Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, November 5, 2017
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Please remember to scroll down and read your GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTER and our PTA portion.
Thank you for all who attended or helped their child participate in our Book Character Parade. Ask your child about their favorite character. Remember, we READ every night at OCT as research shows many benefits. Snuggle up this weekend and find a good book to read. We want to empower our children today to create a better tomorrow!
THREE UPCOMING EVENTS:
- We hope to see you all at Chipotle in Euless on Weds., Nov. 8 from 4-8 p.m. as OCT receives 50% of the proceeds! Wow!
- We also invite you to attend our Veteran's Day Program this coming Fri., Nov. 10 at 8:30 a.m. as we show honor and appreciation of the men and women who have served. We appreciate you, veterans!
- Sat., Nov. 11 from 1-5 p.m. is our OCT Fall Festival. Bring your family and friends to create some special memories!
To the BEST of days,
Principal Young
Email: lisa.young@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=16665
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.
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Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 6
Tuesday, November 7
Wednesday, November 8
2nd Grade Field Trip
Chipotle (Euless Location) 4 - 8
Thursday, November 9
Future Explorations 2:00 - 2:50
Choir 2:55 - 4:00
Friday, November 10
Veteran's Day Program 8:30
Running Club 3:00 - 3:45
Saturday, November 11
Fall Festival 1:00 - 5:00
Monday, November 13
3rd Grade Field Trip
Tuesday, November 14
Wednesday, November 15
TTT 2:55 - 3:45
Thursday, November 16
5th Grade Field Trip
Kindergarten/PreK Thanksgiving Feast 11 - 12
Choir 2:55 - 4:00
Friday, November 17
Future Explorations 2:00 - 2:50
November 20 - 24
Thanksgiving Break
OCT Updates
Chipotle Fundraiser
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City of Colleyville Mayor for a Day Essay Contest
City of Colleyville Mayor, Richard Newton, is giving Colleyville residents in grades 2-7 the opportunity to speak their minds during the 2017 Mayor for a Day Contest. The winner will serve as honorary mayor on one of the City Council meeting dates this upcoming January. He or she will spend part of the day meeting with city leaders and touring city facilities. That evening, they will attend the City Council work session to review city business and co-preside over the City Council meeting that follows. During the Executive Session portion of the meeting, the Mayor for a Day will have a pizza party with up to 10 friends! (The Mayor for a Day winner’s schedule will be subject to approval by his or her parents and school.)
How to Participate:
- Starting November 1st, contestants must submit a one- to two- page essay about what you would do to make Colleyville the best city in North Texas. The winning essay will be posted on the city’s website. Write your essay in any form or style that is comfortable for you and that you feel best expresses your opinions.
- Essays must be at least one page in length and no more than two pages.
- Entries must have your name, grade, address, and parents’ phone numbers included at the top of the essay in order to be entered into the Mayor for a Day Contest.
- No other identifying information should be included in the essay, as all personal information will be redacted prior to review by the committee of judges.
- Essays are due by December 8, 2017. Essays received after this date will not be considered.
- Contest is only open to Colleyville residents.
- The winning essay will be announced the week of December 11th.
Essays may be dropped off at the City Manager’s Office on the third floor of Colleyville City Hall or sent by mail or email to:
Mayor for a Day Contest
Colleyville City Hall
100 Main Street,
Colleyville, TX 76034
Email: ddangli@colleyville.com
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OCT Conflict Resolution Wheel
This week we will be focusing on "Apologize." Talk with your child about giving a sincere apology expressing regret. Talk about the three steps of an apology.
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Tech Tip of the Week
Meet Me Mack tries to meet you face-to-face. What should you do if someone wants to meet you? Do not reply, turn off your device and always tell your parents, your guardian, or a trusted adult.
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Technology Trust Card
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Box Tops - Fall Version Collection Sheets.
Click here to Harvest All Your Box Tops and send them to school!
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How do you know if your gifted student is on the right path to success?
Supporting and Advocating for Gifted Education (SAGE) presents Gifted Pathways: Navigating Your GT Child from Kindergarten to College — an evening focused on the unique needs of gifted children at each stage of life.
