Tiger Time News
May 13 - May 17, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Principal Schilleci
Dear OCT Families,
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! We are celebrating you today and hoping that you feel loved and appreciated! Thank you for everything that you do for your children and for your children's school! We are grateful for your kindness and everything that you sacrifice to shower your families and OCT with love! YOU ARE THE BEST!!
We also want to give a huge thank you to Coach Mester for all of his hard work and time that he put in to organizing a great Field Day for our tigers! And as always we want to thank our PTA and Dad's Club for all of their help. We would not be able to do events like these without all of your support!
I hope you all have a great Sunday and I am looking forward to the final two weeks of school with you!
Tiger Pride,
Principal Schilleci
Schilleci's Weekly News
NEW INFORMATION:
GCISD Bond Approved by Voters: Thank you to the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD community for approving the school district’s $150,000,000 bond referendum. Unofficial results of the election show:
Proposition A passed with 61.83% of voters in favor and 38.17% against.
Proposition B passed with 62.91% of voters in favor and 37.09% against.
Proposition C passed with 60.18% of voters in favor and 39.82% against.
The passing of this bond will provide funding to address safety and security, aging facilities, update technology infrastructure, and make improvements to the swim center. A detailed list of projects is available at GCISD.net/Bond.
Click here to read more information about the May 4 election.
A.I. Summer Camp: GCISD Technology Services is thrilled to invite students in grades 6-12 to embark on an exciting journey into the world of artificial intelligence. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a creative artist, or simply curious about the future, this camp is designed for you. Throughout our engaging sessions, you'll uncover the fundamentals of AI, experiment with cutting-edge tools, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. Get ready to unleash your imagination, expand your skills and join a community of passionate learners. Registration and camp dates are available here.
Safe Storage of Firearms:
GCISD Families,
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The following resources will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
Failed to secure the firearm; or
Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
REPEATED INFORMATION:
5th Grade Continuation: If you plan to attend the 5th Grade Continuation Ceremony on Thursday, May 23rd at 9:00 am, please complete this form by May 17th, at MIDNIGHT. The slideshow will begin promptly at 8:30 am.
Summer Enrichment: Some of our teachers will be teaching classes at Summer Enrichment. If you are interested, please click here for more information.
Spend Your Summer With EDP! Enroll now to give your child a summer they will never forget! Weekly registrations available. Registration link is here.
Attendance Reminder: Please remember that our academic instruction starts at 7:40. It is vital that our Tigers are on time and ready to learn at that time.
GCISD Returning Student Registration Opened Monday, April 8; New Student Registration has already been open: Returning student registration will open on Monday, April 8. While parents are able to register up until the first day of school, parents are encouraged to register by Friday, May 17, to help the district gather enrollment numbers as early as possible for planning purposes.
To register a returning student click here. Prior to completing online registration, students enrolling in pre-kindergarten must have completed a separate online application, which may be found here.
Families who are awaiting a transfer request should register for the campus they are currently zoned for. Transfer requests will be processed at a later date. To view attendance zones, visit our School Maps Online.
New student registration is also open and can be completed here. Students new to the district (including those entering kindergarten) must provide proof of residency, birth certificate, social security number, immunization record, emergency contact numbers and a report card from the previous school unless enrolling in kindergarten.
Families needing assistance with registration for the 2024-2025 school year should contact the campus registrar. Families who need additional assistance or have specific questions or concerns, should contact their campus directly.
For more information, visit GCISD’s 2024-2025 registration page
Do I Need to Submit a Transfer Request?: The general and STEM student transfer application window for the 2024-2025 school year will open on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 8 am. Online applications will be accepted through Friday, March 22, 2024, at 4 pm.
Transfer Window Dates
Window 3: June 3- June 14: STEM/General Transfers
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, February 5, 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.
OCT PTA- Do not forget to scroll all the way to the bottom of this Tiger Time News and read the OCT PTA section! Information about upcoming events will be there as well as fundraising opportunities and more!
GRADE LEVEL NEWSLETTERS
Please read your child's grade level newsletter by clicking on the grade to the right.
Important Upcoming Dates:
5/10 - Field Day
5/13 - Field Day Make Up Day
5/13 - 10:00 - 2:00 Carter Blood Drive
5/16 - 6:30 5th Grade Rocks
5/17 - Career Day
5/23 - 11:45 Early Dismissal (Last Day of School)
PLEASE READ
Important Updates
STUDENT EARLY PICK UP: If you are picking up a student during the day for appointments, etc, please email Gene Guinane (gene.guinane@gcisd.net) and Paola Cervantes (paola.cervantes@gcisd.net) ahead of time. Students will be called once you arrive in the front office.
OCT ALL STARS OF THE MONTH- Our new OCT All Stars of the Month for April and May will be announced soon!!
ATTENDANCE REMINDER- This year attendance is being very strict at the District level, if your student is going to be absent for any reason, please either fill out an Absence Request in Skyward or email paola.cervantes@gcisd.net, no need to call the office. Thank you so much!
