Ox Ridge Elementary School
May 16, 2021
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May 10th - 23rd
- Spring Book Fair (virtual, details below)
Sunday, May 16th
- 5th Grade Make Modern Mask-Making Event for Mask Drive
Tuesday, May 25th
- Parent Social: Yoga & Stretching w/ Casey McBride
Wed, May 26th
- 9:30 am: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Parent Coffee at Pear Tree (details below)
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7:30 pm: Ox Ridge Building Construction Update via Zoom (click here for Zoom link)
Tuesday, June 15th
- 5th Grade Graduation at Highland Farms
June 16th
- Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
With the beautiful weather now more consistently with us, I’m excited to share our plans to return to our wonderful Ox Ridge field day tradition!
Thanks to Mr. Bartol and our teachers for leading the day. Given health and safety requirements, this event is for students only – we’ll be sure to take pictures and share!
Below is our schedule for Field Days:
• 6/7 – Grade 1 field day; 10 – 11:20am
• 6/7 – Kindergarten field day; 1:40pm – 3pm
• 6/8 – Grade 3 field day; 10 – 11:20am
• 6/8 – Grade 2 field day; 1 – 2:20pm
• 6/9 – Grade 4 field day; 1 – 2:20pm
• 6/11 – Grade 5 field day; 10:30 – 11:50am
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 teacher will provide more detail as we get closer.
Please also consider this “plug” from our own, terrific head school nurse – Mrs. Yvonne Dempsey. Even during this most challenging of nursing years, she still has fuel in her tank to run the NYC Marathon for others!
Hi everyone, I’m shamefully plugging my running the marathon this fall!
I’m running to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Thanks for any consideration ahead of time.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
This week we celebrated National School Nurses’ Day and our wonderful Ox nurses, Yvonne Dempsey and Kimberly Pierre-Louis. This year more than ever we want to thank them for their service to our school and the greater community. They have done a remarkable job and we are forever grateful for their countless hours and their compassion for our students and families. On behalf of the PTO we sent them a gift card as a small token of our appreciation.
Our Spring Virtual Book Fair is live and open through May 23rd. Please consider donating to your teachers' classroom libraries this week through their eWallet - see full details below.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Kindly,
Ashley & Beth
PTO Co-Chairs
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Ashley Hinchman
(804) 405-4750
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Beth Morgan
(917) 679-9018
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OX RIDGE STAFF BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday to the following Ox Ridge Staff!
May 18th: Jessica Sprague (Learning Center Teacher)
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REMINDER: OX MOM's MORNING OUT: YOGA & STRETCHING WITH CASEY MCBRIDE
Join us on Tuesday, May 25th for a Mom's morning of Yoga and Stretching with Casey McBride at 52 Dorchester Rd. Class will begin at 10am but feel free to arrive anytime after 9:30 to set up your mat, grab a coffee and chat with friends. ALL levels welcome.
To RSVP please Venmo $15 to @Samantha-Bohlen
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SPRING BOOK FAIR (VIRTUAL, May 10th - 23rd)
We are working hard to keep kids reading and raise critical funds for Ox Ridge with our Scholastic Online-Only Book Fair from May 10-23, 2021. The Fair will connect your kids to notable books and inspiring characters, helping them become lifelong readers. Scholastic’s virtual platform has been improved since the fall, and you can now shop much more easily for Book Fair exclusives by flipping through an interactive virtual book list (see virtual flyer here). There is also a new option to create an eWallet for your child(ren) that can be shared with family and friends so they can contribute funds for your child(ren) to use to purchase books. Plus, enjoy these special online shopping features:
⦁Over 6,000 products
⦁All orders ship direct to home
⦁Free shipping on book-only orders over $25
⦁All purchases support Ox Ridge and earn 25% in rewards
Visit the Ox Ridge Book Fair homepage here to learn more and to get started creating an eWallet for your child(ren).
You can also donate money to your children’s teacher’s eWallet so that he/she can purchase books for the classroom. Please click here to access teacher eWallet details. Contact your Room Parent if you don’t see a link for your teacher/class listed.
PLACE YOUR ORDER: LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE OX RIDGE GEAR THIS YEAR
Ox Ridge Outfitters is offering items over $20 for purchase tax-free, including sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, and blankets. Get in the spirit this week and get them while you can! Orders are being hand-delivered to local addresses.
