Ox Ridge Elementary School
September 26, 2021
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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
October 18th - 20th : Fall Book Fair at Ox Ridge
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Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
If you haven’t already had a chance, please know that the “District Technology Council” is eager to hear your feedback! Please complete this brief survey to inform the work of this committee. The committee will use your insights and those of teachers and students to make thoughtful recommendations to improve technology for learning in the Darien Public Schools continuously.
At Ox Ridge this year, we are supporting our students in K – 2 injudicious use of newly deployed Chromebook tablets while continuing to teach our 3 – 5 students about ways to leverage their Chromebooks to enhance learning. I’m hopeful that you all will have a chance to see some of the novel and exciting technology applications for learning in action as the year progresses and appreciate the feedback you supply to our “Tech Council” as we refine future technology for learning.
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Parents,
The school year is in full swing!
Before & After School Programs begin at Ox Ridge on Monday! We hope your kids are excited to try the variety of classes offered. You can still register – see below for more info.
We are also thrilled to be finalizing plans for the first PTO Speaker Series, including a gracious offer from our administrators to allow parents to come anytime between 6:30-7:30pm to tour the building – more details below.
XO OX,
PTO Co-Chairs
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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – REGISTER TODAY
Classes begin on Monday, October 4th IN PERSON at Ox Ridge! 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
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PTO SPEAKER SERIES – OCTOBER 7th @ OX RIDGE
TOUR: Come anytime between 6:30-7:30 pm for a self-guided tour of the school! Administrators will be on-site to direct, guide and answer any questions. Note: classrooms will not be accessible during this time.
MEETING: 7:30 pm in the Ox Ridge Common Room.
Speakers: Dr. Forshaw, Mrs. Ulreich, Mrs. Sulzycki & Kadi Lublin (ORBC Rep)
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).
As a reminder, vaccination is strongly encouraged and masks are required for all while inside the school building. The presentation will be recorded for those who cannot attend in person. Questions? Contact Mary Elizabeth Garvey or Libby Cook
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KIDS CARE CLUB
The Kids Care Club is the community service arm of the PTO. We work with kids in all grades to teach them about community outreach and volunteering. The meetings will be held in person one Friday each month, from 8:15-9:00 am. Schedule to be posted soon. Please note, this will be a drop-off meeting, and kids will be separated by grade level in the common room. This year we will be focused on many hands-on community service projects with local organizations such as the Norwalk Family and Children's Agency, Person to Person, STAR, At Home in Darien, Animal Embassy, and the Darien Land Trust. We look forward to creating new ways for the kids to safely get involved, and if you have ideas or connections to organizations, please feel free to reach out! Sign Up HERE.
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SUBMIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION QUESTIONS
Darien League of Women Voters (DLWV) is holding a candidates night on Oct 5th featuring the candidates for the Board of Education, which directly influences the direction of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) within our schools. Unfortunately, the event is not open to the public; however, it will be televised on TV7 and recorded. Questions for candidates can be sent in advance for them to answer. In addition, the DE&I committees from the 5 elementary schools are compiling a list of questions for this event to help get a better understanding of where these candidates stand on DE&I issues. If you would like to contribute a question to our list, please add it here by Wednesday, September 29th.
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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.
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SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
Save the date – Tuesday, September 28th. Go to mylifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID: EVTRQ378M for ordering information.
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THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Lia Stewart & Bethany Reade (Before & After School Programs) for working with Darien After School to offer enrichment courses before and after the school day!
Marisa Chadda & Ashley Hinchman (Ox Appreciation) for deep cleaning the staff lounge and restocking it with coffee pods, seltzers, healthy snacks and cinnamon donuts to kick off our monthly staff appreciation program!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Sharon Amato (Paraprofessional) on September 26th
Michelle Schaller (Speech and Language Pathologist) on September 27th
Lisa Bhagirathy (PT) on October 3rd
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The Search Institute has studied positive youth development for 50 years. Here are their practical tips to build positive family communication with your elementary school student:
- When a child is upset, be patient and sympathetic. Ask, “Can you tell me what’s wrong?”
- Positive communication can happen without words. Be sensitive to the kind of physical contact your child prefers. Some like having their backs rubbed, others might like holding a parent’s hand during a walk. Others enjoy playful wrestling.
- Learn what tickles your child’s funny bone. Some children like silly games and crazy faces while others like knock-knock jokes and riddles. Do fun things and laugh together.
- Vary how you greet your child after school. Instead of, “How was your day?” Try: “Hey, it’s great to see you. I’m glad you’re home.”
