OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
August 18, 2019
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION.)
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
- WELCOME: Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! We have been exploring and navigating our future. This year's theme, "Leave Tiger Tracks, Leave Your Legacy" will afford us the opportunity to think about leadership and what legacy we want to leave. Two years ago, we had a dedicated Vision Committee who revised our OCT Vision and Mission. In order to see our vision and mission to fruition, we offer Future Explorations. The inaugural implementation of our Future Explorations began two years ago. This year our students will experience clusters embedded in the curriculum. We believe the students at O.C. Taylor are our leaders of tomorrow. We want to give them all of the tools we can to develop, prepare, and inspire them. (More information to come soon!)
- CONTINUED SAFETY PROCEDURES: In the next few weeks, we will be communicating more about our safety and emergency management. This year all visitors to campus will need to bring and present their driver's license to be scanned in our new system in order to be admitted onto the campus. Also, our door to the office will be locked, and Ms. Gene or Ms. Betty will be conducting a visual check before unlocking the door.
- CURRICULUM NIGHTS: Please make arrangements to attend our grade level Curriculum Nights from 5:00-6:15 p.m. on the following designated days: 8/22 = PreK, K, and 1st grade, 8/28 = 2nd and 3rd grades, and 8/29 = 4th and 5th grades. This is a very important time for you to get an overview of our curriculum, classroom management plans, learning philosophies, and student/parent expectations. If you are unable to get a babysitter, you may bring your child if you let your teacher know in advance.
- PTA: Please join and get involved with our PTA! Our OCT Parent-Teacher Association provides many extras for our school and for your child. It takes all of us getting involved to have the BEST school as we do! You can donate your time, talents, and/or treasure to OCT. THANK YOU, parents, for all you do! Be sure to read the last portion of the Tiger Tracks News for OCT PTA Updates. 100% of O.C. Taylor faculty and staff have joined! Let's make it 100% of our parents as well!
- SOCIAL MEDIA: Please look below for all of our social media accounts. Signing up for our Principal "Remind" text notifications may help to remind you of important school events and tasks. We know how busy you are and want to assist in any way possible.
Finally, I end my communications with "To the best of days." Elementary school is a very short time in your child's life. I would argue it is the best of years. I beg you to savor, revel, and cherish this wonderful time. Grab on to these years, as they are going to FLY by, and we are here to support you. Make the most of each and every sad, happy, tearful, gleeful moment. You will miss them one day.
See you at the BooHoo/Yahoo Breakfast!
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.
Back-To-School Events
Monday, August 19
7:20 a.m. Allowed to walk to the classroom
7:40 a.m. First Day of School
7:40 a.m. OCT PTA BooHoo/Yahoo Breakfast in the Learning Commons
Tuesday, August 20
Wednesday, August 21
8:30 a.m. Fire Drill and Reverse Evacuation Drill
Thursday, August 22
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. PreK Curriculum Night (In the PreK classrooms)
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. Kinder and 1st Grade Curriculum Night (This has changed since last week's Tiger Time News publication. Please note the change to Thursday.)
Friday, August 23
2:00 p.m. Shelter in Place Drill
Tuesday, August 27
Wednesday, August 28
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. 2nd and 3rd Grades, Curriculum Night
2:30 p.m. Lockout Drill
Thursday, August 29
2:55 - 4:00 p.m. First Choir Rehearsal
5:00 - 6:15 p.m. 4th and 5th Grades, Curriculum Night
Friday, August 30
8:30 Lockdown Drill
Monday, September 2
LABOR DAY... NO SCHOOL
OCT and GCISD Updates
O. C. Taylor Procedures and Routines
NEW PROCEDURES:
- COMMUNICATION: We have an updated GCISD administrative regulation governing our electronic communication with students. At O.C. Taylor, we are implementing a new practice with our OCT parents by requesting If you or your child need to communicate with your teacher, please use email, place a phone call to the school, or talk face-to-face. The teachers have been instructed to not share their personal cell phone numbers. This is to protect all parties involved.
- BRING A DRIVER'S LICENSE EACH TIME YOU VISIT: This school year all visitors will need to bring their driver's license to scan each time they come to visit the school. If you have anyone you are bringing with you to O.C. Taylor, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., please inform them to bring their driver's license. The front office staff will assist visitors with scanning in our system.
- TARDIES: If your child arrives at school after the 7:40 a.m. tardy bell, you will be required to park and sign your child in. Please prepare in advance by leaving with plenty of time to not rush. We love for our Tigers to have a pleasant start to their day!
