Ox Ridge Elementary School
December 5, 2021
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December 6th - 12th : Hour of Code (led by Mrs. Tabaka, librarian)
December 23rd : Early Dismissal (1:25 pm)
December 24th - December 31st : NO SCHOOL
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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,
With December officially upon us, I want to remind you all of our practice for outdoor recess in the colder weather. It is so important for kids to get outdoors to play and get some fresh air, so if the “real feel” is 20 degrees or higher, we do hold outdoor recess. It is imperative that students have appropriate attire; e.g. jackets, gloves, long pants for these days. Please help us make sure kids have what they need to have a safe and fun recess experience by equipping your child before he/she arrives at school.
As a “winter gear” reminder, please know that we still have our “Lost and Found” table in the front vestibule. We are reminding students during the day to check lost and found and collect their items. Please encourage your child to take a look for any belongings before the holiday break – we plan to donate the remaining articles at that time.
Finally, on behalf of all teachers – thanks for your engagement during conference week! Your questions and interest in your child’s progress are a vital part of maintaining productive, student-centered partnerships!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We have lots of uplifting news to share beginning with praise for your generosity and support of our 20-year partnership with the Family & Children's Agency (FCA) during the holiday season. Through “Hope Chest” we were able to brighten the holidays for foster children in nearby communities by giving 177 Amazon Gift cards to these children in need. Thank you to all the families that participated in this important Ox Ridge tradition.
Additionally, the Kids Care Club (KCC) met on Friday with a representative from FCA’s foster care team to hear about the services they provide. The KCC also spent time crafting beautiful holiday cards for the foster children, which will be delivered along with the gift cards from Hope Chest.
Finally, we would like to encourage you to join us on Thursday evening for our Speaker Series on Social Emotional Learning. Many of our incredible educators and school psychologists will be leading the discussion, so it is a great opportunity to meet the awesome team that supports all the children at Ox Ridge. More information is below.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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PTO SPEAKER SERIES: RULER / SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
On Thursday, December 9 from 7:30-8:30 pm, Join the Ox Ridge RULER implementation team to learn more about why "emotions matter" and how to give ourselves and ultimately our children "permission to feel." In this parent education session, you'll learn more about Ox Ridge's partnership with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and our development of the RULER approach to social and emotional learning for all.
The implementation team includes: Luke Forshaw (principal), Christina Ulreich and Lindsay Sulzycki (assistant principals), Madeleine Bavelsky and Annie Farson (school psychologists), and Mary Beth Giannattasio (Kindergarten teacher).
Doors will open at 7:00 pm for those who would like to tour the school prior to the meeting. Please register HERE. Questions? Email [email protected]
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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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MINTED HOLIDAY CARDS – HELP US EARN EXTRA DOLLARS FOR OX RIDGE!
Order your holiday cards through Minted! You save 20% and Minted will give 15% of sales to Ox Ridge PTO. Please use promo code FUNDRAISEOXRIDGE. For any questions, please email the fundraising chairs, Ellie Davidson and Megan Malone.
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NOMINATE AN ALL-STAR EDUCATOR
The Bridgeport Islanders All-Star Educator program recognizes outstanding educators in Connecticut for their contribution to their students, school, and community. During the 2021 – 2022 AHL season, the Bridgeport Islanders will select exceptional educators to be honored at their schools and by Islanders fans at a game!! Please submit a nomination HERE for Ox Ridge colleagues, staff, or administrators to honor them for their dedication to our school and community.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Annie Horn & Jenn Moller (Hope Chest) for organizing the successful gift card drive that will brighten the holidays for 177 foster children!
Katherine Grambling & Lauren Stisser (Kids Care Club) for continuing the 20-year partnership with the Family and Children’s Agency and providing hundreds of beautifully crafted cards by KCC students for foster children!
Kim Burt & Jenny Malone (Gingerbread) for the ever-popular, fun-filled, candy-overloaded Gingerbread House decorating event at Ox Ridge!
Marisa Chadda & Ashley Hinchman (Ox Appreciation) for organizing and delivering lunch for the Ox Ridge staff during conference week for our December show of appreciation!
Anne Cotton, Dayna Checketts, & Meghan Thornton (SE Reps) for delivering breakfast and organizing notes & signs of appreciation for the Ox Ridge staff in recognition of National Special Education Day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mrs. Stacy Johnson (Teacher) on December 6
Mr. John Latona (Teacher) on December 12
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Now that we've taken some time to focus on self-care, let's discuss how we can care for each other within our home. Being helpful, compassionate and understanding are ways of showing care. In this link, find discussion starters for ways to care for our loved ones, including helping with chores, and genuinely listening when someone is struggling.
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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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YWCA DAZZLING DECEMBER HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT AT EVERYTHING IS ROSEY
On December 9, 6-9 pm, join us in supporting YWCA Parent Awareness while getting your holiday shopping done early. Everything is Rosey is donating 20% of the evening proceeds to fund free parent programming for our community. Browse from a wide array of accessories, jewelry and clothes while enjoying nibbles and complimentary wine tastings by Scout & Cellar representative, Sally Betz. Raffle giveaways at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Raffle tickets on sale at www.ywcadn.org.
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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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Spring registration is open at darienart.org! Classes in DANCE, ART, MUSIC & MARTIAL ARTS for all ages begin in January. Sign up for: Ballet, Hip Hop, Broadway, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary Dance; Piano, Flute, Percussion, String Instruments, Singing/Songwriting; Cartooning, Digital Illustration, Iphone Photography, Drawing, Painting, Collage & more.
Come see Scenes from the Nutcracker, a show performed by the Darien Art Center’s dance companies and geared for younger audiences is taking place at the DAC Weatherstone Studio on December 11, 12, 18 and 19 at noon and 3 pm Tickets are $20. Purchase tickets early at darienarts.org, as shows sell out quickly for this popular annual tradition. Questions? Call (203) 655-8683.
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NOROTON FIRE DEPT'S ANNUAL TOYS 4 TOTS COLLECTION
Noroton Fire Department is an official partner and drop-off location for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys 4 Tots Foundation. With the community’s help, we collected over 1,500 toys last year. Join us again in our goal of collecting 2,000 new, unwrapped toys for Toys 4 Tots. The donation box is in Noroton FD's back parking lot at 1873 Post Road. Or better yet, start your own collection and the firefighters will come to your neighborhood/office/organization with a fire truck to pick up your donations! Pick-up times are available from December 1st through December 19th. Please contact Alan Hyatt at (203) 943-8649 to schedule a pick-up for your neighborhood or organization.
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CDSP: DID YOU KNOW?
The Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP) is the umbrella organization for all Darien Public School PTOs. Did you know that CDSP has a special education subcommittee? The committee is made up of parent representatives from each of the seven schools. These reps work closely with their building administration and PTO chairs to build awareness and foster community and communication. December 2nd marked National Special Education Day - this year the CDSP Special Education committee began a new tradition in Darien of honoring our SE teachers with a show of gratitude to all staff. Kadi Lublin is the SE Chair for CDSP this year and can be reached at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
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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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