Talk early, talk often. Thriving Youth/The Community Fund of Darien
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MOVIE IN THE PARK - RESCHEDULED AGAIN TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
Three times a charm! Darien Parks and Recreation, the Darien Youth Commission and the Darien Arts Center are pleased to sponsor a movie in the park! – NEW DATE – Friday, October 1. Join us at Highland Farm for Disney’s Onward! 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 while supplies last. REMINDER: HIGHLAND FARMS POLICY IS CARRY-IN/CARRY-OUT WITH ALL REFUSE. THERE ARE NO GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AT HIGHLAND FARMS. Movie show-time is dusk (6:45 pm). Feel free to contact 203-656-7325 with any questions and we hope to see you there!
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TREE PLANTING DAY IN DARIEN - HELP US PLANT A TREE
The Darien Pollinator Pathway and the Public Works Department of the Town of Darien are partnering in a Tree Planting Day on Saturday, October 2nd from 9 am – 12 noon. We have purchased a number of native trees with the proceeds of a grant we recently received from One Tree Planted. Public Works has selected various sites around the Town Hall area for planting and will be providing compost and mulch from the transfer station. The Pollinator Pathway is giving away a native shrub to every volunteer! If you have a moment please register HERE. You are also welcome to register on-site - just turn up on the day with gloves and any tools available!
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ROCKTOBERFEST RETURNS TO HIGHLAND FARM
Purchase tickets early for this family-friendly outdoor concert with musical guests Shot Down, Waller & Doug Allen! Enjoy the day with family and friends on October 2nd from 12-6 pm, with music, fun activities, delicious food, drink, and craft vendors. Parking and admission: $25 per car. Walk-in admission: $5 per person. Pre-registration is required. Tickets and more info are available HERE.
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CALLING ALL 4TH GRADERS
The 4th Grade Party at the Depot will be held on Thursday, October 21st 4:00-5:30 pm (Rain Date October 22nd). There will be pizza, games and a DJ! Click here to register. For additional information, contact [email protected].
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ADVENTURE GUIDES
Adventure Guides is a low commitment program that provides dads and their kids an easy way to learn skills together, grow their relationship, give back to the community, and have fun! We gather about once every 4-8 weeks and finish the year by marching in the Memorial Day parade. Adventure Guides is open to fathers and their children in Grades 1-5. Please spread the word to anyone who might want to join this year, and make sure to visit the YMCA site to register ASAP and not miss any of the fun (registration can be found under "programs" and you do not need to be a YMCA member to join)! Register HERE.
This is a Dad-led thing – which means we are sometimes low on structure but always high on fun. Hunter Keay is taking over as Cherokee Chief (dads and daughters), trying to fill the shoes of the venerable, now retired, Akshay Das… former Cherokee Chief and Adventure Guide diplomat. Please reach out to Hunter Keay
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DARIEN NATURE CENTER - FIRESIDE FUNDRAISING PARTY
Gather with friends and fellow nature lovers under the stars! The Darien Nature Center will hold its fundraising party, Fireside, on Saturday, October 16th at 7:00 pm. The 4th annual event will feature Fall festive foods, signature cocktails, music, games, and a silent auction full of experiences and offerings for all ages. General admission tickets are $125 each and can be purchased online HERE or by calling 203-655-7459. We hope to see you around the bonfire!
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DARIEN NATURE CENTER - OUTDOOR EXPLORERS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Head to the Darien Nature Center for an afternoon exploring the great outdoors! This monthly multi-part series will be full of fun and learning in nature. Sessions may include hikes, games, exploration, science experiments, stories, and campfires! Membership is not required. Click HERE for more information and registration.
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REGISTRATION FOR FALL CLASSES IN DANCE, MUSIC AND VISUAL ARTS
NEW: CARETAKER & ME: Ages 1-3, Introduce your little one to the fun & creativity of art! Fridays, 10:30-11:15, 10/8-11/12
MUSIC CLASSES - NEW: Group Guitar, Singing/Songwriting & Ukulele!
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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DARIEN SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SEPAC)
The Darien Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is an independent organization of parent volunteers committed to open communication and effective collaboration between the families of our community and Darien Public Schools. Members work with principals and district administrators to provide a forum for parent input. The committee meets monthly to discuss district special education practices and offers a series of public presentations each school year. For more information, to be added to our e-blast list, or to become involved, please email [email protected] or visit DarienSepac.wordpress.com.
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THE MESS REGISTRATION (ELEMENTARY MOMS GROUP)
Join other moms as we explore some aspects of mothering during the elementary years. It’s MESSY. . . from school projects to sports equipment to more and more laundry. Not to mention the mess of our hearts and minds as we love our kids and navigate all the things. Come and be a mess together with other moms! We’ll spend time twice a month exploring some aspects of the mom life during the elementary years. Click on this link for registration and more information.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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