IB Corner with Ms. MackAs many of you all may know, Shepherd is in its self-study year for our upcoming IB Evaluation in December 2020. The self-study year is a chance to reflect as a school on our IB program’s strengths and weaknesses over the past five years. Here is a link to the survey. We want to hear from Shepherd parents on how we can improve our program! As always, if you have any questions please email me at [email protected] learner profile attribute of the month is knowledgeable! Knowledgeable – we develop and use our understandings in a variety of subjects. We explore local and global issues and ideas. Below are some ways to teach this learner profile attribute at home.• Explore local or global subjects that are interesting and appropriate to your child’s age• You can ask the questions below about what they’ve learned in school.o Why do you think this is important to know?o Do you think there are such kinds of things in the world?On November 18th, during International Education Week, we kicked off our Mini Embassy Adoption Program. Our Mini Embassy Adoption Program is an opportunity for teachers to globalize their lessons and to make … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, I have some important updates to share… “Aladdin” Musical Auditions: Aladdin Auditions will be held TODAY (Thursday, December 12th) and Friday, December 13th from 3:30-4:30 in the music room. Students have been working on audition songs during music class, and they have also been told about extra practice times offered next week before the auditions. The students have also signed up for auditions and character parts they are interested in. Some students have signed up for crew as well, but more for the crew will come after winter break. The show will be cast before winter break, and students who receive parts will go home with scripts. They will also go home with a letter that will need to be signed by their parents, as well as the students. We are very eager to start this journey with the students to make the spring show wonderful! Community Center Groundbreaking Good evening Shepherd Park Community! On behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser, DPR and DGS are pleased to announce the upcoming Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Shepherd Park Community Center! Please see below for event details. GROUNDBREAKING DETAILS: Date: Tuesday, December 17th Time: 3:00 PM Location: Shepherd Elementary School (7800 14th Street, NW) … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, For the last two days, Mr. Mack, Ms. Scott and I were out of the building attending Courageous Conversation: Beyond Diversity with other DCPS employees at Phelps. Through readings, conversation and activities, we explored race and racism and how each impacts the culture and climate of schools. The first day, we focused on personalizing race: our personal stories, race in our lives and the social construction of race and racial knowledge. On day two, our focus was examining whiteness, and we discussed characteristics of white culture, systemic racism and affirmative action. Discussions with the Academic Leadership Team around eliminating racial achievement disparities prompted us to attend this seminar, and this weekend, the three of us are reflecting on how to share a similar experience with staff. It was powerful and emotional experience for all participants, and we left energized and excited about using this learning to benefit students. If you would like to discuss further or have questions, please feel free to reach out to me, Ms. Scott or Mr. Mack. Learn more about Glenn Singleton’s organization, Courageous Conversation, here. Next week, the learning continues as four staff members attend full day Responsive Classroom trainings. We also have … Read More
Bake Sale
Good afternoon Mustang families! A reminder to bring in your wallet during pick up today for the BAKE SALE going on from 3:30-6:30 in the atrium. There will be lots of delicious snacks on sale – calories for a cause! All proceeds will go to help Shepherd families in need this holiday season. We will also have some additional holiday wreaths on sale if you didn’t get one ordered. As always, thanks for your support!
PTO Bulletin
Basketball Team Tryouts – THIS WEEKTryouts for the girls’ team will be on Wednesday, December 4th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Boys’ tryouts will be on Friday, December 6th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Tryouts will take place in the multi-purpose room on both days. Only 4th and 5th graders are eligible.To try out, your child must complete the DCPS Consent for Athletic Participation (AT-13) found here. Filling out the form and attending tryouts, however, does not automatically guarantee a spot on the team. Go Mustangs!Please contact Mr. Clayborn at [email protected] if you have specific questions or concerns.Annual Shepherd Bake Sale – Fri, Dec 6thWe’ll be hosting our annual bake sale this Friday, December 6th from 3:30-6:30 pm and will be looking for donated baked goods (NO NUTS OR NUT PRODUCTS, PLEASE!) as we aim to raise money to help our Shepherd community for the holidays.Get into the holiday baking mood early and enjoy calories for a cause! Please sign up to contribute a baked good item for drop off on Fri, Dec 6th.We’re looking for cub/boy scout troops and daisy or brownie troops to help us manage the sale. If your group is interested, please reach out to the … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Kindness Club Food DriveAwesome news! The Shepherd Kindness Club collected more than 600 canned items during the food drive, which will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank! Kudos to Mrs. Zepeda, the Kindness Club and to the entire Shepherd community.Discounted YearbooksYou have until Saturday, November 30th to get your 5% discount on the Shepherd Elementary School yearbook. See the following link to order: https://tr5.treering.com.Basketball TryoutsPlease note that basketball tryouts will take