November 18th: Ox Ridge Spirit Day
 
November 19th: Kids Care Club Meeting

November 24th: Early Dismissal (1:25pm)
 
November 25th & 26th: No School – Thanksgiving 

November 30th – December 3rd : Early Dismissal (1:25pm); Conference Week Camps & Gingerbread
 
December 2nd : National Special Education Day
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Hi All,
 
Thank you one more time to our fantastic Ox Ridge PTO Veterans Day committee, led by Taylor Carter and Nancy Liddell for organizing such an amazing Veterans Day 2021! Thank you also to our music teachers, Mr. Allen and Mrs. Turkosz for orchestrating these patriotic performances! If you haven’t had a chance to already, I strongly encourage you to spend the time to watch, listen and learn from our veteran community. Please extend your thanks to our brave veterans this weekend.

Thank you also to Mr. John Latona and our fifth graders for leading another successful Poppy for Veterans fundraiser! Ox Ridge has raised over $750 to donate to disabled Veterans through this effort!

Thanks,
Luke
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
  
We hope you are all remaining well.  We encourage you to check out our 2021 Virtual Veteran’s Day that was definitely the highlight of our week! It’s incredibly inspiring and heart-warming, and serves as a great reminder to give thanks to our military service members.
 
We also want to bring your attention to our first Ox Ridge SPIRIT DAY on Thursday, November 18th. Please encourage your child to wear his or her  Ox Ridge gear or anything Darien/Blue Wave themed (just plain ol’ BLUE will also do!).  There will be a couple additional surprises at school that will assist in building some excitement for our awesome school and community!

XO OX,
 
PTO Co-Chairs
OX RIDGE NEWS
PUMP, PUMP, PUMP IT UP…PUMP THAT OX RIDGE SPIRIT UP!
We are having our first Ox Ridge SPIRIT DAY on Thursday, November 18th. Please encourage your child to wear his or her Ox Ridge gear or anything Darien/Blue Wave themed (just plain ol’ BLUE will also do!). Students, see how many of the hidden Hooties you can find around school...and be on the lookout for a very special guest during drop-off. Let's show some excitement for our awesome school and community! 
OXR PTO DIRECT APPEAL
The OX Ridge PTO is excited to bring back in-school enrichment opportunities and new initiatives to support students, families, and staff to build a stronger community at Ox Ridge. To support this important work, please consider a donation to the 2021/2022 Direct Appeal. We would be grateful for a donation of $75 per student, but our goal is 100% participation from Ox Ridge families, no matter the amount. To donate, please send in checks made out to Ox Ridge PTO with your students, or donate online (select PTO Fundraising Donation). **Don’t forget to check with your employer about matching contributions to increase your impact.**
Thank you for supporting the Ox Ridge PTO! Questions? Contact Eleanor Davidson or Megan Malone.
hands_holding_hope.jpg
2021 HOPE CHEST
This is OXR's 20th year supporting the Family & Children’s Agency Hope Chest Program which sponsors foster children in Fairfield County during the holidays! To contribute to this great cause, please assign your name to a foster child listed HERE and select a $25 Amazon gift card under our Wish List. Gift cards will be sent directly to the PTO rep and need to be received before December 6th. Questions? Contact Jenn Moller or Annie Horn
JOIN THE OXR SAFETY PATROL
Ox Ridge is looking for 4th and 5th grade students to join the Safety Patrol! Requirements to join:
*Participate in School Safety Training
*Assist students and staff 5 minutes after the end of the school day
*Attend meeting to discuss duties and responsibilities
*Care for safety belt
Submit a Patroller Application with parental consent by Nov 19 to Mrs Almonte.
JOIN OX RIDGE MATH OLYMPIAD TEAMS!
**NOTE TIME CHANGE**
Test your math skills, support and learn with your peers, and stretch your math mind to the next level - Math Olympiad is here! Join the 4th Grade Team or the 5th Grade Team. The full session runs Monday Nov 15 through March 30, from 7:45-8:45am. Register HERE. Questions? Contact Darien After School directly at [email protected] or 888.212.3837
GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING - CONFERENCE WEEK!
Gingerbread House's are back! Each child will get their own gingerbread house from DiMare’s to decorate! Sign up on Pay4SchoolStuff by Nov 29th for a slot during Parent-Teacher Conference week (Dec 1-3) from 1:30-2:30pm in the Ox Ridge Common Room. Select the student's name, then “Gingerbread Decorating” to see the signup options, including an alternate option for a take home kit (quantities are limited, pickup details to come). Cost is $30 per child.
Due to health and safety precautions, space is limited. The children will be grouped by grade and asked to wear their masks. We’re looking for 8 parent volunteers for each day, please volunteer HERE.
Questions? Contact Jenny Malone or Kim Burt. 
CONFERENCE WEEK CAMP - REGISTER NOW!
On early dismissal days during Conference Week (Nov 30 - Dec 3), Darien After School (DAS) will offer Sports & Art, Chess, LEGOs with Play-Well, Darien Nature Center and Spark Academy from 1:30-3pm! Class schedule and registration info can be found HEREQuestions?  [email protected] / 888.212.3837
DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL WINTER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Students will find a new favorite activity, be anything they want to be and make new friends! BLAST through the COLD with Sports, Enrichment, Art, Science and MORE
Winter Session: 1/10-4/8, after school until 4:30pm
Registration Opens Online Monday 12/6 at 8pm
Questions? Contact Darien After School directly at [email protected] or 888.212.3837
SOS COMMITTEE - HERE TO HELP!
The SOS committee is here to provide confidential and compassionate help for members of our school community during times of need. Whether it’s providing meals or driving around kids we are here to help. If you are in need or know someone who is please contact Kaili Dilts (with permission!). Likewise please email Kaili if you would be willing to help as a volunteer when needs arise. Thank you. 
CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Taylor Carter & Nancy Liddell (Veterans Day) for completing the incredible bulletin boards with pictures and bios of all our OXR veterans, as well as overseeing the production of the amazing Virtual Veterans Day program

