First Annual Health and Wellness Fair
Thank you for making Shepherd’s first Health and Wellness Fair a SUCCESS! From massages to kickboxing, there was something for everyone.
Bravo Zulu Chess Team – Mid–Atlantic Champions
Congratulations to Shepherd Star Achievers’ Chess Team, Bravo Zulu! Bravo Zulu has competed in tournaments in Baltimore and Virginia, earning recognition for their professionalism and sportsmanship.
The March Madness Box Tops CONTEST WINNERS!
Thank you to all of the participants in our March Madness Box Tops Challenge! Congratulations to the following winners:
First Place – Ms. Holt’s and Ms. Lewis’ Pre-K4 classes
Second Place – Mr. Mack’s third grade class
Third Place – Ms. Carney’s Kindergarten class
Enrollment Season
Time to enroll for School Year 19-20! The enrollment packet, which includes forms located online at http://enrolldcps.dc.gov, should be completed and presented to Mrs. Brooks along with proof of residency.
The first class to register 100% of returning students for SY19-20 will receive extra recess!
No School – Thursday, April 4th
Thursday, April 4th is a professional development day for teachers. There is no school for students.
No School – Friday, April 5th
Friday, April 5th is a 1/2 Records Day and 1/2 professional development day for teachers. There is no school for students.
Deal Registration for Fifth Graders
The registrar from Deal MS will be at Shepherd ES on Wednesday, April 10th to register students for SY19-20 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Please bring the enrollment packet and proof of residency.
The New Enhanced PYP – Building for the Future (continued)
The new term “Agency” has changed the way we look at the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
What is Agency? Agency as defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is the power to take meaningful and intentional action, and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of an individual, through voice, choice and ownership for everyone in the learning community. Agency is not a skill and therefore cannot be measured. It is more about creating a culture which honors the full participation of the learning community.
The next issue will focus on the “Why behind Agency”.
PARCC Test Timing
The PARCC assessments are designed to give schools and teachers more information to improve instruction. Moreover, PARCC is designed to let parents know how their child is progressing academically. DCPS administers the PARCC Assessment in grades 3-5 at the elementary level. For your planning purposes, students will take the PARCC tests in grades 3-5 from April 22 -May 24 on the following days by grade level:
3rd – 5th grade: PARCC Practice Tests, ELA and Math (April 22 – 26)
3rd grade: ELA (May 6-10), Math (May 20-24)
4th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13-17)
5th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13-17)
There are three days of English Language Arts (up to 90 minutes each), three days of math (up to 60 minutes each) and 2 days of science (up to 90 minutes each). Fourth grade has an extra ELA day due to a field test. Schools are not informed about which section will contain the field test.
Attendance is extremely important on these days, so we want to make sure you have the schedule ahead. For practice opportunities and general information, please visit here. https://parcc-assessment.org/parent-resources/
2019-2020 School Calendar
The calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is available:
https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/SY19-20%20Calendar.pdf
Summer School
The dates for summer school are Monday, June 24th – Friday, July 26th, from 8:00 – 1:00pm. Our students have been assigned to Bancroft ES, 1755 Newton Street, NW. If you would like to register your child for a different summer site than the one assigned, register your child for the assigned summer site and email dcps.summer@dc.gov after Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
If space is available, your child’s registration will be transferred to your preferred site.
If no space is available, you will have the option to keep the original site or place your child on a wait list for the alternate site.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
How to Register:
Go to dcps.dc.gov/summerlearning to register for Summer Learning. Registration must be completed online on a computer, not a phone or tablet.
When registering for Summer Learning, you will have the opportunity to sign your child up for the optional summer afternoon program. A summer afternoon program will be provided by a community partner organization that will engage students in enriching summer activities from 1 to 5:30 pm each day. DCPS students registered for Summer Learning from 8 am to 1 pm are eligible to participate in the afternoon.
The First Day of School
The first day of school for Kindergarten through fifth grade will be Monday, August 26, 2019. The first day of school for all ECE students will be Thursday, August 29, 2019. All ECE students will attend school all day on Thursday and Friday of the first week of school.
Shepherd Tutoring Program
The Shepherd Tutoring Program is in its 22nd year at Tifereth Israel Congregation. Between 5 and 6 pm most Sunday nights, members of Tifereth Israel and the Shepherd Park community are available to tutor students across subject areas at no cost to parents.
Please reach out to Ms. Catler, shepherdtutoringprogram@gmail.com, for more information.
OTHER UPCOMING DATES
April 1 – Teacher Breakfast by Kinder families
April 4-5 – No School Days
April 8 – Ward 3 Feeder Ed Network meeting at 7 pm
April 12 – Box Tops Class Contest Winner Surprise!
April 15-19 – Spring Break/No School
April 24 – PTA meeting at 6:30 pm
April 26 – Academic Carnival
April 28 – School Spring Clean Up – 10 am
Week of April 28-May 3 – Galley Restaurant Week for Shepherd PTA
May 4 – 15th Annual Shepherd Auction and Gala at Bobby Van’s Grill
May 15 – PTA meeting; PTA officer and LSAT member elections
May 20 – Teacher Breakfast by 5th grade families
June 11 – Field Day