I want to thank everyone for helping us kick off a wonderful first week of school at Shepherdstown! Our teachers have worked hard to create classroom communities where your children feel safe, welcome, and eager to learn. It’s been a joy to see the connections being made through fun activities and shared stories.
This week, we introduced our students to the Wildcat Way and CATS. Students learned how to follow the Wildcat Way in the cafeteria and on the bus on Wednesday and Thursday. At the August Community Meeting on Thursday, we launched our school-wide positive behavior systems: Wildcat Way tickets and Super Paws. Wildcat Way tickets are small paw prints that staff hand out to “catch” students demonstrating CATS (communicating with respect, acting responsibly, taking on challenges, or staying safe). Students can redeem these tickets in their individual classrooms as part of the classroom positive behavior system.
For the month of September, we’re focusing on Communicate with Respect, one component of CATS. Super Paws are awarded to students who go above and beyond in demonstrating communicating with respect. If a student earns a Super Paw, they are recognized on the morning announcements, displayed on our lobby bulletin board, and showcased at our next community meeting.
We are excited to invite all families to our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 5, starting at 6:00 PM. This evening, geared for adults, is a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, see their classroom, and learn more about the curriculum for the year ahead. For families with more than one student at Shepherdstown Elementary, we’ve scheduled two sessions: the first begins at 6:00 PM and the second begins at 6:45 PM. Please go directly to your child's classroom upon arrival at Shep. Parking will be available behind the school on the blacktop. Extra parking is available at Shepherdstown United Methodist Church. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and Happy Labor Day!
Mr. Echelmeier
Photo credits above - Tracy Panzer - MASD Communication Specialist
Daily school attendance is important for your child. All absences must be reported to the Shepherdstown Office no later than 8:30 AM.
REPORTING ABSENCES:
You may REPORT your child’s absence by one of the following methods:
- Preferred Method - Email the office at ShepOffice@mbgsd.org
- Electronic Excuse: via the Sapphire Portal
- Call the Office: 717-691-4589
While Seesaw is a great parent-teacher communication tool, please use the ShepOffice@mbgsd.org e-mail address to communicate absences directly with the main office.
WRITTEN EXCUSE:
PA law requires all absences have a WRITTEN EXCUSE submitted within 3 days of a student’s absence. The only excusable reasons for absences from school are: illness, death in the immediate family or urgent and unavoidable family emergency.
If you CALL to report your child's absence, choose 1 of the following to follow up with a written excuse.
Written excuse: Send the MASD absence excuse form or a handwritten note in your child’s folder
Email: Follow up by sending an email to ShepOffice@mbgsd.org
Electronic Excuse: Use the electronic excuse found on the Sapphire Community Portal.
If the written excuse is not turned in, it will become an UNLAWFUL absence. If your child accumulates three (3) unlawful absences, for any reason, a warning letter will be issued. After the fourth unlawful absence, a mandatory attendance improvement plan will be held. Further unlawful absences will be cited with the District Magistrate
Traveling to Grandma’s? Going on Vacation? — An Educational Trip request form can be submitted at least 5 days in advance. Please use the form linked below.
Birthdays are important to every child, and most kids like to celebrate with their classmates. However, sending in a food treat to the classroom to celebrate can exclude those children who have food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Also, classrooms are not well-equipped to serve food, especially cupcakes and other messy treats. If you would like an alternative to food treats for your child’s birthday celebration at school, there are many possibilities. Always check with your child’s teacher first to see what options may work best.
Invitations to birthday parties or other gatherings may not be passed out in school, unless the entire class is invited. Teachers cannot distribute contact information.
If your family is interested in receiving weekend food bags, please click the link below and complete the form once for each school-aged child in your family. If you have additional questions, please e-mail our School Counselor Mrs. Melissa Lawler at MLawler@mbgsd.org.
If you haven't already done so, you're invited to like and follow our official Mechanicsburg Area School District Facebook page for the latest celebrations, news, and updates from across the district: www.facebook.com/MASDwildcats.
Shepherdstown Elementary School
Email: shepoffice@mbgsd.org
Website: https://shepherdstown.mbgsd.org/
Location: 1849 South York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Phone: 717-691-4589