Ox Ridge Elementary School
May 15, 2022
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May 16th and 17th : Mad Science coming to 2nd Grade
May 17th : Parent Social Event - Floral Arranging (7pm)
May 19th : DEI Meeting @ Ox Ridge Library (9:30am)
May 23rd & 24th : 5th Grade Field Trip to Darien Historical Society
May 24th : Parent Social Event - Yoga & Wellness (9:00 am)
May 25th and 26th : Mad Science coming to 3rd Grade
May 30th : NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
June 1st & 2nd : 4th Grade Field Trip to Sound Waters
June 2nd : 5th Grade Field Trip to Fairfield Museum
June 17th : Last Day of School (early dismissal @ 1:20pm)
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
With beautiful weather now more consistently with us, I’m excited to share our plans for Ox Ridge Field Days 2022!
Thanks to Mr. Bartol and our teachers for leading the day. Given our construction site status, this event is for students only – we’ll be sure to take pictures and share!
Below is our schedule for Field Days:
• 6/3 – Grade 3 field day; 10 – 11:20
• 6/6 – Grade 1 field day; 9:30 – 10:50
• 6/6 – Kindergarten field day; 1:00 – 2:00
• 6/7 – Grade 2 field day; 10:00 – 11:20
• 6/10 – Grade 4 field day; 1 – 2:20pm
• 6/13 – Grade 5 field day; 11:00 – 12:20 with picnic to follow
Students will have a chance to play a variety of fun games, including some indoor “cosmic bowling”! We are looking forward to celebrating the year and continuing to help our students hone their sportsmanship skills!
Classroom teachers will provide more detail as we get closer.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We encourage you all to attend this Thursday’s DEI meeting at Ox Ridge. Please join us in the library (or via Zoom) at 9:30am to hear updates from the Ox Ridge representatives on the District’s DEI Team, as well as discuss the vision and goals of the Ox Ridge DEI Committee for next year. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and share your thoughts! See below for more details.
If you missed our April speaker series on Parenting in the Digital Age, please note that Tokeneke will be hosting a similar presentation on Thursday, June 2. All parents from across the district are welcome to attend - as well as 4th and 5th grade students - to hear Dr. Joan McGettigan and the Ok2Delay panel speak on these important issues. See the community news section below for details.
Finally, if you have not already reviewed the proposed PTO slate and budget for 2022-2023, please take a look and cast your vote HERE. The voting period concludes Sunday, May 22nd.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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A CONVERSATION ABOUT DEI
Join us for an open conversation on May 19th at 9:30am about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in our school district and at Ox Ridge specifically. We’ll hear updates from Dr. Forshaw and other Ox Ridge members of the District’s DEI Team. We’ll talk about the vision and role of the Ox Ridge DEI Committee moving forward and share ideas about how we can celebrate diversity, instill kindness, and promote inclusivity within our Ox Ridge Community. All are welcome to attend in person (Ox Ridge Library) or via Zoom.
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YOGA & WELLNESS AT MIDDLESEX FARM
Join us for Yoga & Wellness at the Middlesex Farm Association (7 Shields Road) on Tuesday, May 24th @ 9am. We'll start with coffee (courtesy of Ox Mom, Kristina Schuster of Smile Coffee Werks) and fresh smoothies along with tips and tricks to feel more energized (courtesy of Holistic Health Coach and Ox Mom, Jackie Blair). An amazing yoga class with Casey McBride will begin at 9:30am. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased HERE. All parents are welcome.
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OX RIDGE BUILDING SEND-OFF - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
At the end of June, Phase 2 of the construction will begin and the existing Ox Ridge building will be demolished. But before it’s turned to rubble, we plan to send it off in style! On Saturday, June 18th, students, staff and families can come celebrate the end of the school year and say FAREWELL to the old Ox Ridge by “decorating” the building with pictures and messages of love! If you’re interested in helping plan our Building Send-Off event, please click HERE. Any questions, contact Libby Cook and Mary Elizabeth Garvey.
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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].
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VOTE FOR THE 2022/2023 PTO SLATE & BUDGET
In preparation for the next school year, we invite all parents to review and vote on the proposed 2022-2023 Ox Ridge PTO Slate and Budget. As per the PTO By-Laws, the proposed slate and budget shall be posted for all PTO members to review and vote on. All parents & staff are part of the PTO and asked to vote HERE. The voting period concludes Sunday, May 22nd.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Jennifer Brauman (Grade Level Enrichment Rep) for coordinating the Kindergarten Field Trip to the Darien Nature Center!
