UPCOMING EVENTSStay up-to-date on all upcoming IB events January- Chinese New Year and MLK Day January 8th-IB Learner Profile and Approach To Learning Kick-Off January 15th-Classrooms Going Global Friday Morning Meeting January 18th- Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20th- Inauguration Day January 22nd-Classrooms Going Global Friday Morning Meeting FEATURED IB FAMILY CONNECTION RESOURCE A Guide to Resources for Parents on Martin Luther King Jr. Day“For my 4-year-old daughter, the reason there’s no school on a given day doesn’t usually register. But last week, she remarked on how there was no school Monday because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day…” IB PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY AND IB POLICIES Click here IB LEARNER ATTRIBUTE OF THE MONTH: BALANCED Click here APPROACH TO LEARNING OF THE MONTH: SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS Click here for family resource HAS YOUR CHILD TAKEN ACTION IN HIS OR HER COMMUNITY? Examples of Students Taking Action at ShepherdDuring our stand-alone unit 2 (Celebrating My Families), we discussed major celebrations and how families gather and celebrate together. After sharing about “La Fete des Rois”, some students took action by cooking “La Galette” and celebrating at home. Click here to nominate your child for an IB award Shepherd’s Virtual IB Programme Overview … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Good afternoon Shepherd families, Honestly, it feels more like a month than a week since we returned to school. It has been an emotionally devastating week to watch the desecration of our democracy as citizens of the United States and the District of Columbia and the systemic racism that enabled it. As I listened to the discussion our Wellness team facilitated with the students, I was overwhelmed with our children’s capacity to make meaning out of chaos, their ability to express their emotions and their genuine uncertainty about what the future holds, yet they are hopeful, brave and wise beyond their years. This generation will a generation of old souls. Staffing Update You may have noticed that there were no art classes this week, and I waited to share this news until I had the permission of his family. Our deeply beloved Mr. Garner suffered a major stroke a little over a week ago. He was in critical condition and underwent surgery, but his health is improving daily. At this time, he is in good spirits and resting comfortably, and his blood pressure is under control. Mr. Garner’s family asks that we pray for him. Ms. Pereira is putting together a video … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, When I next write to you, it will be a new year. What a year we have had! We have bent, stretched, pivoted and LEARNED so many things about so many things. We have also spent more time at our homes with immediate family than we ever could have imagined. Through it all, we have supported one another and treated each other with kindness and compassion — demonstrating the holiday spirit all year long. Through it all, we have remained one Shepherd, and I am so excited to have more students in the building soon and look forward to when we can all be back together again. It will be here before you know it. HVAC replacement starts on 1/11, and it appears that we will have a few more classrooms available to use in Term 3 for CARE/IPL as two rooms have opened up on the first floor of B Wing, and my office and the conference room will be used as isolation rooms, freeing up two more classrooms. HVAC replacement will take place from January until the end of the year and does limit the number of classrooms for use in Term 3 as A Wing (the old … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Good afternoon families, Thank you to families that supported the IB reaccreditation process. The visit was a resounding success, and reviewers commented on how well prepared and organized we were. On Wednesday, they shared their preliminary feedback on a call with me, Ms. Mack and Ms. Rottman, none of which was surprising to us. We should be receiving the written evaluation report in a few weeks — more to come. Kindergarten CARE is off and running. Ms. Rottman and Ms. Mack have created an aesthetically pleasing, socially distanced space, and Ms. Rottman organized student supplies, paperwork and materials to perfection. Thank you Mr. Verastegui, Mr. Henderson, Ms. Jones, Ms. Mack and Ms. Rottman for making it happen. The children are so excited to come to school, and life is much brighter with their presence in the building. Thank you to all of you who are participating in EdFest tomorrow. It is a lot to ask of people to volunteer on a Saturday in December, yet we always have people who do. You are greatly appreciated. I also want to commend all of you working on the Reopening Community Corps. Members of the Corps have been submitted options and plans this week, and … Read More
PTO Bulletin
DECEMBER PTO MEETING – TOMORROW (Wed, Dec 9th) at 6:30 pm Join us via TEAMS here for our monthly PTO meeting. Dr. Hedlund will be updating everyone on: Re-Opening Community Corps updates Launch of the first CARES class New ELA and Math data Shepherd’s Panorama Survey results HVAC updates GET YOUR HOLIDAY WREATHS AND GREENS AND SUPPORT THE PTO – only 5 days left to order! We’re excited to be working with Lynch Creek Farms again this year to do online order and direct home delivery of holiday wreaths and greens for the season. Their products are lovely and anyone across the country can order items and help support Shepherd PTO. Share with your family and friends near and far! Every time someone shops for holiday decor through our group’s fundraising page, Shepherd PTO will receive 15% of the purchase! Help us reach our $1000 goal! Order here and share the link with family and friends – https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/253742 D.C. Council Roundtable on the Return to In-person Instruction for