REPEAT REMINDERS/UPDATES

1. GCISD INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR CHANGES- Due to GCISD’s recent closures because of winter weather and COVID-19, the following changes are being made to this year’s instructional calendar. Please note, these changes do not affect the instructional calendars for Collegiate Academy or iUniversity Prep.

   • Friday, March 11 will no longer be an early release day. Students will attend school for the full day.

   • Students will be in school on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18 which were originally planned for inclement weather days.

   • Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26 will no longer be early release days, except for high school students. All elementary and middle school students will attend school for the full day.

Click here for an updated 2021-2022 GCISD Instructional Calendar.

2. STATE OF TEXAS 2020-21 SCHOOL REPORT CARD - Click here to find a copy of the State of Texas 2020–21 School Report Card for our school. This report is required by the Texas Legislature and prepared by the Texas Education Agency. It is to be sent to the parent or guardian of every child enrolled in a Texas public school. The School Report Cards can be found online at https://tea.texas.gov/Student_Testing_and_Accountability/Accountability/State_Accountability/Performance_Reporting/School_Report_Cards.

1. NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT: Apply now: www.gcisd.net/careers.

2. REPORTING COVID-19 CASES: To report a student or staff COVID-19 case to GCISD, please complete this form. A District or campus nurse will then contact you with the next steps. Please complete the form rather than reporting cases directly to any GCISD staff.

3. ATTENDANCE: As a reminder, all students in grades K-5 must be in attendance at least 90% of the time (18 days or fewer) to receive credit for classes. Students who have 9 or more absences to date are in jeopardy of being retained in that grade level. While we understand that illnesses and unexpected circumstances arise, please help us ensure that your student(s) are present each day and ready to learn.

4. STAAR ONLINE: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is transitioning all state assessments to be administered online by the 2022–2023 school year. To support this change, GCISD will be administering all state assessments online this Spring and is encouraging students to visit the practice tests site released by the TEA to prepare for online testing. For upcoming testing, students will be using district-issued personal devices. The online practice tests familiarize students with the general tools, designated supports, and accessibility features that may appear in online tests. In the practice site, there are features that may be turned on and off for students with identified accommodations such as text-to-speech and spelling assistance. Organized by grade level and subject, all 2018, 2019, and 2021 STAAR released tests are also available on the online practice site. Please visit this link for instructions on how to access the practice site. To view upcoming online STAAR testing windows and dates, please visit our website. More specific information about student testing days will be coming soon. Please submit a help desk ticket if you are having trouble launching a test.

5. The GCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS HIRING! Full-time applicants can apply here. Part-time applicants can apply here.

6. GCISD SUBSTITUTES NEEDED: For more information, please contact Robyn Cheek at robyn.cheek@gcisd.net.

7. MISSING SCHOOL: If you have a child who is out ill or not in attendance, please call the office and let us know. Thank you!

8. CHECKING OUT A STUDENT EARLY: We kindly ask if you need to pick up a child before our 2:55 p.m. dismissal, please do so before 2:30 p.m.

9. CHANGE IN DISMISSAL OR PICK UP: Please call the front office by at least 2:00 p.m. A phone call is required. Sometimes we have only one person in the front office, so we want to provide ample time to be able to meet your needs.

10. VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK: Please go to the district website, read the Volunteer Handbook then apply to volunteer.

Testing Information: As the spring testing season approaches, you will find detailed information, testing updates, and reminders here. All state testing will be administered online for all students using their district-issued Chromebook. In preparation for STAAR testing, students in grades 3-5 will participate in Interim Assessments during the first two weeks in March (specific dates TBA). These Interim Assessments will provide students with the opportunity to practice STAAR questions in the areas of Math, Reading, and Science (5th grade only), as well as utilize the available tools through the online testing platform. Specific dates for Interim Assessments will be communicated soon. Parents can access the online practice at home by going to texasassessment.gov - Students and Families - Practice Test Log In tile - guest user ON - sign in - select the grade level assessment.

