Hi Shepherd family and friends,
We hope you are all remaining safe and healthy during these challenging times. We have been inspired by our community – the many of you bravely fighting this pandemic as first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential employees. Others are doing their part by staying home or organizing efforts to help where you can. Many of you have asked about needs within our community and we do have a few needs to address within our parent community. If you’re willing and able to help, email Liz Bradley at shepherdptapresident@gmail.com.
Stay safe and be well!
Liz Bradley
PTA President
A Message from Dr. Hedlund
Just a quick heads up that learning packets will be available for pick up next Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 am-2:00 pm. Also keep an eye out for a grade-level Zoom invitation to provide feedback on distance learning to me and Ms. Rottman. Hope everyone is well. I will provide more updates tomorrow.
Update on the Shepherd Gala and Auction
As you might expect, we had to cancel this year’s in-person event. Shepherd Elementary School PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year – the 16th Annual Spring Gala and Auction – will NOW be a virtual event and has been re-scheduled for Saturday, May 30th, 2020. The entire event will take place via our Handbid auction system with a fun “socially distant” party via Shepherd’s Facebook page.
Our silent auction will feature a variety of items. However, if you’d rather donate directly, please consider making a direct donation to this year’s appeal for recess/recreational area improvements for the school.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to “seeing” you virtually on the 30th to support our amazing school!
– Go to https://events.handbid.com/auctions/shepherd-16th-annual-spring-gala-and-auction/registration
– If you had registered for last year’s auction, you may use your previous login for the Handbid system. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your password…you can easily reset it within the system!
– You must enter a credit card in the system to bid on items during the May 30th event.
Check out Mr. Garner on YouTube
Mr. Garner and Ms. Pereira worked together to develop this fun visual arts video!
Shepherd Community Center Update
The structure is really starting to take shape – read the latest here and drive by to see it!
Shepherd Construction Update_April 2020.pdf
IB Corner with Ms. Mack
I hope all is well during this time. Please know that Shepherd cares about how you and your family are doing. In the spirit of distance learning, I have compiled several IB-related resources that encourage students to continue to be global thinkers at home! This newsletter includes the IB learner profile attribute of the month, a COVID-19 school action project, global resources for distance learning, and a chance for your child to apply to receive an IB student excellence award.
Learner Profile Attribute of the Month:
Balanced: We strive to develop healthy minds and bodies. We understand the importance of our relationships with other people and the world.
Balanced booklist and video link: https://childrenslibrarylady.com/balanced-picture-book-list. Distance learning tip: If you don’t have access to a particular book, try searching on YouTube for a read-aloud of the book.
The Incredible Book Eating Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ywvzKKOjkc
A Child’s Garden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3FOs-UrpXY
A Bad Case of Stripes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIJUsjX-82Y
Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jBbLUEB34I
The Koala Who Could: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmgxgat6HFI
Zen Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL3mfc5NpVM
The Good Egg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3eGlKpYESs
The Bad Seed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uK-gIul8DU
The Three Questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70m4KL3hYyc
The Beckoning Cat:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Gcz2ljOsw
Tidy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUSQEPbc8Mc
The Tunnel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps2E5yoRsMk
The Hello, Goodbye Window: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CREhwBh8-l8
Elmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGzgu0nUYRo
Family Read-Aloud Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be balanced?
- Why is it important to be balanced?
- What good strategies does [character in book] use to be balanced
NEW! DCPS Dyslexia Guidebook
DC’s Office of the Student Advocate has created a resource guide for struggling readers and spellers in DC! Focusing on dyslexia, this is the FIRST publication by the DC Government on the topic of dyslexia. Filled with many hyperlinks and resources, if your child (or student) is struggling with reading/spelling and are curious about dyslexia, this guide can help!! The grassroots parent/educator group Decoding Dyslexia DC advocated for this resource guide.
It’s available on the website of the Office of the Student Advocate. Check it out here:
https://sboe.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/sboe/25dfde1a-ef43-4ee5-a8f1-f8b8e8a82aae.pdf