Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
March 1-5, 2021
Dear O.C. Taylor Families,
Due to the storm and its impact, we allowed families to make necessary changes to their selected instructional model prior to the end of the grading period. If you still need to change your instructional model, we ask you do so by 5:00 p.m. today.
A special thank you to our OCT PTA for our mini-grants! Please read the PTA section at the bottom of this newsletter to see what our PTA has gifted our classrooms! We are so appreciative of all whom have joined PTA. You are making a difference in the life of a child!
We hope to see you at our Spring Creek Fund Raiser this Tuesday night!
To the BEST of days,
Principal Pedevilla
Email: lisa.pedevilla@gcisd.net
Website: http://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: @OCTPedevilla
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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.
Important Dates
March 2
Spring Creek BBQ, Grapevine Location, 5pm - 9pm
March 9
Interim Assessments - 3rd and 5th grades
March 10
Interim Assessments - 4th and 5th grades
March 11
Interim Assessments - 3rd and 4th grades
March 15 - March 19
Spring Break
March 22 - World Down Syndrome Day (Wear crazy socks)
March 23 - World Water Day (Wear jeans/blue)
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Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
School-Issued Dismissal Signs
For safety reasons, we require all drivers who are picking up their child(ren) to place our O. C. Taylor school-issued dismissal sign in your front windshield. Please make sure that it is visible to all staff in both vehicle loops. Not all of our staff members know all of our families or drivers, so it is helpful to all staff members to ensure that all students safely enter the correct vehicle. We understand that emergency situations occur that require another driver to pick-up your child(ren). In this situation, please understand that staff members will still need to verify the driver's identification to ensure safety for all of our Tigers. Thank you for understanding and supporting us with these procedures, as we love each of our Tigers!
A few dismissal tips:
- Place your school-issued dismissal sign in the front windshield, so that it remains visible the whole time you drive through the Tiger or bus loops.
- Do not use handwritten or printed signs from previous school years.
- If you forget or misplace your dismissal sign, please pull all the way to the front of the loop. A staff member will verify your identification and notify the front office. Upon verification, staff members will send your child(ren) out to your vehicle.
- If you need extra copies or replacements, please notify your child's teacher of record. They will have the front office staff print additional dismissal signs for you.
As we enter our spring testing season, here are a few important notes:
**To exit KIOSK mode (see the photo below), students will need to hold down the CTRL-ALT-S key combination. Remote students are able to take the Interim Assessment from home if the STAAR testing app is installed on their device.
It is a GCISD expectation that ALL students will take Interim Assessments during this designated window.
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Current 5th Grade Students
Middle School Course Selection GOOGLE FORM - PLEASE SUBMIT BY MARCH 5
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Spring Creek Barbeque Spirit Night - Tuesday, March 2
We encourage each family to place your order at least 24 hours prior to our Spirit Night. You can order online at www.springcreekbarbeque.com.
Teachers will be working 30 minutes shifts and delivering meals at curbside pickup. Come see your teachers and support O.C. Taylor Elementary!
Please click here for the Spring Creek BBQ flier.
Please click here for the Spring creek Rewards Program.
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Tuition Based Pre-K Program
There are a few more spots available in GCISD’s Tuition Based Pre-K program for the 2021-2022 school year! You can find information regarding tuition, campus availability, and more on the GCISD Pre-K Website.
Students that may qualify for state-based Pre-K will be able to begin registration for the upcoming school year in April 2021.
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GCISD Language Assessment Center Online Courses for Adults
In partnership with the Grapevine Community Outreach Center, the GCISD Language Assessment Center will begin offering online courses for adults. These free courses will be self-paced and will provide skills in English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Literacy, as well as GED support. The flyers can be viewed and shared here in English and Spanish.
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COVID-19 Prevalence Study
Join the DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study to help researchers better understand how common COVID-19 is in Dallas and Tarrant counties. By volunteering, you will help guide decisions being made in our communities to keep you and your family safe and healthy. The study is being conducted by UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources.
To participate in the study, visit www.utswmed.org/covidstudy and complete a brief survey.