I'm here to support all of our students and families! Please reach out to me anytime with any questions or concerns regarding behavior, testing, or your student's needs. You may call me at (817) 305-4870 or email allison.bailey@gcisd.net.

Kindly,

Assistant Principal Bailey

Read Across America week is Monday Feb 28-Friday March 4: When we take the time to read with children, they get the message that reading is important. We celebrate Read Across America to share with our students the importance, value, and fun of reading. Click here and join us for a week of fun reading-inspired dress up days!

Enter Our Book Character Drawing Contest: Join the fun as we celebrate Read Across America week! Students can draw a book character in the story's setting to win a $20 Book Fair Shopping Trip! Drawings are due to Mrs. Irwin in the library by Tuesday, March 8th. All entries will be displayed in the library. Click here for details!

Book Fair is coming...Monday, March 7-Friday, March 11!
Read the links below to sign up to volunteer, set up your child's eWallet, and see book fair hours!

GCISD READS 3rd 9 Weeks Due March 11th: The GCISD Reads initiative is designed to build a love of reading in students--encouraging them to read a large quantity and a wide variety of books. The second challenge starts now and forms are due to the student's teacher or librarian by March 11, 2022.

• Students "Learning to Read" read 25 books near their reading level and complete the

25 book form

• Students "Reading to Learn" read 6 books near their reading level and complete the

6 book form

Visit the GCISD Reads website at https://bit.ly/GCISDReads2022 for more information and PDF copies of all forms. Students who complete the challenge will receive recognition and a backpack charm for each nine weeks completed!

STUDENT CHECK OUT: Grades K-2nd visit the learning commons (which houses the library) weekly and Pre-K & grades 3th-5th visit every other week. Students may exchange books between class visits as many times as needed and renew books over multiple weeks.
Click Here for Library Circulation Policies

• Parents of 4th grade girls: The 4th grade girls puberty video titled Just Around the Corner is scheduled for Friday March 11th. Every parent is now asked to fill out a participation consent form indicating their preference of participation for their child. These can be sent back to me electronically or printed off/signed and turned in to me. I will keep track of who can/cannot participate. If a form is not received on your student, then the student will not be able to view/participate.

• Reporting Covid-19 Cases: GCISD is now collecting reports of COVID-19 cases in a new way. To report a student or staff COVID-19 case to GCISD, please complete this form. A District or campus nurse will then contact you with next steps. Please complete the form rather than reporting cases directly to any GCISD staff.

• Project ADAM: Did you know that OCT is a designated Heart Safe School with Project ADAM? We have our own AED team who have are CPR/AED certified Project ADAM is a national, non-profit organization committed to saving lives through advocacy, education, preparedness and collaboration to prevent sudden cardiac death. The organization is named after Adam Lemel, a 17 year old Wisconsin high school student who collapsed and died while playing basketball. To learn more about Project Adam, you can watch this short video.

The Adam in Project ADAM ***approx 2.5 minutes***

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2022

Art - March Update

For the month of March, students will be learning and understanding how to sculpt, print make, mix tints and shades and be inspired by artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.

Kindergarten will learn about the cubist artist Pablo Picasso. Students will create their own self portrait using different shapes and patterns.

1^st grade will learn about different sculpting techniques like a pinch pot, coil, and slab. Students will sculpt the animal of their choice and create a habitat base.

2^nd will learn about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Students will use The Starry Night as inspiration to create their own landscape using foreground, middle ground and background.

3^rd 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.

4^th grade will learn about color value. Students will review how to mix paint to create tints and shades. Students will create a color value silhouette painting of their choice using one main color.

5^th grade will learn about different sculpting techniques like coil, pinch pot and slab. Student will learn about Walter Scott Lenox and Lenox china. Students will sculpt an animal dish of their choice using a pinch pot as the base.

