JUNE
Field Day Schedule (no parents allowed):
  • June 7 – 1st Grade: 10 – 11:20am
  • June 7 – Kindergarten: 1:40pm – 3pm
  • June 8 – 3rd Grade: 10 – 11:20am
  • June 8 – 2nd Grade: 1 – 2:20pm
  • June 9 – 4th Grade: 1 – 2:20pm
  • June 11 – 5th Grade: 10:30 – 11:50am

Tuesday, June 15th
  • 5th Grade Graduation at Highland Farms

Wednesday, June 16th
  • Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Hi All,
 
I’ve had the great fortune to serve as a temporary chair for the Elementary District Math team this spring! This talented group of math specialists has organized a terrific newsletter, chock full of ideas to keep our kids enjoying math in these coming summer days. I strongly encourage you to spend some time this week checking out the activities and ideas listed in this summer newsletter.

Thanks,
Luke
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,

This week, we would like to give a shout-out to our 5th grade volunteers for delivering donated masks to Darien Human Services, completing our school-wide Mask Drive. Thank you also to all the families who donated masks and to our 5th Grade Coordinators Kadi Lublin and Jenn Sherman for overseeing. Check us out on social media for photos! 

Please don’t forget to order your children’s school supplies for next year. See details for ordering below, preferably by June 23rd. Thank you to Baye Larsen for organizing and compiling the orders to ensure that supply kits are delivered to your children’s classrooms by the beginning of the school year.

We are in the final stretch of this crazy year, and we would like to highlight how different fundraising was for us than in prior years. Every other year, we typically organize a large-scale fundraiser event that brings everyone together, with auction items, raffles, and other ways for parents to give back to the school. Due to the challenges of COVID, we were unable to do that this year. We also did not feel that it was appropriate to send out a direct appeal for a suggested donation per student, like we have done in the past. However, thanks to the help of our Fundraising Chairs Ellie Davidson and Megan Malone, we were still able to raise money for the school in modest ways that we hope did not put pressure or undue strain on our parents. With that said, we would like to thank all of the parents who donated in any way possible, despite the struggles everyone was experiencing. Without your donations, none of our programs would be possible!

We would also like to thank our Hoot editors, Tory BoltonMarisa Chadda, and Sara Osberg for drafting, editing, and revising content, often at a moment’s notice, and keeping us all in the loop this year!  

Moreover, a giant thank you to the entire outgoing 2020-2021 PTO slate and a warm welcome to the incoming 2021-2022 slate, which can be found here. Our PTO will be in the most capable hands going forward with Libby Cook and Mary Elizabeth Garvey at the helm! 

Only 8 days left in the school year. Let’s make them OX-some! 

Kindly,
Ashley & Beth
PTO Co-Chairs

Ashley Hinchman
(804) 405-4750
Beth Morgan
(917) 679-9018
OX RIDGE STAFF BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday to the following Ox Ridge Staff!

June 6th
Kristen Dallo (Intern)
Enas Galal (OT)

June 7th
Chris O’Connor (4th Grade Teacher)

June 8th
Thalia Goo (Learning Center Teacher)

June 10th
Ali Coupe (Paraeducator)
OX RIDGE MASK DONATION DRIVE FOR DHS A SUCCESS!

Thank you to everyone who donated masks to the Ox Ridge mask drive supporting Darien Human Services! Big shout out to our Fifth graders for leading the effort and keeping our community civic minded and thoughtful of those less fortunate. The masks donated were a combination of those brought in by OXR families and those sewn by our own Fifth and Fourth graders at a special Make Modern event! Cynthia Hall, of Darien Human Services received the donation from a group of students Wednesday afternoon at Town Hall. Keep up the great work, Ox Ridge!
OX RIDGE NEWS
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER BAND BY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9TH!
The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools is pleased to provide the opportunity for your child to take Band instrument lessons next school year. Free instrument lessons are offered on Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone Horn, and Bell Kit (with a practice pad and small xylophone). Please see the presentation and registration packet for more information. Register here. The last day to join the Band is June 9th!
ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR
Avoid the back-to-school rush! The Ox Ridge 1st-5th grade teachers have compiled their list of necessary supplies for the next school year. Order now and school supply kits will be delivered directly to your child's classroom and will be available on the first day of school. Click here to view the flyer. To order, log onto www.SuppliesToPlease.com and click on the blue "Log In" button in the top right corner. 
Username: OxRidge 
Password: ox2021 (case sensitive) 

We are encouraging families to place their orders by the end of the school year, 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. 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!  Please contact Baye Larsen with any questions.
REMINDER: CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND
Please remind your student to check the lost and found for missing belongings in the bin located near the gym. All items will be donated on Friday, June 11th.
THRIVING YOUTH TIP
Did you know just 42% of Darien 7-12th graders report having planning and decision making skills? While we want to help our children, giving them the answer robs them of the opportunity to explore, which is vital to their problem-solving and coping skills. Whether they are struggling with a problem or reveling in a success, these moments are theirs to own, not ours. When a child shares a particular struggle with you, try these conversation starters: 
  • “A few things come to mind, but first I’d like to hear what you’re thinking…”
  • “That sounds like a lot to tackle. Where do you think you’ll start?”
  • “Of all the things you have to do, which do you think are the most urgent or important?”

Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
COMMUNITY NEWS
FAMILY CONCERT AT WEED BEACH!
The Youth Commission is excited to be bringing back a Family Concert at Weed Beach! Taking place on Thursday, June 17 @ 6:00, the featured entertainer is long-time favorite Annie (of Annie & the Natural Wonder Band) & Safari Bob. In celebration of the tenacity everyone exhibited during this incredibly unusual school year, THIS CONCERT IS FREE! (SPONSORED BY THE DYC)  *Feel free to bring a picnic or buy dinner at “The Beach Grill!” * Beach permits not required to attend this event * Life guards will NOT be on duty…swimming will be at your own risk * No glass containers are allowed on the beach *
SUPPORT DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES WEEKEND MEAL PROGRAM
Darien Human Services is pleased to announce that we will begin a partnership with Filling in the Blanks weekend meal program. Filling in the Blanks is a local non-profit organization that provides food on the weekends to school aged children (https://www.fillingintheblanks.org/). Each packet consists of a variety of nonperishable food items such as oatmeal, granola bars, fruit cups, mac and cheese, canned food, tuna and chips. We will be distributing meal packets bi-weekly at Town Hall during designated times to families who struggle with food insecurity. If you have questions or would like to find out if your family meets eligibility requirements, please contact Darien Human Services 203-656-7328.
DARIEN ALUMNI ART SHOW
June 11-13, the Barn at the Mather Homestead
Come to the first Darien Alumni Art Show and Sale, where we celebrate the work of emerging Darien artists! Our juried show is organized by and features artists who came up through the Darien school system (including Ox Ridge alumni Colleen Brereton and Lily Morgan!) 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 11, 5:00-7:00, Saturday, June 12, 11:00-5:00, and will also include an artisan craft fair Sunday 11:00-5:00. All proceeds go straight to the artists.

EDITORS NOTE:
 Tory Bolton - Sept, Dec, Mar, June
 Sara Osberg - Oct, Jan, Apr
 Marisa Chadda - 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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