OCT Tiger Time News
News from the O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Pedevilla
for week of December 8, 2019
(BE SURE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND READ THE OCT PTA SECTION!)
Dear OCT Families,
Thank you to our Dads' Club for their amazing float at the Grapevine Parade of Lights! Wow! What a tribute to our city's heritage.
Despite all of the busy times this year, please remember to read with your child each day! Thank you!
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, December 9
Reindeer Day (Wear reindeer ears, any ears, or a hat.)
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Book Fair
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - 5th Grade Field Trip Camp Thurman
Tuesday, December 10
Happy Hanukkah (Wear blue and white.)
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Book Fair
Wednesday, December 11
Snowman Day (Wear a scarf, something white, or snowman attire.)
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Book Fair
No Yearbook Meeting
2:55 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 12
Feliz Navidad (Wear red, white, yellow, and/or green.)
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Book Fair
8:30 a.m. Holiday Choir Concert
No Choir
6:30 p.m. PTA Meeting and Holiday Choir Concert
Friday, December 13
7:00 a.m. Grand Slam with Grand Friends (Grandparents or any Senior Friends) (Wear any holiday shirt.)
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Book Fair
9:00 a.m. Spelling Bee
1:30 p.m. CTMS Band/Choir
Spirit Shop before school (front foyer)
Monday, December 16
Santa Hat Day (PTA gives out free Santa hats to all!)
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. PK-2nd ONCOR Safety Program
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 3rd-5th ONCOR Safety Program
1:30 p.m. Santa Visits OCT
Tuesday, December 17
Elfie Selfie Day by the Fire (Wear cozy socks and/or dress like an elf.)
2:15 p.m. CHHS Jazz Choir - Cafeteria
Wednesday, December 18
Ugly Sweater Day (Wear a sweater or holiday shirt.)
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Yearbook
Thursday, December 19
Polar Express Day (Wear your pajamas and watch The Polar Express.)
No Choir
Friday, December 20
Fancy Festivities Party Day (Wear your festive party gear.)
10:45 a.m. Class Winter Parties
11:45 a.m. Early dismissal
Monday, Dec. 23 - Tuesday, Jan. 7
WINTER BREAK
Wednesday, January 8
First day back for students after the break
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Grade Level Newsletters
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Important Links
OCT and GCISD Updates
Assistant Principal Points from Mrs. Bailey
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GCISD District-Wide Test Message
On December 3, GCISD sent a text, phone call and email test message from the GCISD Emergency Notification System. If you did not receive this message, please visit this link for further instructions.
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Lost and Found
Also, please write your child's name inside all jackets, sweaters, coats, cups, and other items.
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Pre-K Information Night
GCISD is hosting a Pre-K information night from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on December 10. Please join us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about GCISD Pre-K for the 2020-2021 school year!
Tuesday, December 10 in the Mustang Room at the PDEC (Professional Development & Education Center) | 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, TX
Presentations at 5:30 p.m. & 6:15 p.m.
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Holiday Hullabaloo
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
Our Tiger Tree is up and full of PAWS with gift ideas for our Tiger TIGER TREE 2019
Families who would like to donate to the Christmas Cottage this year. Donated gifts are given to GRACE for families who need some extra help during the holidays. Parents of qualified families are invited to come to the Christmas Cottage to receive gifts for each member of their family along with wrapping paper, tape, and even Christmas Cookies! Thank you for your generosity!
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Updates from Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
We have two exciting events taking place in the Learning Commons in December! Volunteers are always welcome.
- Our Scholastic Book Fair will be held December 9-13. The Scholastic Book Fair e-Wallet is a CASH-FREE option for students.
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O.C. Taylor Staff Shout-Outs
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Updates from our Nurse Katy
- Flu Season: The number of positive flu cases are increasing in Tarrant County. If you have not yet received your flu shot, BE WISE- IMMUNIZE! If your student tests positive for the flu, please let us know when calling in their absence. I have to report all flu-like illness/flu diagnosis to Tarrant County Health Department weekly.
