Dear Shepard Families:
We had another nice week at Shepard as we inch closer to the end of April. Across both Core and Encore classes, students have been engaging in research, hands-on projects, and presentations to name a few. Earlier this week, I was walking through the hallway and came across a student working on a math problem. He let me know that he had just done all the steps for a problem only to realize he had done it incorrectly. Then, he erased it and started again.
We have communicated this year about productive struggle. Grit is something we measure and actively work to support students in building. Challenge is a key component of our district mission. In that small moment, I saw an example of our students exhibiting that grit and productive struggle and felt great joy. It also exemplified another piece of the puzzle we work to help students learn in middle school: we all make mistakes; it is all about how you respond afterwards. There wasn't a show of frustration or giving up. He simply tried again, and that is a wonderful thing.
In this edition, you will find:
New Information:
- MAP Testing Begins Next Week
- Erin's Law Follow Up
- From the PTSO: 6th-Grade Night Life Event — Friday, May 2nd
- Reminder: Deerfield Parent Network Event: Parenting a Smooth Transition to High School
Sincerely,
Rob Wegley, Principal
Cathy Van Treese, Associate Principal
Ginger Logemann, Director for Student Services
We will have our spring MAP testing sessions on Thursday, May 1st (Reading) and Tuesday, May 6th (Math). Thankfully for our students—and parents/teachers alike—these are our last standardized tests of the school year! We will test in the mornings for 6th and 7th grade. 8th-grade students do not take the spring MAP test and will be running a normal schedule.
We are very grateful to the staff from Childhood Victories, Inc., for spending time in all of our buildings this week to present age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum in accordance with Erin’s Law (House Bill 6193). If you are interested in additional information to review with your child as a follow-up to the presentations, please see the links below that correspond to each grade level.
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th
As we strive to keep you informed about important events and updates at Shepard Middle School, we are excited to use the Remind app again as a valuable tool to strengthen our school-family partnership. Through this app, you will receive announcements from our Student Council (also known as StuCo), led by Mrs. Greenberg. These announcements will not only keep you informed about spirit days, fundraisers, and other important events throughout the school year but will also actively involve your child in the exciting activities shaping our school community.
To sign up, please follow the directions below. Check out this video if you would like step-by-step instructions.If you require any assistance setting up the app, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Greenberg.
Our amazing PTSO shared information on this in their welcome back letter, too, but we wanted to add a reminder that you can purchase school lunches through Lunch Solutions in advance! Ordering opened Tuesday, August 6th. Ordering for the following week closes at 10:00 am on THURSDAY each week. For information and ordering, please visit http://ptgms.com/lunchsolutions/shepard.
Medication
Please do not send any medication, over-the-counter pain pills (Tylenol/Advil/aspirin), or cough drops with your students. State law prohibits students from taking medication at school outside of the nurse's office with a doctor's note on file. We will confiscate any medications as listed above found outside of the nurse's office.
Attendance
If your student will not be in school, please report the absence to the health office by phone—(847) 948-0620 x5103 or email (shepardattendance@dps109.org) before 8:00 am. If you do not contact our school nurse by this time, she will contact you at home or at work to ascertain your child’s whereabouts. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students will only be dismissed to a parent/legal guardian or to emergency contacts designated in Family Access.
Student Tardiness to School
Students who arrive late are greatly disadvantaged because they miss starting the day with their peers and miss out on the instruction given at the beginning of class. This means that they are often unsettled and confused about tasks, resulting in reduced achievement, regardless of academic ability. It is also very important that students establish good routines and habits in preparation for the rest of their lives. Punctuality is a life skill that is important to develop.
Tardiness to school will be unexcused even if a family member brings the student(s) to school. Oversleeping, missing the bus, car/traffic problems, etc. are all unexcused. Tardies are excusable under the following circumstances: personal illness of student, serious illness or death in the family, a doctor/dentist/professional appointment (a note or phone call from a parent or a professional), family emergencies, and religious holidays.
School begins promptly at 8:00 am. Students are expected to be in class ready to learn by 8:00 am.
Student Tardies to Class
Students are expected to be in class, in their seats, ready to learn at the start of class. Students who are not are subject to school discipline.