FORGET-ME-NOT-SHELF AT OCT: As a reminder, please drop off students' belongings that are needed for instructional purposes or lunch. Please make sure to label your child's belongings and place them on the designated grade-level shelf. We are having an increase of items being dropped off. Our staff and students make every effort to check, but we appreciate your understanding if items aren't retrieved. Thank you for helping your child be prepared each day with their charged devices, lunches, and other needed items.
Assistant Principal, Allison Bailey
Bailey's Briefings
We're so proud of our students who worked hard on their STAAR tests these last few weeks!! Our staff provided a calm and secure testing environment for our students. Thank you parents and guardians for ensuring that your students were prepared and attended school to take their testing opportunity.
Please stay tuned for information regarding STAAR results.
Kindly,
Assistant Principal Bailey
Counselor, Stacy Whisman
Whisman's Words
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.
Please don't hesitate to reach out!
Mrs. Whisman
(817) 305-4880
Nurse, Katy Faught
Nurse Katy's News
OCT BLOOD DRIVE: Mark your calendars! The Carter BloodCare bus will be at OCT on Monday May 13th from 10-2. Please make plans to donate if you are willing & able! Please click on the link below to sign up for a time slot.
https://www.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/153254
REASONS TO VISIT THE NURSE- 7 Bs: The 7 Bs chart contains a list of appropriate reasons to visit the nurse during the school day. The 7 Bs stand for bleeding, breathing bad, broken bone, barfing, burning up, bee stings, and big bump. This chart is posted in every classroom at O.C. Taylor for students and staff members to reference, and is a district-wide initiative and expectation. Our teachers are trained in basic first aid, administration of Epi-pens, inhalers, and any other emergency medications a student may have. The acuity is too high for me to be able to see every student who complains of a stomach ache, headache, sore throat, etc. Thank you for reviewing this with your student and as always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Repeated Items:
WHEN TO STAY HOME: Students must stay home from school if any of the following are present:
● fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours
● vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
● itchy, red eyes with discharge
● unknown rash
● jaundice
● ringworm of the scalp (until treatment has begun)
GCISD has a 24-hour policy related to stomach illness or fever. Students may not return to school until free of fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea for a minimum of 24 hours without the aid of any medication. If your student is sent home from school with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, you must still abide by the 24-hour policy, and keep your child home for a minimum of 24 hours after symptoms have subsided without the aid of medication.
POP TABS DONATIONS: We are collecting pop tops! This is an easy way we can help support the families at Ronald McDonald House. Have your students bring in all kinds of pop tops and tabs! There is labeled bucket in the clinic for donations. :)
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. The Lion's Club also accepts digital hearing aids and cell phones!
Ms. Morgan
Morgan's Art Message
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update-April 2024
I will be out on maternity leave starting mid-March and plan on coming back towards the end of May to wrap things up in the art room. Students will continue to create and express themselves through art with the guidance of some amazing subs! Be on the lookout for your students' Art Portfolio in the month of May.
Forget to order a yearbook?
We have extras! They are available starting Wednesday May 15th, on a first come, first serve basis. Please have a check written out to O.C. Taylor Elementary for 22 dollars and bring it to Mrs. Dagger's 5th grade class to purchase your yearbook.
Keep on creating,
Mrs. Morgan
cristie.morgan@gcisd.net
Ms. Vencill
Vencill's Voice
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update, May 2024
Mark your calendar for the GREATEST SHOW of the year...5th Grade Rocks!, Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. The 5th graders have created an awesome show, and I can't wait to see the final product. Students will meet in their classrooms at 6:20 p.m. and will perform immediately following a brief PTA meeting and scholarship award ceremony. *All 5th graders are expected to attend the evening performance!
See you in the music room!
Mrs. Vencill
bethany.vencill@gcisd.net
Coach Mester
Mester's PE Press
O.C. Taylor Specials’ Curriculum Update-April 2024
PE - March 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 10! PTA will send out a volunteer sign up so 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
GT LEAD Mrs. Waters
Mrs. Waters News
Thank you all for an awesome year and for all of your support! I sure do love your kiddos!
What are we learning in GT Lead:
First Grade - Worms Eye View
Second Grade - It's Extinct
Third Grade - Exploring Careers
Fourth Grade - Rube Goldberg
Fifth Grade - Exploring sports and games
Telescope testing dates and information:
June Testing Window: info here
Online: June 3-14, 2024
Paper: June 5-6, 2024
June online registration opens: March 18, 2024
June online registration closes: April 1, 2024, at noon (No exceptions)
Exam Fee(s) due: April 1, 2024, at noon (No exceptions)
July Testing Window
Online: July 15-26, 2024
Paper: July 24-25, 2024
July online registration opens: June 10, 2024
July online registration closes: June 21, 2024 at noon (No exceptions)
Exam Fee(s) due: June 21, 2024 at noon (No exceptions)
Articles to help:
Video -Meeting the Affective Needs of Gifted Children
Please feel free to contact me at any time via email at Donna.Waters@gcisd.net
X: @OCTWaters
Mrs. Quinn's Corner📚
I will be conducting inventory for the remainder of the year, so while there will be no more library lessons this month, I have invited all teachers to bring in their students for Makerspace time while I'm working on cataloging and inventory.
