Tiger Time News

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Curriculum Nights this week! We had a fantastic turnout, and we are so grateful for the strong parental involvement and support that make our community so special. If you weren’t able to attend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher and check the grade-level page in this newsletter for any information you may have missed.

A special thank you goes to our wonderful PTA for providing dinner for our staff on both nights. After a full day, it was such a treat to walk into our lounge and have a meal waiting—your thoughtfulness means so much.

As we look ahead, we also want to remind all of our families to review safe biking and walking practices with your children. Please encourage them to use designated crosswalks, wait for crossing signals, and stay alert when near busy roads. We will be sharing these reminders with students at school on Monday as well.

We hope you’re enjoying your Sunday, and we look forward to another great week ahead with our Tigers!

Best,

Principal Schilleci

Schilleci's Weekly News

Senate Bill 12 Requirements and Updates: PLEASE FILL OUT THE SKYWARD PERMISSION FORMS IF YOU HAVEN'T YET. YOUR STUDENTS WILL MISS OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES THAT THEY NORMALLY WOULD RECEIVE (see district communications section below for more details). Use a computer to make this experience easier to navigate!
GRANDPARENTS/GRAND FRIENDS DAY, 9/5: Grandparents Day is coming soon! We are celebrating all the awesome grandparents and grand friends in our lives with a special lunch on the lawn (@ the Kindergarten blacktop). This event is being held on Friday, September 5th during your student’s regularly scheduled lunch period.

An RSVP request is being emailed out by Friday, August 29th to let us know if your tiger is attending and with how many guests. It is essential you complete this form if you are participating, as this is how we will know to retrieve your student to meet you on that day. If you don’t, then there is going to be significant delay in getting your student to you. Please plan to bring a lunch for you and your tiger to enjoy. We will be providing a tented outdoor space with tables and chairs for you to comfortably enjoy lunch together. We kindly request all guests respect the lunch periods and allow their student to return to class promptly in order to make space for the next group of students and their guests. We look forward to seeing everyone for this awesome day!

***Everyone must collect an ID Badge from the front foyer. Please come in anytime during the school day to collect your badge early and avoid the lines on 9/5.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION, 9/4: If you are interested in connecting and serving your tiger's school in the form of volunteering, please put September 4th in your calendar. Mrs. Priesand will be leading an orientation for everyone wanting to volunteer at 9:00 in the cafeteria.
OCT CLUB OPPORTUNITIES: This Monday, teachers will begin sending home information regarding clubs for your tigers. This mostly applies to our 5th grade tigers but there will also be several opportunities for all of our tigers! Please make sure you have filled out the SB12 skyward permission forms if you would like for them to participate and the form that the club sponsor requires to be signed and turned in. Please get those back to the sponsors as quickly as possible!
OCT CAMPUS EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE: Each GCISD campus has a Campus Excellence Committee (CEC). Each year, this committee will establish and review the campus educational goals, objectives, and progress made within the Campus Improvement Plan while ensuring alignment with the vision, mission, and District Improvement Plan. This committee is composed of representatives from campus teachers, staff, parents, and business owners in the community.

The CEC meets 4 times a year from 3:30-4:15 in the Library. We are in need of business owners and community members to serve on the OCT CEC. If you are interested, please fill out THIS FORM.

CURRICULUM NIGHTS: If you were unable to attend curriculum night, please reach out to your teacher/s and check their weekly newsletter pages. We want you to know all that you missed. We need you and we want you to partner with us in the education of your child. Let us know how we may assist you!
COLLEGE COLORS DAY: This Friday, August 29th, is National #CollegeColorsDay! This is a great opportunity to increase college awareness and advocate for the importance of college readiness for all of our students. Wear your favorite college colors on this day.
WALKING/BIKING TO SCHOOL SAFETY: This Friday, I was made aware of a very close call involving what a community member believed to be one of our Tigers crossing the street on the way to school in an unsafe manner. I strongly encourage all families to review with your Tigers how to safely travel to school, including where and when it is safe to cross the street. In addition, we will investigate to determine who the students involved were and will contact those parents directly.

