June 5th - 13th : Field Days (see schedule below)

June 8th : Darien Special Education & Student Services Zoom @ 10 am

June 9th & 10th : Discovery Museum coming to Kindergarten

June 15th : 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony at MMS

June 15th : Ox Ridge Spirit Day! Wear your Ox gear / Darien blue

June 16th : 5th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing

June 17th : Last Day of School (early dismissal @ 1:20 pm)

June 18th : Spray Goodbye to Ox Ridge - Building Send-Off

Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Hi All,
 
This week is all about reading, with a focus on home – school connections! First up, thanks to our team of district library media specialists for their collaboration in curating a book list for interested families in recognition of Pride Month this June! Listed is a range of thoughtfully selected books for you and your family to consider reading at home this month.
 
Next up, we encourage all students to participate in the Darien Library Summer Reading Challenge! Students will have the opportunity to listen to pre-recorded book talks from our partners at the Darien Public Library and are taught about the exciting “Expedition Blue Wave” challenge the library sponsors from June 20th – August 14th. Learn more and make a summer reading plan by visiting our Ox Ridge Library website and checking out some of the book talks with your child at home.
 


Thanks,
Luke
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,

Our final event of the 2021-2022 school year is going to be a BIG one…the PTO is hosting an event to “SPRAY GOODBYE” to the Old Ox Ridge! We hope your family will come and join in the fun as we send the old building off in style before the demolition begins.  See more details below.
 
Also, we have our last Ox Ridge Spirit Day on Wednesday, June 15th for all students in ELP through 4th Grade. Please encourage your student(s) to wear their Ox gear as we celebrate our 5th Graders on graduation day!

XO OX,
  
PTO Co-Chairs
OX RIDGE NEWS
"SPRAY GOODBYE" TO OX RIDGE - BUILDING SEND OFF
Come say FAREWELL to the old Ox Ridge building one last time before it is demolished! All students and staff are invited to come “decorate” the building with pictures and messages of love on Saturday, June 18th from 9:30 am - 12 pm. Before it’s turned to rubble, let’s send it off in style! 

Purchase a “Demolition Art Kit” to decorate any exterior area of the old building - walls, doors, windows, portables…all are fair game! Kits are $18 and include Spray Chalk, Goblies Throwable Paintballs, Window Markers, and more! Bring cash to enjoy a Mr. Softee and check out the Outfitters discount sale.

To sign-up, please purchase your “Demolition Art Kits” via Pay4School. The order deadline is Wednesday, June 15th. Kits will be distributed at the event.

All art materials are washable, but we suggest you dress for mess! Building Send-Off will occur rain or shine. Please note this is NOT a drop-off event.
OX RIDGE SPIRIT DAY (ELP - 4TH GRADE STUDENTS) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
It’s our final Ox Ridge Spirit Day of the school year!  All students in ELP through 4th Grade are encouraged to wear their Ox Ridge gear or Darien Blue Wave themed (just plain ol’ BLUE will also do!) on Wednesday, June 15th.  It’s graduation day for our 5th Graders and as part of the tradition, the rest of the school will clap them out on their way to the graduation ceremony.  Help us show our support and celebrate our 5th Graders’ accomplishments as they head off to MMS!
OX RIDGE FIELD DAYS
Field days are here! These will be held by grade level with rotating stations and activities, including indoor cosmic bowling. Unfortunately, due to the construction, parents are not allowed on campus to spectate this year. Don't forget to send your student to school in their assigned team color!
Field Day Dates
1st grade: Monday, June 6 9:30–10:50am
Kindergarten: Monday, June 6 1:00–2:00pm
2nd grade: Tuesday, June 7 10:00–11:20am
4th grade: Friday, June 10 1:00–2:20pm
5th grade: Monday, June 13 11:00–12:20 with a picnic to follow
ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR
Can you believe it?! Its that time again....Avoid the back-to-school rush! Order now and 1st-5th grade school supply kits will be delivered directly to your child's classroom on the first day of school. To order, log on to www.SuppliesToPlease.com and click on the blue "Log In" button in the top right corner. 
Username: OxRidge 
Password: ox2022 (case sensitive) 
Please place your order by June 23. You will receive a confirmation email once your order is placed. If you do not receive an email, please contact Supplies to Please that day. Click here to view the flyer. Please contact Dr. Forshaw for information about school supply scholarships. When purchasing your kit(s), please consider making a donation to the Darien Human Services' Back-to-School program to help provide much-needed school supplies and other services to local families in need. This is a high need year!  Questions? Contact Jeanne Zimmer at [email protected].
5TH GRADE PARENTS - ORDER MMS SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Order online now for next year until June 17th. *A portion of the proceeds benefit MMS.* More information in the attached FLYER.
To order: 
USERNAME: Middle
PASSWORD: mms2022 (case sensitive)
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RESERVE YOUR SPOT: FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER THIS FALL 
Reserve your spot now for our fall Family Photo Day Fundraiser! Get your holiday photos done early! The talented Karen Morneau is back to create beautiful photos once again! This wonderful event is both a fundraiser for the PTO (the sitting fee will go directly towards Ox Ridge PTO Fundraising) and an ideal way to create a cherished family memory.  Sessions will be held on September 26th (Weed Beach), October 7th (Weed Beach), October 15 (Cherry Lawn Park), and October 16 (Mead Park). Each session lasts 15-20 minutes, during which Ms. Morneau will take multiple pictures of your family. Shortly thereafter, your gallery will be emailed to you for viewing, with options to purchase digital proofs and/or prints. 
Spots fill quickly! Please use the following link to sign up: Family Photo Day Sign Up. You will receive a reminder closer to the date to submit payment for the $75 sitting fee. Email Erika Rodormer with any questions.
ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS - MMS BOOK FAIR AT BARRETT BOOKSTORE
Did you know all incoming 6th graders have a required reading book during the Summer? MMS Parents Association can help!  Shop local and support the Middlesex Parents Association during the MMS Book Fair at Barrett Bookstore: Tuesday, June 7th - Thursday, June 9th! Hours are 10am - 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 10 am - 8 pm on Thursday. Join us for a cocktail and snack from 6pm-8pm on Thursday while you shop!
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 June 17.
CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS

Jen Sherman (Grade Level Enrichment Rep) for facilitating the 4th Grade Field Trip to Sound Waters AND the 5th Grade Field Trip to the Fairfield Museum!
 
Lauren Stisser & Katherine Grambling (Kids Care Club) for bringing in the Darien Land Trust, whose mission is to preserve and restore open spaces within our town. The kids received properties to visit this summer as a family, and ways in which they can help this wonderful organization.  Thank you for teaching about community service and encouraging the Ox Ridge students to give back!  
 
Mary Wade for sharing her time & talent to photograph our 5th Grade class, and for her help printing the photos for students as part of the 5th Grade Class Gift Fundraiser Project! 
 
Clair Raver for helping frame the photos that the 5th graders’ gifted to the 5th grade teachers, Dr. Forshaw & Mrs. Ulreich!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF

Miss Enas Galal (Teacher) on June 6
Mr. Chris O'Connor (Teacher) on June 7
Miss Thalia Goo (Teacher) on June 8
COMMUNITY NEWS
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENTS
Supporting Students and Families Through Challenging Times - Presented By: Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut. Kate-Lynd Murphy LCSW & Shari Fanelli, LPC will present on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 1:00 PM. Zoom link: https://darienps.zoom.us/j/93082459527. Meeting ID: 930 8245 9527
2022-2023 DEPOT YOUTH CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Attention rising 6th graders! The 2022-2023 Depot Middle School program registration opens on MONDAY, JUNE 6TH.  Check out these popular programs:
  • Choose Love
  • Garden Club
  • Weird Science
  • Depot Drop Zone
  • Friday Night Friends
 Be sure to register June 6th at 9:00 am as space is limited. See you at the Depot!
DARIEN ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES
Registration is open for camps and classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, music and martial arts. Summer DANCE classes include Dance Beginnings (PreK), Preschool Dance (PreK-Gr.1), Summer Ballet (Gr.1-3), Teen/Adult Ballet (Gr.9-Adult), Ballet Intensive (Gr.6-12) and Dance Intensive (Gr. 4-8). Spots are also available in ART! DANCE! MUSIC! Camp for kids from preschool through 1st grade, CARTOONING Camp for Grades 1-4 and MARTIAL ARTS for all ages. To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.
DARIEN ARTS CENTER IS NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL CLASSES
DANCE classes for ages 3 & up include Ballet, Hip Hop, Broadway Dance, Teen Lyrical & Contemporary. 
VISUAL ARTS classes for kids include Cartooning, Digital illustration, Drawing/Painting, Mixed Media & Collage, and Caregiver & Me: Create! Adults can choose from Colored Pencil Drawing and fun workshops including a Sip and Paint.
Private MUSIC lessons are available in piano, voice, guitar and strings, flute or percussion instruments, and group classes in ukulele, guitar, or a Caregiver and Me: Music class!
MARTIAL ARTS classes are available for all ages
To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683
DARIEN ALUMNI ART SHOW AT MATHER HOMESTEAD
Following our huge success last year, the Darien Alumni Art Show and Sale is back again! Our juried show is organized by and features artists who came up through the Darien school system (including Ox Ridge graduates) and who continue to practice art -- come and show your kids what a future with art looks like! Gallery show opens with a launch party Friday June 10 5-7 pm, show hours Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12 11:00-5:00. On Saturday and Sunday, we also have an artisan craft, selling notecards, T-shirts, prints and other smaller items. We will also have music by Darien students present and past. Admission is free and all proceeds go straight to the artists. Questions? Email Brenda Whittaker

EDITORS NOTE:
Sara Osberg - Sept, Dec, Mar, June
Tory Bolton - Oct, Jan, Apr
Baye Larsen - Nov, Feb, May

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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