
Mustang Express
Globally Engaged - Compassionate - Life Long Learners
Volume 3 Issue 26 February 14, 2025
This Week's Highlights
Monday
- We began our celebration of Kindness Week. Teachers and staff showed how Kindness ties us together by showcasing their bows.
- We celebrated the 100th day of school. Our kindergarteners dressed as if they were 100 years old.
- The Shepherd staff and students celebrated the win for the EAGLES at the superbowl played Sunday night. 😃
- Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students had the chance to enjoy their new playground. Students enjoyed the larger area and new equipment.
Tuesday
- For Kindness Week staff and students wore their Positivi-Tee shirts displaying kind messages.
- Due to the uncertainty of the weather we did not have our staff meeting.
Wednesday
- SNOW DAY!
Thursday
- We celebrated Kindness Week with notes of kindness. Staff members shared their appreciation through thank you notes and words of affirmations.
- Professional Learning Day. Virtual District PD
Staffing Updates
This week we:
- No new updates
Remaining Vacancies
- 1 special education aides
Interview Updates
- No upcoming interviews scheduled.
Shepherd Cheer Team
The Shepherd Mustang Cheer Team will be back in action on Saturday, February 22nd, at Coolidge High School for the DCIAA Cheer Championships. We invite our Shepherd Family to come out and support our ladies and coaches.
Black History Month Program
Spring 2025 Panorama Surveys Open February 24
The Spring 2025 Panorama surveys for students, families, teachers, staff, and school leaders will run from Monday, February 24th to Friday, March 28th.
More information forthcoming.
Student Matrix & Expectations
As we continue our work on creating the Shepherd Way, our next step is to ensure all students and families are aware of the student matrix and the agreed upon expectations. The matrix will be hung up in various places around the school. Students will be asked to take the matrix home to share with families this week. We are asking families to review the matrix with their student and then sign and return the form showing receipt.
Outdoor Recess
As we are looking forward to getting outside for some fresh air, we want to remind you to ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. Please make sure that your child wears warm clothing, including a jacket/coat, socks, hat, gloves, and scarf, as they will be outside during recess unless the temperature or conditions make it unsafe.
Students without proper attire will not be permitted to play outside.
Strong Start
Our strong start sessions will include all components of our daily strong start. Our strong start meetings will fall on a rolling schedule.
Dates
Wednesday, February 19th
Monday, March 10th
Thursday, April 10th
Friday, May 30th
Monday, June 2nd
Upcoming Dates 📆
Feb. 17: No School Presidents' Day
Feb. 18: Make Up Staff Meeting
Feb.19: All School Strong Start
Feb. 19: LSAT/ PTO Meetings
Feb. 20: Donuts w/Grown-Ups
Feb. 20: Mardi Gras Celebration (PK-1st)
Feb. 26 & 27: IB Evaluation
Feb. 27: Black History Show at UDC
Feb. 28: PTO Movie Night
A Message from the Mental Health Team
This year Shepherd welcomes the partnership with Paving the Way. Through the department of behavioral health, we have been allotted one clinician. Ms. Caldwell has begun her work here in August. Attached below, please find a letter describing her services. Please feel free to reach out to Shepherd's Administration or to Ms. Caldwell at Dcaldwell@pavingthewaymsi.org.
International Baccalaureate Program
February
IB Learner Profile Attribute of the Month:
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty. We have a strong sense of fairness and justice and respect others. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
IB Approach to Learning Skill of the Month:
Self-Management
This includes organization skills and states of mind.
This month, Shepherd Mustangs Celebrate:
- Black History Month
- Mardi Gras
- Kindness Week
IB Evaluation
What is the 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 program
- Results in next steps for future plans and actions
IB Evaluation Date
- IB Visit from February 26th - 27th
Late Arrival & Early Pick Up Reminders
Late Arrival
Students are considered late after 8:50 AM. At that time, Parents/Students must enter through the Main Entrance and sign the late book, at the security desk, before the student proceeds to class.
Early Dismissal
Early dismissal is when a student is picked up by a parent/guardian prior to 2:45 PM. Please remember to also notify Mrs. Wilson, in the Main Office, if you are picking up your student early so that we can ensure they are ready and properly documented prior to your arrival.
After 2:45 PM, students will only be dismissed following normal dismissal procedures at 3:15 PM, as teachers and students are transitioning and wrapping up for the day.
Shepherd Mustangs are NUT-FREE
Please do not pack or send any products containing nuts (peanuts or tree nuts) to school.
Thank You for helping to keep our students safe.
Resources
Volunteer Clearance Process
School Health Requirements
Strong Start Morning Meeting
Strong Start is a set of rituals and routines that get students ready to learn by fostering a sense of safety, belonging, community, and self-efficacy. The routines begin as students enter the classroom and continue through morning meeting. Students must be taught the routines at the start of the school year and provided with extensive practice opportunities for Strong Start to run smoothly. When running smoothly, the group portion should not be longer than 15 minutes. The Strong Start morning routine includes the following components, seen in this overview video.
Attendance Form Link
Please use this link to assist with submitting excuse notes for student absences.
Stay Connected!
Main Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Principal Russell: tyra.russell@k12.dc.gov
AP Coles: shamayne.coles@k12.dc.gov
Ms. Wilson, Main Office: Brenda.wilson@k12.dc.gov
Ms. Offor, MSL: Uchenna.offor@k12.dc.gov
School Phone: (202) 576-6140