Ox Ridge School
October 4, 2020
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October 5th (Mon):
October 8th (Thurs):
- PTO Speaker Series Zoom at 6pm: ANXIETY or Anxiety (see details in Community News)
October 19th - November 1st:
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)
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
It was an awesome first week getting us all back together at Ox Ridge! I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for your support of our teachers, staff and for your efforts to adhere to our updated procedures and protocols.
Thank you for providing blankets and towels for “Camp Ox Ridge” and for your continued attention to our daily pick up and drop off practices!
More importantly, your patience and kind regard towards our teachers, who are rapidly integrating new learning is much appreciated. Our kids succeed and our community stays healthy when we all continue to partner with one another! Finally, thank you also for continuing to review and reinforce the importance of handwashing, social distancing and mask wearing with your kids. They continue to do an amazing job of following through on this “new normal”. Looking forward to our weeks to come.
A reminder that our annual Open House will be a virtual event this year. Please check our school website on the afternoon of October 5th to learn more about our school community!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
This weekend, we had approximately 50 families contribute to our Family Photo Day Fundraiser, raising approximately $3,800. A big thank you goes to our photographer Karen Morneau for working hard on her feet from approximately 8am until after 5pm both Saturday and Sunday, and donating all of the sitting fees to Ox Ridge.
Please remember to visit our Ox Ridge school website tomorrow, October 5th, to check out your teachers' Open House videos! Please also note that our first PTO Speaker Series of the school year is taking place via Zoom on Thursday, October 8th, at 6pm. The YWCA has partnered with Ox Ridge, along with the other Darien elementary schools, to present this Parent Awareness program entitled ANXIETY or Anxiety? Helping parents distinguish between a clinical diagnosis and age appropriate worrying with Cristina Young, LCSW. Please see registration link below.
We hope everyone is enjoying the crisp fall weather 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!
October 6:
- Mrs. Diane Carr (Lrn. Ctr. Tchr.)
October 7:
- Mrs. Cindi Imp (Lrn. Ctr. Tchr.)
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VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH
This year our elementary schools across the district are offering a virtual “Open House” for all families. Please visit our Ox Ridge school website on October 5th to check out your teacher(s) Open House videos! As always, your partnership and collaboration are welcomed and encouraged. Feel free to continue to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) via email or call to stay connected.
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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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OX RIDGE YEARBOOK
Hootie artwork for the Yearbook!
We include students' drawings of Hootie in the yearbook every year, and feature one drawing from a 5th grade artist on the cover. Please fill out this form and upload your artwork to be included! The due date is Friday, October 16th.
YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!
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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OX RIDGE OUTFITTERS - RESTOCKED SIZES
Oxridge outfitters has restocked sizes for their bestselling items $20 and under. Get in the spirit and get them before they’re gone! Orders are currently being hand delivered to local addresses
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VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR
Book fair is just around the corner, so get ready for a new way to enjoy our favorite school event this fall, right from the comfort of your own home! So get your fireplaces lit, grab a warm blanket and snuggle up on the couch with some hot cocoa and popcorn. Bookfair will start the week of October 19th and run for two weeks until November 1st. We will be virtual, and it will be just like shopping right there in our school library, where children can browse over books they are interested in. So schedule a time that works for you and your family over the week, and make it a fun event to shop with your kids for books while also benefitting the school!
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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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SUBSCRIBE TO OX RIDGE EVENTS
If you would like an automatic calendar feed of all Ox Ridge events, please visit the Ox Ridge calendar on the PTO website and click on the “Subscribe” box under the calendar on the right. All events (including those added in the future) will automatically feed to the calendar of your choice. There are not many events in the calendar at the moment, but if you are subscribed, you will be first to know of any additions!
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BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
This year, before and after school programming will be offered through Darien After School (DAS). All classes will be offered online by local teachers and vendors including Ox Ridge teachers, Ms. Hoffer and Ms. Hayes! Please note some classes start the week of October 5th while others will begin the week of October 26. Registration is rolling and new classes/sections have been added. To view the new schedule and register for programs, click here. Please reach out to Hayley (phone: 888.212.3837 / text: 203.524.2824) or Lia Stewart (617.515.0074) with any questions, suggestions, or ideas.
