Next PTO meeting TOMORROW – Wed, Feb 24 at 6:30 pm At this month’s PTO meeting, we are bringing in experts to talk with us about mental health concerns facing parents, teachers and students during the pandemic. We’ll tackle everything from the stress and challenges faced when kids are learning from home while parents are working from home to managing the transition of returning to in-person learning for students, parents and teachers alike. Our panelists will include: Dr. Gishawn Mance is a clinical psychologist with a practice in downtown Silver Spring. She is also an asst. professor at Howard University. She will give a short slide presentation on how to identify what you’re feeling, understanding that you are not alone and suggesting coping mechanisms to overcome it. Barbara Paulson is deputy director of Child Services at DC’s Dept. of Behavioral Health. She will give a short slide presentation on available services in DC to help overcome the challenges. Hahva Gallagher is a licenced clinical social worker and a Shepherd parent to a first grader. She will have the dual role of giving perspective from both sides. Join us here on TEAMS for the discussion tomorrow evening.  DCPS REOPEN Town Hall – Wed, Feb … Read More

SCHEDULE CHANGE – TOMORROW (Thurs, Feb 18) all DCPS buildings will be closed due to the expected snow and ice. All students should plan to log in online per their normal class schedule. New DCPS Technology Equity Act legislation announced by CM Lewis George TODAY The office of CM Lewis George has introduced legislation to require DCPS to produce a comprehensive technology plan. The legislation was announced this afternoon and has received broad support from other CMs! Read about the announcement here. Ward 3 Education Network statement on the new legislation: “As DCPS parents we have been advocating for a comprehensive, funded technology plan for years. Comprehensive planning is essential to closing gaps in technology service provision and ensuring all students have the tools they need to learn. We are thrilled to see legislation that requires DCPS to produce a plan to provide computers, practical digital literacy training, internet, and updated classroom technology to support student learning. Thank you for listening to parents and prioritizing student learning and support as we begin 2021!” Dept of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Performance Oversight Hearing – Tues, Feb 23rd at 3 pm Thanks to the many parents, teachers and staff who’ve helped us push on DPR … Read More

REMINDER – NO SCHOOL Monday, Feb 15 for the President’s Day Holiday CALENDAR CHANGE – Tues, Feb 16 Tues, Feb 16th will now be VIRTUAL for all students to allow for teachers to receive their second COVID vaccine doses. See update from DCPS here.  Meal service will continue as planned from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at locations listed at www.coronavirus.dc.gov/food. My School DC Lottery Applications – due on March 1 for PK3-8th grade. Check out the latest info here. SAVE THE DATE – SHEPHERD PTO MEETING (Wed, Feb 24) Wed, Feb 24 at 6:30pm will be our next PTO meeting and we’ll be welcoming in some guest speakers to talk with us about how to cope with anxiety, stress and parenting during the pandemic. More details and the TEAMS link to be shared soon. Wellness Wednesdays – Support for Parents See the attached PDF for info on upcoming sessions for parents put on by the DC Dept of Behavioral Health focused on “Love and Relationships” for the month of February. Thanks to Dr. Browne, our school psychologist, for sharing with us! From Dr. Brown – Wellness Wednesday Support for Parents.PDF Upcoming DCPS Parent University Sessions If you haven’t looked lately, there are some great … Read More

TODAY at 4 pm – Black History Month Planning Meeting We met last Wednesday, but would love to have more people involved. Our theme is “A Celebration of Black History in the District.” Join us on Wednesday, February 3rd at 4 pm. Topic: Black History Month Committee Time: Feb 3, 2021 04:00 PM  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81995036561?pwd=L3BwcmhoNjM5NWVBTmxIdmg0anU5Zz09 Meeting ID: 819 9503 6561 Passcode: 5zYYV8 Thurs, Feb 4 at 6:30 pm – DPR MASTER PLAN MEETING – Ward 4 RAISE YOUR VOICE AROUND PROGRAMMING/USE FOR THE NEW SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CENTER FOR STUDENTS AND USE OF THE FIELD FOR THE SCHOOL DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is excited to announce the next phase of our #Ready2Play Master Plan with a series of upcoming virtual meetings that will focus on parks and recreation within each ward. This is YOUR opportunity to focus on particular recreation centers and parks in YOUR ward that you want to see prioritized for capital improvements and/or new programming in the future. It will also be a chance to suggest new sites for possible future facilities. The content of each interactive meeting will focus on a particular ward. We will share findings from the Ready2Play citywide survey and … Read More

ATTENTION 5TH GRADE FAMILIES – DEAL MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE TODAY Join prospective families and Principal Neal for the virtual open house on TODAY at 10 am. Register here to get all the meeting details. DCPS Town Hall – TODAY at 5 pm Hear from Chancellor Ferebee and his colleagues about the latest Re-opening Plans for Term 3 from a district level. Click here to register. Shepherd PTO meeting – TODAY at 6:30 pm Join us on Wednesday, Jan 27 at 6:30 pm. Click here to join the meeting via TEAMS. We will cover Term 3 updates with Dr. Hedlund, Shepherd Park Library updates, Shepherd advocacy updates, PAVE updates, plans and activities for the Spring, etc. Black History Month Committee Planning Meeting – TODAY at 5 pm Please join us in planning Shepherd’s celebration of Black History Month. This year’s focus will be on Washington, DC. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 27th at 5:00 pm in advance of the PTO meeting. Please join us here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85470721682?pwd=aFBVelE5blZmNUs0c1pXV3RIaDZVZz09 Meeting ID: 854 7072 1682

