Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
January 6, 2019
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Happy New Year!
We hope you all have had a wonderful and relaxing break! Please remember there is no school tomorrow for students. It is a staff workday. We look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday morning before 7:39 a.m.!
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
NEW DISMISSAL PROCEDURE: Daily ride changes, Appointments, and Emergencies
Beginning January 8th, we will be changing our dismissal procedures for students that have a ride change or appointment. In an effort to protect classroom instruction time, please call or email the office BEFORE 2:30 pm. Please do not email the classroom teacher as they are busy teaching the children and have limited ability to check their email at that time.
If there is a change to your child’s daily ride, please notify the office before 2:30 pm in one of the following ways:
· Send a written note with your child with details for how he or she will get home that day.
· Email Gene Guinane at gene.guinane@gcisd.net and Betty Jones at betty.jones@gcisd.net (as one may be absent) with details on how your child will be getting home that day.
· Call the office at 817-305-4870 prior to 2:30 pm.
· Changes cannot be made by email or text message to your child’s classroom teacher. Teachers are working with your children at that time, and we cannot ensure the information will get to them in a timely manner.
If your child has a doctor's appointment that requires leaving school early:
· Please notify the office on the day of the appointment, so the office has time to prepare the necessary checkout for you.
· Pick up your child prior to 2:30 for early release.
· Send a doctor's note in with your child the following day so that we are able to excuse the partial absence.
If you have an emergency and will not be able to pick your child up at dismissal, please call the office at 817-305-4870 so that we know you need our assistance with your child.
Thank you!
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Conflict Resolution Wheel -
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Updates from Music, Mrs. Vencill
A NOTE from 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, March 1 and the 1st grade Music In Our Schools program on Thursday, March 28. More information will go home in grade level newsletters soon!
The Taylor Tiger Choir meets every Thursday from 2:55-4 p.m. Our first rehearsal of the new year is Thursday, Jan 17. All 4th and 5th grade students are invited so sing with us!
Wishing you much happiness in the new year!
Mrs. Vencill
Music Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elem
817-305-4870
#OCT4U
Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break. I’m excited to get back into the creative spirit with my students!
During the month of January, each grade will be learning about a different artist. Some of the artists will include Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Matisse. Students will be exploring a variety of work that the artist created and will be inspired to create their own piece.
Cristie Morgan
Art Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elementary School
Twitter-@OCTMorgan
817-305-4870
Updates from P.E., Coach Mester
Physical Education News
Wow how the first semester flew by. We are going to kick the new year off with "Pickleball". This is an awesome activity to improve and sharpen skills needed to play tennis. After PTA generously purchased nets and paddles for us several years ago, it has quickly become a student favorite. We will, of course, continue working on our overall fitness during warm ups, jogging, and stretching. As a friendly reminder, please wear or bring tennis shoes on your PE days. With the cold weather, I am seeing a lot of boots worn to school.
Thanks so much,
Coach Mester
Physical Education teacher
O.C. Taylor Elem
817-305-4870
#OCT4U
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
GCISD health guidelines- when to keep your child home:
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours. Students are allowed readmission to school when they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- Itchy, red eyes with discharge
- Unknown rash
- Ringworm of the scalp (until treatment has started)
- Head lice (until treatment has started)
- Jaundice
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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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Here Comes the Bus app
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is happy to announce the adoption of an innovative mobile device app and website entitled, Here Comes the Bus®.
What is Here Comes the Bus:
Here Comes the Bus allows you to view the real-time location of your child’s school bus on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Here Comes the Bus is free and enables you to:
- See the real-time location of your child’s bus both before and after school
- Confirm that your child’s bus has arrived at the bus stop, at school or both
- Receive a push notification* or email message when the bus is near your stop, has been substituted, or when we have important information to relay
Getting started:
Available in three languages (English, Spanish and French), the Here Comes the Bus app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the Sign Up button
- Enter school code 79915 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the User Profile information
- Click “Students” and enter your child’s last name and student ID number when prompted
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
To sign up on the website, or to learn more about this service, visit the Here Comes the Bus website.
Your child needs to be a registered bus rider in order to ride a GCISD bus. If you are wanting to register your child to ride the bus, please do so in Skyward. If you are needing to temporarily change your child's bus transportation (i.e. riding home with a friend for a day, etc.), please complete this form. This app tracks only GCISD buses, not individual students.
Questions:
Should you have any questions, please contact Misael Ruiz at misael.ruiz@gcisd.net or (817) 251-5595. If you need additional assistance, contact Here Comes the Bus customer support. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your name
- School District Name or 5-digit School Code
- Email address used for your Here Comes the Bus account
- Your child’s first and last name, and student ID #
- Description of the question
GCISD Safety First
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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!
Dad's Club Pancake Breakfast January 26th
Bring the entire family to enjoy a morning of breakfast + Sledding on the Snowy Hill. This year’s snow hill will be our biggest snow hill yet, with two lanes open for racing and more participation. Breakfast made by the Dads Club and fun riding a sled, what else could you ask for? Get your sleds and boogey boards ready!
Space is limited and the demand is high so hurry and get your reservations in early!
Grace Christmas Cottage Tiger Tree
Our Tiger Tree was a HUGE success this year! O.C. Taylor donated over three carloads of gifts, along with batteries, wrapping paper, tape, and lots of left over Halloween Candy! Thank you to OCT Counselor, Mrs. Whisman and our TTT Team for making the Tiger Paws for our tree this year. A special thank you to PTA mom, Liz Payne, for helping getting the gifts to the cottage. And to all our TIGERS, thank you for your giving hearts!
O.C. Taylor’s GRACE Food Drive
Thank you to all our Tigers for supporting the GRACE Food Drive over the Holiday Season. Your donations were greatly appreciated. All together we donated over 150 cans of cranberry sauce to Grace and helped to make their Thanksgiving and Christmas a success.
So Who’s Leading the GRACE Food Drive?
Fifth Grade: 63 Items / 72 Students = 87.5 %
Fourth Grade: 93 Items / 73 Students = 127.4%
Third Grade: 131 Items / 78 Students = 167.9%
PPCD / PRE K: 23 Items / 39 Students = 58.8%
Second Grade - JANUARY is YOUR MONTH to Support the GRACE Food Drive.
Items in Need: Canned Soup
With the Cold Weather approaching please consider bringing in a can of soup for the families of GRACE. Collection baskets will be located right outside the second grade classrooms and will be there until the the end of the month.
Remember: The class that averages the most will receive a special
treat at the end of the year.
Thank you for your help and support in serving our community!
Questions? Concerns? Please contact: Dawn Hall
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
Mosaic Tiger
Howdy Parents!!
As we begin the New Year, please remind your tiny tigers to NEVER climb on our Mosaic Tiger in the front of the school. This type of mosaic art is not capable of withstanding that kind of wear, and we want it to last MANY more New Years to come!!
(Remember what happened last time...?)
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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