Tiger Time News

Thank you for helping make our last week before Spring Break such a wonderful one at OCT! It has been a busy and exciting time on our campus, and I am grateful for the continued support of our families.

As we head into Spring Break, I hope each of you has the opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together. Whether you are traveling or enjoying a staycation here at home, I hope the week brings rest, fun, and time to make great memories. We look forward to welcoming our Tigers back refreshed and ready for the remainder of the school year.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our school at Raising Cane’s on March 10. Your participation means so much and helps strengthen the connection between our school and community.

I would also like to give a huge thank you to our incredible staff and students who participated in the Special Olympics this year. This is truly one of my favorite events of the year. Our students represented OCT so well, and we are incredibly proud of their effort, determination, and sportsmanship.

Thank you again for your continued support of OCT. Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

Best,

Principal Schilleci

Schilleci's Weekly News

OCT Campus Welcome Night, April 20th: This year we will be hosting a campus welcome night for all new incoming families to OCT next year. We are excited to have this time to welcome our BES, CES, and all new families to the Tiger Family for 26-27! It will be from 6:00- 7:00. We hope to see all of our new families then!
COLLEYVILLE RECEIPT RACE GRADE LEVEL CHALLENGE CONTINUES: Keep saving those receipts for the month of March and help OC Taylor PTA win the Receipt Race and a chance to win $5000. We are doing very well but several other schools are right there with us so let's finish strong! You can turn them in to your tigers teacher or the front office. This month's challenge is for a classroom pizza party!
OCT Annual Dad's Club Golf Tournament, April 10th⛳: Mark your calendars for this years OCT Dad's Golf Tournament at Bear Creek Country Club! It will be a 4 person scramble format again. So start getting your team together and save the date. More information will be available in the coming weeks!
OCT Attendance: I am excited to share that our attendance for March is 97.28%. This has been fantastic for the month of March and was over 2 percentage points higher than last year. We are working very hard to finish over 97% on the year and we are currently at 96.88% on the year.
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!

District Communications

Prepare for Takeoff: 2026-2027 Enrollment Opens Monday, March 23

New and returning student registration for the 2026–2027 school year opens Monday, March 23. Families are encouraged to register to give campuses a smooth flight plan before the summer departure. Registering now helps GCISD avoid last- minute hiring or staff adjustments when the school year begins.

Here’s your boarding pass:

Returning students: Check in through Skyward Family Access
New families: Request a Skyward account first
Pre-K: Complete the Pre-K online application first
New siblings: Log in to Skyward Family Access and add a new student by selecting the “New Student Online Enrollment” tab

Don’t delay! Register today.

Save the Date: Walk a Mile with GCISD, 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, May 4

This year’s Walk a Mile with GCISD is shaping up to be the best one yet and we want staff, families and community members to join us for the fun at Mustang Panther Stadium.

Booths:

Enrollment stations for the 2026-2027 school year - If you need assistance, GCISD staff will be on hand to help
E-Bike Safety Booth with surgeons and injury specialists from Baylor Scott & White, including bike helmet giveaways
Sports Nutrition Booth with dieticians from Baylor Scott & White
Water Safety Booth with specialists from Baylor Scott & White
And more!

Attendees will also have an opportunity to walk/run on the track of the stadium to get some exercise in and meet new people. While we love our pets, they are not allowed in the stadium.

Make plans to join us: 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026.

Extended Learning Expansion Opportunities: GCISD is exploring expanding the Extended Learning program to offer more services and opportunities for students. Your feedback through our Extended Learning Survey will help us design offerings that truly meet the needs and interests of GCISD families through meaningful enrichment opportunities and flexible learning experiences.

Additionally, GCISD is exploring the development of an enrichment program designed to serve homeschool families in the DFW metroplex. Please help us get the word out by sharing this Community Feedback Form with any families you know whose children do not currently attend a GCISD school.

Mathematics Telescope Testing: Elementary and Middle School Parents: Please see the Mathematics Telescoping flyer for information regarding telescoping testing for the Spring 2026. Additional information is also available on the mathematics telescoping website.
🌟 Extended Learning Mini Camps Are Here 🌟

Parents, looking for exciting ways to keep your child engaged this summer? We’ve got you covered! Our Extended Learning Mini Camps offer something for everyone — from building basketball and volleyball skills to exploring science through a STAR WARS™ lens (yes, they’ll even create their own light saber!), diving into hands-on art, becoming a comic strip whiz, or learning the basics of coding.

