Ox Ridge Elementary School
September 12, 2021
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September 16th : NO SCHOOL; Yom Kippur
September 19th : Back to School Sunday Funday @ Highland Farm
September 28th : School Picture Day
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October 1st - 3rd: Family Photo Days (Ox Fundraiser)
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
With the 20th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend, I thought it helpful to get some solid resources in your hands for discussion and reflection purposes, with a huge thanks to our library media specialist, Mrs. Calla Tabaka, for creating this guide. There are a variety of print, digital, and video resources for your consideration:
Most of these materials are appropriate for our older students (3 – 5). However, you might decide as a family that some of these texts are still useful for younger children. For our students, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 are now a historical abstraction but I am keenly aware of and sensitive to the personal impact felt in our Darien community and across our country. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or would like to discuss further.
We recognized the anniversary with an “extended” moment of silence Friday morning as an Ox Ridge community. I hope you find a way to reflect and remember this weekend as well.
On a brighter note, I also want to thank all of our amazing faculty for a terrific virtual “Open House” event this week! It was a personal pleasure to have so many new and returning families “pop” into my session as well! For the new families to Ox Ridge who are looking to “catch up” on all things building construction, please see the May 2021 construction discussion as a good place to learn more (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BBfBDmbjiD8icG2p_9KFzj6s8ZGR5knx/view).
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
We hope everyone had a great week and is settling into the new school routines.
The OXR administration and teachers held the (virtual) Open House on Thursday night, and we hope it gave you a glimpse into your child’s classroom. In place of class coffees this year, be on the lookout for a class social arranged by your room parent. We hope this allows building community with your class.
We are thankful for resources from Dr. Forshaw to help us reflect and discuss the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 – We Will Never Forget.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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BACK TO SCHOOL SUNDAY FUNDAY
September 19th from 3-5pm at Highland Farm (560 Middlesex Road ). DJ, Grit Ninja, Dessert Trucks…click HERE for more info! Log onto https://www.pay4schoolstuff.com to purchase tickets and select one student as the main family contact and then select the quantity that reflects the total number of family members attending - $10 per person (under 4 free).
Please fill out the waiver Liability Waiver | TheGritNinja for Grit Ninja if any of your children plan on participating in the various climbing courses, balance or field games.
A few reminders for the event:
- Bring cash for the dessert trucks and Kids Care Club refreshments
- Check out the new Ox swag at the Ox Outfitters tables
- Feel free to bring your beach chairs or blankets for the field
- Be mindful of the horses. Please don't approach the fence along the Riding Club border.
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FAMILY PHOTO DAYS
SMILE: Family Photo Days Are Coming Up
Get your holiday photos done early! Ox Ridge Family Photo Days are Back!
October 1-3, Karen Morneau will be creating beautiful photos once again! The sitting fee will go directly towards Ox Ridge Fundraising. Spots fill quickly! Please use the following link to sign up: Family Photo Day Sign Up. Click HERE for more info.
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DAISIES & BROWNIES AT OX RIDGE
Do you have a Kindergartener or 2nd Grader interested in Girl Scouting? We are hoping to get new troops set up for these grades and looking for parent volunteers and student interest to get them started. Daisies (K) and Brownies (2nd) are great introductions to Girl Scouts and their mission of building courage, confidence, and character, all while having fun with their fellow classmates. Troops typically meet once a month during the school year, the exact time and location are still to be determined. If you or your child have any interest or for any additional information please find the signup here.
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CUB SCOUTS AT OX RIDGE
Darien Cub Scouts welcomes BOYS and GIRLS in grades K-5 for the 2021-22 school year! Cub Scouting is a chance to get outside, go camping, play games, try new things, and to help other people. Our first Pack Meetings are an ice cream social on Sun, Sept 12th, at 1PM, and launching rockets on Sun, Sept 26th! Or stop by our town-wide Open Houses on either Sat, Sept 18th (2p-5p) or Sat, Oct 2nd (9a-12p). For all info or to join our mailing list, visit our website.
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SCHOOL SUPPLIES
If you are still in need of school supplies, please click here for a list of supplies by grade. The Kindergarten supply list will be communicated directly by your child's teacher.
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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!
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MABELS LABELS
Now that we're back to school, make sure ALL of your child's items are labeled! Ox Ridge PTO has teamed up with Mabel's Labels, which has an incredible selection of labels across all price points (and free shipping!). Just click here and make sure to search for and select "Ox Ridge" before you begin shopping. Every purchase will support Ox Ridge and ensure that the PTO has the resources needed to continue to support our amazing community.
