Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, October 30, 2016
This week we have a few 2nd graders introducing our Tiger Time News Video Edition:
What are your long-term goals for your child? What do you want for them when they are 18 years old? 25? 40? I think we all want our children to grow into successful, thinking, and independent adults. That starts now. We believe that student-led conferences in elementary school begin to develop these life skills. Here is a GCISD podcast with GCISD kids, parents and teachers talking about student-led conferences: https://www.spreaker.com/user/leadgcisd/episode-11-student-led-conferences
Donald G. Hackmann, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Iowa State University in ERIC Digest writes, "“These type of conferences are emerging as a way to actively engage students in their learning process." According to Hackmann and other researchers, the following are benefits of student-led conferences:
- Students assume greater control of their academic progress.
- Students accept personal responsibility for their academic performance.
- Parents, teachers, and students engage in open and honest dialogue.
- Parents attend conferences at increased rates.
- Students learn the process of self-evaluation.
- Students develop organizational and oral communication skills.
Being a parent of two sons in college, I value the above listed benefits greatly. I challenge you to continue to think about what your long-term goals are for your child. At O.C. Taylor Elementary, we want to lay the strong foundation for your child to be successful in middle school, high school, college, and in life.
As always, my door and email in-box are open. Let me know what we can do for your little Tiger!
To the greatest 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
Upcoming Events
November 1
Wear Your College Shirt Day
November 2
2nd grade field trip to Dallas Heritage Village
2:55-3:55 Yearbook Club
November 3
11:45 EARLY RELEASE
Afternoon = Student-Led Conferences
November 4
Tip Your Hat to our Veterans
2:55 Running Club
GCISD College Day
GCISD is celebrating Generation Texas Week October 31 - November 4, and we are asking everyone to wear a college shirt on Tuesday, November 1.
This is also our GCISD College/Financial Aid Night (November 1, 6 - 8 p.m. at GHS). This event is open to the entire district, and all grade levels are invited to attend. Click here to see the flyer for details about College Night.
SPECIALS UPDATES
A Note from TTT (Taylor Terrific Tigers)
This year, our TTT, which is O.C. Taylor’s version of Student Council made up of fourth and fifth grade representatives, decided to sponsor our first annual “Turkey Drive!" On the morning of Friday, November 18, we will collect frozen turkeys, which will be donated to GRACE and the Tarrant Area Food Bank. There will be a parent volunteer with a pickup at the bus loop side and at the front of the school. You will be able to drop off your turkey at the same time that you drop off your child(ren). Not only will you be helping families in need during the holidays, but there is also an incentive for the parents! We will be having a competition to see which grade level donates the most turkeys. (We will be looking at the percentage of turkeys brought in for each grade level.) The winning grade level will be invited to attend a free “Parents’ Night Out“ one evening in December, where the students will watch a movie and have popcorn. The actual date is still to be determined.
Since several of you have more than one child attending O.C. Taylor, one donated turkey will count towards the grade levels of all of the siblings.
We know that O.C. Taylor families are very caring and giving, so we hope that this will offer another way to teach our children the value of being charitable. Start watching the grocery ads for special deals on turkeys! Please remember that they must be frozen.
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and giving spirit!
A Note from our Music Teacher, Mrs. Vencil
Our 3rd and 4th graders are working hard to prepare for the Veterans Day program Friday, Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m.in the OCT cafeteria. We are working on proper vocal technique and performance etiquette. Talk to your talented Tiger about what those words mean!
Follow me on @OCTVencill for updates on the fun we're having in the OCT Music Room!!
A Note from our Librarian, Mrs. Bonacci
Please click here to read about our 3rd Annual OCT Pumpkin Patch Celebration!
A Note from our Gifted-Talented Teacher, Mrs. Griffin
Technology Tips
We are on a 5-part series of Developing Rules for your children. I encouraged you to talk about the HOW, WHO can use it, and WHAT are they allowed to do with technology, and WHERE should they use technology? This week discuss with your child WHEN should they be allowed to use technology.
5. When are they allowed to use it?
• Many kids lose important sleep because they are social networking or texting.
• We recommend that the child gives you their phone each night to charge in your bedroom, where they won’t be woken by texts or be tempted to text.
• You can limit Internet use at night by keeping the router in your room and switching it off at night.
• Technology is a privilege, not a right. This means that its use should only be allowed after school, homework, chores and family time are completed—if the child has earned it with responsibility.
• Clearly define how much they are allowed to use it. This may mean setting time limits, or sticking within the family plan. If they go over and additional charges are incurred, they must be responsible for paying for them.
• Make it a rule that the child must answer/respond to you when you contact them, set a clear consequence if they don’t, and enforce it.
GCISD DISTRICT FLYERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GCISD 2016 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest:
Click here for the flyer. The 2016 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest has begin, and all GCISD students are invited to take part. Three winners will be selected--one elementary, one middle school, and one high school. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNICATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT by Friday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m.
School As Normal On Tues., November 1
GCISD Reads District-wide Program
https://www.smore.com/cyf5c-gcisd-reads
PTA "What Is Your Story?" Contest
The PTA Reflections contest welcomes students of all grades and all abilities to explore their inner artist. The theme of this year's Reflections contest is 'What Is Your Story?' and students may enter in any of six arts disciplines, including: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.
More information can be found at: OCTaylorPTAWebsite/Reflections
Click here for a copy of the flier. REFLECTIONS2016ENTRYFORM
Click here for a copy of the rules: REFLECTIONS2016RULES
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Survey
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
O.C. Taylor PTA Website
PTA Website: Please visit the PTA website – www.octaylorpta.com.