Give your child a summer full of creativity, movement, innovation, and FUN. Spots fill fast — don’t miss out on the excitement! 🚀✨

Reading Refresh Camp

Reading Refresh Camp is specially designed for students with dyslexia and focuses on maintaining and strengthening literacy skills over the summer. Through structured, research-based instruction in a supportive small-group setting, students will build foundational reading skills, boost confidence, and continue their growth as readers. Our goal is to help every camper feel successful, capable, and excited about learning. 🌟

26-27 Heritage Elementary News

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

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

3/13-3/22 - Spring Break
3/25 - Party w/ the Principals
3/25 - 3NW Report Cards posted to Skyward Family Access
4/2 - Neon Night
4/3 - Holiday/District Closed
4/8 - 3rd-5th Reading STAAR - Closed Campus
4/10 - OCT Dad's Club Golf Tournament
4/14 - 5th Science STAAR - Closed Campus
4/20 - Campus Welcome Night for new incoming families 6:00pm-7:00pm.
4/28 - 3rd-5th Math STAAR - Closed Campus

Nurse Katy

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.

Holley's Happenings

IT'S ALMOST SPRING BREAK!

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

Mrs. Quinn's Corner📚

This week we will be focusing on digital citizenship. Kinder and 1st grade tigers will get a story and lesson on respecting others both online and face to face. 2nd - 3rd grade friends will get a story and a lesson on spreading misinformation both online and in real life. 4th grade will get a video on Digital Privacy and Cyber Awareness. 5th grade will get a chance to explore new book genres by taking a Book Genre Personality Quiz.

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

Vencill's Voice

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

Music - March Update

Welcome back, Tigers! I hope you had a wonderful Spring Break! We have several upcoming grade level programs, including our 1st grade program THIS Thursday, Parents, please mark your calendar with these exciting events.

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.

Happy Music In Our Schools Month, Tigers!

Mrs. Vencill

bethany.vencill@gcisd.net

Morgan's Art Announcements

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

Mester's PE Press

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

Waters' World

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

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.

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.

O.C. Taylor PTA

PTA News

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!

PARTY WITH THE PRINCIPALS

Come join the Principals for an afternoon of fun! Party with the principals on March 24th from 3:05pm - 4:30pm. If you didn't get to purchase this fun event on the silent auction, we still have 8 spaces left! Order here and don't miss out on all the fun!

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)!

Congratulations to 4th grade for winning the popsicle party! Popsicle Party will be after lunch on Wednesday, March 11th.

Keep saving those receipts for the month of March and help OC Taylor PTA win the Receipt Race This month's challenge is for a classroom pizza party!

DAD'S CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT - APRIL 10TH

🎉 Hello Friends! Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at the Eighth Annual O.C. Taylor Dads' Club Golf Tournament. It's an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉WIN THE TIGER STRIPE JACKET!

18 holes of golf at Bear Creek Golf Course will be included, along with breakfast and lunch. Out on the golf course there will be lots of fun including: a long drive contest, closest-to-the-pin contest, Pick your tee box, and more, as well as tons of amazing raffle prizes for you to enter to win.

We are using a new platform for signups this year which will help us raise more money by saving on processing fees. You will be given the option to donate to the platform during sign-up, HOWEVER YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO.

Shotgun start at 8:30 am, with registration and breakfast starting at 7:30 am. Lunch to follow starting at 12:30 pm.

Can't play but want to donate? We have lots of sponsorship opportunities. Sign up to play, or donate here! Can't wait to see you all out there on April 10th!

RUN CLUB IS BACK

We missed our Tigers on Friday, but it was better to be safe with all the bad weather updates. Our next run club is March 27th

MAHJERS TOURNAMENT - APRIL 10TH FROM 8:30AM - 12:30PM

Our much loved annual Dad's Club Golf Tournament isn't just for the dads! While our golfers are competing for the coveted tiger jacket outside, we invite you to join us inside for a mahjong tournament. All experience levels are welcome! Never played Mahj before? Signe up to learn! Both tournament play and teaching will be available. Now is your chance to learn this fantastic game that taken over game nights everywhere. We can't wait to welcome you to a morning of Mahjong, bubbly, raffles, and plenty of laughs - all benefiting OC Taylor PTA.

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.

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!

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. We have lots of fun planned for our talented Tigers!

GAME ON 2.0 IS COMING BACK! - MAY 4TH AT CMS

We missed our Tigers on Friday, but it was better to be safe with all the bad weather updates. Our next run club is March 27th

SAVE THE DATE!

March

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

3/28 Last Day to Order Yearbooks

April

4/2 Neon Night 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m

4/3 Holiday/No School

4/6 8:15 a.m. PTA Executive Board Meeting

4/8 STAAR ELAR (3-5)

4/10 OCT Dad’s Club Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Bear Creek Golf Course

4/10 Mahjers Tournament at the OCT Tiger Classic from 8:30am - 12:30pm

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