Meghan Thornton & Chelsey Pajak (Green Team) for decorating the bulletin boards in the common room with “Green-themed” educational information, including recycling and litter prevention!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Dr. Jenny Trifiatis (Teacher) on November 15th
Mr. Ben Bartol (Teacher) on November 18th
KINDNESS IN YOUR NEST
This week, work as a family to fill a KINDNESS JAR, by capturing kind and respectful actions and words throughout the week. The reward can be a family movie night or anything that everyone is excited about. Find more details in this link.
COMMUNITY NEWS
DARIEN YOUTH SQUASH WINTER REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Kids in grades K-5 interested in learning and competing in squash are welcome to be part of our Darien Squash program this winter. All coaching and training during this 13 week program will take place at the brand new MSquash Sono. The program begins November 30th. To register or for more information, including a detailed description of what our players will be learning each week, please visit www.msquash.com/Darien. Come join the fun! 
REGISTER FOR DARIEN YOUTH LACROSSE
DYLax promotes lacrosse among Darien youth by teaching fundamentals of the game and promoting good sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork, in cooperation with the DHS lacrosse programs. Registration is open HERE for grades 1-8 from November 8th until January 11th (late fees apply after January 11th). Our season starts in March! Any questions, please email [email protected]
NEW HOLIDAY PROGRAMS AT DARIEN ARTS CENTER
Registration is open for NEW "Night Out" Holiday Craft Workshops for adults: Sip and Succulent Workshop, Wreath Workshop (Friday, December 3) and another Wreath Workshop (Friday, December 10). For more info, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Darien Town Hall.
MI VIDA AT DARIEN ARTS CENTER
The DAC is hosting the premier of Mi Vidathe first original full-length ballet from East Coast Contemporary Ballet. Performances are on Friday November 19 and Saturday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. Tickets ($35) are available HERE. Questions? (203) 655-8683. 

EDITORS NOTE:
Sara Osberg - Sept, Dec, Mar, June
Tory Bolton - Oct, Jan, Apr
Baye Larsen - 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 [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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