Originally delivered on 9/18/2025 3:00 pm

SUBJECT: Shepherd PTO Newsletter - 9/18/25

Shepherd PTO Newsletter - September 18, 2025
IB Corner Dates/Events
  • 9/19 - 5th Grade IB Ambassador Election

  • 9/19 - IB Trip Registration and Chaperone Lottery Deadline

  • 9/30 - Hispanic Heritage Day & IB Assembly

  • International Day, November 19 from 5-6:30 Sign-Up Here by October 30

Email pto@sheoherd-elementary.com if you're interested in volunteering.

From DCPS - Feedback on Afterschool and Summer program

Do the District of Columbia afterschool and summer program options meet your students’ and family’s needs?

If you are a parent/guardian of a school-aged child or youth (K-12th Grade) living in the District of Columbia, we want to hear from you! The D.C. Deputy Mayor for Education’s Out of School Time Office would like to understand your needs, interests, and any barriers to your child's participation in afterschool and/or summer programming, for the purpose of continuous improvement. Please take a moment to share your anonymous feedback here. 

Donate to the 180 Fund

The 180 Fund was established in 2009 by Shepherd's PTO as an alternative to the traditional "family enrichment fee" that many DCPS schools request from families to help supplement the annual operating budget for the school. With 180 instructional days in the school year, the 180 Fund equates to $1 per school day per student. Each Shepherd family is asked to consider a contribution of $180 per student to the Fund; payments can be made in one lump sum annually, or by monthly installments. Please submit 180 Fund payments directly via this link.

Many employers offer a corporate matching grant program that can match, double, or even triple the amount of your contribution to the 180 Fund. Check this list to see if your employer has a matching gift program, or inquire with your HR Department directly. You will need to provide them with a donation receipt along with our EIN/Tax ID number (47-0879109). Please email our PTO Treasurers to let them know that you have submitted the matching grant with your employer so that they can look out for it.

Staying Connected

Mustang Express

This week's Mustang Express is here.

IB Monthly

Ms. Alvarez's IB Monthly Newsletter is here. 

SES Family Portal

We have a new centralized website for our Shepherd Families. Check it out here.

Shepherd Elementary Groups.io

The Shepherd PTO has a Groups.io that can be used to communicate with the community. To join, please click here.

Shepherd Elementary Calendar

Add the Shepherd Elementary Google calendar to your personal Google account. Need instructions on how to add to your own calendar? Click here.

PTO Meeting Invite

PTO Meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7PM. Access them by using the Zoom link here. Meeting ID: 603 911 4050; Passcode: 061391

Follow Shepherd PTO on FB and Insta

Keep up with the latest updates, events and fun things going on at Shepherd by following our FB page (@ShepherdElemPTO) and Instagram (@shepherd_elementary).

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