Ox Ridge Elementary School
May 23, 2021
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Sunday, May 23rd
- Spring Book Fair Final Day (virtual, details below)
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
Wednesday, June 16th
- Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)
**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
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
Please see a “rerun” of field day information from last week as a reminder! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
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.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
Today marks the close of our virtual spring Book Fair and Outfitters sale. We would like to thank our Book Fair Chair, Linda Roe, for organizing the book sale and teacher eWallets and our Outfitters Chairs, Christine Auh and Danielle Paccione, for handling the spirit-wear sales and hand-delivering all of the orders. Please note you may still purchase items $20 and under on the Outfitters webpage at any time. The Book Fair was just a tax-free period in which we were able to sell Outfitters items over $20. Thank you to all of you who purchased books and/or spirit-wear or contributed to our teachers’ eWallets over the last 2 weeks!
Last Sunday’s mask-making event at Make Modern in support of the 5th Graders' mask drive was a big success, thanks to the diligence of our 5th and 4th Grade volunteer sewers! These Ox students each made three masks, two to donate to Darien Human Services and one to take home. Thank you to our 5th Grade Coordinators Kadi Lublin and Jenn Sherman for organizing. Check us out on social media for photos of the event, and please see below for details on how you can donate to the 5th Graders’ mask drive.
We are pleased to announce that next year’s PTO slate and budget have been finalized! We owe a giant thank you to our Nominating Chairs, Beth Hesse and Erica Van Wyck, for their hard work in filling all of the positions and to our Treasurer, Danielle Craig, for all of her advising and managing of budget this year and for adapting the budget for next year. See below for links to next year’s slate and budget, both of which we invite you all to vote on via the link below.
Reminders for this week are: (1) yoga/stretching social event for parents on Tuesday at 10am, (2) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion BYO coffee at Pear Tree on Wednesday at 9:30am, and (3) new building construction update Zoom on Wednesday at 7:30pm. See details for all of these events below.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Kindly,
Ashley & Beth
PTO Co-Chairs
CORRECTION: In last week’s Co-Chair Note, we gave special recognition and thanks to our school nurses, Yvonne Dempsey and Kimberly Pierre-Louis. However, Ms. Pierre-Louis is no longer with Ox Ridge. Our second school nurse is now Kashym Jean Baptiste, and on behalf of the PTO we sent her (along with Mrs. Dempsey) a gift card as a small token of our appreciation.
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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 24th: Lizzie Hayes (5th Grade Teacher)
May 25th: Paula Logan (Paraeducator)
May 26th: Derek Amato (PE Teacher) & Toni-Ann Rongoe (4th Grade 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, but if you’re not keen on getting on a mat, just come for the coffee and casual conversation.
To RSVP please Venmo $15 to @Samantha-Bohlen with the memo "OX Mom Event."
NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The Ox Ridge Building Committee hosted a small ceremony to mark the project being underway this past Saturday. Channel 79 covered the event and their recording can be viewed here. (And be sure to check out the photos from the ceremony on the Ox Ridge PTO social media accounts!)
For more construction updates and discussion on what to expect when returning to school in the fall, please join us for a community presentation this Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30pm via Zoom The event will be recorded for those who are unable to join, but participation is always appreciated! Join via Zoom here.
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SPRING BOOK FAIR ENDS TODAY, MAY 23rd!!
Don't miss the last chance to purchase books at our virtual book fair! All purchases support Ox Ridge. Click here to start shopping.
To make a donation to any teacher’s or psychologist's classroom library, please consult this Google Doc to find the links to all of our teachers' and psychologists' eWallets.
LAST DAY TO BUY OX RIDGE OUTFITTERS ITEMS > $20 - SUNDAY, MAY 23RD!
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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VOTE FOR THE 2021/2022 PTO SLATE & BUDGET
In preparation for the next school year, we invite all parents to review and vote on the 2021-2022 Ox Ridge PTO Slate and Budget:
All parents are part of the PTO and welcome to vote here.
Consider getting involved and give back to enrich the experience of our students and staff! Most positions are already filled, but please reach out to our Nominating chairs if you are interested in learning more and helping out: Beth Hesse and Erica Van Wyck.
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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SUPPORT THE 5th GRADE MASK DRIVE
The 5th Grade students are organizing a school-wide mask drive for Darien Human Services this week (May 24-28). Please consider sending your child in with one (or a few) new cloth or disposable masks to donate. Some of our 5th grade students kicked off the donation collection with some handmade creations! (check out the pics on the Ox Ridge PTO social media accounts!) If you have any questions, please contact Jenn Sherman at jenniferwsherman@gmail.com
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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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.
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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The Search Institute’s research recommends giving children a say in family activities, whenever possible. As restrictions are lifted and we can envision a more normal summer, spend a family dinner brainstorming how you would like to spend time in the coming months as a family. What kind of memories do you want to make together? Do you want to do a summer reading challenge? Spend days at the beach? Try some new restaurants? Plan a fun road trip? Consider posting the list on a fridge or bulletin board where you will see it often. Make sure each family member gets to weigh in.
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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REGISTER FOR THE DARIEN YMCA AFTER SCHOOL KIDS PROGRAM
The Darien YMCA has openings in it's After School Kids Club Program. Kids Club is an ideal after-school program for children of active and working parents. Kids Club is a state-licensed program designed for children age 3 through 5th grade. Participating children can ride the “Y Bus” directly from their Darien school to the Kids Club program held at the Darien YMCA. There they are met by the Kids Club staff who create a supportive environment for after-school fun. Children may stay as late as 6:30 PM. Depending on the age of the children in the group, typical activities include homework time, indoor/outdoor games, snacks, arts and crafts, cooking, and special events. Whether in the gym or the classroom, Kids Club incorporates the national YMCA’s values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility in its curriculum. Kids Club follows the Darien public school calendar. The program operates during all early dismissal days and conference days. We welcome children of all abilities.
Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year is open. You can register online or at the YMCA front desk.
For further info, contact Suzanne Richards, Director of Youth Development & Special Needs Programs at (203) 655-8228 ext 1331 or srichards@darien-ymca.org.
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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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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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