District Communications

Senate Bill 12 Requirements and Updates: Senate Bill 12, passed during the 89th Legislative session, requires school districts to obtain parent permission for student club participation as well as health services and school-based counseling and support services. It also contains requirements for sharing instructional plans and the prohibition of assisting with social transitioning. The new laws go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Families should review the information below and log into their student’s Skyward account to complete the pop-up permission forms.

Student Club Participation

SB 12 requires that parents give written consent before a student may participate in a student club authorized or sponsored by the school. School districts may not authorize or sponsor a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity. All clubs authorized or sponsored by GCISD will be in accordance with all applicable laws and policies.

If a parent does not give general permission, they will be contacted about each individual club or activity for which their student expresses interest in attending. A paper permission form will be sent home and must be completed and returned to the school prior to the student being permitted to attend or participate in any club meetings.

Health Services

SB 12 requires that staff must have parent consent before providing a student with any care, unless it is a life-threatening emergency. This includes:

Assessment of minor injuries and providing basic first aid (like a scraped knee)
Assessment and management of common health issues and illnesses
Checking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry
Monitoring chronic conditions and implementing care plans as appropriate
Provide general health teaching to students on topics such as hygiene, illness prevention, and healthy habits
Proving state mandated screenings
Administration of epinephrine delivery system for anaphylactic reaction or an opioid antagonist, such as Narcan or naloxone, in accordance with TEC and GCISD Board Policy
Application of topical preparations such as Aloe Vera gel, first aid spray, Benadryl cream, etc.

Additionally, you will find a full list of detailed services provided by GCISD campus nurses within the form in Skyward.

School-Based Counseling Services and Support Services

SB 12 requires that parents give permission prior to student participation in school-based counseling and support services. This includes setting academic goals and creating academic plans, guidance lessons, developing social well-being, and access to our character education curriculum, known as Character Strong.

What Support May Include:

Setting academic goals and creating academic plans
Developing social well-being
Checking in about emotions, challenges, or concerns
Learning coping strategies and managing stress
Addressing school-related issues (e.g., attendance, test anxiety, behavior, peer conflict)
Building friendship and conflict-resolution skills
Guidance lessons utilizing the Character Strong program
Participating in short-term individual or group sessions on school-related topics*

*Parents/guardians will be notified and asked for additional consent if individual or group counseling is recommended.

School Counseling Does Not Include:

Therapy or long-term mental health counseling
Assistance with social transitioning

Sharing Instructional Plans

SB 12 requires that teachers share an instructional plan or course syllabus with parents at the start of each semester. Teachers will email parents directly using email addresses provided in Skyward.

Prohibition of Assisting with Social Transitioning

SB 12 prohibits school district employees from assisting students with social transitioning, which includes helping them change their name, pronouns, or other expressions of gender identity that differ from their biological sex at birth.

GCISD Parent Tech Academy: Are you a parent looking to stay informed about your child's technology use at school and at home? Look no further than the GCISD Parent Tech Academy! Our next session is at 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, on Webex. Here is the Webex link. At the Parent Tech Academy, we will go over how to access parent weekly emails containing your children’s internet history, how to become a Canvas observer, and other parental access tips. Join us for the Parent Tech Academy and learn how to be better informed on your child's technology use.
Important Information from Nutrition Services: Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School Menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.

More information including menu item nutritional information and allergens may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.

In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. The free and reduced application should be filled out electronically at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, they may download an application on the website or stop by the Nutrition Services office at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.

Procedure for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges

Parents/Guardians shall monitor their student’s school meal account to ensure that they always have a positive balance. In the event that a student does not have a positive balance, the student may charge up to 5 meals to their account. Only reimbursable meals may be charged. A la carte items may not be charged. Communication about a negative meal balance will be sent to parents/guardians via email/text. Students who have exceeded the 5 charged meal limit, will be offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.

If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5618 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net.

Meal Prices

Pk-8 Breakfast - $1.85
High School Breakfast - $2.05
Reduced Breakfast* - $0.00
Adult/Guest Breakfast - $3.25
Elem. Lunch - $3.10
Middle Lunch - $3.30
High School Lunch - $4.00
Reduced Lunch* - $0.40, after Sept. 1, No cost
Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.75

*(Reduced priced at GHS, CHHS, Bridges is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTERS

Please read your child's grade level newsletter by clicking on the grade to the right.

PLEASE READ!