- 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 PPCD and Pre-K team
Heather Potter, Pre-K teacher
Bri Conte, Pre-K paraprofesional
Sara Stricherz, PPCD teacher
Rhonda Schafer, PPCD teacher
Gabriela Haynes, Pre-K teacher
Front row:
Amy Richardson, PPCD paraprofessional
Allora Khan, Pre-K paraprofessional
Lorrine Evans, PPCD paraprofessional
Miss Bri Conte, Pre-K Paraprofessional
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United States 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is closer than you think! The census counts every person living in the U.S. once, only once and in the right place. It's mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. For more information and how to complete the census, visit 2020census.gov.
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Follow OCT on Twitter
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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!
Silent Auction Closes on Monday, December 9th!
MONDAY, December 9th is the LAST DAY for you to participate in the Silent Auction!
Log on to https://www.32auctions.com/OCTSilentAuction20192020 to bid on amazing Rule the School, Party with the Principal, Game On, and teacher packages! We also have parking and front row seating and a fabulous WFAA package from our very own Cynthia Izaguirre for a behind the scenes tour! You don’t want to miss out on these awesome packages. Remember, you can set a proxy bid for your max bid or purchase with buy it now pricing to ensure you don’t miss out on your favorites!
The auction will close on Monday, December 9th at 11:45 p.m.
Grand Slam with Grand Friends - THIS Friday, December 13th!
We have a NEW exciting event this Friday, December 13th - Grand Slam with Grand Friends! This event begins at 7:00 a.m. It's a special time for our Tigers to eat breakfast with grandparents or any "grand" (senior) friend.
We know this will be a very special event, so we are requesting for parents to please help the traffic flow and to prevent overcrowding, by considering dropping kids and "grands" off for the event at the specified times. You can determine a specific time that you will be back to pick up your "grand" friends.
Kids with the last names beginning A-L will eat in the cafeteria between 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Kids with the last names beginning M-Z, will eat between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. This will help the cafeteria to accommodate everyone. Grandparents and friends will also be invited to go back to the classrooms at 8:00 a.m. for quick visits so they can see where their child learns daily.
The Spirit Shop will be set up in the lobby, and the Scholastic Book Fair will be in the Learning Commons if any of the grandparents would like to shop with the kids - great gift opportunities available in both places!
Please "like" the event on our FB page if you plan on attending, as it will help us to finalize our plans and volunteer needs! If you do want to be on campus that morning, please volunteer on the Sign Up Genius here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0b4daaaa2daaf85-volunteers
Our Dads' Club is the BEST!
We have the BEST Dads' Club ever!
If you didn't have an opportunity to be at the Grapevine Parade of Lights Thursday night, make sure you check out video and pictures on the OCT Dads' Club Facebook page to see images of the incredible float! Our dads spent hundreds of hours building this float, and they are so devoted to our kids and our school! We are truly blessed to have dads who are willing to spend so many hours on numerous projects that help our Tigers! Thank you to our Dads!!!
World Wear Donation Bin
Box Tops
Wow! We counted, bundled, and mailed off $564.30 of Box Tops! Combined with our earnings via the Box Top App, we have raised $630.60 in Box Tops this year. Currently, 4th grade is in the lead in our Racing to Recess Challenge. The winning class will receive an extra recess. Continue to send in those Box Tops still found on participating products. If you haven't already, be sure to download the Box Tops App so that you can scan your receipts and earn money for our school instantly!
AMAZON SMILE
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.
Tom Thumb Good Neighbor Program
You can now earn money for our school, simply by shopping for groceries at Tom Thumb! Designate O.C. Taylor PTA as your organization by completing a Reward Application at any courtesy booth. Fill in the top portion and the "Good Neighbor Program" section, indicating account number 8332 to link your grocery purchases to O.C. Taylor. If you already have a Rewards Card, simply stop by a courtesy desk to link our school to your existing account. Pharmacy, fuel, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products do not count toward the purchase amount credited to the Good Neighbor Program accounts. 1% of all eligible purchases made at Tom Thumb will be given back to our school!
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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.