Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
May 12, 2019
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our wonderful O.C. Taylor Tiger Moms! I am celebrating YOU today.
To those of you whose moms have passed away and are planning to do your best to smile through this Sunday, please know that you are being thought of today. Your pain is valid. If there was ever a day to give yourself permission to mourn all that you’ve lost, today is that day.
To those whose mothers may still be alive but repeatedly disappointed them, causing hurt and pain, I would like to say you are worth so much more than she made you feel. You are stronger because of her and now able to be the mother you need to be for your own children. Offer her forgiveness for your own well-being. I am cheering for you.
To all of the good moms out there, you are courageous, brave, strong, and sacrificial. You cloak all you do in unconditional love. You are under-recognized and overly criticized. I see you. Thank you for all you do for your children and your children's school. I am humbled by your dedication and faithfulness. I bow before you in awe. Keep fighting the good fight! Don't grow weary. I promise it will pay off one day!
When young children ask me what a principal does, I offer this explanation: "I am like the mom of the school." I feel that way about O.C. Taylor. I love your child as if they were my own, and I thank you for entrusting them to me and to all of our teachers and staff each day. We take this role seriously. We are here to help 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.
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
May 13
Closed campus - no visitors/volunteers
STAAR Testing 3rd/4th Math
No after-school tutoring
May 14
Closed campus - no visitors/volunteers
STAAR Testing 3rd/4th Reading
No after-school tutoring
May 15
Closed campus - no visitors/volunteers
STAAR Testing 5th Science
No after-school tutoring
May 16
Closed campus - no visitors/volunteers
STAAR Testing
No after-school tutoring
May 17
Closed campus - no visitors/volunteers
STAAR Testing
No after-school tutoring
May 20
A.M. - Graduation Walk
May 21
8:30 a.m. 5th Grade Rocks
8:30 - 2:30 Campus Excellence Committee Meeting to write Campus Improvement Plan
10:00 - 1:00 Carter Blood Drive (Please come and donate blood!)
6:30 p.m. PTA Meeting/5th Grade Rocks
May 22
3:30 - 5:30 Leslie Cave's Retirement Reception in the Learning Commons (All are invited!)
May 23
May 24
Field Day!!!!
OCT and GCISD Updates
THANK YOU!!
________________________________________
Unpaid Meal Balances
______________________________________________
STAAR TESTING, No Visitors or Volunteers
Monday, May 13
Third Grade STAAR MathFourth Grade STAAR Math
Tuesday, May 14
Third Grade STAAR Reading
Fourth Grade STAAR Reading
Wednesday, May 15
Fifth Grade STAAR Science
Please remember that we cannot have any visitors or volunteers (for any grade level) in the building during this week. This includes during lunch. Thank you for helping us abide by our state regulations.
_______________________________________
School Supply Pack Pre-Sale
OC Taylor PTA is working hard to make back-to-school time as easy as possible for our families! We are moving to online-only ordering for school supply packs for 2019-2020. This will help us eliminate the lines at Meet the Teacher night in August, and allow you and your child to focus on meeting their teacher. Here is how to order:
1. Order your child's school supply pack online between April 30th and June 16th on the Educational Products website at https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/
2. Enter our school code TAY009
3. Select your child's grade level school supply pack. Make sure to choose your child's grade for NEXT year, not their current grade level. You can order supply packs for all of your children in the same order.
4. After receiving your order confirmation, your child's school supply pack will be waiting in your child's classroom in August!
Questions? Contact Melissa Adkins, School Supplies Chair at melissa.adkins@gmail.com
_______________________________________
5th Grade Rocks, May 21
Mark your calendar for the GREATEST SHOW of the year...5th Grade Rocks, Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The 5th graders have created an awesome show, and I can't wait for you to see it!
_______________________________________
Art Portfolios Coming Home
Students made a portfolio this year to store all of their artwork. I will be passing out the remainder of the work during this month. Be looking for your child’s art portfolio!!
_______________________________________
Field Day is Fri., May 24
OC Taylor Field Day is Friday, May 24th! We want all parents to come to school to see their children, even if for a short time.
Volunteer signup for Field Day 2019: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040a45aaa92f4-field https://www.facebook.com/events/357995008405126/
Please see more information below in our PTA section!
