**Weekly Flash**

November 24, 2025

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Dear OHS Families,

As we head into this holiday week, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. For me, it is about being grateful for all of the blessings in my life, getting together with family and friends, and eating some really delicious food! We have 24 family members coming to dinner on Thursday, so we will have a busy few days, but my wife and I enjoy hosting. I grew up in a large extended family, as my dad was one of nine siblings and my mother was one of five, so I am used to big holiday parties. I am grateful to still have many family members nearby to spend time with on the holidays. 

I am also very grateful for you, my OHS family. It has been wonderful getting to know you and your children over the past 15 months. I have developed many relationships at OHS, for which I am truly thankful, and I look forward to developing many more. Thank you for your support, your partnership, and your collaboration as we work together to help your children grow and succeed. I hope you all enjoy the holiday, and you find many things for which to be grateful!

We have a short week this week, but please keep the following in mind: 

• Please make sure your SDM is up-to-date for student absences and dismissals. 

• Our Custodial Toy Drive continues. The custodians are collecting new unwrapped toys. A collection box is located outside the main office.

• A second collection box will be located in the lobby for the Green Team's Holiday Resale. Details can be found below. This box will be in the lobby through Wednesday.

• As you saw in Mrs. Day’s Parent Square, the students earned another reward for reaching 300 Classroom Otters! We look forward to our Teacher Swap on Monday afternoon! I can’t wait to teach a class again!

• We have our Turkey Trot Fun Run on Tuesday morning starting at 9:20 AM. I better start stretching! I almost pulled a hamstring last year trying to keep up with those kindergarteners!

• Wednesday is an Early Dismissal at 1:40 PM.

Thank you all for your support of the Turkey Trot Drive! We collected well over 4,000 items to help feed those in need! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Have a great week, and a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take care.

Sean F. Smyth, Principal 

*Shirts will be used for school events such as Turkey Trot, the WALKATHON, and Field Day. Please remind your students to keep these shirts in a safe place throughout the school year, as we have a limited supply for replacements.

• The start is staggered by grade and class with K-1 starting around 9:20. Usually 2nd grade lines up by 9:30/9:35 and then 3rd -5th grade will follow. Please note that these times are not exact. Once we get started, the goal is to keep the classes rolling continuously.

This year, the theme is "I belong". Students are to create and submit art in one of the following categories-

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Visual Arts
• Music Composition
• Photography

Read more about the theme here. 

Students will be grouped according to the following divisions: Primary (Pre-K to Grade 2) and Intermediate (Grades 3-5). 

Winners will be selected by blind judging and may receive a participation award, an Award of Merit (2nd place) or an Award of Excellence (1st place). 

Steps:

1. Explore the theme with your child.

2. Together, decide which category your child would like to create something for.

3. Oversee your child's work. Remember, all work must be original and their own work and ideas!

4. Submit the art along with this completed sheet to the main office by Friday, December 5th. If the art is something that needs to be sent digitally, or if you'd prefer to send via email, please send to Tanya Dunne at tnovellidunne@gmail.com

Donate Gently Used Items Now through Wednesday. 

A donation box will be set up in the front lobby of OHS. 

And if you'd like to sign up to help with the Holiday Resale - CLICK HERE

As always, the Osborn community remains incredibly generous. We donated over 4,000 cans to Operation Hope and our families in the community.

Congratulations to Mrs. Fleming’s class for collecting over 1,000 cans, and to Mrs. Renzulli’s class, our runner-up, who collected more than 500 cans. Operation Hope shared that OHS is always their largest Thanksgiving food drive.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped load the cans and transport them to Operation Hope. A special shout-out to the fifth graders, who worked so hard to load the cars—we couldn’t have done it without you!

The FPS Maintenance and Custodial team is proud to host their Annual Holiday Toy Drive once again! Each year, they come together to support organizations and families in our community who are less fortunate and may be struggling during the holiday season.

The Toy Drive will run through December 19, 2025. Collection boxes will be outside the main office. Thank you for your continued generosity and support in making the holidays brighter for those in need!

The office is compiling an email list of incoming KDG students for the Fall of 2026. Please email TBudlowski@fairfieldschools.org with your future KDG student’s first and last name, date of birth, and the preschool they attend so they can be added to the list to receive future information about registration, etc.

Please join OHS parents as we decorate a 12-inch wreath, complete with pinecones, statice, berries, glass ornaments, boxwood, eucalyptus, magnolia leaves, starfish, dried pods, and more! A handmade beautiful bow will complete your creation!

Class fee includes:

- instructions

- 12” ring size fresh green balsam wreath

-beautiful decorations

-your very own handmade bow

Cost is $79.76 per person (includes taxes)

*Attendees must fill out THIS FORM, including all their information and bow choice! Please fill this out at least 2 days before your class. If you don't choose a bow, you will have to pick from the surprise box of bows!

We are two months away from the 2026 Osborn Hill Variety Show! Tickets are $18 and can be purchased in phases on our website next week. 

You do not need to stress about getting tickets this year - we can guarantee every performer's family will be able to buy at least 4 tickets. It is important to please purchase your tickets in the correct phase.

Tickets will go on sale in three rounds:

Round 1: Monday 12/1 -12/2 - Families with a performer in the show can buy up to 4 tickets in Round 1. This includes stage crew, narrators and students just in the fifth grade finale. Performers do not need a ticket but all chaperones (even if they are sitting with the groups) need a ticket. If you were hoping for more than 4 tickets, don’t worry! We are hopeful that there will be a round 3. Tickets will be available through a link in the 12/1 Flash.

Round 2: Wednesday 12/3-12/4 - Families without a performer in the show can buy up to 4 tickets. This round is specifically for our OHS students and chaperones who are not in the show but want to go and cheer on their friends. As this is a school-wide event, we want to make sure any otter interested in attending can get a ticket.

Probable Round 3: Monday 12/8 - If there are enough tickets left for a Round 3, it will be open to everyone. Restrictions may apply and will be detailed after Round 2 is over. 

If you have a problem purchasing tickets in Round 1 please do not stress, just contact the Variety Show Committee. There is no way we will sell out in Round 1. The main reason we moved to the Klein was to increase our audience capacity. We have plenty of tickets and we are confident that everyone that wants to attend will be able to purchase tickets during Rounds 1 and 2.  

Ticket FAQ's:

• Tickets are non-refundable, but they are transferable. In order to transfer, ticket holders will need to coordinate on their own and give the hard copy tickets that they receive at the dress rehearsal to the recipient.
• There are only 4 tickets allowed per performer family in the first round. If you attempt to buy more in the first round, or if you attempt to purchase any in round 2, there is a chance you will not be able to use them and we will not be able to reimburse you.
• If your child is not in the show, please DO NOT purchase tickets in Round 1. We will not be able to reimburse you and your tickets will be invalid. You will need to purchase tickets again in Round 2.
• Every single person that comes to the show needs a ticket. Due to fire codes there is absolutely no lap sitting. 
• Strollers will need to be left in the lobby. 
• The price of tickets includes credit card processing and transaction fees.
• Please do not think it will go unnoticed if you buy more than your allottment per family or if you try to purchase during the wrong round. We watch and account for every single ticket and you will be contacted.

Any other questions? Contact the Variety Show Committee @ ohsvarietyshow2026@gmail.com

We are looking to fill 2 library volunteer slots:  Tuesdays 2-2:30/3 and Wednesdays 12-1.  Commitment is until the end of the school year.  Please email Vicky Siewert if you're interested. 

Have news to share? 

Email Melissa McGowan by 10am Friday to include in the following Monday’s OHS Weekly Flash.

Osborn Hill Elementary School

760 Stillson Road

Fairfield, CT 06824

www.ohspta.com