- STUDENTS ENTER THROUGH FRONT DOORS AFTER 7:30 a.m.: When the 7:30 a.m. bell rings and students leave the gym and cafeteria to go to their classrooms, the gym doors and the cafeteria doors will be closed. All students, except for our PPCD students, must use the front doors to enter the building.
- PARENT/VISITOR TABLE: When you come to eat with your child at school, you only will be allowed to pull your child/children to the Parent/Visitor Table this year. Thank you in advance for helping us with our increased safety measures.
REMINDERS:
- CHECKING OUT A STUDENT EARLY: If you decide to come to school to check out your child before the 2:55 p.m. GCISD elementary dismissal time, please allow us plenty of time to locate your child. It takes a while to locate students in a building as they are not always in their classroom. If you send a note requesting an early dismissal with your student in the morning, you will help eliminate time spent waiting for us to locate your student. Also, we kindly ask if you need to pick up a child before our 2:55 p.m. dismissal, please do so before 2:30 p.m.
- CHANGE IN DISMISSAL OR PICK UP: If you find your child must go home a different way than planned, please notify the office by a phone call by at least 2:00 p.m. Teachers and our front office staff do not always have access to email or are busy teaching or helping others. A phone call is required. Sometimes we have only one person in the front office, so we want to provide ample time to be able to meet your needs.
- CONVEY TO YOUR CHILD THE DAILY PICK UP PLAN: Now is a good time to establish the morning routine of telling your child how he/she will be going home at the end of the school day. Please do not instruct your child to call you after school. Our teachers and front office staff are responsible for many children and are required to be at an after-school duty. They are unable to assist your child with phone calls.
- FORGET ME NOT: If you find your child has left an item at home that needs to be at school, we have "Forget Me Not Shelves" in the front vestibule where you can place the items. Come in the building, drop off the forgotten item in the appropriate grade level basket, and write your students name on the dry erase board. You may want to send an email to the teacher as well. This excludes iPads, Chromebooks, or eyeglasses; these items need to be brought into the office.
- DOORS: All visitors must report to the front office at any time, even after school has been dismissed. All staff and students have been directed to not let anyone in the building at any time.
- CAFETERIA: If you plan to bring food up to school for your child, you must only bring food for just your child. Do not bring food to any other children. We love visitors at OCT. If you plan to eat lunch with your child, we have a special designated Parent/Visitor Tables. Also, we kindly ask for you and your child to dispose of trash and food at the end of the lunch period. Mr. Jose, our custodian, is busy cleaning all of the tables, floors, and emptying trash cans. While I know he does not mind helping, he does not have time to pick up your trash and complete all of the other required custodial duties during the short time. We appreciate you helping us by modeling for your child how to clean up trash. We expect the students to pick up their own trash and pick up food they may have dropped.
Sign Up for Text Updates from Principal
Follow these directions:
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Cafeteria Menu, Lunch Times, Seating and Pricing
- MENU: Please click here to see this year's school menu.
- LUNCH TIMES: Please click here to see OCT lunch times.
- SEATING: Due to increased safety measures and space, if you plan to come and eat with your child, you will be eating at a designated visitor table away from the other students. Only your child/children may sit with you. Thank you in advance for helping us with this! Feeding almost 500 children a day can be a daunting task.
- 2019-2020 GCISD CAFETERIA FULL MEAL PRICES:
- Breakfast $1.45
- Breakfast-Adult $2.25
- Lunch-Elementary $2.70
- Lunch-Adult $3.85
If you would like more information from GCISD Nutritional Services, please go to our district website and the nutrition department: GCISD Nutrition
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Pre-K and Kindergarten INDEPENDENCE DAY
We know some of our little Tigers are anxious to go to school for the first time. So, we allow Pre-k and Kindergarten parents to walk their child/children to the classroom door the entire first week of school. Before you arrive to school, talk with your child about the procedures. Prepare them that when you all get to the classroom door, you will give them a quick hug then need to leave so the other parents and students can get in the classroom. When you arrive at the classroom door, give a hug and then we kindly request you leave. There may be some tears, but it will be easier on your child and the whole class, teachers, and administrators if parents do not linger.
Independence Day will be Monday, August 26. On August 26, Independence Day, your little one has the opportunity to show their independence (or to learn how to be independent). We are here for you and your child!
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Pre-K Meals
For the 2019 – 2020 school year, the USDA has approved automatic free meal eligibility for ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING STATE-FUNDED PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS operated under the administration of the Texas Education Agency Early Childhood Program.
This Includes:
Non-eligible prekindergarten students enrolled in a public prekindergarten (locally or tuition-based)
If you have any questions please contact athel.micka@gcisd.net or 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.net
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!
