OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
October 20, 2019
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
How about this fall weather! I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.
We are well underway to a great school year. This is the time of year when the work starts getting a little more difficult and rigorous for our students. Your child may share some frustrations. You may hear about some doubts. You may even hear, "I don't want to go to school." No one likes to do things they don't like to do. But, this is the time when the greatest learning will occur. I encourage you to listen and empathize with your child then let them know you believe in them and they have the capabilities to work through the tough times.
We want our children to learn the important skill of advocating for themselves, of going directly to the person with whom they need to go, and to speak their truth, needs, and concerns by giving an "I feel" message. Encourage your child to speak up and speak out in a kind manner when they face difficulties or problems.
One of my favorite books is Fierce Conversations. The author, Susan Scott, says "...our relationships, and, in fact, our very lives succeed or fail gradually, then suddenly, one conversation at a time." She also says the worst conversation to have is one you never have. We tell our students, If you have a concern and don't share it, frustration builds and builds until it comes out in a manner you probably don't intend and in a manner that makes it difficult for someone else to hear. We hope you will talk about these strategies at home with your child.
We genuinely want the best for each student and family here at OCT. We can't do that alone. We must all work together for this to truly be the BEST of days. I am here for you. As I stated on curriculum night, my door is open. If you have a concern or problem, please come to me. I want to hear about your experiences and thoughts.
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, October 21
National School Bus Safety Week
Tuesday, October 22
Vision/Hearing Screening Day
Wednesday, October 23
National Unity Day - Wear Orange
Thursday, October 24
11:45 a.m. Early Dismissal
No Choir
Friday, October 25
Spirit Day - Wear your OCT gear! Go Tigers!
Monday, October 28
Red Ribbon Week: Wear your favorite PJs (See Mrs. Whisman's section below).
Tuesday, October 29
Red Ribbon Week: Wear blue or yellow like your favorite minion.
Wednesday, October 30
Red Ribbon Week: Write a personal pledge to live drug-free.
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
Thursday, October 31
Red Ribbon Week: Dress like your favorite book character
Book Character Parade - starts right after the morning show. Parents are invited.
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
Friday, November 1
PTA Fun Day (Fuss-Free Fundraising Celebration Day)
Red Ribbon Week: Wear mismatched clothes and crazy socks.
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Running Club
Monday, November 4
Professional Learning Day/Student Holiday
Tuesday, November 5
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Chipotle Spirit Night - Colleyville
Wednesday, November 6
8:15 a.m. PTA Executive Board Meeting
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. NEHS
Thursday, November 7
Read for the Record
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
Friday, November 8
Spirit Day - Wear your OCT gear! Go Tigers!
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Running Club
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Grade Level Newsletters
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Important Links
OCT and GCISD Updates
The OCT staff says "THANK YOU!"
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National Unity Day, Oct. 23
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Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
CogAT Makeup Testing - October 21-25
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Early Release Day on Oct. 24, 11:45 a.m.
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No School for students on Nov. 4
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OCT T-Shirt
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
Classroom Guidance: October's guidance lessons will focus on Recognizing Positive Influences and Bullying Prevention.
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every year during the last week of October. Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized substance abuse prevention campaign dedicated to the memory of Kiki Camerena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, killed in the line of duty.
Poster Contest
GCISD will be sponsoring a drug prevention poster contest.
- Posters must be on 11 x 17 paper or ½ of a posterboard.
- OCT will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place posters for each grade level. All 1st place posters will be sent to the administration building for the district-wide competition.
- Please include the student’s name, grade and school on the back of the poster.
- District winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 30.
Public Service Announcement Competition
GCISD is also sponsoring a Public Service Announcement competition. All video entries must be submitted by Tuesday, October 29 to info@gcisd.net. Please title the email “RRW PSA 2019”. Entries must be no longer than 30 seconds. Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 31.
All first-place district level winners will be recognized at the November school board meeting.
