Ox Ridge School
November 29, 2020
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December 1-4 (Tuesday - Friday):
- Conference Week, Early Dismissal
December 2nd
- Staff Appreciation Event (Lunch Provided to Staff)
Friday, December 4th
- Deadline to Order Gingerbread Houses
Friday, December 11th
- Family Social Event (Trivia Kahoot)
- Gingerbread House Kit Pick Up
- Deadline for Pajama Drive Donations
Monday, December 14th
- School Photo Retakes with Lifetouch
Thursday, December 17th
- Last Day for Toys4Tots Donations
Friday, December 18th
- Deadline to Submit Gingerbread House Pictures
Wednesday, December 23rd
December 24 - 31
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, thank you for continuing to collaborate with us to help our students thrive this fall! We are appreciative of your continued support and engagement throughout the year!
Below is a “re-run” of an important travel reminder notice I sent on Wednesday.
If you are traveling abroad or out of state during the Thanksgiving break or any other times, we ask that you please share some basic information with us so that we have the background knowledge we need to keep our students and staff healthy and safe. If you have traveled to a state that is on the travel advisory list, you have to provide a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to your arrival back in CT or at any time following your arrival back in CT and provide us with a copy in order for the children to return to school. RT-PCR tests are the only acceptable testing option. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us in the nursing office or refer to the portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/travel website.
For extended absences due to medical reasons or if you are awaiting test results, we also have the option to implement a “temporary remote learner” status for the children. If you would like to discuss that that option please let us know.
Your attention and adherence to these policies help keep us safe , healthy and learning together beyond the Thanksgiving break!
Thank you,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We hope everyone had a happy, healthy, and restful Thanksgiving.
We want to thank our Kids Care Club co-chairs Katherine Grambling and Lauren Stisser for organizing the collection and delivery of hand-written holiday cards for foster children at the Norwalk Family & Children's Agency.
We also want to thank our Hope Chest co-chairs Kira Saunders and Brooke Blair for organizing the donation of Amazon gift cards to 245 foster children with the Norwalk Family & Children’s Agency.
Thank you to all of the Ox Ridge families who made cards and/or purchased gift cards for these children in need. We are proud of our school community for finding ways to spread holiday joy to those who are less fortunate.
Please read below for additional ways to give back during the holiday season (i.e., Toys for Tots, pajama drive). Please also remember that this Friday is the last day to order gingerbread house kits for at-home assembly.
We hope everyone 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 30th - Erin Barba (Instructional Aide)
December 6th - Stacy Johnson (2nd Grade Teacher)
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR: OX RIDGE KAHOOT TRIVIA NIGHT
Ox Ridge KAHOOT Trivia night
Friday December 11th
Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades @ 5pm
3rd, 4th & 5th grades @ 6pm
Join your Ox Ridge friends, Dr. Forshaw and Ms. Ulreich for an evening of trivia testing your knowledge of Ox Ridge, your hometown of Darien and a few random topics thrown in for fun.
To register, please email Samantha Bohlen at samanthawbohlen@gmail.com with the name and grade of each student who'd like to participate by Sunday December 6th.
Log in information and game details will be sent via the room mom email on Wednesday, December 9th.
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GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING IS BACK!
We’re excited to be offering Gingerbread Houses again this year as TAKE HOME KITS instead of an after school activity. Each kit will include a freshly baked gingerbread house to decorate from start to finish with icing and candy! The cost is $30 per child.
KIT COST: $30/kit (includes house, icing, and candy)
ORDER DEADLINE: Friday, December 4th
DISTRIBUTION: Gingerbread kits will be available for pickup on Friday, December 11 from 49 Stanton Road anytime between 9:30am-12pm.
OPTIONAL CONTEST: Decorate your house by Friday, December 18th and submit pictures to OxRidgeGingerbread@gmail.com - a winner will be chosen by Monday, December 21st. We will choose winners based on creativity and each winner will receive a festive prize. Extra points for anyone who wants to celebrate Darien by re-creating a landmark in town (Ox Ridge, Library, Town Hall, Darien Sport Shop, etc)
**Please include Name and Grade Level for submission, or family name and grade levels, we will be choosing one winner per grade level.