________________________________________
Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Carter BloodCare blood drive: The Carter BloodCare bus will be here at OCT on Tuesday May 21st from 10-1. Click on the link below and help save a life! The classroom with the most donations will win a popsicle party! https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/103883
- Medications in the clinic: If your child has had a medication kept in the clinic this school year, it has to be picked up before Friday May 31st. If you checked the "yes" box on the Medication form, I will send home medicine in your child's backpack. If you checked the "no" box on the form, you will have to come to the clinic and pick it up. Feel free to call me or email me if you would like to make other arrangements.
____________________________________________
Thank you to Volunteers for Packing OCT Books
Thank you to all parents and community members who came and packed up yesterday. On a rainy and cool Saturday morning, we had three churches send people who worked until we packed up all of the books. A special thanks to Church At The Cross, 121 Community Church, and First Baptist Grapevine! We appreciate you!
_______________________________________
___________________________________________
Updates from Counseling and Guidance, Mrs. Whisman
________________________________________
Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Ms. Griffith and Ms. Honeycutt
_____________________________________________
Technology Tip: FREE Keyboarding Resource for Students
Do you want to increase your student’s keyboarding skills? Typing Club is a web-based program for Grades 3-8 in GCISD that teaches students how to touch-type. The engaging and interactive experience is gamified, so learning proper hand positioning, posture and typing technique is fun for students. Your students can even use this program over the summer break. Students can easily access Typing Club through ClassLink or by signing in with their GCISD Google account and password at gcisd.typingclub.com.
___________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________
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.
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!
Field Day May 24th
NOT JUST FOR KIDS, Parents are encouraged to attend. Hang out the entire day or check the attached schedule for each grade level.
Volunteer signup for Field Day 2019: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040a45aaa92f4-field
Last Day of School Campout/Cookout May 30th
THIS EVENT IS FREE BUT PLEASE REGISTER (Blue Flyer)
Event Schedule:
3-8pm Water Slide Bounce Houses
6pm Cookout
8pm Outdoor Movie
8am Breakfast
9am Cleanup
Order Your School Supply Packs Online!
OC Taylor PTA is working hard to make back-to-school time as easy as possible for our families! We are moving to online-only ordering for school supply packs for 2019-2020. This will help us eliminate the lines at Meet the Teacher night in August, and allow you and your child to focus on meeting their teacher.
School supply packs will not be for sale at meet the teacher night. Order online.
Here is how to order:
1. Order your child's school supply pack online between April 30th and June 16th on the Educational Products website at https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/
2. Enter our school code TAY009
3. Select your child's grade level school supply pack. Make sure to choose your child's grade for NEXT year, not their current grade level. You can order supply packs for all of your children in the same order.
4. After receiving your order confirmation, your child's school supply pack will be waiting in your child's classroom in August!
Questions? Contact Melissa Adkins, School Supplies Chair at melissa.adkins@gmail.com
O.C. Taylor’s GRACE Food Drive Results
Wow! Thank you Kindergarten for all the Ketchup that was brought in last month. All together you guys donated a total of 58 Bottles. That being said some of the bottles were even as large as 64oz!!!!! GRACE was so excited to see all the ketchup donated. They were able to restock their shelves just in time for summer. Thank you again for your support and donations.
Overall, our Food Drive was a huge success. Together, over 650 items were delivered to their food pantry this year. As a special thank you we will be handing out a frozen treat to ALL STUDENTS. Day and Time to be announced in the near future.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR MAKING OUR FIRST ANNUAL GRACE FOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WE DO NEXT YEAR.
RESULTS OF THE GRACE FOOD DRIVE
First Grade: 194 Items / 88 Students = 220.5%
Third Grade: 131 Items / 78 Students = 167.9%
Second Grade 89 Items / 63 Students = 141.7%
Fourth Grade 93 Items / 73 Students = 127.4%
Kindergarten 58 Items / 53 Students = 109.4%
Fifth Grade 63 Items / 72 Students = 87.5%
PPCD/PREK 33 Items / 39 Students = 84.6%
Thank you again to everyone for helping support your community.
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! We just received another check for $68.37! That’s $112.88 in just one semester. Keep up the good work!
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.
The Box Top Racing to Recess Challenge is nearing its final lap! 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 17 weeks, 3rd grade has a huge lead with 681 box tops, 5th grade is in 2nd place with 455, and 2nd grade in 3rd place with 424. We just received a check for $212.70 for our Spring Box Top submissions!
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 JOINPTA.ORG
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Liz Payne- VP Memberships
Thank you!
______________________________________________________________________________________