MARCH
Tuesday, March 16th
  • Author Visit with Alicia D. Williams (ELP-3) 9:30am (rescheduled from Feb 24)

Wednesday, March 17th
  • Ox Appreciation Staff Luncheon

Wednesday, March 17th - Friday, March 19th
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal)

Friday, March 26th
  • Moms’ Night Out at Dance on the DL 7:30pm (see details below!)
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Hi All,
 
Thanks to “Music for Youth” and our wonderful music educators for studying and celebrating the works of Beethoven this year! Many of our students participated in the “Music for Youth” Beethoven poster contest and we awarded prizes to our contest winners! Congratulations to the winners listed below.

Also below is a picture of all of our Ox Ridge winners with yours truly, Ms. Ulreich and our district director of music, Mrs. Colleen Thompson! Thank you to all the students who participated and thank you for promoting a continued love of music education in our kids!

Also – enjoy our student string performances, thanks to Mx. Rowan Whitesail!

Thanks,
Luke
Music for Youth winners
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,

This week we have Parent/Teacher Conferences and early dismissal Wednesday through Friday. The Conference Week Staff Luncheon will be catered by Michael Joseph's on Wednesday. Many thanks to our Ox Appreciation Chairs, Kate Johnson and Liz Riva, for planning this thoughtful treat for all of our amazing teachers and staff.

We hope to see some of you on the dance floor for Mom’s Night out at Dance on the DL on Friday, March 26 at 7:30pm. If you’re interested Register Here and see below for more details.

Have a great week!

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!

March 18 - Sonia Almonte (Art Teacher)

OX RIDGE NEWS
info session
GRADES 3-8 STANDARDIZED TESTING INFORMATION SESSION
Please join us on March 25th at 1:00 p.m. for a testing information session regarding spring standardized assessments for students in grades 3-8. This session provides an overview of Smarter Balanced Assessments and the Next Generation Science Standards Assessment. Immediately following the general session, information regarding testing for fully remote learners will be shared. The session will be recorded and available on the District website.
JOIN THE OX RIDGE PTO
Ox Ridge PTO is looking for volunteers for the 2021-2022 slate and we need your support! There are many great opportunities for you to get involved and give back to your school. This is a wonderful way to meet new parents and better our school. Please see the following open positions:
  • Back-to-School Supplies: Order and coordinate delivery of back-to-school kits for 1st-5th graders
  • Book Fair: Work with a team of volunteers to organize, oversee and operate a successful Book Fair twice a year
  • Music for Youth: This is a district-wide enrichment program funded by DPS parents and coordinated by the Music Department. Responsible for collecting checks when contributions are requested and helping the artist(s) who come to school for programs.
  • Photography Coordinator: Organize family photo shoot fundraiser in the fall: secure dates and location for photo sessions, advertise to school, organize volunteers and collect payments.
  • Website: Update PTO website weekly and as needed. Knowledge of WordPress or ability to learn it is a plus.
  • Yearbook: All aspects of creating annual Hootie's Nest yearbook, including getting photographs, communicating with class parents, overseeing ordering and distribution. Work can be done at home or school. Looking for co-chair and committee members.

For more detailed PTO slate descriptions, please see the Ox Ridge PTO website or reach out to the Nominating Chairs, Beth Hesse or Erica Van Wyck to discuss any open positions.
YEARBOOK ORDERS
Not sure if you ordered a yearbook? Check this list. If your name is on it, your kid(s) will receive a yearbook at the end of the school year! If your name is not on the list, you have not placed an order yet. You can place an order by clicking this link. The cost is $22 per yearbook. If you are ordering multiple yearbooks for each of your children, please fill out their names, grade and homeroom teacher individually, adding each yearbook to the cart one at a time. If you are ordering one yearbook for your children to share, please enter the name, grade and homeroom teacher of the child who should receive the yearbook at the end of the school year.
DANCE ON THE DL WITH OX MOMS! 
Join us for a Moms' Night Out at Dance on the DL on Friday, March 26, at 7:30pm! $25 per person.  Space is limited. Let's shake our tail feathers together for some socially distanced, mask-wearing, pop locking fun! Register here. You will see a "SIGN UP" button on the page. Click that and then follow the necessary prompts. If you would like any information about the air-purifying/filtration systems at the studio or capacity details, please do not hesitate to reach out to Samantha Bohlen with any questions or concerns. We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy a night out together!
GET INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLESEX PARENTS ASSOCIATION (MPA)
The MPA is seeking parent volunteers for next year’s slate to help support the many great initiatives offered to our students, teachers and MMS community. There are many ways to give back to your child’s school that do not require a significant time commitment and it’s a wonderful way to meet new parents and enhance your child’s MMS experience. If you are new to MMS or just haven’t had the chance to get involved yet, we welcome your help! If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Nominating Co-Chairs and they will be happy to discuss various open positions that might best suit your interests! 
THRIVING YOUTH TIP
What do I do after snapping at my children? Psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, reminds us that all parents snap at their children and the most important thing is what happens after you lose your cool. Lackshmin’s shares two suggestions for parents: 1) Acknowledge your mistake: after you’ve calmed down, apologize to your child in an age-appropriate way. “I’m sorry I yelled, I got frustrated, but it’s not your fault I lost my cool. Here’s how I could have handled it better.” 2) Give yourself a time out: if possible, sneak in a quick walk, call or text a friend, scream into a pillow or do a five minute meditation on an app like Calm, Headspace or Insight Timer. 

Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
COMMUNITY NEWS
NEW WORKSHOP AT THE DARIEN ARTS CENTER! 
The Mystery of Magic with Steve Dane | Grades 5-8 | Saturday, March 20, 3-4:30pm | $55
Learn a fun and direct approach to the mystery of close-up magic and entertainment! Students will learn multiple tricks & effects (and their secrets), along with easy handling tips. Students will learn “self-working” and “sleight of hand” using cards, coins, bills and everyday objects. Sign up at darienarts.org.
SCOUTS BSA TROOP 219 INVITES ALL 5TH GRADE GIRLS!
Scouts BSA Troop 219, the all-female Scouts BSA troop in Darien, invites all 5th Grade girls who like adventure and the outdoors to come check us out on Saturday, March 20th, from 1-3pm at The Scout Cabin, 140 Post Rd. Come see what we're all about! Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
EGGS-TRAORDINARY EGG HUNT!
Looking for a fun, family-friendly spring activity? The Darien Youth Commission invites you to participate in its “EGGS-TRAORDINARY EGG HUNT!” Starting Monday, 3/22 through Saturday, 4/3, there will be a “scavenger hunt” with 13 clues posted on the DYC website (www.darienct.gov/yc). The answer to each clue will lead you to a place in town where a picture of an egg is posted. (Leaving the egg there for others to find is a MUST!) Take a photo of each egg and send to [email protected]. Each egg has a letter attached to it spelling a special message. The first group to send photos of all 13 eggs and solve the mystery message is the winner! Scavenger Hunt will be posted on Monday, 3/22/21 @ 9:00 a.m.
YOUTH COMMISSION PARTNERS WITH P2P ON DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Our drive-through food drive that we sponsored in December was remarkably successful. But we need to do it again! The unprecedented hunger and food-insecurity challenging our friends and neighbors continues to be a reality. And our food banks and pantries continue with the struggle to meet these needs. We desperately need your help! The DYC is partnering once again with Person-2-Person (P2P) by sponsoring another Drive-Through Food-Drive. Taking place on Saturday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon in the West Ave. train Station Parking Lot (Koons Lot, across from Tilley Pond Park), screened and masked volunteers will remove donations from donors’ cars. (Donors will be asked to remain in their cars.) Visit the DYC website for additional details and list of most needed items.
DJFL FALL 2021 REGISTRATION!
Welcome to the Darien Junior Football League’s (DJFL) 2021 season. We are looking forward to another fun, exciting and safe year. The DJFL program runs in the Fall and consists of tackle football (grades 4-8), modified travel flag football (grades 3-4) and flag football (grades 1-3). DJFL registration period opens on April 1 and will remain open through July 31st. Register before May 15th and save $100. Go to DJFL.org to register on April 1st and learn more about our youth football programs! 
DARIEN YMCA SUMMER CAMP: A PLACE FOR KIDS TO UNPLUG THIS SUMMER! 
Choose from a variety of day camp for children ages 3 – 15.  Kids will have a chance to be adventurous, active and healthy all summer long. Parents can choose from one of the Y’s four camp programs which include a pre-school, school-age, gymnastics, or special needs program. Each of these YMCA camp programs offers children fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, discover new interests, and create memories that last a lifetime. Camp runs from Monday, June 21 – Friday, August 14.  Families can choose any of our one-week sessions. Registration is now open. To learn more about the Darien YMCA’s camp programs, please visit our website or contact Suzanne Richards, Director of Youth Development and Special Needs Programs at (203) 655-8228 ext. 1331, [email protected]. For Gymnastics Camp information, please contact Nicole Kapitan at [email protected]

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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