Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart, June 2, 2017
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Many thanks:
I want to thank you for the support and patience shown these past 10 months. We had many successes and some challenges, yet despite all, we continued the work that has to be done. There are countless people to whom I owe an expression of gratitude.
- Parent Teacher Association President, Executive Board, and all PTA members: Thank you, Kristin McElroy, for all you have done this year. I appreciate your support and willingness to think out of the box for our children. Thank you for answering my many questions about OCT traditions and processes. To each person serving on the PTA Executive Board, thank you! YOU make a huge difference. Without your service and dedication, OCT would not be the school it is! I appreciate the many hours you put into your volunteer position. All PTA members, thank you for joining the organization. Our PTA supports every child's education! Thank you!
- Vision Committee: Thank you for giving of your time to discover the OCT vision and mission. Your love and passion for our school's success and future success inspires me. I could not be more proud of the work accomplished and the plan of programming moving forward for 2017-18 and beyond!
- Campus Excellence Committee: Thank you to the following people for serving on our CEC: Dida Abrahams, Debra Hurley, Michelle Suriel-Duncan, Kristin McElroy, Leslie Cave, Allison Moore, Meredith Burns, Ashley Pettit, Kimberly Steele, Aimee Vinten, Jessica Martin, Kathy Griffin, Heather Killeen, Cindy Rutter, Jennifer Howard, and Jennifer Putman. This committee's work is the compass of the school. Your time helped direct us where we went, which direction and how we got there. Our Campus Improvement Plan for next year is set, thanks to you! It will be our best year yet!
- Officer Williams and the Colleyville Police Department: Thank you, Officer Williams, for all you did for us in keeping our little Tigers safe. You went above and beyond your job duties. We appreciate you spending time with us and getting to know the children!
- GCISD Administrative Team, specifically Dr. Shiela Shiver, Executive Director of Instruction and Dr. Robyn Ryan, Superintendent: Thank you to the entire GCISD administration for your service. Thank you, Dr. Shiver and Dr. Ryan for your leadership. I appreciate you coming by OCT and supporting the great things our students, staff, and families are doing. Thank you for modeling servant leadership in all you do and say. I am honored to be a part of the GCISD team.... the B.E.S.T. (Building Excellent Schools Together)!
- O.C. Taylor Faculty and Staff: Thank you for welcoming me to the OCT family! I am so blessed to work with each of you. Your dedication, professionalism, and love of children are second to none. I appreciate you! I say it to the families often, but I should say it to you more... to the greatest of days! We have the best careers possible and work in the best school possible. Thank you for loving one another like you do. To the office staff and Jennifer Putman, thank you for everything. I love the way we laugh and smile each day!
- Parents: Thank you, parents, for all you do each day for your child. I also greatly appreciate your support of me and of OCT! Thank you for the kind emails, cards, and little gifts you and/or your child gave me and our staff members this year. You do a great job of being a parent! Parenting is a tough job, and I am here to support you and cheer you along as you travel this journey of childhood!
2016-17 Accomplishments
We have so much to celebrate and many accomplishments. Below are a few of our highlights:
- We have a newly formed vision and mission statement, which is guiding our plan for our Future Explorations Program for the 2017-18 school year.
- For all of the STAAR results received thus far, we have increased our scores in every area! We have also scored the highest of all the elementary schools in GCISD. Congratulations to all!
- We had a successful Open House Portrait of A Graduate Showcase opening up the entire school in a family-friendly event. From the picnic on the grounds to kick off the evening from the telescope viewing to the Break-Out EDU experience, all were engaged.
- We had many facility improvements and updates. Thank you to our OCT Beautification Committee, we have our beloved Tiger out front renovated and repaired: Betsy Dodson, Jana Atchley, Jason Benzmiller, Kristin McElroy, Heather Dutton, and Allison Wendler. What an accomplishment! Thank you to Jim Hoey and his team in GCISD facilities for working with me to repave our very old blacktop and for finding us a new mowing and grounds vendor to properly care for our fields.
Student Class Assignments for 2017-18
We have been working diligently on class assignments for next year. Our process is for the staff to meet in our Professional Learning Communities to discuss. The classroom teachers, OCT administration, counselor and special teachers review these recommendations, make additional suggestions to accommodate, for example, para-professional support, and then the final approval rests with the principal and assistant principal. As we did this school year, in August before Meet the Teacher, our teachers will be calling home to let your child know he or she will be your child's teacher. Make sure the front office has a good phone number to reach you on the Thursday before school starts.
Personnel Departures
This year we have one teacher leaving O.C. Taylor, Mrs. Visser our literacy interventionist. Mrs. Visser is excited about growing as an educator and about teaching 7th grade Language Arts, but says she will miss us and says it is bittersweet to leave OCT. We will miss Mrs. Visser! We wish her all the best!
Staff Changes
Given Mrs. Visser transferring and our projected enrollment for 2017-18, we had to make some changes to the existing personnel. Ms. Griffith will move from teaching special education to serving as our literacy interventionist. Due to a projected lower enrollment in 1st grade, Ms. Read will move to teach 2nd grade. Due to an increased enrollment in PreK and 5th grade, we will be adding staff. Ms. Hayley Smetana, who currently teaches PreK at Bear Creek Elementary, will be partnering with Mrs. Potter to teach our littlest Tigers in PreK. Ms. Morgan Epperson from Katy ISD will be teaching Math/Science in 5th grade. Welcome back to Mrs. Liz Campbell who is coming back to OCT to teach special education again; she will take Ms. Griffith's place.
