All Your Fall Fest Information!On Saturday, October 19th, Shepherd Elementary School will host its fall fundraiser – Fall Fest! The event will be held at the school from 12-4 pm. There will be food, music, and games.Fall Fest is fun for everyone, and we need our school community’s participation to make this event great! Come take a station shift for 30 mins, buy tickets, buy new gear that will be on sale, bring your friends and family, come dunk Mr. Garner in the dunking booth, and meet new families! If you’d like to volunteer for this event, click here to sign up.During Fall Fest 2018 we raised more than $18,000! To be successful again this year, we need your help!Your dollars go toward classroom materials and supplies for teachers, IB training for new teachers, IB materials for our students, a field trip for every grade level, the music book and materials for this year’s Spring Musical, resources for social emotional learning initiatives and more.We encourage you to purchase a Family Sponsor Package and your donation of $100 will include the following:• 1 wrist band that includes UNLIMITED ACCESS to games, moon bounce, and rock wall!• 25 tickets• 4 beverage coupons• … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks: Parent Teacher Conferences this coming Friday, Fall Fest on Oct 19 and Halloween. We have encouraged our staff to schedule conferences as needed to ensure they can meet with all families before, on, or after that date. Our building will be open with regular hours 7:00 am-7:30 pm on Friday, October 11 for conferences. We look forward to sharing your child’s progress with you! Fall Fes is in two weeks, and I know the PTA has a lot of great activities for families to enjoy. Make sure to volunteer and I will see you there. Back by popular demand is the Halloween Parade. At 2:30 pm on Oct 31, our students will parade around the block in costume and can be dismissed afterwards if their parents are present. This past week, Ms. Pereira, Ms. Mack and I launched Shepherd Student Government (SSG) with our fifth graders. There will be elections for officer roles next week: President, Vice President, Secretary and Historian. We then will seek a homeroom representative in homerooms K-4. Representatives will rotate at the end of the second and third quarters to offer room for more … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Today – Walk to School Day!Join Shepherd’s PTO and the Health and Wellness Committee along with students, parents, and staff for this “before school” event. Either walk from home along your customary route or meet us at one of the three meet-up locations to join a “walking school bus” led by volunteers.The meet-up locations are:• Marvin Caplan Park at the corner of Alaska Avenue and Holly Street NW – Group will leave promptly at 8:10 am.• Shepherd Park Christian Church (new walk to school day location) at the corner of Eastern Avenue and 12th Street NW – Group will leave promptly at 8:10 am.• Lowell Field at the corner of Kalmia Road and 17th Street NW – Group will leave promptly at 8:10 am.There will be volunteers to greet students with water when they arrive at the school!Picture DayOctober 4th is picture day! Come dressed in your finest. Note: Students do not have to wear their uniforms to school that day, although they may if you want.Fall Fest is Coming!On Saturday, October 19th, Shepherd Elementary School will host its fall fundraiser – Fall Fest! The event will be held at the school from 12-4 pm. There will be food, music,and … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Last night’s community meeting was well attended. Questions were sensible yet urgent. We have outstanding parent advocates working on our students’ behalf. The community center was the focus of the meeting, but time was also spent on lead contamination on DC playgrounds. You can find DPR’s presentation here. Construction will start in mid-October, and there are sure to be bumps along the way for the community, government agencies and construction firm. I will give you weekly updates on the construction and more frequent ones if conditions demand them. In the end, however, we will have a gorgeous new gymnasium, cafeteria and kitchen to enjoy. I feel confident it will be well worth the wait. This week we nearly had a tragedy when a driver blinded by the morning sun as they traveled on 14th Street almost struck one of our Pre-K 3 students. The boy’s father literally had to pull him out of the car’s path, and the family was in the crosswalk at the time of the incident. Although we are all busy with countless responsibilities, we need to take the time to travel safely, especially in the vicinity of our school. We all know that lives can be … Read More
PTO Bulletin
MOVIE NIGHT – SECRET LIVES of PETS 2Join us Friday, September 27th at 6:30 pm for a screening of The Secret Lives of Pets 2! Bring your blankets; come in your pajamas! There will be snacks and drinks for sale. Most importantly, a good time will be had by all.BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CLUBSSeveral of our staff members are offering special programming for our students this year. Please check out these options, with more to come soon:Kindness ClubIs your child interested in changing our school and community by being a part of The Kindness Club at Shepherd? We will be recognizing acts of kindness at Shepherd, participating in The Great Kindness Challenge, giving back to those in need, and more! Kindness Club is for students in grades K-5.Where? Mrs. Zepeda’s room (A101).When? Kindness Club begins the week September 30th.• Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Tuesdays from 3:30 – 4:30• 3rd Grade – 5th Grade: Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Mrs. Zepeda via email at [email protected] ClubDo you enjoy learning about different cultures from around the world? Activities will include:• Playing geography and culture games• Art and craft activities• Tasting different foods from … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Thank you to all the family members who attended the first PTA meeting this past Wednesday. It was well attended and representative of students in all grades. You make our community strong and welcoming. Go Mustangs! Please check today’s announcements closely as clubs will begin in the next several weeks. At the PTA meeting, I announced that Shepherd will have a Winter Concert and a Musical this year. Students will have input on the selection of the Musical, and the Winter Concert will involve all grades. Keep an eye out for additional details as they are determined. Movie Night is Friday, September 27th, and Fall Festival will be here before you know it. Picture Day is Friday, October 4th, and Parent Teacher Conferences will be on Friday, October 11th. Please remember that there will be no school for students that day. Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Zepeda will host a breakfast on Tuesday, September 24th for our English-language learner families. Madame Gadie and Mr. Hernandez will host a World Language Information Session on Friday, October 4th from 8:00-8:40 am in the Library. They will provide an overview of the curriculum and objectives for language instruction at Shepherd. Enjoy this beautiful fall … Read More
