Shepherdstown Community Update
April 22, 2024
Message from Mr. E
Happy Earth Day! I can't believe we are already approaching the end of April!
It was great to see so many families at our Open House last week! A huge thank you to our PTO for running the wonderful Book Fair for students and families. If you did not have an opportunity to get your student's Shepherdstown t-shirt at the Open House, the t-shirt will be coming home in the near future via backpack mail.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 23, our third grade students will begin PSSA English Language Arts assessments. Next week, third graders will participate in PSSA Math assessments. Please encourage your third graders to get a good night's rest over the next few days. Also, PSSAs begin in the morning, so it is important to have your student arrive to school on time.
ELA Assessments (3 days – completed in paper booklets)
Tuesday, April 23
Wednesday, April 24
Thursday, April 25
Math Assessments (2 days – completed online using iPads)
Wednesday, May 1
Thursday, May 2
We have some spirit days this week and next week for our whole school. All students are welcome and encouraged to wear these colors:
TU, April 23 - Red Day – Rock the TEST
W, April 24 - Orange Day – Don’t stress, just do your best!
TH, April 25 - Yellow Day – You got this!
W, May 1 - Green Day – Test day, no prob-llama!
TH, May 2 - Blue Day – We BEE-lieve in you!
We have a number of upcoming events in late April and May. This coming Saturday, April 27 is our first Mechanicsburg Community Day at the Middle School from 11 AM to 2 PM. Please see the flyer below and come out and enjoy the activities. May 6 through May 10 is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Please see the flyer here from our Shep PTO about treats for our staff. Friday, May 24 is Field Day at Shepherdstown. Please see more information about Field Day and volunteers in the flyer here.
As a friendly reminder, if your child is out of school, the office must receive a written excuse within 3 days of the absence. This can be e-mailed to ShepOffice@mbgsd.org.
Have a great week!
Mr. Echelmeier
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, April 23 - 3rd Grade ELA PSSAs
Wednesday, April 24 - 3rd Grade ELA PSSAs
Thursday, April 25 - 3rd Grade ELA PSSAs
Saturday, April 27 - MASD Community Day 11-2 at Mechanicsburg Middle School
Tuesday, April 30 - April Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 1 - 3rd Grade Math PSSAs
Thursday, May 2 - 3rd Grade Math PSSAs
Week of May 6 - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Monday, May 6 - Professional Development Day - No School for students
Tuesday, May 7 - Spring Benchmarking Testing Begins
Wednesday, May 8 - May PTO Meeting at 7 PM at Shep or via Zoom
Friday, May 10 - ELD Community Dinner at Trails and Trees Environmental Center
Tuesday, May 21 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Environmental Center
Tuesday, May 23 - 3rd Grade Elmwood Academy Principal Visitation
Friday, May 24 - Field Day
Thursday, May 30 - Kindergarten Transition Visit to Shep from 8 AM to 10 AM
Friday, May 31 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Lake Tobias
Thursday, June 6 - Last Day of School
Important Reminders or New Information
AM Private Vehicle Drop Off Reminders
A few reminders for private vehicle drop off in the morning:
- Students should remain in vehicles until 7:30 AM (the bell will ring outside).
- Be sure to pull your vehicle up in the line as far as possible.
- Students may exit the vehicle only onto cement or macadam (not into the grassy area).
- Only pull around a stopped vehicle if directed by a staff member.
Thank you for your patience during this busy time of day as we ensure the safety of our students!
Community Day for MAPTO - Saturday, April 27
See the information below about the first ever MAPTO Community Day on Saturday, April 27.
Previously Shared Information
Absentee Process
On any day that your student is unable to attend school, the student’s parent/guardian is expected to contact Shepherdstown within the first hour of school to provide the reason for the absence.
We strongly encourage families to e-mail ShepOffice@mbgsd.org to report your student's absent. This e-mail counts as the notification and the written documentation of the absence.
If the office does not receive an e-mail (or call) notifying us that your child is absent, you will receive an automated phone call from the school.
More information about our absentee process is available in the MASD handbook linked here.
PTO Updates
MAPTO Fundraiser - Help Us Drive the Bus
See the flyer below about our MAPTO fundraiser!
Hospitality
If you are interested in being part of the Hospitality Team this year, please reach out via email (shepherdstownpto@gmail.com) and your name will be passed along to Lauren, our chair.
PTO Meeting Dates
Wednesday, May 8 at 7 PM (In person and virtual - Zoom link will be provided)
Shepherdstown Daily Schedule
Shepherdstown Drop Off and Pick Up Procedure
For the safety of all students, please note the following:
- In the car line, please stay in the lane and wait until cars move forward to exit the lane. Please do not go around other cars, unless directed by a staff member to do so.
- For walkers at our front gym doors, please refrain from sending students with extra items, such as balls, bats, gloves, etc. Students at these doors are very close to the buses arriving to school, and sports equipment could easily go out into the bus lane.
Spirit Wear
The MAPTO Spirit Wear Store is still open! Please visit the MAPTO STORE to view items and see delivery options or scan the QR in the graphic below.
Updated Dress Code Board Policy
Volunteering at Shep
We welcome volunteers at Shepherdstown! If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, for a field trip, or during field day, please see the information below.
MASD Volunteer Process Overview
Volunteer Checklist - quick list of items needed to volunteer
Volunteer Handbook - comprehensive handbook
Please complete the volunteer information as early as possible and submit to Mrs. Dentler in the main office or to the MASD Administrative Office.
2023-2024 District Calendar
Shepherdstown Elementary School
Email: shepoffice@mbgsd.org
Website: https://shepherdstown.mbgsd.org/
Location: 1849 South York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Phone: 717-691-4589