Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, October 8, 2017
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Please remember to scroll down and read your GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTER and our PTA portion.
Video Version of Tiger Time News
Click here to watch this version of Tiger Time News with your child.
Spring Creek BBQ Spirit Night Fundraising
The OCT staff would like to invite you to attend Spring Creek BBQ on Tuesday, October 10th anytime between 5-9 p.m. It will be a fun evening eating with OCT families, friends, teachers and administrators. We will be using the proceeds to help fund our Future Explorations!
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students)
Are you a dad, grandfather, step-father, uncle or father figure? If so, we invite you to serve at least one day at O.C. Taylor. Come to our Watch D.O.G.S. kick off in the OCT Cafeteria on Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 p.m.
We hope you have a nice day tomorrow! See you on Tuesday!
To the BEST of days,
Principal Young
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.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, October 9
No School - Students and Teachers
Tuesday, October 10
3:10 Faculty Meeting
5 - 9 Spring Creek BBQ - Grapevine Location
Wednesday, October 11
First Grade Field Trip 8:45 - 1:30
2:55 - 3:45 TTT
Thursday, October 12
3:10 Campus Excellence Committee
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
6:30 Watch D.O.G.S. Kickoff
Friday, October 13
Tip Your Hat To Our Veterans - Donate $1 and wear a hat
3:00 - 3:45 Running Club
Monday, October 16
Tuesday, October 17
Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, October 18
1:30 Science Program (Cafeteria) PreK-5
Thursday, October 19
Kindergarten Field Trip 8:45 - 2:00
Choir 2:55 - 4:00
Friday, October 20
Rachel's Challenge Rally
Running Club 3:00 - 3:45
OCT Updates
NO SCHOOL for students Oct. 9th
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Say "Cheese!" It is Fall Picture Day!
Tuesday, Oct 17, 2017, 08:00 AM
O C Taylor Elementary School, Pool Road, Colleyville, TX, United States
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OCT Conflict Resolution Wheel
This week we will be focusing on "Think Through Their Eyes." Talk with your child about using this strategy when faced with a conflict.
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Tech Tip of the Week
Look-At-Dis Louie will ask you to send him a picture of yourself or will send you pictures of things you don’t want to see. Never send or post pictures of yourself to someone you do not know. If someone sends you a picture that makes you feel uncomfortable or confused, don’t open it or click on it. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
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Watch D.O.G.S.
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
We are growing our very own storybook pumpkin patch in the Learning Commons, and we need your help!
with this link- https://www.smore.com/c1q3s-calling-all-tigers
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Update from our Clinic, Nurse Katy
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Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
Grapevine Garden Club Kids Art Contest
“Metamorphosis of the Monarch”
Students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade are invited to participate in the Grapevine Garden Club Kids Art Contest.
Students that are interested in participating may pick up a form from Mrs. Morgan or from the front foyer of the school.
All students must have an entry formed signed and attached to their work by a parent or legal guardian.
All entries are due to Mrs. Morgan by 8am Wednesday October 11, 2017 or parents may bring the artwork to the Bessie Mitchell House at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens on Wednesday, October 11 between 3-4 p.m.
Winners will be announced during the 20th Annual Butterfly Flutterby on Saturday October 14.
For more information about Butterfly Flutterby, please visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/events/butterfly-flutterby.
Cristie Morgan
Art Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elementary
817-305-4870
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Updates from Music, Mrs. Vencil
Happy Fall, OCT Tigers and families! Students continue to work hard and do their best to be GREAT Tigers every day in the music room. We will spend lots of time during the month of October talking about and preparing for our annual Veterans Day program. Please mark your calendar for these exciting events!
Tip Your Hat to Our Veterans Day: Friday. Oct. 13 and Friday, Nov. 3 If you donate $1 to the local veterans hospital you can wear a fun hat to school! Give your dollar to your teacher the morning of these fun events.
Walmart gift cards: In the past several years, OCT has donated more than $1000 annually to the Ft. Worth Veterans Hospital as our way of giving thanks for their service and sacrifice. We will be collecting Walmart gift cards to donate with our Tip Your Hat day money. Even the smallest donation can make a big difference. Thank you for your generosity, Tigers.
Wall of Honor: If you have a picture of a veteran you would like to add to our Wall of Honor, please label your picture with the name of the veterans, the branch of the military they serve(d) in and your student's name. I will return these pictures to you after Veterans Day.
Please join us Friday, Nov. 10 at 8:30 a.m. for our Veterans Day program. The 3rd and 4th grade students will perform patriotic music to honor the brave men and women who serve to protect our country. Friends, family and beloved veterans are invited to attend! See you there.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten students will continue moving, playing and singing to the steady beat following a largo (very slow), presto (very fast) and moderato (medium) steady beat. We will also practice using our 5 voices and add dynamic differences to our music (piano=soft, forte=loud, mezzo=medium).
1st and 2nd Grade: We will practice reading, writing and performing rhythm patterns in 4/4 time using quarter notes (walk notes), barred eighth notes (run run notes) and quarter rests (rest). These students will also practice using dynamic differences to create interest and excitement in their music.
3rd and 4th Grade: Our 3rd and 4th graders are hard at work preparing songs for the Veterans Day program. Every student was given a code to join their grade level Music Google Classroom. Ask your child to sing for you at home!
