Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, November 26, 2017
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Please remember to scroll down and read your GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTER and our PTA portion. Also, I have added several updates from GCISD and other sources. Please read to the end.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING: We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you to all who donated a turkey during our TTT Turkey Drive!! You are generous and helped many families have a warm meal on Thanksgiving.
FUN EVENTS THIS MONTH: We will be having some fun events at OCT this month. Please email me if you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas, Hanukkah or Diwali. We are inclusive and want to know more about your holiday traditions.
TALK AND LET YOUR CHILDREN TALK: Research shows that parental involvement has a greater impact on a child's achievement than a school. Wow! The number one factor... talk. Spend time talking with your children and allowing them to talk to you. In the Time magazine article, the author states, "A study conducted by researchers at the UCLA School of Public Health and published in the journal Pediatrics found that two-way adult-child conversations were six times as potent in promoting language development as interludes in which the adult did all the talking. Engaging in this reciprocal back-and-forth gives children a chance to try out language for themselves, and also gives them the sense that their thoughts and opinions matter." Click here to read more. Thank you for being wonderful parents!
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 27
TTT decorate tree at Holly Colley 4:00
Tuesday, November 28
Make Up Picture Day - order form
Campus Excellence Committee Meeting 3:15-4:30
Wednesday, November 29
Yearbook Group B 3:00 - 3:45
Thursday, November 30
Choir 2:55 - 4:45
Friday, December 1
Rule The School!
Future Explorations 2:00 - 2:50
Taylor Tiger Choir @ Colleyville Tree Lighting 6:30 pm
Monday, December 4
Book Fair
Buttermilk Sky Pie Fundraiser in Colleyville
Tuesday, December 5
Book Fair
Buttermilk Sky Pie Fundraiser in Colleyville
Wednesday, December 6
Book Fair
Reindeer Games Begin... Students and staff can wear a Santa hat to school
Choir Dress Rehearsal 2:55 - 4:45
Yearbook Group A 3:00 - 3:45
Buttermilk Sky Pie Fundraiser in Colleyville
Thursday, December 7
Book Fair
Choir Dress Rehearsal 2:55 - 4:45
Buttermilk Sky Pie Fundraiser in Colleyville
Grapevine Parade of Lights 7:00 (OCT Dads' Club has a float!)
Friday, December 8
Students and staff invited to wear red and green
PTA Walk to School
Book Fair
Future Explorations 2:00 - 2:50
Buttermilk Sky Pie Fundraiser in Colleyville
OCT Updates
Make Up Picture Day, November 28th
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Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop of Collevyille Fundraiser
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Holiday Fun at OCT
Fri., Dec. 1 Taylor Tiger Choir performs at Colleyville Christmas Tree Lighting 6:30 p.m.
Weds., Dec. 6 Wear a Santa hat or any hat (Reindeer Games Begin)
Thurs., Dec. 7 Grapevine Parade of Lights is at 7:00 p.m. (OCT Dads' Club has a float!)
Fri., Dec. 8 Wear red and green
Mon., Dec. 11
Tues., Dec. 12 Sweater Day (Hanukkah begins at sundown... Happy Hanukkah!
Weds., Dec. 13 Wear blue and white for Hanukkah
Thurs., Dec. 14 Wear a scarf or dress like a snowman, PTA and Holiday Concert 6:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 15
Sat., Dec. 16 Pancake Breakfast with Dads sponsored by Dads' Club 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Mon., Dec. 18 Holiday Sock Day... wear festive or fun socks
Tues., Dec. 19 Wear red and white
Weds. Dec. 20 Wear your p.j.s to school for Polar Express Day
Thurs., Dec. 21 Winter Party, wear your festive party attire
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Updates from OCT Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
- The Tiger Tree will be back this year with paws that have items that will be donated to the Grace Christmas Cottage. If you would like to have a tour of the Christmas Cottage (it is a WONDERFUL experience) see this informational flyer.
It is the time of year for our Holiday Tiger Tree! We will be collecting items to donate to the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE) Christmas Cottage. Our Tiger Tree with paws will be up after Thanksgiving. The paws will have specific items to be purchased and returned to school to be donated to the cottage. This organization sets up a store in which parents who qualify are able to come and choose the toys and items for their children to receive for Christmas. They are given wrapping paper, tape, and bows along with Christmas cookies when they leave. TTT is partnering with our PTA to organize this collection and get the word out to all of our tigers to join in to help with this great project.
If you choose to take a paw or two off of the tree, please pay close attention to the directions on the back. They say:
1. Purchase the gift.
2. Bring the unwrapped gift to the school ASAP - no later than Friday, Dec. 15th.
Donations of tape, ribbons, and rolls of wrapping paper are always welcome.
Thank you for your acts of kindness by helping those in need! Please see the invitation to tour the Christmas Cottage... they even have a special time in which you can bring your children.
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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.
A Note from the music room, Mrs. Vencill
'Tis the season to be jolly and VERY busy in the music room!
- Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade students will use what they know about steady beat and rhythm to add rhythmic accompaniment on percussion instruments to winter holiday songs. 2nd graders will also begin discussing the lines and spaces of the staff so we can add pitched accompaniment on Orff instruments.
- 4th graders will spend the remainder of the school year learning to play the recorder. Playing recorders strengthens their knowledge of rhythm AND pitch. Students are responsible for bringing their recorder and Recorder Karate book to music every day.
