|
June 10 - 5th Grade Field Day and Picnic
June 12 - 5th Grade Yearbook signing breakfast
June 13 - Ox Ridge Spirit Day (wear your Ox Ridge clothing)
June 13 - 5th Grade Graduation
June 14 - Last Day of School, 2 Hour Early Dismissal
Useful Links:
Missed last week's Hoot? Click here
| |
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
|
I would like to take a moment to celebrate this school year with you. As you know I arrived at Ox Ridge at Thanksgiving time after the school had gone through a period of change. Since then I have had the honor and pleasure of working with your children and you to complete a very successful school year. Ever since I arrived at Ox I have felt welcomed by the parents, teachers, staff and, especially, the children.
This is a great time of year to reflect back. Just think about the children’s first day of school — how nervous were they? What were their hopes and dreams for the year? How much have they grown — physically, emotionally, academically? These might be some great discussions to have with your children.
Thank you for a wonderful year! I wish everyone the best. Ox Ridge is a very special school and it has been my joy to lead it this year.
Harry Laub, Ph.D.
Interim Principal
Ox Ridge Elementary School
| |
|
Dear Ox Ridge Community,
We have our last Ox Ridge Spirit Day on Thursday, June 13th for all students in ELP through 4th Grade. Please encourage your student(s) to wear their Ox gear as we celebrate our 5th Graders on graduation day!
In preparing for the next school year, we invite all parents to review and vote on the proposed 2024-2025 Ox Ridge PTO Slate and Budget. As per the PTO Bi-Laws, the proposed slate and budget shall be posted for all PTO members to review and vote on. All parents and staff are part of the PTO and asked to vote HERE - the voting period concludes Wednesday, June 12.
There have been some adjustments to the 2024-2025 Darien Public Schools calendar - please see below for more details.
This is our final weekly HOOT of the year and we would like to personally thank the Outgoing 2023-2024 Slate for their time and dedication to the PTO. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Incoming 2024-2025 Slate. Thank you to all who took the time to vote for our new PTO Slate and Budget for the upcoming school year.
We also want to say a big thank you to our Room Parents, not just for the end of year celebrations, but also for all that you’ve done throughout the school year.
To administration, staff and teachers, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding efforts, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our school community. We greatly appreciate Dr. Laub (Principal) and Mrs. McCormick (Assistant Principal) for stepping in mid-year to lead our school - you will be missed next year.
Wishing you a wonderful and safe summer break!
Vanessa Donatello & Kate Kaufman
PTO Co-Chairs
oxridgepto@gmail.com
| |
|
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DPS 2024-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR
At the May 28th Board of Education (BOE) meeting, the BOE voted to adjust the previously approved 2024-2025 Darien Public Schools Calendar. The updated calendar can be found here but relevant changes are outlined below:
- Adjust elementary early dismissal days for fall conferences from early December to October 22-25.
- Adjust Wednesday, November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving) from an early dismissal day to a full day off.
- Add Friday, January 17th as a Professional Development Day (no school for students).
- Adjust the February Professional Development Day (no school for students) from Friday February 14th to Monday, February 24th.
- Adjust the final day of the school year from Wednesday, June 11 to Friday, June 13 (note that this date will be further adjusted if we experience any snow days during 2024-2025).
| |
FAMILY PHOTO DAY FUNDRAISER
Reserve your spot now for our fall Family Photo Day Fundraiser with the talented Karen Morneau Photography! It’s a great opportunity to have professional family photos taken and support the Ox Ridge PTO at the same time.
Spots are available for:
- Saturday, October 19th - Mead Park, New Canaan 8:00am-5:30pm
- Saturday, October 26th - Cranbury Park, Norwalk 8:00am-5:30pm
Click here to select an open time slot and pay the $75 sitting fee (which will be donated directly to the Ox Ridge PTO). There are several digital and print packages available to choose from following the session.
| |
|
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS
Alexis Fogarty and Megan Kilcourse (5th Grade Coordinators) for organizing this week’s 5th grade and graduation activities.
Natalie Gould, Kim Burt, Sara Diamond, and Natalie Hackett for creating our beautiful 2023-2024 Yearbooks.
Meghan Thornton, Mary Elizabeth Garvey, Christina Kreuz, Sibel Magripli-Mesta (Ox Appreciation) for providing monthly treats to the Ox Ridge staff.
Jordan Perry (Communications Chair, Social Media), Roberta Brodis, Danielle Kohlberger, and Jenn Marty (Hoot editors), and Libby Cook (Website) for keeping us informed.
Sara Santana (Treasurer) for keeping up with our end of year expenses and finalizing the budget planning for next year.
| |
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING OX RIDGE STAFF
Vicki Palushaj (Paraprofessional) - June 16
Calla Constatine (Library & Media) - June 23
Tara Brewer (5th Grade Teacher) - June 24
| |
|
DARIEN JUNIOR SAILING STILL HAS SPOTS OPEN!
Interested in learning how to sail? DJST offers youth ages 8-15 the opportunity to enjoy the summer on LI Sound. We offer two 3-week sailing camps and one 2-week camp, June 24 – August 16. No boat needed, rental fee included in the cost of the session. Morning and afternoon programs available. All levels of experience welcome. Click HERE for online registration. For more information visit our website. Questions? Email: dariensailing@gmail.com. DJST is run by parent volunteers. Let us know if you would like to get involved. New parent volunteers always welcome!! DJST is a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization.
| |
DARIEN ARTS CENTER
Darien Arts Center is proud to host Light Songs, an art exhibit of photography from award-winning photographers and artists, Jim Stasiak and Barbara Soares. An opening reception is on Friday, June 7th from 6-9pm, where the artists will be in attendance and wine and light bites will be served. All are welcome and admission to the reception and exhibit are free, with 20% of art sale proceeds to benefit the DAC. The exhibit of over 30 works of art, runs from Friday, June 7th through Wednesday June 12th from 10am to 5pm, in the DAC Weatherstone Studio, located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall in Darien. Reservations for the complimentary opening reception at darienarts.org are appreciated. For questions, call (203) 655-8683.
| |
DARIEN NATURE CENTER
DNC is offering six one-week sessions of summer camp. Select weeks still available.
Explore the outdoors, make new friends, build confidence, bond with counselors, develop problem-solving skills, foster curiosity, and discover the wonders of nature!
| |
|
DARIEN AFTER SCHOOL
Darien After School is excited to announce that registration for our fall session is OPEN! All cancellation and change fees will be waived until August 17th. Get ready, visit our New Website and create a new account and new user name! *You MUST create it before you can register. Don't miss out on a season full of fun, learning, and new experiences for your child. Fall session dates 9/17-12/19. Questions or suggestions? Reach out to us at info@yourafterschool.com / 888.212.3837
| |
MATHER HOMESTEAD
Summer programs at Mather Homestead!
Please join us this summer at Mather Homestead for learning and fun. Cooking workshops run weekly from June 17-August 1st. Outdoor Skills workshop on June 29th where kids will learn how to use a compass, read a map and build a campfire. Kids writers workshop week of August 5th. Any questions please reach out: 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.
See what's happening on our social media sites:
| | | | |