ECSE

Pre-K

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Upcoming Important Dates

9/1 - No School -Student/Teacher Holiday
9/5 - Grandparents/Grandfriends Day Lunch (during student lunches)
9/15 - International Dot Day

Mrs. Priesand

It's a great day to be a tiger!

Mrs. Priesand

Assistant Principal Priesand Updates

25-26 Informational Video This video is very helpful. It is a quick summary of procedures.
CHECKING OUT A STUDENT EARLY: If you decide to come to school to check out your child before the 3:05 p.m. GCISD elementary dismissal time, please allow us plenty of time to locate your child. Send an email to your child's teacher requesting an early dismissal in the morning. This will help eliminate the time spent waiting for us to locate your student.
CHANGE IN DISMISSAL OR PICK UP: If you find your child must go home a different way than planned, please notify the teacher AND front office with an email by at least 2:00 p.m. Teachers do not always have access to email or are busy teaching or helping others so it is important to EMAIL THE FRONT OFFICE as well. We want to provide ample time to be able to meet your needs.

Holley's Herald

Nurse Katy

TIGER FAMILIES: I am honored to serve at OCT again for the 2025-2026 school year! The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as "a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential."

WHEN TO STAY HOME: Students must stay home from school if any of the following are present:

● fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours

● vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours

● itchy, red eyes with discharge

● unknown rash

● jaundice

● ringworm of the scalp (until treatment has begun)

GCISD has a 24-hour policy related to stomach illness or fever. Students may not return to school until free of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for a minimum of 24 hours without the aid of any medication. If your student is sent home from school with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, you must still abide by the 24-hour policy, and keep your child home for a minimum of 24 hours after symptoms have subsided without the aid of medication.

CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS: We are an “allergy aware” campus. Any food or treats brought in for classroom celebrations or parties MUST BE STORE BOUGHT, should be peanut/tree nut-free, and be in the original container with ingredient label intact and legible. We are also a “latex aware” campus, so no balloons in classrooms.
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL: Please see me if your child will need to take any medications during the school day, including emergency medications. No medication will be administered without the proper Medication Permission Form completed by the parent/guardian. Some medications will also require a Physician's signature.
HEALTH HISTORY: Please contact me if your student has any food allergies or other health conditions so that I can provide proper care and support at school.
CHANGE OF CLOTHING: Please place an extra set of seasonally appropriate clothing (including underwear) in your student’s backpack in case of a spill or accident. Clothes from home feel and smell familiar, and help to ease the emotions related to having an accident at school. The clinic has a limited supply of replacement clothing. If clothing is unavailable, you will be called to bring clothes for your student. Students are expected to clean themselves up and change their own clothing if the need arises.
PRACTICING HEALTHY HABITS: Now is a great time to teach your children about healthy habits. Proper handwashing, coughing/sneezing into the bend of the arm, and avoidance of touching the face (especially the T-zone) are all important lessons to teach at home. Practicing these habits will help diminish our level of illnesses during the school year.
HEALTH SCREENINGS: Campus screenings for vision and hearing will be completed in the fall. Don’t forget glasses!! You will be notified of the screening date in advance.

Mrs. Quinn's Corner📚

Library classes will begin this week! All grade levels will be given an orientation lesson to remind them of library expectations and a refresher on how to check out books. For this first week, Kinder through 2nd grade will only check out 1 book, 3rd and 4th will check out up to 2 books and 5th grade will be able to check out up to 3 books. Audiobooks are only available for checkout for my 2nd-5th grade friends, and only 1 audiobook may be checked out at a time per student.

You can find out more about the OC Taylor library policies (including how many books each grade can checkout) on the school webpage. You can view District policies on library materials on their webpage. To see a list of Board Approved books, you may visit the District website.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, would like to volunteer or donate books and supplies please feel free to contact me! I do accept gently used books so if you are cleaning out your child's room and find there are stories that could live in the OCT Library, send them my way 🤩 The most requested picture book titles are video game characters, mermaids, Disney Princesses, superheroes and popular tv characters (like Paw Patrol, Bluey, Peppa Pig, etc), but I'll be happy to accept whatever you'd like to give!

