• OCT Teacher and Paraprofessional of  the Year: A huge and very well deserved congratulations to Tiffany Dagger and Ana Medrano on being named this year's OCT Teacher and Paraprofessional of the Year!

• OCT Open House, 3/5: Please mark off this date in your calendars! From 6:00-7:00 we will have open house at OCT. Come and see the awesome work your tigers are doing! Then as soon as your are finished with open house we will begin Spring Movie Night on the primary court area from 7:00-8:30. Come join us and watch Zootopia 2! Hotdogs, popcorn, and drinks will be available for purchase!

• Kinder Rodeo, 3/11: Please feel free to stop by before next Wednesday to collect your badge at a Kiosk. As long as we  have great weather our parade in the morning will be exactly like the 100th Day of School (see this map). The parade will start at 7:45 and the Rodeo will begin at 2:00 in our cafeteria!

• Spring Class/Group Pictures, 3/10: This is a reminder that students and staff will take their annual Spring class and group pictures next Tuesday! No money will be due on picture day. All students will be photographed . The photographs will not be available immediately. Individual photographs will be emailed to you in approximately 2-3 weeks, allowing you to view, select your background and purchase your portrait packages. Class group photographs will be placed online. All packages will be shipped directly to your home.

• 🍗 Support OCT at Raising Cane's! 🍗: Take the night off from cooking and help us raise funds for OC Taylor Elementary! Join us for a delicious Spirit Night at Raising Cane's, where 15% of your meal's net sales will be donated directly to OCT. Every dollar raised is poured right back into our classrooms, directly benefiting our amazing kids and hardworking teachers.

Here are the delicious details:

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Time: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: 2901 State Hwy 121, Euless, TX

How to make your meal count:

Dine-In or Drive-Thru: Simply mention the "OC Taylor Elementary Fundraiser" to the cashier before you pay.

Online or App Orders: Apply the promo code RCFUND96 at checkout.

Grab the whole family, enjoy some craveable chicken fingers, and let's show our OCT pride.

• Dropoff/Dismissal Safety- Parents, please make sure you are using the crosswalk if you have parked and are walking across the tiger loop to get to the front office. We have had some close calls lately and I just want to make sure we are all as safe as possible. There will be a staff member ready to let you across when you need it. Thank you!

• OCT PTA & DAD'S CLUB- Do not forget to scroll all the way to the bottom of this Tiger Time News and read the OCT PTA and Dad's Club sections! Information about upcoming events will be there as well as fundraising opportunities and more!

To support our Tiger families transitioning to Heritage Elementary (HES) for the 2026-2027 school year, we will be dedicating this section to important news and updates. Please check back here throughout the remainder of the semester for information regarding next year! 

• Interest HES PTA form: If you are interested in joining HES PTA please fill out this  HES PTA Form 

• UPCOMING PUBERTY VIDEOS: Parents of 4th grade girls and all 5th grade students ~ PLEASE make sure you have filled out the consent form in Skyward.  You have to OPT IN or OPT OUT.  Tentative presentation schedule is below:  

*Tuesday March 10th- 5th grade girls at 1:20 & 4th grade girls at 2:30 👭

           *Wednesday March 11th- 5th grade boys  at 1:30👬

• CLINIC WISHLIST:  If you able to donate, we always need 🍬peppermints 🍬in the front office/clinic.  All kinds are welcome! 😊

Repeated Information:

• LION'S CLUB RECYCLE FOR SIGHT PROGRAM:   This is another way we can be servant leaders.  Donate any old eyeglasses/lenses/cases!   There are collection boxes in the front vestibule and in the front office.  Most of the recycled glasses are sorted and distributed to people in need in developing countries where they will have the greatest impact. 

Welcome March!

Hope you all had a great weekend! Please be sure to complete the Google form for Play it Safe if you haven't already. 

OCT PLAY IT SAFE 

Play it Safe will take place on Friday, March 27th during specials rotations. This year you will need to complete the google form (linked above) to opt in/out of the presentation. You DO NOT need to go through Skyward to complete this process. The form also contains more information on the program and dates/times. 

Counseling Amazon Wishlist 

All the best,

Mrs. Holley

This week Kinder-2nd grade friends will get a Neptune Navigate video about media literacy. 

Read Across America Week is March 2-6! Each day OC Taylor will celebrate with fun theme days and a story read aloud by students on the morning announcements.

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! Even if the volunteer schedule is full, please email me -  on any given day I might have more tasks that need to be tackled.