Sessions include: best practices in gifted advocacy, panels featuring GCISD's National Merit Scholars and high achievers, Q&A's with district counselors, how to navigate college admissions, defining "buzz words" about giftedness — plus, the opportunity for a one-on-one chat about your child with a pediatrician or a longtime GT advocate.
The event is November 7, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development and Education Center (PDEC), at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
Arrive early at 5:30 p.m. with a brown bag dinner to eat and socialize with your GT community. Invite a friend! This event is open to the public. Admission is free for SAGE members’ families and $10 at the door for individual non-members.
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
Thank you to all of the families who participated in our Storybook Pumpkin Patch this year. The creativity was off the charts! All of our students enjoyed coming to the learning commons to see their favorite storybook characters on display. I love hearing students talk about how their entire family pitched in to help. I hope all of you formed sweet memories together and that you will participate again next year..
Now that Halloween and the Storybook Parade are over, if you have a costume that you would like to donate for our tigers to use in our green screen room we would love to have them!
This year we have had more Birthday Book donations in the first 2 months of school than we typically receive for the entire year! Thank you so much for your generosity. If you would like to participate click here for more information.
Resource Highlight: Every O. C. Taylor student has access to over 7,000 audiobooks through the Tales2Go app. For more information click here.
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Update from our Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Referrals: If you have received a referral letter about your child needing further evaluation regarding vision and/or hearing, please let me know if you have followed up with this. If you have lost the paperwork I sent home, just feel free to call/email me and let me know what the Dr said/recommended. I need to have this information for an annual State report. For all the parents who have already taken care of this- THANK YOU!! :)
- Cold & Flu season: Please be sure you are reviewing proper hand washing techniques with your children at home. They can sing Happy Birthday song or their ABCs twice while washing with warm, soapy water. Also, remind them to sneeze and cough into their elbows instead of their hands. If you child is home sick with flu or flu-like symptoms (temperature over 100 AND sore throat/cough), please let the front office know when calling in. I have to report all flu-like illness to the Tarrant County Health Department weekly.
- Lice: Please educate your child about the avoidance of head-to-head contact (selfies) and check his/her scalp routinely for evidence of lice. If you find live lice on your child's head, they must stay home until effectively treated. Please call me or the front office to let us know. I have to send out a grade level notification email per Texas Education Code, Section 38.031. Your student's name will never be mentioned to maintain confidentiality. If I know of a case, I can closely monitor the class and grade level for signs and symptoms of head lice.
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Updates from OCT Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
SAGE Meeting
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Let's Talk
Click here to start a conversation through Let's Talk! This site may be found on our campus homepage.
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GCISD DISTRICT FLYERS & INFORMATION
Grapevine: A Visual Journey Through A Beloved Texas Town
Grapevine: A Visual Journey Through A Beloved Texas Town is a 152-page book that highlights Grapevine’s intriguing history, public art, working artists, attractions, and seasonal events. The author will donate 50% of book proceeds to O.C. Taylor Elementary until January 1, 2018, if the books are purchased at www.GrapevineTexasJourney.com. (The buyer will then be given the option to select O.C. Taylor Elementary as the recipient of the donation.)
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GCISD Parent Technology Academy
More classes are rolling out! Come hear about Internet Safety on November 8, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at Colleyville Elementary. Click on the following link to see more or to register: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=48875
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2017 Holiday Greeting Card Competition
Click here to see the flyer for the GCISD Holiday Greeting Card Competition. The theme for the card is "Holiday Memories."
Elementary, middle and high school students are invited to submit original artwork for the cover of GCISD’s official holiday greeting card. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FINE ARTS DEPT. by Friday, Nov. 10, at 4 :00 p.m.
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Note from GCISD Nutrition Services
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GCISD is Now Hiring! Join the GCISD TEAM!
Do you know someone ready to join the GCISD Team? Please help spread the word! Great opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists –Part Time with benefits – Work while your students are in school!
- KidzU Extended Care Program Site Aides – Part Time with benefits – Great schedule for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers & Monitors
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply online at: www.gcisd-k12.org
GCISD is looking for new Subs! Apply Online!
Hey parents and community members! Do you find yourself always on campus volunteering and helping out? Want to be more involved in the classroom and get a paycheck? Then subbing might just be for you!
