JUNE
Field Day Schedule (no parents allowed):

Week of June 7th:
•      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,
 
This Wednesday we had our spring Ox Ridge Building Committee update - thank you to Dave Cravanzola, construction executive for the project and Kadi Lublin, building committee member for joining this discussion. I encourage you to learn more about the work done this year and to get an update about the summer work ahead by watching the meeting here:

 
As always if you have questions or concerns about the building project, don’t hesitate to reach out!
 
Thank you to all of our Veterans in the Ox Ridge community! With Memorial Day ahead of us this weekend, be sure to thank at Veteran for their service.

Thanks,
Luke
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,

If you missed Wednesday’s Ox Ridge Building Committee update and would like to learn more about the project and the summer work ahead you can view the meeting here. You can also check out the article on the Groundbreaking Ceremony that took place last Saturday.

A huge thank you to our Social Chair, Sam Bohlen, for organizing the parent social this past Tuesday - a wonderful yoga & stretching event with Casey McBride. A good stretch and fun was had by all. We were also very excited to have one DAD join us!

We also hosted the first Ox Ridge DEI parent coffee this past week. The newly formed group had a great time brainstorming ideas to make sure we continue to foster an environment of kindness, respect and awareness throughout our parent and student community. We were thrilled that Dr. Forshaw was able to join us and participate in the conversation as well.

Please be sure to check out the OX Ridge PTO social media accounts for pictures from this week's activities.

Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all of our Veterans!

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 1st - Kristen Marchese (3rd Grade Teacher)
June 2nd - Jo-Ann Sawitsky (Secretary)
June 3rd - Shannon Hernandez (Paraeducator)
June 4th - Amanda Merjian (ELP Teacher)
June 6th - Enas Galal (OT), Kristen Dallo (Intern)
OX RIDGE NEWS
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. 

To order, log on 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. 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!   
Please contact Baye Larsen at baye.larsen@gmail.com with any questions.
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.
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.
SPRING COVID-19 UPDATES
You can find a copy of the Spring Newsletter HERE as well as a link to the published web page with updated health information.
THRIVING YOUTH TIP
According to Darien student survey data, about 50% of 7-8th grade students state that they enjoy reading or being read to. The National Summer Learning Association encourages parents to engage their children in summer reading goals, stating “Help your child read anything and everything that interests him or her.” Consider celebrating the end of the school year with a trip to the library or book store. Encourage your child to create a schedule for daily reading and set an example by letting your child see you read every day.
 
Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
COMMUNITY NEWS
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.
COME TO THE FIRST DARIEN ALUMNI ART SHOW & SALE
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, hours 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.
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. 

For more information and registration details, visit www.dariensummerschool.com
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. 
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.

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 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.

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