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OX APPRECATION - DONATION REQUEST
Following this week’s “Show the Love” event, we would like to continue to provide opportunities for families to show gratitude and appreciation to the Ox Ridge Staff. Under normal circumstances, our “Ox Appreciation” team organizes monthly signups of baked goods and healthy snacks delivered to the school directly by parents. This year our Appreciation team is coordinating contactless monthly drop-offs of lunches and treats. To date, these have included a boxed lunch from Four Forks, a "Coffee Bar" with K-cups & creamer, and a variety of snacks & sweet treats. As we can no longer accept food directly from parents, we are instead asking for monetary donations to help support our monthly Appreciation drop-offs. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated.
- $5 will provide coffee K-cups for 10 staff members
- $10 will provide snacks & treats for 10 staff members
- $50 will provide boxed lunches for 5 staff members
We hope you will help us support this valued and meaningful effort to bring a little sunshine to the staff. Please Venmo donations to @MaryElizabeth-Garvey. 100% of the donations received will be spent directly on Ox Staff Appreciation within this school year. Contact Libby Cook (646-483-5555) or Mary Elizabeth Garvey (404-538-2831) with any questions.
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PLEASE SUPPORT TOYS FOR TOTS
The Ox Ridge School community, along with the local U.S. Marine Corps, is sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive November 20th through December 17th. If you wish to contribute, please bring in a new, unwrapped toy for ages preschool to teen. Students may place their donations in a box at the entry of school.
Thank you for spreading joy to some children in need, and thank you for your generosity!
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HOLIDAY GIVE BACK OPPORTUNITIES - ORDER DEADLINE IS APPROACHING
* Last week to order wrapping paper and gifts through Meadow Farms! This PTO fundraiser will end on Saturday, December 5th! *
Meadow Farms Fundraiser - Ox Ridge is selling wrapping paper and gifts through Meadow Farms this year to raise money for the PTO. To start shopping, visit this link. All orders are placed online and shipped directly to your home with 40% of the proceeds going to Ox Ridge’s PTO. Since we do not have a fall fundraiser this year, we really appreciate your participation.
Ox Ridge Outfitters - For the holiday season, we have added new items on the Ox Ridge Outfitters website. Pom pom hats, blankets, and pajama pants, as well as existing spirit gear. Check it out here and support Ox Ridge.
Pajama Drive - We are partnering with the Community Fund of Darien to hold a pajama drive for Inspirica. Inspirica is one of the largest service providers for the homeless in Connecticut. We are collecting NEW pajamas of any size and will have a box for students to donate in the front vestibule.
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YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE
All yearbook sales will be online this year. Just click this link to place an order. The cost is $22 per yearbook. If you are ordering multiple yearbooks for each of your children, please fill out their names, grade and homeroom teacher individually, adding each yearbook to the cart one at a time. If you are ordering one yearbook for your children to share, please enter the name, grade and homeroom teacher of the child who should receive the yearbook at the end of the school year.
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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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POPPY DRIVE UPDATE
Thank you to the entire Ox Ridge community, including students, parents and staff for participating in this year’s Veterans Day Poppy Drive. We raised a total of $747.80, which is about $200 more than last year. This money will go to the American Legion and provide support for disabled veterans here in Connecticut.
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INFORMATION FROM ALICIA CASUCCI, DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES
IMPORTANT LINKS
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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THE COMMUNITY FUND INTRODUCES: MISSION: POSITIVE!
During this time when families are practicing social distancing and looking for fun, safe activities to keep busy and engaged, members of Darien’s Human Services Planning Council and the Thriving Youth Task Force recently brainstormed the idea of creating a shared community resource to gather residents’ favorite ideas for fun, relaxation and family time. Those efforts resulted in “Mission: Positive!” — a list of pandemic-safe and entertaining family activities, holiday celebration and craft inspiration, book and playlist recommendations and much more! The Community Fund of Darien will host the resource on its website under the “Community” tab.