Keep on creating!

Mrs. Morgan

Buy your Yearbook! Yearbooks are on sale! You can order a yearbook and create an Ad online here. The order number for O. C. Taylor is 17833.

The last day to order a Yearbook is April 16th. The last day to purchase and create an Ad is March 11th!

Keep on Creating!

Mrs. Morgan

cristie.morgan@gcisd.net

Mrs. Morgan's Web Page

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2022

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. Students are expected to attend the daytime AND evening performance of their grade level program.

1st Grade Music In Our Schools Month Celebration: Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Grade Festival of Friends Multicultural Program: Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m.

5th Grade Rocks!: Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.

If your 5th grade student will attend CTMS next year, click this link for more information on their BAND program.

Happy Music In Our Schools Month, Tigers!

Mrs. Vencill

bethany.vencill@gcisd.net

Mrs. Vencill's GCISD web page

4th/5th Grade Taylor Tiger Choir

Grade Level Performance Dates

O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, March 2022

PE - March Update

Let's hope March brings us more consistent weather! Way to go Tigers, you did an amazing job jumping rope in class and collecting donations for the American Heart Association. We learned about and strengthened our own hearts while helping others whose hearts are not as healthy. Our donations totaled more than $25,800!!! In March, we will finish up pickleball, continue our focus on strength, fitness, and coordination, and hopefully begin kickball rules and gameplay.

See you in the gym,

Coach Mester

jason.mester@gcisd.net

My name is Stacy Whisman, and I am the counselor at OC Taylor. I have a section in the Parent Tiger Den each week, Student Assistance, that is updated with our monthly guidance theme, important dates of upcoming events, and links to get in touch with me for any student needs and concerns.

FUTURE EXPLORATIONS - Career Pathways:

Have you heard from your Tiger all they are learning about the Career Pathways? At O.C. Taylor, we focus on one Career Pathway a month as a campus to learn about the different careers in each cluster and what kind of education and training is needed. In March our focus is on BUSINESS. If you would like more information about our Future Explorations, please click on this link. We will be hosting our annual Career Day. The original date was May 16, but, due to STAAR testing on May 17, we have rescheduled for TUESDAY, MAY 24. If you are interested in being a speaker, please fill out the following form SIGN-UP GOOGLE FORM. (Feel free to share this form with friends, family, or community members who would like to join in the fun!)

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 5TH GRADE FAMILIES:

Spring is the time when our 5th grade families begin preparing to make many choices in regard to ALL THINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL. In the 5th Grade level newsletter, there will also be the link to the updated information and dates from each of the GCISD middle schools. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions throughout this process if you can't find the information you need from the link.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

Tuesday, March 1 @ 10:00 AM

District 5th Grade Parent/Family Q&A Webex

Password: Mh24bp5fEJj

Webex will be recorded and posted on GCISD Elementary Counseling

Course selection details available on GCISD Elementary Counseling

AVID PARENT INFORMATION MEETING

March 2 at 6:00 pm

This event will be held virtually via Webex and can be joined by visiting:

https://bit.ly/AVIDfam22.

If prompted, additional information to join the webinar is as follows:

Webinar number (access code): 2622 861 8026

Webinar password: AVID2022 (28432022 from phones)

Join by phone at 1-408-418-9388

Friday, March 4

Course selections due to Mrs. Whisman

Middle school counselors will send a copy of the selections before summer to verify course requests.

Testing for GT Services and/or the ASPIRE Academy

Kindergarten through 5th Grade currently enrolled students may be referred and tested for GT services and/or the ASPIRE Academy during the window below:

Referral Window: January 10 - January 28

Testing Window: February 1 - February 28

GT Decisions mailed on: March 28

ASPIRE Decisions mailed: April 27

GCISD Gifted and Talented

Parent Inventory/Permission to Test (Scroll down to bottom of page. Link will only be LIVE during the referral window.)

