September 27th: Before/After School Programs Begin

September 28th: School Picture Day

October 1st - 3rd: Family Photo Days (Ox Fundraiser)

October 7th: PTO Speaker Series at Ox Ridge
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Hi All,
 
It was fun to see all who joined our “Sunday Funday” at Highland Farms this afternoon! Thank you to our PTO, particularly Samantha Bohlen and the social committee for organizing such a great community-building event.
 
Thanks,
Luke
FROM THE PTO
Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
 
We had such a wonderful time at the Back to School Sunday Funday! A huge thank you to all the PTO committees that made it a success. We hope your ninjas are sufficiently tuckered out, full of ice cream, and feeling the Ox Ridge spirit. Did you also get a chance to see Hootie?!

We are excited to have another upcoming opportunity to get together in person for our first PTO Speaker Series meeting on October 7th. This will be held in the Ox Ridge Common Room and is a great opportunity to not only be in the school but also hear important updates from the administration. We hope you can join us.

As always, please contact us with any questions!
XO OX,
 
PTO Co-Chairs
OX RIDGE NEWS
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – BEGIN 9/27
Join us before and after school for FUN this Fall with Music, Art, Crafts, LEGOs, Sports, Chess, Math, Coding, Martial Arts and MORE. Darien After School is offering IN PERSON Before and After School enrichment at Ox Ridge. Click HERE for the class schedule and registration info. Questions? [email protected] or 888.212.3837


PTO SPEAKER SERIES – OCTOBER 7th @ OX RIDGE
Speakers: Dr. Forshaw, Mrs. Ulreich, Mrs. Sulzycki & Kadi Lublin (ORBC Rep)
Join us on Thursday, 10/7 at 7:30pm in the Ox Ridge Common Room for our first PTO speaker series. Topics include: meeting our new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Lindsay Sulzycki; state of the school updates from Dr. Forshaw and Mrs. Ulreich; introduction of the teacher in residence program; and an overview of the new school construction project from Kadi Lublin (ORBC Parent Rep). Attendees are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and masks are required for all.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY IS LIVE BUT CHANGED
The old site, atozdirectories.com, was deactivated over the summer, so ALL families must create a new account in order to be included in and access the Directory. Please click HERE for detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] and Mia Kim.

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
Save the date – Tuesday, September 28th.   Go to mylifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID: EVTRQ378M for ordering information.  

DPS CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION
Who do I call with a question or suggestion regarding school matters? The Darien School District has created communication protocols to help promote direct, open, and respectful interactions so that problems and concerns can be worked out quickly and efficiently. Those protocols can be found here or on the Ox Ridge PTO website, under Parent Resources.  

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.
girls_scouts

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 next pack meeting is launching rockets on Sun, Sept 26th! Or stop by our next town-wide Open House on Sat, Oct 2nd (9a-12p). For all info or to join our mailing list, visit our website.

CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Sam Bohlen (Social Chair) and Sonia Johnson, Heather Lucus, Barbara May, Alison Muench & Nicole Sweeney (Social Committee) for planning an incredible Back-to-School Sunday Funday!
Christine Auh & Danielle Paccione (Ox Outfitters) for providing awesome spirit-wear at the playdates, K orientations and Sunday Funday!
Mia Kim (Directory) for updating our invaluable Online Directory!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Jessica Rosado on September 20th
THRIVING YOUTH TIP
As we transition back to school and establish new rhythms and routines, Psychologist Dr. Rhea Owens suggests one practice to boost our mental and emotional wellness. Slow down and savor. Find joy in ordinary moments. Dr. Owens recommends simply taking a beat whenever something good happens — no matter how small — to really acknowledge it. Whether it’s your child recounting something good that happened at school, the warmth of the sun on a beautiful day or watching a youth sports event. Model “savoring” moments for your children and see if they can find a moment to savor this week.
Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
COMMUNITY NEWS
DARIEN MUSIC FOR YOUTH - PLEASE JOIN!
Darien Music for Youth is a 501c3 that has been providing music enrichment in all 7 schools for more than 50 years. This year, MFY will support a new curricular initiative called the Blues and Beyond at MMS, an all school band festival including a visit by Dallas Brass in April, poster contests promoting the District wide curricular theme of American Music and more. All members will be listed in the Dallas Brass and other programs. We can't do it without you. Please click here or check out the flyer to learn more and donate.
JOIN OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON
OPUS for Person-to-Person is an organization of women dedicated to supporting Person-to-Person in their mission to create educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all.  Far too many people right here in Fairfield County are struggling to make ends meet. As the only fundraising arm of Person-to-Person, OPUS is proud to help those struggling in our community with food, clothing, emergency assistance, and scholarship programs. We do this by hosting fundraisers each year, volunteering regularly, and generating awareness of Person-to-Person programs. In the process, we have created lasting friendships and proven that women united in a shared goal is a pretty powerful thing. Learn more about becoming a member at opus4p2p.org.
OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON FUN ON THE FARM 2021
Join us on Saturday, September 25th from 8:30 to 11 am 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 pumpkin for each child and pumpkin decorating
  • A farm-themed goodie bag for each family
  • Fall backdrop for taking family photos
  • A discount on apple picking
Starting at 8:30, take advantage of our private OPUS check-in area where you will be able to take photos in front of our beautiful fall-themed photo backdrop, decorate pumpkins and enjoy early access to Silverman’s Animal Farm. Beginning at 9:00, move on to Silverman’s other attractions including the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and Country Market where you can stock up on all of your seasonal favorites including Silverman’s famous apple cider donuts. We look forward to seeing you there! Ticket price: $35 per family for OPUS members / $50 per family for non-members. To register, click here. Space is limited so be sure to register early before this fun family event sells out!

EDITORS NOTE:
Sara Osberg - Sept, Dec, Mar, June
Tory Bolton - Oct, Jan, Apr
Baye Larsen - Nov, Feb, May

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.

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