OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
January 8-10, 2020
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
Happy New Year! I hope your winter holiday has been a special time for you all filled with happiness and many memories. We are excited to begin a new decade! Welcome back!
Now is the time to re-establish a good routine of daily reading. Ask your child where his/her favorite reading spot is. Bring a favorite blanket or pillow to the location. Establish a time each day and stick to that time. To spice things up a bit, surprise your child with a new book, new bookmark, or cool reading journal. Snuggle up and read! Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less than 3 times a week. (Denton, Kristen and Gerry West, Children’s Reading and Mathematics Achievement in Kindergarten and First Grade, U.S. Department of Education, NCES, Washington, DC, 2002.)
Time flies. You will blink and your child will be preparing his/her schedule and selecting courses for middle school. Take the time now to develop a love of reading they can carry with them through their lives.
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, Dec. 23 - Tuesday, Jan. 7
WINTER BREAK
Wednesday, January 8
First day back for students after the break
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
Talent Show Applications Due
Thursday, January 9
No Choir
Friday, January 10
Talent Video Submissions Due
Rule the School
Monday, January 13
Wear your favorite team jersey, Go Tigers!
8:15 a.m. - PTA Executive Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 14
Wednesday, January 15
2:55 - 3:45 Yearbook
3:00 - 3:30 NEHS
3:00 - 3:45 TTT
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Auditions
Thursday, January 16
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Auditions
Friday, January 17
Monday, January 20
No School/Student & Staff Holiday
Tuesday, January 21
4:00 - 6:00 Hopdoddy Spirit Night
Wednesday, January 22
2:55 - 3:45 Yearbook
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Rehearsal
Thursday, January 23
Play it Safe
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 5:00 Talent Show Rehearsal
Friday, January 24
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Grade Level Newsletters
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Important Links
OCT and GCISD Updates
Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
Happy New Year! We are excited to welcome back all of our Tigers on Wednesday morning!! Our hope is that each student was able to rest, relax, and recharge during the break. "What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what YOU bring to the new year," (Vern McLellan). This semester, our goal is for all of our Tigers to bring their BEST each and every day. Thank you, parents and families, for all that you do to support them during this educational journey.
Happy 2020,
Allison 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
O. C. Taylor Families,
The GCISD Reads Challenge continues! Thank you for continuing to encourage your child to reach his or her reading goals.
As a reminder, your child will still record the number of pages read, but will also be asked to read at least one book from each of the genres listed on the new Recording Document. I find that kids really do like an authentic challenge so I think they will love this one. To make it easier for students to locate books for this challenge the library (located inside of the Learning Commons) is organized by genre!
Some of our Tigers have already met the challenge requirements, and are now working to complete the challenge a 2nd time! If you have any questions please let me know.
For more information and the Recording Documents for the 2019-2020 GCISD Reads can be found at https://www.smore.com/n06z7-2019-2020-gcisd-reads-challenge
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Updates from Music, Mrs. Vencill
Happy New Year, Tigers! I hope everyone enjoyed a fun winter break and is rested and ready for lots of learning in the OCT Music room.
January is the perfect month to practice what we've learned so far this year using music written to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. All grade levels will sing, play instruments, compose rhythm patterns, and listen to music connected to MLK and discuss the strong connection between music and important moments in American history.
Kinder and 1st grade students will also begin preparing for their upcoming programs. Mark your calendars for the Kindergarten Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 21 and the 1st grade Music In Our Schools program on Thursday, March 26. More information will go home in grade-level newsletters soon!
Wishing you much happiness in the new year!
Mrs. Vencill
Music Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elem
817-305-4870
#OCT4U
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Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
Welcome Back to the Art Room! I hope you had a wonderful winter break and are ready to continue being creative!
Kindergarten through 4th grade will be using SeeSaw to reflect about their art projects and explain how they created it. Be on the lookout for posts in their SeeSaw account.
Kindergarten learned about primary and secondary colors. They created their own color wheel based on the story Mouse Paint. Students will be learning about the artist Pablo Picasso and Cubism art.
1st grade learned about the term horizon line by creating an arctic landscape using watercolor. Students are learning how to draw a variety of arctic animals to use in the foreground and background. Students will then learn about the artist Henri Matisse and organic vs. geometric shapes.
2nd grade is using their knowledge on how to draw 3-dimensional shapes to draw their own still life. Students will draw and shade the objects overlapping. Students will then learn about the artist Vincent Van Gogh.
3rd grade learned about landscapes and the term middleground. Students created a landscape of their choice by reviewing the terms foreground and background. Students will learn about the artist Frida Kahlo and how to draw a self-portrait.
4th grade learned how to create a 3D sculpture using recyclable materials and plaster strips. Students will be displaying their creations in the learning commons. Students will learn about the artist Wassily Kandinsky and Abstract art.