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RESERVE YOUR SPOT: FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER!
Reserve your spot now for our Family Photo Day Fundraiser! Returning by popular demand, the talented Karen Morneau Photography will hold sessions on October 2nd at Tilly Pond and October 3rd at Farm Creek Preserve in Rowayton. There will also be late afternoon sessions (4-6pm only) on October 1st and 2nd at Weed Beach. This wonderful event is both a fundraiser for the school (Ms. Morneau graciously donates 100% of the $75 sitting fee to the PTO) and an ideal way to create a cherished family memory. Your four-legged family members are more than welcome too! This professional photography session will be 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. In addition, if you sign up before September 1st, you will receive a complimentary 5x7 print!
Sign up here before all slots are filled. You will receive a reminder closer to the date to submit payment for the $75 sitting fee. See flyer here for more information, and email Libby Cook with any questions.
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JOIN THE OX RIDGE DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION PARENT COFFEE
Ox Ridge's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team is a new PTO group formed to promote kindness, respect, and awareness throughout our parent and student community. Ox Ridge parents are invited to join us for BYO coffee (and chair) at Pear Tree Beach on Wednesday, May 26th at 9:30-10:30am for a forum to discuss ideas and plan for 2021-22 school year. If you would like to be a part of the discussion, please RSVP to jenclarkrichardson@outlook.com.
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MMS SUPPLIES FOR 5th GRADERS: PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY
Order online now for next year until June 23rd. *A portion of the proceeds benefits MMS.* More information in the attached FLYER.
To order:
USERNAME: Middle
PASSWORD: mms2021 (case sensitive)
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You can find a copy of the Spring Newsletter HERE as well as a link to the published web page with updated health information.
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Did you know: 1 in 5 children will suffer from a mental health disorder before the age of 18?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a parent, you play a critical role in starting the conversation with your child about mental health and wellness. If you notice your child feeling hopeless, overly worried or losing interest in things they used to enjoy- talk with them about what you're observing. Listen without judgment and ask what you can do to help.
Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
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REGISTER FOR DARIEN SUMMER SCHOOL & ENRICHMENT
Registration for Darien Summer School and Enrichment programming is open now through June 21. Elementary school courses include Leap Ahead Reading/Writing/Math, Word Detectives, Summer Academy (5th to 6th grade transition), Art Workshop, Sports & Arts Camp, and more.
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FIGHT FOR FRANK - DONOR DRIVE-THROUGH - MAY 22ND
Frank Colandro, owner of Mama Carmella's Deli in Darien, was recently diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and is in need of a stem cell transplant ASAP. His doctors are searching the registry and you could be the match! It takes only ten minutes and is a simple cheek swab. There will be a donor drive-through from 9am-4pm on May 22nd at the Noroton Heights Train Station (entrance from Hollow Tree Ridge Road) for 18-44 year olds. Click here for the flyer.
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DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL ADOPT-A-SENIOR
Thank you to all the families that signed up to “adopt” a DHS senior and brighten a Class of 2021 graduate’s day! Match emails with details about your senior were sent out last week; if you signed up and didn’t receive your confirmation (check your spam folder!), please email adopt.a.dhs.senior@gmail.com.
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YWCA PARENT AWARENESS PRESENTS: WHAT EVERY GIRL NEEDS TO KNOW
Monday May 24th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM via Zoom
This is a straightforward talk about the physical and emotional changes that come with female puberty with Diane Frankel-Gramelis, MS, CCE, Adjunct Professor at SCSU, Public Health Practice Coordinator at Yale University, and Health and Wellness Coach. Some of the topics that will be covered: basic female anatomy, physical changes (body odor, body hair, breast development), hormones, periods, emotions. This is NOT a sex talk; it is a starting point for further discussions about a girl’s changing body. Is my girl ready to attend: Only you know, but if she’s beginning to show signs of puberty – breast changes, pubic and underarm hair etc. – attending this event together is recommended. Registration is required: https://ywcadn.org/parent-awareness
Note: If you cannot attend the live program, a recording will be available on the YWCA’s Parent Awareness page.
