Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, September 16, 2018
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Last week I talked about the importance of making sure your child likes to read because we do things we like. One way to do that is to make sure we have a safe, snug, and consistent reading spot. Another way is to actually read TO your child. You may be asking, "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?" Because...
Listening comprehension comes first, before reading comprehension. One must hear a word before he/she can say it or read and write it. The child's brain is like a word reservoir and the parents' job is to pour as many words into it, so the words then overflow into their child's speech and then into their reading and writing.
Another important reason to read TO your child is research reveals that listening comprehension becomes the dominating influence on reading comprehension starting in the upper elementary years, as text complexity increases.
So, snuggle up in your designated, comfy reading spot and read to your child. While our O.C. Taylor teachers are by far the best, no one tops the parents. A child spends about 900 hours a year in school and 7,800 hours at home.
And a big thank you to the parents who attended our Volunteer Orientation and/or our Dads' Club 'Dad of the Day' Event! We thank you for being involved in your child's school. The National Center for Research Statistics reports that students perform better in school if their fathers as well as their mothers are involved, regardless of whether the father lives with the student or not. (Read more here.)
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: 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.
Back To School Events
Monday, September 17
Tuesday, September 18
3:10-4:30 Campus Excellence Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 19
7:00pm Dads Club Meeting Rio Mambo Colleyville
Thursday, September 20
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
Friday, September 21
Monday, September 24
Tuesday, September 25
Wednesday, September 26
2:55 - 3:45 TTT
Thursday, September 27
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
Friday, September 28
2:00 Rachel's Challenge Kickoff
Saturday, September 29
1:30pm Dads Club Golf Tournament
OCT and GCISD Updates
THANK YOU!!
Thank you to those who organized our PTA Rock Out (see photos of the event below)! Wow! What a blast! From the Electric Slide, limbo, YMCA, McAlister's Deli boxed dinners, and ice cold water, we appreciate a fun family evening. Did you see that sunset?
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Welcome Our New OCT Lovely Lunch Ladies!
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Congratulations, Apple Teachers!
Mrs. Dagger, 3rd Grade Apple Teacher
Mrs. Vinten, 3rd Grade Apple Teacher
Mrs. Mankins, 4th Grade Apple Teacher
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School Hours
MORNING DROP OFF: You are free to start dropping off your child at 7:15 a.m. If you need to drop off your child earlier than 7:15 a.m., you will need to contact KidzU and arrange childcare here on campus. O.C. Taylor staff are not available until 7:15 a.m. Click here to view the KidzU rate sheet.
AFTERNOON PICK UP: School ends at 2:55 p.m. If you are not able to be here at 2:55 p.m., please make arrangements with KidzU for after-school care. If you are unable to pick up your child by 3:10 p.m., we will be placing them in KidzU. This gives you an extra 15 minutes after school. Thank you for helping us to keep your kids safe.
The time you can start dropping off your child
The latest you can pick up your child
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Parent Tech Tip of the Week: Discuss Device Etiquette
- iPad: All K-4th students have GCISD issued iPads. We discuss etiquette at length. Click here to read our expectations and Device Trust Card - Home Use. Please reinforce these at home.
- Cell phone: Typically, kids get their first cell phone between fourth grade and eighth grade. Plan to have a conversation with your children about what it means to have a phone and what behavior around one looks like. Here are a few good questions to get the conversation started:
- When should an incoming call take priority over the situation at hand?
- What if someone taking a call is just trying to impress others?
- What would happen if everyone had unbridled use of their cell phones? (Think of the chaos during dinner, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, or when watching a movie together.)
- Would it be okay to let incoming calls interrupt conversations regarding values, discipline, or when reviewing the family calendar?
- Who should you always take calls from? (Answer: The person paying the bill)
(Read more at https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/26/cell-phone-etiquette-15-r_n_514927.html)
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Volunteer Background Check Required Each Year
Please read the PTA section about volunteering at the bottom of this newsletter. We sincerely appreciate the investment of your time as a volunteer! Whether it is just volunteering with your child's classroom, our field day, or in any capacity in connection with our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, you must complete the following Volunteer Background Authorization form online. Click here to see the district website.
