Ox Ridge Elementary School
December 12, 2021
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December 23rd : Early Dismissal (1:25 pm)
December 24th - December 31st : NO SCHOOL
January 3rd : Students Return to School
January 6th : Special Board of Education Meeting – Presentation of Superintendents Budget (7:00 pm)
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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 Ox Ridge RULER Implementation Team: Christina Ulreich, Lindsay Sulzycki, Annie Farson, Madeleine Vivian, and Mary Beth Giannattasio for a great PTO speaker series discussion this week! Thank you also to our PTO special education representatives for partnering with us on this important overview of giving ourselves and, ultimately, our kids “permission to feel.”
This week we were very excited to welcome back so many outstanding Ox Ridge alumni who are now successful students at DHS! Thank you to Richie Almy, Sophie Schwartz, Elizabeth Klein, Kristin Kennedy, CC Chandler, Lily Donzeiser, Audrey Ritter, Kaitlyn Kirby, and Katherine Kahl for running exciting and instructional STEM activities with our 2nd and 4th grades. Looking forward to welcoming more DHS alumni in the future for our other grades to benefit from their expertise in STEM education!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
The Speaker Series on Social Emotional Learning this past Thursday was informative and insightful. We are grateful to the RULER implementation team for being present and educating our community on this important topic. A recording of the meeting is available here. We encourage you to review the slide deck as well.
We encourage you to take a look below at the offerings for the winter session of before and after school activities. Registration is open!
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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DIRECT APPEAL FUNDRAISER
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to date! We are halfway there with roughly 50% of Ox Ridge families participating! If you have not donated yet, please help us reach our goal of 100% participation! While we are suggesting a donation of $75 per student, any amount you are able to give is very much appreciated. These important funds support our children's field trips, enrichment, classroom supplies, teacher appreciation efforts, and much more. To donate, please send in checks made out to Ox Ridge PTO with your students, or donate online (select PTO Fundraising Donation). Thank you for supporting the Ox Ridge PTO! Questions? Contact Ellie Davidson or Megan Malone.
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ATHLETICS, ART, AND STEM...OH MY!!!
Spots are filling up quickly for Darien After School's winter session. There are classes to pique any interest!
Athletics: Soccer, Hip Hop Dance
Art: Hands on Clay, Kindness Rocks, Dragons and Unicorns
STEM: Roblox Developer, Adventures in Engineering, Blast off Math
Academics: Cursive Writing, Homework Club
Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities! Click on this link to get a more detailed class description: Darien After School. Most run from 1/10-4/8 (3:30pm-4:30pm)
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TOYS FOR TOTS AT OX RIDGE
The Ox Ridge School community, along with the local U.S. Marine Corps, is sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive through Wednesday, December 15th . If you wish to contribute, please bring in a new, unwrapped toy for ages preschool to teen. Thank you for spreading joy to some children in need, and thank you for your generosity!
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YEARBOOKS WILL GO ON SALE IN FEBRUARY
This year's yearbook sales will start in February and will again be online. Once yearbooks are available for purchase there will be an announcement in the Hoot with a link to place your order. You have not missed your opportunity! Stay tuned for more details and pricing.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OX RIDGE!
Follow the Ox Ridge PTO on Facebook and Instagram (@oxridgepto) to see updates and photos of Ox Ridge activities and events.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Anne Cotton, Dayna Checketts, & Meghan Thornton (SE Reps) for facilitating the PTO Speaker Series along with the RULER implementation team!
Lia Stewart and Bethany Reade (Before and After School Programs) for serving as the liaisons between Ox Ridge and Darien After School (DAS) to bring enriching programs to Ox Ridge!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mrs. Aaron Andrea (IDEA) on December 15
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It's time to take all that we've learned about caring within our home and bring it to the community. Take time this week to discuss ways you can show care within your community. Examples listed in this link include cleaning up your neighborhood, helping a neighbor in need, and leaving a kind note on 3 doorsteps.
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CHRISTMAS CAR PARADE FEATURING FIRE TRUCKS AND SANTA CLAUS
Please come join the Darien, Noroton & Noroton Heights Fire Department’s Christmas-Car-Parade featuring Fire Trucks & Santa Claus! Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Darien High School. YOU are the parade! Drive-by, wave to Santa, and decorate your vehicle. Don’t forget to wear your Santa Hats! Please also help Santa this year by bringing a donation for TOYS for TOTS or food donations for PERSON TO PERSON. Please enter the parade route from High School Lane and exit on Nutmeg Lane or Noroton Avenue. To adhere to COVID-19 Guidelines, please remain in your vehicle.
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ICE SKATE AND HELMET DRIVE FOR ICE SKATING FOR EVERYONE
Ice Skating for Everyone, Inc., founded by Emily Kelting, a retired professional figure skater, has partnered with Horizons at NCCS, the Darien Ice House and the SONO Ice House to offer skating lessons to underserved 1st and 2nd-grade children from Stamford and Norwalk. Ice Skating for Everyone is in need of figure or hockey skates and hockey/ bike/ski helmets for children ages 5-7 years old – we accept used items! If you would like to donate, please email Tracey Riccardi or text/call (917) 969-6313 for pick-up.
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RACIAL EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGE
Start your year off by taking part in the YWCA 14-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Educational Challenge beginning on January 3, 2022. In response to multiple requests, the YWCA is re-releasing the 14-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge. The Challenge asks participants to make time and space to build more effective social justice habits— particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege and leadership—for 14 days. Participants who have signed up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, including activities such as: reading an article, listening to a podcast, and reflecting on personal experience. For more information and to register, please click here.
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITHOUT LEAVING THE HOUSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Darien Human Services maintains an AMAZON WISH LIST that helps local families and seniors throughout the year. Wish list items include toiletries, paper goods and gift cards that will be delivered straight to the Human Services Department at Town Hall. Please consider helping struggling Darien families and seniors from the comfort of your own home. Search Amazon Registry for: Darien Human Services or click here: Amazon Wish List. Contact us with questions at (203) 656 7328.
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THE DEPOT’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY WRAP-UP DECEMBER 18 - DECEMBER 22
Have time to shop but no time to wrap? The Darien Depot Youth Center’s “elves” are back to wrap presents for residents just before the holidays! For a minimum $20 donation, residents can drop off unwrapped and labeled Christmas presents at the Depot from 10 am to 3 pm on weekends and from 3 to 8 pm on weekdays. The Depot will supply all wrapping paper and accessories.
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CDSP: DID YOU KNOW?
The Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP), the umbrella organization for the Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) of all Darien Schools, meets monthly to exchange ideas and information. These monthly meetings are led by CDSP Co-Chairs Joanna Walsh and Lori Olson, and attended by PTO Chairs and CDSP Reps from all public schools in the District. Information is communicated from CDSP meetings to the parent community by PTO Chairs (via Wires, emails, blasts and school meetings). Likewise, PTO Chairs communicate parent community concerns back to Lori, Joanna and the CDSP Executive Board. Parents are always welcome to contact CDSP directly at cdspdarien@gmail.com. In addition, please visit cdspdarien.org and follow us on Facebook @DarienCDSP / Instagram @ CDSP_Darien!
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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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