OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
September 15, 2019
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
You may have heard the message from me about the importance of reading each night. We do not have "traditional" homework at O.C. Taylor, but we require reading each night. As humans, we seek pleasure. We do things over and over if we like it. We go to restaurants we like and order the food and beverages we like, not the things we hate. So, if you want your child to visit "reading" more often and in their lives in the future, make sure they "like it" more than they "hate it." How do we get children to like reading?
Read TO your child. The sound of your voice is a "beacon of calmness, conditioning the child to associate you and the book with security." Children will associate the time of reading with you to comfort and safety. You may ask, "I see how reading to young children is beneficial, but I thought my 1st grader was supposed to come home and read to me? How can he get better at reading if I am doing the reading?" We will discuss the specifics of this next week. For now, focus on creating a special, cozy time for the child to develop good feelings around the idea of reading. Remember, your goal is a long-term goal, not just for this school year. You want your child to develop into a young adult who likes to read and continues reading well into middle school, high school, and adulthood. Our vision at OCT is to empower our children today to create a better tomorrow. We want to give them the tools today to continue reading and leading in their future.
For now, try and find a regular place in your home you can create that comfortable, snug feeling you and your child enjoy being. I promise you will love this time with your child and miss it one day; I sure do!
To the BEST of days,
Principal 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.
Email: lisa.pedevilla@gcisd.net
Website: https://oct.gcisd.net/
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.
Upcoming Events
Monday, September 16
International Dot Day... wear dots or spots (circles count!)
Tuesday, September 17
3:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CEC
Wednesday, September 18
Thursday, September 19
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m Choir
Friday, September 20
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Donuts with Dad (Cafeteria)
OCT Spirit Day (Wear your OCT gear or OCT colors!)
Monday, September 23
Professional Learning/No school for students
Tuesday, September 24
Wednesday, September 25
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. TTT Student Council Meeting
Thursday, September 26
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. TEPSA Leaders R Us Workshop
Friday, September 27
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Grade Level Newsletters
OCT and GCISD Updates
Dot Day = 9/16/19
DOT DAY = Sept. 16, 2019 Wear dots, make a dot. Click here to read more.
On Monday, Sept. 16th, O.C. Taylor will be celebrating International Dot Day! The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds is about celebrating creativity, making a mark and seeing where it takes you. So, get creative and wear your dots and spots to school on Fri., Sept. 16th!
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NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS = 9/23/19
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Spring Creek BBQ - 10/1/19
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Skyward Contact Information
There may be instances where we need to send emergency communication via email, phone call and/or text message. Please make sure that your contact information is updated in Skyward. If your information is updated in Skyward, but you are not receiving campus communication, please send your name, students name, contact information and campus to info@gcisd.net.
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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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Updates from Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
GCISD Reads Challenge update!
Parents of students in 1st and 2nd grade, an updated GCISD Reads recording document has been added to your child’s folder. If you need another copy of this form you can go to https://www.smore.com/n06z7-2019-2020-gcisd-reads-challenge (scroll all the way to the bottom), and download a copy. This new form does NOT include the full genre challenge meant for 3rd - 5th grade.
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
Classroom Guidance
Lessons are taught to each homeroom class 2 times each month. Guidance lessons are created using themes/ideas from various Character Education programs, Life Skills, and Portrait of a Graduate. Although themes will be consistent among grade levels, actual lessons will be age-appropriate.
- September's guidance lessons will focus on Kindness, Courage, and Communication.
- Did you know you can access the recorded Morning Show on Safari Montage? The link to Mrs. Bonacci's SMORE that explains how to do this is here. This is the link to the playlist OCT TV - Morning Show. You must have your student's log in information to access these recorded shows.
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- PPCD, PK, and Kinder parents: Please keep a change of weather-appropriate clothes and underwear in your student's backpack, in case of accidents or spills.
- Flu Season: Did you know that everyone 6 months and older can receive a yearly flu vaccination? Adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions are highly encouraged to get one. There have been positive flu tests out in the community already, so BE WISE- IMMUNIZE!
- If your child is sick: Please keep students at home until they are fever and/or symptom-free for at least 24 hours without any medication. In GCISD, a temperature of 100 degrees is considered to be a fever. Encourage healthy habits at home to help prevent the spread of illnesses. Washing hands with soap and water (sing Happy Birthday song or ABCs twice!) Coughing and sneezing into elbows or a Kleenex instead of hands. Not touching the face- especially the T-zone. Getting plenty of rest. Staying hydrated.
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GET TO KNOW THE O.C. TAYLOR STAFF
Mrs. Osborne
She graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education at Texas Tech University. She has an EC-6 Texas Teaching Certificate and an English as a Second Language Supplemental.
Her greatest strength as an educator is providing a judgment-free space where her students feel accepted. She enjoys reading, cooking/baking, cuddling under warm fuzzy blankets, spending all of her money on supplements and vitamins at Sprouts, and she loves to make all-natural face/hair masks.
Mrs. Osborne and her husband have an 8-month-old son, Weston, one cat-Fluffy, and 30 Elephant Ear plants that are basically part of the family for how much time is spent taking care of them. If she were a cookie, she would be a chocolate chip cookie because she says she is just so chipper! When asked about a cool interesting fact about her, she said is a LEO and a vegetarian! And, if she had to have one type of food for the rest of her life, she would eat tacos!
Ask Mrs. Osborne to show you some yoga! She is a yoga instructor!
Welcome to OCT, Mrs. Osborne! Namaste!
