Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
December 9, 2018
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
- HAPPY HANUKKAH - We wish all of our Jewish families a Happy Hanukkah!
- CONGRATULATIONS - Our OCT Dads' Club float placed 2nd place in the Grapevine Parade of Lights! It is a beautiful float honoring Grapevine Main Street. Thank you to all of the dads and parents who donated, helped, worked, and served. Way to go!
- HOLIDAY HULLABALLOO - Your children are invited to participate in some fun dress up days this month. If your family celebrates a holiday or festival during December other than Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, please let us know. We would like to know any other holidays or celebrations you and your family celebrate and acknowledge. Please email me.
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
Monday, December 10
Hanukkah Day - Wear blue and white
Book Fair
9:00 am CTMS Choir
11:00 am PTA Executive Meeting Luncheon
Tuesday, December 11
5:00 - 10:00 pm McAlister's Deli Fundraiser (Remember to RSVP here.) Please mention O.C. Taylor at the register!
Wednesday, December 12
Snowman Day - Wear a scarf
2:55 - 5:00pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 13
8:30 am Holiday Choir Concert
2:55 - 4:00 pm Choir
6:30 pm - PTA General Meeting and Choir Concert
Friday, December 14
Monday, December 17
8:10 - 8:35 CHHS Jazz Choir - Cafeteria
1:30 Santa's Visit
5:00 - 8:00 Chick-Fil-A
Tuesday, December 18
Wednesday, December 19
Thursday, December 20
Polar Express - all are invited to wear pajamas to school
No Choir Rehearsal
Friday, December 21
9:30 - 10:30 School Sing-A-Long
10:45 Holiday Parties, wear festive party attire
11:45 Early Dismissal
Talent Show Applications due
OCT and GCISD Updates
McAlister's Deli Night, Dec. 11, 5-10 pm
Come Support
O.C. Taylor Elementary
McAlister’s Deli
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
5:00pm – 10:00pm
5615 Colleyville Blvd, Suite 200
Colleyville, Texas
Donating back: 20%
When you purchase your meal mention
O.C. Taylor – click this link to RSVP
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Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night, Dec. 17, 5-8 pm
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Conflict Resolution Wheel -
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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
BOOK FAIR HELPERS NEEDED
Just in time for the holidays, our Scholastic Book Fair is just 3 weeks away (December 10-14), and we need volunteers to help with setup after school on December 7th. We will also need assistance with sales during the week, and packing everything up on December 10th. If you are interested in helping out with the Book Fair you can sign up here- https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/experience/signup/erI8aUDa5 .
The Scholastic Book Fair has an app that makes pre-shopping with your child a bit easier- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scholastic-book-fairs/id699636487?mt=8
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Updates from Music, Mrs. Vencill
The Taylor Tiger Choir will perform their holiday musical, I Need A Christmas Vacation, Thursday, Dec. 13 at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the OCT cafeteria. We hope you will join us for this festive holiday performance!
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season!
Mrs. Vencill
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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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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!
Happy Holidays - Staff Appreciation Event December 19th
Let's celebrate the Holidays and our wonderful teachers and staff! Please bring a holiday treat in the morning for them to enjoy throughout the day. Make sure to include what you're bringing so that we don't have duplicates. Please drop off your items December 19th beginning at 7:15am. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4daaaa2daaf85-happy
Tamaron Hunt
Staff Appreciation Events Chair
tamaron.hunt@gmail.com
214-226-6993
O.C. TAYLOR’S TIGER TREE - GIFTS FOR GRACE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE
The Tiger Tree will be back again this year and will be decorated with paws. Paws will include items in need which we will donate to the Grace Christmas Cottage.
Our Tiger Tree will be up after the Thanksgiving Break. We hope that you can stop by the lobby and pick-up your paw; however, If you can't make it into the lobby area this year, you can also sign-up for a specific item below:
1. Sign-up for an item & purchase the gift.
2. Bring the unwrapped gift to school no later than Friday, Dec. 14th
As always, thank you for your acts of kindness by helping those in need!
We hope that many of you are still able to visit the Tiger Tree and take a paw as this is only a small list of items in need.
Thank you.
Dawn Hall, GRACE Liaison
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GRACE Food Drive and Halloween Candy
PPCD and PRE-K IT’s YOUR TURN to Support the GRACE Food Drive.
December is PPCD and PRE-K’s Month to Support the GRACE Food Drive.
Items in Need: Canned Cranberry Sauce
With the holidays approaching lets help out GRACE by supporting their HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE and collecting as many cans of cranberry sauce as possible. Cranberry Sauce is one of GRACE’s most needed items this holiday season. Collection Baskets are located right outside the PPCD and PRE-K Classroom and will be there til December 21st. So Remember, the next time you are at the grocery store think of the one thing that goes great with cold turkey sandwiches…… Cranberry Sauce.
