Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
December 23, 2018
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
We wish all of our families who celebrate Christmas a very Merry Christmas! If you have not had time to view our tropical holiday greeting, please click here.
During the winter holiday, the GCISD Operations and Facilities teams will be maintaining our Campus and Administrative buildings. If you see something that needs attention, please call (817) 251-5600.
Students return after the holiday break on Tuesday, January 8 no later than 7:39 a.m. :) Let's make it a goal to have no tardies the first week back. We will be starting the "No Tardy Parties" in January! When a class has no one tardy, they get a ticket in the bucket to be drawn once a week for an extra 15-minute recess. “Beginning of a great day begins a night before.”
― Sukant RatnakarWe hope you all enjoy the Winter Break!
To the BEST of days,
Principal Young Pedevilla
Stay Connected at O. C. Taylor Elementary School
We have a number of ways to keep in touch with our school. Be sure to read, subscribe to and join these resources to get all the latest news.
Facebook: If you’re a Facebook member be sure to join the O.C. Taylor Elementary Facebook Group to get updates in your feed. This group is meant to provide another way to get news and updates.
Website: The school’s website has the latest news, updates, and calendars, as well as general information about the school, resources for parents, volunteer opportunity information, event information and ways to donate.
Twitter: We regularly post events and upcoming news on Twitter. Follow me on Twitter: @OCTYoung and follow our hashtag #OCT4U.
OCT Vision: To empower our children today to create a better tomorrow.
OCT Mission: To create life-long learners and develop servant leaders through authentic, real-world experiences.
OC Taylor Elementary Events
Mon., Dec.24 - Jan. 4
Student and Staff Winter Break-NO SCHOOL for students and staff
January 7
NO SCHOOL for students
Staff Professional Development Day
January 8
3:00 - 4:30 Talent Show Auditions
January 9
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Auditions
January 10
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Auditions
6:00 - 7:00 Technology Parent Presentation - Learning Commons
January 11
PTA Walk to School
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
Talent Show Videos Due
January 14
8:15 PTA Executive Board Meeting
January 15
January 16
2:55 - 4:00 TTT - Learning Commons
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Rehearsal
January 17
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Rehearsal
January 18
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
OCT and GCISD Updates
Thank you!
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#GCISDSafetyFirst
During the winter holiday, the GCISD Operations and Facilities teams will be maintaining our Campus and Administrative buildings. If you see something that needs attention, please call (817) 251-5600.
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping out in the Learning Commons (Formerly known as the Library) please email me at dawn.bonacci@gcisd.net
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Take some time over the break to... 1. Check your children's heads/hair 2. Make doctor's appointments if your child failed their vision or hearing screenings at school 3. Review healthy habits ( proper and frequent hand washing, coughing and sneezing into elbows instead of hands, etc.) 4. Snuggle, cuddle, hug and kiss your loved ones as MUCH as possible
- OCT Tigers and families: THANK YOU so much for all of the sweet cards and gifts. We cannot thank you enough for thinking of us during this busy season! MeRRy ChRiStmaS & HaPPy NeW YeaR!!! - Ms. Gene, Ms. Betty, and Nurse Katy
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Rachel's Challenge Shirt Contest
Students, you could be the artist behind our new Rachel's Challenge shirt for 2019, and everyone could be wearing your artwork. See the details in the flyer.
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TEXRail
TexRail will begin running a longer train schedule beginning Thursday, December 13. They plan to run hourly trains between the North Side Station in Fort Worth and DFW Airport. The trains will run from approximately 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
The trains will pull in and stop at stations and will travel between the stations just as they plan to operate once service begins on January 5. In addition, with the exception to the pre-existing quiet zones in Colleyville, TEXRail is still required by the Federal Railroad Administration to sound its horn at each intersection until testing is complete. Once testing is over, the horn will not sound in marked quiet zones.
The service will run for free the month of January.
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Cafeteria and Menu Updates
Attached is a copy of the calendar menu, it may also be viewed on the district's website. Nutrition information may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the new Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5615 or email julie.telesca@gcisd.net.
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Join the GCISD TEAM!
Great opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists -PT w/ benefits – work while your students are in school!
- KidzU Site Aides – PT w/benefits – great schedule for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply now to work with the BEST! www.gcisd.net
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
GCISD - Building Excellent Schools Together
GCISD LEAD 2021- BUILDING EXCELLENT SCHOOLS TOGETHER!
The mission of Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is to be THE BEST and through the district’s strategic plan, called LEAD 2021, we continue building on the foundation started in 2011-2012. LEAD stands for Leading Excellence – Action Driven. For more information about LEAD 2021, please visit the district website. We are excited about the new LEAD 2.0 and hearing from all parents! There are some exciting educational experiences going on in GCISD!
GCISD’s WHY?
Redefining Education because your future matters today!
GCISD’s Portrait of a Graduate
Skilled Problem Solvers
Communicators
Global Citizens
Self-regulated Learners
Collaborators
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
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Talent Show
The 2018-2019 Talent Show is quickly approaching! We can't wait to see your many talents! We will have two audition date options. Please keep an eye out for the audition form that will be going out soon and due back before Winter break. Students must be in 3rd-5th grade to participate in the Talent Show. Start preparing your acts now...we cannot wait to see you at auditions!
Please feel free to contact Joy Arita with any Talent Show questions or concerns:
Joy Arita
Talent Show Coordinator
817-308-1710
Lost and Found
APPLE TREE PROJECT
The O.C. Taylor Apple Tree has grown new branches! Teachers need items from the Apple Tree. Apple Tree is an easy way to donate items teachers and staff need at the school.
Simply click this link to see different "needs" around the school. If you choose to help, please make sure to mark as taken! Once taken, please send your item(s) to school with your child, attaching the name of the staff member for who it is intended.
Jill Tate - VP of Volunteers jhbu99@aol.com
Box Tops and Amazon Smile
This year, we will be increasing donations to the OC Taylor PTA thru Box Tops for Education and Amazon Smile! It's a simple way to donate to our school! Here's how you can help:
#1 Clip out Box Tops for Education and place them on the Box Top collection sheet or in a Ziploc bag. Be sure to place your child's grade level on the bag or collection sheet! We will be counting box tops for our Racing to Recess Challenge. The grade level with the highest level of Box Tops each semester will earn an extra recess and Popsicle party!
After 15 laps, 3rd Grade is in 1st place (1079), 2nd Grade in 2nd place (996) and 1st Grade is in 3rd place (895).
We just received a check for $737.90 for our fall Box Top submissions!
We received our first Amazon Smile check for $44.51!
Join the PTA!
Thank you to all our parents and staff that joined the PTA already! We truly appreciate your support!
If you did not join the PTA at Meet the Teacher, we encourage you to do so. The annual dues are only $7.50 per membership. That's the lowest price in town for PTA memberships and its the BEST, in my opinion! Membership in the PTA allows you to improve the education and opportunities for our students. When you join the PTA, you become a member of the Texas PTA and you will receive a copy of our 2018-2019 Paw Prints student directory! This valuable directory contains classroom lists, phone numbers, addresses and other vital information you will use all year! To join the PTA it's so simple, visit http://www.joinPTA.org.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Liz Payne- VP Memberships
Thank you!
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