April 21, 2024

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

April

April 22-26 - Earth Week at Ox Ridge

April 22 - Fun Run fundraiser kickoff

April 23 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm

April 30 - Fun Run fundraiser event day

May

May 3 - Kindergarten Orientation

May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week

May 7 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm (Discuss latest school budget)

May 8 - Passport Night from 5:30-7:30pm

May 9 - Spring Soiree Parent Social at Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club from 7-10pm

May 10 - Kids Care Club at 8:15am

May 13 - Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Vote on School Budget

May 14 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm

May 19 - Ox Ridge Family Day at Yankees Game

May 22 - Spring Concert

May 28 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:30pm

Useful Links:

Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Why Unstructured Play Is Important to Child Development

Play benefits all areas of a child’s development. One important aspect of this time is unstructured play, also called free play.

Unstructured play allows children the freedom to explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. It’s been shown to foster cognitive development while boosting physical development and social and emotional development. It specifically helps creativity and imagination, problem-solving abilities and social skills.

Creativity and imagination: Because there are no fixed rules to follow, children can make their own games and guidelines. This opportunity to create and use imagination is important to cognitive development.

Problem-solving abilities: Children work together during unstructured play to solve problems, like who takes the first turn in a game and establishing other rules of play. While activities should be supervised, allow children time to work together on problems before helping resolve a conflict or question.

Social skills: Unstructured play encourages social skills and teamwork. Children take turns, learn to listen and share, develop imaginary scenarios and make decisions together. Because they are the ones driving play, they have the chance to learn on their own among friends.

Playgrounds and outdoor spaces are ideal for free play because there are endless opportunities

to explore and interact with the world. Children can race through a play structure, run in open

spaces and create their own games based on what’s available. Children do not need large open

spaces for creative play – often a quiet corner or under the kitchen table are just as fun.

From the website Help Me Grow - https://helpmegrowmn.org/

Harry Laub, Ph.D.

Interim Principal

Ox Ridge Elementary School

Dear Ox Ridge Community,

Welcome back from April vacation. We have some fun activities planned to celebrate Earth Week this week at Ox Ridge (some details below).

We are also excited that tomorrow (Monday, April 22) officially kicks off our Fun Run fundraiser, taking place April 22-30 with our event day (where the kids do up to 35 minutes of fun exercising) on Tuesday, April 30. Please be sure to register your child at https://mybooster.com/v3 - we would love to have 100% registration from all students (no pressure to fundraise).

Some other exciting news for Ox Ridge is the hiring of Mr. Christopher Melillo to be our principal for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. We look forward to a meet and greet before this school year ends. We also extend a huge thank you to Dr. Laub for being our interim principal this year.

As we have previously communicated, the 2024-2025 school year budget is not finalized - before break, the Board of Finance voted to cut $2 million from the approved Board of Education budget. Additional details below.

Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman

PTO Co-Chairs

oxridgepto@gmail.com

EDUCATION BUDGET CUT

On April 9th, the Board of Finance (BOF) voted to cut $2 million from the Board of Education (BOE) approved budget of $121,864,475. Dr. Addley and the BOE will now need to determine the specific items to be removed from the budget. A special BOE meeting had been added to the calendar for May 7th, at which time Dr. Addley will present his recommendations for specific cuts. Additional discussions on the budget cuts will also be included in the regular BOE meetings on May 14th and May 28th, with a final vote by the BOE scheduled for the May 28th meeting. There will be opportunity for public comment at all upcoming BOE meetings.

OX RIDGE FUN RUN

We're excited to introduce this year's main fundraiser, the Ox Ridge Fun Run. Our goal this year is to raise $30,000 for PTO activities (enrichment in school, field trips, staff appreciation, and classroom supplies) to benefit ALL students at Ox Ridge.

Please be sure to register your child at https://mybooster.com/v3 - we would love to have 100% registration from all students (no pressure to fundraise).

As a family, you will work together asking friends and family to donate to your student for every minute that they exercise at our Fun Run on Tuesday, April 30th. ALL students will complete 35 minutes of exercise. The best part is, you can still support our school just by SHARING your family pledge link on social media, via text and email!

EARTH WEEK CELEBRATION

The children will be celebrating Earth Week this week!

Monday - Earth Day! Have your children wear Green or Blue! We will learn about Climate Change today. To help combat climate change try a Meatless Monday recipe for dinner! Meatless Monday Recipes
Tuesday - Compositing! The Green Team is raffling off 10 compost bins. We will pick 10 winners on Friday and the kits can be picked up at reception at Ox Ridge the following week. SIGN UP HERE!
Darien Food Scrap Recycling Guide
Wednesday - Renewable Energy - Wind, Solar, Energy, & Geothermal!
Thursday - Recycling! Visit Darien's Recycling Guide here: Darien's Recycling Guide
Friday - Conserving Energy and being involved locally! A great resource is The Darien Nature Center - Countdown to Earth Day
We are encouraging all students to take the bus, walk, or bike to school to reduce their carbon footprint. All participating students will receive a special sticker.

Lastly, with the emphasis on REUSE, the Darien Swap Shop diverts thousands of pounds of unwanted but usable goods from the waste stream each year. If you would like to help further the goals of this town treasure by serving as a volunteer, please email recycle@darienct.gov. No time to volunteer but have great ideas? They would still love to hear from you!

Don't forget the PTO is selling OX ridge reusable water bottles and tumblers. A great alternative to plastic and a fun way to show off your school spirit! SHOP HERE!

ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: BELONGING AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN

Join Darien PTO's on May 7th, 7-8pm at Darien Library to hear Dr. Christopher Bogart from the Sasco River Center discuss child development and identity formation and how adults can nurture a sense of belonging across various aspects of identity. Open to all community adults. Register here to attend. Event recording will be available.

REMINDER - DPS LICE POLICY 2023-2024

Pediculosis (head lice) is a common community issue. While head lice are a nuisance, they are not infectious and do not spread disease. Darien Public Schools promotes evidence-based prevention measures that include assisting parents with the identification of lice and nits, as well as teaching students, parents, and staff effective prevention measures.

DPS will no longer be sending school wide lice notification letters. Refer here for DPS Lice Policy.

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and we are celebrating minds of all kinds! As a community we are working to raise awareness and build acceptance of neurodivergence. Sometimes called "invisible disabilities," autism and other neurological differences can be easily misunderstood. The DEI and Special Education Committees created a display in the main level trophy case to provide more information about these differences and how they make our community stronger. Stop by and take a look!

DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL

Spring is blooming with excitement at Darien After School! Our Spring Session is in full swing and will keep the fun going until May 31st. Missed the initial sign-up? No worries! You can still jump in with prorated fees for late registrations*. Don't miss out—secure your spot now at Darienafterschool.com/OxRidge.

Enjoy your spring break!

*Late Fees Applied

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK IS COMING SOON!

The Ox Ridge PTO is planning a week of special events to give our teachers, staff, and administrators a World of Thanks and show how much they are appreciated. To see the schedule, click HERE. See below for ways Ox Ridge families can participate:

STUDENT NOTES TO TEACHERS & STAFF - May 7

Have your child(ren) write a note on the template HERE to a teacher or staff member letting them know why they are world-class! Students are invited to deliver their notes to their classroom teachers on Tuesday, 5/7. We would love to have 100% participation! If you do not have a printer, please email Claudia Ebert at CSR222@gmail.com to get a paper copy. Let’s give a world of thanks to our amazing Ox Ridge teachers and staff.

TREATS FROM OX RIDGE PARENTS & CAREGIVERS - May 10

On Friday, 5/10 we’ll be setting up sweet treats in the Ox Ridge staff lounge. We’re asking parents and caregivers for help to make this a success! Sign up to bake (or buy!) some treats, drinks, or paper supplies for that Friday. A big THANK YOU to those who have already signed up. Please drop items off before 10:30am at the front entrance (someone will be there to help collect). Sign Up Genius link HERE. Thank you for supporting and showing your appreciation for our Ox Ridge Staff!

SPRING SOIREE

The Ox Ridge PTO invites you to a spring parent social at Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club. Thursday May 9 from 7-10PM. We will have beer, wine, themed cocktail, flatbreads, salad and dessert for $50pp. Mingle with your fellow Ox Ridge parents before the end of the school year! Please register here.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS

Jenn Marty (April Hoot editor) and Jordan Perry (Social Media) for keeping us updated on all PTO and school activities.

Chelsey Pajak and Kate Haavik (Green Team) for planning the Earth Week activities this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF

Barbara Meno (Paraprofessional) - April 24

DARIEN ARTS CENTER

To register, visit links below or darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.

Design Your Own Bee Hotel & Dinner at Naya For PreK-Grade 5 | April 25 | 4:30-5:45pm: Here's the buzz: you can't check into this hotel; it's only for bees! Come decorate and embellish your own bee hotel with paint and found objects, and place it outside to watch solitary bees come for a stay. We will create and also talk about why bees are so beneficial to our planet! After the creations are complete, participants enjoy a NAYA “Little Habibi” Kids Meal with their classmates. This workshop takes place at Naya in Darien Commons. Fee is $35.

New Summer Camps:

Creative Movement & Art Camp:

Ages 3-5: 11-1:30pm. June 10-13 | June 17-20 | June 24-27

Cartooning Camp:

Grades 1-3: 2:30-4pm. June 10-13 | June 17-20

Grades 4-7: 2:30-4pm. June 24-27 | July 8-11

Good Morning Art Camp:

Grades K-2: 10-11:30am. July 8-11 | July 15-18 | July 22-25

Grades 3-5: 10-12pm. July 29-August 1 | August 5-8 | August 12-15

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

Darien Human Services will be sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid Training on May 15th and 16th from 8:30am - 1 pm at EMS Post 53. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour certification course that helps individuals and communities better understand mental health issues and respond accordingly to others who may be experiencing distress. More information can be found here. Any questions or requests to register can be made to Ali Ramsteck with Darien Human Services at aramsteck@darienct.gov

REVOLUTIONARY DAY AT MATHER HOMESTEAD ON SATURDAY APRIL 27TH 11am-2PM!

Step back in history with Sheldon’s Horse 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons: Connecticut’s Revolutionary War Cavalry. Families will learn about skills required to become a soldier for a Revolutionary War cavalry unit and see live drills on horseback! Throughout the day there will be narrated demonstrations of infantry and cavalry drills plus education stations, live music and crafts in the Mather Homestead barn. Member tickets: $15/Adults and Free/Children. Non-member tickets: $20/Adult and $10/Child. Ticket information: https://www.matherhomestead.org/event-details/a-visit-from-the-second-regiment-light-dragoons. Other questions please email: info@matherhomestead.org. Mather Homestead is located at 19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien.

OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE

EDITORS NOTE:

Danielle Kohlberger - September, December, March, June 2

Jennifer Marty - October, January, April, June 9

Roberta Brodis - November, February, May, June 16

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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