Category Archive

Shepherd Elementary School PTA needs your help!We are just beginning the massive effort of planning and preparation for Shepherd’s 15th Annual Spring Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala will be held on May 4th, 2019, at The Atrium at Bobby Van’s Grill in Washington, DC. Historically, the Spring Gala has been the PTA’s best fundraiser of the year, and we hope to raise over $40,000 this year to support Shepherd’s academic and enrichment programs, which will benefit all students.HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?There are so many ways you can participate to help us to throw a wonderful Gala and Auction. Here are a few suggestions:• Assist your classroom parent(s) and contribute to classroom project and basket donations – information from your classroom parent should have been sent to you (if not, feel free to follow up with Caroline Smith at mrthbtn@gmail.com• Either provide or solicit donations of goods or services for the auction – do you have a special talent for cooking and can host a cooking party, a vacation home, access to tickets or a box for concerts or a game, or professional services to offer? If you have an item to donate or know a business owner you … Read More

Hi Mustang Parents – lots going on this week and the coming weeks…stay tuned!PTA meeting – TONIGHT – 6:30 pmPrincipal Neal from Deal Middle School will be with us tonight to talk about transitioning to middle school and what Deal is all about! We’ll also have a guest speaker from PAVE (Parents Amplifying Voice in Education) to come talk about how to best advocate for our schools and students and how to help us prep for the March 29 hearing.Yesterday’s DCPS Oversight HearingTHANKS FOR THE MANY PARENTS WHO CAME OUT YESTERDAY AND HELPED MAKE AN IMPACT YESTERDAY!We got the attention of Chairman Grosso and we have already seen some positive impacts from our testimony yesterday. For those who couldn’t attend yesterday, please submit written testimony by Friday, March 1 to Ashley Strange, Committee Assistant, at astrange@dccouncil.us or mail a copy to the following address:Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Education 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 116 Washington, D.C. 20004Jazz Night – THIS FRIDAY – March 1 at 6:30 pm at ShepherdOn Friday, come enjoy some Jazz music by local musicians and a pot luck with Shepherd families and neighbors! Thanks to Dr. Michael Wallace for his continued support … Read More

Welcome back, Shepherd families! We’ve got a busy week – hope you’re ready to go! DCPS Oversight Hearing is Tuesday, the PTA meeting with Principal Neal from Deal Middle School is Wednesday, and Jazz Night is Friday. Whew!Jazz Night – this FRIDAY (March 1) at 6:30 pm at ShepherdIt is our 30th Annual Jazz Night this year! Please sign up to bring something to the potluck and invite some of your friends and neighbors! Dr. Wallace has some great musicians lined up and it’s a great time to chat and meet with other Shepherd families! This community event is supported by the Shepherd PTA. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f49aea82fabff2-jazzPTA meeting – Wed, Feb 27 at 6:30 pmPrincipal Neal from Deal Middle School will be joining us to talk about tranisitioning to middle school and what Deal is all about! More on the agenda will be sent out tomorrow.DCPS Oversight Hearing – TOMORROW (Feb 26) at noon at the Wilson BuildingCome join us and SUPPORT SHEPHERD! And please submit written testimony by Friday, March 1 to Ashley Strange, Committee Assistant, at astrange@dccouncil.us or mail a copy to the following address:Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Education 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 116 Washington, … Read More