- Some people will then be asked to complete a brief survey and offered free COVID-19 testing and a $20 gift card.
- Others will be asked to complete a 10-minute survey about their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every 50th person who submits a completed survey will receive a $20 gift card.
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Colleyville Police Department needs School Crossing Guards!
School Crossing Guards provide children safe access at high traffic areas near schools, while allowing officers to be available to respond to emergencies. Work outdoors and in an environment where maintaining social distancing is not an issue. Typical work schedule includes approximately 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon, every school day. Hours and locations vary. Must be 18 and starting salary is $11/hour. Apply at colleyville.com. Contact Sergeant Dara Nelson at 817-503-1238 or dnelson@colleyville.com with any further questions.
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Rabies Awareness & Prevention Poster Contest for K-12
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Zoonosis Control Branch will be conducting its annual statewide “Rabies Awareness & Prevention Poster Contest” for Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students who participate in the contest will learn about rabies, the importance of rabies vaccinations for their pets, respecting wildlife from a distance, and the need to notify adults if they think they may have been exposed to an animal with rabies. The Zach Jones Memorial Fund provides generous prizes for winners in each age group (Kinder, and grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8 & 9-12). The poster contest can be utilized as an excellent informational or procedural text assignment or as an extra credit project for art and science classes. The deadline for poster submission is April 9, 2021. Information about the contest can be downloaded from the DSHS Contest website.
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Texas Tuition Promise Fund and Texas Match the Promise Foundation Webinars
Learn more about the Texas Tuition Promise Fund®, the state's tax-advantaged prepaid college tuition plan, and the Texas Match the Promise FoundationSM, a 501(c)(3) public charity offering scholarship opportunities to eligible participants in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
Upcoming webinars will provide an overview of the Texas Tuition Promise Fund and information on the different types of tuition units, tuition redemption values and payment options. In addition, the webinars will present information about matching scholarship opportunities available through the Texas Match the Promise Foundation.
Sign up for one of our upcoming webinars.
If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please contact us at TuitionPromise@cpa.texas.gov.
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Reminder: For GCISD Bus Riders
In GCISD, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. This is a reminder that we have made a slight modification to our routine for all secondary students riding a daily bus route or shuttle.
In the event a bus rider or driver receives a test-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, we are now collecting real-time information that will speed up the process for the GCISD Health Services Department. This process allows us to quickly and accurately identify and communicate with close contacts associated with the test-confirmed student or staff member.
All secondary students are now asked to use their device to scan a QR code upon entering a GCISD bus. This QR code links to a form that requires students to enter their bus number, campus, name, student ID number, and seat number. Once they submit the form, they sit in their assigned seat. This process needs to be completed every time a secondary student rides a GCISD bus.
We appreciate your understanding, as well as your help in keeping our students, staff, and community safe.
*If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you may need to download a QR Reader app.
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National School Breakfast Week
Calling all parents! Did you know...Breakfast is FREE to all in-person students in PK-8 for the remainder of the 20-21 school year? Breakfast is available each morning from 7:15-7:35 a.m for elementary school students and from 7:30-8:00 a.m for all middle school students.
The Breakfast menu includes a variety of student favorite items such as pancakes, french toast, breakfast pizza and sausage biscuits to name a few. Breakfast items are made from whole grains and lean proteins and also include a selection of fruit and fat free milk. Menu items offered at breakfast do not contain peanuts or pork unless otherwise specified.
Monday- March 8th, Kick off to National School Breakfast Week. All students who stop in for breakfast today will receive a sticker. Show your sticker to the cashier at lunch and get a FREE snack of your choice!
Tuesday-Breakfast Taco Tuesday! Stop in for a breakfast taco made with whole grain tortillas, turkey sausage, eggs and cheese.
Wednesday- Join us for Fluffy French Toast and Chicken Sausage, this combo is always a student favorite.
Thursday- Texas Thursday! Students always love our Crispy Chicken on a Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuit. Pick up a Texas Grown orange or Grapefruit with your meal today!
Friday-FREE Donut Friday! Enjoy a whole grain donut with your breakfast! Be sure to choose a fruit and milk to make a complete meal for FREE.
