Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, October 9, 2016
Thank you to those that attended our PTA-sponsored Principal Coffee. For those unable to attend, I would still like to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete the Principal Information Form by clicking here. Thank you, also, for those that attended our Spring Creek BBQ Night! We appreciate your support of our school.
O.C. Taylor has a 30-year history of rich traditions, high academic standards, and strong family involvement. Let's keep the momentum going. Working together we can achieve more!
Tiger Time News Video Edition: http://www.touchcast.com/octaylorelem/tiger_time_news_10_9
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
No school for students. Teacher Professional Development Day!
October 11
Mad Science Assembly PK-2
October 12
Human Resources Day
2:55 TTT
October 13
2:55 Choir
6:30 p.m. Watch D.O.G.S. Kick-Off
October 14
Tip Your Hat To Our Veterans Day
End of the 1st 9 weeks
Skyward Family Access Video
The Center for Public Education reports on 51 studies about the effect of parent involvement on student learning, "What Really Works: Major Study Findings."
The SEDL report, A New Wave of Evidence, synthesizes research from 51 studies over the preceding decade to reach conclusions about the effect of parent involvement on student learning. While few of the studies were experimental or quasi-experimental in design and many were correlational or case studies, when synthesized, the report had positive findings. For example, SEDL found that students with involved parents, no matter their income or background, are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs
- Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
- Attend school regularly
- Have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school
- Graduate and go on to post-secondary education
Nonetheless, when drilling down to determine what types of involvement work best, SEDL found one common factor: “Programs and interventions that engage families in supporting their children’s learning at home are linked to higher student achievement.” Other forms of involvement among Epstein’s six factors (volunteering, attending school events) appeared to have less direct effect on student achievement, particularly in high school.
Tiger Time (Personalized Learning Time)
Personalized learning is an emerging trend which seeks to support student-centered, 21st century teaching and learning, which is the main tenet of LEAD 2021. A growing body of research suggests that that overall student achievement is likely to increase when students are able to learn at their own pace with a variety of teaching styles and formats available to them. According to the Association of Personalized Learning Schools and Services (Aplus+), personalizing students’ education enables them to access a unique learning experience based upon their individual needs, rather than receiving instruction through a standard, paced curriculum. In its ideal form, the needs of students are put first and students are able to direct “how, what, when, and where” they learn.
At O.C. Taylor we focus our personalized learning time during "Tiger Time." This is a 50 minute block of time where your student works on engaging activities they are interested in learning about. It is also a time when students who need specialized intense instruction receive support.
Personalized learning aims to:
“meet each child where he is and help him meet his potential” and to “educate the whole child.” (Wolf, 2010).
LAST CHANCE....Survey of Curriculum Informational Meetings
We invite you to participate in this survey in order for us to gather data to make the best decision for children, families, parents, and staff for the next school year. Please click here to complete the OCT Curriculum Instructional Meetings Survey. Survey closes this coming Friday, October 14. We have only had 22 people respond. Please let us know your opinions.
A Reminder from our art teacher, Mrs. Morgan
All entries and forms for the Annual Butterfly Flutterby art contest are due the morning of Tuesday, October 11th. Please drop off your art pieces to the art room. If your child needs a new contest form, please have them come by the art room to pick up another one. A form must be filled out in order to participate in the contest. Click here to see the Grapevine Garden Club site.
A Note from our Gifted-Talented Teacher, Mrs. Griffin
A Note from our Librarian, Mrs. Bonacci
Please click here to see about Mrs. Bonacci's OCT's 3rd Annual Storybook Pumpkin Patch!
Technology Tips
We are on a 5-part series of Developing Rules for your children. Last week I encouraged you to talk about the HOW. This week I encourage you to talk about WHO can use technology?
2. Who can use it?
• How old should they be?
• Are they responsible enough to take good care of it?
• Do they understand the basics of stranger danger and safe usage?
• Are they mature and responsible enough to follow the rules?
District Flyers
Click here for NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS FOR EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS.
Weds., Oct. 19 is Unity Day, Wear Orange
GCISD Pink Out Day is Tuesday, Oct. 18
GCISD Reads District-wide Program
https://www.smore.com/cyf5c-gcisd-reads
GCISD Health Services: Insect Repellant
Let's Talk
Let’s Talk! Is coming to O.C. Taylor and other GCISD campuses. What is Let’s Talk? Let’s Talk! is a cloud-based communication system that helps school leaders and their teams engage their communities. GCISD has been using Let’s Talk! at the administration level for more than a year, and it has proven to be a useful tool in improving communications with the various stakeholders in our district. Let’s Talk! reduces the reliance on email and phone calls in responding to inquiries from the GCISD community, and instead offers a collaborative arena where we can work together to manage dialogues with our students, staff and community.
Panther Night
Wear your O.C. Taylor spirit wear to the game! This year's future Panther Night is Friday, October 14.
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.