Dear Families, Next week is Black History Spirit Week at Shepherd Elementary! Join us as we celebrate! Please tune into our school’s virtual all-school meeting on Friday, February 18th from 9:15- 10:00am. The theme for all-school will focus on Black Entrepreneurship. Please see below for important information regarding our school’s Black History Month Spirit Week! Shepherd’s Black History Month Spirit Week Monday, 2/14- Pan- African Flag Day/Spread the Love (Please wear red that represents the blood uniting the people of the African Diaspora). Tuesday, 2/15- Black Excellence Day ( Please wear HBCU pride gear, career costumes, etc.) Wednesday, 2/16- Pan- African Flag Day/Black Lives Matter Day (Please wear your favorite BLM t-shirt or Black t-shirt representing the people of the African Diaspora.) Thursday, 2/17- Book Character Day (Please wear the outfit of your favorite Black book character *clothes only) Friday, 2/18- Pan- African Flag Day/Shepherd Mustang Day (Please wear your Shepherd gear to represent the diversity of our school or green representing the abundant natural wealth of Africa) Please pay careful attention to the announcements below. Enjoy your weekend, Phyllis Upcoming Events Tuesday, February 15th 8:45 am Coffee and Conversation 1st grade Week of February 13th Black History Month Spirit … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good evening Shepherd families and friends, We’re packing a lot in for the rest of the month of February (including the mid-winter break starting on Mon, Feb 21), so make sure to read all about what’s going on so you don’t miss out! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Fifth grade promotion committee planning call – TOMORROW at 8 am on TEAMS “Coffee and Convo” with Dr. Hedlund and first grade families – Tues, Feb 15th at 8:45 am FEBRUARY PTO meeting – Wed, Feb 16th at 6:30 pm All School Morning Meeting – Fri, Feb 18th at 9:15 am Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL) – Feb 21st-25th DCPS Performance Oversight Hearing – Wed, March 2nd Shepherd PTO Restaurant Night with Potomac Pizza – Mon, March 14th (Pi Day!) Shepherd Gala and Auction – Sat, April 30th – buy your tickets and help us with auction donations! Shepherd PTO Health and Wellness Fair – Thurs, May 12th Calendar of Events Join the Black History Month Planning Committee We’ll be following up with Black History Month in DC as our theme this year. Every class will contribute to the All School Meeting on Friday, February 18th. There will be other activities too, so … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good afternoon Shepherd families and friends, It’s February…and that means we’re highlighting Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and all of the fun things we’re planning for Spring! Lots packed into this week’s Bulletin – so don’t miss it! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Ward 3 Ed Network call – Mon, Feb 7th at 7 pm Shepherd Auction/Gala Planning Meeting – Tues, Feb 8th at 7 pm “Coffee and Convo” with Dr. Hedlund and first grade families – Tues, Feb 15th at 8:45 am FEBRUARY LSAT and PTO meetings – Wed, Feb 16th All School Morning Meeting – Fri, Feb 18th at 9:15 am Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL) – Feb 21st-25th Shepherd Gala and Auction – Sat, April 30th – buy your tickets and help us with donations! Shepherd Spring Restaurant Nights with Ledo’s and Potomac Pizza coming in Feb and March – details coming soon! PTO Health and Wellness Fair – Sat, May 7th Calendar of Events Ward 3 Ed Network Call – Mon, Feb 7th The next meeting of the Ward 3 Education Network (W3EdNet) is on Monday, February 7 at 7pm via Zoom (link below). The group will be hosting Council Chair Phil Mendelson, who will share … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, We are past the midway point of the year, and we are making it! The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases dropped in our community last week, and I am hopeful that we will continue that downward trend. Thank you to all our ECE families who are testing their children on Sunday and posting their results by 4:00 pm. It may not feel that way, but things are looking up!!!!! Thank you to everyone for your steadfastness, flexibility and grace. It has been a roller coaster ride in a whirlwind, but through it all, we have felt the support of our families and their willingness to help in any way possible. Thanks to the PTO for providing breakfast to staff this week — we enjoyed it immensely. It is DCPS Feeder Spirit Week, and I want to shout out our Mustangs’ next step, Alice Deal Middle School, which is also an IB school. Principal Neal and her team provide outstanding educational opportunities, and students can participate in anything from debate to cross country to lacrosse to musical theater to Model UN. They also have the opportunity to travel internationally in the eighth grade. Students leave Alice Deal well prepared … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good morning Shepherd families and friends, We are definitely back in full swing based on this packed PTO Bulletin! Lots of events going on today and through the next week. In this week’s PTO Bulletin… DCPS COVID-19 Town Hall – Wed, Jan 26th at 5 pm Town Hall on Vaccinations with Howard University – Wed, Jan 26th at 6 pm Town Hall on DCPS and Special Education hosted by ANC Commissioner Adofo – Thurs, Jan 27th All School Morning Meeting – Fri, Jan 28th at 9:15 am Councilmember George hosts Ward 4 meeting on education – Wed, Feb 2nd from 7-8 pm Shepherd Spring Restaurant Nights with Ledo’s and Potomac Pizza coming in Feb and March – details coming soon! Shepherd Gala and Auction – Sat, April 30th (planning in progress!) Health and Wellness Fair – May 7th Calendar of Events DCPS Town Hall – Wed, Jan 26th at 5 pm Mayor Bowser and the Administration will be providing monthly updates on the DCPS COVID-19 Protocol updates among other critical recovery efforts and district priorities. Click here to see the list of upcoming dates and to register. DC Govt and Howard University on COVID-19 TOWN HALL Join for a virtual … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good afternoon Shepherd families and friends and HAPPY NEW YEAR! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Jan PTO meeting – Wed, Jan 19th at 6:30 All School Morning Meeting – Fri, Jan 28th at 9:15 am Restaurant Nights – details coming soon! Shepherd Gala and Auction event (planning in progress!) Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! January PTO Meeting TONIGHT – Wed, Jan 19th Join us here on TEAMS at 6:30 pm this evening as we kick of 2022. We’re excited to share ideas for 2022 – Spring Gala and Auction, Jazz Night, Restaurant Nights, and the Health and Wellness Fair! If you have trouble with the link, please see the Shepherd calendar. GALA/AUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We’re looking for volunteers to help chair and plan this year’s Spring Gala/Auction. Our HOPE is to have the event in person on Saturday, April 30th. This is our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the school year and is a “no kids” event where we have a WHOLE lot of crazy fun too! It takes a village to put on this type of event, so if you have experience in planning events, fundraising, communications and marketing, signage, tech/AV, and/or logistics, we’d LOVE to have your help. Email … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others. In dangerous valleys and hazardous pathways, he will lift some bruised and beaten brother to a higher and more noble life.”― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love Dr. King had the courage to dream, to create a vision, and devoted his life to make that vision a reality, even though he faced imprisonment, brutality, and death. He endured so much to lift so many. In his honor, may we teach our children to have the courage to dream, to lift others and to build a better world. They are our hope, and although our challenges are myriad, we must inspire them to be creative and courageous, not despondent, in the face of adversity because Dr. King’s work is far from done. Thank you for the continued support. Even when I have bad news to share, someone always sends a brief note thanking me for my leadership or praising our staff. Those words … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Families, There was a lot of holiday cheer at today’s All School Meeting! Thank you to Ms. Pereira, Ms. Mack, Ms. Murali, Ms. Hagan and Dr. Leonard for bringing us so much joy this morning. They spend a lot of time rehearsing to get it just right, and because they have so much fun as a team, we have so much fun as an audience. If you missed today’s broadcast, you can see it Tuesday night 12/21 at 6:30pm here. For more holiday cheer, look here. Mr. Hernandez, Madame Gadie and Ms. Hernandez collaborated for their students to create Christmas cards. And, on December 21st, the PTO is sponsoring a celebration for staff from 3:30-4:00 pm in the courtyard. As all of you know, Covid-19 cases are spiking again. Here are a few reminders as we approach Winter Break: Reminder #1: Get vaccinated, and if eligible, get your COVID vaccination booster. Reminder #2: Practice healthy hygiene habits such as hand washing. Reminder #3: Always wear your mask unless you are eating or drinking. Reminder #4: Remember to practice physical (social) distancing. Reminder #5: Do not send your children to school if they are feeling ill or experiencingCOVIDsymptoms. Ready … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good morning Shepherd families and friends, In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Dec LSAT and PTO Meetings – TODAY! All-School Morning Meeting celebrating “holidays around the world” – Fri, Dec 17th at 9:15 am Teacher/Staff Holiday “Sip and Sing” Event – Tues, Dec 21st Volunteers needed for the Spring Auction/Gala – next planning meeting on Thurs, Dec 16th at 7 pm Volunteers needed to help with the Summer Camp Expo! Mental Health tips and resources from Dr. Brown Thanks to our Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Donors Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Dec PTO Meeting TONIGHT – Wed, Dec 15th Join us here on TEAMS at 6:30 pm this evening as we wrap up 2021. We’re excited to share ideas and updates for 2022 – Summer Camp Expo, gear sales, Spring Gala and Auction, Jazz Night, and the Health and Wellness Fair! GALA & AUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We’re looking for volunteers to help chair and plan this year’s Spring Gala/Auction. Our HOPE is to have the event in person on Saturday, April 30th. This is our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the school year and is a “no kids” event where we have a WHOLE lot of crazy fun too! It takes a … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlundd
Good morning Shepherd Families, I hope you have a peaceful weekend. Tomorrow is EdFest, which will be held virtually again this year. Please remember that families are our best recruitment tool. Please feel free to refer interested families to me at any time. Please see the important announcements that follow, and take care. Principal Hedlund Picture Retake Day is Monday, December 13th Please respond to this email if your child needs a retake, and you have not communicated with me yet. Boys & Girls Basketball Coaches Needed Please contact Mr. Muskett (joe.muskett@k12.dc.gov) if you are available to coach one of our Shepherd teams. It is an exciting year for us as we will finally be able to host home games! Each team practices two afternoons a week from 3:30-4:30. The game schedule has yet to be announced. Thanks for your consideration. Virtual Food Drive TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO GIVE As an IB school, Shepherd is committed to caring by supporting our local community and The Capital Area Food Bank. Will you join us in donating to our Virtual Food Drive starting on Friday, November 19 – Friday, December 10th? We want to support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development … Read More