Mark your calendars! The November LSAT meeting will be held November 20 at 4:00 PM and the November PTO meeting will be held November 20 at 5:30 PM. More information to come! 

Can you believe we’re approaching the end of 2024? These first few months at Shepherd have truly flown by. As we look forward to the year ahead, I wanted to put some social-emotional small groups that the mental health team will be offering on your radar.  

“Weathering the Storm” Resiliency Skills Group with Ms. Caldwell 

• Ages: 2nd – 4th grade 
• This 8-week group is designed for students who are experiencing or have experienced major family/life changes such as: divorce/separation, foster care, loss of a family member, re-marriage/blended families, incarceration, deployment, deportation, illness, moving, or being new at school. This group is also a good fit for students who may need some extra support in learning how to deal with change! 
• Interested? Fill out the Interest Form Here

Unstuck and On Target with Mr. Bardach 

This group curriculum is a great fit for students who may struggle with executive functioning, behavioral regulation, and problem-solving. More information about Unstuck and On Target coming soon! 

SuperFlex with Mr. Bardach 

Students in this group will learn flexible thinking strategies to help manage daily struggles and meet their goals. More information about SuperFlex coming soon! 

Preparing for Middle School with Mr. Bardach and Ms. Caldwell 

• Ages: 5th grade 
• This group will be offered separately for 5th grade boys and girls in Spring 2025 to help our Shepherd “seniors” feel prepared and confident in their upcoming transition to middle school! 

Other Mental Health Support Available at Shepherd 

Open office hours for 4th and 5th grade students with Ms. Caldwell began last week. Students have the opportunity to sign up for a 20-minute slot during their lunch or recess periods if they choose. This is a great opportunity for students who may need a listening ear or space to discuss feelings.  

Tier III Mental Health Services with Ms. Caldwell, School-Based Therapist 

Referrals for mental health services may come from teachers, staff members, family members, and the mental health team.  

Interested in weekly or biweekly therapy for your student? Fill out the referral form here.

Please note, that individual services with Ms. Caldwell are fee-for-service or Medicaid-based insurance only. To learn more about Paving the Way and our financial options, please call our main office at 202-724-7666.  

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by showing our appreciation for the incredible teachers and staff at our school? We are thrilled to announce the Shepherd PTO is hosting the Staff Holiday Party and we need your help to make it a success! We are seeking donations of gift cards and goods that can be raffled off during the holiday party. Your contributions will not only bring joy to our dedicated staff but also help create a festive atmosphere filled with gratitude and cheer. Got something to donate? Please reply directly to this email. 

Help the Shepherd PTO fund lots of great events, initiatives, and extra circular efforts at Shepherd this year by donating to the 180 Fund. 

It's called the 180 Fund because there are 180 instructional days in the school year and your donation of a dollar a day per student helps the PTO support sending students on offsite field trips, funding teacher educational wish lists, putting on school plays and concerts, updating outdoor playground equipment, funding additional academic supports, and hosting school-wide events! This budget really helps us give our students even more unique, meaningful and enriching opportunities each year.

Any contribution is always much appreciated. And as a reminder, your contribution is 100% tax deductible. Thanks for your support!