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NEW OX RIDGE SPIRITWEAR IS NOW ON SALE
Get in the back-to-school spirit with Ox Ridge gear! We are thrilled to launch our new line of Ox Ridge spiritwear! The full product assortment can be purchased at our online store (oxridgeoutfitters.com) until September 19th and will be delivered to local addresses. We will also have products on display and for sale at Sunday Funday. Go ahead and grab your size today! Happy Shopping!
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the Ox Ridge PTO on Facebook and Instagram (@oxridgepto) to see updates and photos of Ox Ridge activities and events.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Erin Noonan & Page Berger (Vice Chairs) for organizing and orienting all the room parents!
Beth Morgan (Social Media) for updating Instagram and Facebook with all the OXR news!
PTO members for collecting 100s of tennis balls (noise dampeners) for the feet of classroom chairs!
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In “Building Resilience with Children and Teens,” Pediatrician Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg reminds parents that part of teaching your child to be resilient is first projecting resilience yourself. Dr. Ginsburg describes a scene: “You’re on a plane, there’s turbulence — you don’t look at the guy next to you who’s hysterical. You look at the flight attendants, to see if they’re still serving snack mix.” Dr. Ginsburg encourages parents managing back to school turbulence to model emotional regulation for their children, with a steady supportive presence. What’s one way you can model self-care or emotional regulation for your child this week?
Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
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MOVIE IN THE PARK - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH
Darien Parks and Recreation, the Darien Youth Commission and the Darien Arts Center present: Movie in the Park! Join us next Friday, September 17th, at Highland Farm for Disney’s Onward! A perfect transition from summer to fall… grab a picnic, beach chair, and blanket and come enjoy an evening under the stars at one of Darien’s newest open spaces! (560 Middlesex Rd.) The event is free to attend and limited concessions will be offered for purchase. Movie show-time is dusk (about 7:00pm). Feel free to contact 203-656-7325 with any questions and we hope to see you there!
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GET YOUR CHILD BACK ON TRACK IN MATH!
IvyMath offers private online math tutoring and enrichment for students in grades 3-8. Our current back-to-school promotion includes a FREE personalized math assessment for your child and 6 FREE private math sessions. At IvyMath, your child will work one-on-one in focused, 30 minute sessions with a fun and engaging math instructor. IvyMath is the best way to make sure your child has a mastery of basic math fundamentals and gets a head start on more advanced concepts. Get started by scheduling a FREE assessment for your child at ivymath.com. After the assessment, we'll talk through your child's math strengths and weaknesses with you and set up a plan just for them, starting with six free sessions. Contact info@ivymath.com to schedule your free assessment or sign up now at ivymath.com.
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DARIEN SQUASH REGISTRATION
Calling all Darien kids interested in playing squash! Registration for the Fall 2021 Darien Squash program is now open! Kids in grades 3-8 will play at the Ox Ridge Club in Darien, and we are thrilled to announce our new program for kids in grades K-2 at the brand new MSQUASH location in SONO. This new program is specifically designed to introduce young players to squash in a fun and unique way. Visit www.msquash.com/Darien for K-2 information or dariensquash.com to register for grades 3-8! All levels welcome! For questions, please contact info@dariensquash.com
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DARIEN YMCA AFTER SCHOOL KIDS CLUB PROGRAMS
The Darien YMCA has openings in it's 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 6:30 PM. Depending on the age of the children in the group, typical activities include homework time, indoor/outdoor games, snacks, arts and crafts, cooking, and special events. Whether in the gym 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 and conference days. We welcome children of all abilities.
Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year is open. You can register online or at the YMCA front desk. For further info, contact Suzanne Richards, Director of Youth Development & Special Needs Programs at (203) 655-8228 ext 1331 or srichards@darien-ymca.org.
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DARIEN ROAD RACE REGISTRATION IS OPEN
The 41st annual Darien Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, September 19th @ Pear Tree Point Beach. There is a 1.5-mile fun run/walk and a 5-mile timed race as well as activities and silent auction under the Finish Line tent. This year, because of the pandemic’s impact on this population, all proceeds will go to vital programs, services and initiatives for Darien, Norwalk, and Stamford children and adolescents. Register here.
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REGISTER NOW FOR FALL CLASSES AT THE DARIEN ARTS CENTER
DANCE students, ages 3 & up, train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County & have the unique opportunity to participate in multiple performances throughout the year. New this year: more Hip Hop & Boys Ballet!
ART CLASSES for Grades 1-8 include Cartooning, Drawing, Painting, Digital Illustration, Iphone Photography and NEW: Mixed Media & Collage. We have Calligraphy and fun Sip and Paint and Wreath Workshops for adults too!
Private MUSIC LESSONS include piano, guitar, voice, cello, viola & more. NEW this year: Group Guitar, Singing/Songwriting & Ukelele.
The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd, behind the Town Hall. Visit darienarts.org to register or for questions, call (203) 655-8683.
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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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