Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
February 17, 2019
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
During the life of a baby and during childhood, we love to mark the "firsts." We snap pictures and record the first tooth, first words, and first steps. We celebrate the first birthday, the first day of school and the first good report from school. I remember anxiously awaiting each new "first" when my boys were growing up: first crush, first girlfriend and first dance.
I hope we all remember to think about the lasts. When my youngest son was little, I would always get him out of the bath and wrap him up with a big towel. I always said, "Momma is warming you up." I would cuddle him and we would talk and giggle together. When he started elementary school and bathing himself, he would yell to me, "Momma, come warm me up!" I would run in the bathroom and wrap that big towel around him and continue the tradition of cuddling and giggling. I remember feeling tired. Busy. But, I loved it. Then one day (I am not sure when,) he didn't call for me anymore. No more big towel snuggles. I would give anything to go back and warm up that little boy.
Elementary school is filled with so many sweet times and memories. Live in these moments. Look for them. Cherish them. Very soon they will fade. And, you will have a teenager to love. Until then, we are here to love you through elementary school.
To the BEST of days,
Principal Young 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.
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.
O.C. Taylor Elementary Events
February 18
Professional Learning Day/Student Holiday
February 19
February 20
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
3:00 - 4:00 Student Led Conferences (3rd, 4th and 5th)
February 21
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 4:00 Student Led Conferences (K, 1st and 2nd)
February 22
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
February 25
February 26
Spring Picture Day
February 27
3:00- 3:45 Yearbook
February 28
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
March 1
Read Across America
7:50 - Kindergarten Parade
2:00 - Kindergarten Rodeo
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
OCT and GCISD Updates
NO SCHOOL TOMORROW
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Say Something Week, Feb. 25-29
Did you know that when it comes to threats of violence or suicide, most are known by at least one other person BEFORE the incident takes place? Imagine how much tragedy could be averted if these individuals said something? We will be talking with our kids about the importance of saying something.
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Spring Picture Day - February 26
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Read Across America Day, Friday, March 1
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Chili's Give Back Event - March 5
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Tech Tip for Parents
Beware of the new Text Me App. Text Me is the latest in messaging services targeting youth. It is advertised as a fun social way to text, video chat or share photos with friends. The Text Me App offers free and unlimited texting and voice services to users via their handheld device or IPad, Kindle, etc. The user will download the app and be given a non-traceable phone number. There are no age requirements or restrictions when signing up for the app, leaving the door open to unrestricted and untraceable access to the child. It is marketed as a" family app” because of the huge cost savings, but it may not be a safe alternative for our children.
More secure and regulated texting apps, specifically created for families:
GeckoLife age 8+: This app lets tweens in on the texting fun and offers lots of safety features and parental controls.
Kudos :), age 9+: An Instagram-like app with built-in protections to ease kids into the world of photo sharing.
Yo, age 12+: This monosyllabic texting app uses one word -- "Yo" -- to convey whatever you need it to, such as "I made it home OK, " "I need a ride," or "I'm thinking of you."
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Webville Outlaws
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Kindergarten Round Up!
We will have a Parent Meeting on April 30th from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., and your future Kindergartener will have the opportunity to visit a classroom and meet the kindergarten teachers. We can't wait to meet you!"
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Updates from the Learning Commons, Mrs. Bonacci
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested in helping out in the Learning Commons (Formerly known as the Library) please email me at dawn.bonacci@gcisd.net
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Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
- Grades 1-4 Testing Window: February 19-March 8th
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR MATH TELESCOPING TESTING:
- Online Registration Procedures and Form For Math Telescoping Testing: The Online Registration Process will open February 21, 2019 for the Spring test date. It will close March 6, 2019.
- Link to GCISD site for Math Telescoping
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Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Mrs. Griffith & Mrs. Honeycutt
Students love to learn fun facts about many things that are great information, so in this link there are fun facts about dyslexia. Share with your child and see how much fun you both have!
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Handwashing Incentive: With cold/flu season upon us, we have started the High Five hand washing incentive again. I will be handing out "High Fives" to students who I see performing proper hand washing while at the bathrooms or in the clinic. - Use warm, soapy water whenever possible. - Sing ABCs or the Happy Birthday song twice. - Scrub in between fingers and underneath the fingernails.
- Flu-like illnesses: If your child is home sick with fever/cough/sore throat, or if they were diagnosed with the flu, please let us know when calling the front office. I have to report all flu-like illnesses to Tarrant County weekly.
- Eyeglasses: Please consider donating any old or broken eyeglasses for a good cause, as these can be reused and recycled for the less fortunate who may need glasses. You can drop them off in the front office or clinic. At the end of the year, Lions, Leos and other volunteers will collect the eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Eyeglass Recycling Centers. Thank you in advance! :)
- If your child is absent during the school day due to illness: They should not be at school for any extra-curricular activities (choir practice, yearbook, talent show rehearsals, etc.) They should not be at school to eat lunch with a sibling or friend. They should not be at school for parent-teacher conferences, ARDs, or 504s. Thank you for helping our Tiger staff and students stay healthy!!!
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Bus Rider Information
Your child needs to be a registered bus rider in order to ride a GCISD bus. If you are wanting to register your child to ride the bus, please do so in Skyward. If you are needing to temporarily change your child's bus transportation (i.e. riding home with a friend for a day, etc.), please complete this form. This form must be completed 48 hours in advance. To ensure the safety of our bus riders, we do not accept notes from parents or administrators in place of the form.