DCPS Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Grosso hosted a joint roundtable of the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education on the Return to In-person Instruction in the District of Columbia … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Good afternoon Shepherd Families, Our Kindergarten CARE classroom opens on Wednesday, December 9th with Mr. Verastegui and Mr. Henderson and Ms. Jackson from Alice Deal MS. Thank you so much for the tremendous response to our Term 3 Reopening Survey. We have over 300 responses. This data will inform the Reopening Community Corps’ work. At this point we have had two meetings with two to go to draft our plan. The Corps will report out to the Shepherd community in early January. Thank you to all who are participating in this work. Attached please find work from Elinor Foley, a student in Ms. McIntyre’s class. She presents it as an exemplar of grade 2 IB students taking action. Elinor’s submission was completely unsolicited. Her dedication to this subject matter, as well as her display of the risk taker and knowledgeable learner profile is noteworthy. It is particularly timely to showcase as our IB reaccreditation team is conducting its evaluation next week virtually with students, staff and families. Wish us luck, and please send good wishes Ms. Mack’s way. Her tireless dedication to the process, her flexibility with working with others and her ingenuity make her a fantastic addition to the … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Good morning Shepherd families, We’re SOLD OUT NOW and are going to have to even use 2 days! To those who’ve signed up, more details coming soon re: time slots and date options for the mini sessions. We’re also closely watching the weather for Saturday – really, really hoping we don’t have rain! If you didn’t get in this time, we’re looking to do another photo session in the Spring. Stay tuned. BUT…you can still support our efforts AND get something for the holidays! We’re excited to be working with Lynch Creek Farms again this year to do online ordering and direct home delivery of holiday wreaths and greens for the season. Their products are lovely and anyone across the country can order items and help support Shepherd PTO. Share with your family and friends near and far! Every time someone shops for holiday decor through our group’s fundraising page, Shepherd PTO will receive 15% of the purchase! Help us meet our $1000 goal and make purchases online at https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/253742. Happy Holidays! Shepherd Exec Board
IB Newsletter
UPCOMING EVENTSStay up-to-date on all upcoming IB events December – Human Rights MonthDecember 7th-9th – IB EvaluationDecember 4th –Classrooms Going GlobalDecember 11th –Classrooms Going GlobalDecember 16th – Register for Step Afrika Holiday MusicalDecember 18th –Classrooms Going Global FEATURED IB FAMILY CONNECTION RESOURCE Human Rights Family Activities!Here are some ideas for simple yet meaningful ways for your family to celebrate the rights and responsibilities that we all share as human beings. IB PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY AND IB POLICIES Click here IB LEARNER ATTRIBUTE OF THE MONTH: RISK-TAKER Click here APPROACH TO LEARNING OF THE MONTH: SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS Click here for family resource WE NEED PARENT INTERVIEWEES FOR OUR UPCOMING IB EVALUATION 🙂 Click here to volunteer HAS YOUR CHILD TAKEN ACTION IN HIS OR HER COMMUNITY? Click here to nominate your child for an IB award Shepherd’s Virtual IB Programme Overview VideoWatch this video to find out more about Shepherd’s Virtual IB Programme!
Holiday “Porchtrait” Fundraiser
With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, we can now plan for some holiday photos and not offend the turkey! We’re bringing back our holiday photo FUNdraiser with a twist this year! We’re bringing the photog to YOU! Sign up for a 15-min mini session to have pics done of your family or kids on your porch or in your front or backyard. Be CREATIVE – use props, include your pets (safely!), get on your holiday finest, wear masks, or your favorite sports team gear! Our photographer will be wearing a mask and will stay 6 feet away from all. Please don’t invite any additional people to be in the photos who don’t currently live with you. Pics will be delivered one week after the sessions. DATE: Saturday, Dec 5th TIME: Sessions will start at 10 am and will be scheduled next week based on location COST: $50 sitting fee donation to Shepherd PTO; digital pics and prints can be purchased from the photographer directly for $20-35 IMPORTANT: In the “Add a Note” section on PayPal, please include the address for your portrait location, as well as your name, email and cell phone. Wishing you all Happy Holidays! Shepherd PTO Executive Board
PTO Bulletin
RE-OPEN COMMUNITY CORPS SURVEY FOR SHEPHERD PARENTS Please take some time to fill out this important survey to inform Shepherd’s Elementary reopening plans. The deadline is 12/4. It will only take a few minutes. Happy Thanksgiving! Click here to complete the survey. Tómese un tiempo para completar esta importante encuesta para informar los planes de reapertura de Shepherd’s Elementary. La fecha límite es el 4 de diciembre. Solo te llevará unos minutos. ¡Feliz día de acción de gracias! Clic aqui “Porchtrait” Family Photo PTO Fundraiser – Sat, Dec 5 We’re bringing back holiday family photo sessions this year – but with a twist! Our photographer, AJ, will come to your home and do pics on your porch, back yard or front yard. You’ll pay the sitting fee as a donation to the PTO and then purchase pics from the photog directly. Photos will be ready about a week after they’re taken. DATE: Sat, Dec 5th TIME: 15-min sessions will start at 10 am – everyone will be scheduled based on your location so we can minimize travel time for the photographer and you’ll find out a few days before the event your specific time slot. COST: $50 sitting fee (donation to … Read More