Ox Ridge School
November 1, 2020
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November 2nd (Mon):
- We the People, a Virtual Musical Revue (Grades 3-5)
November 3rd (Tues):
- No school (Professional Development)
November 11th (Wed):
- Veterans Day Celebration (virtual)
November 13th (Fri):
- Deadline to order Sipstirs wine tasting packages
Week of November 16th:
- Sipstirs wine tasting deliveries
November 18th (Wed):
- Ox Ridge Construction Update 8 PM (Zoom details to follow)
November 19th (Thurs):
- Author Visit: Anika Aldamuy Denise (Grades ELP, K-2)
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
This week I’d like to invite you for a glimpse on-campus and inside the school for to learn more about two upgrades for our kids!
Check out Mrs. Collins’ class enjoying our new “stump seating” courtesy of our partnership with the Darien Environmental Group, courtesy of some reused trees donated by the Sordoni family. We are lucky to have this additional opportunity for students to enjoy our outdoors while learning safely together!
Also, many thanks to our wonderful occupational therapists, Ms. Brianne Schneider and Ms. Enas Galal for spearheading our new “sensory pathways” up and down the halls of Ox Ridge! These pathways provide a safe, easily accessible means for all kids to get extra movement breaks throughout the day. The decals provide playful and intuitive instruction to all who come across the new floor designs spread out throughout our school halls.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We want to thank our school psychologists Annie Farson and Madeleine Vivian for giving an illuminating presentation on how they support the emotional wellbeing of our children in school and also how we as parents can foster healthy discussions about emotions with our children at home. In addition, they gave the parents tips on how to cope with everyday stressors at home, which we all very much need during such a stressful time.
We also want to thank our Book Fair Chair, Linda Roe, and our librarian, Calla Tabaka, for helping to organize the first virtual Book Fair at Ox Ridge! We were faced with unprecedented challenges, but Linda and Calla helped us to pull it all together in the end. Please note that teacher wishlists are still in progress. There were issues with Scholastic that caused delay, so we are planning to rollout your teachers' wishlists later in the fall, separate from Book Fair. Please stay tuned, as we do not want to miss any opportunity to give back to our teachers.
Finally, please remember there is no school on Tuesday. We hope our children manage to learn something about the election process while we all exercise our right to vote!
Have 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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Happy birthday to the following Ox Ridge Staff!
November 4:
- Yvonne Dempsey (Nurse)
- Karen Albro (PT - ELP)
November 6:
- Claudia Torti (Paraeducator)
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OX RIDGE ENRICHMENT UPDATE
November will bring two exciting programs to Ox Ridge students.
On Monday, November 2 students in grades 3-5 will be treated to a civics lesson by the TheaterWorks company through a virtual musical revue, We the People. Students will learn about the three branches of government, the First Amendment, presidential elections, democracy, the judicial process, and more. Barreling through a variety of musical styles relevant to today's youth, including rock, rhythm-and-blues, and hip-hop, We the People instills American pride in audiences of all ages—and inspires them to get involved and make a difference.
Grades K-2 + ELP will welcome author and Pura Belpré Honor winner Anika Aldamuy Denise on Thursday, November 19 for a virtual conversation about her new book A Girl Named Rosita: The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor! Singer! Dancer! Trailblazer!. The book tells the story of Rita Moreno, the Puerto Rican superstar best known for her Oscar-winning performance in the original West Side Story film, in a gorgeous picture book biography. Moreno is also an activist who lends her support to many important causes. Every child will receive a copy of the book as a part of the program.
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VETERANS DAY 2020
Veterans Day Update: Families-- we need your help! If you have a veteran in your life, PLEASE ask them if they would participate in this year's production via video! Click HERE to sign them up to answer a question (or a few questions)-- just like the live Q&A we usually do in-person... and have your veteran record and send their replies straight from their phones. Thanks for helping us make this virtual Veterans Day extra special for all!
Ox Ridge will continue the tradition of our Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 11th. Although “virtual” this year, we look forward to paying tribute to all the veterans in our families and community - past, present, near and far.
A video is being produced that will be shared with students and the entire Ox community as part of the morning program on the 11th. It will incorporate musical performances by the children and photos/videos of our veterans. Our goal is to continue to develop appreciation among students for our country and the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our safety and freedoms.
If you have a veteran or active duty service member in your family, or if you know a veteran who you would like to honor, please complete the digital Veterans Day form HERE by Friday, November 6th.