PTO Bulletin
PTA MEETING TONIGHT!The first PTA meeting of the school year will take place tonight, September 18th, at 6:30 pm in the multipurpose room of the school. Pizza and childcare for students will be provided.SHEPHERD TUTORING PROGRAMThe Shepherd Tutoring Program will begin September 22nd and take place from 5-6 pm at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 7701 16th St., NW (between Juniper and Jonquil – enter on Juniper). This program offers free tutoring for Shepherd students with weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions with the same tutor every week for the entire school year. Tutors are either adult or teenage members of the synagogue and other community volunteers. These tutors will go over math facts or problems, read with children for basic skills and comprehension, or work on other class assignments. For more information, email Shepherd Tutoring Program or sign your student up at http://tinyurl.com/ShepherdTutee.SHEPHERD PARK COMMUNITY CENTER MEETINGThere will be a meeting to discuss the planning of the community center on September 26th at 6 pm in the multipurpose room of Shepherd Elementary School. For additional information about this project, please visit: https://dgs.dc.gov/page/shepherd-park-community-center.WARD 3 MEETINGSWe are encouraging parents to attend the Ward 3 – Wilson High School Feeder Education Network – meetings. The next … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
It has been a busy, busy, busy week at Shepherd Elementary. Our All School Meeting was amazing. We danced, we sang, we launched Hispanic Heritage Month and the Golden Broom award, we learned about Shepherd Elementary School’s past and its IB offerings for 5th graders. Above all, we took the time to come together as a community to appreciate one another and create common experiences. So many thanks and countless words of praise to our 5th grade students, Ms. Scott, Dr. Leonard and the Specials teachers. It is wonderful to begin your day as a school community filled with pride and joy and laughter. You can watch some video of today’s event here and here. Thank you for the outstanding turn out for Back to School Night. It was great to have you all in the building, and teachers were excited to share what students are learning in their classrooms. Please let me know any constructive feedback you have about this event. Many parents shared that they were happy to have more time in classrooms this year. Next week, we have our Local School Advisory Team and Parent Teacher Association meetings on Wednesday. All are welcome! During the LSAT meeting, we will work … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Happy Friday Families, Thank you for another great week at Shepherd Elementary! Next week will be a busy one. On Monday afternoon from 2:30-3:15 pm, our grandparents/special friends have an opportunity to visit Shepherd during Grahams with Grands. We are all very excited to welcome these very important people to our building. Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 11th from 6:00-7:30 pm. Please remember that the PTA will provide free childcare during the event. Here’s what to expect: 6:05-6:25 Welcome in the Multipurpose Room 6:30-6:55 Session I Go to your child’s homeroom for an overview of the curriculum for the year and classroom systems and procedures 7:00-7:30 Session II Go to your other student’s homeroom or another one of your student’s teacher’s rooms for 4th/5thgraders Specials teachers will have tables and chairs in the atrium so they are easily and have the opportunity to highlight and discuss their programs. Please remember that teachers do not have time for individual conferences on Back to School Night, and the program will end promptly at 7:30 pm. Thank you for your cooperation. Next Friday, September 13th, our 5thGrade and Specials teachers will host our first all school morning meeting! Please join us … Read More
PTO Bulletin
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE WEBSITE!We are working to update our website, and you’ll see that we’ve got some terrific new content added. You’ll find the parent handbook (https://www.shepherd-elementary.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/ShepherdParentHandbookFinal.pdf) as well as the school calendar on the site (https://www.shepherd-elementary.org/ses-calendar-2/).SPECIALS!Wondering what “special subject” your child has today? Check out the Specials Calendar online (https://www.shepherd-elementary.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/Aug-Sept2019-Specials-Calendar.pdf). You can also read about all of the exciting things that these dedicated teachers are doing in their classrooms (https://www.shepherd-elementary.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/SPECIALISTS-NEWSLETTER-2019-2.pdf).SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!We need volunteers for a number of events at Shepherd, including Fall Fest and Movie Nights. We’d also love to have volunteers sign up to be a class Room Parent or to serve on a PTA Committee. A sign up link is now LIVE on the website: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094da5af2babf85-shepherd.FALL FEST PLANNING MEETINGSpeaking of special Shepherd events, planning has begun for Fall Fest. If you are interested in helping out, come out to our first planning meeting of the school year. It will take place on Monday, September 9th at 6:30 pm in the Teachers’ Lounge. This is our BIG fall fundraiser, and we want to make it great!TEACHER SUPPORTOur new Spanish teacher, Senor Hernandez, is looking for any guitars that you might have around the house that you would … Read More