Johanna Quinn

email: johanna.quinn@gcisd.net

phone: (817) 305-4885

Instagram: @octquinn

Vencill's Voice

Specials Curriculum Update - August/September 2025

Music Update:

Welcome back, Tigers! I hope you had a fun and relaxing summer break and are ready for another exciting school year in the OCT Music room. During our first few weeks of school, we will take some time to get to know each other, review classroom expectations and practice singing and dancing to the steady beat.

As we move into the month of September, all students will make historical and personal connections to our national anthem, our state song and our school song. Ask YOUR Tiger to tell you what they know about these important songs!

Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade students will engage in fun music activities to reinforce the difference between beat and rhythm by moving and singing to the steady beat and writing, reading and performing simple rhythm patterns on percussion instruments.

3rd and 4th grade students will begin preparing patriotic songs for the Veterans Day program. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 11 at 8:30 a.m. (4th grade) and 9:30 a.m. (3rd grade) because you will not want to miss the most beautiful and special program of the school year.

Our talented 5th graders will remember and review what they know about note/rest value by composing, reading and playing rhythm patterns on classroom percussion instruments. My biggest hope for my 5th grade students is for them to feel comfortable and confident reading, writing and performing music before they move on to middle school!

4th and 5th grade students are invited to sing with the Taylor Tiger Choir. We meet every Thursday afternoon from 3:05-4:05 p.m. in the OCT Music room beginning Thursday, August 28. Choir Permission Form

Please add your child's grade level performance date to your calendar. All students are expected to attend their grade level music performance.

Have a ROCKIN’ week, Tigers!

Mrs. Vencill

bethany.vencill@gcisd.net

Morgan's Art Announcements

Specials Curriculum Update - August/September 2025

Art Update:

Welcome back, Tigers! I am super excited to see the creativity from each of our O.C. Taylor Tigers this year. During the first couple of weeks, students will create an all about me piece, review Art Room expectations and create an Art portfolio that will keep all of their work organized.

For the month of September, students will be celebrating Dot Day and what it means to be creative!

Keep on creating,

Mrs. Morgan

cristie.morgan@gcisd.net

Mester's PE Press

Specials Curriculum Update - August/September 2025

PE Update:

Welcome back Tigers! I hope you had an incredible summer and are ready to begin another great school year at OC Taylor. If you took any “Fitness Around The World” photos, bring them to Coach Mester or Coach Reyna so we can display them outside the gym.

Activities you can look forward to in August and September will focus on cooperation and teamwork, personal hygiene and wellness, safety, locomotor movements, and overall fitness.

Please wear tennis shoes that allow you to perform your best and bring your GREAT Tiger attitude each day! We are looking forward to moving and learning in the gym and outside.

See you in the gym!

Coach Mester

jason.mester@gcisd.net

Waters' World

Welcome Back, Tigers!

Please take a look at the Welcome Letter

Supplies to bring:

1st grade

Scotch Tape or Duct Tape

2nd grade

A package of low-temp small glue sticks

3rd grade

A package of low-temp small glue sticks

4th grade

Popsicle sticks, all sizes

5th grade

Popsicle sticks, all sizes

Important Dates:

5th Grade referral window: Oct. 14th - Nov. 3rd

5th Grade testing begins: Nov. 10th - Dec. 12th

K-4 Parent Meeting: November 12th @ 5:30 (PDEC)

K-4 referral window: Dec. 1st - 15th

K- 4th GT testing: January 8th - 30th

OCT Cafeteria

Nutrition News

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM NUTRITION SERVICES: Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School Menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.

PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS WITH UNPAID MEAL CHARGES: Parents/Guardians shall monitor their student’s school meal account to ensure that they always have a positive balance. In the event that a student does not have a positive balance, the student may charge up to 5 meals to their account. Only reimbursable meals may be charged. A la carte items may not be charged. Communication about a negative meal balance will be sent to parents/guardians via email/text. Students who have exceeded the 5 charged meal limit, will be offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.

If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5618 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net.

MEAL PRICES

Pk-8 Breakfast - $1.85
High School Breakfast - $2.05
Reduced Breakfast* - $0.00
Adult/Guest Breakfast - $3.25
Elem. Lunch - $3.10
Middle Lunch - $3.30
High School Lunch - $4.00
Reduced Lunch* - $0.40, after Sept. 1, No cost
Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.75

*(Reduced priced at GHS, CHHS, Bridges is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Note for PK-8 schools and Collegiate Academy: Please also add this graphic to your parent newsletter. Thank you.