College and Career Night, Oct. 23, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
College and Career Night will be held on Wednesday, October 23 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Grapevine High School. This event is organized by GHS & CHHS Counselors and the Go Centers. Visit the 120+ Universities, Junior/Community Colleges, Technical Schools, Military Schools, and Military Recruiters. Click here to view the flyer.
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Updates from Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
GCISD Reads-
We have about 200 days before the end of the 2019-2020 GCISD Reads Challenge ends!
I know sometimes it is hard to find time to relax with a good book. Here are a few tips for success:
1. Find a comfy spot to read every night. (One Tiger I know fills the bathtub with pillows!)
2. Build this time into your regular routine. (Maybe right after dinner, or bedtime).
3. Set small, attainable goals. (20 minutes each night is a great place to start.)
4. Read!
Remember, books you read, books read to you, audiobooks, e-books, and the books you read for homework can all be counted! If you need help finding a “just right book” please come to the Learning Commons and I can help!
Pumpkin Patch Contest-
I’m getting really excited about the O. C. Taylor Storybook Pumpkin Patch this year! Several students have told me what theirs will be, and all I can say is our Tigers are SO AWESOME! In past years this has not been a contest, but the kids expressed a strong desire to compete so here we go! Of course if your child wants to participate but not enter the contest, that’s fine too. Each grade level will be judged separately, and students will receive a certificate.
I would love to hear your ideas for categories (like Cutest Pumpkin, Scariest, Best dressed, Most Creative, etc.)
If you need the Pumpkin Patch entry form you can find it HERE.
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Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Ms. Griffith and Ms. Honeycutt
As Dyslexia Awareness month comes to a close, we hope that you have learned fun facts, had your interest sparked about learning, and realized that online books engage your brain! So we leave you with this…Be the change that you want to see in the world.
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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- Field Trips: Did you know?!? If your child has medication that is kept at school (inhalers, Epi-pens, Diastat, etc.) it will be sent with their teacher before leaving campus for field trips. All teachers are informed of their student's health conditions and are trained on medication administration.
- Screening Day at OCT: Screening Day is Tuesday October 22nd!!! The GCISD Screen Team will be doing vision and hearing screenings on students in PPCD, PK, Kinder, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. They will also screen any students in 2nd and 4th grade who are new to the District this year. If your child wears glasses, PLEASE make sure that they have their glasses on this day! We will call you to bring them up to school if they forget them.
- PK and Kinder potty expectations: While we expect all students to be potty trained, we do understand that accidents may happen. Please place a seasonally-appropriate change of clothes in your child's backpack. If a situation arises in which a change of clothes is not sufficient, we will contact parents/guardians directly to come up and provide additional support.
- 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
OCT Learning Liaison, Mrs. Cindy Kue
Mrs. Kue graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education, Minor in Early Childhood and Reading from Dallas Baptist University. She is a current graduate student with Lamar University, working on her M.S. in Educational Administration and is currently reading Breakthrough Principals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Stronger Schools. She is certified PreK through 8 and ESL.
Mrs. Kue’s greatest strength in education is her patience. Her favorite food is anything she doesn’t have to cook. For fun in the evenings and on the weekends, she plays indoor volleyball and sand volleyball.
Mrs. Kue, her husband and two daughters live in GCISD. Her favorite color is turquoise because it reminds her of the ocean and relaxing on a beach. On her way to school each morning, she and her girls listen to the YouTube Music app which currently is always playing the Descendants soundtrack per her daughters’ requests. ;-)
We appreciate Mrs. Kue being a thought partner and coach for our staff. Stop by and introduce yourself to her if you have not met her. She is fabulous!
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Technology Tip
Click here to read about a sheriff in Florida warning about 15 apps following the arrest of a man accused of raping 10-year-old girl.
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GCISD Red Ribbon Week Poster and PSA Contest Oct. 28th - Nov. 2nd
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every year during the last week of October. Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized substance abuse prevention campaign dedicated to the memory of Kiki Camerena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, killed in the line of duty.
GCISD Poster Contest
GCISD will be sponsoring a drug prevention poster contest.
