DEAR SHEPHERD PARENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF, Shepherd Elementary School PTA needs your help! We are just beginning the massive effort of planning and preparation for Shepherd’s 16th Annual Spring Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala will be held on Saturday, April 25th at The Atrium at Bobby Van’s Grill in Washington, DC. Historically, the Spring Gala and Auction has been the PTA’s best fundraiser of the year, and we hope to raise over $75,000 this year to support Shepherd’s academic and enrichment programs, which will benefit all students. I am sure that you can agree on the importance of ensuring that Shepherd has sufficient resources to remain one of the finest DC public schools serving PK3 to 5th grade students. We are asking that every member of the Shepherd Elementary community to support the Spring Gala not only by attending the event itself, but also by providing whatever amount of time and effort you can to helping make this our must successful Gala ever! HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?There are so many ways you can participate to help us to throw a wonderful Gala and Auction. Here are a few suggestions: – Assist your classroom parent(s) and contribute to classroom project … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families,February was a month filled with celebrations here at Shepherd Elementary, and our celebrations conclude with Jazz Fest this evening. Thank you to all who attended last night’s 3rd grade production of Now Let Me Fly. It was an outstanding performance, and by popular demand, we will have an encore performance very soon! Please stay tuned for the date and time. A huge shout to all students who participated and to Ms. Moorer and Ms. Denmark who initiated, directed and produced the play. It was unforgettable. On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, students participated in the Black History Bowl, and they knew the information so well that it took two tie-breaking rounds to declare a winner. Please join me in congratulating Levi Sedalia 1st place, Ainsley Sedalia 2nd place and Sydney-Grace Ntim 3rd place for their extensive knowledge. Another huge shout out to Ms. Romero for organizing and leading the Black History Bowl. Thank you! Students are already clamoring for another one! Today, thanks to our PTA, our students watched Step Afrika! Perform, and they were sensational. Students and adults learned the history of stepping and got on their feet to participate. Many thanks to Dr. Leonard who led … Read More
PTO Bulletin
THIS FRIDAY – SHEPHERD JAZZ NIGHT! Come out on Friday for a night of fellowship and food! For those who haven’t been before, the event includes a potluck dinner, live and up-close jazz music by outstanding artists (including both talented students and veteran professionals), creative activities, and fine company! Jazz Night founder, Dr. Michael Wallace, introduced this special event 31 years ago—when his own children were Shepherd students – and he still helps us plan and execute this long-standing event every year. Jazz Night was created with Shepherd students in mind; to introduce them to jazz music in a kid-friendly environment. Bring your children to enjoy the music and see the musicians—and their instruments—close up. The event starts at 6:30 pm. We’d love to have families sign up to bring food – homemade or store bought – to share at our potluck. You can find the link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4EAAAC28A5FD0-31st. Additionally, we need parents to help with set up and clean up. If you are interested, email Caroline Smith (Henry’s mom, third grade, mrthbtn@gmail.com) directly or show up around 6 pm. BLACK HISTORY MONTH @ Shepherd We continue to celebrate Black History Month this week with a different event or activity. The schedule for the rest of the week … Read More
31st Annual Jazz Night
The Shepherd PTA invites you to join us for the 31st Annual Jazz Night THIS FRIDAY, FEB 28th 6:30 pm. Bring a potluck item and a friend, your kids or a neighbor – ALL are welcome to this free community event! Sign up here to bring something to share. Jazz Night founder, Dr. Michael Wallace, introduced this special event 31 years ago—when his own children were students at Shepherd Elementary. He created Jazz Night with Shepherd students in mind to introduce them to jazz music in a kid-friendly environment. Bring your children to enjoy the music and see the musicians—and their instruments—close up. See you Friday as we celebrate more than 30 years of Jazz at Shepherd!
