After a full five day week I think that students may now, officially, be back to school tired. This week in classes they worked on their social contracts. Make sure to ask them what they are and what they are all about. We also had a presentation on Tuesday from our be nice student group. This organization (benice.org) is a mental health education, bully and suicide prevention initiative that creates a positive culture through simply daily actions. (be notice invite change empower)

Check out the information below on our re-launch of the Shepherd app (for Apple and Android). This is a great way to keep up to date on the information and events in the school and district.

- Mr. Cornwell, SHS Principal

We have had a lot of phone calls made to cell phones with a full voicemail boxes. If you could take a few minutes and delete some of those messages it would be wonderful. When we call and can not reach anyone, or leave a message, it often leads to lots more phone calls in trying to track someone done for their student or with dead ends leaving your student needing to be in touch.

Health Career Pipeline Program (HCPP)

Experience a variety of health profession careers through hands-on activities while paired with an undergraduate college student mentor.

• Monday’s 5:30-7:00 PM, Sept. 30th – Nov. 25th
• Open to 9th & 10th grade students interested in health careers
• Held at Central Michigan University
• No cost to participate

Application due by September 13th: bit.ly/HCPPfall2024

Public Health Pathway Program (PHPP)

Explore public health career opportunities through engaging activities and college student mentorship while covering the following topics: an introduction to public health and social determinants of health, epidemics and vector-born diseases, emergency preparedness, environmental health and food safety.

• Wednesday’s 5:30-7:00 PM, Oct. 2nd – Nov. 6th (No session Oct. 16)
• Open to 9th, 10th, & 11th grade students

(Previous Health Career Pipeline Program participants welcome to participate too.)

• Held at Central Michigan University
• No cost to participate

Applications due by September 13th: bit.ly/publichealth24

Questions can be directed to MidCentralAHEC@cmich.edu

We're thrilled to re-announce the new app for Shepherd Bluejays! It's everything Shepherd Bluejays, in your pocket. Download the app for Android or iPhone.

If you plan to have your student riding a bus, you need to call Transportation (989 828-4539) to get them on the roster. For safety's sake we need to know the names of students riding.

This week classes wrote their social contracts. We had lots of different ideas about what words/phrases should be on each one and there was great conversations all around the building. Now it is up to all of us, adults AND kids alike, to hold each other accountable to what we have agreed upon for how things go in our classrooms. (https://www.capturingkidshearts.org/about)

Check out the introductory newsletter that Capturing Kids' Hearts has provided for families.

Hello BlueJay families,

Free breakfast and free lunch are available to your students every day! Menus and nutrition information can be found here: https://shepherdschools.nutrislice.com/

Also, this year, we are asking families to complete the Education Benefits Form (one form per family). A paper copy was sent home with your students. You can also fill the form out online here: https://shepherd.familyportal.cloud/

Thank you for your attention to this.

Classes have started at both Alma and Mt. Pleasant for CTE programs. For those students attending CTE and wishing to drive, you need to complete and turn in a parking pass application. We have a few printed copies in the High School office as well. If you are driving yourself please be careful and please do your best to manage your time so that you arrive at both CTE and at SHS on time.

1. Good school attendance is a habit every student should develop. Regular attendance is essential for each student to take advantage of their educational opportunities. If a child must be absent from school, one of the following is required:

   1. A phone call (989-828-6601) to the school on the day of the absence letting the school know why the student is absent and when the student is expected to return to school.

   2. Upon return to school, the student or parent/guardian must bring a note signed and dated by the parent/guardian with a specific reason for the absence.

   
   

   The student is responsible for making up any schoolwork missed due to their absence.

   Attendance is taken by teachers on the following basis: Secondary (MS/HS) - At the beginning of each scheduled class period.

The Women's Resource Center of MidMichigan is having their 2024 Homecoming Closet from September 3 - October 12. See the image for details.