Shepherd's IB Monthly

Here is our programme of inquiry that includes all of the units throughout the year!

IB 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.

IB Approach to Learning Skill of the Month:

Self-Management: This includes organizational skills and states of mind.

Meet Marcus! Marcus is Shepherd's traveling mustang. As an IB school, we want our students to learn about the world in kid-friendly ways. Each class will receive a plush mustang. Where will Marcus go next? Students will get to take Marcus home and share pictures/brief descriptions of their adventures together on this digital map here .

Teachers are encouraged to set up a rotation with Marcus in their classroom, but if you have a big trip coming up and it's not your student's turn, please reach out to IB Coordinator Alvarez (avani.alvarez@k12.dc.gov) to see if there are any extra Marcus the Mustang plush toys available.

3rd grade students will travel to Philly on Friday, March 7th!
4th Grade students will to NYC on Friday, March 28th!

Our school-wide IB community action project is connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development goal Quality Education. Our community action project is a book donation led by our 3rd grade students! The book drive will be from Monday, February 3rd- Friday, February 28th!

As a school community, we will be reading Razia's Ray of Hope by Elizabeth Suneby . Razia and her family live in a small village in Afghanistan where a new school for girl’s is being built. Razia is very excited about the chance to learn but it will take all her courage and confidence to convince her family they will gain much from her education as well. A hopeful story about one girl’s persistent fight for her right to education and a story that clearly shows how much contribution an educated person can bring to their communities. You can find this book on YouTube, at your local library, or maybe even in our school library.

This month, Shepherd Mustangs Celebrate:

• Celebrate Africa Heritage Month

• IB Parent Academy during PTO Meeting in January
• IB Evaluation Visit in February
• January: Celebrate Africa!
• IB Ambassador 5th Grade Elections on Friday, January 31st

Shepherd ES has a new matrix called "RIDE" that also connects to the learner profile attributes!

R- Respect: Caring, Open-Minded, Communicator

I- Integrity: Principled, Thinker

D- Discipline: Balanced, Reflective

E- Effort: Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Risk-Taker

Each month at Shepherd, we focus on a different learner profile attribute! Here are some ways to support developing the learner profile in your student at home!

January: Balanced

• Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities.
• Discuss food groups with your child. Spend a few minutes during mealtime deciding if what your family is eating is balanced.
• Role-model this attribute. Spend time as a parent or family doing many different things. Make self-care a priority.

IB Evaluation

• It is a reflective process that involves the entire school community
• Assesses whether a school continues to meet the requirements of the IB
• Supports school’s efforts in continuing the delivery of the programme

Phase of the IB Evaluation

• Phase 1: Documentation
• Phase 2: Self-Study
• Phase 3: IB Visit in February

Your Role

• Fill out the IB parent survey released in December
• Participate in a focus group session as requested
• Provide evidence as requested
• PTO and Shepherd staff will partner to create a warm welcome for our evaluators