Please contact us with any questions OR if you are willing/able to help us bring the “Virtual” Veterans Day program to life! *Video/digital media experts wanted* Thank you so much!
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WINE TASTING WITH SIPSTIRS
The Ox Ridge PTO is partnering with SipStirs to offer a "blind" wine tasting experience delivered directly to your door. Get together with your Ox Ridge neighbors and friends or parents from your child’s class, for a socially distant (or virtual) gathering to put your palate to the test. Participants can order pre-selected red or white wine groupings. Work with your teammates to match the wines to their regions. After your tasting, cast your vote for your favorite wine here. Each vote will be entered into a raffle where the winner will receive a bottle of their favorite wine. Wines included in the tasting will also be available for purchase at a 10% discount until November 27th using promo code OXRIDGE with curbside pick-up (subject to availability).
If you're new to the Ox Ridge community or simply want to meet some new faces and would like to be matched up with a group, please contact [email protected] and/or [email protected]. They will work to create social pairings based on your child's age/neighborhood for your socially distant or virtual gathering.
Orders must be placed by November 13th and tasting packages will be delivered by the PTO the week of November 16th. Order online here, select "delivery" at checkout and enter code DELIVER or e-mail [email protected].
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DISTRICT-WIDE SCHOOL STAFF APPRECIATION
In a show of support for Darien's amazing teachers and staff, the Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP) in partnership with all of the district's schools will be joining together to collectively "Show Staff the Love" by putting up posters, lawn signs, and decorated hearts on the exterior of all school grounds to be displayed on Monday, November 16. We are asking all students and parents to join in this effort by creating a poster, lawn sign, or message to add to this display and drop them off at Ox Ridge on Sunday, November 15th (Sign-up Genius will be sent out to help with logistics and allow for appropriate social distancing). Messages can be specific to a particular teacher/staff member or more general to all the staff at Ox Ridge - e.g. "Thank you Teachers & Staff", "We love you Ox Teachers", "Ox Ridge Staff is the BEST!" Please be creative and show our staff how much we appreciate them! Some ideas for signage:
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Save your political signs and cover with poster board or spray paint and then write a new message to our Ox Ridge Team, or order lawn signs HERE. Or simply use a sheet of paper and these easy self-laminating folders and then stake your sign into the ground or use string to hang it from a tree.
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For those that are interested, inflatable heart floats are available on Amazon – click HERE prices ranging from $10 to $14, or similarly priced OWLS click HERE. These can be decorated with sharpies, paint pens, duct tape, etc. to create a special message for the staff and then they need to be secured into the ground or tree.
Contact Libby Cook (646.483.5555) or Mary Elizabeth Garvey (404.538.2831) with any questions. Please make sure to take a photo of your child with their signs and include the hashtag #ShowingDPSStaffTheLove on your social media posts!
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2020 HOPE CHEST
Please help us make the holidays special for foster children in Fairfield County by being a part of Hope Chest and purchasing a gift card for a foster child. While this year is a bit unprecedented and we aren’t able to collect individual gifts or throw a holiday party like in years past, we are still able to make the holidays magical by purchasing individual gift cards for each foster child. Please follow this link to purchase a gift for a foster child.
Once you have signed up for a specific child you can go to our Amazon Hope Chest Wishlist to purchase the gift card. We ask that the gift cards be $25 per child. Should you wish to give more than that amount please consider purchasing gift cards for more than one child. When purchasing gift cards off of the Amazon Hope Chest Wishlist, the gift cards will be sent directly to The Blair’s home for collection when you choose “Blair Family – Hope Chest” as the delivery address. You may also drop the cards in the Blair’s mailbox at: 12 Shady Acres Road, Darien.
With your support, we would like to complete the Hope Chest Wishlist before Thanksgiving. We appreciate your generosity in helping to make the holidays special for these sweet children. Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Kira Saunders or Brooke Blair. Thank you for your support and generosity!
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KIDS CARE CLUB - SIGN UP
The Kids Care Club is the community service arm of the PTO. We work with kids in all grades to teach them about community outreach and volunteering. The meetings are normally held once a month in person; however, due to Covid-19, we will be getting creative and doing things virtually this year. Our first project will be to make holiday cards for each foster child from the Norwalk Family and Children’s Agency. Since they are unable to hold their annual holiday party in December, we’re hoping this will bring some joy and make them feel special during this difficult time. The holiday cards will be included with the gift cards for basic necessities collected through Hope Chest.
