

The Patriot Post

The Patriot Post
January 16, 2025
Dear Shepard Families,
What a fantastic week we’ve had so far back at school after some fun snow days! It was wonderful to see everyone seamlessly jump back into the groove of learning, and the energy in our classrooms has been awesome, as usual! I loved seeing all your snow day pictures shared on our Facebook page—thank you for sharing those moments with us!
As a reminder, Monday, we will have the day off in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope you enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to another great week ahead!
Sincerely,
Christy James
Save the Date
- January 20th- MLK Jr. Day - Student and Staff Holiday
- January 24th- PTA Movie Night (Details in flyers below)
- January 27-31st- College Week (See dress up days in flyer below)
- January 28th- SBIC Meeting
- January 30th- Donuts with Dads 7:00 a.m.
- February 14th- Friendship Parties (Details to Come)
- February 17th and 18th- Student Holiday ( Teacher Work Day)
- February 28th 6:30- PTA Gala @ Urban Rio (See flyer and info below)
PTA Family Movie Night
College Week
Information about the PTA Gala
Please join us for our Second Annual Shepard PTA Gala at the Rooftop at Urban Rio on FRIDAY, February 28 at 6:30 PM.
Tickets can be purchased at a special, discounted price for a limited time by check or with included fees at https://shepardpta.membershiptoolkit.com/gala
Sponsorships are also available, and can be purchased by check or with included fees at https://shepardpta.membershiptoolkit.com/gala
*Please keep in mind that all fees for Donor Box should be paid by purchasers OR a check can be used in lieu of online payment.
Coach B's 21-Day Healthy Snack Challenge
The PE coaches are excited to announce the 21-Day Healthy Snack Challenge! This challenge encourages students to make healthy snacks at home, with the goal of building lasting, healthy habits over the course of 21 days. Students can use recipes from the digital cookbook or the Healthy Snack Finder tool on the website to create their snacks. The challenge starts next week, but registration is open online now. Email or send a photo of your child making a healthy snack for the coaches to proudly display in the gym to celebrate. Let’s make healthy snacking a fun and lasting habit!
District Safety Updates
Food Delivery Policy
Plano ISD students may not receive lunch deliveries from Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. ordered by their parents or by themselves. Deliveries such as these increase potential safety concerns. Any food delivered through a delivery service will have to be sent back or held in the front office until the end of the school day. Thank you for your understanding.
Safety Reminders
Please remember to use the back drive for carpool drop off.
Bikes and scooters need to be walked to the bike rack to avoid collisions with student walkers. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on campus. Please use the crosswalks to cross the road, and do not let children pass in front of the back carpool line unattended in the mornings.
Other Updates and Links
January Wellness Challenge
Click on the picture to print the January Wellness Challenge. Students who complete two challenges (10 total) they will get five Patriot Points. Students who complete all challenges, will receive ten Patriot Points. Please turn in calendars to Coach B. during PE to receive the reward.
Character Strong January: Courage
This month, teachers are talking about courage. Courage is choosing what is helpful, right, and kind- even when it's hard or scary.
Lunch Sign-Up
Use the link if you would like to visit during your child's lunch time to eat with them in our "Patriot Patio" area. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CAFA628A1FDCF8-50923715-2024
Staff Shout-Outs
Please click on the picture to submit a shout-out to one of our awesome Shepard staff members! Mrs. James will surprise the teachers with their special message at our next assembly!
Attendance Matters
Thank you for all of your efforts to make sure students are here and on time every day. We've got this!
Braum’s Book Buddy is a reading incentive program for children in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Each child can earn up to six Braum’s ice cream treats per school year just by reading, and it is free to participate in the program!
The program begins in October and lasts through the school year. Teachers distribute Braum’s Book Buddy booklets to their students and then monitor book reading by placing a Book Buddy sticker in the student’s booklet for each book read. When a student has read six books or 100 minutes a week, the teacher rewards the student with a coupon for a free treat from Braum’s!
Shepard- Posi"TEE"vley the Best
Shepard staff wears shirts with happy faces or positive messages to staff and students on Mondays. We love when our students join us by wearing any happy face shirt or a tshirt with a positive message.
Volunteers/VOLY
Plano ISD’s volunteer management platform, VOLY, is open and ready for 2024-25! Every person who wishes to serve as a volunteer must complete/update a VOLY volunteer application and criminal history search each school year. For more information, please visit our district’s volunteer web page. Library volunteer sign up is at https://tinyurl.com/3ydprayd
Other Reminders
- Please remember that students need sneakers on PE days.
- Please remember to avoid coming into the office to pick up students after 2:35 p.m. unless absolutely necessary.
Golden Chick Churros
Golden Chick has chosen to support our school by donating 50 cents from every Churros purchase to Shepard!
Our PTA has been so instrumental in creating this unique Shepard experience. By joining, you are not committing to volunteering (although we would love your help) but you are helping support their wonderful experience at Shepard. School spirit wear is purchased through the PTA website.
The PTA is selling grade-level shirts at a fantastic price! These shirts are perfect for students to wear during the Turkey Trot, Field Day, field trips, and more. Visit the PTA website to purchase one for your child, or grab one at the Turkey Trot Festival on November 8th. The colors will remain consistent over the years, making them great for passing down to siblings as they continue their journey at Shepard! The yellow bar below will take you to the link!