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

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2026

Music - March Update

March is Music In Our Schools month! During the month of March we will continue creating, performing, analyzing,  listening to and enjoying music and will focus on the connections music has to other core subjects including…

           Math

LangUage

      HiStory

 PhysIcal Education

        SCience

I challenge ALL grade level students to create something musical to share with their fellow OCT Tigers. Compose and perform a song.  Create a musical instrument and demonstrate how to play your instrument.  Research a famous composer and share their story. How does music impact YOUR life?

Parents, please mark your calendars for these exciting, upcoming events. 

Kindergarten Rodeo, Wednesday, March 11 at 2 p.m.

1st Grade Music In Our Schools Month Celebration, Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Grade Festival of Friends Multicultural Program, Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

5th Grade Rocks!, Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m.

1st, 2nd and 5th grade students are expected to attend the daytime AND evening performance of their grade level program.

5th Grade Parents:   

• CTMS Band Program    

• CMS Band Program.  

• HMS Band Program

• GMS Band Program

Happy Music In Our Schools Month, Tigers!

Mrs. Vencill

bethany.vencill@gcisd.net

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2026

Art Update - March 2026

Kindergarten will learn about cubist artist Pablo Picasso to create a self-portrait.

1st grade will learn about mural artist Chris Uphues. Students will create their own mini mural using shapes, colors and the art term space. 

2nd grade will finish their paper plate radial weaving by using the pattern over/under. Students will learn the terms loom, weft, and warp. Students will then learn about different Still Life artists and create their own still life using 3D shapes.

3rd grade will learn about the process and history of printmaking. Students will review the artist Wayne Thiebaud and his paintings of food and everyday objects. Students will create three prints that are inspired by his work.

4th grade will learn about the abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. They will be learning how to create an abstract piece using a variety of lines, shapes and balance. They will then learn how to blend watercolors for their background, as well as different watercolor techniques.

5th grade will learn about different types of sculpture. Students will learn clay techniques like coil, pinch pot, slab, and scoring. Students will create a pinch pot animal of their choice. 

O. C. Taylor Yearbooks are on Sale!

You can order a yearbook and create an ad/ dedication page online at yearbookordercenter.com. Our order number for O.C. Taylor is 17833.

We are offering both softcover and hardcover yearbooks this year!

Last day to order an ad/ dedication page is March 14th.

Last day to pre-order a yearbook is March 28th.

Keep on Creating!

Mrs. Morgan

cristie.morgan@gcisd.net

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2026

PE Update:

Don't forget to bring your “Fitness Around The World” photos to Coach Mester or Coach Reyna so we can display them on the bulletin board outside the gym.

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

This is a great local opportunity for our Grade GT LEADERS!

Super Saturdays for Grades 1-12

Looking for something exciting and educational to do on a Saturday during the school year?  Join us on campus for one of our amazing Super Saturdays! Students in grades 1-12 can make new friends while growing their skills and knowledge in Saturday classes hosted by Baylor TIP! All students are welcome to enroll. 

Students who enroll in both the AM and PM courses will be supervised for lunch on campus. Additional details will be sent via email prior to the date of the event. Need-based financial aid is available as are discounts for families registering for more than one course.  

Here is the registration link

March 7: Baylor TIP at University of Dallas in Irving

Registration closes March 1.

Grades 4-5

• Architects in Action: Exterior Design Studio (AM), Instructor: Bryan Hendrickson

• Rube Goldberg Lab (AM), Instructor: Tiffani Griffard

• Secrets Beneath the Sand: Ancient Egyptian Explorations (PM), Instructor: Bryan Hendrickson

• Code Across the Cosmos (PM), Instructor: Tiffani Griffard

Grades 6-7

• Comparative Mythology: From Origins to Apocalypse (AM), Instructor: Clint Von Gundy

• The Molecular Detective Agency: Unlocking Life's Secrets (AM), Instructor: Dr. Inimary Toby

• Voices, Choices, and the Constitution: Understanding the First Amendment (PM), Instructor: Clint Von Gundy

• Mission to Mars: Math in Space (PM), Instructor: Anna Murray

Grades 8-12

• Fermat's Tricky Problem and Its Cousins (AM), Instructor: Dr. Paul Phillips

• Molecular Diagnostics Lab: From DNA to AI (PM), Instructor: Dr. Inimary Toby
  April 25: Baylor TIP at University of Dallas in Irving
  Registration closes April 19.
  Grades 4-5

