Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
January 27, 2019
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Please give a big thank you to our wonderful PTA and to our dedicated OCT Dads' Club! They do so much for our school.
If you are not a member of our OCT PTA, please join! Your membership dues and service help to make this school the amazing place it is. As a reminder, each week at the end of this newsletter, our PTA has a dedicated section for you to read. Please read and take note.
This weekend our Dads' Club hosted a huge Family Breakfast with two large snow hills! Too many dads to count volunteered by dressing up as bacon, eggs, or pancakes and served a hot breakfast to our families, staff, and community members! Dads were feverishly blowing up tubes for kids to use to sled down the hills. They were cleaning dishes, serving food, helping kids sled, cheering on, registering, and more. THANK YOU to our volunteers. We even had our next door Colleyville Fire Fighters visit.
These elementary school days are going to fly by! You will miss them terribly. Soak up these special moments when you can. These type of events will be the ones you and your children will talk about and remember most.
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.
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.
OC Taylor Elementary Events
January 28
January 29
January 30
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
January 31
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
February 1
100th Day of School
National Go Red Day
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
February 4
8:15 PTA Executive Board Meeting
February 5
5:00 - 9:00 Spring Creek BBQ (Grapevine Location)
February 6
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
February 7
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
February 8
PTA Walk to School
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
OCT and GCISD Updates
Congratulations, Mrs. Putman!
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H.U.G.S.
TTT is collecting HATS, UNDERWEAR, GLOVES, and SOCKS (new in packages) to donate to GRACE. There will be collection boxes in each hall. This is not a competition between grade levels... just another way to give back to families in our community that need some extra help. The collection is from January 24th until February 15.
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Love Your Device
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Spring Creek Spirit Night - Feb. 5
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Chick-Fil-A
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Lost and Found
Please remember to check the lost and found! We have a lot of coats, jackets, shirts, hats, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more piling up!
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Webville Outlaws
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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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping out in the Learning Commons (Formerly known as the Library) please email me at dawn.bonacci@gcisd.net
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
Students are invited to participate in the Doodle for Google art contest.
Students can use the Doodle for Google form, draw a Doodle on another piece of paper, take a digital photo or scan the Doodle. Please make sure the entry form is complete and submitted.
The theme this year is “When I grow up, I hope…”
To enter:
Students can either enter a Doodle digitally at doodle4google.com OR they can bring their Doodle and completed entry form to Mrs. Morgan by Friday March 8th.
For more information or entry forms please visit https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
- Grades 1-4 Referral for testing window: Jan. 28th-Feb. 8th
- Grades 1-4 Testing Window: February 19-March 8th
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR MATH TELESCOPING TESTING:
- Online Registration Procedures and Form For Math Telescoping Testing: The Online Registration Process will open February 21, 2019 for the Spring test date. It will close March 6, 2019.
- Link to GCISD site for Math Telescoping
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Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Mrs. Griffith & Mrs. Honeycutt
Parents-
Have you ever wondered how to help your child with phonological awareness? In this link, you will find 8 ways to build that awareness in your grade-schooler!
Children seem to always have their heads buried in their computers, so here is a very helpful link for free apps/games to load on the computer to help support your dyslexic child or one who may struggle with reading.
http://www.dyslexiagames.com/single-post/2014/10/11/Online-FUN-Games-for-Kids-with-Dyslexia
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Handwashing Incentive: With cold/flu season upon us, we will be starting up the High Five hand washing incentive again. I will be handing out "High Fives" to students who I see performing proper hand washing while at the bathrooms or in the clinic. - Use warm, soapy water whenever possible. - Sing ABCs or the Happy Birthday song twice. - Scrub in between fingers and underneath the fingernails.
- Eyeglasses: Please consider donating any old or broken eyeglasses for a good cause, as these can be reused and recycled for the less fortunate who may need glasses. You can drop them off in the front office or clinic. At the end of the year, Lions, Leos and other volunteers will collect the eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Eyeglass Recycling Centers. Thank you in advance! :)
- Texas Lions Summer Camp: Texas Lions Camp is located in Kerrville, Texas and is dedicated to serving children with physical disabilities and Type 1 Diabetes. If you have a child (or know of a child) that has a physical disability, syndrome, or disease- and you think they may want to go to camp this Summer for FREE- please come see me for additional information. The list of qualifying physical disabilities/diseases is over a page long! This is an amazing opportunity!
- If your child is absent during the school day due to illness: They should not be at school for any extra-curricular activities (choir practice, yearbook, talent show rehearsals, etc.) They should not be at school to eat lunch with a sibling or friend. They should not be at school for parent-teacher conferences, ARDs, or 504s. Thank you for helping our Tiger staff and students stay healthy!!!
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"The Talk" Presentation, 1/29 at 6:00 p.m.
Parents are invited to a conversation with Dr. Jeff Livingston MD, a local OB/GYN, about how to talk with their children about sex. "The Talk," can feel intimidating and we hope that this presentation will empower parents with knowledge about what to share and when to share it.
Join us on Tuesday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the GCISD Board Room at 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue in Grapevine.
The presentation will be recorded and available for viewing through the GCISD website on the Social Emotional Support page.
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GCISD Community Showcase at TECC, Jan. 31
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside of a GCISD classroom? Have you ever been curious about how LEAD 2021 looks in action? Join GCISD for a Community Showcase at the Technology Education and Career Center (TECC) at Grapevine High School on Jan. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m for a tour led by students and staff. This opportunity is limited to the first 20 participants. Click here to sign up for this Community Showcase.
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Spring Parent Technology Academy Sessions
GCISD Technology is excited to announce our Spring Session line up with several new sessions. Stay tuned as more will be added to our list as we keep receiving the request from the community.
