Tiger Time News
News from O.C. Taylor Principal, Lisa Young Pedevilla
January 20, 2019
Dear O.C. Taylor Parents,
Thank you for working on being on time this week. Congratulations to Mrs. Lind's class for winning the No Tardy Party and an extra 15 minutes of recess.
Please continue to work on being on time as being late has a negative impact on the late child but also the entire class. Thank you!
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
January 21 NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 22
3:10 - 4:30 Campus Excellence Committee
5:30 - 7:00 PreK Information Night at the PDEC (see below)
January 23
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
January 24
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
3:00 - 6: 00 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal
January 25
8:30 - 9:30 Talent Show
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
6:30 - 8:30 PTA Meeting and Talent Show
January 26
8:00 - 12:00 Dads' Club Pancake Breakfast
January 28
January 29
January 30
3:00 - 3:45 Yearbook
January 31
2:55 - 4:00 Choir
February 1
100th Day of School
National Go Red Day
2:00 - 2:50 Future Explorations
3:00 - 4:00 Running Club
OCT and GCISD Updates
H.U.G.S.
What is the best way to warm up? H.U.G.S! Our TTT Student council will be collecting new hats, underwear, gloves, and socks from January 22 - February 15 for donation to a local organization. Collection bins will be in the hallways. We truly appreciate all of your H.U.G.S!
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Love Your Device
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Spring Creek Spirit Night - Feb. 5
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Webville Outlaws
Look-At-Dis Louie will ask you to send him a picture of yourself or will send you pictures of things you don’t want to see.
Never send or post pictures of yourself to someone you do not know. If someone sends you a picture that makes you feel uncomfortable or confused, don’t open it or click on it. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
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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 Art, Mrs. Morgan
Students are invited to participate in the Doodle for Google art contest.
Students can use the Doodle for Google form, draw a Doodle on another piece of paper, take a digital photo or scan the Doodle. Please make sure the entry form is complete and submitted.
The theme this year is “When I grow up, I hope…”
To enter:
Students can either enter a Doodle digitally at doodle4google.com OR they can bring their Doodle and completed entry form to Mrs. Morgan by Friday March 8th.
For more information or entry forms please visit https://doodles.google.com/d4g/
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Updates from Gifted and Talented, Mrs. Griffin
- Grades 1-4 Referral for the testing window: Jan. 28th-Feb. 8th
- Grades 1-4 Testing Window: Feb. 19-March 8th
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR MATH TELESCOPING TESTING:
- Online Registration Procedures and Form For Math Telescoping Testing: The Online Registration Process will open Feb. 21, 2019 for the Spring test date. It will close March 6, 2019.
- Link to GCISD site for Math Telescoping
Updates from Literacy Specialists/Dyslexia, Mrs. Griffith & Mrs. Honeycutt
Parents-
Have you ever wondered how to help your child with phonological awareness? In this link, you will find 8 ways to build that awareness in your grade-schooler!
Children seem to always have their heads buried in their computers, so here is a very helpful link for free apps/games to load on the computer to help support your dyslexic child or one who may struggle with reading.
http://www.dyslexiagames.com/single-post/2014/10/11/Online-FUN-Games-for-Kids-with-Dyslexia
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Updates from the Clinic, Nurse Katy
- Handwashing Incentive: With cold/flu season upon us, we will be starting up 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.
- 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! :)
- Texas Lions Summer Camp: Texas Lions Camp is located in Kerrville, Texas and is dedicated to serving children with physical disabilities and Type 1 Diabetes. If you have a child (or know of a child) that has a physical disability, syndrome, or disease- and you think they may want to go to camp this Summer for FREE- please come see me for additional information. The list of qualifying physical disabilities/diseases is over a page long! This is an amazing opportunity!
- 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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"The Talk" Presentation, 1/29 at 6:00 p.m.
Parents are invited to a conversation with Dr. Jeff Livingston MD, a local OB/GYN, about how to talk with their children about sex. "The Talk," can feel intimidating and we hope that this presentation will empower parents with knowledge about what to share and when to share it.
Join us on Tues., Jan. 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the GCISD Board Room at 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue in Grapevine.
The presentation will be recorded and available for viewing through the GCISD website on the Social Emotional Support page.
