Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
October 14, 2018
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
This weekend, O.C. Taylor's amazing leader married the love of her life in a beautiful ceremony on her family's ranch in Springtown, Texas. The rain subsided so that the bride and groom could enjoy an amazing evening celebrating under the Texas sky.
The faculty and staff are so excited to officially welcome Mike into our O.C. Taylor family! The weekend was filled with love and laughter as we watched Lisa marry the love of her life. We hope that you and your children had a weekend filled with love and laughter, too!
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Pedevilla!
Mrs. Putman
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
Monday, October 15
6:00 - 8:30 pm PTA Mom's Night Out
Tuesday, October 16
8:00 - 12:00 Yearbook Picture Day
Wednesday, October 17
10:15 - 11:00 Frank Cole Author Visit (3rd - 5th Grade)
2:55 - 4:00 TTT
Thursday, October 18
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
Friday, October 19
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
Monday, October 22
Tuesday, October 23
4:00 - 6:00 Menchie's Fundraiser (Colleyville)
Wednesday, October 24
National Unity Day (wear orange)
Tammi Sauer (Author Visit)
Thursday, October 25
2:00 -4:00 Future Explorations
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
Friday, October 26
8:30 - 4:30 5th Grade Field Trip
PTA Reflections Due
Accessing Progress Reports and Report Cards in Skyward
- Once you log in, click on your student's name in the upper left hand corner (if you have more than one child, you will need to click on the arrow next to "All Students" and select the child you are wanting for grade access).
- On the left side of the screen, click on "Progress/Report Card & Letters".
- All progress reports and report cards will be listed. Click on the most recent report to access it.
- It will ask for an "e-Signature" before opening the report.
If you have any trouble logging in, please reach out to Betty Jones at 817-305-4870 or Betty.Jones@GCISD.net. Note: if you have changed your password, she will not be able to help you recover your password.
OCT and GCISD Updates
Conflict Resolution Wheel
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Parent Tech Tip of the Week: Check Out Game and Reliable Ratings and Reviews
Spending too much time on a screen can have a negative impact. According to a study from State Farm Insurance, four hours of daily screen time is linked to a full grade level drop in average GPA. Blue light emitted from electronic screens causes sleep deprivation.
It is never too early to start healthy habits. You will blink and your child will be in middle school. I encourage you to start now before this becomes a problem
How to develop positive screen time habits:
- Remind yourself that having a cell phone, tablet, or computer is something to use in moderation
- Find offline activities that you would be proud to share on your college resume. Spending time on those activities will give you positive content you can post online
- Prioritize positive offline hobbies, school, social activities, sports, and family time above screen time
- Get in the habit of following your screen time guidelines and self-regulating your screen time
- Find activities you can do digitally while still being productive, like:
- Learning how to program
- Building an online resume
- Monitoring your digital footprint
- Have an open and ongoing discussion with your parents about screen time and new apps you’re using
- If you experience anything uncomfortable during screen time, tell a trusted adult right away
- Find an offline hobby that colleges will find interesting, such as:
- Building model airplanes
- Playing music
- Volunteering
- etc.
Source: Screen Time Guidelines: How to Develop Healthy Habits
December 13, 2017 By Smart Social Team
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Fall Picture Day - October 16
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
Pumpkin Patch:
There is still time to add your Pumpkin to the O. C. Taylor Pumpkin Patch! Students will “parade” through the Learning Commons on October 31st and admire all of the participant’s handiwork. The district communications team might even interview a few of our tigers!
Author Visits:
Frank Cole will be here on the 17th and Tammi Sauer will be here on the 24th. If you missed the deadline to purchase a book for your child you are welcome to purchase one and send it to school to have it autographed. I purchased mine from Barnes and Noble.
For more information visit the Learning Commons Homepage
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Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
Grapevine Garden Club Kids Art Contest
"Adventures of theMonarch".
Students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade are invited to participate in the Grapevine Garden Club Kids Art Contest.
The entry forms are available in Peach Jar as well as the rules and regulations.
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 17, 2018.
Winners will be announced during the 21st Annual Butterfly Flutterby on Saturday October 20th.
For more information and entry forms, please visit
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Updates from Music, Mrs. Vencill
Veterans Day is a special celebration at O.C. Taylor, and I am encouraging our students to celebrate veterans in the upcoming weeks before our Veterans Day program. Please click this link to learn more about our Veterans Day celebration. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Beth Vencill
Music Teacher
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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
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and here are a few Myth Busters about Dyslexia. Please click on the link below to access a short slide show. You will learn myths and truths about dyslexia.