- 3rd and 5th grade students remember, understand and apply what they know about the line and space notes of the treble clef staff to add pitched accompaniment on Orff instruments to winter holiday songs.
The Taylor Tiger Choir will perform at the Colleyville Tree Lighting ceremony Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall. This is a fun (and free) family event! Our Choir will also perform their holiday musical, The Lights of Jingle Bell Hill, Thursday, Dec. 14 at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the OCT cafeteria. We hope you will join us for these festive holiday performances!
Many thanks to every OCT Tiger and OCT family who helped make our Veterans Day program a huge success! Thank you for your pictures for the Wall of Honor and generous donations to the Ft. Worth Veterans hospital. We collected a total of $1,025 in donations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me honor and celebrate our brave veterans!
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season!
Mrs. Vencill
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A Note from the Art Room, Mrs. Morgan
Kindergarten- 2nd grade will be completing their fall art pieces; drawing leaves, creating warm/cool leaves and pumpkin landscapes. Once they are done, they will be exploring winter landscapes and winter themed art.
3rd grade will be looking at the artist Romero Britto to create a winter symbol using patterns and designs
4th and 5th grade will be learning about the art term value to create a winter value landscape.
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A Note from the Gym, Coach Mester and Coach Mac
In the gym, we are concentrating on basketball skills and have progressed to shooting (everyone's favorite). December will have us finishing up basketball and playing some fun winter games. We are also looking forward to having many "Coach of the Day" that students won at OCT Fall Festival.
Hope to see you at "Game On" November 28th! We can't wait to play all of you in Trash Your Neighbors Yard and Newcomb.
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Update from our Clinic, Nurse Katy
- When to stay home: Students should remain home when fever is 100 degrees or greater, or they are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea. GCISD has a 24-hour policy. Students may not return to school until free of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for a minimum of 24 hours without the aid of any medication. If your child is sent home from school with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, you must still abide by the 24-hour policy. If you send your child back to school too soon, they will be pulled out of class and will have to wait in the clinic until they are picked up. Thank you for helping us try to keep everyone healthy!
- 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 your 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. Parent homework: Take the time once a week to check your children's hair thoroughly after a shower. :)
- Upcoming SHAC meeting: If you are interested in being involved with health decisions concerning your child in GCISD, attend the next SHAC meeting. See the attached flyer for details.
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
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OCT Conflict Resolution Wheel
This week we will be focusing on "Count to Ten." Talk with your child about the importance of breathing and taking a short mental break by counting to ten. This will help us to not say something we regret. It does not mean we avoid the problem.
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American Heart Association Donation
Almost every family in America is touched by heart disease or stroke, and our school's contribution will significantly impact the fight against these devastating illnesses.
You are touching so many lives!
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Tech Tip of the Week: Tech-Free Zones
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Watch Dogs
We are so excited to have the Watch Dog program back again this year! Thank you to those who have signed up to be a Watch Dog. The process this year is a little different. Here is the form that needs to be submitted along with your background check and t-shirt purchase. Once those things are taken care, Jennifer Howard will send an email with the Signup Genius so you can choose a day to volunteer. We ask that you plan a week in advance when signing up. The calendar will be closed after Friday mornings for the following week to ensure teachers and the volunteers receive schedules. Thank you for understanding and respecting our process and procedure of this program.
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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 & OTHER FLYERS & INFORMATION
School Messenger Automated Calling System Change
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Parenting Center Workshop
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City of Colleyville Christmas Tree Lighting and Ceremony
All are invited on Friday, December 1, 2017 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Colleyville City Hall in the Village at Colleyville. Festivities include Christmas Tree Lighting, Children’s Crafts & Activities, Photos with Santa, Games & Prizes, OCT Choir Performance and Other Choral Performances, Carriage Rides, Holiday Fare & Beverages. Lighting of the city and community-decorated Christmas trees begins at 5:30.
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Fundraiser for OCT... Elves on the Run 5K
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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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Angst Documentary
In the Colleyville Heritage High School auditorium on Wednesday, November 29, 6:30 p.m., all parents and students (ages ten years and older) are invited to join in a viewing of this documentary. Angst is a 56-minute film that explores anxiety, its causes, effects and what we can do about it. The goal is to have a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. Angst features candid interviews with kids and young adults who suffer, or have suffered, from anxiety and what they’ve learned about it. The film includes discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, as well as help, resources and tools. For additional information, visit the Angst website.
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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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GCISD Parent Technology Academy
More classes are rolling out! 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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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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Dad's Club Holiday Float from last year
Dad's Club Holiday Float from last year
COME SUPPORT O.C. TAYLOR & THE DAD'S CLUB HOLIDAY FLOAT!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Come see the O.C. Taylor Dad's Club Float in the Grapevine Holiday Lights Parade--the magic of sledding come to life! Parade starts at 7 pm.
GRAPEVINE HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE LINK
Get involved with Dads Club because it’s for the kids.
Organizers:
Ben Stevens – ben@benLstevens.com 972.839.5599
Matt Smith – vernomas@yahoo.com 817.228.1822
O.C. Taylor Dads Club Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/OCTaylorDadsClub
SAVE THE DATE FOR BREAKFAST WITH DAD: Saturday, December 16th
Saturday, December 16, 8 - 11 am
O.C. Taylor
Stay tuned for more details.
Questions? Contact Matt Smith
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
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:
11/28 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
12/16 Dad's Club Pancake Breakfast
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!
1/15 Martin Luther King Holiday/No 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.