Originally delivered on 9/25/2025 4:00 pm

SUBJECT: Shepherd PTO Newsletter - 9/25/25

Shepherd PTO Newsletter - September 25, 2025
IB Corner Dates/Events
  • 9/30 - Hispanic Heritage Day & IB Assembly
  • 3rd and 4th Grade IB Ambassador selection announcements will be on Monday, September 29

For scholars accepted, please mark your calendar for the following two dates:IB Ambassador Bootcamp on Saturday, October 4 from 10:00am-12:00pmIB Ambassador Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 17 from 1:45-2:15pm

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

Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Shepherd Park Weed Wrangle

In celebration of National Public Lands Day, join the Shepherd Park Weed Warriors and fellow community members for an afternoon of planting native trees, shrubs, and other perennials on the slope at Shepherd Field. Each year, our "Weed Wrangle" is a celebration of native plants and pollinators, and a day to get outside and plant! All are invited--bring your family or a friend, and bring gloves and a shovel if you have them. No planting experience needed. Light refreshments will be provided.


Sunday, September 28, from 2:00-5:00 PM at Shepherd Field

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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