  • Welcome to My Dream Home! (AM), Instructor: Bryan Hendrickson

  • Legends in the Lab: Engineering Adventures with Egyptian Mythology (AM), Instructor: Tiffani Griffard

  • Unearthing Native Histories: An Archaeological Adventure (PM), Instructor: Bryan Hendrickson

  • Deep Sea Coders (PM), Instructor: Tiffani Griffard

• Grades 6-7

  • Science (Flash) Fiction (AM), Instructor: Clint Von Gundy

  • Power Plays and Politics (PM), Instructor: Clint Von Gundy

  • Inside Your Head: A User’s Guide (PM), Instructor: Dr. Janette Boazman

• Grades 8-12

  • The Staircase of Mount Meru (AM), Instructor: Dr. Paul Phillips

  • Poetry as Creative Problem Solving (PM), Instructors: Dr. Todd Kettler & Tim Spitsberg

What is my child learning in GT LEAD?

1st grade - Game Maker

2nd grade - Brain Research

3rd grade - Building a Business

4th grade - Enigmas

5th grade - Geometric Wonders

Important Dates:

•  K-4GT decision available March 1, 2026

• K-4 ASPIRE decision available online in Skyward on March 6, 2026 

WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS! 

by Robert Ingersoll

WELCOME TO O.C. TAYLOR PTA!

Extra Class Shirts Available on the Spirit Shop! 

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!

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! CLASS SHIRTS CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 1ST (these are mandatory and worn for several different events). 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!

COLLEYVILLE RECEIPT RACE GRADE LEVEL CHALLENGE

THE COLLEYVILLE RECEIPT RACE is ON!

Thank you to everyone who turned in receipts this month! We are turning in a  total of 544 receipts for the month of February (this is including the two weeks before the challenge started)! Stay tuned for March's challenge that will be shared this week! Here are the totals for each grade:

Pre-K: 3

Kindergarten: 61

1st Grade: 57

2nd Grade: 108

3rd Grade: 75

4th Grade: 114

5th Grade: 46

Congratulations to 4th grade for winning  the popsicle party! We will be reaching out to the fourth grade team to plan soon! 

Keep saving those receipts for the month of March and help OC Taylor PTA win the Receipt Race!

RUN CLUB IS BACK

Our next Run Club is March 6th! Hopefully the rain stays away! Can't wait to see you all out there!

GRACE MARCH DONATIONS

GRACE needs essential toiletries items. Please donate shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, or tooth brushes. Multi-pack items count as one item. The grade that donates the most items gets to bring a stuffed animal to school.

DAD'S CLUB MOVIE NIGHT - MARCH 5TH

Join us after Open house for the Dad's Club Movie Night on Thursday, March 7th at 7pm.

Featuring 'Zootopia 2'

Stop by after Open House on March 7th. We are out on the blacktop at the back of the school.

Pre-order dinner for a family of 4 is $25. It includes 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks, and 4 popcorn. Form closes March 4th.

Pre-order dinner for 1 is $7. It includes a hot dog, drink and popcorn. Form closes March 4th.

Fill out this form only once per family, only if purchasing dinner.

Bring chairs or blankets for the movie

Individual items available for purchase the night of (while supplies last)

CALLING ALL 4TH AND 5TH GRADE SUPERSTARS! IN PERSON TALENT SHOW IS BACK!

Does your child love to sing, dance, act, perform magic, or show off a special talent? Now’s their chance to shine at the Talent Show! 

Sign up today using the link below:

 https://forms.gle/BtRuXEC8JBYUe9jb7

Talent show will be in person once again! It will take place May 1st at 6pm in the OC Taylor Cafeteria.

SAVE THE DATE!

March

3/2 8:15 a.m. PTA Executive Board Meeting

3/5 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Open House

7:00 - 9:00 p.m  Dad’s Club Movie Night 

3/6 Rule the School AND Spirit Rally/Attendance Recognition 8:30 (PreK-2nd) and  9:00 (3rd-5th)

3/6 3:15 - 4:00 Run Club 

3/10 Spring Picture Day - Glamourcraft (individual/class group)

3/10 Raising Cane's Spirit Night from 4pm - 10pm 

3/11 7:45 a.m. Kinder Rodeo Parade, 2:00 p.m. Kindergarten Rodeo

3/12 5th Grade Camp Thurman

3/13 Instructional Planning/No School

3/16 - 3/20 Spring Break

3/24  PTA Party with the Principals

3/26 1st Grade Music in our Schools Music program

3/27 General PTA meeting at 8:15 a.m.

3/27 3:15 - 4:00 Run Club 

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 

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