O.C. Taylor PTA

PTA News

WELCOME TO O.C. TAYLOR PTA!

Our goal is to connect with our school community by hosting fun events such as Tiger Fest, Grandparents' Day, Neon Night and so much more. We provide classroom needs and support our teachers in any way we can. We partner 100% with our wonderful school to make it the very best! We continue to raise funds for much-needed upgrades to our outdoor play area.

We hope you'll join us in our efforts to make O.C. Taylor the best it can be!

Membership Contest!

We are holding a PTA Membership contest! The contest starts 8/18 and goes till 8/31. Below are the prizes for winning! Remember, everyone can sign up (you are not required to volunteer if you are a member)

*The grade with the highest percentage of STUDENT memberships will win a popsicle party.

*The class with the most memberships will get to silly string the principals at Tiger Fest.

For 2025-2026 our Back to School PTA forms will continue to be all digital! Forms will go live on August 11th, once Homeroom Teachers are announced! Visit https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ for all your PTA needs & purchases! If you plan on volunteering this year, make sure to complete your volunteer background. It must be done yearly. Volunteer Background Check

STAFF FAVORITES

Staff Favorites Found Here!

Grandparents/Grand Friends Day!

Grandparents Day is coming soon! We are celebrating all the awesome grandparents and grand friends in our lives with a special lunch on the lawn. This event is being held on Friday, September 5th during your student’s regularly scheduled lunch period. An RSVP request is being emailed out Monday, August 25th to let us know if your tiger is attending and with how many guests. It is essential you complete this form if you are participating, as this is how we will know to retrieve your student to meet you on that day. If you don’t, then there is going to be significant delay in getting your student to you. Please plan to bring a lunch for you and your tiger to enjoy. We will be providing a tented outdoor space with tables and chairs for you to comfortably enjoy lunch together. We kindly request all guests respect the lunch periods and allow their student to return to class promptly in order to make space for the next group of students and their guests. We look forward to seeing everyone for this awesome day!

SAVE THE DATE!

8/29 Wear college colors day

9/1 Labor Day/School Holiday

9/4 9:00 a.m. Volunteer Orientation in the Cafeteria

9/5 10:30 - 1:00pm Grandparents Day during lunch (tents and tables will be set up outside near Kinder Playground)

9/8 3:00-4:00 p.m. Tiger Mascot Auditions (5th Grade) in the Learning Commons

9/15 International Dot Day

9/17 Constitution Day

9/18 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm OCT PTA Tiger Fest and Spirit Shop (outside on playground)

9/22 GCISD Professional Development Day (No school for students)

9/25 Mod Pizza Spirit Night (all day!)

BIRTHDAYS AT O.C. TAYLOR

We love to celebrate birthdays BIG at O.C. Taylor! We provide two options to purchase through our PTA to help celebrate:

Name In Lights - Your child's name on our marquee for the day - $25

Tiger Gram with Taylor the Tiger - Have Taylor the Tiger deliver a goody bag and balloons to your child's classroom - $40

Save $5 and purchase BOTH for $60.

Please purchase these AT LEAST two weeks in advance. We cannot promise our availability if not purchased in advance. Purchase on our website https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

If you have any questions or need assistance of any kind, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Looking forward to a GRRREAT year!

Veronica Walker

President / O.C. Taylor PTA

octaylorptapresident@gmail.com

Dad's Club News

A big shoutout to all the dad's who have helped out this first week of school! Below are some important dates for the start of the school year!

DON'T MISS THE FIRST DAD'S CLUB MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27TH AT 7PM UPSTAIRS AT CHICKEN N PICKLE. We will cover all the things the Dad's Club has planned this school year. You don't want to miss out!

Important Dates for Dad's Club

8/27 7:00 pm First Dad's Club Meeting of the Year, upstairs at Chicken N Pickle

9/10 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Dad's Club Family Night at Chicken N Pickle (come out and meet other Dad's Club Families)

9/18 Tiger Fest

10/1 Menchies Fundraiser (Euless Location 12:00-10pm)

10/28 6pm - 8pm Tiger Treat at OCT

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