Dear DCPS Community: Following guidance issued by DC Health on canceling non-essential mass gatherings, DC Public Schools (DCPS) is taking preventative measures around travel and high-attendance events for students and staff. Effectively immediately, DCPS will enact the following: • Restrictions on Large Gatherings: Non-essential District-wide and individual school events that accommodate approximately 500 people in one room will be canceled through March 31. This may include assemblies, athletics events, and field trips. To that end, tomorrow night’s 5th Annual Math Bowl at Roosevelt High School is canceled. Recognizing the situation is dynamic, we will continue to provide critical updates around this guidance, as needed. • Student Travel: DCPS-sponsored student travel outside the District of Columbia is suspended through May 1. This includes out-of-state and international field trips. • Staff Travel: DCPS-sponsored staff travel is limited to essential duties only. Reminder: No School for Students on Monday, March 16 Earlier today, we also notified students and families of a change in our school schedule for next week. Students will not be in session on Monday, March 16 to accommodate a Professional Development Day for staff to ensure that our educators are fully equipped to support distance learning as needed. Students will no longer have the day off on … Read More
Note from the Chancellor
Good morning DCPS Community, DC Public Schools (DCPS) continues to prioritize student and staff safety as the region addresses the coronavirus (COVID-19). As part of DCPS’ emergency response planning, there will be a shift in school schedules for the week of March 16. This announcement affects both teachers and students. The scheduled Professional Development Day for teachers on Friday, March 20 will now take place on Monday, March 16. Schools will be closed for students on Monday, March 16, with classes resuming for the rest of the week. Students will no longer have the day off on Friday, March 20. Calendar for week of March 16 DC Health continues to report no widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and prevention remains our priority. However, this situation remains dynamic, and preparation is critical every day. With this in mind, DCPS is accelerating our planning timeline with teachers and school leaders to ensure that our educators are fully equipped to support distance learning as needed. As part of their Professional Development Day next week, teachers and school leaders will focus on academic contingency planning that best serves the entire DCPS school community. Instructional contingency plans are underway that will allow meaningful, relevant learning … Read More
PTO Bulletin
KEEP INFORMED – DCPS CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE The situation is certainly fluid and changing every day. Keep updated on the latest from DCPS at https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus. We will also share the Chancellor’s updates via the PTA Wednesday email, Dr. Hedlund’s Friday email, and the Shepherd Facebook page as well. NO SCHOOL DAY – Monday, March 16th There is a no school day on Monday, March 16th, but Shepherd’s Star Achievers will be open! Please see the following link to register your student: https://www.sesstarachievers.com/. SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY READ-A-THON Shepherd students have been encouraged to participate in the Read to Feed Read-A-Thon which is a reading incentive and fundraising program for children that supports Heifer International. Participants obtain sponsorships from parents, friends and relatives based on the number of books (or units of time) they read. For more information, see: https://fundraise.heifer.org/fundraiser/2590607. DCPS SCHOOL CALENDARS RELEASED DCPS has released the school calendars for the next THREE school years! Check them out here! https://dcps.dc.gov/node/1462066 TOILETRY DRIVE FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Mrs. McIntyre is leading a toiletry drive in honor of Women’s History Month from March 1-31. Items will benefit DASH — District Alliance for Safe Housing. Drop off boxes near Mrs. McIntyre’s classroom or in the Atrium. PTA HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR – Friday, March 27th … Read More
Message from Principal Hedlund
Dear Families,I hope you had the opportunity to read the DCPS communication on coronavirus earlier this week. Since then, DC government has released a coronavirus website, which will keep District residents up to date. At Shepherd, I have instructed our custodians to disinfect doors and doorknobs repeatedly during the day. We have plenty of soap to dispense in the bathrooms. If you hear otherwise, please let me know immediately. I check bathrooms daily, but I need families to keep me informed, especially during this time. Please remember these actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory disease:Stay home when you are sickAvoid close contact with people who are sickWash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available)Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed handsCover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a trashClean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfacesGet the flu vaccine Please feel free to ask any questions or express your concerns during this uncertain time. The health and safety of your children is the utmost concern of every Shepherd staff member. Enjoy you weekend,Phyllis Phyllis … Read More
PTO Bulletin
A HUGE THANKS to Caroline Smith and Siri Warkentien for managing our 31st Annual JAZZ NIGHT last week! It was a GREAT success – we had more than 150 people attend and had some awesome Jazz musicians play for us, including a Shepherd alum! Thanks to all who attended!! READ ACROSS AMERICA SPIRIT WEEK Join us as we celebrate the Read Across America Spirit Week! Read Across America is an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association. One part of the project is National Read Across America Day, an observance in the United States held on the school day closest to March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. To celebrate, encourage your children to dress up according to the themes below. Thursday, March 5th – The Cat in the Hat: Wear your favorite hat or Dr. Seuss character costume. Friday, March 6th – How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Wear green. SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY READ-A-THON Shepherd students have been encouraged to participate in the Read to Feed Read-A-Thon which is a reading incentive and fundraising program for children that supports Heifer International. Participants obtain sponsorships from parents, friends and relatives based on the number of books (or units of time) they read. For more information, see: https://fundraise.heifer.org/fundraiser/2590607. DCPS SCHOOL … Read More
SES 16th Annual Spring Gala & Auction
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