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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION?
This year's Special Education Representatives for the PTO are Meghan Thorton and Jessica Bennett. They will be working with building staff to bring you community events. Please reach out to them to say hello or ask questions! Here is a reminder of the Chain of Communication within Special Education at Ox Ridge. If you are having concerns or aren't getting a response within about 48 hours, please contact the next person in the Chain. They want to hear from you and offer assistance!
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HELP US EARN EXTRA DOLLARS FOR OX RIDGE!
Amazon Smile
Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select Ox Ridge Parent Teacher Organization. Bookmark your page and then, every time you shop, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to the Ox Ridge PTO!
Shop and Stop
From now through March 14th, you can help Ox Ridge earn money every time you use your Stop & Shop Card! If you registered your card last year, you do not need to register again. If you have not registered your card, visit www.stopandshop.com and select SIGN IN at the top right to log into your online account. Once logged in, select MY ACCOUNT, REWARDS & PROGRAMS, then A+ SCHOOL REWARDS to select your school. You'll need your 13-digit Stop & Shop Card number and the School ID #06669. If you have any questions, you can email Ellie Davidson or Megan Malone or call Stop & Shop at 1-877-366-2668 and select OPTION #1.
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THRIVING YOUTH TIP OF THE WEEK |
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67% of Darien 7th-12th graders report feeling that “my life has purpose.” Research shows young people who have a sense of purpose feel good about themselves, get along better with their parents, and get into less trouble. As a parent, you can create an atmosphere where children feel free to discover what they enjoy and what they find meaningful. Ask your children questions like, “What do you like to do most at school? At home? What makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning?” Share with your child what gives your life purpose.
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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PARENT AWARENESS PROGRAM: ANXIETY Or Anxiety
October 8, 2020 6:00-7:00PM Zoom. YWCA Parent Awareness and Darien Elementary School PTO’s have partnered to bring parents an important Webinar: ANXIETY or Anxiety? Helping parents distinguish between a clinical diagnosis and age appropriate worrying with Cristina Young, LCSW. Learn the basics about anxiety, clarify when to help your child at home vs. when to call a professional. Cristina Young, LCSW and parent educator, will help you master 10 tips for managing and reducing anxiety in your family. Registration is required: www.ywcadn.org/anxious
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STAND AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On Sunday October 18th participate with the YWCA Darien/Norwalk as we LIGHT THE NIGHT against domestic violence. Join us in showing victims and survivors that they are not alone: they have a community, friends and neighbors standing with them. The luminaries will create a ribbon of light in front of your home, through your neighborhoods and throughout our town to visually recognize the increased prevalence of Domestic Violence since COVID-19. For more information and to purchase your kits visit: www.ywcadn.org/luminarykits
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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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DARIEN YMCA AFTER SCHOOL KIDS CLUB PROGRAM
The Darien YMCA has openings in its After School Kids Club Program. Kids Club is an ideal after-school program for children of active and working parents. Kids Club is a state-licensed program designed for children age 3 through 5th grade. Participating children can ride the "Y Bus" directly from their Darien school to the Kids Club program held at the Darien YMCA. There they are met by the Kids Club staff who create a supportive environment for after-school fun. Children may stay as late as 6:30pm. Depending on the age of the children in the group, typical activities include homework time, indoor/outdoor games, snacks, arts and crafts, swimming, cooking, and special events. Whether in the pool or the classroom, Kids Club incorporates the national YMCA's values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility in its curriculum. Kids Club follows the Darien public school calendar. The program operates during all early dismissal days, including this year's Early Dismissal Fridays and conference days. We welcome children of all abilities. For more information, contact Suzanne Richards, Director of Youth Development & Special Needs Programs at (203) 655-8228 ex. 1331 or srichards@darien-ymca.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 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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