5th grade learned about one-point perspective. Students designed their dream bedroom by drawing the room, furniture and extra details in 3-dimensions. Students will learn about a variety of artists and choose an artist to create their next piece.
Cristie Morgan
Art Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elementary School
Twitter-@OCTMorgan
817-305-4870
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Updates from Coach Mester and Coach Mac
See you in the gym!
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- THANK YOU! We want to thank our OCT families for all of the beautiful Christmas cards and goodies given to us during the busy month of December. We appreciate your kindness! HaPPy NeW YeaR from the office staff! :)
- 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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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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GET TO KNOW THE O.C. TAYLOR STAFF
OCT Kindergarten Team
Mrs. Whitney Arington
Mrs. Whitney Arington
She is married to her "sweet husband David." They got an Airedale Terrier this past summer and his name is Carter. She says he is the cutest thing EVER!
Her favorite color is coral because it is so BRIGHT AND HAPPY, just like our Mrs. Arington!
Her favorite memory is going to the beach with her family every summer! She remembers she survived a hurricane. She was in Florida when Hurricane Erin hit. She recalls running outside when the storm was calm and taking pictures and running back inside. What daredevils they were! :)
Her favorite food is MACARONI AND CHEESE... She says, "My kinder kiddos and I have a lot in common! HAHA! If she were going to sing karoke, she would pick "I Want To Dance With Somebody," because it is by Whitney (what a COOL NAME) Houston.
We are so glad Mrs. Arington came to O.C. Taylor!
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Mrs. Sara Lind
Mrs. Lind loves eating fajitas. Her hobby is jewelry making and has taught many of our Tigers how to make jewelry. She and her husband have two sons and a dog named Gidget.
If she was a cookie, she would be a chocolate chip cookie because "It's everyone favorite, LOL!"
Black is her favorite color because it matches EVERYTHING.
Her advice for parents is to "foster independence early by having your children do chores, earn an allowance, make their lunch, etc."
If she were a superhero, she would be "Captain Omniscient, so I can know EVERYTHING!!! MUHAHAHAHAHA!"
We love Mrs. Lind and her fun personality!
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Save the Date
Cross Timbers Middle School has been selected to be featured on NBC 5’s Brag About Your School! Please join us for a community-wide pep rally at Cross Timbers at January 13 at 4 p.m. and help show your CTMS and GCISD Spirit!
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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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Follow OCT on Twitter
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! We are so glad to be back on campus, and we are so ready for a fun spring!
Thank you to each of you for supporting so many of our PTA programs this fall and winter. We were able to generously contribute holiday gifts to our custodial and kitchen staff members because of your contributions/gifts. So thank you to everyone!
We are going to have a spring filled with fun activities - Snow Day with our Dads' Club, a Sock Hop, Spring Fling, Staff Appreciation Week...so stay tuned to the PTA Facebook page and read the newsletter each week for updates!
If you haven't found a place to serve, but you still wish to volunteer on the PTA, please reach out, and we would love to help you! Thank you!
Berri O'Neal Gormley, PTA President
2nd Chance OCT 2019 Silent Auction
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who purchased an item or items from our OCT 2019 Silent Auction! If you have not already done so, please be sure to log on to www.32auctions.com to pay your invoice. You may pay via credit card on the website or send in a check made out to OCT PTA in an envelope marked Silent Auction. Checks save us the 3% credit card fees if you don't mind the extra step! Be on the lookout for emails from octsilentauction@gmail.com with details regarding your purchase!
We still have some amazing auction packages left! Click here to purchase awesome teacher packages, Game On, Lunch with the Principal, seating, parking, and more in our Second Chance Auction. This will be your LAST CHANCE to purchase these items for the 2020 calendar year. You may bid in $25 increments for the WFAA package, otherwise, the items are first come first serve for the dollar amount listed in the description. Please complete your purchases by Monday, January 20th. For more detailed descriptions of packages, please log on to www.32auctions.com/OCTSilentAuction20192020 and view Packages with No Bids. Please deliver payment for any items purchased in the Second Chance Auction no later than Friday, January 24th. Checks can be made out to OCT PTA and placed in an envelope marked Silent Auction. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stephanie Williams at octsilentauction@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting our school!!
Talent Show Auditions!
There are many ways 3rd-5th graders can participate or audition, including a video submission, or 2 audition date options. If you have misplaced the audition form that went out over Winter break, there are extra forms in the front office!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Talent Show is on Friday, January 31st at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Start preparing your acts now...we cannot wait to see you at auditions!
Please feel free to reach out to Stephanie Wilkerson with any questions.
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 them a spot in the alumni game! We hope to see you there.
World Wear Donation Bin
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.