Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, March 18, 2018
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Please remember to scroll down and read our PTA newsletter portion and specific grade level newsletters. Click here to see this week's Tiger Time News. Click here to see the Tiger Time News from the Portrait of A Graduate Showcase / Open House!
I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break!
Thank you, OCT parents and families! Wow! We met our Boosterthon goal of $20,000. You are the best! We all appreciate you supporting OCT and for helping us replenish our classroom libraries with books that are not worn, ripped or torn. We have many loved books that are needing to be replaced. Recent studies on literacy show the more contact children have with books, the better readers they become.
Findings reveal that with books in close proximity to classroom activity:
- Time spent reading increased by 60% compared to a control group,
- Literacy-related activities more than doubled, from an average of 4 interactions per hour to 8.5 interactions per hour, and
- Letter knowledge, phonemic awareness, concepts of print and writing, and narrative competence rose 20% more than the control group after a year, followed by continued gains 6 months and 12 months later.
THANK YOU for increasing the likelihood of increased reading achievement!
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, March 19
Tuesday, March 20
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Pot Belly Fund Raiser
Wednesday, March 21
World Down Syndrome Day... wear fun socks to support awareness!
2:55 - 3:45 p.m. TTT
Thursday, March 22
World Water Day... bring spare change.
6:30 p.m. PTA Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo and the OCT Choir Performs
Friday, March 23
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. "SAGE" Coffee Chat (Library)
5th Grade Field Trip
2:00 - 2:50 p.m. Future Explorations 4th Session Begins
3:00 - 3:45 Running Club
Monday, March 26
Tuesday, March 27
Wednesday, March 28
Thursday, March 29
2:00 - 2:55 p.m. Future Explorations
2:55 - 4:00 p.m. Choir
6:00-9:00 p.m. OCT PTA Parents' Night Out
Friday, March 30
No school
OCT Updates
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Fundraiser
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World Down Syndrome Day, Weds., Mar. 21
In honor of World Down Syndrome Day on Weds., Mar. 21, wear crazy socks, brightly colored socks, long socks, short socks, printed socks, mismatched socks, any kind of fun socks, to celebrate being unique!
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World Water Day, March 22, Wear Blue and Bring Spare Change
Wednesday, March 22, we are partnering with CHHS PALS to collect money and raise awareness for World Water Day. Please bring your spare change and drop it in the yellow buckets in the morning (Gym/Cafeteria). All money will be donated to Water is Basic. Also, wear blue to show your support!
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Don’t Mess with Texas Art Contest
Students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in this art contest to help promote litter prevention and keep our state of Texas beautiful. Students can create artwork that promotes Keep Texas Beautiful or Don’t Mess with Texas. The entry deadline is April 20, 2018. For more information, please visit the website https://www.ktb.org/don-t-mess-with-texas-art-contest#Entry
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GCISD Art Show
Please visit the GCISD District Art show! The exhibition will be on display March 20th - 30th inside the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau Center, located at 636 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051.
Hours of operations:
Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm
Saturday 10am-6:30pm
Sunday 12-5pm
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Updates from OCT Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
Please click here to see the March Counselor Corner Newsletter.
Our GCISD Rachel’s Challenge Rally will be on April 21, 2018 at CHHS! Start spreading kindness everywhere you go!
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
Many O. C. Taylor students have completed the GCISD READS Challenge. Remember to submit the list of books that you’ve read this year to Mrs. Bonacci so you can be part of the end-of-year celebration! If you haven’t completed the challenge YET, don’t worry! There is still time. The challenge deadline is May 11th. If you have completed it see if you can do the next challenge. For more information, check out this Smore. Happy Reading!
Access to all of our high quality, subscription-based resources is easy through the GCISD ClassLink app. This tool makes it easy to see what is available and it uses just ONE login. If you need assistance accessing any of these resources please email me at dawn.bonacci@gcisd.net I am always happy to help!
Thank you to everyone who has supported our Green Screen Production Studio! The National Education Associationstresses the importance of developing the “4 C’s” (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) to prepare learners for the future and the green screen room helps to do that and more. Our Tigers love being able to share their learning and they are highly motivated to improve with each video they produce.
For information about the Learning Commons Programs and Services visit this link-
https://www.smore.com/wk447-o-c-taylor-learning-commons
Check out our YouTube Channel to see the student version of the Tiger Time News- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNyhxtBhBp-_OPAja5yoffQ
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
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GCISD Walk of Honor
Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District and the Walk of Honor Committee are very proud to announce the formation of the “Walk of Honor” to be established in the fall of 2018. The “Walk of Honor” – similar to a Hall of Fame, will recognize those individuals that have served our District with honor, distinction and service. The recognition will be notable alumni, teachers, administrators, groups, teams and community leaders. The Wall of Honor recipients will have permanent recognition displayed at the newly renovated Mustang-Panther stadium. The Walk of Honor Board of Directors will be soliciting nominations starting February of 2018.
If you or your company would like to help sponsor this new GCISD project, please look for information on the GCISD website. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has a history spanning over 100 years as small nearby schools became incorporated from several towns in the area.
Click here to read more.
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Note from GCISD Nutrition Services
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Parent Technology Academy - Social Media
The next session of the GCISD Parent Technology Academy is on the topic of Social Media for Parents and Students. This session invites parents and students to be apart of the conversation and learn about social media and its impact on scholarships and college acceptance. Learn tips on how students can manage their online profile and hear the dangers associated with social media and things to be mindful of as well.
