PARCC Tests
The PARCC assessments are designed to give schools and teachers more information to improve instruction. Moreover, PARCC is designed to let parents know how their child is progressing academically. DCPS administers the PARCC Assessment in grades 3-5 at the elementary level. For your planning purposes, students will take the PARCC tests in grades 3-5 from April 22-May 24 on the following days by grade level:
3rd – 5th grade: PARCC Practice Tests, ELA and Math (April 22 – 26)
3rd grade: ELA (May 6-10), Math (May 20 -24)
4th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13- 17)
5th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13- 17)
There are three days of English Language Arts (up to 90 minutes each), three days of math (up to 60 minutes each) and 2 days of science (up to 90 minutes each). Fourth grade has an extra ELA day due to a field test. Schools are not informed about which section will contain the field test.
Attendance is extremely important on these days, so we want to make sure you have the schedule ahead. For practice opportunities and general information, please visit here. https://parcc-assessment.org/parent-resources/
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
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 site and email dcps.summer@dc.gov after Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
If space is available, your child’s registration will be transferred to your preferred site.
If no space is available, you will have the option to keep the original site or place your child on a wait list for the alternate site. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
How to Register:
Go to dcps.dc.gov/summerlearning to register for Summer Learning. Registration must be completed online on a computer, not a phone or tablet.
When registering for Summer Learning, you will have the opportunity to sign your child up for the optional summer afternoon program. A summer afternoon program will be provided by a community partner organization that will engage students in enriching summer activities from 1 to 5:30 pm each day. DCPS students registered for Summer Learning from 8 am to 1 pm are eligible to participate in the afternoon.
The First Day of School
The first day of school for Kindergarten through fifth grade will be Monday, August 26, 2019. The first day of school for all ECE students will be Thursday, August 29, 2019. All ECE students will attend school all day on Thursday and Friday of the first week of school.
The March Madness Box Tops
It’s been an exciting week for the March Madness Box Tops Challenge! The PK 4 classes are still going strong, but Ms. Carney’s kindergarten class is gaining on them! And, Mr. Mack’s class is the Cinderella story of the week – coming in at #3! Good work everyone!
This is the LAST week of the box tops challenge. Please turn in any and all box tops that you have collected no later than Friday, March 29th. We’ll reveal the class winner on Monday, April 1st. We’ll also announce how much money we have raised this month!
To see the bracket for the box top tournament, check out the bulletin board in the multipurpose room.
The winning class gets a visit from the Georgetown mascot – Jack the Bulldog! He’ll be bringing some special presents along with him for the students!
For participating products, see: https://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products.
Annual Women’s History Toiletry Drive
Mrs. McIntyre is sponsoring Shepherd’s annual Women’s History Month Toiletry Drive to collect items to donate to the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH), an organization providing access to safe housing and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Body soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, band-aids, deodorant, dental floss and feminine hygiene products can be dropped off in the bin in the atrium throughout the month.
Deal Summer RISE Program
Registration for Deal MS Summer RISE Program is open for rising sixth graders. Interested families are encouraged to register via the following link below, which is also available on the Deal website.
Shepherd Tutoring Program
The Shepherd Tutoring Program is in its 22nd year at Tifereth Israel Congregation. Between 5 and 6 pm most Sunday nights, members of Tifereth Israel and the Shepherd Park community are available to tutor students across subject areas at no cost to parents.
Please reach out to Ms. Catler, shepherdtutoringprogram@gmail.com, for more information.
LAST WEEK! Pizza Hut Book It! Pizza Coupon K-5 and Beanstack (October 2018 – March 2019)
All K-5 Shepherd Students are also eligible to receive a free Pizza Hut Book It! coupon for a personal pan pizza during the months of October-March. Please support your student by assisting them with using Beanstack to log in.
Staff Spotlight – Mrs. Hartman
Mrs. Hartman has been serving the students of DCPS for four years. A graduate of Liberty University, Mrs. Hartman also holds degree as a Education Specialist from Walden University. In her spare time, Mrs. Hartman enjoys spending time with her four dogs. Her favorite food is tacos.
OTHER UPCOMING DATES
March 29 – DC Council DCPS Budget Oversight Hearing at 10 am
March 29 – PTA Heath and Wellness Fair – 3:30-6:30 pm
March 29 – Shepherd Gala Wine “Pull” Party – 6:30 pm
March 29 – Last day for Box Tops Contest Collection
April 1 – Teacher Breakfast by Kinder families
April 4-5 – No School Days
April 8 – Ward 3 Feeder Ed Network meeting at 7 pm
April 12 – Box Tops Class Contest Winner Announced
April 15-19 – Spring Break/No School
April 24 – PTA meeting at 6:30 pm
April 26 – Academic Carnival
April 28 – School Spring Clean Up – 10 am
Week of April 28-May 3 – Galley Restaurant Week for Shepherd PTA
May 4 – 15th Annual Shepherd Auction and Gala at Bobby Van’s Grill
May 15 – PTA meeting; PTA officer and LSAT member elections
May 20 – Teacher Breakfast by 5th grade families