ATTENTION 5TH GRADE FAMILIES – DEAL MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEK Join prospective families and Principal Neal for the virtual open house on Wed, Jan 27 at 10 am. Register here to get all the meeting details. DCPS Community Town Hall – Wed, Jan 27 at 5 pm Hear the latest from Chancellor Ferebee and his colleagues on the plans for Term 3 Re-opening. Click here to register.  PTO meeting – THIS WEDNESDAY! Join us on Wednesday, Jan 27 at 6:30 pm. Click here to join the meeting via TEAMS. We will cover Term 3 updates with Dr. Hedlund, Shepherd Park Library updates, Shepherd advocacy updates, PAVE updates, plans and activities for the Spring, etc. Eureka Math Workbook Pick Up TODAY AND TUESDAY Attention K-5 families: Eureka Math workbooks may be picked up at Shepherd Elementary Monday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 26th from 8:30-3:30 in the multi-purpose room. Please use the Jonquil entrance. Thanks! Black History Month Committee Planning Meeting – Wed, Jan 27 at 5 pm Please join us in planning Shepherd’s celebration of Black History Month. This year’s focus will be on Washington, DC. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 27th at 5:00 pm in advance of the PTO meeting. Please join … Read More

DECEMBER PTO MEETING – TOMORROW (Wed, Dec 9th) at 6:30 pm Join us via TEAMS here for our monthly PTO meeting. Dr. Hedlund will be updating everyone on: Re-Opening Community Corps updates Launch of the first CARES class New ELA and Math data Shepherd’s Panorama Survey results HVAC updates GET YOUR HOLIDAY WREATHS AND GREENS AND SUPPORT THE PTO – only 5 days left to order! We’re excited to be working with Lynch Creek Farms again this year to do online order and direct home delivery of holiday wreaths and greens for the season. Their products are lovely and anyone across the country can order items and help support Shepherd PTO. Share with your family and friends near and far! Every time someone shops for holiday decor through our group’s fundraising page, Shepherd PTO will receive 15% of the purchase! Help us reach our $1000 goal! Order here and share the link with family and friends – https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/253742    D.C. Council Roundtable on the Return to In-person Instruction for DCPS  Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Grosso hosted a joint roundtable of the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education on the Return to In-person Instruction in the District of Columbia … Read More

Good morning Shepherd families, We’re SOLD OUT NOW and are going to have to even use 2 days! To those who’ve signed up, more details coming soon re: time slots and date options for the mini sessions. We’re also closely watching the weather for Saturday – really, really hoping we don’t have rain! If you didn’t get in this time, we’re looking to do another photo session in the Spring. Stay tuned.  BUT…you can still support our efforts AND get something for the holidays!  We’re excited to be working with Lynch Creek Farms again this year to do online ordering and direct home delivery of holiday wreaths and greens for the season. Their products are lovely and anyone across the country can order items and help support Shepherd PTO. Share with your family and friends near and far! Every time someone shops for holiday decor through our group’s fundraising page, Shepherd PTO will receive 15% of the purchase! Help us meet our $1000 goal and make purchases online at https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/253742.   Happy Holidays! Shepherd Exec Board

RE-OPEN COMMUNITY CORPS SURVEY FOR SHEPHERD PARENTS Please take some time to fill out this important survey to inform Shepherd’s Elementary reopening plans. The deadline is 12/4. It will only take a few minutes. Happy Thanksgiving! Click here to complete the survey. Tómese un tiempo para completar esta importante encuesta para informar los planes de reapertura de Shepherd’s Elementary. La fecha límite es el 4 de diciembre. Solo te llevará unos minutos. ¡Feliz día de acción de gracias! Clic aqui “Porchtrait” Family Photo PTO Fundraiser – Sat, Dec 5 We’re bringing back holiday family photo sessions this year – but with a twist! Our photographer, AJ, will come to your home and do pics on your porch, back yard or front yard. You’ll pay the sitting fee as a donation to the PTO and then purchase pics from the photog directly. Photos will be ready about a week after they’re taken. DATE: Sat, Dec 5th TIME: 15-min sessions will start at 10 am – everyone will be scheduled based on your location so we can minimize travel time for the photographer and you’ll find out a few days before the event your specific time slot. COST: $50 sitting fee (donation to … Read More

PTO meeting – TONIGHT at 6:30 pm via TEAMS. Click here to join. Agenda: Updates from Dr. Hedlund Shepherd IB Evaluation Update – Ms. Mack PTO Meeting minutes review – Sara Faulman PTO Budget review – Andrea Smith and Karen Sloan Upcoming Fundraising – PTO team Parent Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) update – Meaghan Mountford Questions? Closing – next meeting is Wed, Dec 16th at 6:30 pm GIVING TUESDAY – Tuesday, Dec 1 Take advantage of your employer match or give a little extra this holiday season to help us prepare for the unexpected and ensure our students and staff have what they need this year. Please consider giving to Shepherd’s 180 Fund this Giving Tuesday. Shepherd PTO EIN number is 47-0879109. The PTO has recently purchased touchless thermometers and docu-scanners to aid in virtual learning to support teachers and staff this school year. We would appreciate your support for the 180 Fund this year. Click here to donate.  Annual DCPS Ed Fest – Dec 12th Come help us talk with prospective parents about Shepherd at this year’s virtual event. If you can volunteer some time to be in our “booth”, please let Ms. Mack know – avani.mack@k12.dc.gov. Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020 Time: … Read More