The Patriot Post

Dear Shepard Families,

As we wrap up the first quarter of the school year, I want to take a moment to express how thrilled I am to be part of the Shepard community. The spirit at Shepard is truly unique, and it makes waking up each morning something to look forward to. Our students are thriving, and our teachers are working incredibly hard to support them.

October is often a challenging month for educators, so I am deeply grateful that our teachers will have a few well-deserved days off next week. If you have some extra time over the break, or if your children are looking for something constructive to do, I encourage each family to take a moment to write a note or create a card for their teachers. Having spent many years in the classroom myself, I know firsthand how much behind-the-scenes work—research, planning, preparation, and emotional investment—goes into the job, much of which cannot be seen from the outside perspective. It’s a role that is hard to “leave at work” at the end of the day, and the teachers and staff here at Shepard are nothing short of amazing.

You may have noticed the mighty University of Texas flag flying this morning at arrival time. While I’ve made it known that I’m an alumni, it wasn’t me who coordinated this—it was actually some of our Shepard families. I learned that earlier this year, there was a spirited silent auction with an intense bidding war over which school would have their flag flown at Shepard for two weeks. I must admit, I’m not unhappy that my fellow Longhorns rose to the challenge and won! Thank you to all our OU and Aggie families for being good sports.

I wish everyone a wonderful fall break and hope some of you get a chance to attend the Texas State Fair. Each child brought home a ticket, and I know those corn dogs, funnel cakes, and Midway rides will be unforgettable memories for the kiddos as they were for many of us who grew up here.

Sincerely,

Christy James

October 14-18th: Student Fall Break

October 23rd- Picture Retakes

October 28-November 1st-Red Ribbon Week

October 30th-Allen American's PISD Night (See Details Below)

November 5th- Student holiday; Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 8th-PTA Turkey Trot

November 18-20th- 5th Grade Camp

November 21st-3rd Grade Musical Performance

November 25-29th-Thanksgiving Break

Plano ISD is partnering with our local professional hockey team, the Allen Americans, for a special game night planned specifically for Plano ISD students, families and staff! PISD Night with the Allen Americans will take place at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center (200 East Stacy Road; Allen, TX 75002) on October 30, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Please use the QR code on this printable flyer (English | Spanish) to make your ticket purchase. When you type “Shepard” into the required field, our school will receive $5 for every ticket purchased! We look forward to this fun night and hope to see you there! Please contact the front office with any questions.

It's not too late to order your child's school picture! If you have lost or have trouble accessing the QR code sent home in your child's backpack, you may use the link on this flyer to order pictures. Thank you for your support!

The library is growing a storybook pumpkin patch, and we need your help! Decorate a pumpkin (no larger than a basketball) to look like one of your favorite book characters, and bring it to school to plant in our Storybook Pumpkin Patch by October 28th! Decorate your pumpkin without carving, cutting, or poking holes in it. Fake pumpkins are preferred but not required. For more information, see Ms. Diamond in the library or take a look at a flyer coming home in your child's backpack.

This month, teachers are talking about how being responsible helps us "be strong." Click on the picture for the family newsletter for ideas to support this at home.

Click on the picture to print the October Wellness Challenge. Students who complete two challenges (10 total) they will get five Patriot Points. Students who complete all challenges, will receive ten Patriot Points. Please turn in calendars to Coach B. between November 1-8 during PE to receive the reward.

Please click on the picture to submit a shout-out to one of our awesome Shepard staff members!

Thank you for all of your efforts to make sure students are here and on time every day. We've got this!

Please remember to use the back drive for carpool drop off.

Bikes and scooters need to be walked to the bike rack to avoid collisions with student walkers. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on campus.

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. For more information, click on the picture.

At Shepard, we take great pride in sharing the stories and successes of our students through photos and updates on our social media pages. We would love to include your child in these posts to help tell our story and celebrate their achievements.

If you would like to give us permission to share your child’s pictures, please update the enrollment forms in Skyward. Your consent will enable us to showcase the wonderful experiences and milestones of our amazing students.

Students who qualified for free or reduced-price meals at the end of last school year are eligible to participate at their current eligibility status for the first 30 operating days of the 2024-25 school year or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first.

In order for meal benefits to continue, a federal meal application for the 2024-25 school year must be completed. Students with no application on file after 30 calendar days will return to full-paid eligibility status effective September 25, 2024.

Households that have submitted a federal meal application for free or reduced-priced meals for the 2024-25 school year do not need to reapply.

Households who wish to apply for free or reduced-priced meals will need to complete an online federal meal application for the current school year via the website at www.pisd.edu/mealprogram.

Applications will be processed within 10 business days. Eligibility notification letters will be sent via email. If you have not received the letter in your inbox, please check your junk and spam folders.

Shepard staff wears shirts with happy faces or positive messages to staff and students on Mondays. We love when our students join us by wearing any happy face shirt or a tshirt with a positive message.

Plano ISD’s volunteer management platform, VOLY, is open and ready for 2024-25! Every person who wishes to serve as a volunteer must complete/update a VOLY volunteer application and criminal history search each school year. For more information, please visit our district’s volunteer web page. Library volunteer sign up is at https://tinyurl.com/3ydprayd

Use the link if you would like to visit during your child's lunch time to eat with them in our "Patriot Patio" area. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CAFA628A1FDCF8-50923715-2024

• Please remember that students need sneakers on PE days.
• Please remember to avoid coming into the office to pick up students after 2:35 p.m. unless absolutely necessary.

Golden Chick has chosen to support our school by donating 50 cents from every Churros purchase to Shepard!

Our PTA has been so instrumental in creating this unique Shepard experience. By joining, you are not committing to volunteering (although we would love your help) but you are helping support their wonderful experience at Shepard. School spirit wear is purchased through the PTA website.

It's time for our Fall Fundraiser, and this year we are doing Penny Wars!

Start saving those pennies and change!