Please submit your favorite activities via The Community Fund’s website, which will be reviewed by a panel of volunteers to ensure that they are COVID-19 safe, socially distant, appropriate for all ages and contribute to positive youth development. Categories include activities, adventures, family fun, game night, good reads, holiday traditions, must-see tv, new to town, party ideas, playlists and positive vibes. With the holidays around the corner and many plans being reimagined due to the pandemic, families have an opportunity to come together and make the best of an uncertain and ever-changing situation. Mission: Positive! hopes to help inspire our community to create new traditions and memories that will last a lifetime.
Talk early, talk often. The Community Fund of Darien/Thriving Youth
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JOIN THE YOUTH COMMISSION & P2P FOR A DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD-DRIVE ON SATURDAY, 12/5
During this very unsettling time in our lives, our friends and neighbors continue to be challenged with unprecedented hunger and food-insecurity. And our food banks and pantries are struggling to meet these needs.
The Darien Youth Commission is proud to be partnering with Person-2-Person (P2P) in sponsoring a Drive-Through Food-Drive. Taking place on Saturday, December 5 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon in the West Ave. Train Station Parking Lot (Koons Lot, across from Tilley Pond Park), screened and masked volunteers will remove donations from donors’ cars. (Donors will be asked to remain in their cars.) Visit the DYC website for additional details and list of most needed items: www.darienct.gov/yc.
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HELP SPREAD THE HOLIDAY CHEER BY SUPPORTING OPUS FOR PERSON 2 PERSON
The holiday season is upon us and that means it's time to prepare for the Person-to-Person (P2P) Toy Store. Each year, the P2P Toy Store brings joy to more than 2,000 children by ensuring that low-income families in our community have gifts for their children to open.
With COVID-19, the P2P Toy Store is more important than ever before to put smiles on children's faces. This year, in lieu of a wrapped toy, we are collecting funds to purchase gift cards for families now through December 10th. All qualified families will receive one $20 gift card and an age-appropriate book for each child, as well as a family board game.
We are committed to spreading holiday cheer by giving gifts to as many families as possible, but we need your help! Please consider a donation to the OPUS Holiday Toy Drive now through December 10th. Visit opus4p2p.org to donate.
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COOKIES FOR A CAUSE
December 20th, 3-3:45 PM: Join YWCA Parent Awareness for a virtual family-friendly cookie decorating event with Kathleen McCallister a.k.a. “Katie McPastry” Executive Pastry Chef at Winged Foot Golf Club. Proceeds will benefit Parent Awareness programming, with a portion of the contribution to be used to donate kits to families housed in the Domestic Violence Crisis Center of Connecticut shelters. Cookie Kits are available for purchase for $25.00 at ywcadn.org/cookies through December 14th. Kits are designed for two family members and include: 6 freshly baked cookies, 3 colors of icing, sprinkles, and step-by-step decorating instructions for those who choose not to participate virtually.
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SPRING 2021 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
To register, visit www.dybs.org and click the Registration tab on the left. All players must be Darien residents, in K to 7th grade during the 2020-2021 school year and may not be older than 12 on September 1, 2021.
Regular registration for all players:
2nd-7th: regular registration until Dec 31, 2020, after which late fee will apply.
K and 1st: regular registration until Jan 31, 2021, after which late fee will apply.
It is the policy of Darien Little League that all children have the opportunity to play regardless of ability to pay. To request scholarship, email Shawn Ryan at shawn.g.ryan1@gmail.com. Scholarship requests and grants are handled discreetly and confidentially. If you have any questions regarding registration, contact Akshay Das at thedases+DLL@gmail.com.
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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
There are 2,200 veteran gravestones at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, and it's our goal to place a wreath ($15 each) on each one at the ceremony on noon on December 19th. Only 611 wreaths have been sponsored so far.
Here is the link to donate and the deadline is November 30th:
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/15605/Overview/?relatedid=22114
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UPCOMING PROGRAM: ANXIETY & COPING WITH COVID
Please join us in welcoming back Child Mind Institute expert, Jerry Bubrick, PhD , for an important presentation on Anxiety & Coping with COVID on Thursday, December 3, 7:30 pm. The pandemic has forced everyone to grapple with constantly shifting circumstances. Dr. Bubrick will explain how identifying anxiety and learning how to tolerate fear can help families and students address worries and uncertainty. He will share proven strategies for managing symptoms and dealing with anxiety in a healthy way.
