OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
October 13, 2019
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
Happy fall! I hope you are loving this cool weather! This is a perfect time to snuggle up and read a book with your child.
We do not have school tomorrow on Monday, Oct. 14. We have Picture Day on Tuesday, Oct. 15; the photos taken on this day will be the photos in the school yearbook. Our PTA is sponsoring an Environmental Science Program this week! Thank you, PTA! PTA is hosting a Moms' Night Out this Thurs., Oct. 17 and our wonderful dads will be watching the kids at OCT! Don't forget to wear Tiger gear on Fri., Oct. 18 and if you need to buy more Tiger swag, come on up to our PTA Spirit Shop!
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.
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 14
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, October 15
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, October 16
2:55 - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. TTT
Environmental Science Program
Thursday, October 17
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Moms' Night Out
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Kids' Night In (at OCT) during Moms' Night Out
Friday, October 18
Spirit Day - Wear your OCT gear! Go Tigers!
11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Spirit Shop (in cafeteria)
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Spirit Shop (in front foyer)
Monday, October 21
National School Bus Safety Week
Tuesday, October 22
Wednesday, October 23
National Unity Day - Wear Orange
Thursday, October 24
11:45 a.m. Early Dismissal
No Choir
Friday, October 25
Spirit Day - Wear your OCT gear! Go Tigers!
Monday, October 28
Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 29
Wednesday, October 30
Thursday, October 31
Book Character Parade - Dress like your favorite book character
2:55 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Choir
Friday, November 1
PTA Fun Day, wear your new OCT shirt
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Running Club
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Grade Level Newsletters
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Important Links
OCT and GCISD Updates
NO SCHOOL on October 14
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Fall Picture Day, October 15th
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GC:60
Great things are happening all across our District. GCISD students were provided with a real-world experience when they were able to watch the District go to market to sell the remaining $60.3 million in bonds from the program approved by voters in 2016. Check out this GC:60!
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Mrs. Bailey, Assistant Principal
@OCTBailey
CogAT
Personal Devices at School
Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
The GCISD Student Code of Conduct states that...
Students shall not:
- Use a telecommunications device, including a cellular telephone, or other electronic devices in violation of district and campus rules.
- Personal telecommunications devices, such as cellular phones or other personal electronic audio and video devices shall not be used by students except during the allowable periods designated by the district. A student may use a personal telecommunications device for instructional purposes during instructional time with the permission of the classroom teacher and in accordance with provisions at INSTRUCTIONAL USE found in FNCE (LOCAL). District employees may confiscate telecommunication devices used in violation of applicable campus rules. In accordance with the Student Handbook, the student or the student’s parent may retrieve the device after paying the fee. (See GCISD Student-Parent Handbook and FNCE (LOCAL) for more information.)
We understand that many of our students carry a cell phone or smartwatch in order to communicate to parents at dismissal or as they arrive home from school. We appreciate your support and reminding your child that their personal device(s) must remain silenced (or turned off) and remain in their backpacks during the school day. If you have any concerns or specific questions regarding this district policy, please reach out to me or Mrs. Pedevilla. We will be happy to meet with you, listen, and provide any additional information that you need. Thank you!
Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
Classroom Guidance
October's guidance lessons will focus on Recognizing Positive Influences and Bullying Prevention.
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every year during the last week of October. Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized substance abuse prevention campaign dedicated to the memory of Kiki Camerena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, killed in the line of duty.
Poster Contest
GCISD will be sponsoring a drug prevention poster contest.
- Posters must be on 11 x 17 paper or ½ of a posterboard.
- OCT will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place posters for each grade level. All 1st place posters will be sent to the administration building for the district-wide competition.
- Please include the student’s name, grade and school on the back of the poster.
- District winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 30.
Public Service Announcement Competition
GCISD is also sponsoring a Public Service Announcement competition. All video entries must be submitted by Tuesday, October 29 to info@gcisd.net. Please title the email “RRW PSA 2019”. Entries must be no longer than 30 seconds. Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 31.
All first-place district level winners will be recognized at the November school board meeting.
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Updates from Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
GCISD Reads-
We have about 200 days before the end of the 2019-2020 GCISD Reads Challenge ends!
I know sometimes it is hard to find time to relax with a good book. Here are a few tips for success:
1. Find a comfy spot to read every night. (One Tiger I know fills the bathtub with pillows!)
2. Build this time into your regular routine. (Maybe right after dinner, or bedtime).
3. Set small, attainable goals. (20 minutes each night is a great place to start.)
4. Read!
Remember, books you read, books read to you, audiobooks, e-books, and the books you read for homework can all be counted! If you need help finding a “just right book” please come to the Learning Commons and I can help!