This session is geared towards students in eighth through twelfth-grade but all are invited to attend. Please Pre-Register here to attend https://goo.gl/forms/gBVSpmWguKt4j0f23
3/20/2018
6:00 Grapevine High Library
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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Pizza and Bingo Night
Join us Thursday, March 22nd for an evening of food and fun! The Spring PTA Meeting and Choir Concert will begin at 6:30. Immediately following, we will begin serving pizza and salad. BINGO will begin promptly at 7:30.
Order forms will be sent home in folders this week; or click here for an online copy. Forms and checks (made payable to OCT PTA) must be turned in my Friday, March 9th. We will have a limited quantity of cheese and pepperoni pizzas available for purchase that evening. Please be sure to preorder so that your pizza is made just the way you like it!
5th graders will be delivering pizza and drinks, as well as bussing table to raise funds for 5th Grade Continuation. They will also be selling cookies, brownies, and candy for $1 to enjoy during Bingo! Please remember to bring cash or checks to help support 5th Grade Continuation.
Questions?
Lissa Critz
PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
Please join us for O.C. Taylor’s first ever Parents’ Night Out!
WHEN: Thursday, March 29th from 6-9pm
WHERE: Sloan & Williams Winery in Grapevine
Sloan & Williams will be giving back 30% of all proceeds spent on wine and food that evening!
We will also be hosting a Silent Auction including a Gift Card Grab, Head or Tails Games, and Fun Packages - including 4 Disneyland One-Day Park Hoppers!!
Childcare will be provided at OC Taylor from 5:30-9:30 for all current students for $10 per child, including pizza, drinks, snacks, and tons of fun! We cannot accomodate children who are not attending O.C. Taylor.
It’s a night you and your kids don’t want to miss!
Be on the look out for the flier coming home in your child’s folder this week. While pre-registration for child care is not required, it will help give us a better idea of how much pizza we need to order!
HELP O.C. TAYLOR PTA WIN $1,000 TO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL! JOIN PTA!
Chrysler is partnering with Texas PTA to award three $1,000 prizes to those local PTA's who have increased their previous years membership by 5%. The O.C. Taylor PTA is only 5 members away from being eligible for the contest. If you haven't already, please consider joining the PTA. Plus if you join, you get the super useful O.C. Taylor phone directory!
To join our O.C. Taylor PTA, click on this link: http://www.joinpta.org/
PLEASE DONATE! GALLON-SIZED ZIPLOC BAGS & EARBUDS
As part of our support for Rachel's Challenge, O.C. Taylor has been asked to collect donations of gallon size Ziploc bags and earbuds. All donations will support the 2018-2019 GCISD Back To School Fair.
Please drop all donations in the box in the lobby.
We are excited about the other Rachel's Challenge activity, the Fun Run and Rally on April 21st!
Contact OCT Diversity Council Chair, Rebecca Rodriguez at beckeg@yahoo.com with any questions.
Thank you!
KINDERGARTEN SUPPORTS GRACE CEREAL DRIVE!
MARCH is KINDERGARTEN'S TURN
TO SUPPORT THE GRACE CEREAL DRIVE
Collection baskets will be outside KINDERGARTEN classrooms for the month of March. Buy an extra box of cereal and SPREAD THE LOVE!
This O.C. TAYLOR PTA-sponsored projects ends in March, so, if you haven't given a couple of boxes of cereal already-or if you have and want to give more-no matter WHAT YOUR GRADE, PLEASE DONATE AND HELP ANOTHER PERSON JUST LIKE YOU!
WE THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR SUPPORTING THIS WORTHWHILE PROJECT THAT HELPS OUR COMMUNITY!
Questions? Concerns: contact Athena Wiginton at apw@thewigintons.com
A GREAT REFLECTIONS RECEPTION-PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR!
Please look for flyers/info. in next year's materials and participate!
We are waiting to hear how State competition went. I will keep you informed. Also, student art entries will be returned at the EOY Ceremonies. Parents, THANK YOU for supporting your students and encouraging them to get involved!
Also--this is a program that needs a new chair for next year. Please contact me if you are interested--I will definitely stay involved and help wherever I can! To find out more about PTA's REFLECTIONS, click here: https://www.txpta.org/reflections
Laurie H. Ackermann, Laurietamar@gmail.com
O,C. Taylor Reflections Chair 2017-2018
APPLE TREE PROJECT
Don't forget the O.C. Taylor Apple Tree! 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
March
3/22 6:30 Choir program & PTA General Meeting and Pizza & Bingo night
3/29 6 - 9 pm PARENTS NIGHT OUT!
3/30 No School
April:
4/6 WALK TO SCHOOL MORNING
4/19 - 4/13 STAAR TESTING (4th & 5th grades)
4/18 - 4/20 Sky Ranch Trip (4th Grade)
4/19 EARLY RELEASE DAY
4/23 - 4/26 Earth Week
4/24 Egg Drop Entries Due
4/26 Egg Drop (or possibly 4/27 if we need to use the Inclement Weather Day)
4/27 Inclement Weather Make-Up Day
May
5/3 Festival of Friends 8:30 am & 6:30 pm
5/11 Walk to School Morning
5/14 - 5/18 STAAR TESTING (3rd, 4th & 5th grade)
5/22 6:30 pm PTA General Mtg. and Fifth Grade Rocks
5/24 Field Day (or 5/25 if we need to use the Inclement Weather Day)
5/25 Inclement Weather Make Up Day
5/28 Memorial Day Holiday (No School)
5/29 Kindergarten, First, Second Grade EOY Ceremony
K 8:15 am; 1st: 9:45 am; 2nd: 1:45 pm
5/30 Pre-K, Third & Fourth Grade EOY Ceremony
Pre-K 8:00am; 3rd: 8:30 am; 4th: 1:45 pm
5/31 Fifth Grade Continuation Ceremony
5/31 Last Day of School (Early Dismissal at 11:45)
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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.