for this year on an important topic…Parenting Young Children in the Digital Age: Technology Usage in a Post-COVID World – mark your calendar for April 28th.
Enjoy your April Break!
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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EARTH WEEK 2022
The Ox Ridge PTO Green Team is proud to celebrate Earth Week 2022 the week of April 18th. This year, Earth Day is based around the theme “Invest in our Earth” to combat climate change, and we have an engaging week of programming to educate and empower the Ox Ridge student body!
Morning announcements will be led by 5th graders with environmental facts that tie in with the theme of the day. Teachers will lead age-appropriate discussions and read alouds during morning meetings around that day's topic. Daily themes include: Climate Change (Monday), Garbage & Recycling (Tuesday), Renewable Energy (Wednesday), Gardens & Composting (Thursday) and "Do One Thing" to help the Earth (Friday - EARTH DAY) and everyone is encouraged to WEAR GREEN!
Posters made by The Green Team and the Kids Care Club are hung up on the walls around school along with a sign incorporating the children's own, cut-out, green and blue handprints forming one giant Earth (to represent "our little hands can do big things") along with ideas on how to protect the environment.
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SCHOOL WIDE ENRICHMENT - ACROBAT LI LIU
On April 19 and 20, we will welcome Li Liu to Ox Ridge. Ms. Liu is an acclaimed acrobat who has performed at venues throughout the world. She has developed a performance specifically for elementary school students which includes a demonstration of hand balancing, plate spinning, artistic cycling, ribbon dancing, and foot juggling. During the performance, Ms. Liu will also teach students about Chinese language and culture. To learn more about the program and to prepare students for the visit, we encourage families to review this study guide.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Ox Ridge PTO. Your support allows us to bring enrichment programs to our community.
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PTO SPEAKER SERIES
Parenting Young Children in the Digital Age: Technology Usage in a Post-COVID World
How can we help our children develop appropriate habits when using technology? Can we unwind the uptick in screen time resulting from the pandemic? Can my child navigate middle school without a smartphone? Join us for our final PTO Speaker Series as we answer these questions and more. Dr. Joan McGettigan, DPS Director of Instructional Technology, will discuss technology best practices and potential concerns, as well as parental controls on devices. In addition, OK-2-Delay's Marty Hendrickson and Jacqueline Telgheder will present the parent perspective on smartphones and social media, along with their daughters (current 8th graders and Ox Ridge alums) who will speak about their experience in middle school with respect to smartphones.
* please note presentation will not be recorded or live streamed
Date: Thursday, April 28th at 7:00pm in the Ox Ridge Common Room. Please RSVP HERE.
Social event at Ten Twenty Post to follow. Stay tuned for more details.
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UNIFIED SPORTS SKILLS DAY - COME CHEER ON OUR OX ATHLETES
We are very pleased to announce that Ox Ridge School has been once again selected by the Connecticut Association of Schools to sponsor a Unified Sports Program! Come join us at DHS Stadium Field on Saturday, April 23rd at 10:30am to cheer on our Ox Ridge athletes as they show off their skills!
Unified Sports seeks to join students with and without disabilities to participate in a variety of athletic events. It was inspired by a simple principle; training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
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SOS: AN OX RIDGE FAMILY IS IN NEED OF OUR HELP
Calista Mecsery, a Kindergartener at Ox Ridge, and her family need our help. Her dad, Sean, is battling glioblastoma, a terminal brain cancer. Perhaps you read about them in here, in The Darien Times. To rally around Calista and support her family in their incredible time of need, a Meal Train has been created. Please consider participating by signing up for a slot here.
*The SOS committee is here to provide confidential and compassionate help for members of our school community. The request above is being shared with the permission of the Mecsery Family. If you have any questions, please email Kaili Dilts.
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DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS START SOON - REGISTER NOW!
There are still some available spots for spring classes with Darien After School! Cooking, Sports, Gardening, Crafting, STEAM, & Dance: classes start the week after Spring Break (4/18) and run to the week of 6/6. There is an inspiring and diverse selection of classes for your child to choose from. Click on Darien After School for more information.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Jamie Rose & Christina Kreuz (Recruiting) for hosting the PTO “Volunteer Fair” and enlisting people to support the efforts of the PTO!
Lesley Ryan & Natalie Gould (Yearbook Co-Chairs) and Sara Diamond & Natalie Hackett (Yearbook Committee) for creating an amazing Yearbook, which will be delivered to students at the end of the school year!
Vanessa Donatello & Lia Stewart (School Wide Enrichment) for procuring, organizing and delivering supplies for 3rd & 5th Grade STEM Outreach Programs, including a much-appreciated lunch for the Darien High School students that led the programs!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Ms. Regine Thadal (Teacher in Residence) on April 12
Mr. Dennis Kopec (Custodian) on April 13
Mrs. Christina Stauble (Speech & Language Pathologist) on April 16
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When we think about the terms "courage" and "bravery", Superheroes may come to mind. How does courage relate to building kindness at home? When we are true to ourselves by being kind and doing what is right, even during difficult situations, it can take courage and vulnerability. Use the link provided and discuss as a family what brings out the Superhero in you!
