Ox Ridge Elementary School
April 3, 2022
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April 6th: PTO "Volunteer Fair" @ OXR (9:30 - 10:30 am)
April 7th: Final Day for Yearbook Orders
April 8th: 3rd & 5th Grade STEM Outreach Programs led by DHS Students
April 11th-15th: NO SCHOOL - April Break
April 18th - 22nd : Earth Week
April 19th: Maritime Aquarium coming to ELP
April 22nd : Earth Day - Students wear GREEN
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,
Thank you to our incredible book fair team; Kelly Andricopoulos, Lauren van de Kamp, Meghan Curcuruto, Ceci Davies, Nicole DiOrio, Vanessa Donatello, Theresa Driggs and Diana Turowski for an “Out of this World” fair experience! The power of matching kids with books they truly love is one of the greatest forces in literacy education that we have – thank you all and to all of our families who participated and continue to support family literacy at home!
This week I am also happy to share the latest updates from our school psychologists for DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills for emotional regulation. There are plenty of kid (and adult!) friendly skills to practice in regulating emotions; always a worthwhile goal in the excitement of spring!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We hope you enjoyed the book fair that the Darien Times described as “out of this world!” Check out the article HERE.
Also, swing by the common room at Ox Ridge on Wednesday at 9:30am. The PTO is hosting a “Volunteer Fair” to give everyone an opportunity to learn more about the PTO and get involved. Please join us!
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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NEW DATE - PTO VOLUNTEER FAIR APRIL 6
Please join us at the PTO Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, April 6th at 9:30 am in the common room at Ox Ridge to learn about the PTO, mingle and sign up to volunteer. We will have coffee and refreshments. The Ox Ridge Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) offers more than 150 volunteer roles each year! There are plenty of opportunities for working parents and those with limited availability during school hours. We also encourage dads to volunteer! If you have any questions or are unable to attend, reach out to our recruitment chairs, Christina Kreuz and Jamie Rose.
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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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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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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Chess, Cooking, Sports, Gardening, Crafting, STEAM, & Dance: classes start the week of 4/18/22 and run to the week of 6/6/22. 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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YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!
All yearbook sales will be online this year. Just click this link to place an order. The cost is $20 per yearbook with options to personalize. Yearbooks provide long-lasting memories. Kids love to look back at the school year to remember friends, activities, and events. If you are ordering multiple yearbooks for each of your children, please fill out their names, grade, and homeroom teacher individually, adding each yearbook to the cart one at a time. If you are ordering one yearbook for your children to share, please enter the child's name, grade, and homeroom teacher who should receive the yearbook at the end of the school year. Please get in touch with Lesley Ryan or Natalie Gould with any questions.
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CHECK THE LOST & FOUND
Please encourage your children to check the lost and found items located between the gym and the common room. All unclaimed items will be donated on April 8th.
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UPDATE ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 2022-23 BUDGET PROCESS
The Board of Finance vote on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5th at 7:30 pm in Town Hall Room 206. Please direct any comments, questions or concerns to [email protected] or the Board of Finance.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Julie Brown (Grade Level Enrichment Rep) for coordinating the 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Darien Historical Society!
Lauren van de Kamp & Kelly Andricopoulos (Book Fair Co-Chairs)
Meghan Curcuruto, Cecilia Davies, Nicole DiOrio, Vanessa Donatello, Theresa Driggs & Diana Turowski (Book Fair Committee) for a truly amazing Spring Book Fair. Check out the Darien Times article HERE.
Lauren Stisser & Katherine Grambling (Kids Care Club) for leading an enriching meeting to build excitement for Earth Week by doing crafts to decorate the bulletin boards and posters for the school!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mrs. Sandy Henry (Teacher) on April 8
Ms. Regine Thadal (Teacher Resident) 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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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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CHASING CHILDHOOD: A DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING & COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Please join the Thriving Youth Task Force and YWCA Parent Awareness for a community conversation about reimagining a healthier, happier way forward for our kids! The film screening is available anytime from March 30 - April 4; watch at your convenience at home and join the Zoom discussion on April 4th at 7 pm with Dr. Michael Hynes and Genevieve Eason (formerly of Wilton, CT), both featured in the film. This program is made possible with support from TYTF, YWCA Parent Awareness, the Child Guidance Center of Southern CT, Darien Youth Commission, the Darien Depot Youth Center, the Middlesex Parent Association and Silver Hill Hospital. Registration for the screening and/or event is required.
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GLOBAL ARTS SUMMER PROGRAM AT THE PALACE THEATRE IN STAMFORD
The Palace Theatre will be hosting a global arts program that will include music, dance and art from around the world. This program is free of charge and specifically designed for rising 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. The 5-day program will take place at The Palace Theatre located in Stamford. Dates are yet to be confirmed and contingent upon interest - spots are limited. If you would like to sign up or have questions please contact Carol Bryan. Click here for more information and to register.
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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 [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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