Ox Ridge School
October 18, 2020
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October 19th - November 1st:
October 20th (Tues):
- Community Feedback Zooms with Superintendent, Dr. Addley (Zoom link in PTO Co-Chair letter below)
- 10 AM - Elementary Schools
- 11:30 AM - Elementary Special Education & Support Services
October 21st (Wed):
October 27th (Tues):
- School Photos with Lifetouch (photo retakes are scheduled for December 14th)
October 29th (Thurs):
- Meet our School Psychologists (Zoom link to follow)
November 3rd (Tues):
- No school (Professional Development)
November 11th (Wed):
- Veterans Day Celebration (virtual) - Details to come
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
Ox Ridge will have a spirit day on Friday October, 30th for all students. Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year for children and we want to celebrate the joy on campus! Unfortunately this year, we will forgo our annual Kindergarten Halloween parade. However we still want kids to have a special day in school as a community!
“Weapons”, scary or gore-y costumes, excessively large or cumbersome outfits / accessories are not permitted.
Teachers can certainly ask students to remove a part of their costume if it becomes overly distracting or disruptive to the learning process. In addition or as an alternative to costumes, students can celebrate the day by wearing pajamas, orange and black or Darien School colors of Blue and White. Our ELP classes will have their own safe and fun way to celebrate. ELP teachers will reach out to their families with detail. Looking forward!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We are excited for our virtual fall book fair to begin tomorrow! As in previous years, the book fair allows children and parents to purchase books through Scholastic, with a portion of the sales going to Ox Ridge. Dr. Forshaw and our Librarian, Calla Tabaka, will be spotlighting some recommended books in the classrooms, and a list of suggested books will be provided per grade. We hope you and your children find books that foster their love of reading, even if we are unable to shop live this year.
Also of note this week are the community feedback Zooms, hosted by superintendent, Dr. Addley on Tuesday (10:00 am for Elementary Schools and 11:30 am for Elementary Special Education & Support Services). Dr. Addley is looking for feedback from parents on their experiences with in-person and remote learning. Zoom links are below:
Finally, please remind your children that BooGrams to support UNICEF are due on Wednesday.
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!
October 22nd:
- Mr. Jim Lindine, Custodian
October 23rd:
- Mrs. Kristen Turkosz, Music Teacher
October 23rd:
- Mr. Austin Rooney, Building Substitute
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OX RIDGE VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR & OX RIDGE OUTFITTERS
You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online from October 19, 2020 to November 1, 2020! All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.
You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:
⦁ Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
⦁ All orders ship direct to home
⦁ FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
⦁ All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
Visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
*Free standard shipping is available on book-only orders of $25 or more, after all discounts are applied. Free standard shipping (books) must be selected during checkout. Orders containing products other than books are not eligible for this shipping promotion.
To coincide with book fair week, Ox Ridge Outfitters will also be offering youth and NEW adult items over $20 for purchase tax free- including sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts and blankets! Get in the spirit this week and get them while you can! Orders are being hand delivered to local addresses.
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DARIEN ELEMENTARY VIRTUAL CHORUS
Do you want to part of the chorus program in Darien? If so, sign up here for 4th and 5th Grade Darien Elementary Virutal Chorus. The first rehearsal will be THURSDAY OCTOBER 29th!
HINDLEY/ROYLE/TOKENEKE - Thursday mornings 7:30 AM
HOLMES/OX RIDGE - Thursday mornings 8:00 AM
Contact your music teacher for more information!
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VETERANS DAY 2020
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 Thursday, October 29th.
Additionally, if your veteran would like to participate in the VIDEO portion of this year’s event, please complete stay tuned for instructions! We will be assembling a list of questions for them to answer by video (no more than 30 seconds each) and sharing them via SignUp Genius in the coming days.
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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ROOM PARENT COMMUNICATION
By now, all parents should have received email communications from your child's Room Parents regarding beginning of the year information, as well as weekly PTO updates. If you have not received any of these emails, please contact Libby Cook ([email protected]) and Mary Elizabeth Garvey ([email protected]). Thank you again to all of our Room Parents for volunteering their time and energy!
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PTO SPEAKER SERIES - MEET OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Meet the Ox Ridge school psychologists, Mrs. Annie Farson and Ms. Madeleine Vivian! At this evening virtual session, you’ll learn more about who our psychologists are, what they do to serve our entire school community alongside some tips for supporting healthy social and emotional development at home. Come to connect with and learn from our psychologists!
We’ll also have time to get back to school updates from Dr. Forshaw about the full return to Ox Ridge alongside some general updates about new school construction project to come! Zoom details will be shared closer to the meeting date.
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DARIEN'S GIFTED PROGRAM GRADES 2-8
The Darien Public Schools recognizes the diverse needs of all students through the differentiation of a robust and rigorous curriculum that is engaging, meaningful, creative, and cognitively complex. Differentiation and choice exist within the general education program to serve all students within the social, emotional, and learning spectrums. The Darien Public Schools also recognize that gifted students require specialized instruction due to their high intellectual ability and exceptional demonstration of the following traits: original or divergent thinking, curiosity, abstract reasoning ability, passion for learning, and creativity.
The Idea Program offers distinct instruction for students in grades two through nine, based on their unique learning pathways, through rigorous, enriching, interdisciplinary programming through the domains of English Language Arts and Mathematics. The National Association for Gifted Children has identified common characteristics of gifted individuals which can be found by clicking here.
