Tiger Time News
March 21-25, 2022
Mrs. Pedevilla
Mrs. Pedevilla's News
Dear O.C. Taylor Families,
Thank you to those who attended our OCT Portrait of A Graduate Showcase and those who supported our OCT Book Fair. We LOVED having everyone back in the building.
Upon reflection of spring break two years ago and where we were as a nation and world, I can't help but think how far we have all come. We faced some unique barriers and large obstacles in our path. Yet, we persevered thus learned more patience and gained more grit. Thank you for your support of us as a school!
We love your children and want the very best for them.
To the BEST of days,
Principal Pedevilla
Grade Level Newsletters
Please read your child's grade level newsletter by clicking on the grade to the right.
Important Upcoming Events:
3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day (wear crazy socks)
3/23 - Student Council (3:05 - 4:00)
3/25 - Monaghan's Kick-A-Thon (during Specials), Run Club (3:05 - 4:00)
3/28 - GT Services and/or the ASPIRE Academy Decision mailed
3/31 - 1st Grade Music in our Schools 6:00 pm
3/31 - Pizza/Keno Night 6:30 pm
See calendar on the right.
Updates
O.C. Taylor Elementary
Important Reminders
NEW REMINDERS/UPDATES
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), March 21, is a global awareness day and is officially observed by the United Nations. 3-21 was chosen because it symbolizes a third copy of the 21st chromosome in people with Down syndrome. Communities all over the world will be celebrating by rockin’ their socks for the acceptance and inclusion of people who have Down syndrome and rock an extra chromosome.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: Thank you, OCT, for your participation in the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge! OCT had a record year! Thanks to your generosity, we raised $25,737 You have made a life-saving difference for people in your own community and across the nation. Thank you for caring for others! And, thank you to Coach Mester for coordinating this event.
PTA REFLECTIONS CONTEST: GCISD students participated in the PTA Reflections contest. Reflections is a program established by the National PTA over 50 years ago to support students’ participation in Fine Arts in schools. We had 117 students participate district-wide, with just over 40 advancing to Council. Council judging is now complete, and we will be sending 11 entries across 4 arts categories from 8 campuses to State! You can see your students' results as well as complete GCISD results by visiting the Council of PTA's website. Please save the date, March 25, for the upcoming reception to recognize the GCISD students whose Reflection entries advanced to Council. The reception will be held at the PDEC at 6:30 pm.
MATH TELESCOPING EXAM: Testing opportunities for telescoping in math for the 2022-2023 school year are available in JUNE and JULY 2022 for GCISD students who are completing Grades K-7. The Math Telescoping Parent Information Packet will be available on the GCISD district website under the “Parents” tab and then click on “Math Telescoping”. Here you will be on the main Math Telescoping, Grades K-7 website page. Also, you can view the Acceleration Testing Calendar for 2021-2022 on the website. Parents will find information about the requirements to qualify for Math Telescoping and instructions about the Online Registration Process and the required Payment Online Process. View the TEKS on the TEA website, and download Study Guides for the exams purchased from UTHS-Austin.
Exam Fee(s). Read more in Mrs. Griffin's GT News section below.
GCISD STUDENT GENERAL AND DESIGNATED PROGRAM TRANSFERS: The general and designated programs (STEM/Dual) student transfer application window for the 2022-2023 school year will open on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 8 am. Because Cannon is a campus-wide STEM school, families requesting Cannon will complete the general transfer application listed under general transfers on the website. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, April 8, 2022, at 4 pm. All students (including employee students) must apply for a transfer if they desire to attend a campus other than their zoned campus and/or when they are moving from the following grades/campuses:
Pre-K to Kindergarten
Elementary school to middle school
Middle school to high school
Students who are already approved on a transfer and are not moving to the next transition level do NOT need to submit a transfer request. For more information and to complete an online application on or after Monday, March 21, click here.
IMPORTANT: Please know that incomplete applications (e.g. missing residency documents) will NOT be processed during this round of student transfers. It is very important that families have all the needed documents when submitting transfer applications.
REPEAT REMINDERS/UPDATES
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.
Due to GCISD’s recent closure on February 24 due to winter weather, beginning on March 7, ten (10) minutes will be added to the end of each school day to recover the necessary amount of instructional minutes. New release times for GCISD schools will be as follows:
Elementary - 3:05 p.m.
Middle - 3:35 p.m.
High - 4:10 p.m.
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.
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.
NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT: Apply now: www.gcisd.net/careers.
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.
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.
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.
The GCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS HIRING! Full-time applicants can apply here. Part-time applicants can apply here.
GCISD SUBSTITUTES NEEDED: For more information, please contact Robyn Cheek at robyn.cheek@gcisd.net.
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!
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.
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.
VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK: Please go to the district website, read the Volunteer Handbook then apply to volunteer.
Campus Coordinator for Behavior, Testing, Special Education, and 504
Assistant Principal, Allison Bailey
Mrs. Bailey's Bulletin
Interim Assessments Continue: Students in grades 3-5 completed their Math and Reading Interim Assessments last week. 5th grade students only will take Science Interim tests on Tuesday, March 8th. If your child was absent last week, we will give every effort to administer it to them by the end of this week.
