The Patriot Post

Dear Shepard Families,

Brrrr… Who would have thought that after such a warm winter break, we'd return to these freezing temperatures? Our teachers have hit the ground running this week! They've dived into analyzing mid-year MAP data and already have students working in small groups, tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. No matter what's happening outside, we’re striving for excellence here at Shepard

where "learning is required." A special shout-out to our WatchDOG Dads who braved the cold this morning to help in the carpool line! We appreciate you so much!

Stay warm, Shepard families! With there being no school tomorrow, It's the perfect time for students to curl up with a good book and get some of their Braum's Reading Club minutes in! We will see what Friday holds!

Sincerely,

Christy James

January 24th- PTA Movie Night (Details to Come)

January 30th- Donuts with Dads 7:00 a.m.

February 28th 6:30- PTA Gala @ Urban Rio

We are still in need of science fair judges! If you're interested in judging the Science and Engineering Fair on Wednesday 1/15/25, please e-mail liz.hungerford@pisd.edu.

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.

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.

This month, teachers are talking about how to cooperate to reach shared goals. Click on the picture for the family newsletter for ideas to support this at home.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

• 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 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!