Pumpkin Patch Contest-
I’m getting really excited about the O. C. Taylor Storybook Pumpkin Patch this year! Several students have told me what theirs will be, and all I can say is our Tigers are SO AWESOME! In past years this has not been a contest, but the kids expressed a strong desire to compete so here we go! Of course if your child wants to participate but not enter the contest, that’s fine too. Each grade level will be judged separately, and students will receive a certificate.
I would love to hear your ideas for categories (like Cutest Pumpkin, Scariest, Best dressed, Most Creative, etc.)
If you need the Pumpkin Patch entry form you can find it HERE.
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Updates from Art, Mrs. Morgan
Cristie Morgan
Art Teacher
O.C. Taylor Elementary School
Twitter-@OCTMorgan
817-305-4870
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Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Ms. Griffith and Ms. Honeycutt
October is Dyslexic Awareness month and many times we have difficulty understanding why it is important to have students with dyslexia reading books or material using a program such as learning ally. Please listen to this very fascinating article...
Reading and Listening to books stimulates the same areas of the brain…
Here is a link to the article:
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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- Screening Day at OCT: Screening Day is Tuesday October 22nd!!! The GCISD Screen Team will be doing vision and hearing screenings on students in PPCD, PK, Kinder, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. They will also screen any students who are new to the District this year. If your child wears glasses, PLEASE make sure that they have their glasses on this day! We will call you to bring them up to school if they forget them.
- PK and Kinder potty expectations: While we expect all students to be potty trained, we do understand that accidents may happen. Please place a seasonally-appropriate change of clothes in your child's backpack. If a situation arises in which a change of clothes is not sufficient, we will contact parents/guardians directly to come up and provide additional support.
- Flu Season: Did you know that everyone 6 months and older can receive a yearly flu vaccination? Adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions are highly encouraged to get one. There have been positive flu tests out in the community already, so BE WISE- IMMUNIZE!
- If your child is sick: Please keep students at home until they are fever and/or symptom-free for at least 24 hours without any medication. In GCISD, a temperature of 100 degrees is considered to be a fever. Encourage healthy habits at home to help prevent the spread of illnesses. Washing hands with soap and water (sing Happy Birthday song or ABCs twice!) Coughing and sneezing into elbows or a Kleenex instead of hands. Not touching the face- especially the T-zone. Getting plenty of rest. Staying hydrated.
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GET TO KNOW THE O.C. TAYLOR STAFF
OCT Nurse Katy
She has always worked with children and has been CPR/FA certified since high school. She passed her NCLEX and has been a Registered Nurse since 2005 and an Orthopedic- Certified Nurse since 2009.
She enjoys teaching and mentoring. Nurse Katy says, "I was a preceptor to nursing students and new RNs when I worked in the hospital for 9 years. I love having nursing students with me in the clinic in the school setting, as well. As a school nurse, I try to teach our students to listen to their bodies. I review healthy habits such as handwashing, safety precautions, and overall independence (learning to tie their shoes!). Teaching makes me a better nurse myself! My philosophy is See one-Do one-Teach one."
In middle school, she was nominated to serve on a small committee of students who picked the name, mascot, and colors of the new high school being built (CHHS!)! And, her senior year of high school she was voted Loudest (along with 3 other classmates)! She has a husband of 12 years and 2 children who attend O.C. Taylor. They have an Italian Mastiff named Titus and a crazy cat named Pepperoni.
Her advice for parents is simple... "Babies don't keep."
She loves heights- snow-skiing down mountains, riding rollercoasters, and sky -diving... so if she was a superhero, she would choose the power to FLY.
She has so many fond memories of OCT and Heritage Elementary as a child. She remembers when she was in Kinder, she had to go to the nurse because she got a staple stuck in her tooth...Talk about full circle!!
We love our Nurse Katy, and we are thankful for her service to our Tigers!
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National School Lunch Week is October 14-18
Each October, schools across the country celebrate National School Lunch Week. During this time, schools highlight some of the awesome foods offered as part of the lunch menu.
During this week, GCISD Nutrition Services will celebrate with a week full of Texas State Fair favorites. Students always get excited to see Leon's Foot Long Corny dogs and Churros as part of the school lunch menu for the week.
Click here to watch a special video on National School Lunch Week.
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Student Accident Insurance
This is an affordable, full excess, accident-only policy for students that will help offset the rising medical costs and deductibles required by insurance carriers under your current health plans. To view more, click here.