- Posters must be on 11 x 17 paper or ½ of a poster board.
- Select your own campus committee to choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place posters for each grade level.
- Send all 1st place posters to the front desk of the administration building for the district-wide competition by Tuesday, October 29th.
- Please include the student’s name, grade and school on the back of the poster.
- District winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 30th.
Public Service Announcement Competition
GCISD is also sponsoring a Public Service Announcement competition. All video entries must be submitted by Tuesday, October 29th to info@gcisd.net. Please title the email “RRW PSA 2019”. Entries must be no longer than 30 seconds. Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 31st.
All first-place district level winners will be recognized at the November school board meeting. Your campus principal and counselor will be notified.
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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!
ALL THE THINGS!
OCT Fun Day! November 1st
It's our second annual FUN DAY on Friday, November 1st! It's going to be a day full of fun, including an inflatable obstacle course, a Taekwondo demonstration by Mr. Monaghan, and much more. The OCT PTA will be providing lunch for all students! The kids will enjoy a slice of pizza, vegetable option, milk or juice, and an ice cream treat served in the cafeteria while they watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".
Reflections Deadline - THIS week - October 24th!
Calling all Students Pre-K- 5th! The Deadline for Participation in the Reflections Program is October 24th! We need your help to have O.C. Taylor well represented!!
There are so many ways to participate! Can't wait to see our Tigers' Creativity!
Refections Guidlines and Student Entry Form
Please contact Challee Garland, PTA Reflections Chair, at challeegarland@gmail.com with any questions regarding the Reflections program.
Moms' Night Out - Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for another fun Moms' Night Out! As always, we had a blast hanging out with old friends and getting to know new ones. A huge thank you to Wes Critz and the Dads' Club for watching the kids during our Kids' Night In. They had almost as much fun as the moms did. Another huge thank you to all the local businesses who so generously donated to our gift card grab and games of heads or tails. Spread the word about these amazing local businesses that love to give back to their community!
Red Ribbon Week
Staff Appreciation Event
Parents, because of your support- through your PTA membership to your generosity during Fuss-Free Fundraising, the PTA is able to host many events throughout the year that help to recognize and treat our amazing teachers and staff at OCT!
This past Friday, the PTA sponsored a Fall Staff Appreciation Event. (A thank you from our staff is posted above in the newsletter!) It was a fun way to treat our staff with some delicious goodies! And we want to especially thank our Staff Appreciation Events Chair, Juanita Priesand, for a beautiful and delectable event!
O.C. Taylor Tigers Salute our Veterans!
If your student has a picture of a veteran they wish to hang on the Wall of Honor, please label the picture with their name, the veteran’s name and the branch of the military they served in. Have them turn in pictures to your teacher or Mrs. Vencill by Wednesday, Friday, Nov. 6th. Your pictures will be returned to you after Veterans Day.
We thank you all for helping us honor our veterans, and can't wait to see you there!
Box Tops
Last call for Box Tops that expire 11/1/2019. Please turn in your Box Tops no later than this Friday, October 25th so that they can be counted, bundled, and submitted by the deadline. If you haven't already, be sure to download the Box Tops App so that you can scan your receipts and earn money for our school instantly!
Lost and Found
Many nice items need to be reunited with their owners!
If your child is missing their favorite light-weight jacket, please have them stop by the Lost and Found to claim their item that is patiently waiting to be worn again! :)
ALL UNCLAIMED ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO GRACE IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER.
SUPPORT GRACE and…. EARN EXTRA RECESS!
CALLING ALL FOURTH GRADERS…
DO YOU WANT EXTRA RECESS?
OCTOBER is your month FOURTH GRADERS
ITEMS IN NEED: CANNED FRUIT (16 oz or smaller cans preferred)
Collection baskets are outside of the 4th Grade Classrooms beginning
for the duration of the month. The next time you are in the grocery store,
please consider supporting your community by picking up
a Can of Peaches or Fruit Cocktail for GRACE.
Thank you in advance for your support.
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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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.