Welcome from the O.C. Taylor PTA
On behalf of the P.T.A., welcome to the 2019-2020 school year at O.C. Taylor! Whether you have a 5th grader ready to enjoy her final year at O.C. Taylor or this is your first week at O.C. Taylor with your kindergartener, the Tiger family welcomes you! My family moved to Coleyville when our twins were in kindergarten, and now they are entering 4th grade, and it has been a fun four years. The PTA has provided numerous experiences, opportunities and events that have enriched our tremendous academic experience at O.C.T. We have three children who attend O.C. Taylor - twins in 4th grade and a daughter entering her final year at O.C. Taylor, and I love meeting and connecting with new parents. Please reach out to me if I can help you as you begin this school year!
Please mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates: Homeroom Parent Forms are due on Friday, August 30th. We have two Volunteer Orientation dates available for all who wish to serve as a Volunteer at O.C. Taylor this year - Wednesday, September 4th at 9:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria or 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons on Thursday, September 5th. September 12th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., we will host Rock Out!, a fun night for the entire family – with food trucks, bounce houses and a deejay.
During this first week of school, we will be sending home a packet filled with Back to School information, including ways you can get involved with the PTA, from Dads’ Club to serving as a Homeroom Parent. We have 35 members on our PTA Executive Board, and there are even more opportunities for you to serve at our school. Please contact me at octptapresident@gmail.com if you have any questions throughout the year.
Please log onto joinpta.org to join our PTA! Parents, grandparents, children are all welcome to join! We are here to serve you, and it is my absolute pleasure to serve in the role of PTA President this year.
___________________________________________________________________________________________Boo Hoo/Yahoo Reception
Parents, please join us on the first day of school for the...BOO HOO/YAHOO RECEPTION on August 19, from 7:40-8:30 a.m. in the OCT Cafeteria.
Fuss Free Fundraising
Fuss Free Fundraising is BACK and EASIER than ever!!
We did it! Last year we said BYE-BYE to Boosterthon and HELLO to FUSS-FREE Fundraising. We raised a little over $21,000 and 100% of that money stayed here at OCT! In years past, parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors have donated over $40,000 during Boosterthon, but 48% of that money went to Boosterthon. We know we can count on you to reach this year's goal of $25,000. With a year under our belt, we’ve made some improvements! This year donations can also be made online to make it easier for all of our out of town family and friends who want to donate to OCT! No fuss, just send in a check made out to OCT PTA or log on to https://www.pt-avenue.com/shopGP.asp?sc=Tig3rs to donate using a credit card.
This year, we are raising money to purchase additional technology and robotics for our new and improved Makers’ Space and Learning Commons. We will also be purchasing a new portable audio system that can be used for various events throughout the year, like Rock Out, Fun Day, and Spring Fling, as well as new furniture for our newly renovated entry way. As always, we’ll be providing each of our classroom teachers with money to ensure that they have the necessary classroom supplies for our students to excel!
Here’s how you can help us raise money this school year!
- Donate to our Fuss-Free Fundraiser on or before Curriculum Night - Our goal is to raise $25,000 this year but without all the fuss! Write a check for what you would typically donate during Boosterthon and 100% of that money will stay at OCT. Send your check back in to your child’s teacher or drop it in the bucket outside your child’s classroom on Curriculum Night. If you prefer to use a credit card, you and your family and friends can also donate using this link! We’ll provide a tax receipt for each donation, so be sure to include your email address on the following page. The grade that collects the most money by Sunday, September 8th at 11:59 p.m. will have a Silly String fight with Mrs. Pedevilla and Mrs. Bailey at Rock Out on Thursday, September 12th.
- Join us for Moms’ Night Out on Thursday, October 10th from 5-9 p.m. - Sloan and Williams Winery in Grapevine will donate 30% of all food and drinks purchased. Plus, we’ll have a Gift Card Grab and fun games of Heads or Tails!
- Join us for our online auction December 1st through December 9th - This a great opportunity to purchase front row seating and parking to our most sought after school events. Purchase fun teacher packages, participation in Game On, Rule the School, the Principal Party, and the OCT Amazing Race. These packages make a great gift for your OCT tiger during the holidays!
- Join us at the Spring Fling on Saturday, March 28th from 2-6 p.m. It’s just like our Fall Festival - but in the Spring! We’ll have tons of fun inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides, and much, much more. We hope you come out and join in the fun!
- Join us for Parents' Night Out in April - Sloan and Williams Winery in Grapevine will donate 30% of all food and drinks purchased. Plus, we’ll have a Gift Card Grab and games of Heads or Tails, and fun silent auction packages.
