Dear Parents,

We've had a great week at Shepard! Both students and teachers bounced right back after spring break, and we've hit the ground running. The upper grades are gearing up for the Reading STAAR test, coming up in April. Our teachers do an amazing job of keeping students positive, reminding them that this test is about showing what they know and how much they’ve grown—not about making a perfect score. They’re finding creative, active, and hands-on ways to review, and I bet your students have had a blast in school so far this week!

Our attendance has remained strong, staying above 96% for the last six weeks, and today, students who were picked from a drawing got to enjoy lunch on the stage with a friend!

We've also had good participation in our homework survey so far, but I’d love to hear from even more of you before the end of the year. If you haven’t shared your thoughts yet, I’ll leave the link in the newsletter.

This evening, the PTA will honor Tracy Howe (4th grade teacher) and Lauren Roberson (parent and PTA member) as our Shepard PTA Life Membership honorees. Their outstanding dedication and service to children are truly a blessing for our students, and we are so proud of them!

Wishing everyone a fantastic end to the week and a wonderful weekend ahead!

Christy James

• April 2nd- World Autism Day- Wear red or blue
• April 8th: 4th and 5th Grade Reading STAAR
• April 9th: PTA Spirit Night at Shake Shack 10am-10pm
• April 10th: 3rd Grade Reading STAAR
• April 15th: 5th Grade Science STAAR
• April 18th: No School
• April 24th: 4th and 5th Grade Math STAAR
• April 25th: School Picnic
• April 29th: 3rd Grade Math STAAR
• May 1st: 1st Grade Musical 6:00
• May 8th: Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet (Wish Ms. Diamond luck)
• May 13th: Plano Senior High Shepard Grads Reunion and Hall Walk
• May 15th: Shepard SBIC Meeting 3:15
• May 15th: Pee Wee Patriots for incoming kindergarteners 4:30-5:30
• May 16th: Field Day
• May 23rd: Class Parties and Last Day of School- Early Release at 12:00
• August 12th: First Day of 25-26 School Year

Dear Parents,

We want to inform you of an important change regarding our annual 5th grade camp experience. After 19 years, Collin County Adventure Camp (CCAC) will no longer be available due to the YMCA and Collin County ending their partnership.

We remain committed to providing students with a meaningful outdoor learning experience, and we are actively exploring alternative options. We will keep you updated as we determine the best path forward.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Christy James

• Week of March 31st: Shepard does emergency practice drills each month. The district Safety and Security team designates which drills we practice, and we debrief on how the drill went and report any findings.

• Please remember to use the back drive for carpool drop off and avoid passing other cars.
• Bikes and scooters need to be walked to the bike rack to avoid collisions with student walkers.
• Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on campus.
• Please use the crosswalks to cross the road, and do not let children pass in front of the back carpool line unattended in the mornings.

Plano ISD students may not receive lunch deliveries from Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. ordered by their parents or by themselves. Deliveries such as these increase potential safety concerns. Any food delivered through a delivery service will have to be sent back or held in the front office until the end of the school day. Thank you for your understanding.

Here's some fun ideas for movement over Spring Break! Turn it in to Coach B. at the end of the month for Patriot Points!

This month, teachers are talking about honesty.

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.

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 click on the picture to submit a shout-out to one of our awesome Shepard staff members! Mrs. James will surprise the teachers with their special message at our next assembly!

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

Braum’s Book Buddy is a reading incentive program for children in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Each child can earn up to six Braum’s ice cream treats per school year just by reading, and it is free to participate in the program!

The program begins in October and lasts through the school year. Teachers distribute Braum’s Book Buddy booklets to their students and then monitor book reading by placing a Book Buddy sticker in the student’s booklet for each book read. When a student has read six books or 100 minutes a week, the teacher rewards the student with a coupon for a free treat from Braum’s!

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

• 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.

The PTA is selling grade-level shirts at a fantastic price! These shirts are perfect for students to wear during the Turkey Trot, Field Day, field trips, and more. Visit the PTA website to purchase one for your child, or grab one at the Turkey Trot Festival on November 8th. The colors will remain consistent over the years, making them great for passing down to siblings as they continue their journey at Shepard! The yellow bar below will take you to the link!