place after Thanksgiving Break during the week of December 2nd.Tryouts for the girls’ team will be on Wednesday, December 4th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Boys’ tryouts will be on Friday, December 6th from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Tryouts will take place in the multi-purpose room on both days.To try out, your child must complete the DCPS Consent for Athletic Participation (AT-13) found here. Filling out the form and attending tryouts, however, does not automatically guarantee a spot on the team. Go Mustangs!Please contact Mr. Clayborn at [email protected] if you have specific questions or concerns.Breakfast for Faculty and Staff – Hosted by the Third Graders – Monday, Dec. 2ndThe Parent Engagement Committee is starting a monthly breakfast to show gratitude for the Shepherd ES teachers and staff … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Shepherd parents and families, The Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) recently released the second annual citywide School Report Card that includes information about how every public school in DC performed in School Year 2018-2019. At Shepherd, we are focused on ensuring every student receives an excellent education. This letter provides an overview of our results this year and background information on the Report Card and STAR Framework. For the 2018-2019 school year, our school received a rating of 4 Stars, which is consistent with our rating from last year. Our rating of 4 Stars indicates that we have much to celebrate as a school community, including strong student achievement. We’re proud of the high-quality education we provide our students and the great things happening in our school. With your partnership, we look forward to continuing to build on these results to ensure all our students achieve academic excellence through a focus on classroom-level data to provide differentiated instruction that meets the needs of all students. More detailed information is available here. Our team works hard each and every day to improve outcomes for all of our students. To understand more about our focus areas as a school, please review … Read More
PTO Bulletin
International Education Week – November 18th-22ndJoin Shepherd ES as we celebrate cultures from around the world! Eat delicious foods from Cameroon and the Philippines! Share a special object from your own culture with your classmates during morning meeting! Throughout the week, we will all learn more about what it means to be a global citizen.• Monday – Mini Embassy Adoption Kick-Off Day• Tuesday – DCPS International Food Day• Wednesday – DCPS International Food Day• Thursday – Share Your Culture Day• Friday – Schools Around the WorldKindness Club Food DriveThe Kindness Club is holding a food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank. The food drive began last week and will run through Friday, November 22nd. The club is also collecting monetary donations for the food bank at the following link: https://giving.capitalareafoodbank.org/story/Kindnessclub.Each classroom has a box or bin outside their door to accept donations. There will also be a box in the atrium for a central drop off point.PTA Holiday Wreath Sale – on Sale Through Nov 26thThis year, the Shepherd ES PTA will be selling wreaths for the holiday season. We have partnered with Meadow Farm Nurseries to offer 20’ fresh Oregon fir wreaths to the Shepherd school community. All … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Mustang families – please join us tonight as we welcome DCPS leadership at our PTA meeting. We’ll start at 6:30 pm and have childcare available from Star Acheivers. Winter wreaths, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies and jackets will be on sale too. See you this evening! Liz and the PTA board AGENDA Principal Hedlund welcome and updates/highlights PTA budget update and Oct PTA meeting minutes review LSAT meeting highlights PTA STEM purchase updates Responsive Classroom training in Dec for 5 teachers Community Center update DCPS Tech update – 3rd grade computer implementation Fall Fest recap and feedback Grants Committee update – gardening, play equipment, committee working on identifying others Winter Holiday concert and needs from the PTA with Ms. Periera Student Government update with Ms. Periera 2020 events: Camp Fair (Jan), Jazz Night (Feb), Talent Show (March – TBD), Gala and Auction (April) – looking for leads and committee members Upcoming Events: Winter greens fundraiser – through Nov 26 Annual Shepherd Bake Sale – Fri, Dec 6th from 3:30-6:30 GALA and AUCTION planning meeting – Wed, Dec 4 at 5 pm (will have a conf line) Ed Fest – Sat, Dec 14 from 11-3 (need teachers, students and parents) Shepherd teacher/staff holiday … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, Our Academic Leadership Team meets weekly and has worked hard on our Comprehensive School Plan and preparing for our upcoming IB evaluation. At this time, we are focusing our attention on classroom instruction and how to improve results for all students. As a faculty, we are working on differentiation, or tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Differentiation is challenging and requires expertise, skill and a deep knowledge of students’ abilities. Teachers plan with the specific students from their class in mind. When they analyze results, whether it is from an exit ticket or a unit test, they think through the misconceptions students may have experienced and how to reteach the lesson. Our coaches and administration will support this work. To reach our goals for growth and achievement, we need to spend time analyzing and planning around classroom-level data. Shout out to the third grade and our emcee, Mr. Mack, for an uplifting and informative All School meeting on Friday. It was sensational. If you have not attended an All School meeting yet, I encourage you to do so. We learn, chant, share, and dance together, and it is a fantastic way to start the day. Please remember that … Read More