Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
March 8-12, 2021
Dear O.C. Taylor Families,
Happy Sunday! We have one more week until Spring Break. Today is the perfect time to ask your child which book they would like to read over the break. Getting kids excited about reading now has a lasting impact on their academic achievement. While watching television and YouTube videos in moderation is fine, research shows that prolonged TV viewing, especially for children, may change the brain in unhealthy ways. So, grab a book, snuggle up, and read with your child.
A few administrative reminders:
- I would like to kindly remind all families that our front doors do not open until 7:25 a.m. Please do not drop off your child and leave them unattended.
- Please put an extra spare mask in your child's backpack. If their mask gets dirty or broken, they will have an extra one.
- Please read the intent to enroll below.
- Be sure and have your school-issued dismissal car sign when coming to pick up your child after school. While the grade level teachers may know you, not all of the staff know all of the families. Thank you for helping us be secure!
- Scroll to the end and read the PTA section! We have some great items up for bid!
To the BEST of days,
Principal Pedevilla
Takeuchi H., Taki, Y., Hashizume, H., Asano, K., Asano, M., Sassa, Y., Yokota, S., Kotozaki, Y., Nouchi, R., Kawashima, R., The Impact of Television Viewing on Brain Structures: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses, Cerebral Cortex, Volume 25, Issue 5, May 2015, Pages 1188–1197, https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht315
Email: lisa.pedevilla@gcisd.net
Website: http://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: @OCTPedevilla
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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.
Important Dates
March 9
Interim Assessments - 3rd and 5th grades
March 10
Interim Assessments - 4th and 5th grades
March 11
Interim Assessments - 3rd and 4th grades
March 15 - March 19
Spring Break
March 22 - World Down Syndrome Day (Wear crazy socks)
March 23 - World Water Day (Wear jeans/blue)
April 2 - Bad Weather Make Up Day (No School)
April 6 - STAAR Testing - Grade 4 (Writing)
April 22 - Earth Day (wear jeans/OCT shirt)
April 30 - Bad Weather Make Up Day (No School)
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Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
Mindfulness in March
As we have entered the month of March and are nearing the home stretch this year, we all need to take some time to slow down, pause, and soak in everything around us. Take some time this month for some self-reflection and encourage others around you to do the same. The social and emotional well-being of our students, staff, and families is our top priority at O. C. Taylor. It can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. So, we want to encourage you to breathe and look for things for which you are grateful. Below is a March calendar with daily ideas for mindfulness. Check it out!
(Action for Happiness, © Action for Happiness 2011)
As we enter our spring testing season, here are a few important notes:
**To exit KIOSK mode (see the photo below), students will need to hold down the CTRL-ALT-S key combination. Remote students are able to take the Interim Assessment from home if the STAAR testing app is installed on their device.
It is a GCISD expectation that ALL students will take Interim Assessments during this designated window.
STAAR Parent Letter and OCT Campus STAAR Schedule
3rd-5th Grade Parents
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Clarification for Remote Learning
The ability to learn remotely has been a real blessing this year with students quarantined or ill with COVID. Now that the numbers of cases are going down, we have fewer students learning remotely and in some cases, most classrooms in a grade level will have no students learning remotely. Please note the changes below:
- Moving forward, only students that are receiving remote instruction or students that are required to quarantine will access synchronous instruction via WebEx.
- Students that have selected in-person instruction and are not present at school may access assignments in SeeSaw to be completed and submitted before the end of the day to be counted present. If students are not able to complete assignments that day, they will be counted absent and need to make up the work according to our make-up work practices.
Our teachers are working tirelessly to support student learning and meet students' needs. These changes will allow them to focus their time to increase our effectiveness in serving our students.
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GCISD Student Transfers
The general student transfer application window for the 2021-2022 school year will open on Monday, March 22, 2021, at 8 a.m. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, April 2, 2021, at 4 p.m.
All students (including employee students) must apply for a transfer if they desire to attend a campus other than their zoned campus and/or when a current transfer student is moving from the following grades/campuses:
- Pre-K to Kindergarten
- Elementary school to middle school
- Middle school to high school
Students who are already approved on a transfer and are not moving to the next transition level do NOT need to submit a transfer request. For more information and to complete an online application on or after Monday, March 22, click here.
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Intent to Enroll Form
Do you plan to attend GCISD schools next year but are not currently enrolled? Let us know you are coming! As GCISD prepares for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, it is vital that the District have accurate enrollment predictions in order to properly staff for the number of students that will be attending school.
If you have children who are not enrolled in GCISD for 2020-2021, but will be enrolling for 2021-2022, we ask that you complete this Intent to Enroll form prior to March 12.
You DO need to complete the form if your child(ren)...
- Did not attend GCISD in 2020-2021 (for any reason), but will attend in 2021-2022
- Is entering Pre-K in GCISD in August 2021
- Is entering Kindergarten in GCISD in August 2021 AND did NOT attend Pre-K in GCISD
Please DO NOT complete the form if your child(ren)...
