Category Archive

Make Sure to VOTE – PTO Board and LSAT Representatives If you’re in AtoZ Connect, you should’ve received an online ballot from ElectionBuddy. Make sure to vote by Tues, Oct 6th at 11:59 pm. 2020 PTO Budget and Bylaws Approved Thanks to the many who voted – we’re happy to announce the proposed PTO budget for the 2020-2021 school year shared at the first meeting was approved. The updates to the PTO bylaws were also approved and will be updated. Both will be posted on the school’s website.  Mayor’s Oct 5th COVID Update – DCPS News Click here to see the latest updates for Term 2.  Are You New to Shepherd? Attention New Shepherd Families! The PTO would like to host some Zoom meet-ups for parents new to the school. We’d like to do some large group sessions as well as smaller group meet-ups. And, we’d also love to get new students connected with other Shepherd students!  If you are a new family and have any interest in being a part of these Shepherd meet-ups, email Caroline Smith (mom of Henry, 4th grade, mrthbtn@gmail.com). Please include your name, contact information, and the names and grades of your students. Connecting with Specials’ Teachers This Friday … Read More

Back-To-School ZOOM Sessions by Grade Level – SEE DATES AND LINKS BELOW! In place of our big in-person gathering we usually hold every September, Dr. Hedlund, Mrs. Rottman and the teachers will be hosting grade-level sessions to meet the teachers, orient parents for the school year and share expectations. See dates and Zoom links below to join your student’s session. Sept. 24 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–4th Grade Topic: Fourth Grade Open House Time: Sep 24, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86810484836?pwd=WmJyeHA1ZTBSbU5zcmd5RHNJaW5nQT09 Meeting ID: 868 1048 4836 Passcode: H2bdbe Sept. 28 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–1st Grade Topic: 1st grade open house Time: Sep 28, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89929251599?pwd=aFVNT29SSWtveGhNRWpMVlJ6RmdkQT09 Meeting ID: 899 2925 1599 Passcode: XD32hM Sept. 29 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–Pre-K 4 Topic: PK-4 Open House Time: Sep 29, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83284231015?pwd=akphbVNENC9BUFJLaEVsYzl5Q1JoUT09 Meeting ID: 832 8423 1015 Passcode: AVuV46 Sept. 30 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–Pre-K 3 Topic: PK-3 Open House Time: Sep 30, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84224686762?pwd=cEtNbXRTbml4cG9BL1Q4SnRrb1Y3UT09 Meeting ID: 842 2468 6762 Passcode: 5fTrSm Extending Nomination Deadline for Open Slots The Nominations Committee for … Read More

Good morning Shepherd families, Just a reminder that TODAY is the last day to submit PTA board member and LSAT nominations. Please send in your name, contact info, position of interest, and a brief statement about yourself to elections@shepherd-elementary.org by 11:59 pm TODAY (Mon, Sept 21).  PTA board positions include: Co-presidents (2), Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary.  LSAT election will be for 4 parents to join Dr. Hedlund, Ms. Rottman, one of the PTA co-presidents and a group of teachers and staff on this year’s Shepherd Elem LSAT. For more info on the LSAT, click here. Online voting for all positions will begin Sept 30. More details to come.  A HUGE thanks to Michelle Musgrove, Ronnie Pearcy and Julia Marnon Lipton for running this year’s Nominating Committee.

Hi Shepherd families, Thanks to the MANY parents, teachers, and staff who joined us last night for our first PTO virtual meeting of the school year. Attached is the PPT we presented with some valuable information. This will also be posted on our school website.  20200916-PTO-Meeting.pdf Wanted to bring special attention to the call for PTO board members and LSAT representatives, as well as the PTO budget and bylaws for review. Click here to see the DRAFT documents.  We are extending the deadline for PTO and LSAT nominations until Mon, Sept 21. Please send your name, position of interest, and a brief statement about yourself to elections@shepherd-elementary.org. The PTO board member positions are for 1-year terms as follows: Two (2) Co-President positions, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. If you want further details on the responsibilities for each role, you can read the proposed bylaw descriptions of each office at this link (see pgs 3-4 in the document).  Online voting info and deadlines coming by end of Sept. All those in AtoZ Connect database will be eligible to vote. If you are receiving these emails, you are registered already. THANKS!

Back-To-School ZOOM Sessions by Grade Level – SEE DATES AND LINKS BELOW! In place of our big in-person gathering we usually hold every September, Dr. Hedlund, Mrs. Rottman and the teachers will be hosting grade-level sessions to meet the teachers, orient parents for the school year and share expectations. See dates and Zoom links below to join your student’s session. Sept. 17 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–5th Grade Topic: Fifth Grade Open House  Time: Sep 17, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)  Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84966919550?pwd=OHBLd2V0eFVkTmx0RWNuYlNPeWFsQT09 Meeting ID: 849 6691 9550  Passcode: eWsaM8  Sept. 21 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–Kindergarten Topic: Kindergarten Open House  Time: Sep 21, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)  Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83228213201?pwd=VW40eXZrZXpvdzZCTkVCOWE0aXpDUT09 Meeting ID: 832 2821 3201  Passcode: MH4hUt Sept. 22 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–3rd Grade Topic: 3rd Grade Open House  Time: Sep 22, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)  Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82114044851?pwd=S05XSUtKOCt0ZnY3dXZraW1YV1AzZz09 Meeting ID: 821 1404 4851  Passcode: mCfHQ6  Sept. 23 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–2nd Grade Topic: 2nd Grade Back to School Night  Time: Sep 23, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)  Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81208520379?pwd=SFVJYUF5ZUJyd1BsRFNiTXRwV0NLZz09 Meeting ID: 812 0852 0379  Passcode: 2cF7Y4  Sept. 24 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.–4th Grade Topic: Fourth … Read More

