Tiger Time News
May 2-6, 2022
Mrs. Pedevilla
Mrs. Pedevilla's News
Dear O.C. Taylor Families,
This week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. I do not have adequate words to express my pride and appreciation for our O.C. Taylor teachers and staff. I am so humbled by their dedication to providing engaging lessons and meaningful work for our students. In the past two years, they have given extraordinary effort and time to reinvent their job. It is because of their presence and contribution that the school had thrived as much as it has. They work tirelessly to hone their craft and spark interest in your child's learning. Thank you for taking the time to appreciate all of the staff who give of their time and talent for the benefit of children!
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:
5/2 1st-5th New to OCT Welcome Tour, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
5/6 Lunch Hero Day
5/6 Run Club (3:05-4:00)
5/9 - 5/18 Campus closed to visitors/volunteers
due to STAAR testing
5/10 Math STAAR (grades 3, 4, and 5)
5/10 1st Grade Field Trip
5/12 Reading STAAR (grades 3, 4, and 5)
5/17 Science STAAR (grade 5 only)
5/18 Student Council 3:05 - 4:00
5/19 5th Grade Rocks 6:30 pm
5/20 Field Day
5/24 Career Day
5/25 Lunch on the Lawn (during normal lunch times)
5/26 Last Day of School 7:40 am - 3:05 pm
See calendar on the right.
Updates
Important Reminders
NEW REMINDERS/UPDATES
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE UPDATE: As GCISD continues preparations for the next school year, the Technology Services department has an important update to share regarding the use of personal devices on GCISD campuses. Beginning in August 2022, personal PC or MacBook laptops will no longer be able to connect to the internet while on a GCISD campus. This means that students will need to use a district-issued device while on campus. District-issued devices are already required during standardized state testing, but will now be required at all times when using the internet on a GCISD campus. This change is being implemented to further enhance the District’s cybersecurity efforts. Additionally, GCISD will be able to better provide technical support if all students are utilizing district-issued technology. Prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year, all GCISD students who do not already have a district-issued device will be given one at a designated time on their campus. Pre-K through 2nd-grade students will receive an iPad, 3rd-grade through 8th-grade students will receive a Chromebook, and 9th-grade through 12th-grade students will receive a Windows PC.
REPEAT REMINDERS/UPDATES
STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOLS: In GCISD, the safety and security of our students and staff are our top priority. We have partnered with the I Love You Guys Foundation to implement Standard Response Protocols, or as we called them, SPRs, that are used in emergency situations. Emergency personnel in Colleyville, Euless, and Grapevine work in partnership with GCISD to ensure we keep all students and staff safe. In this video, members of these emergency services and GCISD staff help explain each SRP and its function in keeping students and staff safe. Learn more about GCISD's Security and Emergency Management by clicking here
GCISD NUTRITION SERVICES SURVEY: The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Nutrition Services team values your feedback and invites you to complete the 2022 survey if you have or currently participate in the school meals offered in the cafeteria! Simply scan the QR code to complete the brief survey or click on the link below: link to the survey: https://forms.gle/VAzsF4kpcMazQHn67
REMINDER: LIGHTSPEED RELAY PARENT PORTAL: The purpose of the Lightspeed Relay Parent Portal is to partner with parents to raise good digital citizens. Each week, parents receive an email called the Relay Portal Weekly Report that comes out Sunday evening with information about their child's browsing activity. The weekly parent report contains:
the number of websites that a child browsed
the average number of pages a child visited each day during the week
the number of pages that a child visited daily
the top ten sites a child visited
When a parent logs into the Parent Portal Dashboard, it takes them to the landing page. This shows a summary of the most recent student internet activity. It includes sites, dates, and times. Parents can interact with the sites by clicking on them to see exactly what their child viewed. If you have more than one child in the District, you can easily toggle between them in a dropdown at the top of the screen. Parents can also pause web browsing on their child's device. This will temporarily block website browsing when their child is not at school. Important: This only acts to disable browsing when the child is away from school.
New Family Welcome Tour: The next tour is being held on May 2 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Do you know any new families who will be attending OCT next year? If so, please invite them to a meet and greet, including a tour of the campus!
INVITE TO WRITE FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR: It is officially May and the last 9 week grading period of the school year. We are starting to think about the 2022-2023 school year. We welcome your participation in all areas of your child’s education and are providing this form to request any additional information you feel will help us in the important task of class placement.
