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
Message from Principal Brawley
Fifth Grade Exhibition Our fifth graders will present their culminating projects on Thursday, May 30th from 5:00 – 7:00pm. Fifth Grade Promotion The fifth grade promotional exercise will take place on Friday, June 7th in the multi-purpose room at 9:30am. Field Day Field Day will be on Tuesday, June 11. If you would like to volunteer to run a station or contribute water or popsicles, please contact Mr. Langrock at Jeff.langrock@dc.gov or sign up here – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4eaeae29a1fc1-shepherd1. International Day International Day will take place on Wednesday, June 12. Awards Day Awards Day will take place on Thursday, June 13. Last Day of SY18-19 The last day of the school is Friday, June 14. Enrollment Season Thank you to all of the families that have registered for next school year! Currently, 58% of our students are registered for SY19-20. Our goal is 85% by June 1st. The enrollment packet, which includes forms located online at http://enrolldcps.dc.gov, should be completed and presented to Mrs. Brooks along with proof of residency. The first class to register 100% of returning students for SY19-20 will receive extra recess! 2019-2020 School Calendar The calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is available: https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/SY19-20%20Calendar.pdf OTHER UPCOMING DATESTeacher Breakfast … Read More
PTO Bulletin
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
PTO Bulletin
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
PTO Bulletin
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
PTO Bulletin
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
Message from Principal Brawley
PARCC Testing Third through fifth grade students will take PARCC this week. Students will take one unit each day for up to 90 minutes. Attendance is extremely important on these days. Please support your child by making sure they are on-time, well rested and have a healthy breakfast. Field Day Field Day will be on Tuesday June 11th. If you would like to volunteer to run a station please contact Mr. Langrock at Jeff.langrock@dc.gov or Karen Sloan at info@shepherd-elementary.org. Enrollment Season Thank you to all of the families that have registered for next school year! The enrollment packet, which includes forms located online at http://enrolldcps.dc.gov, should be completed and presented to Mrs. Brooks along with proof of residency. The first class to register 100% of returning students for SY19-20 will receive extra recess! 2019-2020 School Calendar The calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is available: Summer School The dates for summer school are Monday, June 24th – Friday, July 26th, from 8:00 – 1:00pm. Our students have been assigned to Bancroft ES, 1755 Newton Street, NW. If you would like to register your child for a different summer site than the one assigned, register your child for the assigned summer … Read More
PTO Bulletin
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
Message from Principal Brawley
15th Annual Spring Gala Thank you everyone who was able to attend and support Saturday’s gala. This year’s event was a HUGE success! Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6-10 This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Join me in showing our wonderful teachers how much we appreciate their service and commitment to our school community. The PTA has some events planned this week, but please show your own teachers how much you appreciate all that they do! PARCC Testing Third grade students will take the ELA portion of PARCC this week. Students will take one unit each day for up to 90 minutes. Attendance is extremely important on these days. Please support your child by making sure they are on-time, well rested and have a healthy breakfast. Congratulations Catherine Foss Catherine Foss won the 2019 Law Day Contest sponsored by the National Capitol Lawyers Auxiliary. Catherine will read her essay at the Supreme Court on May 10th. Congratulations Aasha Rocca Aasha Rocca was selected the 2019 Elementary World Language Student of the Year for her outstanding work and joy of language learning. Aasha will receive her award at the 2019 DCPS World Language Festival at Deal MS on May 11th in … Read More
Message from Principal Brawley
Greetings Shepherd Family, It is with many emotions that I write to inform you that this will be my last year as principal at Shepherd Elementary. My decision to leave was extremely difficult, however, I am looking forward to spending more time with my growing family. Our school community continues to grow as a school of choice for families all over the District. Since 2015, Shepherd Elementary has experienced many successes including an increase in PARCC scores in both ELA and math by more than 10 percentage points as well as an increase in access to technology by tripling the number of laptops. From learning sight words to converting fractions to decimals, it has been a pleasure watching your children learn and grow academically, emotionally, and socially in order to achieve our shared vision of global citizenship. Over the last four years, Shepherd Elementary has explored many bold initiatives: Shepherd Electives, including digital photography, service learning, and reader’s theatre Young Man, Let’s Talk Mentoring Group Home Visits for new families through the Family Engagement Collaborative Student-led conferences Grahams with Grands The Shepherd Elementary staff is extremely committed to our school community—the level of talent is inspiring. They have helped me to … Read More