We are hiring qualified candidates to substitute teach for GCISD. If you are looking to impact kids and help make a difference, we want you! You must have a minimum of 60 college hours to apply. Apply online: www.gcisd-k12.org
If you have any questions, contact erica.pasvar@gcisd.net.
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School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
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FALL FESTIVAL IS COMING SOON!
Fall Festival is next Saturday, November 11th, from 1-5 p.m. We hope you are planning on joining us for all the FUN! We have fun new games like Nerf Arena, Plinko and the Prize Spin. And, of course, we still have all our old favorites like inflatables, a petting zoo and face painting! Another yummy addition to Fall Festival...7-11 Slurpees! Don't forget to bring extra money for Pie in the Face (all proceeds supporting 5th Grade Continuation).
While you're at the Fall Festival, get ready to bid on some fantastic items in our Silent Auction! Get your child a spot in Game On! Get front row seats for all our school programs! Or, your child's name on the marquee on his or her birthday!
Want a sneak peak at all the great items for bid in the Silent Auction? Check out the link below. Auction items will continue to be added in the days leading up to Fall Festival so keep on checking back! Also, please feel free to share the link with out of town family or friends who are looking for that extra special gift while still supporting our AWESOME school, they can bid from anywhere!
Don't miss this! Our "Buy It Now" option allows you to purchase items before they go on bid at the Silent Auction. Some of everyone's favorite items like "Party with the Principals" or "Teacher Packages" will be available at Buy It Now prices starting Wednesday, November 8th.
We still need volunteers to make this all possible. We hope you will consider volunteering in one of the following ways.
- Volunteer at one of our Fall Festival booths. Your homeroom parent(s) sent home links to sign-up last week.
- We also need Silent Auction help. If you are able to help pick up donations, call local businesses, or print out displays, please reach out to Courtney at octsilentauction@gmail.com.
Want to help? Questions? Concerns? Please contact Amy Godwin or Courtney Click.
FALL FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
There are 3 ways to purchase your Fall Festival tickets this year:
1. A blue ticket sales form was sent home with each child. Fill this form out and send it back to school with your child including your check. Tickets will be sent home with your child.
If you don’t receive the form, you may print one here: LINK TO TICKET FORM
2. Tickets will be on sale after school in the front lobby, November 10th 2:30pm-3:00pm.
3. Tickets will be on sale the day of Fall Festival at the regular prices.
If you can help sell tickets the day of Fall Festival, please use the Sign Up Genius link below:
Ticket Sales Volunteer Sign Up
Thank you!
Jennifer Ditto
jlditto@gmail.com or 817-291-0962
Nov. 7th - ELECTION DAY
Did you know that only a little over half of all people over 18 vote? That means about half of our voting population does not exercise their right to vote. Tuesday, November 7th is election day. There are state propositions on the ballot, and Grapevine residents have a $24.7 million dollar bond on the ballot. For more information about these items, as well as polling places, please visit:
https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_2017_ballot_measures
and for the Grapevine bond:
Sara Stricherz
PTA Advocacy Chair
YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO PROVIDE A HOLIDAY PIE FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF!
You still have time to support of our fabulous OC Taylor Teachers and Staff by sponsoring a holiday pie.
Pies are $15 each and will be delivered to the staff the Friday before Thanksgiving Break.
You can sponsor one (or more!) by clicking the following link and then turning your check into the front office before Friday, November 10th. SignUpGeniusOCTHolidayPies
Please make checks payable to OCT PTA. In the memo line, please write, "holiday pies" and the name of the person you are sponsoring.
You are also welcome to include a personal note of thanks that we will deliver with the pie.
THANK YOU!
Questions? Concerns? Please contact Tamaron Hunt
EARN CASH FOR O.C. TAYLOR!
Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn money for our school. Last year we collected 8,378 Box Tops, which raised $837.80 for O.C. Taylor! Help us raise money this year by purchasing items with the Box Tops logo (click here for a list of the hundreds of products with the logo).
All you have to do is clip them and store them in the storage bag that will be going home in Take Home folders this week. When your child’s bag is full, just send it back to school and a new storage bag will be sent home for you to start filling up again!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help make our school’s Box Tops for Education™ program a huge success this year.
Thanks for your help!