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.
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
O. C. Taylor STAAR Schedule:
Tuesday, May 10 = Math STAAR (grades 3, 4, and 5)
Thursday, May 12 = Reading STAAR (grades 3, 4, and 5)
Tuesday, May 17 = Science STAAR (grade 5 only)
Make-Up STAAR tests will be provided for students who are absent due to illness or unable to attend school on a testing date. These will be scheduled for students as needed from May 11-20, 2022.
STAAR Testing Tips:
Ensure that your child's Chromebook is charged for testing dates. Students need to bring their charger to school with them, as well.
Get a good night's sleep.
Eat a healthy breakfast on the day of testing.
Bring a healthy snack to eat and a water bottle.
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
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
Upcoming Field Trips: Field trips are baaaaaaccckkk!!! :)
If your student has an emergency medication here at school (inhaler, Epi-pen, Diastat, etc.) IT WILL BE SENT WITH THEM ON FIELD TRIPS. Grade level teachers will keep the meds/permission forms as they have been trained to administer if needed. If your student is a Type 1 Diabetic, we will talk more in depth about their plan of care.
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
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, May 2022
Art - May Update
For the month of May, students will finish up their current projects. We will review some of the topics we have learned this year like lines, color, form, balance, texture, and shape.
Kindergarten will review the primary colors and learn how to mix them to create secondary colors. Students will create a color mixing chameleon based off the story The Mixed-Up Chameleon.
1st grade will finish painting their animal pinch pot and review foreground/ background of a landscape. Students will create a pop-up background for their animal.
2nd grade will finish creating their own version of The Starry Night by choosing their own landscape and reviewing foreground, middleground and background.
3rd grade will finish the printing process by creating 3 or more prints inspired by the dessert artist Wayne Thiebaud.
4th grade will finish mixing their tints and shades to create a value scale silhouette painting. Students will then review terms like color, lines, shapes, and texture to design their own shoe.
5th grade will finish painting their animal pinch pots. Students will then review terms like color, lines, shapes, and texture to design their own shoe.
Students will be taking home all of their artwork that they have created. Be on the lookout for their art portfolios!
Keep on Creating!
Mrs. Morgan
cristie.morgan@gcisd.net
Music
Mrs. Vencill's Music Class
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, May 2022
Music - May Update
May is here, and it's time to wrap up another great school year. Here's what's happening in the Music Room this month.
Kindergarten students are learning songs to celebrate all they learned in Kindergarten and all they have to look forward to next year. I can't believe these tiny Tigers are already moving on to 1st grade. Kindergarten students also continue working on writing/reading/playing simple rhythm patterns using quarter notes, quarter rests and barred eighth notes.
1st Graders will also remember and review quarter notes/rests and barred eighth notes this month. They will also use basic music symbols in their rhythm compositions including time signature, barlines and double barlines.
Congratulations to our talented 2nd graders on an excellent Festival of Friends performance last week. We will spend our last few weeks together remembering note and rest value and making connections between music and science by experimenting with vibration and sound waves.
3rd graders are wrapping up the school year remembering and reviewing rhythm and pitch. We will use our classroom Orff instruments and Quaver activities to practice reading/performing rhythm and pitch.
The sweet sound of the recorders fills the music room every afternoon with our determined 4th graders still working towards earning another Recorder Karate belt. These students are becoming more and more confident reading and playing music from a written score. This is a skill I hope they will carry with them for a lifetime!
Mark your calendar for the GREATEST SHOW of the year...5th Grade Rocks!, Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. The 5th graders have created an awesome show, and I can't wait to see the final product.
We're going to enjoy every last second of our time together in the OCT Music Room this school year. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
See you in the music room!
Mrs. Vencill
bethany.vencill@gcisd.net
P.E.
Coach Mester's P.E. Class
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, May 2022
PE - May Update
It’s hard to believe it’s already May! The weather is going to be getting much warmer this month. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated.  We will continue stressing teamwork and sportsmanship and begin practicing and preparing for Field Day. OC Taylor Field Day is Friday, May 20th!
PTA will be sending out a volunteer sign up. Please sign up to help out on this exciting and memorable day.
