Ox Ridge School
September 27, 2020
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September 28th (Mon):
September 29th (Tues):
- All students return for in-person learning
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October 3rd (Sat):
- Family Photo Day at Farm Creek Preserve and Weed Beach
October 4th (Sun):
- Family Photo Day at Cherry Lawn and Weed Beach
October 5th (Mon):
October 8th (Thurs):
- PTO Speaker Series Zoom at 6pm: ANXIETY or Anxiety (see details in Community News)
October 27th (Tues):
- School Photos with Lifetouch (photo retakes are scheduled for December 14th)
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK |
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Hi All,
I sent out the following important update about our "Return to Full" on Thursday afternoon and ask that if you didn't have a chance to read it, please do so before we welcome everyone back on Tuesday!
Thanks,
Luke
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Dear Ox Ridge Families,
Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend! For those of you celebrating and observing the Jewish high holidays, we wish you a happy new year and an easy fast. Shanah Tovah!
It was a busy and productive week! We purchased soccer balls, basketballs, jump ropes and chalk to help facilitate the different outdoor recess experience for our children this year. We also provided playground balls, softball sets and other equipment to support PE for all of the individual classes.
Another sincere thank you to our teachers and staff for the countless behind the scenes hours they have all logged to get us through the first month. As a small token of our appreciation we were excited to deliver individual boxed lunches and some chocolate 'hugs & kisses' for the entire staff this past Thursday. Moving forward our traditional monthly Staff Encouragement celebrations will look a little different this year so please be on the look for more details coming soon on how you can help spread the love this year.
A special thank you to our room parents for taking on this important role in a very different setting. Parents will be receiving communication from their room parents about a virtual class “meet & greet” and other information regarding any classroom business in the coming days if you haven’t already.
As always, reach out to us anytime. We would love to hear from you!
Stay happy and healthy!
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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IMPORTANT BUS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE FOR THIS WEEK
In anticipation of the full return to five days, the bus routes will be updated starting this Tuesday, September 29th. Please visit the Transportation web page at darienps.org after 4pm on Sunday to view your updated route timing. If you have any questions please contact Kate Barbieri.
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FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER - PAYMENT LINK
To all families who have signed up for a Family Photo Day session on October 3rd or 4th, please remember to make your $75 payment via Pay4SchoolStuff. Please see the SignUp Genius for details on your session and tips from photographer Karen Morneau. All questions should be directed to Beth Morgan. Thank you so much for contributing to this fundraising event!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER
We are in need of volunteers (there are none to date!) to greet families attending the Ox Ridge Photo Day Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3rd and Sunday, Oct. 4th. The shifts are in 1 to 2-hour increments from 8:15am-5:45pm at Cherry Lawn, Weed Beach, or Farm Creek Preserve in Rowayton. This is a great way to meet Ox Ridge families, and your kids can simultaneously play at the parks/beaches! Feel free to split your slot with a friend so that you each take half of the time. Please signup here and email Beth Morgan with any questions. Your help is so appreciated!
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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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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.
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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! Classes start on October 5th. Registration is rolling and additional classes/sections may be added, as needed. To view the schedule and register for programs, click here. Please reach out to Hayley (ph: 888.212.3837 / tx: 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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SCHOOL DIRECTORY IS AVAILABLE
The Ox Ridge School Directory is LIVE! The web-based directory is available on the A to Z Connect platform. The Directory is accessible as a downloadable app on your smartphone device or anytime online. First time log-in at the beginning of the school year requires a quick verification and confirmation of household information. You may "opt in" (i.e., contact information publicly available) or "opt out" (i.e., contact information hidden) of the Directory. Follow these instructions to access the Directory. Please contact Mia Kim with any questions.
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BEGINNER BAND REGISTRATION FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
In case you missed the Beginner Band Recruitment Presentation and would like to join the band this school year, please click here. We will be having in-school band lessons this year. Full band rehearsals are on hold for now, or may be held virtually. We are taking some special precautions due to COVID-19, including 12-foot spacing between students, special covers we will be distributing to students to place over the ends of their instruments, and the use of puppy pads as a receptacle to empty water valves. If you have questions about resuming instrumental music safely in school, you can contact Colleen Thompson, Director of Music in the Darien Public Schools. We are hoping to begin Band lessons in mid-September. Please feel free to reach out to Colin Walters, Elementary Band Director, if you have any questions or concerns.
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THRIVING YOUTH TIP OF THE WEEK |
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Carol Dweck’s research shows children who are praised for their intelligence tend to become anxious about making mistakes. But when children are praised for their effort and persistence, they are more likely to enjoy pushing through difficulties. Dweck shares a key way to develop a growth mindset: Recognize that you can choose how you react to setbacks. When you make a mistake or are criticized, you can label yourself as a failure, or you can see mistakes as opportunities to stretch yourself and grow. Have you observed your child persevering through a challenge this week? Talk with them about what they did and celebrate their efforts.
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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DARIEN SCOUTING OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 10/3, 2-5PM!
While many youth activities have gone virtual or been cancelled altogether due to the pandemic, Darien Scouting has continued to provide programs for local youth to enjoy fun outdoor activities, build leadership skills, make lifelong friends, and provide valuable community service, all while following Covid-19 safety procedures. Darien Scouting has programs for boys and girls grades K-12. Programs are up and running and new Scouts can join any time. Stop by the Scout Cabin at 140 West Avenue on Saturday October 3 from 2-5pm to see the Scouts in action, participate in fun activities, and learn more about the Darien Scouting programs, or email darienscouts@gmail.com any time for program and registration information.
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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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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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AFTER SCHOOL ANIMAL CARETAKING PROGRAMS AT THE NATURE CENTER
Know an animal lover? At the Darien Nature Center's after-school animal caretaking programs, students will get up close and personal with the many species of native and exotic animals we house here! We'll learn what is required to keep each unique creature happy and healthy. In an effort to provide COVID-conscious education, any programming that can be moved outdoors will be, and students will be masked while inside (staff will be masked at all times). Space is limited! Click here for more information or to register.
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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 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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