Monday:

• We had our monthly walkthrough with the becoming team. During this walkthrough we focused on student transitions and expectations in common spaces such as recess and the hallways. During the walkthrough we saw effective recess structures in 3rd grade and positive classroom environments in kindergarten. Next steps include making sure all classrooms have their displayed essential agreements that were created with students. Our next walkthrough will be on January 17th.

Tuesday:

• We had a whole school practice for our Winter concert. Students gave one last practice and in school show for staff.

Wednesday:

• We hosted our Monthly Donuts with Grown-ups event. Families were welcomed in to participate in strong start. At the end families met in the atrium to enjoy donuts and coffee.
• We also hosted our annual ECE Winter Concert. Students in Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and CES performed their winter songs for families. The audience enjoyed the students presentation.
• Leadership also attended the monthly staff meeting. In this staff meeting we discussed data around the school report card and how scores are determined.

Thursday:

• We hosted our annual K-5 Winter Concert. This year we held the concert at UDC. Families were excited for the extra space and enjoyed the holiday songs.

Friday:

• As we prepare for the opening of the new playground we began adjusting the playground schedule. The new schedule will have an impact on our ECE CES team as we look to provide more support. The plan is for the new playground to be open for use in January.

As the weather continues to get colder, 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.

This Week We:

• We interviewed a candidate for the inclusion SPED position. The candidate was promising and will do a school visit next week.
• We also extended an offer to a CES aide. Ms. Sparks (one of our long term subs) was invited to join the shepherd team as a CES aide.

Remaining Vacancies

• 1st Grade teacher
• Special Education Inclusion teacher
• 1 special education aides
• Kindergarten Aide

Interview Updates

• No interviews scheduled at this time.

The Impact Aid law provides assistance to local school districts like DC Public Schools to support children who live on military bases, Federal housing properties, and those who have parents in the uniformed services or are employed on eligible Federal properties who do not live on Federal property. Each year DC Public Schools asks all families to complete a Student-Parent Survey to support DCPS in providing information to the U.S. Department of Education for Impact Aid. The U.S. Department of Education then provides funds to DCPS to support our students based on this information. For each DCPS student in your home, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey. forms from your schools throughout the school year.

For questions, please contact JuVaughan Jones at DCPSImpactAid@k12.dc.gov or 202-940-6908.

Impact Aid Website

Here are the survey links:

1. English: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_English

2. Spanish: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_Spanish

3. French: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_French

4. Amharic: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_Amharic

5. Vietnamese: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_Vietnamese

6. Chinese: https://forms.dc.gov/f/DCPSImpactAid_Chinese

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 we continue to work on creating our Mustang Playbook we have set our focus on the Mustang Matrix. The matrix includes the values Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Effort (R.I.D.E.). Using these values we will determine expectations throughout the school. We will set procedures on how to R.I.D.E. around common places while in school (hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria, classrooms etc..)

We are looking for 3-4 Parents to work with admin and a group of teachers to draft our school matrix. This group will meet on Mondays 11/18, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16 from 3:35-4:30 in person. If you would like to support with this work, please reach out to admin.

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.

IB Learner Profile Attribute of the Month:

Risk-Taker

We are courageous and determined. We work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and strategies.

IB Approach to Learning Skill of the Month:

Thinking Skills: This includes critical-thinking, creative-thinking, transfer skills, reflection/metacognitive skills

This month, Shepherd Mustangs Celebrate:

• Holidays Around the World Celebration
• Human Rights Day

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

Early pick-up for students end at 2:45 PM. After that time, students will not be release until 3:15 PM, as teachers and students are transitioning and wrapping up for the day.

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.

Dec. 14: Edfest

Dec. 17: ELA ANET 2 (3rd - 5th)

Dec. 19: International Day

Dec. 23 - Jan. 1: Winter Break

Jan. 2: Students & Teachers return to school

Jan. 14: Staff Meeting

Jan. 15: Donuts with Grownups

Jan. 15: PTO Meeting

Jan. 15: LSAT Meeting

Jan. 17: No School (PD Day for Staff & Teachers @ Shepherd)

Jan. 20: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Jan. 24: Winter Ball (More Information Coming)

Jan. 27: No School (Records Day: Term 2 Ends)

Jan. 31: IB Showcase

https://dcps.dc.gov/page/volunteer-our-schools

https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=UH9WGK

https://dcps.dc.gov/page/school-health-requirements

Important notice regarding elementary school attendance.

Please use this link to assist with submitting excuse notes for student absences.

https://forms.office.com/r/8b62tRAU6m

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