See you in the gym,
Coach Mester
See you in the gym,
Coach Mester
jason.mester@gcisd.net
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. We will be hosting our annual Career Day on TUESDAY, MAY 24. At this time we have speakers scheduled throughout the day in each classroom. All of our TIGERS will learn about different careers on this fun, information packed day! Thank you so much if you are one of our wonderful volunteers!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 5TH GRADE FAMILIES:
LINK TO SKYWARD EMAIL REGARDING COURSE REQUEST CHANGES
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:
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Our theme this year is O.C. Taylor Market Days / We couldn't have picked a better staff!
We will be showering our berry-best teachers and staff the week of May 2nd - May 6th. Here's where we need you! Please, please read the emails from your Grade Level Coordinators. These emails include how you can support our staff. If you have any questions, please reach out our Staff Appreciation Week Chair, Jessica Rich at jessicamastersrich@gmail.com
GRACE DONATIONS - MAY
Every year, we team up with Grace Grapevine to help stock their food pantry.
May Items: Toothbrushes
The Grade with the most donations each month will get an extra recess.
Thank you for supporting Grace and our community!
**CONGRATULATIONS 4th Grade AGAIN!! 4th Grade won an extra recess for the most donated items in April!**
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
As we wind down the school year, please get in your May and/or Summer birthdays scheduled as soon as you can! If you order a Birthday/Tiger Gram, you are welcome to come to school to take pictures and celebrate your kiddo! We start Grams at 2:30 unless otherwise communicated. You are also welcome to bring treats for the class - food items must be pre-packaged and have the ingredients labeled or you can bring non-food items.
As a reminder, we do ask that you give us two weeks to prepare during this busy spring! We love celebrating your kiddos!! Order here: https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/152510
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
It's already time to order school supplies for next year! We love offering this easy, breezy service to families so the students can have exactly what the teachers want/need for next school year. Order online starting now - May 30th for the best pricing!
https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/
School Code = TAY009 (3 letters/3 numbers)
*School supplies will be delivered to your student's classrooms before the first day of school!
If you have any questions, please reach out to our School Supplies Chair, Jessica Rajian at octschoolsupplies@gmail.com
LOST and FOUND
The Lost and Found racks are overflowing!! Please come in and check to see if any of the items belong to your students. All items left after the end of the school year will be donated to GRACE. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Grace Chair, Allison Wendler at allisonwendlercasa@gmail.com
ONGOING / REMINDERS:
MONAGHAN'S KICK-A-THON - We've almost reached $5,000! - Keep sending in those pledges!
Thank you for joining us in this FUNdraiser sponsored by Monaghan's Taekwondo!
We still need your help with raising funds for our new shade structures over our playgrounds!! Please help us by donating a flat amount or using your student's kick counts and submit your pledge here!
2022/2023 PTA OFFICERS
Congratulations to the new 2022/2023 PTA Officers! This group will meet soon to slate the remaining board members for next year from the interest forms previously due. We are thankful for this leadership team!
President - Stephanie Wilkerson
President Elect - VACANT
VP of Programs - VACANT
VP of Fundraising - Tamaron Hunt
VP of Membership - Vanessa Kastler
VP of Volunteers - Challee Garland
Secretary - Lindsay Harrison
Treasurer - Julie Odietus
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!
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!
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
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
SAVE THE DATE!
Monday, May 2nd - Friday, May 6th - Staff Appreciation Week!
Monday, May 2nd - O.C. Taylor Campus Tour for New Families 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Friday, May 6th - Run Club Awards Presentation
Monday, May 9th - Wednesday, May 18th - CAMPUS CLOSED FOR TESTING
Monday, May 9th - PTA Executive Meeting/Luncheon
Tuesday, May 10th - STAAR Math 3rd/4th/5th
Tuesday, May 10th - 1st Grade Field Trip to Kidzania
Thursday, May 12th - STAAR Reading 3rd/4th/5th
Tuesday, May 17th - STAAR Science 5th
Tuesday, May 17th - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Fort Worth Zoo
Thursday, May 19th - 5th Grade Rocks! + PTA General Meeting
Friday, May 20th - Field Day
Tuesday, May 24th - Career Day
Wednesday, May 25th - Lunch on the Lawn / parents are invited to join students during normal lunchtimes
Thursday, May 26th - 5th Grade Continuation Ceremony
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