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
DAILY EXPECTATIONS: We have been handing out a lot of masks and snacks, Please make sure the following items are in your student's backpack every day.
- healthy snack (not messy, able to eat in classroom)
- extra mask in plastic Ziploc bag (labeled with student's name)
- weather appropriate change of clothes (especially for ECSE, PK, and Kinder)
Health Screening for Students
All of our in-person learners' parents must pre-screen their student for signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 before bringing your student to school. The signs and symptoms are to screen for are:
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Shaking or exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
If your child demonstrates any of the above signs or symptoms, they must stay home, and you need to report to the campus nurse the signs or symptoms your child is exhibiting. In the event that your child has a fever, they must be kept home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Please do not give fever-reducing medication and send your child to school. Additionally, please do not send your child to school if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or are test-confirmed with COVID-19.
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GCISD Reads Challenge
For information about the GCISD READS Challenge and to learn more about our free e-books and audiobooks check out the Learning Commons newsletter.
Lost Books?
We do not charge fines for late books in elementary school, so if you come across a book that seems like it’s becoming part of the family (maybe since before Covid) you can send it back without consequence.
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Updates from the Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
Hello Tiger Families! Our Character Focus from PurposeFull People in March is RESPONSIBILITY. My morning messages, classroom Circle-Ups, and bi-weekly guidance lessons will reinforce the definition of Responsibility: To take action and understand how our choices affect others, ourselves, and the world.
Parents of 5th graders:
Please click here for ALL THINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL. Information will be added as I receive it.
If you would like more information about our monthly topic or for ways to get in contact with me, please click here for my newsletter.
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Update from GT, Kathy Griffin
UPCOMING GT TESTING FOR GRADES 1-4
GT Testing Window: Feb. 8th through March 5, 2021
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Update from Art, Music and P.E.
Hello, Tiger families, from the OCT Specials team! February flew by in the blink of an eye, especially with an unexpected, wintery week off of school. Our hearts are with those families who are still dealing with damage after the winter storm, and we hope things are back to normal for you soon.
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Debbie Yatko as the long-term Art substitute while Mrs. Morgan enjoys her time with Baby Viv! Mrs. Yatko jumped right in and has done an amazing job with our talented Tiger artists in training. She will post Art lessons in Seesaw and conduct Art Webex meetings while Mrs. Morgan is on maternity leave.
Remote learners are encouraged to check Seesaw weekly for Specials lessons and activities and are welcome to join our weekly Webex meetings to connect with Specials teachers. Webex links can be found in the students' Specials classes in Seesaw. Students receive a skills grade in their Specials classes based on their completed activities in Seesaw. Please work on these posted activities at home and reach out to your Specials teacher if you have any questions or need any guidance.
Specials Webex Schedule: (During the 1st 15-20 min of your Specials time)
Tuesday - Art
Wednesday - PE
Thursday - Music
In-person learners follow a 2 week Music/Art rotation so they are not always on the same activity schedule as our remote learners. In-person learners will receive their Specials skills grade based on the work completed in their Specials classes.
We wish you all warm, sunny days in the month of March and look forward to another fun month in the Specials classrooms. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Vencill - Music bethany.vencill@gcisd.net
Mrs. Yatko - Art deborah.yatko@gcisd.net
Coach Mester - PE jason.mester@gcisd.net
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Changing Instructional Model
WINTER STORM INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL CHANGES: While we all experienced the winter weather of the last week, we know that everyone has been affected differently. There may be some families that have regained power but still do not have internet connectivity. We may also have families that have been displaced due to water damage to their homes. For these reasons, we are going to allow families to make necessary changes to their selected instructional model prior to the end of the grading period. As this will have implications for our staff and our campus, we are asking that you complete this google form by 5:00 p.m. today.
NORMAL CHANGES:
As a reminder, parents are able to switch from in-person to remote learning at any point during the school year. In order to make this change, please contact our campus counselor.
For families that are wishing to change from remote to in-person learning, that may only be done at the end of a grading period. The process for changing to in-person learning requires parents to log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the changing instructional models form prior to the end of the nine-week grading period. Instructions on where to find the form and how to complete it can be found here.