WELCOME BACK! We’re wishing everyone a warm welcome to the start of a very unique school year. We know there will be some hiccups along the way as we get started, but we’re excited to get going and get back in a groove. We’re missing your faces, but know we’ll see each other at least virtually soon! A HUGE THANKS to our teachers, staff, students and parents/families who are working closely together to kick off the school year! PTA Board and LSAT Nominations – due by Fri, Sept 18 Our PTA board and LSAT elections will happen electronically by the end of Sept. You must be registered on AtoZ Connect to vote. All interested candidates for the PTA Board or LSAT should submit a brief statement of interest to info@shepherd-elementary.org by Friday, September 18.  PTA board positions open to all candidates: Co-Presidents (2), Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary. 7 positions in total. LSAT is a mix of teachers, non-instructional staff, parents and community members who help to advise the Principal on school direction, budget, goals, metrics, etc. We are awaiting guidance from DCPS on LSAT next steps, but know there will be several parent slots for this year’s LSAT, including one of the … Read More

Hello Shepherd Parents and Families, We are less than a week from the first day of school now and I know many of us are getting nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time. Class assignments should be rolling out from Dr. Hedlund by mid-day tomorrow (Wed, Aug 26) and teachers will be doing class huddles virtually on Thursday and Friday this week. Just a reminder to come with grace and patience these first few weeks – this is all new to everyone (teachers, staff, students and parents) and it will take a bit of time to get everyone online, in a routine, and back working together. We’ll get it figured out. A HUGE SHOUT OUT to all our teachers and staff who have been working HARD this week! We HIGHLY recommend listening to some of the previous and upcoming Parent University sessions – links to previous sessions below to help understand Canvas (the new learning platform), the new class schedules, how to support your Pre-K student, etc. DCPS PARENT UNIVERSITY SESSIONS  Here are a few links to previous Parent University sessions: What can I expect from DCPS for learning at home? Supporting my early childhood DCPS student Accessing CANVAS … Read More

Hi Shepherd friends and family, It’s now mid-August and that means school will be starting (virtually!) soon…on MON, AUG 31! You’ll start to see more updates coming from the PTA and Dr. Hedlund soon…here are a few quick ones to share. Enjoy those last few days of summer! Liz Bradley Shepherd PTA President SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CENTER An update from DGS on the Community Center is attached below. Check out the pics of the new basketball court and the great space we’ll have access to when the project is completed. Dr. Hedlund has been onsite to do walk throughs recently and is pleased with the progress and the updated indoor space it will give our students. The project is still expected to be completed by Fall of this year. Shepherd Construction Update_August 2020.pdf ELECTIONS We want to thank you for your patience. Things are very different this year. Returning families may recall that we delayed our election, scheduled for May 2020. Last year’s Board members have remained in their roles and we have been working on transitioning, but that transition remains in flux. We anticipate setting an election date soon. There will also be tremendous changes and challenges ahead, so we … Read More

Hi Shepherd families, Can you believe it’s almost August?!? Just a reminder that the Mayor is scheduled to make an announcement this Friday (July 31st) regarding the plan for the next school year. We will share details here after the news update. ENROLLMENT AND TECH SURVEY In the meantime, make sure to enroll your student so Dr. Hedlund has the most accurate student count of where each grade level will be and take the DCPS tech survey regarding what your student would need in terms of distance learning technology support.  PTA AND LSAT ELECTIONS In the next few weeks, we’ll be holding virtual PTA and LSAT elections for the 2020-2021 school year. If you’re interested in running for a position or have questions about the roles, please reach out to info@shepherd-elementary.org. We will share more details from DCPS on next steps very soon. FOLLOW US Lastly, like our Facebook page to get updates and keep up with the Shepherd Mustang News! Check out the pictures from our important Black Lives Matter peaceful protest we did this summer as a school community.  Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY! Liz Bradley Shepherd PTA President

A MESSAGE FROM MS. MACK AND DR. HEDLUND Hello Shepherd Families, As an IB school, our framework provides us with a unique perspective on cultivating international-mindedness and taking action in our local and global communities. At the heart of being internationally-minded, is a commitment and responsibility to taking action to ensure equity and justice for all people. Below are some resources for parents on race and racism; there are resources outlined for the entire summer. Black Lives Matter! Race and Racism Resources for Parents.docx SHEPHERD STUDENTS FOR ACTION And SAVE THE DATE for Thurs, June 18th from 5:00-6:30 pm for a peaceful demonstration walk around our neighborhood. More details on the route and gathering place will be sent soon.