Dear Shepherd Families, We have a lot of good news on the staffing front. Ms. Mami Buxton joined our staff as a first-grade teacher, and students will transition from Denmark-Lawal and Saxton’s sections on Monday. Welcome Ms. Buxton! She taught at Leckie for 8 years and is thrilled to be back in DCPS. Next week brings the return of Ms. Romero. She will serve as our TLI Mathematics and will provide coaching to teachers and internvention to students. This week also saw the return of Mr. Talbert-Jackson who has and will be substituting in the building and will be an educational aide once he is onboarded. Ms. Fatima Raji, will also be an aide after she completes the onboarding process. In addition, the Chancellor has notified us that a full-time substitute will be assigned to each school. We are excited to have more hands to help serve the children. Next week, we have our PTO meeting from 6:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday. There will be a Coffee & Conversation for PK 3 families at 8:30 am on Tuesday in the cafeteria. Enter at the Jonquil entrance, adjacent to the community center. Please see the important announcements below as well as Panorama … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good evening Shepherd families and friends, As we’re getting back to normal, we’re excited to announce a few upcoming events highlighted below – Halloween Parade and Scavenger Hunt. We look forward to seeing everyone back in person again soon! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… PK3 “Coffee and Chat” with Dr. Hedlund – Tues, Oct 19th October PTO meeting – next Wednesday, Oct 20th at 6:30 pm SAVE THE DATE – Halloween Parade and All School Morning Meeting on Oct 29th What is IB? Learn more about Shepherd’s program Shepherd’s first-ever Scavenger Hunt – Sat, Nov 13th Supporting the Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! DCPS Town Hall – October 20th Join DCPS leadership for a Town Hall on “Creating Safe Environments in DCPS” on Wednesday, Oct 20th at 5 pm. Register here. School Halloween Parade – Fri, October 29th It’s BAAACCCKKK this year! YAHOOOO! Save the date to come watch the cutest and best Halloween parade in the city! More details coming soon on time of the parade and costume attire. Save the date – All School Morning Meeting This month, the 4th graders will be hosting the All School Morning meeting on Friday, October 29th … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Good morning Shepherd families, Great news on the horizon as approval for a Covid-19 vaccine is in reach for our elementary-aged children. It will be a game changer for our work at Shepherd. Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day when we celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples. I know families are making time to explain the significance of this holiday and the cultures it celebrates. We look forward to welcoming your students back to school tomorrow, and I hope you enjoy the day. Below please find important announcements about additional clubs and our all-school celebration of Family History Month. Principal Hedlund Family History Fashion Show A message from Ms. Mack: Shepherd has put together a family engagement team to work more closely together with the PTO. The members of the team include Mrs. Hagan, Mrs. Holt, and Ms. Mack. So far this year, there has been a virtual ECE activity as well as a warm welcome to new families. We want to celebrate you this month since October is Family History Month. We would like to gather family photos that highlight your culture and uniqueness through special clothing and fashion if possible. If you would like to participate, … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Shepherd families and friends – just a reminder that Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thurs, Oct 7th (no school day for kids), Fri, Oct 8th is a professional staff development day (no school for kids) and Mon, Oct 11th is a holiday for all! See everyone back on Tues, Oct 12th! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Walk to School Day Pics Introducing Teacher Appreciation Program (TAP) Review DCPS calendar proposals for upcoming years Star Achievers Aftercare Open Board Positions Upcoming DCPS Parent University sessions Seeking PTO Committee Chairs – Facilities Improvement and Curriculum and Staff Support Supporting the Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Walk to School Day Success! YAY! The rain held off today and we were able to once again host the annual Walk to School Day! Thanks to the many walking captains, volunteers, parents, staff and students who participated! If you’ve got pics, send them our way – info@shepherd-elementary.org Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Update Thanks to the hard work of Siri Warkentien, we’ve now got the supplies and the $3K in grant money from the Whole Kids Foundation to kick start our new Garden Club and supplement what the 2nd graders will learn … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Happy October Shepherd families, Next week, you will have the opportunity to hear about your children’s performance from their teachers at conferences on Thursday. On Friday, teachers will participate in another full day of Responsive Classroom teaching. Monday is a holiday for students and staff. With the students out of the building on Thursday, I am taking the opportunity to meet with a consultant from Out Teach to brainstorm outdoor learning experiences for Shepherd; Ms. Akaba will participate as well. This work is being conducted through a grant from OSSE. Also on Thursday, I will have my first meeting of the Chancellor’s Principal Advisory Board, and I am excited to work with other principals at these meetings. If they have not already done so, teachers will be reaching out with additional information about signing up for conferences. Please let me know if you have any questions. Please continue to remind your children about masks and social distancing. Enjoy another beautiful weekend, Principal Hedlund Club Expectations Student Expectations: 1. Be safe- Maintain safety protocols of the building- distance 3 feet, wear a mask, no snacks, and use hand sanitizer upon entering a space 2. Be responsible- follow directions, fully participate in the given activities of the club 3. Be … Read More