Below is a schedule of when the form will become available, when the form must be received by the campus, and when the change will go into effect:
- To change after the second nine weeks, parents must complete the form between November 16 and December 4. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on January 6.
- To change after the third nine weeks, parents must complete the form between February 14 and February 26. Your student would begin receiving in-person instruction on March 22.
In accordance with the revised COVID-19 mandate issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on November 5, a Local Education Agency may determine that a student’s attendance and/or academic performance in one or more classes puts them at significant risk of severe learning loss. The Local Education Agency may then request the student to return to in-person learning through the steps outlined by TEA.
If you have any questions regarding the timing of when parents may change the instructional model selected or the associated process, please contact our campus counselor, Stacy Whisman, stacy.whisman@gcisd.net.
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Free Meals Extension
The USDA has extended its nationwide waiver, allowing GCISD to now offer free meals through June 2021 at all elementary and middle school campuses and meal bundles at curbside locations. Complete information can be found here.
FREE BREAKFAST
OCT PTA
Please be sure to visit the O.C. Taylor PTA website where you'll be able to fill out some important forms as well as pay your Homeroom Fund Fee (just $10), which helps pay for things during the year like Winter and Valentine's parties and an end of the year gift for the teachers. Our partnership with the PTA is critical for maintaining the exceptional culture we have here at O.C. Taylor!
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Are you willing to serve in our OCT PTA?
The O.C. Taylor PTA Nominating Committee is gathering the names of persons willing to be involved and serve as officers or committee chairpersons during the 2021-2022 school year. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to do quality work. PTA provides training and resources. New perspectives and ideas are needed to keep our O.C. Taylor PTA successful. If you have questions, please contact any current officer and we will help you volunteer in a way best suited to your requirements. Your support of O.C. Taylor through the PTA is one of the best things you can do for your child.
Should you need a description of any position, please contact Stephanie Williams at stephmwilliams@hotmail.com and she will be happy to provide you with this information. We do ask that our board members attend a monthly Executive Board meeting usually held on the first Monday morning of the month. Attendance is very important because we must have a quorum in order to vote on many issues presented to the board.
Click Here to Complete the PTA Interest Form
No Later than Friday, March 5th!
Thank you and we look forward to your response!
The Nominating Committee
Chairperson: Stephanie Williams
Members: Berri O'Neal Gormley, Liz Payne, Jessica Rajian, & Sara Stricherz
Alternates: Melissa Adkins & Challee Garland
4th Annual Dad's Club Golf Tournament - Reschedule
Please see the flyer below.
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PTA Mini Grant Spotlight
OCT Mini Grants 2020-2021
August 2020
4th grade and Pre-K were granted a combined 36 lap trays to help students maintain their socially distanced learning.
October 2020
Pre-K was granted 10 additional “My First Learning” journals to assist in their writing.
1st grade was granted a Reading A-Z application subscription, impacting 90 students.
3rd grade received an “Education Galaxy” application for the entire grade level to use.
November 2020
Our SPED team was granted new items for their classrooms. These included a new rug for the RISE class to define circle time more clearly, a new stapler, along with new nap mats for our students.
Kindergarten received new Leveled Reader books along with book bags for carrying.
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Fall 2020 Council E-Connection Newsletter
Please read the Fall 2020 Council E-connection Newsletter to see some of what O.C. Taylor PTA has been doing on our campus.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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Helping Our Community
Every year, O.C. Taylor students and the PTA collect donations for GRACE Grapevine, a local
nonprofit serving the needy in our community. In the past, each grade participated during a
specific month of the school year. We want to maximize our impact in the community by
opening up donation collection to the entire school all year long!
For the month of December, we will be collecting unwrapped toys for children.
The grade that collects the most donations each month will win an extra recess!
Donation drop boxes will be placed in the school hallways and in the lobby.
March - PBJ (Peanut/nut butter, jars of jelly)
April - Stock the Pantry (Canned tuna, meat, fruit, etc.)
May - Mac & Cheese(Packages of everyone's favorite!)