Remember: The Class that averages the most will receive a special treat at the end of the year.
HALLOWEEN CANDY
Do you STILL have lots of leftover Halloween Candy? Looking for a healthy & helpful way to get rid of it? Then look no further and donate it all to GRACE. GRACE would greatly appreciated any Leftover Halloween Candy to use at their Christmas Cottage this year.
Please look for the Decorated Pumpkin Bag in the lobby area and leave your donations there.
Donations are STILL being accepted til December 21st.
Thank you for your help and support in serving our community!
Questions? Concerns? Please contact: Dawn Hall
Lost and Found
DRUM ROLL PLEASE: REFLECTIONS RESULTS
A huge congratulations to the 12 students from O.C. Taylor who entered submissions in this year's NATIONAL PTA art program, REFLECTIONS! These students incorporated this year's theme, "Heroes Around Me" in creative, inspiring, and, in some cases, masterful ways. Photos of their work will be on display in the Learning Commons! Check them out!
Our 7 Advancing Students' below, will advance to the GCISD District-level for consideration with other GCISD elementaries for possible advancement to State Reflections, and, even Nationals! DRUM ROLL PLEASE FOR OUR 7 ADVANCING ENTRANTS:
Halston Potter
Aakash Kalamkar
Emily Rodriguez (2 entries)
Madeline Gifford
Avery Hall
Mason Partain
Aslynn Williams
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU 7 TIGER ARTISTS, whose art ranged from visual to photography, to music composition and even film production! WOW!
Additionally, the following 4 students should be congratulated for their effort and artwork, as well.
MacKenzie E. Gutierrez
Hudson Williams
Parker Riski
Memphis Potter
Our judges were inspired and impressed by all 12 of these students' artwork! Give them a CONGRATULATIONS when you see them. Additionally, these students will be recognized at a District-wide Reflections Reception our Council of PTAs will sponsor. More details to come in the spring semester! And, for the teachers who had at least 1 entry: Julie Lee, Leslie Cave, Kimberly McNamara, Lori Acrea, Sharon Fiffik, Anne Hurst, Cynthia Rutter, and Kimberly Knudson, your names will be entered for the chance to win 1 week with NO LUNCH DUTY in the coming spring semester. THANK YOU TO ALL who helped support this worthy program. GO TIGERS!
Students, your artwork will be returned to you later in the academic year, along with award ribbons and certificates of participation. Questions? Please contact:
Talent Show
The 2018-2019 Talent Show is quickly approaching! We can't wait to see your many talents! We will have two audition date options. Please keep an eye out for the audition form that will be going out soon and due back before Winter break. Students must be in 3rd-5th grade to participate in the Talent Show. Start preparing your acts now...we cannot wait to see you at auditions!
Please feel free to contact Joy Arita with any Talent Show questions or concerns:
Joy Arita
Talent Show Coordinator
817-308-1710
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
Box Tops and Amazon Smile
This year, we will be increasing donations to the OC Taylor PTA thru Box Tops for Education and Amazon Smile! It's a simple way to donate to our school! Here's how you can help:
#1 Clip out Box Tops for Education and place them on the Box Top collection sheet or in a Ziploc bag. Be sure to place your child's grade level on the bag or collection sheet! We will be counting box tops for our Racing to Recess Challenge. The grade level with the highest level of Box Tops each semester will earn an extra recess and Popsicle party!
After 15 laps, 3rd Grade is in 1st place (1079), 2nd Grade in 2nd place (996) and 1st Grade is in 3rd place (895).
We just received a check for $737.90 for our fall Box Top submissions!
We received our first Amazon Smile check for $44.51!
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
Proposed changes to PTA Bylaws and Standing Rules
Notice:
Below are the proposed changes to the PTA Bylaws and Standing Rules that will be brought to a vote at the next general meeting on January 25th. The annual dues would increase from $3 to $5.50 in the Bylaws, and the position of President-elect would be added to the Standing Rules, to read as follows:
Bylaws:
Article V - Membership and Dues
A. Annual dues for each member shall be five dollars and fifty cents ($5.50) for the local portion of dues plus state dues as determined by Texas PTA and national dues as determined by National PTA.
Standing Rules:
VI. Officer's Duties
President-elect: Chair will assist the President as needed, serve on committees unless otherwise noted in the bylaws and serve as a signer on the PTA account.
Heather Dutton, PTA Parliamentarian
Thank you!
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