Good evening, Mustang Parents!A few reminders as we hit the home stretch before the February break… Tomorrow (Feb 14) is class picture day! A reminder to send in your child’s form with payment Friday, Feb 15 is the Valentine’s Day Dance from 3:30-5:00 in the Multipurpose Room Mon, Feb 18-22 – NO SCHOOLAnd when we return from break…it’s “Read Across America” Week with Dr. Seuss…Mon, Feb 25 – Wear Silly Socks (Fox in Socks)Tues, Feb 26 – Wear your Favorite Hat (Cat in the Hat)Wed, Feb 27 – Crazy Hair Day (Who’ville)Thurs, Feb 28 – Dress for Your Future Job (Oh, The Places You’ll Go)Fri, March 1 – Pajama DayUpcoming Events:Tuesday, February 19 at 6pm to 8:30pm at the Juanita Thornton Library – Introduction and Community Conversation with Ward 4 SBOE Frazier O’Leary about the State of DCPS Secondary Education OptionsCome out from 6-6:30pm to meet and greet Ward 4’s SBOE representative Frazier O’Leary, who will explain the role of a SBOE representative in DC, describe the current state of DCPS secondary education options for Shepherd Park, Colonial Village, and North Portal Estates, provide some information on the proposed Ward 3 DCPS Feeder options and what tools are available to … Read More

Student Awards Ceremony – Friday, Feb 15The quarterly awards ceremony will be next Friday, Feb 15 in the Multipurpose Room. Time will be announced shortly. You will also be receiving information for your teachers about award recipients.Monday, February 11 at 7 pm at Cleveland Park Library – Ward 3 Feeder Education Network MeetingDeputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn will be joining to share his thoughts and answer questions. And Acting Chancellor Ferebee may stop by as well.Note: This is the group of parents/school reps from Ward 3 schools that meets monthly to talk about issues such as: dealing with Deal and Wilson feeder school issues around overcrowding, school enrollment projections, school facility use and projections, and the need for better schools across the city. All are welcome!Friday, February 15 – Valentine’s Dance at Shepherd – 3:30-5:30 pmWe’re looking for a few volunteers to help chaperone the dance next Friday from 3:30-5:30. Please let me know if you’re interested and available – shepherdptapresident@gmail.com. Thanks to Sam and Gwen Washington for sponsoring this year’s event.Tuesday, February 19 from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Juanita Thornton Library – Introduction and Community Conversation with Ward 4 SBOE Frazier O’Leary about the State of DCPS … Read More

Happy New Year, Mustang families!We have a lot going on already as we kick off January with a BANG! Hope to see you atMovie Night tomorrow or the Camp Fair and PTA meeting next Wednesday! Community Movie Night – TOMORROW – Doors open at 6:15 pm (moviestarts at 6:30 pm)Bring your friends, family and neighbors to come watch “Christopher Robin”tomorrow (Friday, Jan 11). Bring chairs or a sleeping bag and join us in theMultipurpose room. Entry is free and concessions and Shepherd gear will be on sale. AHUGE thanks to Shepherd Park Citizens Association for sponsoring! SCHOOL SPIRIT TASTES GREAT!Restaurant Night at Chipotle in DT Silver Spring – Tues, Jan 15 form 5-9pmGet out for dinner with the family and show this flyer to help us make some $$ forShepherd PTA!Chipotle-flyer.pdf NO SCHOOL DAYS with Star Achievers – Jan 22 and 23, 2019Come have fun for the ultimate play date on the upcoming days off from school!Register here: https://www.sesstarachievers.com/ PTA Meeting and Summer Camp Fair – next Wed, Jan 16Summer Camp Fair will be in the Atrium from 5-7 pm and the PTA meeting willstart at 6:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room. DCPS Soliciting Feedback on SY 2019-20 Calendar ProposalsDCPS … Read More

Hi Mustang Families!TONIGHT – December PTA meeting at 6:30 pm. Childcare and pizza for the children will be provided.AGENDA: Minutes approval from Nov meeting and budget update Shepherd STAR Rating overview with Principal Brawley Other updates from Principal Brawley Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) speaker on parent advocacy (Rachael Berman) DCPS budget process – next steps and suggested requests DCPS/DPR Community Center update and conversation to develop a statement Shepherd Spring Auction – updates and next steps Teacher Wishlist and PTA Teacher Assistance funds timing and next steps Upcoming events: Mama Lucia Restaurant Night (tomorrow – Dec 20), Movie Night (Jan 11), Summer Camp Fair (Jan 16) and Jazz Night (March 1)TOMORROW: Mama Lucia’s Restaurant NightEat dinner and support Shepherd! Mama Lucia’s will donate 20% from every dine-in or take-out order from 4-9 pm. Make sure to show this flier! Will have copies at the meeting tonight too. Mamma Lucia Flyer.pdf