Announcement from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Elementary School, This letter is to inform you that an individual who was last present at Shepherd on September 27 has since reported a positive test for coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual is no longer on campus and will not return until medically cleared. As determined by the DCPS Contact Tracing team, DC Health, and in accordance with the district’s COVID-19 health and safety guidance, unless you have received instructions directly, your student has not been identified as a close contact of the positive individual and does not need to be tested or self-quarantine. Persons for whom we know were in close contact with the positive individual were notified and provided guidance on next steps, including how any students impacted would receive instruction during quarantine. For your awareness, DC Health defines a close contact in a PK-12 setting as, “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or for asymptomatic infected people, two days prior to positive test collection) until the time the infected person is isolated.” Since DCPS has layered mitigation measures in place at our schools, students who were … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Happy Wednesday, Shepherd family! We have our first PTO meeting TODAY (Wednesday, Sept 29th) at 6:30pm. Link is below. Join us to hear from Dr. Hedlund, Dr. Brown (Shepherd’s school psychologist), updates from the Committees, and hear about upcoming plans and events for the Fall. We’d love to hear your voice and ideas too. In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Walk to School Day – Wed, Oct 6th Introducing Teacher Appreciation Program (TAP) First PTO meeting – Wed, Sept 29th at 6:30 pm Room Parent Orientation – Wed, Sept 29th at 8 pm Upcoming DCPS Parent University sessions Seeking Room Parents and PTO Committee Chairs Supporting the Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Walk to School Day – October 6 Join us for this before school event! Either walk your normal route or meet us at one of three meet-up locations: Marvin Caplan Park at the corner of Alaska Ave. and Holly Street. Group leaves at 8:10am. Triangle Park at the corner of Luzon Ave. and Van Buren St. Group leaves at 8:00am. Lowell Field at the corner of Kalmia and 17th Streets. Group leaves at 8:10am. FIRST PTO MEETING – WED, Sept 29th at 6:30 pm … Read More
Announcement from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Elementary School, This letter is to inform you that two individuals who were last present at Shepherd on September 23 have since reported a positive test for coronavirus (COVID-19). The individuals are no longer on campus and will not return until medically cleared. As determined by the DCPS Contact Tracing team, DC Health, and in accordance with the district’s COVID-19 health and safety guidance, unless you have received instructions directly, your student has not been identified as a close contact of the positive individual and does not need to be tested or self-quarantine. Persons for whom we know were in close contact with the positive individual were notified and provided guidance on next steps, including how any students impacted would receive instruction during quarantine. For your awareness, DC Health defines a close contact in a PK-12 setting as, “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or for asymptomatic infected people, two days prior to positive test collection) until the time the infected person is isolated.” Since DCPS has layered mitigation measures in place at our schools, students who were in a classroom and within 3 to 6 feet of another student who reported a positive test such that all were engaged in consistent and … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Good afternoon, Shepherd families, As we enter week five of the school year, I encourage you to remain steadfast in your efforts to protect our community. Students should continue to wear their masks properly and maintain social distance as much as possible. To date, there has not been any spread of the virus in our community, meaning none of the close contacts has contracted Covid-19. Having to quarantine impacts parents’ work and students’ schooling. Let’s do our best to protect one another by being as safe as possible. The vaccine for children under 12 cannot come soon enough. Thanks for your support and cooperation. After-school clubs are on the horizon!!! Please see sign up information below. Sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please click here to view a Back to School welcome from me, Ms. Mack, our service providers and specialists. We hoped you enjoyed your time with teachers on Wednesday and know you look forward to more detailed information about your child during Parent Teacher Conferences in two weeks. Enjoy the beautiful weather, Principal Hedlund Club information and sign up Mondays K-2nd Running Club/Mr. Muskett Start Date: October 4th Frequency: Weekly until January Link for Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FA4A72AA4FE3-running Tuesdays 3-5 Chorus/Ms. Pereira Start Date: October 5th Frequency: Weekly until January Link … Read More
PTO Bulletin
It’s BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT! We look forward to seeing everyone virtually! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… – All School Morning Meeting – this FRIDAY at 9:15 am! – Upcoming DCPS Parent University sessions – TAP a teacher program – First PTO meeting – next Wed, Sept 29th at 6:30 pm – Seeking Afterschool Club Leaders, Room Parents and PTO Committee Chairs – Supporting the annual Shepherd 180 Fund – AND MUCH MORE! THIS FRIDAY – ALL SCHOOL MORNING MEETING Be sure to join virtually this Friday, Sept 24 at 9:15 am to see the fifth graders host our first ALL SCHOOL MORNING MEETING of the school year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Join here to watch! Upcoming DCPS Parent University Sessions Join families across the District and DCPS Central Office teams to learn how we can collaborate to enrich your child’s education. Families are encouraged to ask questions and offer solutions. Together, we will walk away with activities to try or useful information to accelerate our children’s educational development. All sessions are virtual. Sept 26 at 5:30 pm – Making the Most of Your Parent Teacher Conferences Oct 6 at 5:30 pm – Social Emotional Development and Learning During Challenging Times … Read More