Dear Families, We all have much to be thankful for this year. Children are back in school and are in the process of being vaccinated. We are returning to some sense of normalcy in time for the holidays. We have all been through so much, and this season can be very challenging for those of us who have experienced loss. So many Shepherd community members have lost loved ones this year, and I am thinking especially of you this holiday season. When I count my blessings, I am especially grateful for our outstanding staff. It is a relief to have children back in the building where they belong, and they are glad to be here. But, each and every day, I need to ask staff members to go above and beyond, more than they usually do, to ensure the building operates smoothly. Teaching is creative, intellectual, challenging, rewarding work. At Shepherd, we are fortunate to have a highly experienced outstanding staff who serve students beyond the parameters of their classrooms daily. They offer after-school clubs, participate in a variety of committees, attend PTO meetings, problem solve logistical concerns and tutor students before- and after-school. This year, they are also covering … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good morning Shepherd families and friends, It’s almost Thanksgiving and we want THANK YOU for all the support you’ve given Shepherd over the last few months. We’ve reached our annual 180 Fund goal of $10,000 for the first time in years, have more than 49 families signed up for our holiday photos fundraiser, and had AN AMAZING FUN RACE this past Saturday with more than 109 racers participating on 24 teams. WHEW! What a great start to our school year! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… LSAT and PTO monthly meetings TODAY – Wed, Nov 17th All School Morning Meeting hosted by the 4th graders – Fri, Nov 19th Family Holiday pics – Sat, Nov 20 and Sun, Nov 21 (SOLD OUT!) Staff Appreciation Holiday Event Planning Kick-off meeting – Mon, Nov 29th at 7pm Spring Gala/Auction planning kickoff meeting – Wed, Dec 1st at 7 pm Volunteers needed – planning for the Teachers/Staff holiday party, Spring Auction/Gala, and library book sorters! Thanks to our Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Donors Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! And the FUN RACE WINNERS ARE… They ran, jumped, threw, biked, dodged, counted, strategized and worked as teams to try to get the fastest time … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Families, I am looking forward to our Fall Fun Race Fundraiser tomorrow at 11:00 am. I know families welcome the opportunity to gather together in person, and it is sure to be a great time. Thanks to the PTO for organizing this event. On Tuesday from 8:45-9:30 am, we will hold a Coffee & Conversation for Kindergarten families. Please enter the cafeteria through the Jonquil Street entrance. Once again, this is an opportunity to meet other families in your child’s grade. Also next week, we will hold our first Open House for prospective families at 9 am on Wednesdays. Please spread the word if you know any families who might be interested in attending Shepherd Elementary. They can attend virtually here. Enjoy your weekend, and I hope to see many of you at the Fall Fun Race! Principal Hedlund Upcoming Events November 13 at 11:00 am Shepherd Fall Fun Race November 16 at 8:45 am Coffee & Conversation for Kindergarten families November 17 at 6:30 om November PTO Meeting November 24-26 Thanksgiving Break
PTO Bulletin
Good evening Shepherd families and friends, We’d like to take a moment today to salute all of the veterans in our school community – we thank you for your service today and everyday! In this week’s PTO Bulletin… See our full list of FANTASTIC TEAMS competing in Shepherd’s first-ever Fun Race to Fundraise – Sat, Nov 13th Reminder – School Picture Day – Mon, Nov 15th Kindergarten families – “Coffee and Chat” date with Dr. H – Tues, Nov 16th LSAT and PTO monthly meetings – Wed, Nov 17th All School Morning Meeting hosted by the 4th graders – Fri, Nov 19th Thanks to our Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Donors Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Shepherd Fun Racers! They’re warming up, lifting weights, running sprints, and getting ready for the BIG RACE this Saturday! Get ready to cheer on the 29 TEAMS competing in the FUN RACE TO FUNDRAISE. All teams should’ve received a group number and start time via text…more race details will be sent via text to the cell number we have for each team. A HUGE thanks to our sponsors: Ledo’s Pizza, Target, City CPR, Call Your Mother’s Bagel, Maison RZK realtors, and the Jabaily-Messing and … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Families: I am excted to share the following information on DCPS Covid-19 vaccine clinics. I know some of our students were vaccinated as early as yesterday! Please note that we needed to move Picture Day, which was scheduled for Tuesday, November 9th, to Monday, November 15th, because of asymptomatic Covid-19 testing on Tuesday. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way for us to help stop the spread of the virus and keep our community safe. On November 2, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that children ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. To help DCPS families get vaccinated, free school clinics will open beginning November 8. Any DC youth ages 5-11 can visit an elementary school site to receive their first dose, while students ages 12 and older should visit a secondary school location. There is no appointment needed, and the parent / guardian accompanying the student should bring a valid photo ID for themselves. Student IDs are not required, and second doses will be available at schools in December. Parents who are unable to bring their child will have the option to print and sign a form allowing a trusted family member … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good evening Shepherd families and friends, In this week’s PTO Bulletin… Sign your team up now for Shepherd’s first-ever Fun Race to Fundraise – Sat, Nov 13th starting at 11 am Vaccine Pop-Up Clinics on Fri, Nov 5th “No School Day” Play Day hosted by Star Achievers on Fri, Nov 5th Ward 3 Education Network Meeting – Mon, Nov 8th at 7 pm School Picture Day – Tues, Nov 9th No School on Veteran’s Day – Thurs, Nov 11th Thanks to our Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Donors Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Register Your Fun Race Team Here Ward 3 Education Network Meeting – Mon, Nov 8th at 7pm The group will be hosting DC Public Schools Deputy Chancellor Melissa Kim and Social Studies Director Scott Abbott. This will be an opportunity to ask Deputy Chancellor Kim about such topics as COVID and schools (testing, outdoor lunches and education, vaccinations, virtual learning), overcrowding in schools and the recent community working group, and the upcoming budget cycle. Director Abbott will be talking with us about the new DCPS curriculum and instructional approach for elementary social studies and math. Register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Families, The images above are from Ms. Conte’s African Dance Club for students in PK 3-K. As I walked with our youngest learners yesterday for the Halloween Parade, I realized how much we benefit from our beautiful, adorable, absolutely wonderful children. Their cuteness yesterday was beyond words, and I had the privilege of assisting Ms. Conte on Wednesday and wanted to share their work. Thank you to her and our other teachers who are enriching students’ lives with these after school experiences. Pleases share any great moments you captured yesterday. Third grade (and their support team) put on a fantastic all school meeting on indigenous people and family history today. Thanks to Ms. Murali and Ms. Pereira who remained steadfast in the face of technological adversity. The photographs you shared of your families were just beautiful and reminded me how fortunate I am to be a part of this community. Quick reminder that there is no school on Tuesday 11/2 for Election Day and on Friday 11/5 for Professional Development/Records. Please see the announcements that follow, and have a wonderful weekend. Principal Hedlund Special Recognition for Dr. Wilson Our very own Dr. Wilson has been selected as a 2022 District … 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 October 26 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
Good evening Shepherd families and friends, Wow – it’s almost November and our school schedule of events is picking up again and nothing makes us more excited! Mark your calendar because we have a lot you won’t want to miss. In this week’s PTO Bulletin… DATE CHANGE – Halloween Parade is now TOMORROW (Thurs, Oct 28th) at 2:30 pm All School Morning Meeting hosted by the 3rd graders is on Fri, Oct 29th at 9:15 am via TEAMS Sign your team up now for Shepherd’s first-ever Fun Race to Fundraise – Sat, Nov 13th starting at 11 am Get your families ready for holiday photos with our PTO family photo shoot fundraiser – several November dates noted below Thanks to our Annual Shepherd 180 Fund Donors Calendar of Events AND MUCH MORE! Register Your Fun Race Team Here DATE CHANGE – Halloween Parade is now TOMORROW (Thurs, Oct 28) Time is still 2:30 now on Thurs, Oct 28th due to rain forecasted for Friday. We will parade around the perimeter of the school like last time, and parents will be able to sign their children out at the end of the parade. All School Morning Meeting – Fri, Oct 29th … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd Families, I know your students are excited for our Halloween parade next Friday, October 29th at 2:30 pm. We will parade around the perimeter of the school, and PK 3 will lead the way. You will have the opportunity to pick your child up immediately afterwards if you choose to do so. Children may wear their costumes to school on 10/29. Please just remember not to send you child wearing anything that would frighten our youngest learners. Fridays are officially dress down days at Shepherd. Some students have already presumed this to be the case:). Students are also free to wear their uniforms on Friday. The same goes with Picture Day on Tuesday, November 9th. It is your family’s choice whether or not your student is in uniform that day. It is hard to believe we are approaching the close of the first term. Please see the important dates that follow. Principal Hedlund 11/2 Election Day — No school 11/5 End of Term 1, Records Day — No school for students 11/9 Picture Day 11/11 Veterans Day — No school 11/16 Coffee and Conversation Kindergarten 11/17 LSAT meeting 4:30 pm 11/17 PTO Meeting 6:30 pm 11/24-29 Thanksgiving Break