Good morning, Mustang families! Below are all of the nominations we’ll be voting on at tonight’s PTA meeting. The meeting will be at 6:30 pm in the Multipurpose room and you must be present to vote. Childcare will be provided in the cafeteria by Star Achievers. PTA, LSAT and Principal Selection Panel Nominations PTA Exec Board Nominations President: Liz Bradley I’m Liz Bradley and am running again for PTA President to help maintain consistency of school communication, fundraising efforts and community building while the school transitions with a new administration. We have done some amazing things this year – improve communications, engage more parents, better support and appreciate our teachers and staff, build more community with parents and neighbors, diversify our fundraising, work with more partners and have fun! We have more work we want to do next year – focus on more community-building opportunities, implement PTA-supported STEM efforts for all grade levels, and engage the team to further support our efforts to stay in the Deal/Wilson feeder pattern. I am currently a Communications Strategy Director at AARP and have taught Communications Strategy and Planning at Georgetown University. 1st Vice President: Taryn Losch-Beridon Taryn Losch-Beridon is the parent of a current PK3 … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Mustang families – we are getting close to finishing up the year (whew!), but have a few more items of business and activities to do before we call it done!PTA, LSAT and Principal Selection Panel Elections – Wed, May 15 at 6:30 pmElections are this WEDNESDAY! Parents running for PTA and LSAT, please submit your name and 100-word write up about your interest in joining the PTA Exec Board or LSAT.For those interested in the Principal Selection panel, please submit your name and your child/children’s grade levels for the 19-20 school year – please note you must be available ALL DAY on Mon, May 20 for interviews.Submit ALL nominations to info@shepherd-elementary.org by midnight on Tues, May 14 to be on the ballot.PTA candidates must be PTA members in good standing; LSAT and Principal Selection Panel candidates must be parents.All seven PTA positions are open:• President— preside over meetings and the executive board, serve as primary contact for the principal, represent the PTA outside the school and more. • First vice-president— assist the president and stand in for the president when he or she is unavailable. • Second vice-president— assist the president and first vice-president, and stand in for them … Read More
Message from Principal Brawley
PARCC Testing Third through fifth grade students will take PARCC this week. Students will take one unit each day for up to 90 minutes. Attendance is extremely important on these days. Please support your child by making sure they are on-time, well rested and have a healthy breakfast. Field Day Field Day will be on Tuesday June 11th. If you would like to volunteer to run a station please contact Mr. Langrock at Jeff.langrock@dc.gov or Karen Sloan at info@shepherd-elementary.org. Enrollment Season Thank you to all of the families that have registered for next school year! The enrollment packet, which includes forms located online at http://enrolldcps.dc.gov, should be completed and presented to Mrs. Brooks along with proof of residency. The first class to register 100% of returning students for SY19-20 will receive extra recess! 2019-2020 School Calendar The calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is available: Summer School The dates for summer school are Monday, June 24th – Friday, July 26th, from 8:00 – 1:00pm. Our students have been assigned to Bancroft ES, 1755 Newton Street, NW. If you would like to register your child for a different summer site than the one assigned, register your child for the assigned summer … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Want to contribute more to Shepherd Elementary? Run for the PTA Exec Board, the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) or the Principal Selection Panel Committee. Election is at the Wed, May 15 PTA meeting, but all nominations must received in advance – by midnight on Tues, May 14. Meeting on May 15 starts at 6:30 pm in the multipurpose room. Must be present to vote. PTA candidates must be PTA members in good standing; LSAT and Principal Selection Panel candidates must be parents. For the Principal Selection Panel: You can nominate yourself or someone else, but please make sure the other person knows they are being nominated. You need to send your/nominee’s name and your/their child/children’s grade levels for the 2019-2020 school year to info@shepherd-elementary.org by Tues, May 14 at midnight to be added to the ballot. Must be available for the ENTIRE DAY on Mon, May 20 for interview panels. For the PTA Exec Board (7): Candidates should provide a brief (100-word) statement for distribution to attendees prior to the meeting. Send nomination to info@shepherd-elementary.org by Tues, May 14 at midnight. All seven PTA positions are open: • President— preside over meetings and the executive board, serve as primary contact for the principal, represent the PTA outside the school … Read More
Message from Principal Brawley
15th Annual Spring Gala Thank you everyone who was able to attend and support Saturday’s gala. This year’s event was a HUGE success! Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6-10 This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Join me in showing our wonderful teachers how much we appreciate their service and commitment to our school community. The PTA has some events planned this week, but please show your own teachers how much you appreciate all that they do! PARCC Testing Third grade students will take the ELA portion of PARCC this week. Students will take one unit each day for up to 90 minutes. Attendance is extremely important on these days. Please support your child by making sure they are on-time, well rested and have a healthy breakfast. Congratulations Catherine Foss Catherine Foss won the 2019 Law Day Contest sponsored by the National Capitol Lawyers Auxiliary. Catherine will read her essay at the Supreme Court on May 10th. Congratulations Aasha Rocca Aasha Rocca was selected the 2019 Elementary World Language Student of the Year for her outstanding work and joy of language learning. Aasha will receive her award at the 2019 DCPS World Language Festival at Deal MS on May 11th in … Read More
