Message from Principal Hedlund

Dr. Phyllis HedlundPrincipal Newsletters

Principal's Newsletter

Dear Families,

This has been a very busy week for Shepherd staff as they have been working to set up their virtual classrooms and learning how to do so almost simultaneously. We also spent some time with Ms. Mack, our International Baccalaureate Coordinator, on a virtual IB program. Yesterday we spent the morning launching two book studies for the year. Staff will be reading the Responsive Classroom text, The Power of Our Words, which offers practical tips, real-life anecdotes and concrete examples on how to use your words to build a positive classroom community and increase student engagement. We also will be reading Glenn Singleton’s Courageous Conversations About Race: A field guide for achieving equity in schools, which explains the need for candid, courageous conversations about race so that educators may understand why achievement inequality persists and learn how they can develop a curriculum that promotes true educational equity and excellence. We are excited about learning together to build a kinder, more equitable school community, and I will provide highlights along the way.

Please see below for important information for Monday. Everything your student(s) need to participate will be on Canvas; please see the log in instructions.

If you are experiencing log in difficulties, please contact Ms. Moorefield for K-1st grade students, Ms. Rottman for 2nd and 3rd grade students and me for 4th or 5th grade students.

If you need a device, you must complete the tech survey, and the link is below. There is also a request from Ms. Holt for “first day of school” photos. Thank you for helping to document the 2020-21 school year.

Login instructions for Canvas

https://dcps.instructure.com/

Canvas log-in is the same log-in as Microsoft Teams.

Log in credentials are: 

1. Username: student ID number followed by @students.k12.dc.us 

For example: [email protected] 

2. Password: Student’s network password (same as last year and same as Teams) 6-digit birthday (MMDDYY)

Canvas Login Issues on First Day of School

If you are experiencing login in difficulties, please email the staff member assigned to your student’s grade level below.  In your email, please state your student’s first and last name, grade level, and your contact phone number.

Kinder-1st: Instructional Coach Crystal Moorefield, [email protected]

2nd-3rd: Assistant Principal Larin Rottman, [email protected]

4th-5th: Principal Phyllis Hedlund, [email protected]

Need a Technology device?

Please email [email protected] and complete the tech needs survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7kagKk6zM0qSt5md8rwKMuye6_7gsN5HglLGgnLPc8dUM1BQUDQyQlIzQkE1MURaRlk5RzhZODEzNS4u

Yearbook Request 

Please take a few photos of your children learning on the first day. Pictures of the first day are priceless and can’t be captured again.  Help our yearbook capture this unique moment in history.  

Please reach out with any or all questions. We will be debriefing as a staff at the close of our first day so please send us any and all feedback. Enjoy your weekend, and we will see you on Monday.

With anticipation, optimism and hope,

Phyllis