Hi Mustang families!I am very happy to finally be sending along an announcement about our interim principal, Dr. Hedlund, that has just come out from Chancellor Ferebee this evening.We are very excited to have Dr. Hedlund at Shepherd!As you will see, the timing has shifted a bit and we will now NOT be having a principal selection panel imminently. We pushed back on the Chancellor regarding this timing as we did not think that was the best course of action to maintain stability and consistency for our school community, our kids, and our teachers.We will CONTINUE to push to have the panel for the selection of a permanent principal in the Spring, when we’ll have the best selection of candidates and will be much closer to completing the school year.So, as we get excited to start school again…please mark your calendars for two upcoming play dates to come meet Dr. Hedlund.Sun, Aug 11 from 10-noon at the playground next to the soccer field on Jonquil Street (right below the school) and Thurs, Aug 22 from 5-7 pm at school!See you then!Liz BradleyShepherd PTA President

Hi Mustang families!I hope everyone is having a lovely and relaxing summer – and Happy 4th of July week!A few updates to share so you know what’s been going on at school lately and to give you some peace that things are moving forward in a positive way… WE HAVE AN INTERIM PRINCIPAL! DCPS is completing all the final paperwork now, but she has already been at the school and has been actively involved in the hiring process, the massive school cleanup that is underway, and working with the PTA on efforts and initiatives being planned for next school year, etc.And an update regarding the note sent out last week from DCPS leadership – the PTA and LSAT committees are pushing back on doing another Principal selection panel in August or September. The timing is not fair to anyone. We need stability and consistency for the school year, and we need to give the Interim Principal some time to engage and invest in Shepherd. So, we are pushing to do the panel selection in the Spring, when the rest of the DCPS schools will panel for permanent Principals and we’d have the best pool of experienced candidates. WE HAVE A … Read More

Hi MUSTANG FAMILIES! IT’S FINALLY THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL! And we’re on for FIELD DAY TOMORROW! With a partly cloudy forecast and a high of 79…the weather is looking amazing! Not too hot, rainy or cold! FIELD DAY UPDATES: Please remember to send your kids in their field day t-shirts (or color for their grade) and send them with a reusable water bottle. If you have a cooler we can use (and can bring a bag of ice), we’d appreciate that too. Just drop off in the main office tomorrow morning with your name on it.  If you have volunteered for a shift at a Field Day station, WE THANK YOU! There are more than 46 parents signed up!!! THAT IS AMAZING!!!! If you haven’t volunteered yet, but are free for a shift…we’d still love to have you:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4eaeae29a1fc1-shepherd1.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Langrock at jeff.langrock@dc.gov or Karen Sloan at info@shepherd-elementary.org. A few other updates/items to note: Farewell to Ms. Davis – Friday, June 14th @ 8:30 am.  Ms. Awunyo-Akaba and Ms. Johnson’s classes are hosting a farewell party for Ms. Davis, who is retiring at the end of this year.  Please join us to thank her for all she has … Read More

Happy June!9 more days of school – WOW! A few things left as we wrap up the school year.LAST CALL AUCTION!Just a reminder that the auction site closes at noon TODAY! So, go get some LAST MINUTE deals ASAP!FIELD DAY – Tues, June 11 from 9am-3 pmWe also need more VOLUNTEERS for Field Day!Volunteers are needed to help assist at the 17 different stations available that day. Donations of water and popsicles are also needed to help keep kids hydrated during the day.PARENTS – please send your child with a reusable water bottle that day so we can minimize our trash!Please share the following link with the parents in your classrooms and encourage them to sign up to volunteer (or donate): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4eaeae29a1fc1-shepherd1.Let’s make this a great Field Day for our kids! If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Langrock at jeff.langrock@dc.gov or Karen Sloan at info@shepherd-elementary.org.Upcoming events:• Fifth grade Promotion – June 7• Shepherd Field Day – June 11• International Day – June 12• Awards Day – June 13• Last day of school – June 14

SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING – Thurs, MAY 23 at 6 pmPlease join the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Department of General Services (DGS) and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) on Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 for a community meeting and discussion of the Shepherd Park Community Center project.The project architect will present a revised concept design based on the feedback we’ve received from previous community meetings and discussions with DCPS and DPR program staff. Meeting with be in the Multipurpose room at Shepherd Elem.Check out the latest: https://dgs.dc.gov/page/shepherd-park-community-centerFIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Tues, June 11This year’s Field Day will be held on Tuesday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is June 12). Volunteers are needed to help assist at the 17 different stations available that day. Donations of water and popsicles are also needed to help keep kids hydrated during the day.PARENTS – please send your child with a reusable water bottle that day so we can minimize our trash!Please share the following link with the parents in your classrooms and encourage them to sign up to volunteer (or donate): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4eaeae29a1fc1-shepherd1.Let’s make this a great Field Day for our kids! If you have any questions, … Read More

