Originally delivered on 1/16/2026 5:19 pm

SUBJECT: Shepherd PTO Newsletter - 1/16/26

Shepherd PTO Newsletter - January 16, 2026

We are gearing up for our upcoming Urban Glow Art Show, a special evening where our PreK-5 students’ artwork will be displayed in a fun, glow in the dark gallery, and we would love your help!

Parent Volunteer Opportunities Include:

  • Artwork Setup- put up and label artwork before the show
  • Artwork Takedown- take down and sort artwork after the show 
  • Interactive Art Station Helper- help run a simple art activity table or glow game 
  • Glow Graffiti Wall Helper- help families write positive messages or draw glowing designs on the glow wall
  • Gallery Flow Support- help keep walkways clear and guide traffic through displays
  • Glow Show Photographer – take photos during the event and help post highlights to our Live Photo Wall during the show

If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up using the link below:

Urban Glow Art Show Parent Volunteer Sign Up OR
https://forms.gle/kspFoh7dzYCZFy616


Camping at Cunningham Falls May 15-17

We are looking forward to the Second Annual Shepherd Elementary Camping Trip! We are going to be at Cunningham Falls State Park from May 15-17 (come and go as you please). All families will be responsible for their own food and gear and are welcome to group together to share sites. 

To reserve your spot, visit the Maryland Parks reservation website, select Cunningham Falls State Park and the nights you want between May 15-17. Most sites in the Elderberry and Deer Spring loops have been filled already by Shepherd folks (see spreadsheet of who's where), so you may want to also explore the Bear Branch or Catoctin Creek loops nearby. 

Important! Once you're booked, please fill out this form so we can add you to the site spreadsheet and include you in communications about the weekend! There will be a loose agenda including beach time at the lake, bonfires, hikes, and other group activities. 

Thank you to our 180 Donors!

Ajose Family

Ahmed Family

Alinsky Family

Archer Family

Arellano Family

Benedetti Family

Cannon Family

Batler-Landau Family

Bowie Family

Boyd Family

Boykin Family

Bull Family

Howard Family

Browder/Geer/Kotlarewsky Family

Jackson & Weaver Family

Cartmell-Mayorga Family

Castillo-Schreuder Family

Flack family

DeAngelo Family

Potvin Family

Gilberg/Prince Family

Gilbert Family

Godoy Family

Godwin Family

Goodman Family

Han Family

Hauge Family

Henthorne-Zeigler Family

Hoehn Family

Jabaily Messing Family

Bull Family

Ju Family

Kane Family

Snyder Family

Papademetriou & Facini Family

Marks-Fagen Family

Mokodean Family 

Maser Family

Masters Family

Miller Family

Mbeleg-Takacs Family

McNeill Family

Mintz Family

Mintz Family

Raglani Family

Wenstrup Family

Nguyen/Stamper Family

Cooper Family

Nielsen Family

Orlins/Bianchi Family

Potvin Family

Sheynberg Family

Rijmen Family

Riley-Keck Family

Rivers Family

Robinson Family

Ahmed Family

Saha Family

Sarraf-Collier Family

Scott/Palmer Family

Kominakos Family

Krill Family

Hayes Family

Mainor-Etienne Family

Papademetriou & Facini Family

Marks-Fagen Family

Riddick Family

Singh Family

Solomon Family

Maiers Family

Peeler Family

Thomas Family

Van Aelst Family

Toussaint Family

Vaagen Family

Varda-Glover Family

Vigil Family

Wade Family

Walejko / Markham Family

Wenstrup Family

Westley / Zongker Family

Zettle Kreisberg Family

Staying Connected

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 Social

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -