OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
January 27-31, 2020
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
Thank you to all of the families who braved the long lines at Hopdoddy this week for O.C. Taylor. We received a check over $300! Thank you for devoting time to help our school.
To the BEST of days,
Principal 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.
Email: lisa.pedevilla@gcisd.net
Website: https://oct.gcisd.net/
Location: 5300 Pool Road, Colleyville, TX, United States
Phone: (817) 305-4870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OC-Taylor-Elementary-School-361871583888299/
Twitter: @OCTYoung
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.
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 27
Chinese New Year - Wear Red
Tuesday, January 28
Wednesday, January 29
8:30 a.m. Geography Bee (cafeteria)
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. NEHS
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Talent Show Rehearsal
Thursday, January 30
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Talent Show Dress Rehearsal
Friday, January 31
8:30 a.m. Talent Show
6:30 p.m. PTA Meeting and Talent Show
Monday, February 3
Tigers, wear your Tiger shirt and jeans today!
8:15 a.m. PTA Executive Board Meeting
National School Counselors Week
Tuesday, February 4
7:50 a.m. 100th Day of School Parade
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Spring Creek BBQ, Grapevine
Wednesday, February 5
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
Thursday, February 6
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
Friday, February 7
National Go Red Day
Positive Proof
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Running Club
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sock Hop
Monday, February 10
Tigers, wear your Tiger shirt and jeans today!
Tuesday, February 11
Wednesday, February 12
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. TTT
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. NEHS
Thursday, February 13
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
Friday, February 14
2:00 p.m. Class Valentine's Day Parties
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Grade Level Newsletters
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Important Links
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OCT and GCISD Updates
Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education—to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws—one dealing with the required presence of school-aged children in school, e.g., compulsory attendance, the other with how a student’s attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed below:
Between Ages 6 and 19
State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
When a student between ages 6 and 19 incurs unexcused absences for three or more days or parts of days (this includes any amount of missed time that is 15 minutes or greater after the school day begins or before the end of the school day) within a four-week period, the school will send a notice to the student’s parent, as required by law, to remind the parent that it is the parent’s duty to monitor the student’s attendance and to require the student to come to school. The notice will also inform the parent that the district will initiate truancy prevention measures and request a conference between school administrators and the parent. These measures will include a behavior improvement plan, school-based community service, or referrals to either in-school or out-of-school counseling or other social services. Any other measures considered appropriate by the district will also be initiated.
We love our Tigers, and classes are not the same when they are not at school. Thank you for helping your Tiger attend school daily and be on time, every time.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns,
Assistant Principal Bailey
(817) 305-4870
@OCTBailey
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
Our O. C. Taylor Tigers LOVE to read! Thank you for continuing to encourage your child to reach his or her GCISD reading goals. If you need copies of the Recording Documents for the 2019-2020 GCISD Reads challenge they can be found at https://www.smore.com/n06z7-2019-2020-gcisd-reads-challenge (scroll way down to the bottom of the page).
If you are interested in learning more about how you can help your child to read check out this article by Reading Rockets- Top 10 Things You Should Know About Reading
https://www.readingrockets.org/article/top-10-things-you-should-know-about-reading
Thank you SO much for all you do. Your precious children radiate the love you have poured into them!
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- Battle of the tabs: I want to continue collecting aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth. Collecting tabs is a great way for all of us to really make a difference in the lives of families and children in need. The Battle of the Tabs is a competition between schools to see who can donate the most pounds of pop tabs to RMHFW. The winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2020. Please save all of your aluminum tabs and have your student bring them to school. I will have labeled jars for collection.
- Lions Recycle for Sight: If you have any old glasses or sunglasses, please consider donating them. The Lions Club cleans them and sorts them by prescription and then gets them to people who need them around the world! There is a donation box located in the front office.
- Donations: If you are doing Spring cleaning or shopping, I am needing a few items in the clinic. Size 4T, 5T, and 6 boys underwear. All sizes in girls shorts/pants/leggings. Thank you SO much for your help! :)
- Re-screens: I am still working on re-screening any students who failed their vision and/or hearing tests. If you see envelopes in your student's folders or backpacks, these are the referral letters. These letters need to be taken with you to the appointment, signed by the appropriate physician, and then returned to me for my records.
- If your child is sick: Please keep students at home until they are fever and/or symptom-free for at least 24 hours without any medication. In GCISD, a temperature of 100 degrees is considered to be a fever. Encourage healthy habits at home to help prevent the spread of illnesses. Washing hands with soap and water (sing Happy Birthday song or ABCs twice!) Coughing and sneezing into elbows or a Kleenex instead of hands. Not touching the face- especially the T-zone. Getting plenty of rest. Staying hydrated.
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Kids Heart Challenge (Formerly Jump Rope for Heart)
Our students will be learning all about heart disease, exercise, and healthy eating over the next few weeks, and on February 14th we will have our Kids Heart Challenge event! We hope you will join us as we work to support the American Heart Association’s mission of saving lives. Sign up through the App – search Kids Heart Challenge or online at http://www2.heart.org/goto/OCTaylorElementary.
Last year we raised over $13,000; this year we have set a goal of $14,100 to help fight heart disease! To help us reach our goal, we are taking a SLIME CHALLENGE!!! Any student who raises $150 in donations will get to SLIME COACH MESTER OR COACH MAC!!!
Check out our Heart Hero Alexa explaining more about this fun experience: https://youtu.be/mJYbsNji1QA
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Spring Creek BBQ Spirit Night - Tues., Feb. 4
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Spring Interim Assessment Window February 18 - March 6
February 18- March 6
English I
English II
Grades 3-8 Math and Reading
Algebra I
Bio, Grade 5/8 Science - OPTIONAL
US HISTORY, Grade 8 Social Studies - OPTIONAL
During the window, February 18- March 6, all district-issued student CHROMEBOOKS (grades 5-8) will be placed in KIOSK mode for test security purposes. To exit KIOSK mode, students will need to hold down the CTRL-ALT-S key combination.
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Yearbook Order Information
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Doodle 4 Google 2020
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O.C. Taylor Recognized for Superior Energy Performance
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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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Finance and Budget Team, Application by Jan. 27
This Spring, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD will form a Finance and Budget Team comprised of community members, parents, teachers, Trustees and administrators to gain knowledge about school finance as it pertains to GCISD. Click here to learn more about the team. GCISD will select two at-large members through a random lottery process. The application will be available on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m on the District’s website https://www.gcisd.net/. Each application will be time-stamped and numbered with two applications selected through a random number generator. If you have any questions regarding applying for the Finance and Budget Team, please email the District at info@gcisd.net.
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"For the Future Candidate Forum on Public Education" Jan. 29
The GCISD Council of PTAs and Raise Your Hand Texas are hosting the "For the Future Candidate Forum on Public Education" at the Colleyville Center on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30 PM. Texas House District 92 & 98 candidates will be answering questions on school safety, teacher pay, school finance, and accountability as well as taking written questions from the floor as time allows.
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GCISD Holding Inaugural Career Expo, February 5th
All middle and high school students are invited to GCISD’s inaugural Career Expo on February 5. Additionally, the District is looking for local professionals to participate.
Sign-Up Form for Professionals
GCISD will host its inaugural Career Expo on Wednesday, February 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grapevine High School. All GCISD secondary students and families are invited to this event, and local professionals are asked to sign up and be a part of the event. The event is organized by GCISD DECA (a Career and Technical Student Organization) and GCISD CTE (Career and Technical Education) students.
Information for Students
Join fellow students and families for a night filled with many activities geared at preparing you for a successful career. Students will have the opportunity to speak with professionals from various industries about careers and educational pathways.
The expo will also include breakout sessions that explore entrepreneurship, employability skills human resource professionals value, and dressing for success presented by Men’s Warehouse.
Additionally, GCISD Career and Technical Education will host an open house for students and parents to learn about the programs offered to high school students at the Technology Education and Career Center (TECC).
Information for Professionals
GCISD DECA and GCISD CTE are seeking individuals and businesses to host informational tables to educate students about different career pathways and opportunities. To take part in this special event, please complete this short sign-up form.
Each presenter will be provided with a 6-foot table and two chairs and will be separated into career pathways to share information about careers, education required, certifications, job perks, interactive demos, summer job, and internship opportunities.
It’s not always easy for students to connect their daily core classes, electives, and extracurricular activities with possible jobs and career paths of the future. We believe that the more we expose our students to the many different trades, jobs, and careers that are available, the better informed they’ll be to set goals towards them.
We would like to ask professionals in our community to share their knowledge and expertise with all of our students!
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You're Invited! Thursday, February 13th
GES PTA invites you to a presentation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an adults only PTA program on Thursday, February 13 at Grapevine Elementary from 6:30pm-8pm.
This presentation is for parents, educators, and any professionals working with children discussing the apps and websites kids are using, how to identify warning signs of kids engaged in risky behaviors online, and how to discuss appropriate online behavior with kids. Topics include cyberbullying, sexting, sharing too much information online, online privacy, and abduction prevention.
Please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/internet-safety-for-parents-grapevine-pta-tickets-86943730037.
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Congratulations to Texas Water Utilities Association Contest Winners
Congratulations to the following Tigers:
1st Place = Avery Hall poster
2nd Place = Liesl Ackermann essay
3rd Place = Jolie Malowitz poster
All of the top three winners are advancing to the state competition. Good luck, Tigers!
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Take Care of Texas Art Contest, by March 6th
2020 Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest (Elementary Only)
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Chemical Council are excited to kick off the 2020 Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest. Sixteen students—and one lucky teacher—will win a tablet or laptop! Prizes are provided by Texas Chemical Council.
To enter, K-5th grade students should create a unique piece of artwork portraying the positive ways people can Take Care of Texas by keeping the air and water clean, conserving water and energy, and reducing waste. You can see the winning artwork from previous years.
All entries must be postmarked on or before March 6, 2020 to be eligible. Please read our contest rules and complete the entry form to return with the artwork. Winners will be announced on April 15, 2020.
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GCISD Finance and Budget Team Application, Jan. 27
This Spring, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD will form a Finance and Budget Team comprised of community members, parents, teachers, Trustees and administrators to gain knowledge about school finance as it pertains to GCISD. Click here to learn more about the team. GCISD will select two at-large members through a random lottery process. The application will be available on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m on the District’s website https://www.gcisd.net/. Each application will be time-stamped and numbered with two applications selected through a random number generator. If you have any questions regarding applying for the Finance and Budget Team, please email the District at info@gcisd.net.
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Not Just Blowing Smoke presented by Chandler's Hope, Jan. 29th
Wednesday, January 29th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Rawlins Lecture Hall at White's Chapel. This is a free event.
Nearly one in three high school seniors have tried vaping in the past year.
What can parents do to prevent vaping? Be equipped with facts. Learn about e-cigarettes, current trends, local data and tobacco cessation presented by Tobacco Prevention Specialist Ashley Paramore.
It is important for parents to have information about threats to their children in order to prevent health and addiction issues.
For more information, visit:
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Math Telescoping Exams (Elementary and Middle School), opens February 14th
Testing opportunities for telescoping in math for the 2020-2021 school year are available in the spring and summer for GCISD students who are completing Grades K - 7. The Math Telescoping Information Packet will be available on the district website under the For Parents and Students Directory by selecting the link for Acceleration Exams, Math Telescoping, Grades K - 7.
Parents will find information about the requirements to qualify for Math Telescoping and instructions about the TWO STEP Online Registration Process. There will be links to print the Information Packet, begin the TWO STEP Online Registration Process to register for the spring exams, view the TEKS on the TEA website, and download Study Guides for the exams purchased from UT-Austin.
The online registration form will go live on February 14th for the April 18th test administration.
The online registration form will go live on May 4th for the June 17th test administration.
The exam dates and registration deadlines for each exam date are listed below:
- Spring Exam Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 9:00 am | Colleyville Middle School
- Online Registration Opens – Spring Exam Date: February 14, 2020
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LEAP into Wellness, Feb. 29
Join us for a Safety, Health and Wellness Conference geared towards students of all ages and families on February 29. Please view the flyer for more information.
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GCISD Walk of Honor, by Apr. 30
The GCISD Walk of Honor seeks to identify and recognize individuals who have become an important part of the GCISD story. Anyone may complete a nomination form and submit the required documents to the Walk of Honor Selection Committee. Each fall, new honorees are honored at a recognition event, and a permanent display of all honorees is housed at Mustang Panther Stadium in the Walk of Honor area. Nominations for next year’s class of honorees are now being accepted. The deadline to submit a nomination for consideration is April 30, 2020. Please visit the Nominate page for details.
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GET TO KNOW THE O.C. TAYLOR STAFF
OCT 1st Grade Team
Ms. Mandy Welch
Her greatest strength in education is connecting with children on a personal level and providing a loving and nurturing environment where all students can be successful.
A fun award Ms. Welch remembers receiving In high school was the highest kick award in the drill team each year! Let's see that on the TTN Morning Show, Ms. Welch!