- Don’t forget! All year long you can also help by collecting Box Tops and making sure your Amazon purchases are linked to O.C. Taylor at Amazon Smile.
OCT Dads' Club
Dads, join the O.C. Taylor Dads' Club for an eventful, exciting and memorable year!
The Dads' Club is a part of our O.C. Taylor PTA, a volunteer organization with no minimum commitment required. Dads are encouraged to attend meetings and volunteer for events as they are able. Meetings and events tend to be a good time to meet other dads and families in our community, while at the same time benefit the school and staff. The meetings will take place every month or two and will be a chance to review upcoming activities during the school year. Sign up is free and you can do it here: https://forms.gle/kM2vYuaZNFRkCCdh9
The Dads' Club hosts or helps out with several events throughout the year. Including:
· Morning Dropoff Assistance
· Dad of the Day Program
· Rock Out
· O.C. Taylor Dads' Club Parade of Lights Float Entry
· Pancake Breakfast and Snow Hill
· Spring Fling
· Dad's Club Golf Tournament
The next Dads' Club meeting is September 5th, location and time 5226 Pleasant Run. Signup forms will be sent home in student folders this week. There is no fee to signup for Dads' Club. Dads' Club T-shirts will be available through the O.C. Taylor Spirit Shop.
Sign up for the Dads' Club email list here. Like Our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @OCTDadsClub
Thank You,
Wes Critz, OCT Dads' Club President
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GCISD Volunteer Background Check
The GCSID volunteer background check is available online.
All OC Taylor volunteers ( PTA, Dads Club Dropoff Volunteers, Hallway Readers, etc) are required to:
(1) complete the self-service online background check (https://bit.ly/2OQANuG)
(2) download and read the GCISD Volunteer Handbook ( https://bit.ly/2H1hp7R )
(3) Watch a brief Video for elementary school volunteers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHS6gulTqJQ )
(4) Complete a 5 question online form - The link is in the Volunteer Handbook (Step 2)
Homeroom Parents Needed
Be on the lookout for the Homeroom Parent form going home on Monday. This is a wonderful way to support our students, teachers and school. Homeroom parents help to plan and organize our holiday parties, assist with classroom needs, communicate with class parents about PTA-related events, and assist teachers with special projects as needed. Applications for Homeroom Parent must be turned in by August 30th.
If you have questions, please contact Rebecca Rodriguez, Homeroom Parent Coordinator, beckeg@yahoo.com.
Box Tops and Amazon Smile
This year, we will continue to donate to the OC Taylor PTA through Box Tops for Education and Amazon Smile! It's a simple way to donate to our school. Last year, we earned over $800 through Box Tops and Amazon Smile. Here's how you can help!
#1. Box Tops is going Paperless! In an effort to join our ever increasing world of technology, Box Tops for Education has notified us that they will be fazing out the paper box tops on products over the next year. Download the Box Tops for Educations APP on your smartphone. Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of purchase and box tops will automatically be credited to our OC Taylor Box Top account. In the mean time, you can also still continue to clip any physical Box Tops that are still on products you purchase. Next week, ziploc bags will be sent home with your child's grade level sticker on them so that we can continue our Box Tops Racing to Recess Challenge this semester. The grade level that collects the most box tops will earn an extra recess in December. If you encounter any problems scanning your receipts with the new app, please contact Stephanie Williams at octsilentauction@gmail.com.
#2. Be sure to shop smileamazon.com so that .5% of all your purchases will go to the OC Taylor PTA. Log on to smileamazon.com and select PTA Texas Congress 1610 O C Taylor Elementary as your preferred charity. It's an amazingly easy way to earn money for our school!! Remember, you must log on to smileamazon.com every time you shop Amazon to ensure that your purchases earn money for our school.
Save the Date for these Fun Fundraising Events!
This year, we'll still be having all the same fun as last year, just at different times throughout the year. In an effort to making things a little less hectic, we've moved things around in hopes that more of our OCT families can join in the fun. Be sure to add these fun fundraising events to your calendar!
- Fuss Free Fundraising - NOW through Sunday, September 8th at 11:59 pm
- Moms' Night Out at Sloan & Williams Winery - Thursday, October 10th from 5-9 pm
- Dads' Club Kids' Night In at OCT will run simultaneously Thursday, October 10th from 5-8pm
- Fun Day - Friday, November 1st
- Online Silent Auction - December 1st through December 9th
- Spring Fling (formerly Fall Festival) - Saturday, March 28th from 2-6 pm
- Parents' Night Out at Sloan & Williams Winery - Thursday, April 16th from 5-9 pm
Thank you!
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.