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HOLIDAY CARDS - HELP US EARN EXTRA DOLLARS FOR OX RIDGE!
Order your holiday cards through Minted and you save 20% and Minted will give 15% of sales to Ox Ridge PTO. Please use promo code FUNDRAISEOXRIDGE which is valid through December 31, 2020. For any questions, please email the fundraising chairs, Ellie Davidson and Megan Malone.
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INFORMATION FROM ALICIA CASUCCI, DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES
As you are aware, we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 in and around Darien, I wanted to share with you the links to important information on our website.
If you receive positive COVID test results after school hours, please call 203.656.7440 to speak with a
nurse.
Should I let my children go to a birthday party? What about holiday parties?
This is a difficult question, especially for the COVID weary! Any time we gather with those from outside our home, we are increasing our risk of being exposed to COVID-19 Unfortunately, many traditional birthday celebration and holiday parties can be high-risk for spreading viruses. As you make decisions about what activities you and your children can enjoy, remain vigilant about the mitigation strategies put in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as:
- Performing frequent hand hygiene
- Wear a mask whenever you are outside your home, especially when you are with people who you do not live with
- Maximize your distance from people who you do not live with, indoors or outdoors, 6 feet as feasible, especially when not wearing a mask
- Avoid high risk activities such as travel, large crowds, gatherings, parties, carpools
- Stay home if you are feeling ill, especially with a new onset cough, loss of taste or smell, fever, severe sore throat or headache
- Stay home if you have been exposed to anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Alicia V. Casucci, APRN, CPNP, NCSN
Director of Nursing Services
Darien Public Schools
203.655.3981 ext. 2304
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THRIVING YOUTH TIP OF THE WEEK |
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Dr. Harold Koplewicz, the medical director of the Child Mind Institute and a child and adolescent psychiatrist reminds parents in this uncertain time, to stay focused on the present by implementing structure and routines for their children. Consistent bedtimes, mealtimes and even getting dressed in the morning can provide important structure. Dr. Koplewicz encourages establishing weekly activities like a pizza night or a movie night that can give the whole family something to look forward to. Finally, Dr. Koplewicz recommends a weekly gratitude exercise, challenging each family member to explain “Why we are lucky this week,” and challenge them to come up with a different reason each time.
Talk early, talk often. The Community Fund of Darien/Thriving Youth
If you would like to learn more about the campaign, please visit:
Let's Get Talking - Thriving Youth
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DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES THANKSGIVING GROCERY STORE GIFT CARD DRIVE
Covid has had a dramatic impact on all of us, but for many residents who already lived paycheck-to-paycheck, it has been devastating. To help at-risk Darien residents, Darien Human Services is holding a Thanksgiving Grocery Store Gift Card Drive from 11/2--11/24. They will be collecting gift cards to local grocery stores (Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Palmers, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods) and distributing them to Darien families and seniors in need. Residents are asked to drop off the gift cards at Town Hall or mail them to: Darien Human Services 2 Renshaw Road. (Human Services is open 8:00am to 5:15pm Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday and 8:00am to 7:00pm on Tuesday). Please contact Diane Barston, [email protected], or 203-656-7328 with any questions. With your support, we can help make Thanksgiving a little happier for those who need it most.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR DARIEN SUMMER SCHOOL 2021
Our academic and enrichment programming will run from June 28-July 30 this year. Please help us plan for this summer by taking a short survey. The survey is open to both previous DSS participants and non-participants. We kindly ask that you complete the survey by Monday, November 2. Survey link: https://forms.gle/vnpaebGTAVP8Hywt8
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STATE GRANT MATCHES GIFTS TO DAC BY 50%
Your gift to the Darien Arts Center is now worth 50% more. Connecticut Governor Lamont announced a state-wide Arts Funding Program available to organizations like the Darien Arts Center that have suffered greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Donations made to the Darien Arts Center by November 1st will be matched at 50% by this new grant. Your support is more important than ever, as the DAC has lost 42% of its earned income, totaling over $270,000 since March. Your donation will enable the DAC to continue delivering the arts programs that make Darien a vital, well-rounded, robust community! To donate to the Darien Arts Center and have your gift matched at 50%, please visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683 by November 1st. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Darien Town Hall.
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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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