If you believe your child consistently demonstrates a preponderance of these traits, both in and out of the school setting, then you may want to discuss the possibility of a referral with your child’s teacher. Parents/guardians or teachers may make a referral for evaluation for students who are new to the district in grades 2-8 from October 12th-October 30th.
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BOO GRAMS ARE BACK!
Support UNICEF in the coming weeks by sending a Boo Gram to your child, their classmates & friends (in-person and remote), a teacher or a faculty member.
- IN PERSON: look in your child’s backpack for information this week!
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REMOTE: click here for the forms if you wish to participate. When complete please place the Boo Gram envelope (it’s essential that it is marked with your OxRidge student/s name and ‘BooGram’) in the mailbox at 287 Mansfield Avenue.
The deadline for all BooGram submissions is October 21st. Please follow the delivery instructions and deadlines so we can ensure all students enjoy this fundraiser. E-mail Lara Doggett with any queries. There will be no coin boxes from Unicef this year however you can go to www.unicefusa.org/trick-or-treat for information about UNICEF’s virtual Coin Box fundraiser.
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SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
Mark your calendar! School Picture Day is coming Tuesday, October 27th . Remote Learners will have an opportunity to have their portraits taken on October 27th as well; 4 – 6pm has been set aside for our remote learners. A signup sheet will be shared with our remote learner families. Please visit www.Lifetouch.com for clothing suggestions, online payment details and more. Ox Ridge School Picture day ID#EVTCM8KPT
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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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Flu? Cold? COVID? Guidelines to Follow if Your Child Becomes Ill
Fall is here and with it comes cold and flu season. The District has put together the following documents to help parents make the right decisions if a child becomes ill.
Questions or Concerns or Positive COVID test?
During school hours, please call (203.655.4604) or email Ox Ridge School Nurse Yvonne Dempsey directly. After school hours, please call the Nurse Information Line: 203.656.7440
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THRIVING YOUTH TIP OF THE WEEK |
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In a recent New York Times article, Mental health experts offer advice on how to handle the return to indoor life the cooler weather will bring. Dr. Hofmann, a professor of psychology at Boston University, suggests that our end game should be to flip adversity into opportunities. “For anybody who wants to be more resilient, this is the magical thing to do,” Dr. Hofmann said. He advised focusing on meaningful projects and connections…Maybe a new hobby or new creative outlet. This week, brainstorm with your children: what are some fun things we can do this fall and winter? Create a bucket-list of things you can look forward to.
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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YWCA - BEHIND CLOSED DOORS COVID & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
October 21, 2020 6:30-7:30PM Domestic Violence occurs in every neighborhood. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status. Learn from experts at The Domestic Violence Crisis Center of Connecticut and The Rowan Center about the prevalence of domestic violence and the rise in incidents since Covid-19. What can we do? How can we help? To register: www.ywcadn.org/programs
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YWCA PARENT AWARENESS - THE HOLIDAYS PLAYBOOK IN THE AGE OF COVID
October 27, 2020 6:00-7:00PM Zoom YWCA Parent Awareness and Family Centers are pleased to present: The Holidays Playbook in the Age of COVID. Join Chelsea McGee, LCSW and Julianne Green, LMSW for a discussion about how families can stay positive, manage stress, and stay connected during the upcoming holiday season with COVID-19. How can traditions be maintained? How can new ones be created? How to keep and maintain boundaries with family if people feel and think differently and how to not feel guilty about those differences during this time? Walk away with a game plan to help with creative ways to still feel uplifted! Registration is required: https://ywcadn.org/parent-awareness.
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FUN FOR MOMS AND DADS AT THE DARIEN ARTS CENTER
It's time for some fun for adults at the Darien Arts Center! All starting soon! Sign up now at darienarts.org for:
For questions, call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.
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OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON FUN ON THE FARM
Join us on Saturday, October 24th from 8:30 to 11AM for a fun-filled, family day at Silverman’s Farm!
- OPUS Fun on the Farm attendees will enjoy:
- VIP Parking
- Admission with a private entrance to Silverman’s Animal Farm
- A farm-themed goodie bag for each family
- A professional family photo taken by Sarah Starling of Elyett Photography (image downloads will be available for purchase after the event)
Beginning at 8:30, take advantage of our private check-in area where you will be able to purchase coffee, tea and yummy baked goods from the Bubble & Brew truck and have your professional family photo taken in front of a fall-themed backdrop. From 9-11 you will also be able to enjoy Silverman’s various attractions including the animal farm, pumpkin patch, and Country Market where you can stock up on all of your seasonal favorites including Silverman’s famous apple cider donuts. See you there!
Ticket price: $35 per family for OPUS members / $45 per family for non-members
Registration closes Oct. 21st but space is limited so be sure to register early before this family fun event sells out!
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OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON FALL & WINTER COAT DRIVE
OPUS for Person-to-Person is pleased to announce our annual coat drive benefiting Person-to Person's 'Keep Norwalk Warm' program. Beginning Friday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 25th, we will be collecting new and gently used coats in all sizes for adults and children. The Person-to-Person HQ will also host a drive-through donation day on Saturday, October 10th from 9am-12pm, where volunteers Stationed under an outdoor tent will provide a quick and contactless way to drop off coats. Last year, Person-to-Person provided over 900 coats to Norwalk city residents within a matter of hours. There is a great need for these new and gently used coats in typical times, and we are anticipating an even larger turnout this year due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For a complete list of drop-off locations/addresses and an Amazon wishlist link for preferred coats and sizes, please visit opus4p2p.org.
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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.
See what's happening on our social media sites:
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