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- If your child passed the hearing, vision, and AN screening- you will not receive any paperwork from me. No news is good news! :)
- If your child did NOT pass the hearing, vision, or AN screening, you will receive a copy of the results along with a referral letter. Your child will need further evaluation, as the state of Texas requires me to follow up on all failed screenings.
- Avoidance of touching their face (T-zone)
- Using tissues or the bend of their arm for coughing/sneezing
- Proper hand washing! We teach them to sing their ABCs twice or the Happy Birthday song twice. Be sure they wash the front and back of their hands, in between all of their fingers, and underneath their fingernails.
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Parent Technology Academy
GCISD Parent Technology Academy is BACK! Sessions are scheduled monthly with more to come! Come and learn along with others about the ever-changing world of technology in which your children are living!
This months Session: Apps Parents Need to Know - Updated just this Month!
Ever wonder what all those apps are your children are using on their phones or personal devices?
Want to learn about the top apps that parents must know about to protect their children from online dangers and bullying?
Join GCISD Chief Technology Officer Kyle Berger as he presents this popular presentation of Apps Parents Need To Know!
October 16, 2018
Start time 6:15 @ Grapevine Middle School Cafe (SAC)
301 Pony Parkway
Grapevine, TX 76051
You will be given insights into this ever changing world of technology and mobile apps. Learn about helpful ways to monitor your child's usage as well as tools that can help you at home.
There are thousands of mobile apps let us help you understand some of the dangers! The presentation is updated Monthly to include new trending apps and content!
Please Pre-Register https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEzQev_rjs1g97YQI14Xm_TW823AAPhtwGDskdzHQbhehYaw/viewform?usp=sf_link so we can be sure to have appropriate seating, as well as provide you will follow up material from the session.
Be sure to save the date as this favorite session fills fast with over 500 parents attending last year alone!
More Sessions can be found on the Parent Technology Academy Webpage
Hope to see you there!
Kyle Berger
CTO Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Have a question about GCISD Parent Tech Academy or like to request a presentation? Let us know just email kyle.berger@gcisd.net
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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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Unity Day
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GCISD Safety First
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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.
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!
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!!
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
O.C. Taylor’s - GRACE FOOD DRIVE
Thank you to all our Fifth Graders for supporting the GRACE Food Drive last month. Your donations were greatly appreciated. All together your class donated 63 Items which averaged 87.5% of your goal. WAY TO GO! Fourth Grade is off to a great start. They have already collected 35 items. Can they collect 38 more items to reach their goal of 100%?
Remember: The class that averages the most will receive a special treat at the end of the year.
Collection Baskets are located right outside the FOURTH GRADE Classrooms and will be there for the duration of the month. So remember, the next time you are in the grocery store, think back to that little jingle from when you were a kid and say to yourself, “Thank goodness for Chef BOYARDEE!” Thank you for your help and support in serving our community!
Questions? Concerns?
Please contact: Dawn Hall at ddahall74@gmail.com
Unity Day – Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Together against bullying. UNITED for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.
Make it ORANGE and make it end! What are your true colors when it comes to showing that you believe that all youth should be safe from bullying? Come together in one giant ORANGE message of hope and support, WEAR AND SHARE ORANGE to color our nation, and even the world, visibly showing that our society believes that no child should ever experience bullying.
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!
Fall Festival Chili Cookoff
Do you have the best chili in OC Taylor? Well, here's your chance to prove it! It's our first annual OC Taylor Chili Cook Off. Sign up to bring a crock pot of your amazing chili to Fall Festival on Saturday, November 3rd! We'll have all the fixins! Colleyville Police Chief Mike Miller will be our Celebrity Judge, along with OC Taylor teachers and staff! Click here to sign up. First and Second Place winners will receive front row seats (4 seats total) to the OC Taylor school event of their choice!
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Fuss Free Fundraiser
This week we kicked off our Fuss-Free Fundraising campaign. You should have received a packet in your child's folder or click here! Thanks to the families who have already sent in a check to ensure that 100% of funds stay at OCT this year. Your family and friends can still help out! They can send a check to OCT PTA or log in to PayPal and send money to octptatreasurer@gmail.com. Our goal is to reach $15,000 by November 2nd so that we can see our principals KISS A PIG during Fall Festival!
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 8 laps, 2nd Grade is in 1st place (535), 3rd Grade in 2nd place (453) and 4th Grade in 3rd place (222
Thank you!
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