March 12, 2022
Dear Families,
I hope you enjoyed meeting with your child[ren]’s teacher on Thursday and gained some insight on their achievement and how you can best support them at home. The big news yesterday was that masks for students and staff will become optional on Wednesday, March 16th. If you have individual concerns regarding this protocol shift, please reach out to me at phyllis.hedlund@k12.dc.gov. If transmission rates increase (fingers and toes crossed that they don’t), mandatory mask use could be reinstated. It has been two long years as we all know, and although a return to normalcy feels like a relief to some, it may induce anxiety in others. Please let us know if your student needs support through this transition.
The Panorama family survey window is open, and I encourage every family to complete the survey. You can find it here. At this point, we have 101 responses, which is a distance from our Comprehensive School Plan (CSP) goal of maintaining or increasing the parent participation rate of 69% survey participation rate from last year. Please know that the data from the survey informs our Comprehensive School Plan, and your participation matters a lot.
Ms. McIntyre’s 10th Annual Toiletry Drive in honor of Women’s History Month, which benefits DASH Safe Housing Alliance, is in full swing. Please donate toiletries in the bins in between the doors at the man entrance.
Here are some more Shepherd staff shouts:
To Ms. Trotter —Thank you for all you do for our youngest learners. Your classroom is joyful and filled with love (and you play great music all the time:).
To Ms. Akaba —All day, you ask students questions that turn their passions and play into learning. Thank you for putting the 3s at the center of their learning and honoring the wonder they have for the world.
To Ms. Raji — Thank you for a seamless transition to Ms. Holt’s classroom. We are so grateful to have so many members of your family here at Shepherd.
To Ms. Weng, Dr. Rowe and Dr. Stephens — Your participation in Relay’s Partnership for Inclusive Schools is greatly appreciated and will influence and enhance the achievement of ALL learners at Shepherd.
To Mr. Muskett: Thank you for hosting so many after school clubs for our students, including the ever popular Pokemon club.
To Ms. Conte: Thank you for providing an artistic outlet for our youngest students — African Dance. You bring energy and joy to all that you do.
To Dr. Brown: Thank you for leading the MTSS process this year and putting Shepherd on the map as a leader in our cluster.
To Ms. McIntyre: Your annual toiletry drive provides an opportunity for the entire community to serve others, and integral part of our IB mission.
To Nurse Roberts: Thank you for taking care of all the bumps and bruises and making students feel better.
To Officer Middleton: You are a trusted colleague to so many, and your strong, calm presence makes Shepherd a safer place.
To Ms. Wilson: Thank you so much for holding down the library. Your consistency, reliability, flexibility, and professionalism are greatly appreciated.
To Ms. Deane: Thank you for stepping into third grade, even though it was outside of your comfort zone, to relieve Ms. Mack. You have done a fantastic job with Ms. Montgomery’s homeroom.
To Ms. Smith: You radiate love for our 3s and wholeheartedly engage in their work each day.
To Ms. Oursler: Thank you for a seamless transition to Shepherd in December! You are a fantastic addition to our community, and your students adore you.
To Ms. Brown and Dr. Wilson — You make managing our fourth graders look easy. Your high expectations have inspired this group of learners to be their best.
To Senor Hernandez: Your willingness to cover classes and duties eases Shepherd’s operations — thank you as well for your behind-the-scenes work with our Spanish speaking families.
To Ms. Hunter— Thank you for your commitment to understanding our 4s and their families; your dedication to educating the whole child makes all the difference to your students.
To AP Phillips: Thank you for all your work to ensure operations run smoothly at Shepherd!
Ms. Person: Thank you for sharing your art expertise with the 3s and for hosting the Art Club on Fridays — you are teaching them so much!
Ms. Hernandez — You have jumped into unfamiliar content with gusto — thanks for your willingness to assist whenever and wherever asked and your patience as we extended your time with us.
To Mr. Lyles , Mr. James and Mr. Manigan: Thank you being at Shepherd every step of the way during the pandemic. You have supported every DCPS initiative along they way and received countless shipments of water, PPE, heaters and tents.
Have a wonderful wintry weekend!
Phyllis
Dates to remember:
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
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