February 12th - Hour of Code - Parent Edition -SIGN UP HERE
Come dive in and experience what students across GCISD do each day with hands-on activities around coding
February 26th - Understanding Minecraft ( Presented by Microsoft) -SIGN UP HERE
Come and learn about the power of Minecraft in education, get tips directly for Microsoft on parental settings for use at home.
March 21st - Internet Addiction " Gaming"--SIGN UP HERE
More than 5 million kids may be addicted to video games. 31% of males and 12 % of females report that have felt addicted to gaming. Come to hear from Dr Kay Trotter, PhD, LPC-s, RPT-S from local Kaleidoscope Behavioral Health as she discusses the signs and symptoms of this growing addiction. Learn some tips and be a part of the discussion around online gaming and internet addiction.
April 16th - Apps Parents Need to Know -SIGN UP HERE
Take part in this interactive discussion around the growing world of apps that students are using. Go being the scenes to hear the truth behind the apps and what dangers there are to those who use them
Virtual Session Coming Soon - Fortnite ( a Parents Guide ) - SIGN UP HERE
Many have asked some come and experience Fortnite for parents. Hear about details of the game and dive into parental settings for the various gaming systems students use to play online.
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Federal Report Cards
Our OCT Federal Report Card has been posted on our campus website. Click here to view it. Federal Report Cards for the state, district, and all campuses are now available on the Texas Education Agency's website. Additionally, our campus state and federal report cards are available on our district website under Accountability School Report Cards.
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Cafeteria and Menu Updates
Attached is a copy of the calendar menu, it may also be viewed on the district's website. Nutrition information may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the new Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5615 or email julie.telesca@gcisd.net.
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Join the GCISD TEAM!
Great opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists -PT w/ benefits – work while your students are in school!
- KidzU Site Aides – PT w/benefits – great schedule for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply now to work with the BEST! www.gcisd.net
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
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. We are excited about the new LEAD 2.0 and hearing from all parents! 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
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
Pancake Breakfast Thank you!
We had an extremely successful event this past Saturday for the 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast and Snow Hill. Thank you to everyone who came out to participate this year! We had 375 registrants this year which is 3 times the amount of people compared last year. This equated to 750 eggs, 800 pancakes, 60 pounds of bacon, 300 sausage links, 250 cups of coffee, and 10 gallons of hot chocolate. We also had two large trucks deliver us over 32,000 pounds of ice at 5:30am to make the 2 long snow hills. Our tigers had an amazing time doing down the snow hill and we heard great reviews of the food. We also had special guests from our neighbors next door, the Colleyville Fire Department. Thank you to all of the Dad’s Club members who helped make the event a success. Also, a big thanks to Ms. Gwen in the Cafeteria and Mr. Jose for coming out early and staying after everyone left to allow us to use the OC Taylor facilities. We could not have done it without everyone’s hard work! We can’t wait to do another event next year!
Sincerely,
Scott Payne
Ben Stevens &
Wes Critz
O.C. Taylor’s GRACE Food Drive
SECOND GRADE - IT’S YOUR TURN TO:
Support the GRACE Food Drive
January is Second Grade’s turn to support the GRACE Food Drive
ITEMS IN NEED: Canned Soup (any kind please)
This will be the last week for Second Grade to support the GRACE Food Drive. A donation of 75 cans have already been collected, but can they bring in more this week and take the lead away from Third Grade. How many more cans are needed? About half the class size of second grade
plus two. Come on Second Grade, you can do it!
Questions? Concerns? Please contact: Dawn Hall.
Amazon Smile
Be sure to shop smileamazon.com. 0.5% of all your purchases will go to the OC Taylor PTA. Log on to smileamazon.com and select PTA Texas Congress 1610 O C Taylor Elementary as your preferred charity. It's an amazoningly easy way to earn money for our school!! Remember, you must log on to smileamazon.com every time you shop to ensure your purchases earn money for our school! In just 3 months short months, we made $44.51. Our next check should arrive soon!
Box Tops Fundraiser
It's a new semester and time for a new Box Top Racing to Recess Challenge! The winning grade level will earn an extra 30 minute recess! Clip out Box Tops for Education and place them on the Box Top Collection Sheet or in the Ziploc Bag that was sent home last semester. If you've already sent in that bag, just write your child's grade level on a new ziploc bag. Send your Box Tops in to your child's teacher or place them in the blue bin in the front lobby.
After 2 weeks, it's neck and neck with 3rd grade in 1st place with 103, 2nd grade in 2nd place with 102, and Kinder in 3rd place with 55. Last week, we received a check for $747.90 for our Fall Box Top Submissions! Keep up the great work. Our next submission deadline is March 1st. Be sure to send in all those box tops that expire on 3/1/2019.
APPLE TREE PROJECT
The O.C. Taylor Apple Tree has grown new branches! 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 this link 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.
Jill Tate - VP of Volunteers jhbu99@aol.com
Join the PTA!
Thank you to all our parents and staff that joined the PTA already! We truly appreciate your support!
If you did not join the PTA at Meet the Teacher, we encourage you to do so. The annual dues are only $7.50 per membership. That's the lowest price in town for PTA memberships and its the BEST, in my opinion! Membership in the PTA allows you to improve the education and opportunities for our students. When you join the PTA, you become a member of the Texas PTA and you will receive a copy of our 2018-2019 Paw Prints student directory! This valuable directory contains classroom lists, phone numbers, addresses and other vital information you will use all year! To join the PTA it's so simple, visit http://www.joinPTA.org.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Liz Payne- VP Memberships
Thank you!
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