_________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE for the GT LEAD Page & Newsletter

STAY CONNECTED in GCISD...

Join SAGE, (Supporting and Advocating for Gifted Education), which is a gifted parent advocacy group that provides a wealth of information regarding social/emotional well-being of gifted children, information on camps for gifted learners, and information on what GT is like in our district and how to navigate it through high school and beyond. Please follow this link to join: https://gc-sage.org

Articles to Meet the Affective Needs of our Gifted Learners:

• Asynchronous Development

• Imposter Syndrome

• Perfectionism

• Heightened Emotional Sensitivity

• Introversion

Please feel free to contact me at any time via email at kathy.griffin@gcisd.net

Twitter: @OCTGriffin

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MATH TELESCOPING TEST

Students in grades K - 5th have an opportunity to take an End of Course math assessment in order to skip a grade of math. The testing will be in the summer, and the results will apply to the 2022-23 school year. A parent can register his or her child for testing through the second link below or by calling the number below. There are two deadlines for two testing events. If you have questions about this process, I am happy to answer those.

• MATH TELESCOPING DATES &. MATH TELESCOPING WEBSITE

In order for your child to telescope in math, a student must take a grade level end of course exam and score 90% or higher. For example, a first grader would take an end of course 2nd grade exam. If that child scored 90% or higher on it, then the next year as a 2nd Grader, that student would take 3rd Grade math. If you are wondering if this could be a good fit for your child, reach out to your child's math teacher to discuss this opportunity. If you choose to move forward with testing, then you can register online using the link above once the window opens, or you can contact the Assessment Department at GCISD Administration Office (817-251-5524) to schedule and pay for testing.

WELCOME TO O.C. TAYLOR PTA!

NEW THIS WEEK:

• SECOND CHANCE AUCTION

PTA had a few items from our original auction that we wanted to offer again. Items include Front Row Parking, Front Row Seating for events coming up Game On spots. These are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE items that are BUY IT NOW prices. This auction will be a link on our website and will go LIVE on Sunday, March 6th at 3:00 p.m.. Link will stay open until all items are purchased.

• SPIRIT NIGHT - FAJITA PETE'S

Dinner is done on Tuesday, March 1st from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.! Order Fajita Pete's for carryout! OCT will get 20% back from the Fajita Trio, Fajitas for 4 or the La Familia. You must mention O.C. Taylor. We hope you will join us!

• STUFFED ANIMAL DAY

Bring $1 and your favorite SMALL stuffed animal as a buddy this Thursday, March 3rd. Funds raised support our 5th Grade Continuation. Thank you for your support!

• LUCKY LEPRECHAUN PTA MEMBERSHIP AWARD

We need 17 new PTA members in March to win the Lucky Leprechaun Award! Please help us reach this goal by joining PTA. If you are already a member, please sign up your students, spouse, grandparents, extended family members, community members - they all count! Thank you for supporting O.C. Taylor in this way! Join Here!

• SOCK HOP DAY

Sock Hop Day is March 11th! Get ready to Shake, Rattle and Roll! Dress in your best 50s attire, learn some sock hop dances during specials and listen to the 4th + 5th Grade choir perform 50s-themed songs! The Spirit Shop will be open as well. It will be a rockin' good time!

• PTA LEADERSHIP TEAM

The O.C. Taylor PTA Nominating Committee is gathering the names of persons willing to be involved and serve as officers or committee chairpersons during the 2022-2023 school year. If you are interested in serving in a leadership role next school year please take a moment to fill out the leadership interest form here.

Please complete this form no later than March 1, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact our Nominating Committee Chair Julie Odietus at julieodietus@gmail.com. We would love for you to be a part of our OCT PTA team next year!

• FUSS FREE FUNDRAISING - CHECK THE PROGRESS HERE!