Hey Mustang Families – we’re on the countdown to winter break…and we’ve got a busy week next week! Spirit Week, PTA meeting and Teacher/Staff holiday party, and Mama Lucia’s Restaurant Night out!LYNCH CREEK FARMS HOLIDAY GREENS FUNDRAISER – DEADLINE THIS SUNDAYDeadline is Sun, Dec 16 to get your holiday wreath, centerpiece or mini tree! Shepherd PTA gets 10% of every purchase – help us reach our goal!!HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK @Shepherd – Dec 17-21Mon – Dec 17 – Ugly Sweater DayTues – Dec 18 – Winter Hat and Sock DayWed – Dec 19 – Classroom Door Decorating ContestThurs – Dec 20 – Snowflake Day (wear something with snowflakes or that is blue and white)Fri – Dec 21 – Winter Pajama DayMon, Dec 17 – Monthly Teacher/Staff Breakfast ReminderIt’s time again for the monthly Teacher and Staff breakfast – thanks to all who’ve signed up for this one! Bring in items on Monday morning between 7:30-8:30 am in the Resource Center room behind the main office. Click here to sign up!Wed, Dec 19 – PTA meeting and Teacher/Staff Holiday PartyHoliday party for teachers and staff from 4-6 pm – we’ll be in the Special Ed room next to the Art Room. To … Read More

Hi Mustang Parents – a few more important messages to be aware of related to the school and budgets! Stay tuned for more info! NEW DC School STAR Report Card Rating Tomorrow, OSSE and DCPS will be releasing a new School Report Card system, including a STAR Rating, and Principal Brawley will be coming to the Wed, Dec 19th PTA meeting to talk about the new program and Shepherd’s rating. See here for more.  Dec 12 DCPS Budget Engagement Community Forum – Janney Elem at 6 pm Parent, Grandparents and Community Members – we are going to need your support as we fight for more budget Shepherd in the FY20 budget! The first community forum is on Wed, Dec 12 at 6 pm at Janney Elementary. The School Advocacy Committee is working on draft testimony and talking points. We will be sharing very soon how you can support – but mark your calendars to attend, ask questions, and push for more support for Shepherd Elementary! If we don’t show up, we won’t get what we want! Below is the timeline for how and when the final DCPS budgets get approved. Click here for more info. Parent and Community Input Begins (November and December)The Chancellor kicks off the collaborative … Read More

Helloooo Families!We have a lot cooking at Shepherd this week! Easy ways to contribute to a few families in need, make a little $$ for the Shepherd PTA, and enjoy a night off!BAKE SALE – TODAY – from 3:30-6 pm in the AtriumPlease donate baked goods and drop them off anytime before 3 pm TODAY in the Resource Center room behind the main office area. Mark your Tupperware/tins and we’ll leave them back there for pick up on Tues., Dec 4.This effort is a long-standing Shepherd Elementary tradition and is part of our Shepherd Gives Back effort. We’re donating the money raised to support the Shepherd Park Citizen’s Association (SPCA) Holiday Hope and a Home children’s program! If you can’t donate baked goods or come by for the sale, we’d gladly take financial donations to support the cause.Potbelly RESTAURANT NIGHT – TUESDAY from 5-8pmCome join us on Tuesday, December 4th, from 5 to 8PM at Potbelly’s, located at 917 Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring for dinner in or takeout for your evening meal. Potbelly’s will donate 25% of sales to Shepherd Elementary for every sale with a presented flyer. Don’t forget to bring a copy of the attached flyer with … Read More