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GCISD Community Showcase at TECC, Jan. 31
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside of a GCISD classroom? Have you ever been curious about how LEAD 2021 looks in action? Join GCISD for a Community Showcase at the Technology Education and Career Center (TECC) at Grapevine High School on Jan. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m for a tour led by students and staff. This opportunity is limited to the first 20 participants. Click here to sign up for this Community Showcase.
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GCISD Pre-K Information Night, Tues., Jan. 22
If you have any neighbors or friends who will be four years old by Sept. 1, 2019, be sure and invite them to our GCISD Pre-K Information Night!
GCISD Pre-K information night for 2019-2020 school year on Tues., Jan. 22, 2018. This will take place 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the GCISD Professional Development Education Center (PDEC), 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
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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.
January 23rd - Social media impact and building your student profile in Linkedin ( co-presented with Microsoft ) -SIGN UP HERE
Hear real-life examples of students that have lost scholarships or college acceptance due to social media disasters. Then hear from Microsoft as they outline ways to build a Linkin Profile to attached recruiters and more!
February 12th - Hour of Code - Parent Edition -SIGN UP HERE
Come dive in and experience what students across GCISD do each day with hands-on activities around coding
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 Parents 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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Federal Report Cards
Our OCT Federal Report Card has been posted on our campus website. Click here to view it. Federal Report Cards for the state, district, and all campuses are now available on the Texas Education Agency's website. Additionally, our campus state and federal report cards are available on our district website under Accountability School Report Cards.
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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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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!
Dad's Club Pancake Breakfast this January 26th
Bring the entire family to enjoy a morning of breakfast + Sledding on the Snowy Hill. This year’s snow hill will be our biggest snow hill yet, with two lanes open for racing and more participation. Breakfast made by the Dads Club and fun riding a sled, what else could you ask for? Get your sleds and boogey boards ready!
Space is limited and the demand is high so hurry and get your reservations in early!
O.C. Taylor’s GRACE Food Drive
SECOND GRADE - IT’S YOUR TURN TO:
Support the GRACE Food Drive.
January is Second Grade’s turn to support the GRACE Food Drive
ITEMS IN NEED: Canned Soup (any kind please)
Collection Baskets are right outside the SECOND GRADE Classrooms. Second Grade is off to a great start and has already donated 27 cans of soup. Can they meet their goal of 100% and bring in 36 more cans by the end of the month? Can they take the lead away from third grade and bring in 80 cans of Soup? From Chicken-n-Stars to Cream of Chicken… any kind counts! Lets go Second Grade, you can do it!
Questions? Concerns? Please contact: Dawn Hall
4 TIGERS GOING TO STATE REFLECTIONS
Congratulations to the following O.C. Taylor Tigers, their parents, and teachers, for these students' advancement to STATE REFLECTIONS in Austin! Their artwork, submitted in this year's REFLECTIONS, is advancing for State Judging. That means these students have a chance to go to NATIONALS. Wow! They are representing our school in one of the best ways possible, namely, artistic expression!
GO TIGERS!
CONGRATULATE:
Mason Partain--FILM PRODUCTION-STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
Emily Rodriguez--FOR TWO ENTRIES: FILM PRODUCTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Aakash Kalamkar--MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Aslynn Williams--MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Stay tuned for a GCISD RECEPTION at the PDEC honoring and recognizing all of our REFLECTIONS participants--O.C. Taylor had 13 this year.
WANT TO HELP KEEP REFLECTIONS AT O.C. TAYLOR NEXT YEAR? THIS IS AN AMAZING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY! PLEASE CONTACT ME!
VOLUNTEER PARENT/O.C. TAYLOR PTA REFLECTIONS 2018
Calling all future CMS Colt Parents!
Will your student be starting CMS in the Fall? Are you interested in volunteering at CMS? Please complete the CMS PTA Interest Form to let us know how you would like to help!
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 months 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 2 weeks, it's neck and neck with 3rd grade in 1st place with 103, 2nd grade in 2nd place with 102, and Kinder in 3rd place with 55. Last week, we received a check for $747.90 for our Fall Box Top Submissions! Keep up the great work. Our next submission deadline is March 1st. Be sure to send in all those box tops that expire on 3/1/2019.
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 who 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 its 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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