Ox Ridge Elementary School
February 13, 2022
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February 14th : Kindness Week - Valentine's Day (in-class celebrations)
February 16th : Kindness Week - Kindness Begins with ME! Day (students wear Kindness t-shirts or Ox gear)
February 17th : Kindness Week - Superhero Day (students may dress like superheros)
February 18th : NO SCHOOL - Professional Development
February 21st-25th : NO SCHOOL - February Recess
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UPDATE ON THE 2022-2023 DPS BUDGET PROCESS
During the DPS Board of Education meeting on February 8th (replay here), the Board approved a 2022-2023 budget of $110,607,016, a 3.74% increase over 2021-2022. This is a reduction in $225,553 from the Superintendent’s original proposed 2022-2023 budget.
Next steps:
March 1st : The Board of Education presents its budget to the Board of Finance
March 8th : The Board of Finance will hold a Public Hearing
April 5th : The Board of Finance votes on the budget
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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,
Join me in enjoying our Ox Ridge Chorus concert this Wednesday – 2/16 via this link.
The concert will be live streamed at 9:30 AM and then will be available for replay after its conclusion. Thanks again to Mr. Allen and our very talented student performers for their efforts!
This week we also celebrated our 100th day of school together! Thanks to our 1st grade team for leading a school-wide celebration and thank you all for your contributions to our 100 day food drive!
I’m also thrilled to share that Mrs. Sproch gave birth to a happy healthy boy, Brody! Mom and the family are doing just fine!
Finally, thanks to Ms. Kelly Milicia’s recent teaching into “Persuasive Essays” writing; check out our own fourth grader, Grace Long on this Friday’s Today Show! She wrote to persuade others to watch the Today Show!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
Love is in the air! Valentine’s day is always an exciting opportunity for the students to spread love and joy to each other. We are especially excited this year to also be launching “Kindness Week” at Ox Ridge. Set a reminder for the dress up days - Kindness T-Shirt or Ox Gear on Wednesday and SUPERHERO theme on Thursday!
We are also preparing for the Winter Break this week, which begins on Friday. Please note that the Hoot will be off next weekend and will return on Sunday, February 27th. Please submit any communications to include in the next edition by this Thursday, February 17th at noon.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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KINDNESS WEEK IS HERE!
Our Kindness Committee has been hard at work planning for Kindness Week! Please have a look at this calendar of the week's activities to make sure your kids come to school ready to spread some kindness.
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DARIEN NIGHT AT THE BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS
Come join Ox Ridge Elementary School for a fun night out at the Bridgeport Islanders hockey on Saturday March 19th at 7pm when they face the Syracuse Crunch (AHL Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning). Come early to support the Darien Elementary Schools as they sing God Bless America and Middlesex Middle School as they perform the National Anthem. Discounted Tickets are $25 through this offer & includes an Islanders hat for each member of your group! Proceeds from the night will benefit the Ox Ridge PTO. Click HERE to purchase tickets. This offer is available only through this exclusive link. Offer not available at the box office & must be purchased in advance.
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OX RIDGE PTO FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE!
To help increase the PTO fundraising participation, we are having a competition. The top two grades with the highest participation rate will earn extra recess. 2nd grade remains in the lead with 71% participation, and Kindergarten is in 2nd place with 66%! Overall, 62% of students have now contributed to the direct appeal. Let's keep going and get to 100%!
Did you know that the PTO spends $110 per student from ELP to 5th? This includes everything from field trips and author visits to "STEM" programming and events. Help us enrich your child's education by reaching our goal of 100% participation from Ox Ridge Families. While we are suggesting a donation of $75 per student, any amount counts! Your contribution makes AMAZING things happen! Thank you!
To donate, please send in checks made out to Ox Ridge PTO with your students, or donate online (select PTO Fundraising Donation). The last day to donate is March 9th, 2022. If you are unsure whether you donated, please feel free to reach out to Eleanor Davidson or Megan Malone.
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JOIN THE 2022-2023 PTO! GET INVOLVED, HAVE FUN & MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT OX RIDGE!
Ox Ridge is a special place and much more than just a school for our children! We are a community that cares for all its students, parents, teachers and staff. The Ox Ridge Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a nonprofit organization whose focus is on the enrichment of our students, teacher and staff appreciation, parent volunteerism and community involvement.
The PTO offers more than 150 volunteer roles each year! If you are interested in getting involved with your childrens' school, looking to connect with other parents, and help bring incredible school programs to our children - let us know! Please check out the various volunteer roles on our PTO website and reach out to our recruitment chairs, Christina Kreuz and Jamie Rose at oxptorecruiting@gmail.com to learn more.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Erin Noonan and the Kindness Committee for planning an amazing Kindness Week, including the special “Kindness Begins with Me” banner using handprints from Ox students, and designing and delivering the Kindness t-shirts!
Lauren Stisser & Katherine Grambling (Kids Care Club) for teaching the kids about At Home in Darien and planning Valentine’s Day crafts that will be delivered to home-bound seniors!