For the protection of students and staff, all volunteer applicants must read the Volunteer Handbook and are asked to complete the online form authorizing the district to obtain a criminal history background check. All volunteers are required to reapply each year.
To avoid a delay in processing your online volunteer background check application, note the most common volunteer errors when completing the form:
- not using the proper date format of mm/dd/yyyy
Incorrect Date of Birth: 11-3-70
Correct Date of Birth: 11/03/1970 - if providing a maiden name, it should not be hyphenated
Incorrect Maiden Name: Smith-Garcia
Correct Last Name: Garcia
Correct Maiden Name: Smith - if providing a maiden name, it should not include first name in the same text box
Incorrect Maiden Name: Jennifer Farris Stevens
Correct First Name: Jennifer
Correct Last Name: Stevens
Correct Maiden Name: Farris
The school district pays for the actual background check. Due to the large number of applicants, we will not notify you of your volunteer status. To get your status, check with your school office for this information before you volunteer.
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Chipotle Fundraiser - 33% of profit come to OCT!
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
Frank Cole will present to 3rd-5th grade on October 17th. You can visit his website here: https://frankcolewrites.com/ Then, on October 24th Tammi Sauer will present to K-2nd and 3rd-5th (two sessions).
Tammi Sauer and Frank Cole will be here to excite students about reading and writing, and will autograph copies of their books for our Tigers.
If you would like to purchase a book for your child you can find the preorder forms here: http://www.pearltrees.com/octlibrary/author-visits/id21655784
The deadline for preorders is October 1st.
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Grapevine-Colleyville District String Orchestra
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
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Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia Teachers, Mrs. Griffith & Mrs. Honeycutt
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
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Here Comes the Bus
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is happy to announce the adoption of an innovative mobile device app and website entitled, Here Comes the Bus®.
What is Here Comes the Bus:
Here Comes the Bus allows you to view the real-time location of your child’s school bus on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Here Comes the Bus is free and enables you to:
- See the real-time location of your child’s bus both before and after school
- Confirm that your child’s bus has arrived at the bus stop, at school or both
- Receive a push notification* or email message when the bus is near your stop, has been substituted, or when we have important information to relay
Getting started:
Available in three languages (English, Spanish and French), the Here Comes the Bus app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Click the Sign Up button
- Enter school code 79915 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the User Profile information
- Click “Students” and enter your child’s last name and student ID number when prompted
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
To sign up on the website, or to learn more about this service, visit the Here Comes the Bus website. Your child needs to be a registered bus rider in order to ride a GCISD bus. If you are wanting to register your child to ride the bus, please do so in Skyward. If you are needing to temporarily change your child's bus transportation (i.e. riding home with a friend for a day, etc.), please complete this form. This app tracks only GCISD buses, not individual students.
Questions:
Should you have any questions, please contact Misael Ruiz at misael.ruiz@gcisd.net or (817) 251-5595. If you additional assistance, contact Here Comes the Bus customer support. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your name
- School District Name or 5-digit School Code
- Email address used for your Here Comes the Bus account
- Your child’s first and last name, and student ID #
- Description of the question
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David's Law Presentation
GCISD is proud to invite parents to the "Cyberbullying and David's Law" presentation given by David's Legacy Foundation. Maurine Molak, David's Mother, will be presenting. This event will be held on Tuesday, October 23 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Colleyville Heritage High School Auditorium.
Parents will learn facts of David's Law (SB179) and what it means for them and their children. Parents will also learn what to do if their children experience cyberbullying and how to empower their children to take a stand.
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Star-Telegram Stock Show Art Contest
No need to own an animal to show at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo!
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is proud to present the Star-Telegram Stock Show Art Contest. The competition, open to ALL students ages 5-19 that are enrolled in a Texas public, private or accredited homeschool, presents an opportunity to showcase artistic abilities and offers a great chance to win awards, college scholarships or cash prizes in excess of $20,000. Belt buckles will be presented to the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion along with official Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo rosettes to the 1st–7th placings.
