
Mustang Express
Globally Engaged - Compassionate - Life Long Learners
Volume 3 Issue 28 February 28, 2025
This Week's Highlights
Monday
- We kicked off our BHM spirit week with a showing of all Black. Staff and students represented by wearing all black.
Tuesday
- Staff and students represented with their 70s, 80s and 90s swag.
- We began our Access Testing. Testing will continue next week.
- Amira S. was teacher of the day with Ms. Caola.
Wednesday
- We kicked off our IB evaluations. The Evaluators met with several staff members to discuss our mission, vision, culture and implementation of IB priorities. They were impressed with the school tour and they raved about out IB ambassadors Madeline Romine (IB President) and Graham Bowie (IB Vice President).
- Ms. Pereira hosted the Broadway Musical workshop. Students enjoyed classes and activities with a trained Broadway professional.
- We had our special announcers (Madison and Monroe White) who won the opportunity to do the morning announcements at last year's auction.
Thursday
- We hosted our 3rd Annual BHM program. Thank you to Ms. Scott and the team for such an amazing program.
- The final day for our IB evaluations. Our evaluators provided us with a summary of the visit and next steps.
- The LSAT met for an overview of the Budget. There will be another open meeting on Tuesday 3/4 at 4:00. LSAT will then meet in a close meeting to discuss final budge items.
Staffing Updates
This week we:
- No new updates
Remaining Vacancies
- 1 special education aides
Interview Updates
- No upcoming interviews scheduled.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
On March 13th we will host our next round of Parent-Teacher Conferences. Below please find some guidance around what to expect:
- Conferences will be held on Thursday March 13th from 12:00pm to 7:00pm
- Sign-Up links are below
- There will be a lunch break for staff from 3:00-4:00 on this day (no conferences will take place)
- Parents are encouraged to sign up for their desired time on their classroom teacher's Sign Up Genius.
- Parents should sign up to see their child's homeroom teacher. All data, for academic subjects, will be shared by the homeroom teacher.
- There are opportunities to sign up with the specials teachers as well. Please see their links as well to discuss your child's progress in their class.
- If you miss the sign up opportunities, please know that Parents that have signed up will be prioritized.
If you have any questions please reach out to Principal Russell.
Shepherd Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Up Links
Awunyo-Akaba
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E49ACAC29A2F94-55279159-march
Trotter
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4AA4AF29A1FF2-55311878-2025
Hunter
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4DA5AD2CA0FB6-55273943-midyear
Rajwani
https://teach.classdojo.com/#/classes/66ca532bf2c78f91dccc2923/events/67b894ebee75d0d4d324e81a
Deane
https://teach.classdojo.com/#/classes/66cdef960313bcd12bbc8e41/events/67b8a0ae3559127cc704f415
T. Smith
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CAAAA2AA1FEC61-55203112-spring#/
Saxton
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A44ABAB28A5F94-55225847-spring#/
Chamovitz
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DACAE22A0F8C07-55279503-parent
McIntyre
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FA4A72AA4FE3-55231053-2ndgrmcintyre
Murali
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FA4A72AA4FE3-55231353-2ndgrmurali
Montgomery
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4EACAE22A3FB6-55247819-msmontgomerys
Denmark-Lawal
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A5A622ABFDC16-55232002-march
Ripley
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4AABAD2CA3FFC25-55277424-ripleys
Hector/Igoe
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0449A8AA2DA0FF2-55309490-hectorigoe
McKinley
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084EADAF2DA4F49-55275993-msmckinleys
Caola
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044AAEA92CA2F85-55284463-parent
Dogbe
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054DACA62AA5F9C70-55270859-5thgrade
Scott
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DABAA2AA6F49-34780615-library
Pereira
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EADAB28A2FFC43-41423552-spring
Brown-Wimberly
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA8A82DA3F4C61-55320722-ptcart
V. Brown
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054DADAA23ABFFC43-55310700-peconferences
Dr. Gadie
Not Available
Dr. Delgado
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094FAAA62CA5F85-55309764-spanish
R. Smith
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AACAF28A5FBC61-55277137-mrsmiths
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
Monday, March 10th
Thursday, April 10th
Friday, May 30th
Monday, June 2nd
Upcoming Dates 📆
March 2: Read Across America Day
March 4: LSAT Meeting (Budget review)
March 5: Design Team and Transcend Meeting
March 6-7: Special readers for Reader Across America day
March 7: Third Grade Trip to Philly
March 10: Strong Start Assembly
March 11: Staff meeting
March 12: Donuts with Grownups
March 13: Parent Teacher Conferences
March 14: No School (DCPS Wellness Day)
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
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