With all this, it should be noted that there is a possibility of additional changes when we return in August as unforeseen events tend to happen.
So, as I come to the end of this long letter, I extend my grateful thanks to the entire OCT community for the way you continue to support us, our teachers and our students. I am beyond blessed to serve this school and community. I have the best job in the world and love coming to work each day. I will miss you this summer! I wish you all an excellent summer, wherever you may be, and I look forward to an exciting 2017-18 school year seeing our new vision and mission come to life in our Future Explorations Program! See you in August!
To the greatest 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 #theoctway.
P. S. - Happy Summer! https://youtu.be/P2wRWl-0XRk
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.
Thank you, Mrs. Bonacci!
BLOOPERS! Click here to see our Blooper Reel. #behindthescenes #bloopers #failbutfunny #enjoy
Back To School Events
Thursday, August 17
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
OCT Summer and Back-to-School Updates
Registration for 2017-18 School Year
Returning students will NOT be required to return in August to provide Proof of Residency, for the 2017-2018 school year, unless they have moved since August 2016 or are on an Affidavit of Residence.
Online registration WILL be required for ALL returning students. Registration for ALL returning students will be available through Skyward Family Access beginning July 18, 2017. ALL returning students MUST register online before they will be placed on a class list in August.
Students that have moved since August 2016 (and are still in the O.C.T. attendance zone) MUST come to the school office to provide proof of residency.
Students attending O.C. Taylor on an Affidavit of Residence MUST come to the school office on August 2, 2017, 8:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00, to complete and update a new affidavit and to provide current proof of residency.
A Note From Our Music Teacher, Mrs. Vencill
Thank you for a great year, Tigers! I hope you will keep singing, dancing and maybe even play an instrument this summer. Dates for 2017-18 music programs will be posted on the OCT Music webpage at the beginning of the school year, so don't forget to mark your calendars for those exciting events. All 4th and 5th graders are invited to sing with the Taylor Tiger Choir so keep your Thursday afternoons open. Best wishes and lots of love to our 5th graders moving on to middle school. Remember...once a Tiger, always a Tiger! I hope our OCT families have a wonderful summer. Rest, relax and re-charge so you're ready to start another great school year in August. See you then!
With love,
Mrs. Vencill
A Note From Our P.E. Teacher and Assistant
I am excited to share that OC Taylor is joining the "Billion Mile Race"! CLICK HERE to watch a video about it. We have already logged 1398 miles! Way to go Tigers!!!
http://www.billionmilerace.org/explore-programs
Set goals. Post miles. Enjoy friendly competition. Share your progress. Earn rewards!
And, a big thank you. We're one school stronger than we were before.
We will continue to add to our school total and set a school goal in August. Have a wonderful, safe summer.
Coach Mester and Coach Mac
A Note From Our Art Teacher, Mrs. Morgan
Thank you for an AMAZING first year here at O.C. Taylor! I hope that your children will continue to draw, paint, and be creative over the summer break.
A Note From Our Librarian, Mrs. Bonacci
Click here for digital resources, public libraries, and a few fun Summer reading programs. It also has a link to information about next year's GCISD Reads Challenge.
A Note From Our Counselor, Mrs. Whisman
"Summer time can be the most special time parents have with their children. It can also be hard for children that crave routine in their lives. The following link is a great article that includes many "WORDS OF WISDOM" to help parents make summer vacation terrific.
I have enjoyed working with all of our wonderful Tigers this year and look forward to another fabulous year in 2017-18!
Stacy Whisman, Counselor
A Note From Our GT LEAD Teacher, Mrs. Griffin
GCISD DISTRICT FLYERS & INFORMATION
The New Confidential Student Report (CSR)
The Texas Education Agency publishes STAAR® report cards for all students every year. To improve communication and transparency with educators and families, TEA has redesigned the Confidential Student Report (CSR). The goal of the redesigned CSR is to create a family-friendly report on student progress, specifically highlighting growth and improvement as much as proficiency. The new CSR features:
- Growth and progress information
- A summer reading list
- Lexile levels and trend data
- New performance level descriptors
- Resources and suggestions for parents to use at home
- Suggested questions for parents to ask teachers and counselors
GCISD Night at the Ballpark in Arlington, June 6, 7:05 p.m.
To receive your cap, go by the First Base Ticket Office (windows 39 & 40). You must have a cap voucher to pick-up your cap.
Lower Box (Reg. $68) x $50 = Total $
Cholula All You Can Eat Seats (Reg. $48) x $45 = Total $
Corner Box (Reg. $49) x $37 = Total $
Lower Reserved (Reg. $35) x $29 = Total $
Lexus Club Terrace (Reg. $31) x $25 = Total $
Upper Reserved (Reg. $18) x $17 = Total $
Upper Reserved (Student) x $12 = Total $
Summer Enrichment 2017
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
O.C. Taylor PTA Website
PTA Website: Please visit the PTA website – www.octaylorpta.com.