PTO Bulletin
PTA Meeting – Tonight, Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30 pm Agenda: Welcome and updates – Dr. Hedlund Jan minutes and budget review – Andrea and Caroline LSAT meeting updates – Liz DCPS Panorama Survey – feedback due by Feb 14th PTA Parent Survey – coming in Mid-March to inform next year’s efforts PTA bylaws review – in progress DCPS Oversight Hearing – Wed, Feb 19th – sharing testimony later this week; Budget Hearings in March TBD Shepherd Gala updates and next steps Need parent/teacher volunteers to help with: Jazz Night (Fri, Feb 28), Health/Wellness Fair (Fri, March 27) and Gala/Auction (Sat, April 25) Have you missed a recent PTA meeting? See the minutes from the previous meetings here – https://www.shepherd-elementary.org/parents/parent-teacher-organization-pto/ GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ON SALE TODAY! On Wednesday, February 12th, from 3:30-8:00pm, the Brownies and Junior Girl Scout troops from Shepherd will host a Girl Scout cookie sale in the lobby after school and during the PTA meeting. This is just in time for Valentine’s Day! Please support the Girl Scout troops based here at Shepherd. DCPS PANORAMA FAMILY SURVEY 55% of Shepherd families have completed the Panorama Family Survey. If you haven’t yet filled one out, please do so. You have … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Mustang Parents – As a follow up to yesterday’s message about next Friday’s Awards Ceremony…below are the ceremony times per grade level. Teachers will be sending home notes in folders if your child is receiving an award. STUDENT AWARDS CEREMONY – Fri, Feb 15 (Multipurpose Room) PK3 and PK4 – 9:00 am K-2 – 9:45 am 3-5 – 10:45 am The Valentine’s Dance is also next Friday (Feb 15) at 3:30 pm and we’d love your help. If you can volunteer to chaperone and help serve food and drinks, please let me know! Happy Friday! Liz
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families, All Shepherd students are invited to dress up for the Great Kindness Challenge beginning on Monday, February 10th. Classrooms may choose to participate in the KINDNESS themed door decorating contest. Judging will take place on Friday, Feb 14th. Students in the Kindness Club developed this initiative, so please show them your support! Dress up days:Monday (Feb 10)/Kindness never gets old – Dress up like a senior citizenTuesday (Feb 11)/Be Hip for Kindness – dress like a hippie or hip hopWednesday (Feb 12)/Be WACKY for Kindness – dress with wacky hair & socksThursday (Feb 13)/Kindness ROCKS – dress like a musicianFriday (Feb 14)/Dream of a world that is KIND – pajama day Students in grades K – 5 are invited to join our Kindness Read-a-thon beginning on February 10th – March 13th. Donations can be made to Heifer International directly here or given in an envelope to Mrs. Hagan. Checks should be made out to Heifer international.Students who would like to participate will be bringing home more information. Students can collect donations or donations can be made online. Be prepared for Black History Week at Shepherd, which starts on Monday, February 24, immediately following February Recess. Take a look … Read More
PTO Bulletin
DCPS is Seeking Your Feedback on Interim Principal Hedlund As you likely recall, Principal Hedlund was appointed to serve as the interim principal for Shepherd for this school year. Before determining whether to appoint her as Principal at Shepherd on a permanent basis, DCPS wants to ensure the community has an opportunity to share feedback and reflections on your experience working with her during this school year. Please send any feedback regarding your experience working with Principal Hedlund by Friday, February 7th. Letters should be sent via email to lead.dc@k12.dc.gov, with the subject “Community Input on Principal Hedlund.” All principal appointments are decided at the discretion of the Chancellor; however, anything you submit will be included along with other information from this year for the Chancellor and other senior leaders when considering next steps for the 2020-21 school year. DEAL RISE 2020 – For Fifth Graders only Quick Snapshot: During the orientation week, students will learn about our IB Program, Deal Culture, organization, technology, using a combination lock to open their lockers, navigating Deal, using the Deal library, understanding their progress report/report cards, communicating with their teachers, reading their schedules, after school club and activity offerings, how to monitor their grades in Aspen, and much … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
It’s the beginning of February and we have a lot of exciting events planned for students and their families.Last week the Black History Month committee, which is comprised of staff and parents, met and decided to make the week of 2/24 Black History Month Week. Each day we celebrate with a different event or activity. The schedule is as follows: Monday, February 24REP HBCU Colleges with shirts/sweatshirts Tuesday, February 25thDress up like an honorable Black History Month figure Wednesday, February 26thBlack History Month Bowl Thursday, February 27Now Let Me Fly @ 6:30-8 pm (families and students invited)3rd grade production of the play, which is based on hundreds of oral histories and personal interviews to tell the story of the unsung heroes and heroines in the battle for civil rights. Friday, February 28thStep Afrika (tentative)Jazz Night @ 6:30 In addition, we will have a door decorating contest, a daily Black History fact during announcements and a Shepherd Black History Month t-shirt. More details to come . . .The week of 2/10 will be Great Kindness Challenge, sponsored by the Kindness Club, and will include dress up days Monday through Friday, a door decorating contest with kindness themes and a launch of … Read More
PTO Bulletin
DCPS is Seeking Your Feedback on Interim Principal Hedlund As you likely recall, Principal Hedlund was appointed to serve as the interim principal for Shepherd for this school year. Before determining whether to appoint her as Principal at Shepherd on a permanent basis, DCPS wants to ensure the community has an opportunity to share feedback and reflections on your experience working with her during this school year. Please send any feedback regarding your experience working with Principal Hedlund by Friday, February 7th. Letters should be sent via email to lead.dc@k12.dc.gov, with the subject “Community Input on Principal Hedlund.” All principal appointments are decided at the discretion of the Chancellor; however, anything you submit will be included along with other information from this year for the Chancellor and other senior leaders when considering next steps for the 2020-21 school year. Looking for Volunteers – Shepherd Jazz Night and Shepherd Gala and Auction SAVE THE DATE…our 31st annual Shepherd Jazz Night will be Fri, Feb 28th in the Shepherd Multipurpose Room and we’re looking for parent and teacher volunteers to help organize the potluck dinner, help with set up and clean up, decorate the room, and help with promotion! For those who haven’t been before, the event includes … Read More