ALL BOOKS ARE DUE. I will start sending email reminders to student families with books overdue starting this week. Help your child look for any OC Taylor library books on their book shelves, in their room or at the bottom of their backpack. Thank you!
I welcome all students to participate in my End of Year Reading Challenge. I have 2 different Bingo cards (one for Pre-K through 2nd, one for 3rd-5th) with different challenges for the students to complete. The BINGO sheets will be available in the Library for anyone to take home. If students wish to complete the challenge over the summer, they need only to bring in their completed cards the first few weeks of the new school year! Prizes: 1 BINGO= 1 prize from the Library Prize Box (treasure chest items); 2 or 3 BINGOs = 2 prizes from the Library Prize Box; 4 or 5 BINGOs = 2 prizes from the Library Prize Box & Star Reader keychain; FULL CARD BINGO = choice of a FREE book or Adopt a Stuffie from the Library!
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Looking for something to do over the summer? Check out this GCISD resource list for fun things to do on their school issued devices, websites to help come up with crafting ideas and events at the local libraries!
Your child's device (ipads/chromebooks) have excellent reading resources on them! You can view a selection of what your child has available to them here.
If you would like to volunteer to help out at the library, you can use this sign up form. I'm grateful for all my volunteers!
If you have any questions about our library, want to volunteer or donate books and supplies (Check out the Learning Commons Amazon Wishlist), please reach out to me - I'd love to hear from you!
Johanna Quinn, Librarian
Email: johanna.quinn@gcisd.net
X: @OCTQuinn
Instagram: @octquinn
OCT Cafeteria
Nutrition News
GCISD NUTRITION SERVICES: Click here to see the school menus.
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 6 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. Students who have exceeded the 6 charged meal limit, will be offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.
O.C. Taylor PTA
PTA News
FIELD DAY
Field Day is this Friday, May 10th. We need many volunteers to make this fun day a success! Please click the link below to sign up to help!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Order school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year now! Supplies will be delievered directly to classrooms prior to the first day of school.
LIBRARY BOOK DONATIONS
Our library needs books! Ms. Quinn has compiled an Amazon wish list of books that are already approved by the district. Click the link below if you would like to donate.
Ms. Quinn will gladly accept any books, but in particular books with Pokemon, Super Mario/other Nintendo characters, mermaids, books about learning other languages, American Sign Language books and any popular TV characters like Paw Patrol or Shimmer and Shine. She can read through those really quickly and get them on the approval list if they pass the rubric. You can drop book donations in the front office.
JOIN PTA!
💙Join our PTA today!!
🌟 Be sure to sign up your whole family at: https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
WELCOME TO O.C. TAYLOR PTA!
We are so excited to start a new school year! Our goal is to connect with our school community by hosting fun events such as Rock Out, Grandparents Day, Sock Hop and our inaugural Gala Fundraiser. We partner 100% with our wonderful school to make it the very best! We continue to raise funds for much-needed shade structures for our outdoor play areas.
BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS
We've got all your Back to School forms in one spot! Forms were Due Friday, September 1st but you can still pay your Homeroom Fund if you haven't done so yet! You can find all the forms and information on our website: https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
You will want to complete the following:
Homeroom Fund + Class Shirt
PTA Membership (no commitment to volunteer!)
PTA Annual Fuss Free Fundraising
PTA Volunteer Interest Form
Grade Level Parents Form
Join Dads’ Club
Happy Birthday!
CLASS SHIRTS
Class shirts have been delivered. Please contact us if you want to purchase a class shirt. We have limited stock/sizes left. Class Shirts will worn during field trips and can be worn during spirit days this year.
STAFF DRINK FRIDGE
Help us show appreciation to the OCT Staff by keeping the Staff Lounge Drink Fridge stocked with their favorites! If you would like to donate drinks, please see the Sign Up Genius!
Click Here to Sign Up to Donate
Don’t have time to shop but still want to help? You can donate on Membership Toolkit and we will do the shopping for you! Thank you for your generosity!
Click Here for Monetary Donations
GRACE DONATIONS
The May GRACE needs are Flour, Sugar, Condensed Milk, and Cooking Oil! Please help by dropping off items in the donation baskets located in your grade level hallway beginning May 1st.
TEACHER FAVORITES
We are working to update all of our staff favorites! Take a look at these lists here: https://octaylorpta.membershiptoolkit.com/favorites Let's spoil our teachers and staff with their favorites all year long!
SAVE THE DATE!
May
5/6 - 5/10 Staff Appreciation Week
5/6 PTA Executive Board Luncheon
5/10 Field Day
5/13 Field Day (Makeup Day)
5/16 8:30 am and 6:30 pm 5th Grade Rocks & PTA General Meeting
5/23 9:00 a.m. 5th Grade Continuation Ceremony
5/23 11:45 am PreK - 5th Early Release/Last Day of School for Students
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!
Julie Odietus
President / O.C. Taylor PTA
octaylorptapresident@gmail.com