A panel of local art professionals will judge the competition and placing entries will be displayed during the Fort Worth Stock & Rodeo, January 18–February 9. Additionally, select qualifying non-placing entries will be showcased as a special exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
The contest has something for everyone: five (5) age divisions for individual entries, three (3) classroom divisions for two-dimensional entries and a three-dimensional division, for high school students.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is proud to honor and recognize young artists. We encourage you to enter and show off your unique talents in the 2019 Star-Telegram Stock Show Art Contest! For more information contact Jordan Simons at 817.877.2534 or email Art Contest.
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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.
In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. The free and reduced application should be filled out electronically atwww.schoollunchapp.com. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, they may download an application on the website www.gcisd.net or stop by the Nutrition Services office at 5800 Colleyville Blvd. Paper copies will not be distributed to the campuses this year, please allow families to apply online on a computer on campus or have them come to the Nutrition Services department for assistance.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5615 or email julie.telesca@gcisd.net.
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Read more about Standards-Based Report Cards
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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
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!
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 scottlizpayne@yahoo.com
FIFTH GRADE - Support the GRACE Food Drive
September is Fifth Grade’s Turn to Support the GRACE Food Drive
ITEMS IN NEED: Canned Tuna and/or Mayonnaise
Collection Baskets are right outside the FIFTH GRADE Classrooms. The next
time you are at the grocery store, remember to buy the only canned fish that is
made out of 2 sodium atoms. 2 Na
Thank you for your help and support in serving our community!
Questions? Concerns?
Please contact: Dawn Hall at ddahall74@gmail.com
OCT Dads' Club
Dads, come join us for another exciting year!
Important Dates for Dads Club:
- Wednesday, September 19th - 7pm Dads Club meeting and social @Rio Mambo
- Saturday, September 29th - Dads Club Golf Tournament.
Sign up for the Dads Club email list here. Like Our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @OCTDadsClub
Dads Club Golf Tournament
Please join the OC Taylor Dads Club for our 2nd Annual Dads Club Golf Tournament benefiting the OC Taylor Elementary PTA on September 29th. Shotgun start at 1:30pm. The event includes a 4-person scramble, dinner immediately following the fun on the course. Fun on the course includes but is not limited to: long drive contest, closest to the pin, drink stations every four holes, and amazing raffle packages. Raffle prizes and more contests will be announced closer to the tournament.
Register now, remember to invite your friends to play and thank you for supporting Dads Club
OC Taylor PTA Presents Moms Night Out
Moms' Night Out - Monday, October 15th from 5-9pm. Join us at Sloan and Williams Winery in Grapevine for a Moms' Night Out. Sloan and Williams will donate 30% of all food and wine purchased back to the OCT PTA. It's a great chance to visit with old friends and meet some new ones! We'll have a Gift Card Grab and Games of Heads or Tails as well. And the best part?!?! Childcare is taken care of! The OCT Dads' Club will be watching the kids at school from 6-8pm while the moms enjoy a night out. There will be pizza, games, movies, and more! Please complete the google form to register your students for childcare. Reservations are not required, but will give us an estimate of how much food we'll need. We are requesting a $10 donation per child at the door to help cover the cost of food, drinks, and fun for the evening. Unfortunately, we can only accomodate current OCT students - no tiny tigers. It's a night you and your kids won't want to miss! We hope to see you there!!
Fall Festival November 3rd 2p - 6p
Save the date Saturday November 3rd for the OCT Fall Festival from 2-6 pm. There will be tons of friends, food, and fun including new inflatables like Human Whack-A-Mole, and our First Annual Chili Cook Off. You don't want to miss the fun! Be on the look out for more details coming soon!
Would you or your business like to help sponsor our fall festival? See the attached packet to learn more about how you can become a “Paws”itively “Tiger”ific Sponsor!
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Box Tops and Amazon Smile
This year, we will be increasing donations to the OC Taylor PTA thru Box Tops for Education and Amazon Smile! It's a simple way to donate to our school! Here's how you can help:
#1 Clip out Box Tops for Education and place them on the Box Top collection sheet or in a Ziploc bag. Be sure to place your child's grade level on the bag or collection sheet! We will be counting box tops for our Racing to Recess Challenge. The grade level with the highest level of Box Tops each semester will earn an extra recess and Popsicle party!
After 4 laps, 1st place: 3rd grade (242), 2nd place: 4th grade: 211, and 3rd place: Pre-K: 200.
Thank you!
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