Results of the interim assessments will be available to classroom teachers soon. Interims do not provide a specific percentage score for students. Percentages representing the statistical probability of achieving “Approaches,” “Meets,” and “Masters” grade-level expectations on the STAAR Summative Assessment in May 2022 will be shared with teachers and students. Our Campus Leadership Team and grade level teachers will then analyze and use the data from these reports to provide additional interventions and small group support over the next few months. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any specific questions.
Practice STAAR Tests at home: 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
Mrs. Irwin's News
Read with us! GCISD READS 4th 9 Weeks Due May 2nd: 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 May 2, 2022.
Students "Learning to Read" read 25 books near their reading level and complete the
Students "Reading to Learn" read 6 books near their reading level and complete the
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
OCT Clinic
Nurse Katy's News
Parents of 5th grade girls: Scoliosis screening day at OCT is scheduled for Monday March 28th. It will be during Specials (1:00-1:55). You will receive an email with details so please be sure to check over Spring Break! Girls need to wear a bra/sports bra/bathing suit top underneath their clothing on this day.
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.
Art
Mrs. Morgan's Art Class
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!
March Specials Curriculum Update
Keep on Creating!
Mrs. Morgan
Music
Mrs. Vencill's Music Class
March Specials Curriculum Update
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 6:00 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
P.E.
Coach Mester's P.E. Class
Mrs. Whisman's News
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.
Gifted and Talented GT LEAD
Mrs. Griffin's News
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
Parent Inventory/Permission to Test (Scroll down to bottom of page. Link will only be LIVE during the referral window.)
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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:
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.
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.
O.C. Taylor PTA
Tamaron Hunt
President / O.C. Taylor PTA
PTA News
WELCOME TO O.C. TAYLOR PTA!
NEW THIS WEEK:
WORLD WEAR BIN
Spring Cleaning this week? Donate your used items to the World Wear bin! World Wear Project is a textile recycling program that is used as a fundraiser for our school! The items donated are repurposed regardless of quality or condition and O.C. Taylor receives money based on the weight of the items. Items accepted: clothes, shoes, belts, purses/backpack, hard toys, hats/caps, and stuffed animals.
MONAGHAN'S KICK-A-THON - FRIDAY, MARCH 25th
Join us in this new FUNdraiser sponsored by Monaghan's Taekwondo! Our playground was recently upgraded with new, large play structures. We want to add much-needed new SHADE structures as well as everyday playground equipment like tether, football, soccer, and gaga balls. *We'd love your help in funding these items for our school.*
During the Kick-a-Thon, your student will learn the proper kicking techniques from Mr. Monaghan himself! After the lesson, each student will get the opportunity to kick a paddle and count how many kicks they can do in one minute!
You can donate in flat amounts or pledge per kick. Please check here for the flyer to track your pledges! FRONT / BACK
PIZZA NIGHT - THURSDAY, MARCH 31st
Join us for our Pizza Night + March General PTA Meeting! Pizza will be available for purchase from Wise Guys - order here! A flyer will also be sent home this week. Orders are due by this Friday, March 25th!
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)
March 21, is a global awareness day and is officially observed by the United Nations. 3-21 was chosen because it symbolizes a third copy of the 21st chromosome in people with Down syndrome. Communities all over the world will be celebrating by rockin’ their socks for the acceptance and inclusion of people who have Down syndrome and rock an extra chromosome.
SECOND CHANCE AUCTION
We 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 (no bidding). This auction will be a link on our website and will go LIVE on TODAY, Sunday, March 6th at 3:00 p.m.. Link will stay open until all items are purchased. Items will be hidden once they are out of stock. Please read the items/dates carefully! SHOP HERE!
DADS' CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT - APRIL 1st
Dads' Club is excited to announce our 4th Annual Golf Tournament! Check out all the info, including how to register here!
MARCH PTA MEMBERSHIP
Help us reach this month's Lucky Leprechaun award! We need 17 new PTA members this month. Please sign up yourself, students, spouses here!
Grandparents, Extended Family and Community Members please join 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 Pre-K!! Pre-K won an extra recess for the most donated items in February!**
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:
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!
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!
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, March 21st - Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrom Day
Friday, March 25th - Monaghan's Kick-a-Thon
Friday, March 25th - Run Club
Thursday, March 31st - 4th Graders to Camp Thurman
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
Friday, April 1st - Run Club
Monday, April 4th - PTA Executive Board Meeting 8:15 a.m. at OCT
Tuesday, April 5th - Spirit Night at Papa John's
Thursday, April 7th - Kinder to Dallas Zoo
Friday, April 8th - Run Club
Tuesday, April 19th - PreK/Kinder Welcome Night (more info coming!)
Wednesday, April 20th - Mom's Night Out at Sloan and Williams (more info coming!)
Thursday, April 21st - Egg Drop (more info coming!)
Friday, April 22nd - 5th Graders to Camp Thurman
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