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Typing Club
GCISD students in grades 3-8 have access to a touch-typing app available through Classlink. Typing Club is a web-based program that teaches students how to build speed and accuracy while typing. Students in grades 3-8 should use this program during the school day and may also use it at home. Students can easily access Typing Club through Classlink.
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Student Breakfast
A reimbursable breakfast is offered at all schools for $1.45 paid and $0.30 reduced-priced. Breakfast times may vary slightly per campus, see below for advertised serving times:
Elementary schools: 7:15 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.
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GCISD is Now Hiring! Join the GCISD TEAM!
Many opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists -PT w/ benefits – work while your students are in school!
- Kidzu Site Aide – PT w/benefits – this schedule works well for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers & Monitors
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply online at: www.gcisd.net
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
Fuss-Free Fundraising
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donated to this year's Fuss-Free Fundraising campaign. We didn't quite reach our goal of $25,000, but we still raised $20,100 and ALL that money stays at O.C. Taylor!
Fourth Grade did an excellent job of raising $4,531 - over $1,100 more than any other grade. They had a blast at Rock Out with the silly string battle with Mrs. Pedevilla, Mrs. Bailey, & all the AWESOME 4th Grade Teachers. If you missed the cutoff for our silly string fight but would still like to donate, you are welcome to visit our online link and donate at any time. Without your donations, fun events like Rock Out & Donuts with Dad would not be possible!
You're Invited to join us for Donuts with Dad!
Donuts with Dad!
Friday, September 20, 2019 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
O.C. Taylor Elementary Cafeteria
Plan on attending to enjoy donuts, coffee and juice. Please bring dads, grandpas, uncles or family friends! It will take only a few minutes out of your day, but it will provide a memory for your child that will last a lifetime!
{This event is sponsored by your O.C. Taylor PTA.}Reflections
SUPPORT GRACE and…. EARN EXTRA RECESS!
CALLING ALL FIFTH GRADERS…
DO YOU WANT EXTRA RECESS?
SEPTEMBER is your month, FIFTH GRADERS
ITEMS IN NEED: CEREAL BOXES (16 oz or smaller boxes preferred)
Collection baskets will be outside the 5th Grade Classrooms beginning September 3rd & remain there for the duration of the month. The next time you are in the grocery store, please consider supporting your community by picking up a small box of your child’s favorite cereal for GRACE. Thank you in advance for your support.
OCT Dads' Club
Dads, join the O.C. Taylor Dads' Club for an eventful, exciting and memorable year!
The Dads' Club is a part of our O.C. Taylor PTA, a volunteer organization with no minimum commitment required. Dads are encouraged to attend meetings and volunteer for events as they are able. Meetings and events tend to be a good time to meet other dads and families in our community, while at the same time benefit the school and staff. The meetings will take place every month or two and will be a chance to review upcoming activities during the school year. Sign up is free, and you can do it here.
The Dads' Club hosts or helps out with several events throughout the year. Including:
· Morning Dropoff Assistance
· Dad of the Day Program
· Rock Out
· O.C. Taylor Dads' Club Parade of Lights Float Entry
· Pancake Breakfast and Snow Hill
· Spring Fling
· Dads' Club Golf Tournament
There is no fee to sign up for Dads' Club. Dads' Club T-shirts will be available through the O.C. Taylor Spirit Shop.
Like Our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @OCTDadsClub
Thank You,
Wes Critz, OCT Dads' Club President
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Apple Tree and GCISD Volunteer Background Check
The Apple Tree is up and running! Our amazing teachers need items throughout the year, so please check the Apple Tree Signup for things they need. Sign up to purchase the item and send to school with your child with the teacher’s name on it. Check periodically for updates and items needed. Thank you so much for helping our teachers!!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48ACAA2CA5F85-oc1
If you are new to O.C. Taylor, we are so glad to have you! Our school runs on our amazing volunteers. In order to volunteer at the school, please complete the District's Volunteer Background Check Application for the 2019-2020 school year. Also, please read and sign the Volunteer Handbook included in the link as well. As a reminder, all volunteers are required to reapply each year. https://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?pageId=195550
Sincerely,
Jill Tate
4th VP – Volunteer Coordinator
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Box Tops and Amazon Smile
Don't forget to keep sending in those Box Tops! Make sure to send in all Box Tops that expire 11/1/2019 ASAP so that we can get them included in the next shipment we will mail!
As a reminder in case you've missed this...we will continue to donate to the O.C. Taylor PTA through Box Tops for Education and Amazon Smile! It's a simple way to donate to our school. Last year, we earned over $800 through Box Tops and Amazon Smile. Here's how you can help!
#1. Box Tops is going Paperless! In an effort to join our ever increasing world of technology, Box Tops for Education has notified us that they will be fazing out the paper Box Tops on products over the next year. Download the Box Tops for Education's APP on your smartphone. Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of purchase and Box Tops will automatically be credited to our O.C. Taylor Box Tops account. In the meantime, you can also still continue to clip any physical Box Tops that are still on products you purchase. The grade level that collects the most Box Tops will earn an extra recess in December. If you encounter any problems scanning your receipts with the new app, please contact Stephanie Williams at octsilentauction@gmail.com.
#2. Be sure to shop smileamazon.com so that .5% of all your purchases will go to the O.C. Taylor PTA. Log on to smileamazon.com and select PTA Texas Congress 1610 O.C. Taylor Elementary as your preferred charity. It's an amazingly easy way to earn money for our school!! Remember, you must log on to smileamazon.com every time you shop Amazon to ensure that your purchases earn money for our school.
Thank you!
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.