Message from Principal Brawley
Greetings Shepherd Family, It is with many emotions that I write to inform you that this will be my last year as principal at Shepherd Elementary. My decision to leave was extremely difficult, however, I am looking forward to spending more time with my growing family. Our school community continues to grow as a school of choice for families all over the District. Since 2015, Shepherd Elementary has experienced many successes including an increase in PARCC scores in both ELA and math by more than 10 percentage points as well as an increase in access to technology by tripling the number of laptops. From learning sight words to converting fractions to decimals, it has been a pleasure watching your children learn and grow academically, emotionally, and socially in order to achieve our shared vision of global citizenship. Over the last four years, Shepherd Elementary has explored many bold initiatives: Shepherd Electives, including digital photography, service learning, and reader’s theatre Young Man, Let’s Talk Mentoring Group Home Visits for new families through the Family Engagement Collaborative Student-led conferences Grahams with Grands The Shepherd Elementary staff is extremely committed to our school community—the level of talent is inspiring. They have helped me to … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Mustang families!I know it’s hard to get back in the swing of things after Spring Break…but it’s almost GALA time! I’m sure you’ve received several emails and flyers this week to encourage you to buy tickets and register to bid online if you can’t be there. We have well over 250 auction items now – and that could mean A LOT OF MONEY for Shepherd PTA with your help!Do you want students to go on more field trips, have more classroom materials and supplies they desperately need, and offer more social emotional learning training for our teachers? THEN WE NEED YOU!Register to bid or buy tickets: https://events.handbid.com/auctions/sespta-spring-gala-2019Tickets are $65; VIP sponsorships start at $250. Be thre – Bobby Van’s Grill on Sat, May 4th.A few other important notes:PTA meeting tonight at 6:30 pm with FREE GALLEY FOOD SAMPLES at 5:30 pmWe’re doing a RESTAURANT WEEK (April 28-May 4) with Galley (HOME DELIVERY FOR DINNER!) as a twist on RESTAURANT NIGHT! Tonight they’ll have samples and below is info on Galley… Galley Foods has partnered with Shepherd Elementary for a school fundraiser. Galley empowers you to eat well on your schedule, with freshly prepared fully cooked dinner made from scratch … Read More
Message from Principal Brawley
Hi Mustangs! I hope everyone enjoyed a delightful spring break! PARCC Practice Tests Our third through fifth graders will participate in practice PARCC testing Tuesday, April 23rd and Wednesday, April 24th. Please make sure your child is well rested and eats a healthy breakfast. PARCC Tests Third through fifth grade students will take the actual PARCC tests in grades 3-5 from April 22-May 24 on the following days by grade level: 3rd – 5th grade: PARCC Practice Tests, ELA and Math (April 22 – 26) 3rd grade: ELA (May 6-10), Math (May 20 -24) 4th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13-17) 5th grade: ELA (April 29 – May 3), Math (May 13-17) There are three days of English Language Arts (up to 90 minutes each), three days of math (up to 60 minutes each) and 2 days of science (up to 90 minutes each). Fourth grade has an extra ELA day due to a field test. Schools are not informed about which section will contain the field test. Attendance is extremely important on these days, so we want to make sure you have the schedule ahead. For practice opportunities and general information, please visit here. https://parcc-assessment.org/parent-resources/. … Read More
15th Annual Spring Gala & Auction
Hi Mustang families! We are less than 2 weeks out now, so there are 2 things we need you to do. Book your sitter (if you haven’t already!) and get your tickets! We have a class contest we’re kicking off today… 1. Book your sitter Urban Sitter and Nanno have provided a discount code for parents to use to find a sitter and come to the Gala! Urban Sitter: Here’s a code for a free first month of UrbanSitter membership: EVENTSCH5MONTH. It’s valid now through May 31, 2019 and can be redeemed here: https://www.urbansitter.com/promo/event. Nanno: is a new app designed by moms and all sitters are vetted and background checked. Join at www.nanno.com and get 10% off your first booking by using code HELLONANNO19. 2. BUY YOUR TICKETS – Gala and Auction CLASS CONTEST STARTS TODAY! CLASSES with the MOST ATTENDEES and EARNING THE MOST MONEY (can be onsite or online bidding!) win a special surprise! Remember – you can bid online if you can’t attend the event! We have more than 200 auction items – all will earn money for Shepherd PTA to support teachers, students and staff do more next year! PREVIEW OF TEACHER TREAT AUCTION ITEMS: You might like winning a trip to go with Mr. Mack … Read More
PTO Bulletin
Hi Mustang families,Enjoy a GREAT Spring Break…but don’t forget to buy your Gala & Auction tickets before you go…and sign up for the May 18-19 Camping Trip!Shepherd Gala & Auction – Sat, May 4BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR SPRING BREAK…GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!AND YOU MIGHT WIN THE SHEPHERD HOODIE IF YOU ARE LUCKY TICKET #100!Buy tickets: https://events.handbid.com/auctions/sespta-spring-gala-2019YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US RAISE MONEY TO DO THINGS LIKE: Fund a field trip for every grade level this year Provide more than $200 of supplies/materials/equipment for each teacher at Shepherd Help teachers go the “extra” mile to do special in-class learning experiences like the Academic Carnival and Cendrillon, the French play Help with school-wide activities like Field Day and School Beautification Days Put on School/Community Events like Fall Fest, Jazz Night, Movie Nights, Camp Fair, and the Health and Wellness FairShepherd Elementary Camping Trip – Sat, May 18We’ll be heading to Cunningham Falls in Thurmont, MD on the morning of Saturday, May 18th then heading back to civilization on the afternoon of the 19th. We will organize a hike to the waterfall on Saturday afternoon, a campfire that evening, and one more activity on Sunday morning.All children must be accompanied by an adult responsible … Read More