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District Communication Contact Information
There may be instances where we need to send emergency communication via email, phone call and/or text message. Please make sure that your contact information is updated in Skyward. If your information is updated in Skyward, but you are not receiving campus communication, please send your name, students name, contact information and campus to info@gcisd.net.
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GCISD Gold Card Program
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD residents who are 65 years or older are welcome to join the Gold Card Program at absolutely no cost. Members receive free general admission to all athletic (excluding playoffs), theatrical productions and musical events hosted by GCISD. To receive a Gold Card, residents 65 and older are invited to attend an informational session about the District and learn more about the great things happening in our community. Upcoming Gold Card information sessions:
- Tuesday, October 15 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Grapevine Middle School - Lecture Hall | 301 Pony Parkway, Grapevine, TX
- Wednesday, October 16 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at GCISD Professional Development & Education Center (PDEC) - Panther Den | 5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX
- Wednesday, October 16 from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at GCISD Administration Building - Board Room | 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue, Grapevine, TX
Please visit www.gcisd.net/goldcard for more information.
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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)
We think your kids are..... G-G-G-G-reat!
Spirit Shop
The O.C. Taylor Spirit Shop is available to you in two ways!
*Online! Please see below for the link/QR code!
* Pop-Up Spirit Shop Days will be held
(during lunch times in the cafeteria and after school in the front foyer):
Friday, October 18th
Friday, November 8th
Friday, Dec 13th
Moms' Night Out - October 17th - Don't Miss This Great Event!
Join us for Moms’ Night Out on Thursday, October 17th from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Sloan and Williams Winery in Grapevine. Sloan and Williams will donate 30% of all food and wine purchased back to the OCT PTA.
It's a great opportunity to visit with old friends and meet some new ones! We'll have a Gift Card Grab and Games of Heads or Tails. And the best part?!?! Childcare is taken care of for the night! The OCT Dads' Club will be watching the kids at school from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. while the moms enjoy a night out. There will be pizza, games, movies, and more! Reservations are not required, but are very much appreciated as they will give us an estimate of how much food we'll need.
Forms went home last week! (Or fill out the online form)
So mark your calendars, and we'll look forward to seeing many of you there!
Reflections
Lost and Found
Many nice items need to be reunited with their owners!
If your child is missing their favorite light-weight jacket, please have them stop by the Lost and Found to claim their item that is patiently waiting to be worn again! :)
ALL UNCLAIMED ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO GRACE IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER.
SUPPORT GRACE and…. EARN EXTRA RECESS!
CALLING ALL FOURTH GRADERS…
DO YOU WANT EXTRA RECESS?
OCTOBER is your month FOURTH GRADERS
ITEMS IN NEED: CANNED FRUIT (16 oz or smaller cans preferred)
Collection baskets will be outside the 4th Grade Classrooms beginning
Tuesday, October 1st & remain there for the duration of the month. The
next time you are in the grocery store, please consider supporting
your community by picking up a Can of Peaches or Fruit Cocktail for
GRACE.
Thank you in advance for your support.
OCT Dads' Club
Dads, don't forget to 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.
Next Thursday night, October 17th, dads can volunteer for Moms' Night Out. Dads will be at O.C. Taylor with the kids, with pizza, a movie, fun games, while the moms enjoy an evening out at Sloan and Williams. If you would like to volunteer, contact Wes Critz at wescritz@gmail.com.
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
· Dads' Club Golf Tournament
There is no fee to sign up for Dads' Club. Dads' Club T-shirts will be available through the O.C. Taylor Spirit Shop.
Like Our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @OCTDadsClub
Thank You,
Wes Critz, OCT Dads' Club President
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Apple Tree and GCISD Volunteer Background Check
The Apple Tree is up and running! Our amazing teachers need items throughout the year, so please check the Apple Tree Signup for things they need. Sign up to purchase the item and send to school with your child with the teacher’s name on it. Check periodically for updates and items needed. Thank you so much for helping our teachers!!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C48ACAA2CA5F85-oc1
If you are new to O.C. Taylor, we are so glad to have you! Our school runs on our amazing volunteers. In order to volunteer at the school, please complete the District's Volunteer Background Check Application for the 2019-2020 school year. Also, please read and sign the Volunteer Handbook included in the link as well. As a reminder, all volunteers are required to reapply each year. https://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?pageId=195550
Sincerely,
Jill Tate
4th VP – Volunteer Coordinator
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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.