Election ResultsPTA Exec Board for 2019-2020:President: Liz Bradley1st Vice President: Taryn Losch-Beridon2nd Vice President: Ayana McIntoshRecording Secretary: Caroline SmithCorresponding Secretary: Lauren Benning-WilliamsTreasurer: OPENAssistant Treasurer: Andrea SmithLSAT members for 2019-2020:Kristin BaldwinSara FaulmanDominic JuCendrine RobinsonPrincipal Selection Panel (parents):Liz Bradley – PTA PresidentJimmy Sarakatsannis – LSAT ChairKevin JenkinsAyana McIntoshJulia LiptonDoug SloanYolanda Grate – alternateShepherd Camping Trip – Sat, May 18 – NEED YOUR CONFIRMATIONSOur first annual Shepherd Elementary camping trip is fast approaching. Unfortunately, all of the sites are booked already, but if you were one of the lucky ones who signed up early, we need to know you’re going.Please visit the Google spreadsheet found via the following link and provide your name and camp location. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jk0ZHWquP31JUYmN7duxjLG6PumJeFIh4sptYW5qpWE/edit?usp=sharingEach campsite can fit two cars and up to six guests, so if you want to go but forgot to book a site, please message me and we will try to pair you with another family that has booked a site.Camp set up can begin at 3:00 PM on the 18th. Derek and Michelle Musgrove will have games for the kids between 3 and dinner, and they’ll host Smore’s at 7:00 PM. You’re on the hook for your own dinner and breakfast. If you’re new to camping, … Read More

Good morning, Mustang families! Below are all of the nominations we’ll be voting on at tonight’s PTA meeting. The meeting will be at 6:30 pm in the Multipurpose room and you must be present to vote. Childcare will be provided in the cafeteria by Star Achievers. PTA, LSAT and Principal Selection Panel Nominations PTA Exec Board Nominations President: Liz Bradley I’m Liz Bradley and am running again for PTA President to help maintain consistency of school communication, fundraising efforts and community building while the school transitions with a new administration. We have done some amazing things this year – improve communications, engage more parents, better support and appreciate our teachers and staff, build more community with parents and neighbors, diversify our fundraising, work with more partners and have fun! We have more work we want to do next year – focus on more community-building opportunities, implement PTA-supported STEM efforts for all grade levels, and engage the team to further support our efforts to stay in the Deal/Wilson feeder pattern. I am currently a Communications Strategy Director at AARP and have taught Communications Strategy and Planning at Georgetown University. 1st Vice President: Taryn Losch-Beridon Taryn Losch-Beridon is the parent of a current PK3 … Read More

Hi Mustang families – we are getting close to finishing up the year (whew!), but have a few more items of business and activities to do before we call it done!PTA, LSAT and Principal Selection Panel Elections – Wed, May 15 at 6:30 pmElections are this WEDNESDAY! Parents running for PTA and LSAT, please submit your name and 100-word write up about your interest in joining the PTA Exec Board or LSAT.For those interested in the Principal Selection panel, please submit your name and your child/children’s grade levels for the 19-20 school year – please note you must be available ALL DAY on Mon, May 20 for interviews.Submit ALL nominations to info@shepherd-elementary.org by midnight on Tues, May 14 to be on the ballot.PTA candidates must be PTA members in good standing; LSAT and Principal Selection Panel candidates must be parents.All seven PTA positions are open:• President— preside over meetings and the executive board, serve as primary contact for the principal, represent the PTA outside the school and more. • First vice-president— assist the president and stand in for the president when he or she is unavailable. • Second vice-president— assist the president and first vice-president, and stand in for them … Read More

Want to contribute more to Shepherd Elementary? Run for the PTA Exec Board, the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) or the Principal Selection Panel Committee. Election is at the Wed, May 15 PTA meeting, but all nominations must received in advance – by midnight on Tues, May 14. Meeting on May 15 starts at 6:30 pm in the multipurpose room. Must be present to vote.  PTA candidates must be PTA members in good standing; LSAT and Principal Selection Panel candidates must be parents.  For the Principal Selection Panel: You can nominate yourself or someone else, but please make sure the other person knows they are being nominated. You need to send your/nominee’s name and your/their child/children’s grade levels for the 2019-2020 school year to info@shepherd-elementary.org by Tues, May 14 at midnight to be added to the ballot. Must be available for the ENTIRE DAY on Mon, May 20 for interview panels. For the PTA Exec Board (7): Candidates should provide a brief (100-word) statement for distribution to attendees prior to the meeting.  Send nomination to info@shepherd-elementary.org by Tues, May 14 at midnight. All seven PTA positions are open: • President— preside over meetings and the executive board, serve as primary contact for the principal, represent the PTA outside the school … Read More

Hi Mustang families!I know it’s hard to get back in the swing of things after Spring Break…but it’s almost GALA time! I’m sure you’ve received several emails and flyers this week to encourage you to buy tickets and register to bid online if you can’t be there. We have well over 250 auction items now – and that could mean A LOT OF MONEY for Shepherd PTA with your help!Do you want students to go on more field trips, have more classroom materials and supplies they desperately need, and offer more social emotional learning training for our teachers? THEN WE NEED YOU!Register to bid or buy tickets: https://events.handbid.com/auctions/sespta-spring-gala-2019Tickets are $65; VIP sponsorships start at $250. Be thre – Bobby Van’s Grill on Sat, May 4th.A few other important notes:PTA meeting tonight at 6:30 pm with FREE GALLEY FOOD SAMPLES at 5:30 pmWe’re doing a RESTAURANT WEEK (April 28-May 4) with Galley (HOME DELIVERY FOR DINNER!) as a twist on RESTAURANT NIGHT! Tonight they’ll have samples and below is info on Galley… Galley Foods has partnered with Shepherd Elementary for a school fundraiser. Galley empowers you to eat well on your schedule, with freshly prepared fully cooked dinner made from scratch … Read More