Category Archive

Dear Families, We have now completed day 4 of distance learning, and faculty members are in constant communication with each other. We have had three staff meetings this week, grade level teams are meeting, leadership is checking in with individual teachers, and instructional coaches are supporting distance learning for their content areas. I have observed some of your students learning during morning meeting and have seen photos of them learning at home. At this point, you should have heard from your child’s teacher, and if you have not, please let me know. In many instances, the distance-learning model may include videoconferencing. Please contact me if you would like to opt out of this form of staff-student engagement. It is strongly recommended that parents be present or in the student’s proximity during videoconferencing. To learn more on using Microsoft Teams, see this brief tutorial for families. DCPS is encouraging teachers to use an asynchronous model (taping and posting the lesson) to provide instruction whenever possible so your student can view a lesson at a time that fits the family’s schedule. DCPS will also be using television to provide instruction as early as next week. Read more here. I will provide updates … Read More

Good afternoon families, This morning we had a staff meeting, and it was great to see everyone’s faces and just be in touch. We are all well! Staff is committed to support your family and your student’s learning during this time, and if you haven’t heard from your child’s teacher already, you will soon. The expectation is teachers will be in touch with individual students weekly to check in and provide guidance as necessary. Knowing our staff, I expect that you will be hearing from them much more often. An important goal is to preserve our strong community during this time. Teachers may choose to use videoconferencing to instruct whole class or meet with small groups. I have attached the DCPS Internet Safety Use Policy for your review. This week teachers in grades 3-5 are receiving training in Microsoft Teams; many have already been trained and are using the platform. Stay tuned for more information from your child’s teacher.  Finally, we will be receiving the next set of learning packets in the next week, and they will be distributed at Shepherd on 3/31-4/1 (next Tuesday and Wednesday) from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. You have the work from 3/24-3/31. These packets for weeks 2 … Read More

Dear Families, We saw a number of you this week picking up learning packets from the school. I just wanted to reach out after the Chancellor’s announcement to share that our staff is busy planning for the weeks ahead. Everyone is well. We will be having a staff meeting at 9:00 am on 3/24, and I will update you that afternoon as our plans become more concrete. For now, the learning packets are for the 3/24-3/31; we are on Spring Break until Tuesday, March 24th. Many teachers have already been reaching out to families, and all families will hear from their teachers next week. I just wanted you all to know that we miss seeing your beautiful children and are sending love and good wishes your way. Be safe and know that we are thinking of you. With love, Phyllis  Phyllis Hedlund, Ed.D.

Dear Shepherd Families: We realize that this is an uncertain time as our city grapples with coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite the challenges and concerns this situation presents, we want to assure you that DC Public Schools (DCPS) and our outstanding Shepherd faculty developed a solid plan to ensure that your child’s education continues during a period of school closure. Please read this correspondence in its entirety as it includes specific information from our fantastic teachers. You probably heard from them separately, but we wanted to put it all in one place for you. In addition, there are library and family resources attached from Ms. Blake and Ms. Browne respectively. Printed Information PacketDCPS has prepared a hardcopy packet of materials that contains your child’s instructional materials for March 24 to March 31. These activities have been designed to extend prior learning and engage students during the period of school closure. It contains learning activities across content areas that were planned for all DCPS learners, including English Language Learners and students with special needs. Packets will be available of pick up at Shepherd from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm on 3/19, 3/20, 3/23 and 3/24. Shepherd will be open daily from 8:30 am -2:00 … Read More

Dear Shepherd Families:  We realize that this is an uncertain time as our city grapples with coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite the challenges and concerns this situation presents, we want to assure you that DC Public Schools (DCPS) and our outstanding Shepherd faculty developed a solid plan to ensure that your child’s education continues during a period of school closure. Please read this correspondence in its entirety as it includes specific information from our fantastic teachers. You probably heard from them separately, but we wanted to put it all in one place for you. In addition, there are librarry and family resources attached from Ms. Blake and Ms. Browne respectively. Printed Information Packet  DCPS has prepared a hardcopy packet of materials that contains your child’s instructional materials for March 24 to March 31. These activities have been designed to extend prior learning and engage students during the period of school closure. It contains learning activities across content areas that were planned for all DCPS learners, including English Language Learners and students with special needs. Packets will be available of pick up at Shepherd from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm on 3/19, 3/20, 3/23 and 3/24.  Shepherd will be open daily from 8:30 am -2:00 pm … Read More

Good afternoon Shepherd families,Today Ms. Rottman and I participated in a conference call with other elementary school administrators and central office staff. As a reminder, spring break will now be March 17-March 23. Distance learning will take place March 24-March 31, and we are scheduled to return to school on Wednesday, April 1. Central office content experts have prepared materials for each grade level, and they will be available on line on Monday. These work packets can be found here. Several grades were able to copy those packets and send them home in your child’s backpack today: Pre-K, K and 1st grades. Fifth grade teachers and Mr. Mack (3rd grade) also sent home packets with students. Given the late notice, not all teachers had the time to prepare and distribute materials. The District is printing these packets, and they will be distributed on Thursday 3/19, Friday 3/20 and Monday 3/23 at the school. If your child is in Pre-K, K, 1st or 5th grades, you already have materials. By close of business on Monday, March 16, I will follow up with additional information about packet distribution (if you need one — you may also print it out at home) and … Read More

Good afternoon families,By now, most of you have read the Chancellor’s letter changing next week’s professional development day from Friday, March 20th to Monday, March 16th.Star Achievers will provide child care to our families on Monday, March 16 – please register by Fri, March 13 at this link. We have a few other cancellations/postponements at this time:Tomorrow’s All School Meeting led by Pre-K 4 has been postponed until further notice.The PTA Meeting on Wednesday, March 18th has been cancelled.Health and Wellness Fair scheduled for Friday, March 27th has been postponed until further notice.Aladdin, the musical, scheduled for April 4th and 5th has been postponed until further notice. I will provide any updates as soon as I have them. Our custodians are on a schedule to sanitize common areas, door handles and stair railings throughout the day. Teachers continue to emphasize proper hand washing technique. Attached please find our monthly construction news from Department of Parks and Recreation. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, updates or concerns, and stay well.Shepherd Construction Update_March 2020.pdf Sincerely, Phyllis Phyllis Hedlund, Ed.D.Interim Principal Future Chefs FinalistCongratulations to Sala Queen who is a finalist for the District of Columbia! Wish her luck as … Read More

Dear Families,I hope you had the opportunity to read the DCPS communication on coronavirus earlier this week. Since then, DC government has released a coronavirus website, which will keep District residents up to date. At Shepherd, I have instructed our custodians to disinfect doors and doorknobs repeatedly during the day. We have plenty of soap to dispense in the bathrooms. If you hear otherwise, please let me know immediately. I check bathrooms daily, but I need families to keep me informed, especially during this time. Please remember these actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory disease:Stay home when you are sickAvoid close contact with people who are sickWash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available)Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed handsCover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a trashClean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfacesGet the flu vaccine Please feel free to ask any questions or express your concerns during this uncertain time. The health and safety of your children is the utmost concern of every Shepherd staff member. Enjoy you weekend,Phyllis Phyllis … Read More