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Mustang Express
Globally Engaged - Compassionate - Life Long Learners
Volume 3 Issue 22 January 24, 2025
This Week's Highlights
Monday
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday
- We started our new master schedule to provide more support during our lunch and recess blocks.
Wednesday
- Ms. Weng attended the quarterly LEAP meeting for ELA leaders.
Thursday
- Principal Russell attended the monthly cluster meeting.
- AP Coles attended the quarterly LEAP meeting for Math Leaders.
Friday
- Shepherd students had an awesome time at the Winter Ball. Students came dressed to impress as they danced, ate and played games. Both dances were a success.
Staffing Updates
This week we:
- We have offered a position to a 1st grade teacher. The position was accepted the candidate is waiting to begin the onboarding process.
Remaining Vacancies
- Special Education Aide
- Kindergarten Aide
Interview Updates
- No upcoming interviews scheduled.
Musical Fundraiser
The spring musical cast fundraiser has begun. Joe Corbi’s is partnering with Ms. Pereira and the musical cast to sell delicious pizza kits and cookies. This is a great opportunity to support the musical and the cast to continue to build the program here at Shepherd.
Look out for more details.
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
Thursday, January 30th
Wednesday, February 19th
Monday, March 10th
Thursday, April 10th
Friday, May 30th
Monday, June 2nd
Upcoming Dates 📆
Jan. 27: No School (Records Day: Term 2 Ends)
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
January
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 organization skills and states of mind.
This month, Shepherd Mustangs Celebrate:
- Africa
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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