Jerry Bubrick, PhD, is a senior clinical psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center and director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Service at the Child Mind Institute in New York City. Widely recognized for developing one of the world’s most intensive pediatric programs for OCD, he is a pioneer in using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat children and teens with OCD and related anxiety disorders. Featured in media such as The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post and ABC Primetime, Dr. Bubrick is a sought-after expert and speaker. Dr. Bubrick has also appeared in the highly acclaimed films, Like and Angst.
For any questions regarding the program itself, please contact Darien SEPAC at dariensepac@gmail.com. The presentation is co-sponsored by Darien SEPAC and Darien Library.
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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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THE IDEA PROGRAM - 9th GRADE ACHIEVERS CLASS SEEKING MENTORS
The Idea program is seeking mentors for the 9th-grade Achievers program, which is the wonderful culmination of the Idea program in our district. As part of their year-long study, 9th graders seek the help of a mentor to guide them along their project.
It is a meaningful and impactful way to inspire these students without a huge time commitment. Following is the description of what the role entails:
The role of the mentor is to provide professional guidance in the subject area of the student’s project. Students will reach out to schedule meetings with their mentors about once every six weeks, with a goal of meeting for 30-45 minutes each time. Meetings will take place virtually and will be student-driven, meaning the student will come to the mentor with a direction and purpose for each meeting. The mentor does not need to prepare anything in advance, nor will he/she be asked to devote time outside of these meetings to the student’s project.
This year in particular we are seeking help in these specific areas:
- Engineering
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Nonfiction writing (particularly in biographies, but any nonfiction writer would be wonderful!)
- Coding : Java focus
- Coding: C++ focus
- Sewing (specifically clothing)
- Chemistry
- Anyone with a background involving gender identity/gender norms
If you would be interested in becoming a mentor, or know someone with expertise in these areas who may be interested, please email DAEGinquiries@gmail.com. We are looking to connect students with mentors ASAP since their projects are already underway this year. Thank you!
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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.
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.
Sign up now for Winter/Spring classes that begin in January. The DAC is following all state Covid-19 protocols and is offering in-person as well as Zoom classes. To register, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. See All Classes by Day and Register.
DANCE: Classes run from January 25, 2021 through June 3, 2021. Tuition is $400. Adult drop-in and class card options are available. Dance classes for all levels, ages 3 & up include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Teen Contemporary, Modern, Broadway Dance and Pointe. See all Dance Classes. Register.
MARTIAL ARTS: Tuition is $400. Adult drop-in and class card options are available.
MUSIC: Private lessons for both adults and children include cello, composition, drum set, guitar, flute, viola, violin, voice, piano, and music theory. More about private lessons.
Group music Classes:
Grades 5-12 | Saturday 1:15-2:45pm | Jan. 23-Mar. 27 | $256, plus performance fee of $15
Grades 3-5 |Saturday 3-4pm | Jan. 23-Mar. 27 | $210, plus performance of $15
VISUAL ARTS:
Grades 5-8 | Tuesday 4:10-5:10pm, Mar. 2-April 27 | $176
Grades 1-4 | Wednesday 3:45-4:45pm, Mar. 3-April 28 | $176
Grades 5-9 | Wednesday 5-6:30pm, Mar. 3-April 28 | $265
Grades 5-8 | Friday 4:40-5:40pm, Mar. 5-April 30 | $176
Adults | Thursday 10-11am, Jan. 14-Mar. 25 | $145
Adults | Tuesday 9:30-10:30am, Feb. 2-Mar. 9 | $108
Adults | Tuesday 6:30-8pm, Feb. 2-Mar. 23 | $215
Adults | Thursday 2-3pm, Feb. 4-Mar. 11 | $108
Adults | Monday 7-9pm, Mar. 15-April 19 | $295
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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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