Ox Ridge Elementary School
February 6, 2022
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February 9th : 100th Day of School
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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BOARD OF EDUCATION'S BUDGET CALENDAR
On February 1st, the Board of Education held a Special Meeting / Public Hearing regarding the proposed 2022-2023 Darien Public School Budget. The agenda can be found here and a replay of the meeting can be found here.
Tuesday, February 8th at 7:30pm - Regular Board of Ed Meeting
- Approval of 2022-2023 Board of Education Budget
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Vote on all proposed budget additions and cuts. Agenda to follow.
All 2022-2023 Budget materials can be found here.
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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,
This week I want to highlight and celebrate two exciting and important cultural events for our students and families!
First, I encourage you to join our Ox Ridge faculty and staff in recognizing and learning about Black History this February.
With enormous thanks to our library media specialist, Mrs. Calla Tabaka for curation – I’m pleased to share this wonderful book list in honor of Black History month.
Additionally, if you are looking to enjoy some Black History events as a family, the CT Post has published an article about a number of events, some in person and others virtual, happening in our area.
This week we also celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year at Ox Ridge! Thanks to this wonderful group of students; Morgan and Dylan Murphy, Allie Sharon, Ava Gabrielle and Catherine Murphy for writing and sharing an educational article for our school community about the holiday over our morning announcements. Thanks also to Ms. Thalia Goo for supporting these student authors and for her creation of an exhibit of cultural artifacts celebrating the Lunar New Year in our halls!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
Xīn Ián Hǎo, Gong Hei Fat Choy, and Happy New Year to those who celebrated Chinese New Year this past week!
Many thanks to all who joined the Zoom with Dr. Addley last Monday regarding the budget. It is a testament to the strength of our community to have such active and engaged parents. We continue to welcome all of your questions and feedback as the BOE nears the end of the 2022-2023 budget process.
In conjunction with both Black History Month and Kindness Week, we are excited to share that the PTO gifted "Kindness Book Bundles" to each classroom last week. Each book bundle contains grade-appropriate books selected by our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team and our Special Education Reps. The purpose of these bundles is to further enrich the classroom with books that celebrate our differences and abilities, as well as promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity. Each class received between 6-10 books (depending on the grade) for a total of 196 books across the classrooms. We hope these books can provide students a lens through which to see and understand people of all backgrounds and all abilities - and helps foster an environment of kindness and acceptance within our community.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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KINDNESS WEEK IS COMING!
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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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten registration is happening online! To register your child, please go to www.darienps.org and select “Student Registration” under the “District Information” tab to start the process. More information can be found HERE.
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PREPARING STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND 504 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MMS
Please join us on Thursday, March 3rd, at 9am for an informative panel discussion and explanation of the middle school transition process for elementary students with IEPs and 504 accommodations. Please register for the panel discussion by Tuesday, March 1st. You will receive a link to the meeting the day before. Please click HERE for more details.
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ANNOUNCING THE 2022 MUSIC FOR YOUTH & DPS MUSIC DEPT. POSTER & GRAPHIC ART CONTESTS
The world-famous Dallas Brass ensemble is coming on April 22nd to celebrate this year's district-wide study of American Popular Music. Make a poster or a graphic design inspired by music from Dallas Brass! Winners of the contests will have their work displayed and be invited up on stage at the concert. The graphic art winner will have their design printed on the shirts of all 500 student musicians. The contest is open to all students, grades K-12, and there will be winners in every age group. Submissions are due at school on Tuesday, March 1st. Flyers with details and links to music will be available from music teachers or can be found HERE. Questions? Please call the district music office at 203-655-3981 x2329.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Page Berger (DEI Committee) and Dayna Checketts, Anne Cotton, & Meghan Thornton (Special Education Reps) for researching and curating the “Kindness Book Bundles” that are age-appropriate for each grade and represent people from all different backgrounds and abilities!
Kristen Smith (CDSP Rep) for attending numerous meetings, gathering feedback from our community, and representing Ox Ridge during the 2022-2023 BOE budget process!
Chelsey Pajak and Meghan Thornton (Green Team) for designing and decorating two bulletin boards in the Common room: Bee Kind (with facts about pollinators) and Eat the Rainbow (with healthy eating suggestions)!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mrs. Danielle Pimpinella (Paraprofessional) on January 31
Mrs. JoAnn Mittelstadt (Teacher) on January 31
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Last week we learned about the importance of integrity. We can continue to develop trust within our homes with hard work and discipline to do what is right. By building trust, we gain responsibility and freedom. Use this link as a guide to discuss scenarios with your family when mistakes were made, and how you might make a better choice next time.
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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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DARIEN ARTS CENTER PRESENTS LOVE NOTES
The Darien Arts Center in collaboration with JIB Productions, is delighted to announce a special performance of hilarious and heartwarming play readings celebrating Valentine’s Day and presented by Play With Your Food. Love Notes, an hour-long performance takes place on February 12th at 7pm in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required at the performance. Tickets are $40 at darienarts.org. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd, behind the Town Hall.
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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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DARIEN YOUTH COMMISSION’S SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM!
The Darien Youth Commission’s Summer Camp registration beings Monday, February 14. Registration forms will be posted on the DYC website on Thursday, 2/10; online resident registration is live Monday, 2/14. There will again be three grade-level programs taking place two sites this year: Camp Royle-1 students entering grade 1; Camp Royle-2/3 for students entering grades 2 & 3; Camp Mather (@ Holmes School) for students entering graders 4, 5 & 6. Summer camp dates are: TUESDAY, June 21 – July 29 (three, 2-week sessions). FAQ regarding pricing, program content and registration is currently on the Youth Commission website (in the Summer Camp Programs section).
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SUMMER AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT THE DARIEN NATURE CENTER
Are your kids ready for a summer filled with animal encounters and outdoor adventures? If so, send them to the Darien Nature Center! This summer the Nature Center is offering three, two-week sessions for children ages 4-9. The program runs June 27th - August 5th. A registration lottery for all 2022 Summer Camp programs will run February 1-8. For full program and pricing details visit dariennaturecenter.org/summer-camp. To be added to the Nature Center's mailing list email leah@dariennaturecenter.org.
Enrollment is now 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 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Each month has a new theme. The theme for February is Adaptations: Feathers, claws, camouflage, and more! Children will spend 90 minutes outside, exploring the different areas of Cherry Lawn Park. For more information and to register, please visit dariennaturecenter.org/after-school.
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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.
Valentine's Day Sip & Paint: Friday, February 11, 7-9pm. Grab your spouse, date, 'galentine' or best buddy for this fun night out! Bring your own beverages of choice and snacks and enjoy an evening of relaxation and creativity with DAC instructor and artist Stephanie Lush-Mastriano. All materials included and all levels welcome. $50 per person. Sign up 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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