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Spring Parent Technology Academy Sessions
GCISD Technology is excited to announce our Spring Session line up with several new sessions. Stay tuned as more will be added to our list as we keep receiving the request from the community.
February 26th - Understanding Minecraft ( Presented by Microsoft) -SIGN UP HERE
Come and learn about the power of Minecraft in education, get tips directly for Microsoft on parental settings for use at home.
March 21st - Internet Addiction " Gaming"--SIGN UP HERE
More than 5 million kids may be addicted to video games. 31% of males and 12 % of females report that have felt addicted to gaming. Come to hear from Dr Kay Trotter, PhD, LPC-s, RPT-S from local Kaleidoscope Behavioral Health as she discusses the signs and symptoms of this growing addiction. Learn some tips and be a part of the discussion around online gaming and internet addiction.
April 16th - Apps Parents Need to Know -SIGN UP HERE
Take part in this interactive discussion around the growing world of apps that students are using. Go being the scenes to hear the truth behind the apps and what dangers there are to those who use them
Virtual Session Coming Soon - Fortnite (a Parent's Guide ) - SIGN UP HERE
Many have asked some come and experience Fortnite for parents. Hear about details of the game and dive into parental settings for the various gaming systems students use to play online.
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Cafeteria and Menu Updates
Attached is a copy of the calendar menu, it may also be viewed on the district's website. Nutrition information may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the new Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5615 or email julie.telesca@gcisd.net.
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GCISD IS HIRING!
Do you love working with students and have a desire to impact the GCISD family?
GCISD is looking for dedicated community members to work in our schools as substitute teachers.
For more information and to apply, visit www.gcisd.net.
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Join the GCISD TEAM!
Great opportunities are available in our auxiliary departments:
- Nutrition Specialists -PT w/ benefits – work while your students are in school!
- KidzU Site Aides – PT w/benefits – great schedule for local college students!
- Night Custodians
- Bus Drivers
- Maintenance Engineers
Apply now to work with the BEST! 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!
Colleyville Receipt Race
Rachel's Challenge 2019 - Supply Drive
Please help us gather school supplies for our GCISD students. We will have a friendly competition between campuses. The campus with the most donation items received will receive a banner to display. Donations will be accepted on all campuses and at the GCISD. O.C. Taylor is collecting Ziploc gallon size bags and earbuds. The collection box is in the school front lobby. Contact Rebecca George
O.C. Taylor’s GRACE Food Drive
Thank you to all our Tigers for supporting the GRACE Food Drive last
month. Your donations were greatly appreciated. All together we
donated a total of 89 cans to GRACE and comforted their hearts with
a warm bowl of soup! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So Who’s Leading the GRACE Food Drive? (based on percentage)
Third Grade: 131 Items / 78 Students = 167.9%
Second Grade: 89 items / 63 Students = 141.7%
Fourth Grade: 93 Items / 73 Students = 127.4%
Fifth Grade: 63 Items / 72 Students = 87.5 %
PPCD / PRE K: 33 Items / 39 Students = 84.6%
February is First Grade’s turn to support the GRACE Food Drive
ITEMS IN NEED: Canned Fruit
Let’s bring in some healthy fruit for GRACE this month. From canned peaches, diced pears, mandarin oranges, to chopped pineapple, let’s give them a fruit cocktail they can’t resist.
Collection Baskets are right outside the First Grade Classrooms and will be there until March 8th. So remember, the next time you are at the grocery store think fruit, fruit, and more fruit. Please bring in canned fruit only, as we are not able to accept perishables items.
Questions? Concerns? Please contact: Dawn Hall
Amazon Smile
Be sure to shop smileamazon.com. 0.5% 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 amazoningly easy way to earn money for our school!! Remember, you must log on to smileamazon.com every time you shop to ensure your purchases earn money for our school! In just 3 short months, we made $44.51. Our next check should arrive soon!
Box Tops Fundraiser
It's a new semester and time for a new Box Top Racing to Recess Challenge! The winning grade level will earn an extra 30 minute recess! Clip out Box Tops for Education and place them on the Box Top Collection Sheet or in the Ziploc Bag that was sent home last semester. If you've already sent in that bag, just write your child's grade level on a new ziploc bag. Send your Box Tops in to your child's teacher or place them in the blue bin in the front lobby.
After 5 weeks, 3rd grade is in the lead with 156 box tops; 2nd grade is in 2nd place with 136; and Kinder is in 3rd place with 122. Be sure to send in all your box tops that expire on 3/1/2019 no later than Thursday, February 28th
APPLE TREE PROJECT
The O.C. Taylor Apple Tree has grown new branches! Teachers need items from the Apple Tree. Apple Tree is an easy way to donate items teachers and staff need at the school.
Simply click this link to see different "needs" around the school. If you choose to help, please make sure to mark as taken! Once taken, please send your item(s) to school with your child, attaching the name of the staff member for whom it is intended.
Jill Tate - VP of Volunteers jhbu99@aol.com
Join the PTA!
Thank you to all our parents and staff that joined the PTA already! We truly appreciate your support!
If you did not join the PTA at Meet the Teacher, we encourage you to do so. The annual dues are only $7.50 per membership. That's the lowest price in town for PTA memberships, and it's the BEST, in my opinion! Membership in the PTA allows you to improve the education and opportunities for our students. When you join the PTA, you become a member of the Texas PTA, and you will receive a copy of our 2018-2019 Paw Prints student directory! This valuable directory contains classroom lists, phone numbers, addresses and other vital information you will use all year! To join the PTA, it's so simple, visit http://www.joinPTA.org.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Liz Payne- VP Memberships
Thank you!
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