She has three boys and a 1 year old precious Beagle named Sadie. She loves Mexican food. Her favorite color is blue because she thinks it is a color that looks good on her.
Ms. Welch's advice to our parents is to enjoy every minute of the elementary years with your children. These are precious years.
Her favorite childhood memory was playing school with her older sister. She was meant to be a teacher! We are glad she is at OCT!
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United States 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is closer than you think! The census counts every person living in the U.S. once, only once and in the right place. It's mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. For more information and how to complete the census, visit 2020census.gov.
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School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
New Online Directory!
The PTA is very excited to launch our NEW online class directory and app. We are using the software from Membership Toolkit. Parents are asked to create an account and enter your information for your children. You are allowed to designate what information is seen by others (address, phone numbers, emails), and you can edit your own information at any time. Information on setting up an account is included in the below link, and printed directions will go home next week.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jbI60Fjp8kTIn9v94fkuCbQoFkMofPEX/view?usp=sharing
Sara Stricherz, Paw Prints Directory Chair
Thank you, Dads' Club, for the FUN Pancake Breakfast and Snow Day!
Grace Food Drive - Second Graders!
CALLING ALL SECOND GRADERS…
DO YOU WANT EXTRA RECESS?
FEBRUARY is your month SECOND GRADE
ITEMS IN NEED: MAC-n-CHEESE
GRACE is in need of some good ole Mac-n-Cheese. As soon as these boxes hit the shelves, it is gone. Collection baskets will be outside the 2nd Grade Classrooms beginning Monday, January 27th, and will stay there until the end of February! The next time you are in the grocery store, please consider supporting your community by picking up a box of Macaroni and Cheese. Thank you in advance for your support.
Thank you to everyone that was able to attend the Tuesday advocacy meeting to provide input and thank you to those that have offered to help in various capacities with the upcoming Candidate Forum on 1/29! Your time is appreciated!
Please see attached and below.
Thank you!
Advocating “For the Future”
· The Texas Primary Elections are March 3, 2020
· GCISD Council of PTAs will be hosting a Candidate Forum for Districts 92 & 98 candidates
· January 29, 2020 Colleyville Center @ 6:30 PM
· The Honorable Mayor, Laura Hill, will be the moderator for the event
Dads' Club Golf Tournament February 28th!
Registration is open - $400 per foursome or $100 for individual player.
Holes are available to purchase for sponsorship! For more information, please contact Brad Haga, Dads' Club Golf Tournament Chair at brad.carlton.haga@gmail.com.
Registration includes cart rental, lunch, dinner, raffle tickets. Signup link here.
Game On - Thursday February 27th
Game On is Thursday, February 27th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the CMS South Gym! This is such a fun event! Purchase your child’s spot to play in the Second Chance Auction. Students in PreK through 2nd grade will play fun games of Trash Your Neighbor's Yard, and the 3rd through 5th graders will face off in games of Newcomb! Do you have a 6th-8th grade student who wants to come back and challenge their favorite OCT teacher?!?! Purchase a spot for them in the alumni game! We hope to see you there.
Box Tops
It's a new semester, so we're starting a new Racing to Recess Challenge. New collection bags will be sent home this week. Keep clipping those Box Tops when you see them. If you haven't already, be sure to download the Box Tops App so that you can scan your receipts and earn money for our school instantly! We're only a little more than $250 away from raising $1000 in Box Tops this year!!
AMAZON SMILE
Be sure to shop smileamazon.com so that .5% of all your purchases will go to the OC Taylor PTA. Log on to smileamazon.com and select PTA Texas Congress 1610 O C Taylor Elementary as your preferred charity. It's an amazingly easy way to earn money for our school!! Remember, you must log on to smileamazon.com every time you shop Amazon to ensure that your purchases earn money for our school.
Tom Thumb Good Neighbor Program
You can now earn money for our school simply by shopping for groceries at Tom Thumb or Albertson's! Designate O.C. Taylor PTA as your organization by completing a Reward Application at any courtesy booth. Fill in the top portion and the "Good Neighbor Program" section, indicating account number 8332 to link your grocery purchases to O.C. Taylor. If you already have a Rewards Card, simply stop by a courtesy desk to link our school to your existing account. Pharmacy, fuel, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products do not count toward the purchase amount credited to the Good Neighbor Program accounts. 1% of all eligible purchases made at Tom Thumb & Albertson's will be given back to our school! So far this year we've raised over $70 for our school just by shopping for groceries!
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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.