- Attended GCISD for the 2020-2021 school year, including Pre-K students
This form in no way obligates families to attend school in GCISD in 2021-2022, and it is also not a formal registration. Information regarding registration will be shared in the coming months.
If you know a family that may need to complete the form, please share this information with them. Thank you for your assistance in preparing for the 2021-2022 school year.
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Spring Break Curbside Meals
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has already been providing free meals to students as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), this program allows any student 18 and younger to receive free meals during holiday breaks.
Nutrition Services is pleased to provide curbside meal bundles during the spring break for all students in the district. Curbside meals are free to all children in the community 18 years and younger. Curbside Meals may be picked up on Wednesday, March 17 at Grapevine Elementary, Cross Timbers Middle, or Grapevine Middle from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The meal bundles will include seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and 1 gallon of milk per child. Heating instructions will be included so that families can prepare the meals at their convenience.
In addition, parents are encouraged to continue filling out the free and reduced application online at www.schoollunchapp.com. The benefits from being approved for free or reduced-price meals may include discounts for transportation, standardized tests, college application fees, and technology fees to name a few. If you have any questions, please email child.nutrition@gcisd.net or call 817-251-5617.
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Tuition Based Pre-K Program
There are a few more spots available in GCISD’s Tuition Based Pre-K program for the 2021-2022 school year! You can find information regarding tuition, campus availability, and more on the GCISD Pre-K Website.
Students that may qualify for state-based Pre-K will be able to begin registration for the upcoming school year in April 2021.
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Colleyville Police Department Needs School Crossing Guards!
School Crossing Guards provide children safe access at high-traffic areas near schools, while allowing officers to be available to respond to emergencies. Crossing Guards work outdoors and in an environment where maintaining social distance is not an issue. The typical work schedule includes approximately 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon, every school day; hours and locations vary. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and the starting salary is $11/hour.
Apply for School Crossing Guard at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colleyville - If you have any questions, contact Sergeant Nelson at 817-503-1238 or dnelson@colleyville.com. Join our team!
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Reminder: For GCISD Bus Riders
In GCISD, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. This is a reminder that we have made a slight modification to our routine for all secondary students riding a daily bus route or shuttle.
In the event a bus rider or driver receives a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, we are now collecting real-time information that will speed up the process for the GCISD Health Services Department. This process allows us to quickly and accurately identify and communicate with close contacts associated with the test-confirmed student or staff member.
All secondary students are now asked to use their device to scan a QR code upon entering a GCISD bus. This QR code links to a form that requires students to enter their bus number, campus, name, student ID number, and seat number. Once they submit the form, they sit in their assigned seat. This process needs to be completed every time a secondary student rides a GCISD bus.
We appreciate your understanding, as well as your help in keeping our students, staff, and community safe.
*If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you may need to download a QR Reader app.
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National School Breakfast Week
Calling all parents! Did you know...Breakfast is FREE to all in-person students in PK-8 for the remainder of the 20-21 school year? Breakfast is available each morning from 7:15-7:35 a.m for elementary school students and from 7:30-8:00 a.m for all middle school students.
The Breakfast menu includes a variety of student favorite items such as pancakes, french toast, breakfast pizza and sausage biscuits to name a few. Breakfast items are made from whole grains and lean proteins and also include a selection of fruit and fat free milk. Menu items offered at breakfast do not contain peanuts or pork unless otherwise specified.
Monday- March 8th, Kick off to National School Breakfast Week. All students who stop in for breakfast today will receive a sticker. Show your sticker to the cashier at lunch and get a FREE snack of your choice!
Tuesday-Breakfast Taco Tuesday! Stop in for a breakfast taco made with whole grain tortillas, turkey sausage, eggs and cheese.
Wednesday- Join us for Fluffy French Toast and Chicken Sausage, this combo is always a student favorite.
Thursday- Texas Thursday! Students always love our Crispy Chicken on a Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuit. Pick up a Texas Grown orange or Grapefruit with your meal today!
Friday-FREE Donut Friday! Enjoy a whole grain donut with your breakfast! Be sure to choose a fruit and milk to make a complete meal for FREE.
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
Spring Break Travel: If your family is planning to travel over Spring Break, please click on the link below for the CDC's recommendations and tips to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/
Parents of 4th Grade Girls: On Friday, March 12th, the Growth & Development (puberty) video will be presented to all 4th grade girls. Notification letters were sent home last week. If you DO NOT want your daughter to participate, please sign/return the form to me by Thursday March 11th.
DAILY EXPECTATIONS: We have been handing out a lot of masks and snacks, Please make sure the following items are in your student's backpack every day.
- healthy snack (not messy, able to eat in classroom)
- extra mask in plastic Ziploc bag (labeled with student's name)
- weather appropriate change of clothes (especially for ECSE, PK, and Kinder)
Health Screening for Students
All of our in-person learners' parents must pre-screen their student for signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 before bringing your student to school. The signs and symptoms are to screen for are:
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Shaking or exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
If your child demonstrates any of the above signs or symptoms, they must stay home, and you need to report to the campus nurse the signs or symptoms your child is exhibiting. In the event that your child has a fever, they must be kept home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Please do not give fever-reducing medication and send your child to school. Additionally, please do not send your child to school if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or are test-confirmed with COVID-19.