What exactly is Fuss Free Fundraising? Fuss Free Fundraising is our easiest form of fundraising at OCT! Instead of your child going door to door-to-door selling cookies, wrapping paper, candles, etc., we ask for a donation.
Why should I contribute? 100% of the funds raised stay at our school!! Your donations support our teachers and staff, make improvements to our facilities, cover school programming and leadership opportunities, and provide equipment that enhances learning for your kids!
What's our Goal? Our Fuss Free Fundraising goal this year is $15,000 and we are about $5,000 short. Once we reach the goal, all families who have donated this year to date will be put in a drawing. We will also reward the class with the most donations! Winners will get to throw the ball to try to dunk Mrs. Bailey and try to dunk me in a dunk tank. How fun! Thank you for supporting our school. Please donate here!

ONGOING / REMINDERS:

• WEBSITE - https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com

Fuss Free Fundraising, Volunteer, Happy Birthday* and Membership forms are open anytime.

*We do request two weeks advance notice for birthday orders to help our volunteers plan for your student's special day!

• TEACHER/STAFF FAVORITES
  

• VOLUNTEER NEEDS

Please see Mrs. Pedevilla's section for more information on volunteer opportunites. We can't wait to see you get involved at our school. We love our volunteers!! Please reach out to Stephanie Wilkerson, VP of Programs at octptavolunteers@gmail.com to find a volunteer position for you!

• BOOK FAIR - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our spring book fair is March 7-11, 2022. Sign up to volunteer for the Book Fair here!

• GRACE DONATIONS

Every year, we team up with Grace Grapevine to help stock their food pantry.

March Items: Ramen Noodles

The Grade with the most donations each month will get an extra recess.
Thank you for supporting Grace and our community!

**CONGRATULATIONS 4th GRADE!! 4th Grade won an extra recess for the most donated items in January!**

• 5th GRADE PARENTS!!

New facebook pages have been created for incoming 6th grade families going to Colleyville Middle School and Cross Timbers Middle School. To keep up with the latest and connect with other families, join here!

CMS: Future Colts Incoming 6th Grade Parent Group 2022-2023

CTMS: CTMS Incoming 6th graders

• 5th GRADE CONTINUATION

5th Grade Parents, please mark your calendars for our 5th Grade Continuation on Thursday, May 26th 9am at O.C. Taylor Elementary and our 5th Grade End of Year Party on Friday, May 27th 7-9pm at the Grapevine Rec Center. Since the party is optional and not a PTA sponsored event, we are asking for donations of at least $25 per student. You can Venmo donations to @Robin-Thomas-Weier (last 4 of phone number is 8655).

Also, we need your help in making the 5th Grade slideshow a success! A Shutterfly share site has been created to allow you to upload your photos and check the spelling of your student’s name. The instructions are detailed on the site. Please make note of the 3/11 deadline for this.

Go to https://octclassof22.shutterfly.com

Password: tigers

SAVE THE DATE!

• Monday, February 28th - Friday, March 4th - Read Across America

• Tuesday, March 1st - PTA Interest Forms Due

• Tuesday, March 1st - Spirit Night at Fajita Pete's 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, March 3rd - Stuffed Animal Day - Bring $1 for 5th Grade Continuation

• Friday, March 4th - Rule the School + Party with the Principals

• Friday, March 4th - Run Club

• Monday, March 7th - Friday, March 11th - Book Fair

• Friday, March 11th - Sock Hop Day - during school hours

• Friday, March 25th - Monaghan's Kick-a-Thon (more info coming!)

• Friday, March 25th - Run Club

• Thursday, March 31st - General PTA Meeting + Pizza/Keno Night (more info coming!)

• Friday, April 1st - Dads' Club Annual Golf Tournament at Bear Creek Golf Course

• Tuesday, April 5th - Spirit Night at Papa John's

• Wednesday, April 20th - Mom's Night Out at Sloan and Williams (more info coming!)

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Tamaron Hunt

President / O.C. Taylor PTA

octaylorptapresident@gmail.com

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