Julie Brown (Grade Level Enrichment Rep) for coordinating the 2nd Grade Field Trip to Selleck Woods and 3rd Grade Field Trip to Stamford Museum & Nature Center!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Mrs. Amy Beazley (BCABA) on May 15
Mrs. Jess Sprague (Teacher) on May 18
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GETTING REAL ABOUT DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY PLAGUING OUR KIDS
The Darien Depot, in partnership with the Darien Library, will host a mental health discussion for parents and kids on Monday, May 16th at 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. The objective is to help de-stigmatize the topics of depression, anxiety and suicide. Renowned local psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Krasner will moderate a panel discussion between Dr. Yann Poncin, MD, a child and adolescent psychologist and Yale faculty member; Cheryl Bundy, the Chaplain and Spiritual Counselor of Silver Hill Hospital; and Jim Kuczo, the local father who started Kevin’s Afterglow to honor his son, who took his own life after a battle with depression. For more information, visit dariendepot.com.
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OPEN HOUSE AT THE DEPOT – THURSDAY, MAY 19!
Do you have a rising 6th grader? The Depot is hosting an Open House on THURSDAY, May 19th from 2:45 to 4:00pm. Come enjoy an afternoon with your child to learn about the opportunities for students and parents at the Depot in 2022-2023.
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DARIEN EMS-POST 53 WELCOMES BACK MEMORIAL DAY FOOD FAIR
Post 53, Darien’s emergency medical service, is excited to announce the return of its annual Memorial Day Food Fair at Tilly Pond. Sponsored by William Raveis, this year’s event, filled with food, live entertainment, games, ambulance tours, and a silent auction, will take place on Monday, May 30th, from 11am - 2pm. Please visit our website for times and locations to purchase tickets. This annual town tradition is Post 53’s signature fundraising event to support expenses related to patient care, continuous training, and community training events such as Hands Only CPR and Stop the Bleed classes. Post 53’s annual operating budget is 100% funded by donations. It depends on the generous contributions of friends and neighbors to maintain the highest quality of pre-hospital care for the people of Darien.
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PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: KIDS' TECHNOLOGY USAGE IN A POST-COVID WORLD
How can we help our children develop appropriate habits when using technology? Can we unwind the uptick in screen time resulting from the pandemic? Can my child navigate middle school without a smartphone? The Tokeneke PTO is hosting a panel discussion to address these questions and more and is inviting elementary school parents and children in fourth and fifth grade from across the district to attend on Thursday, June 2 at 7:00pm in the Tokeneke Common Room. Dr. Joan McGettigan, DPS Director of Instructional Technology, will discuss technology best practices and potential concerns, as well as parental controls on devices. In addition, OK-2-Delay's Marty Hendrickson and Jacqueline Telgheder will present the parent perspective on smartphones and social media, along with Caroline Hendrickson (8th grader), Ava Telgheder (8th grader), and Cole Kim (7th grader) who will speak about their experience in middle school with respect to smartphones. Please RSVP here if you would like to attend. Questions? [email protected]
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BLOOMS FOR CAMPERS
Blooms for Campers is our beloved annual fundraiser to help send children from financially fragile families to summer camp. Please consider donating to Blooms for Campers to provide a safe and carefree summer to these children and support working parents. To donate visit our website. On Saturday, June 4th (the last day of the fundraiser), OPUS volunteers and their children will tie red burlap ribbons on donors’ mailboxes and storefronts throughout town. All donors will also receive wildflower seed packets, as a symbol of gratitude for supporting the Person-to-Person Campership Program.
To volunteer on June 4th sign-up HERE. This kid friendly volunteer opportunity will begin at 10am. Help us to make the future bloom for the children of the P2P Campership Program!
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DARIEN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES PRESENTATION
Please join us on Zoom for a District-Wide Parent Coffee Series on CT-SEDs and the New CT IEP on Wednesday June 8 at 10-11am. This session will be recorded and the presentation will also be shared on the Special Education section of the District’s website. Presenters will include Ms. Shirley Klein, Dr. Scott McCarthy, Ms. Kristin O'Reilly, and Ms. Laura Straiton.
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DARIEN ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMP AND CLASS REGISTRATION
Registration is open for camps and classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, music and martial arts. Summer dance classes available for PreK-Gr.1, Gr.1-3, Teen/Adult Ballet, 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 and Cartooning Camp for Grades 1-4. To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.
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FIELD HOCKEY REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Darien Junior Field Hockey (DJFH) is now open for registration for our third season. DJFH is a not-for-profit organization led by a dedicated group of community volunteers, along with support from DHS coaches Mo Minicus and Kari Johns, who all collectively want to share their love of the sport with Darien youth athletes. At DJFH, we hope to inspire the love of the game by creating an atmosphere of positivity, inclusivity, skill development, and, most importantly, FUN!
Our Fall season runs from early September through early November, registration is now open to athletes in grades 1-8. For more information, please visit www.djfh.org.
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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 [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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