Ox Ridge School
November 15, 2020
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Week of November 16th:
- SipStirs Wine Tasting Deliveries
November 18th (Wed):
- Ox Appreciation (Coffee & Treat Delivery for Staff & Teachers)
- Ox Ridge Construction Update 8 PM (Zoom details below)
November 19th (Thurs):
- Author Visit: Anika Aldamuy Denise (Grades ELP, K-2)
November 26 & 27 (Thursday & Friday):
- No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
December 1-4 (Tuesday - Friday):
- Conference Week Early Dismissal
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
Our school nursing team wanted to share two important links to provide guidance around upcoming holidays. More to come from our district health team as we get closer to the holiday season, please be safe!
For those who might have missed my email earlier this week, please see below regarding our amazing Veterans Day event!
Thanks to our fifth grade team, PTO leadership from Taylor Carter and Ashley Savage along with music production from Mr. Allen; I’m thrilled to share our virtual Veterans Day event with you!
With enormous appreciation for the video production help from Jeff DeMaio, you can enjoy our Veterans Day event by clicking the link below.
Fortunately given the digital format this year, we were able to extend this opportunity to all classes across the school yesterday! I encourage you to continue the vital conversation around appreciation for our men and women in the armed services with your child at home and to extend our collective thanks to the veterans in your life!
Finally, a reminder that we’ll welcome our members of our Ox Ridge design and construction teams to a parent presentation on the new school Wednesday the 18th at 8:00 PM via Zoom (https://darienps.zoom.us/j/7585964910). Looking forward!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We would like to thank our Veteran’s Day Co-Chairs, Taylor Carter and Ashley Savage, for organizing a wonderful tribute to the veterans in our Ox community. Our children learned about the sacrifices made by real-life heroes to protect our everyday freedoms and hopefully walked away with a greater sense of respect for all veterans.
Speaking of giving thanks, this Tuesday is Darien’s District-Wide Appreciation Event. Thank you to all who contributed a poster, sign, note, or other display of gratitude. We hope our staff feels the love when they arrive Tuesday morning and throughout the whole year.
Please remember to print out car signs to display in your dashboard or window when doing drop-off or pickup at Ox, starting this Tuesday. You can find these signs on the PTO website here.
A heartfelt “thank you” goes to our vice-chairs Libby Cook and Mary Elizabeth Garvey for graciously stepping up to organize this community-wide display of ️love.
Finally, we want to remind you that this Wednesday at 8pm, the lead construction executive and lead project manager/architect of the new Ox Ridge building will be presenting an update over Zoom for parents, which will include next steps and what to expect as we begin the project later this season. You can join via Zoom: https://darienps.zoom.us/j/7585964910
We hope everyone stays safe and 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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Happy birthday to the following Ox Ridge Staff!
- November 18th: Benjamin Bartol (PE Teacher)
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DISTRICT-WIDE APPRECIATION EVENT
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: CAR SIGNS TO SHOW APPRECIATION ON TUESDAY, 11/17
Thank you to everyone who created signs and decorations in preparation for Tuesday's district-wide staff appreciation event! As a reminder, please print out one (or all!) of the car signs and display them in your car for the week starting Tuesday, November 17th. Car signs can be downloaded HERE. You can put them on the dashboard or tape them to the windows - whatever works for you.
Let's show the Ox staff members just how much we appreciate them, especially the dedicated team that oversees the drop-off/pick-up line, as these staff members are out there rain or shine with smiles on their faces, helping our children safely navigate the parking lot. Any questions, please contact Libby Cook or Mary Elizabeth Garvey.
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OX RIDGE BUILDING UPDATE
The next Ox Ridge Building Committee Meeting will be held Monday, November 16 at 10am via Zoom. Details on how to join can be found in the meeting agenda here. Please contact Kadi Lublin with any questions.
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2021 / 2022 ELP APPLICATIONS
ELP Applications for 2021-2022 will be accepted from October 15, 2020 through January 4, 2021 for children who will be turning 3 and 4 years old during the 2021-2022 school year. At this time, ELP does not have a preschool option for children turning 5 in September - December 2021.
Parents will be notified/emailed by January 11, 2021 regarding acceptance.
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LOST & FOUND
Please encourage your children to check the lost and found bin located outside of the gym for missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated in December.
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OX RIDGE ENRICHMENT UPDATE
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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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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In this difficult year, expressing gratitude is more essential than ever for our wellbeing. It’s much easier to focus on what we’re missing, the people we’re not seeing and the places we’re not going. In the days before Thanksgiving, plan a few “family gratitude challenges.” Spend a few minutes together after dinner starting a “2020 family gratitude list,” that you can add to throughout the month. Take 20 minutes one afternoon to write notes to faraway family or essential workers, surprise a neighbor with cookies or take canned goods to a local shelter. Pay attention to the joy of connecting, giving thanks and serving others. Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
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DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING PROGRAM
2020 has been an extremely difficult year for all of us. Unfortunately, the Covid crisis has had a greater impact on low-income families and seniors. During the holidays, Darien Human Services holds a Holiday Gift Giving Program to help Darien families and seniors in need. We are looking for individuals or groups (book clubs, bible study groups, Girl or Boy Scout troops) to help make someone’s holiday a little brighter by adopting a local family or senior.
All information is strictly confidential. Thank you for helping us help others!
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UPCOMING DARIEN ARTS CENTER PROGRAMS
Sign up for new adult workshops at darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.
The DAC Visual Arts Studio is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.
Back by popular demand, join us for another Sip and Paint on Friday, November 20th! Bring your friends and some wine, and work with our DAC instructor Stephanie Lush Mastriano as she guides you through creating your own painting inspired by Picasso. This workshop is open to beginners and experienced artists. All materials will be provided. BYO wine and refreshments.
This new DAC holiday tradition returns with more dates scheduled. Come join us for a festive wreath making workshop and a ladies night out! Bring your friends! Wreaths and all materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring extra decorations to give their wreaths a more personalized look. Usher in the holiday season with this classic craft! BYO wine and refreshments.
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YWCA PARENT AWARENESS MEETING: THE BENEFITS OF GOOD-ENOUGH PARENTING
November 18, 2020 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
YWCA Parent Awareness and The Child Guidance Center of Southern CT have partnered for: The Benefits of Good-Enough Parenting with Georgette Harrison, EdM, LPC. Please join us for an enlightening presentation about the concept of “Good-Enough” parenting. Learn about where the pressure to be the “perfect” parent may come from, how “perfect parenting” impacts parental stress and a child’s sense of self and the world, and be reminded that letting a child feel disappointment is not a bad thing. Registration is required: www.ywcadn.org/parentawareness.
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DARIEN HUMAN SERVICES THANKSGIVING GROCERY STORE GIFT CARD DRIVE
COVID-19 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, dbarston@darienct.gov, 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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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.
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