Amy Haga
Box Tops Coordinator
Phone Number: 817-657-0126
E-mail: amy.haga@yahoo.com
DAD'S CLUB MEETING - NOVEMBER 15th
OC Taylor Tiger Dads! Please join us for our next O.C. Taylor Dads Club meeting on Wednesday, November 15th from 7pm - 9pm (or 10pm) at The Londoner.
For our November meeting we will be discussing and planning for the Grapevine Parade of Lights Dads Club Float Entry, December Pancake Breakfast and the January Bowling Night. There are still volunteer opportunities to get involved! Bring your ideas, your checkbook, and a friend. it’s more fun than you think.
We do request (not require) a $25 donation with membership and you’ll get a great shirt just for joining.
All Dads – Dads Only – are invited to our meeting. Get involved with Dads Club because it’s for the kids.
Please RSVP http://evite.me/WsKFTMwpjv
Organizers:
Ben Stevens – ben@benLstevens.com 972.839.5599
Matt Smith – vernomas@yahoo.com 817.228.1822
OC Taylor Dads Club Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/OCTaylorDadsClub
ELVES ON THE RUN 5k, Sat. Dec. 2, HOLIDAY FUN RUN, FOOD, BEVERAGES--JOIN US!
Show off your holiday spirit: Prizes for the best elf costume, and best registered group in costume.
For every student and family member that registers, $2 will be donated directly back to our PTA. Please enter “OC Taylor Elementary School" in the participant question. https://ElvesOnTheRun5k.com
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: TIP OF THE WEEK: DIVERSITY IN FOOD IS DELICIOUS & HEALTHY!
Here’s your Healthy Lifestyle Tip of the Week! Favor diversity. When planning a meal include as many colors as possible and at least 3 food groups. Try to balance the flavor by pairing something salty with something naturally sweet or sour.
Questions? Concerns? Contact our PTA Healthy Lifestyles Chair, Marisa Livingston
MESH WREATH-MAKING CLASS
Mesh Wreath-Making Class - Thursday, November 16 from 7 - 9 pm
Please join us Thursday, November 16th from 7 - 9 pm at the Merlot Room in Grapevine. Amy Kaspar will be teaching a class on how to make holiday mesh wreaths. The cost of the class is $20 per person (supplies not included). All money raised will go to support 5th Grade Continuation. Please click on the Sign Up Genius link below to sign up! Please see the attached Wreath Making Supply List as supplies are not provided.
We hope to see you there!
SIGN UP GENIUS FOR MESH WREATH-MAKING CLASS HERE
Questions? contact Stephanie Williams
APPLE TREE PROJECT
School has been in a few weeks and the 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 he link below 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.
Apple Tree List
Thanks so much! If you have any questions, please contact:
Jenifer Richards – Apple Tree coordinator
Jennifer Ditto - VP Volunteer
GRACE FOR NOVEMBER IS 3rd GRADE!
- November is 3rd grade's month to collect cereal for GRACE! Collection baskets are outside the 3rd grade classrooms for the duration of the month.
- O.C. Taylor PTA is also continuing to help our adopted Katy ISD School, Creech Elementary by donating gift cards to Target, Walmart, Half-Priced Books, Teacher Heaven, Ikea and Amazon. Please send any items to school with your child and label as a "Hurricane Harvey Donation". Let's help get our Houston neighbors back on their feet!
Thank you for your help and support in serving our community!
Questions? Concerns: contact Athena Wiginton at apw@thewigintons.com
November:
11/9 Reflections Advancing Entries Announced
11/10 8:30 am Veterans' Day Program
11/11 Fall Festival!!!! 1 - 5 pm
11/16 Camp Thurman (5th Grade)
11/17 Staff Appreciation Event
11/20 - 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/28 Make Up Picture Day
11/28 Game On!
December:
12/1 Rule the School
12/8 Walk To School Morning
12/14 6:30 pm PTA Meeting & Choir Concert
12/15 Party with the Principals 3;00 - 5:30 pm
12/20 Polar Express Day
12/21 School Sing-Along
12/21 Class Holiday Parties
12/21 Early Dismissal at 11:45 LAST DAY OF FALL SEMESTER
12/21 Talent Show Applications Due
January:
1/8 Teacher Work Day
1/9 Back to School!
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Thank you!
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
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. 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
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.