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POST 53 MEMORIAL DAY FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT DARIEN EMS
Darien EMS-Post 53 has made the difficult decision not to host its largest fundraiser - the annual Memorial Day Food Fair - due to continued concerns about large gatherings. In connection with Palmer’s Market, we invite you to support Post 53 by purchasing a Food Fair to Go grill pack including the fan favorites from the Food Fair. As an all-volunteer organization, we depend entirely on the support of our community to purchase life-saving equipment and supplies for patient care. Food Fair to Go will be packaged in a tote bag and available for pickup at Palmer’s Market on Sunday May 30th from 10-1pm. A large and small Food Fair to Go package ($200 and $100 respectively) will be available for purchase on our website https://post53.org and sold by our young adult Post 53 members at various locations May 15, 16, 21, and 22.
Come see us after the Memorial Day parade at Tilley Pond Park for ambulance tours, Hands Only CPR and Stop the Bleed training, all with proper disinfection procedures.
Contact: Dawn Edgar/Kate O’Brien
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ROLE OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Role of Social Emotional Learning in Special Education by Michael Gilberg, Attorney at Law and Meghan Cave, BCBA and CEO of the Hangout Spot
Thursday, May 20, 2021, 10-11am, Webinar
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Meghan Cave, and Attorney-at-Law, Michael Gilberg, will discuss the benefit of social emotional learning experiences in the classroom and the requirement to provide a social emotional curriculum in public schools. Their presentation will focus on prioritizing skills for instruction, the use of evidenced-based programming, progress monitoring and the legal perspective of COVID-19 compensatory services.
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LEARN ABOUT THE DEPOT YOUTH CENTER
The Depot Youth Center is holding an Open House for all rising 6th, 7th & 8th graders and parents to learn about Depot middle school programs and opportunities in the 2021-2022 school year. Drop-in after school on Friday, May 21st , from 12:30-2:30pm. Mr. Softee will be on-site handing out free ice cream and the concession will be open selling snacks.
The Depot is located at 25 Heights Road in Darien!
Rain or shine! Please wear a mask and register here.
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OPUS SUMMER SOIREE - BUY YOUR DINNER & BID ON AMAZING ITEMS
Don’t miss your chance to take part in the party that you so very much deserve, without the risk associated with an in-person gathering.
On Thursday, May 20th & Friday, May 21st, OPUS for Person-to-Person is offering dinner and drinks for two delivered to your doorstep. Each night has a unique menu from South End, Uncorked and The Back End. Buy tickets now, before the May 13th deadline.
Plus, set a reminder for our silent auction, which will run from 9 AM on Thursday, May 13 to 9 PM on Saturday, May 22. Please bid on these amazing prizes to help support local families in need! Package highlights include:
· Boozy cooking class with Darien Butcher Shop and Sipsters
· Summer BBQ party from Palmers
· Kid's fire truck birthday party
· Golf + lunch for 3 at The Country Club of Fairfield
Net proceeds will support OPUS's "Baby Basics" program (in which layettes are given to new moms in need referred to Person-to-Person by hospital social workers) and provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in Lower Fairfield County via Person-to-Person.
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REGISTER NOW FOR DARIEN ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMPS
The DAC is offering several summer camps, classes & workshops for ages 3 & up. Find out more and register at darienarts.org. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd, behind the Town Hall. For questions, call (203) 655-8683.
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Art! Dance! Music! Camp - Ages 3-6, Mon-Thurs, 10am-12:45pm. Session 1: June 7-June 10, Session 2: June 14-June 17, Session 3: June 21-June 24. Tuition: 1 session: $265, 2 sessions: $500, 3 sessions: $700
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Cartooning/ Comic Strip Camp - July 12-15, 9:30-11:30am, $176.00, Grades 1-4.
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Kids Love Printmaking Workshop - July 19-22, 2:45-4:45pm, Grades 5-8, $180.00.
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Fantasy Map Design - Here Be Dragons! Lord of the Rings worlds, Narnia, Hogwarts, Atlas & others - Grades 5-8, July 19- 23, Mon-Fri, 10:15am-1:15pm (20 min break), $350.00.
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Children’s Martial Arts - Grades 1-6, July 6-Aug 17, Tues, 5-6pm, $160.00.
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Teen/Adult Martial Arts - July 6-Aug 17, Tues, 6:30-7:30pm, $160.00.
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Private Music Lessons, Email DAC Music Director Director juanita@darienarts.org for summer lessons
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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.
See what's happening on our social media sites:
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