Dear Families,
Welcome back from break! The week felt a little lighter than the rest of this school year. Maybe it was some warm weather during recess or the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate or just entering the month of March with its longer days. Next week, we will only have students in the building for three days. On Thursday, we have parent teacher conferences. Please make sure you sign up to learn about your child’s progress with their teacher. Friday is district-wide professional development for all staff.
The Panorama family survey window is now open, and I encourage every family to complete the survey. You can find it here. The data from the survey informs our Comprehensive School Plan, and your participation matters a lot.
Ms. McIntyre has launched the 10th Annual Toiletry Drive in honor of Women’s History Month, which benefits DASH Safe Housing Alliance. Please donate toiletries in the bins in between the doors at the man entrance. Thank you for your commitment to this project, Ms. McIntyre.
I know I am always bragging on our Shepherd staff, and I know you do too. They think beyond the parameters of their classrooms and work collaboratively and tireless to improve our community. I am so grateful to and for them. Here is just a taste of the above and beyond work they do:
The logistics team — Hagan, Mack, Murali, Pereira, Scott, Trotter —has tackled issues facing Shepherd since the beginning of the school year, and as of late, has taken on test planning.
The Kindergarten team — Ms. Mbuia-Joaom, Mr. Morris and Ms. Rajwani —has stepped up in Ms. Zepeda’s absence. Ms. Rajwani has been mentoring these two aspiring teachers since Ms. Zepeda went on leave.
Ms. Romero held the Black History Bowl today and many congratulations to our winners: Mason, Sadie and Sanjay.
Black History Bowl Champions
Mason Smith
Sadie Bertaina
Sanjay Singh
3-5th Grade Homeroom Participants/Champions of their homeroom:
Ayo Fadirepo
Noel Lemma
Grady Kunce
Julian Bertaina
Isaiah Roberts
Charlotte Bradley
Milan Mitchell
Cameron Crawford
Edna Brown
Elinor Foley
Ms. Browne is organizing groups for our fourth grade girls and third grade boys.
Ms. Hagan moved all those books out of the conference room and into children’s hands.
Dr. Leonard stepped up in Ms. Zepeda’s absence and is serving as building rep.
Ms. Caola and Dr. Leonard are organizing and preparing a science fair for our students in the absence of a city-wide fair.
Madame Gadie organized another spectacular ECE Mardi Gras celebration, which just makes everything brighter for students!
Our Black History all-school meeting team — Mack, Murali, Pereira, Scott — and homeroom teachers who participated with their classes educated and inspired us.
Mr. James is picking up our parking permits for staff this weekend.
The First Grade Team and the marvelous Ms. Weng did some innovative, creative thinking around early literacy support, and their students will participate in Walk and Read next week!
Ms. Brooks does so many small favors for our families and staff. Whenever she is out and I handle the phones, I realize how hard it is to be Ms. Brooks.
Ms. Holt designed and led practical parent education sessions as part of our family engagement initiative this year!
And I will get to the rest of our staff members in the coming weeks! I do not have to tell you how exceptional they are!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Phyllis
Dates to remember:
March 10th Parent-Teacher Conferences — No school for students
March 11th District-wide PD — No school for students
March 15th 2nd Grade Coffee and Conversation 8:45 am
March 16th LSAT 4:30 pm
March 16th PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
March 25th All-School Meeting Earth Month
April 5th Deal Feeder School Chat for Shepherd 5th grade families at 6:30 pm
April 11-15 Spring Break
April 18th Professional development day — No school for students
April 19th 3rd grade Coffee and Conversation
April 20th LSAT 4:30 pm
April 20th PTO 6:30 pm
April 30th 17th Annual Spring Gala
Important News for 5th Grade Families
The Deal Feeder School Chat for the Shepherd community is scheduled for April 5 at 6:30 pm. Here is the link: bit.ly/SHEPHERDFSC
The 5th grade promotion meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 9th at 8:00 am. Meet us here.
10th Annual Toiletry Drive
Who: Shepherd ES community
What: Collecting toiletry items
Why: To help women and children in need during Women’s History Month
When: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 thru Friday, April 1, 2022
Where: Toiletry drive bin @ main entrance
Please donate the following items:
Body soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, band-aids, deodorant, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, hair combs & brushes, cotton balls, baby powder, baby oil, and travel size mouthwash. Additional toiletry items not mentioned are also needed.
All items are donated to DASH-safe housing alliance