Category Archive

February PTO meeting TONIGHT – 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 licensed clinical social worker and a Shepherd parent to a first grader. She will have the dual role of giving perspective from both sides. If you have a question to ask, please send to info@shepherd-elementary.org. Join us here on TEAMS for the discussion … Read More

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