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EARTH DAY RECYCLING EVENT
Filling in the Blanks is partnering with Lesley's Recycling for Earth Day 2022! Join this initiative by collecting recyclables (bottles & cans only) to be cashed in. Proceeds will be used to purchase foods for Filling in the Blanks' Weekend Meal Bag Program! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1) Collect: Now - April 29th! Please collect, sort, and count bottles and cans with the cashback recycling symbol. 2) Recycle: Saturday, April 30th, from 10:00am - 2:00pm (rain date, Sunday, May 1st) 158 Longhill Drive, Stamford, CT 06902. 3) Feed Hungry Kids! For full event details, visit Fillingintheblanks.org/events. For any further questions please contact Caryn Kelly at carynkelly@gmail.com. Thank you so much!
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EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT THE DARIEN NATURE CENTER
The Darien Nature Center is holding its 2nd annual Spring into Nature Festival on Saturday, April 23, with exciting plans to bring you fresh air family fun in beautiful Cherry Lawn Park. Local environmental organizations will be represented throughout the park, with activities and information for all ages to inspire sustainable living habits. Attend from 10 AM - Noon, or 1 PM to 3 PM. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit dariennaturecenter.org/events/spring-into-nature.
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"SOPHIA ENTERS THE FAIRY REALM" AT DAC
Tickets are available for this spring ballet performed by DAC Dance students. A narrated ballet, in which ‘Princess Sophia’ searches for the Good Fairy to help break an evil spell. with performances on April 23 and 24, from 2-3:30pm and 5-6:30pm in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. The performances are appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $20. To buy tickets or find out more about the DAC’s Dance program, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The Darien Arts Center is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Darien Town Hall.
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YWCA PARENT AWARENESS PRESENTS: GUY TALK
Todd Palker, M.D. of New England Pediatrics will give a straightforward presentation via Zoom about the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Dr. Palker will help teach your son what to expect in the future. This is NOT a sex talk - it is a starting point for future discussions about your son’s changing body. The program is intended for 5th and 6th graders to attend virtually with their father or caregiver. Thursday April 28th, 6:30 - 8:00pm. This program will be recorded. Registration is required: www.ywcadn.org/parent-awareness
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DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE SPRING BREAK CLINIC
Are you in town this April break? If so… we have the answer! The Darien High Schools Boys Lacrosse Team and Coaches will be hosting a Spring Break youth lacrosse clinic for boys in grades 1st-8th. The clinic will take place at the Darien High School center oval turf field, Monday, April 11th - Thursday, April 14th from 8:30am - 11am. The camp’s goal is to stimulate the love of the sport of lacrosse. The camp is dedicated to provide individual instruction to players of all ages and abilities. A low player to coach ratio and players to field ratio makes for a great teaching and learning environment. Instruction will include the fundamental skills, tactics and techniques of lacrosse. More information and registration can be found HERE.
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LUNCHEON: DARIEN ADVOCATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED
Darien Advocates for the Education of the Gifted (DAEG) would like to welcome any member of our DPS parent community to join us for a luncheon at Country Club of Darien on April 21st, at 11:30am, featuring Dr. Brian Housand, PhD who will engage the audience for an enlightening talk entitled, "Opening Doors and Breaking Down Walls: The Path Forward for the Gifted". This session is open to all parents, and promises to present, 'ready-to-use strategies designed to engage curiosity and imagination, confront perfectionism, and build creative, productive gifted kids'. We would love to have you join us! Please click here to register for the event as spots are limited! (DAEG is a non-profit, and any donations are put toward funding continuing education opportunities for all DPS teachers to benefit all students).
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DALLAS BRASS LIVE IN CONCERT
Friday, April 22, 7:00PM Darien High School Auditorium
Come see Dallas Brass, one of America's foremost music ensembles! The group has a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion. See the Darien band students, including grade 5 bands, MMS Honors Band, and DHS bands join them onstage during the concert! The event is FREE thanks to Darien Music for Youth and our generous sponsors! Click here to reserve for your free tickets! For questions, email Colleen Thompson, DPS Director of Music.
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EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS AT DARIEN NATURE CENTER
Enrollment is open for the Darien Nature Center's after-school program, Outdoor Explorers. This is a monthly series for students in grades K - 5 that meets three times per month from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Each month has a new theme. The theme for April is Life Underground: Roots, Fungi, Bugs, and more! Children will spend 90 minutes outside, exploring the different areas of Cherry Lawn Park. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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DARIEN JUNIOR CHEERLEADING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Become part of one of Darien’s great fall traditions - Football & Cheerleading! The Darien Junior Cheerleading League offers those in grades 2 through 8 an opportunity to learn fun cheerleading skills including sideline cheering, stunting, halftime routines and teamwork. Our cheerleaders cheer at the exciting Darien Junior Football games (and sometimes as guests at DHS games). No experience necessary to join in the fun, though dance or gymnastics backgrounds are helpful. An open house and uniform fitting date is being scheduled for later this Spring (details to follow). For more information visit the Cheerleading tab at www.DJfl.org. Questions? Contact Amanda Harchuck.
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DARIEN JUNIOR FOOTBALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Darien Junior Football League registration is now open! Calling all athletes for the tackle or flag football 2022 fall season! Register HERE by May 18th for "early bird" discounts!
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EDITORS NOTE:
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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