5th Grade: Our 5th graders are reading, writing, and performing rhythm patterns in 4/4 time using sixteenth notes, eighth notes and rests, quarter notes and rests, half notes and rests, and whole notes and rests. The rhythm patterns are getting more and more challenging, but my talented Tigers are always ready to rise to the challenge.
Please visit the OCT Music webpage for upcoming dates and more information about the OCT music classes. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.
Mrs. Vencill
Music Teacher
OCTaylor Elem
#OCT4U
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Updates from P.E., Coach Mester and Coach Mac
We had our Jump Rope For Heart kickoff assembly on Thursday and sent home collection envelopes on Friday. Remember, we are all going to jump and learn about our heart, but asking for donations is completely optional. We have set an incredible school goal of $12,200.00! This is our 20th year to partner with The American Heart Association, and we are excited to teach heart-healthy habits while raising money for research and education. We are asking that donation envelopes be turned no later than Friday, October 20th.
Good luck tigers!
Coach Mester and Coach Mac
Physical Education Teacher
#OCT4U
817-305-4870
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Updates from OCT Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
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International Dyslexia Awareness Month
dyslexia. This week we are sharing a quote from actor Orlando Bloom.
Thank you,
Kari Griffith and Tessa De La Rosa
OCT Literacy Intervention Specialists
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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 DISTRICT FLYERS & INFORMATION
The Parent Technology Academy
The Parent Technology Academy will be conducting presentations and classes on various topics including: family access classes, social media and apps to be aware of on your child's devices, ways to encourage proper usage of technology at home, understanding txt lingo and the apps students use to communicate as well as ways older students can promote themselves online to increase visibility for scholarships and more.
Please click here to give the district feedback on what kind of classes you would like.
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Note from GCISD Nutrition Services
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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-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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FALL FESTIVAL CLASSROOM BASKET COORDINATORS NEEDED
An integral and fun part of our Fall Festival fundraiser is the Silent Auction. Every year each homeroom prepares a themed basket for the Silent Auction.
These baskets are a huge success in helping earn PTA funds. This money goes a long way towards funding our wonderful PTA programs. Because of our success in the past, we will again be featuring classroom baskets this year.
Classroom Basket Coordinators are needed for each classroom. This task involves collecting donations form the classroom, assembling an attractive display for the items, and delivering the basket to the Silent Auction Coordinator on November 3rd.
If you are interested in coordinating this effort for you classroom, click here to sign up.
Thank you for your assistance in making our Fall Festival a great success.
Classroom Basket Coordinator
Jeanna Ries
Fall Festival Chair
Amy Godwin
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS
We hope you are as excited as we are for one of the year's favorite events...Fall Festival! Fall Festival is SATURDAY November 11th, from 1:00-5:00.
We need donations!
- If you own a business, or have connections with a local business, please consider making a donation. A unique way for your business to donate is to purchase an item for us to promote as a "Sponsored Item". Examples of past sponsored items include a WII or PlayStation.
- We also love personal donations! If you have an item you never use and want to donate it, let us know! For those with vacation homes, season tickets, etc. we would be so grateful if you considered donating those types of items as well.
- Another fun way that a parent, friend, or neighbor can donate is a "behind the scenes" look or VIP tour if they work in an industry that kids often would not get to see. Please reach out to you connections and see if they would be willing to help.
Other ideas or questions? Please reach out to Courtney Click at octsilentauction@gmail.com
BOOK CHARACTER DAY! TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31st
Click here for BOOK CHARACTER DAY FLYER
Questions? Concerns? Contact Stephanie Williams
BE OUR COVER ILLUSTRATOR FOR THE PAW PRINTS DIRECTORY 2017 - 18!
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Fri., Oct. 13th by 3 pm.
Please have your student submit a drawing (black and white, please, no color) of their rendition of The O.C. Taylor Tiger! All submissions must have your student's name, teacher, and grade on the back, and please put FOR PAW PRINTS COVER.
We will select the chosen cover illustrator and announce him or her on The Morning Show! Artwork will be returned to students. By submitting an entry, you are giving permission for your student's artwork to be used for consideration as the Paw Prints cover illustration only. Thanks!
Questions? Contact Laurie H. Ackermann
IS YOUR REFLECTIONS ENTRY WITHIN REACH?
Click here for the STUDENT ENTRY FORM
Click here for the OFFICIAL PARTICIPATION RULES
Please read the rules! There are requirements as to size dimensions, formats for video and film, use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
Questions? Concerns? Want to Help? contact Laurie H. Ackermann
GRACE FOR OCTOBER IS 4TH GRADE!
- October is 4th grade's month to collect cereal for GRACE! Collection baskets are outside the 4th 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
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
October:
10/4 International Walk to School Day
10/6 NO SCHOOL
10/9 Columbus Day Holiday-NO SCHOOL
10/10 Spring Creek BBQ
10/12 Watchdog Kick Off
10/17 Yearbook Picture Day
10/19 Environmental Science Program
10/20 Staff Appreciation Event
10/23 - 27 Red Ribbon Week
10/27 PTA Reflections Submissions due
November:
11/2 Early Dismissal
11/3 Walk to School Morning
11/3 Reflections Advancing Entries Announced
11/10 8:30 am Veterans' Day Program
11/11 Fall Festival!!!! 1 - 5 pm
11/16 Camp Thurman (5th Grade)
11/17 Staff Appreciation Event
11/20 - 24 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/28 Make Up Picture Day
11/28 Game On!
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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