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GCISD Reads Challenge
For information about the GCISD READS Challenge and to learn more about our free e-books and audiobooks check out the Learning Commons newsletter.
Lost Books?
We do not charge fines for late books in elementary school, so if you come across a book that seems like it’s becoming part of the family (maybe since before Covid) you can send it back without consequence.
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Updates from the Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
Hello Tiger Families! Our Character Focus from PurposeFull People in March is RESPONSIBILITY. My morning messages, classroom Circle-Ups, and bi-weekly guidance lessons will reinforce the definition of Responsibility: To take action and understand how our choices affect others, ourselves, and the world.
Parents of 5th graders:
Please click here for ALL THINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL. Information will be added as I receive it.
If you would like more information about our monthly topic or for ways to get in contact with me, please click here for my newsletter.
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Update from GT, Kathy Griffin
UPCOMING GT TESTING FOR GRADES 1-4
GT Testing Window: Feb. 8th through March 5, 2021
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Changing Instructional Model
NORMAL CHANGES:
As a reminder, parents are able to switch from in-person to remote learning at any point during the school year. In order to make this change, please contact our campus counselor.
For families that are wishing to change from remote to in-person learning, that may only be done at the end of a grading period. The process for changing to in-person learning requires parents to log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the changing instructional models form prior to the end of the nine-week grading period. Instructions on where to find the form and how to complete it can be found here.
Below is a schedule of when the form will become available, when the form must be received by the campus, and when the change will go into effect:
- To change after the second nine weeks, parents must complete the form between November 16 and December 4. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on January 6.
- To change after the third nine weeks, parents must complete the form between February 14 and February 26. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on March 22.
In accordance with the revised COVID-19 mandate issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on November 5, a Local Education Agency may determine that a student’s attendance and/or academic performance in one or more classes puts them at significant risk of severe learning loss. The Local Education Agency may then request the student to return to in-person learning through the steps outlined by TEA.
If you have any questions regarding the timing of when parents may change the instructional model selected or the associated process, please contact our campus counselor, Stacy Whisman, stacy.whisman@gcisd.net.
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Free Meals Extension
The USDA has extended its nationwide waiver, allowing GCISD to now offer free meals through June 2021 at all elementary and middle school campuses and meal bundles at curbside locations. Complete information can be found here.
FREE BREAKFAST
OCT PTA
Please be sure to visit the O.C. Taylor PTA website where you'll be able to fill out some important forms as well as pay your Homeroom Fund Fee (just $10), which helps pay for things during the year like Winter and Valentine's parties and an end of the year gift for the teachers. Our partnership with the PTA is critical for maintaining the exceptional culture we have here at O.C. Taylor!
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Silent Auction
Our Annual PTA Silent Auction will be LIVE on Friday, March 12 at NOON on our PTA website!! You won’t want to miss all the awesome experiences up for grabs like Rule the School, Party with Principals, Teacher Lunches, Game On, Birthdays and more!!
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4th Annual Dad's Club Golf Tournament - Reschedule
Please see the flyer below.
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You've Been Egged!
We are dreaming of the days when we can have an Easter Egg Hunt all together, but this year we are bringing the egg hunt to you!!
The Easter Bunny’s helpers will sprinkle eggs in your yard for your family to hunt the next morning!
Hippity Hop on over to order!!
https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/home
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PTA Mini Grant Spotlight
OCT Mini Grants 2020-2021
August 2020
4th grade and Pre-K were granted a combined 36 lap trays to help students maintain their socially distanced learning.
October 2020
Pre-K was granted 10 additional “My First Learning” journals to assist in their writing.
1st grade was granted a Reading A-Z application subscription, impacting 90 students.
3rd grade received an “Education Galaxy” application for the entire grade level to use.
November 2020
Our SPED team was granted new items for their classrooms. These included a new rug for the RISE class to define circle time more clearly, a new stapler, along with new nap mats for our students.
Kindergarten received new Leveled Reader books along with book bags for carrying.
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Fall 2020 Council E-Connection Newsletter
Please read the Fall 2020 Council E-connection Newsletter to see some of what O.C. Taylor PTA has been doing on our campus.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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Helping Our Community
Every year, O.C. Taylor students and the PTA collect donations for GRACE Grapevine, a local
nonprofit serving the needy in our community. In the past, each grade participated during a
specific month of the school year. We want to maximize our impact in the community by
opening up donation collection to the entire school all year long!
For the month of December, we will be collecting unwrapped toys for children.
The grade that collects the most donations each month will win an extra recess!
Donation drop boxes will be placed in the school hallways and in the lobby.
March - PBJ (Peanut/nut butter, jars of jelly)
April - Stock the Pantry (Canned tuna, meat, fruit, etc.)
May - Mac & Cheese(Packages of everyone's favorite!)