Tiger Times
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young
Young@Heart
My Philosophy:
Every child can succeed at high levels in all areas: academics, physical health and emotional/social health. Teachers must engage students in new and unique ways. Today's learner prefers to learn digitally, with others, online, in their own time, and in their own way. While we need to certainly stay focused on the core content, we must also embed the teaching of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and compassion. The acquisition of these skills is essential in being successful in today's highly global economy. This is the world in which our students live. Reaching them where they are and engaging them is essential to their current and future successes. We strive to do this at O.C. Taylor.
My Belief:
I end each email with the salutation, "To the greatest of days." Elementary school days are the greatest. Sweet. Precious. Innocent. Fun. And very much fleeting. I charge you to grab on to these days and guard them carefully. They will be gone, and you will not be able to get them back. Stay home more than you feel is necessary. Cuddle and read as much as possible with your child. Say no to the pressure of one more extracurricular activity. Play with your children and create lasting sweet memories of their childhood.
You will find I filter all decisions at O.C. Taylor through the lenses of "WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CHILD." I am here for you and for our school. My door and email in-box are open. Let me know what we can for your little Tiger!
To the greatest of days,
Principal Young
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
Changes of Curriculum Information Meetings
Curriculum Informational Meeting times and dates have changed as your classroom teachers have made you aware via email. We apologize for the late notice change! Based on the late change and an email I received this morning, we will not only be sharing all of our slides and handouts digitally, but we will also be videoing each of these meetings for you to view at your convenience. We value your time and realize you are all busy. We hope this will help you be able to attend to important work, personal, or family matters and yet still know all about your child's classroom with the ease of flexible viewing. We hope this will provide you the opportunity to view the meeting in its entirety and to hear questions and answers. We want to try and meet the needs of all of our families.
We know there is no perfect time to host an event where everyone can attend. However, we want to try our best to accommodate as many as possible and keep everyone informed.
Our Grade-Level Curriculum Information Meetings will be held on the following dates and times:
-PK, K and 1st = Wed., Aug. 31, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
-2nd-3rd grades = Thurs., Sept. 1, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
-4th-5th grades = Wed., Sept. 7 4:00-5:30 p.m.
The changes were made due to parent/staff feedback, to increase the time needed to discuss the curriculum, principal discussion time, and preserve the evening time for extracurricular/eating/family time. We will be soliciting your thoughts and opinions after we host these events as to gather input for making a decision for the next school year that best meets the needs of all involved.
If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact me. I would be happy to explain more. Our goal is to always do what is best for the children.
THANK YOU!
GCISD Device Agreement Form
GCISD has a new device agreement form that all parents must sign. The fee is only paid one time for all of the years a student is in elementary school. If you have multiple students at OC Taylor, the maximum amount you would be required to pay would be for three students. As a reminder, here are the guidelines for the use agreement and payment:
- All parents and students must sign an updated Student-Parent Device Use Agreement.
- Students that paid their device fee last year of $35 and are still at OC Taylor (or elementary school in GCISD) will need to pay $15 this year to complete the $50 device fee.
- Even if a student is not taking a device home, they still must sign the agreement and pay the $50.
- All kindergarten and new students will need to pay a $50 device fee prior to receiving their iPads or Chrome Books (for 5th grade only).
- Link to all Technology Agreements and Policies: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/766
We also have the Student-Parent Device Use Agreement in the office for students to pick up. Please contact the main office if there are any questions.
Volunteer Process
- Click here to complete the Volunteer Background Check Form. You must fill this form out each school year.
- Click here to view the GCISD Volunteer Handbook.
- Click here to if your child is in elementary (PK-5th grade) to view a brief video.
- Click here to read the Emergency Management Procedures for OC Taylor. Then, stop by the front office and sign that you have read these procedures.
All volunteers, including our Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) , must complete these steps listed above. We thank you in advance for volunteering at our school!
Welcome New Art Teacher and Spanish Update
In 2011, our community developed a districtwide strategic plan, called LEAD 2021, that challenges us to constantly look for ways to improve the education experience in GCISD for our students. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, conversations took place with several campus groups regarding the future transition of our elementary specials classes.
Seven elementary school campuses made a transition over the last two years from offering a Spanish/art combination specials class to offering an art only course after some vacancies to teach elementary art/Spanish became available across the district. This summer, the remaining Spanish teaching positions became vacant and they have been filled by art teachers to teach a re-designed art class entitled ‘A World of Art’. We are so excited to have Cristie Morgan at O.C. Taylor to help lead our students through a year-long study of art with an emphasis on cultures and the importance of Global citizenship.
I want to assure you that GCISD understands the desire to offer Spanish instruction for elementary students. You may recall, a survey was distributed in the Spring of 2016 that inquired about interest levels in a variety of after school extracurriculars. In total, 473 responses were received and the district will now work to develop a plan of implementation to offer several after school extracurricular activities - including Spanish. Our goal is to determine logistics in the first nine weeks of the school year so that we are able to offer these additional opportunities to students during the fall semester.
Dismissal Procedures
O.C. Taylor teachers and staff dismiss over 400 students every afternoon and our goal is to maintain a high level of supervision and safety for all. When picking up children after school, please keep the following information in mind:
- If you are going to go north on Pool Rd. (toward Hall Johnson) as you leave campus, we encourage you to use the Hall Johnson/Bus Loop (Northside).
- Traffic going south on Pool (toward Glade) when leaving is encouraged to use the Glade Road / Front Loop. This alleviates cars crossing lines of traffic.
- Please make your child aware of which side of the building you will be picking up from so they are seated and waited for you when you arrive.
When picking up your child, please:
Hold up your bright yellow car sign so it can easily be seen by the staff member with a bull horn. Car signs will be read and names called out as you pull into either loop so that your child(ren) will be ready to meet you when you pull up.
Please pull all the way forward into the dismissal lane.
Please do not stop and leave a large gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.This helps ease traffic on Pool Road in addition to maintaining a quick and efficient dismissal process for all.
- If you park and pick your child up from either area, please keep your child at your side after he or she is in your care. Students should not be allowed to run and play anywhere near the car/bus loop. Once you leave the parking lot, please yield to cars in the pick-up lane to help the line move quickly.
- If you park and pick up your child, always use cross walks and consider parking in the front visitor parking lot. Please DO NOT park on Pool Road or at the Colleyville Fire Department to meet and/or pick up students.
Thank you for helping us make dismissal a smooth and efficient daily routine! Safety is a priority at OC Taylor!
On Top of the Water! Thanks, Jose!
GCISD is further testing all of OC Taylor water fountains. During this time, water fountains will be turned off and bottled water will be provided for students and staff.
GCISD has created a page with FAQ’s and links to additional resources. Click here to learn more. If you have further questions, please submit via Let’s Talk.
Once we know more information, we will share it with you.
Technology Tips
Technology Safety Resources for Parents and Students:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence
Here are some kid friendly search engines for your kids to use at home:http://gcisdtechlessons.wikispaces.com/Search+Engines+for+Kids
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.
O.C. Taylor Spirit Day
PTA Spirit Wear order forms went home yesterday. Orders are due by Sept. 2! Be sure and order your OCT shirt to wear every Friday! Tigers are GrrrrrrrrEAT!