Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, August 16, 2017
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
As a reminder, PTA and OCT are working together to streamline communication. Please see the bottom of each Tiger Time News for OCT PTA Updates each week. Thank you, again, to our PTA President, Elissa Rinon, and our President Elect, Kristin McElroy, for working to improve your parent experience!
First Day Solar Eclipse, "Our Future is Bright at OCT!"
On August 21, the first day of school in GCISD, there will be a rare and exciting astronomical event, a partial eclipse of the sun in the North Texas area. As this is an unusual event, we have received questions about how we will handle the situation.
OCT PTA has so graciously purchased a pair of approved eyewear for each student to have the opportunity to go outside and observe the eclipse safely. The eyewear provided is on the approved list developed by the American Astronomical Society supported by NASA. While we understand there may be individual parent concerns, you can opt out if you do not want your child to participate. Forms for parents to opt out will be provided at our upcoming Meet the Teacher night on Thursday, August 17 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. We will also follow up with parents who are unable to attend Meet the Teacher to offer an option to opt out.
While we are providing protective eyewear, we ask that you have a conversation with your student prior to the first day of school. No student should attempt to view the eclipse using anything other than the provided protection glasses. Regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection for viewing an eclipse. Please advise your student that looking at the sun without these protections can cause serious, permanent eye injury. If you would like additional information to share with your student, NASA has provided resources regarding the eclipse that may be found using this link. We encourage parents to speak with their children about the eclipse.
We will be celebrating this rare and special event by first teaching about the solar eclipse in each of our classrooms. We will have other activities throughout the day culminating with the short time we actually put on our glasses to view the eclipse. Please contact a campus administrator should you have any further questions.
Preparing for Your Return
Our teachers and staff are participating in professional development all week. We have enjoyed learning and cannot wait to engage our little Tigers in the learning process! We have been learning about many new digital strategies, word study, classroom management, circle up, math problem-solving rubric, and hands-on science.
Lots of Little Tigers in Kindergarten
As of yesterday afternoon, OCT had 67 enrolled students in kindergarten. The legal requirement, Texas Education Code §25.112, is no more than 22 students per teacher and classroom when school begins. Since we currently have three kindergarten teachers, we will be adding a section of kindergarten. Mrs. Putman and I will be interviewing and finding the best teacher for our little kindergarteners.
With this announcement, it should be noted that there is a possibility of additional changes as unforeseen events can occur at any time. We will do our best to communicate and let you know.
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: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=16665
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.
We miss you! See the Carpool Karaoke Video!
Back To School Events
Thursday, August 17
4:00-5:00 p.m. Class Lists Posted and Purchase School Supplies
5:00-6:00 p.m. Meet the Teacher
Friday, August 18
Monday, August 21
7:40 a.m. First Day of School
7:40 a.m. BooHoo/ Yahoo Breakfast in the Learning Commons
Tuesday, August 22
8:30 Fire Drill
Wednesday, August 23
5:00-6:30 PreK Curriculum Night
5:00-6:30 Kinder and 1st Grade Curriculum Night
Thursday, August 24
4:00-6:00 p.m. PTA Back-to-School Social at SkateTown
Friday, August 25
2:30 p.m. Evacuation Drill
Monday, August 28
8:30 Severe Weather Drill
Tuesday, August 29
Wednesday, August 30
5:00-6:30 p.m. 2nd and 3rd Grades, Curriculum Night
Thursday, August 31
8:30 Lockdown Drill
5:00-6:30 p.m. 4th and 5th Grades, Curriculum Night
Friday, September 1
Monday, September 4
LABOR DAY... NO SCHOOL
OCT Summer and Back-to-School Updates
Meet the Teacher
OCT faculty and staff would like to invite you and your family to our annual Meet the Teacher on Thursday, August 17 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Be sure and have your phones on during the day on Thursday as your teacher will be making a personal phone call introducing themselves. Also, the class lists will be posted on campus on Thursday starting at 4:00 p.m. We can't wait to see you all!!!
Sign Up for Text Updates from Principal
Complimentary Coffee 1st Day of School
GCISD DISTRICT FLYERS & INFORMATION
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. 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!
School Supplies and Classroom Dues
The PTA will be at O.C. Taylor on the day of "Meet the Teacher" selling school supplies and collecting classroom and PTA dues and fees:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17th - 4:00 pm to 6:00pm
In the Cafeteria
Check or Credit Card only
SUPPLY PACKS:
Kindergarten = $43
1st Grade = $45
2nd Grade = $38
3rd Grade = $37
4th Grade = $48
5th Grade = $49
PLANNERS (3rd, 4th & 5th Grade) = $5
CLASSROOM T-SHIRTS
PreK - 4th Grade = $6
5th Grade = $7 (includes 5th Roster on back)
Available sizes: YS, YM, YL, AS, AM
HOMEROOM FEE (PreK - 5th Grade) = $10
PTA DUES = $7.50 per membership (each membership receives an access to the online class directory)
To save time, please print, fill out THIS SUPPLY FORM, and bring with you to Meet the Teacher night on August 17.
Sweet Treats Shaved Ice will be in front of the school selling shaved ice. Prices range from $3-$5.
Boo Hoo/Yahoo Reception
Parents, please join us on the first day of school for the...BOO HOO/YAHOO RECEPTION on August 21, from 7:40-8:30 a.m. in the OCT Learning Commons.
Questions: Dawn Hall
Back to School Night at Skatetown
O.C. Taylor Tigers, show your school support and have fun with new friends (and old) at Skate Town!
Thursday, August 24
4 - 6 pm
Admission $5 (includes skate rental)
O.C. Taylor will receive a portion of the profit.
Cake will be served
Siblings welcome!
Questions: Dotty Ponder
Thursday, Aug 24, 2017, 04:00 PM
SkateTown, William D Tate Avenue, Grapevine, TX, United States
O.C. Taylor Dads' Club
OC Taylor Dads' Club Meeting – Dads Only
Meet and Greet – Event Planning
Thursday, August 31st 7:30-9:00 p.m.
5226 Pleasant Run, Colleyville
Like the Dads' Club Facebook Page to stay connected: https://www.facebook.com/OCTaylorDadsClub/