Lauren McAnany & Jenn Moller (Bulletin Boards) for updating the front hallway with a lovely Valentine’s Day theme!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Nancy Dineen (Teacher) on February 9th
Stephanie Frawley (Teacher) on February 11th
Cheryl Viesto (Paraprofessional) on February 12th
Luke Forshaw (Principal) on February 15th
Laura McGee (Paraprofessional) on February 16th
Nila Radhakrishna (Paraprofessional) on February 20th
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It's time to take what we've learned about integrity and put it to work. Remember, in order to have integrity, our values and behavior should align. Use this link to create a rating scale with your family, ranking common behaviors (eg. white lies, dishonesty, etc) based on level of integrity (or lack thereof).
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YWCA PARENT AWARENESS AND MIDDLESEX PARENT ASSOCIATION PRESENT: EMBRACING GENDER IDENTITIES AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL
This program is for parents of school age children who wish to learn more about gender diversity and fluidity. Studies have shown that when students feel safe to express their identities across the gender spectrum, they will be more prepared to learn and thrive in life & school. A presentation will be made by Renee Reopell, Director of Gender, Diversity and Resilience at The Child Guidance Center on February 15th at 8 pm on Zoom. Registration is required at www.ywca.org.
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NEW! MIDDLESEX MS SPIRITWEAR - NEW SCHOOL MASCOT!
Calling All 5th Graders....it's finally time to think about moving up to the Middle School so make sure you are stocked with the proper gear!!! Our Spiritwear store is opening Wednesday February 11th thru Friday February 18th so don't miss the opportunity to get the latest MMS swag. Show your school spirit! Please click on the link to start shopping.
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DARIEN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION
To be eligible to play Darien Little League Baseball, players must be a Darien resident, must be Kindergarten to 7th grade during the 2021-2022 school year, and may not be older than 12 years old on September 1, 2021. Visit us at http://www.dybs.org for more information - and click the Registration tab to signup! We hope to see you play ball with us this Spring 2022!!
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THE POSITIVE SIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
YWCA Parent Awareness is hosting an in-person round table discussion about how teens can use social media for good. The discussion is for parents of 5th through 8th graders and will be at the Darien Depot on March 9 6:30-7:30pm. Parent Awareness has invited 3 DHS teens who have made a positive impact on our community through their social media use. We will learn from them how and why they made their decisions, and how their social media decisions differs now as High School students versus when they were in middle school. The discussion will be moderated by psychologist Tara Levinson, PhD, NCSP. Registration will be capped at 30 participants. To register: www.ywcadn.org
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DARIEN YMCA VACATION CAMP PROGRAM
Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 21st – Friday, February 25th.
For Ages 3 years – 5th grade, activities include swimming, arts & crafts, outside play, gym activities, group games and more.
Pre-School Vacation Club: Half Day 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or Full Day 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Grades K-5th: Full Day 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Extended Care: 8:00 am - 9:00 am/or 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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DARIEN PARKS AND RECREATION SPRING AND SUMMER REGISTRATION
The Darien Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that registration for 2022 spring & summer programs, as well as the sale of 2022 beach permits, will begin on Wednesday, March 2nd online at www.darienct.gov/parkrec, in-person in Room 110 of the Darien Town Hall or through the mail. Program offerings are currently available to view online. The 2022 spring and summer brochure, which includes the beach permit application, will be mailed out to all Darien residents the week of February 21st.
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DARIEN PARKS AND RECREATION FEBRUARY VACATION CAMP
The Parks and Recreation Department and Overtime Athletics have joined forces to bring this fun-filled camp to the youth of Darien on Friday, February 18th and Tuesday, February 22nd – Friday, February 25th. Parents have the choice of registering for all five days from 9 AM – 4 PM for $290, 9 AM – Noon for $160 or daily from 9 AM – 4 PM for $65/day. Please note that face coverings are currently required to be worn in the Darien Town Hall. Should this requirement change for this camp, all registered will be notified.
This exciting variety sports camp for children ages 5 – 12 includes instruction in the fundamentals of such traditional sports as basketball and soccer as well as utilizing Overtime Athletics signature curriculum incorporating non-traditional sports such as kickball, relay races, and cooperative games. The camp will be held at the Darien Town Hall. Camp fee includes snacks. Full-day participants should bring lunch each day. For more information or to register, please visit February Vacation Camp. Please reach out to us with any questions at parkrec@darienct.gov or 203-656-7325.
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NEW PROGRAMMING AT THE DARIEN ARTS CENTER
Summer programs: registration is now open for Darien Arts Center Summer Camps and Classes. Sign up now at darienarts.org. The Darien Arts Center is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For questions, please call (203) 655-8683.
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CDSP “DID YOU KNOW" SERIES - #7
The Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP) is the umbrella organization for all Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) in the Darien Public School District. Each of the seven schools has three voting members, positions filled through each school’s nominating process. CDSP is not a town body, nor is it part of (or under the jurisdiction of) the Board of Education. CDSP is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, non-partisan group formed with Articles of Incorporation and governed by regularly updated By-Laws. CDSP does not belong to any one individual; it belongs to all seven PTOs – in fact, it exists to serve the PTOs, and PTOs exist to serve their school communities! CDSP functions in an advisory role but PTO Executive Boards, along with their Principals, make decisions for their respective schools. Please visit cdspdarien.org to learn more and follow CDSP Darien on Facebook and Instagram!
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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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