Background

In recent weeks, several teachers have reached out to the PTO Board with concerns about the overall school climate and the level of support, visibility, and communication from school administration. Teacher retention is essential to the stability and academic success of our students, and we take these conversations seriously.

At the same time, we want to ensure that school administration receives the support needed to meet the expectations of our community. It is our responsibility to keep families informed about what we are hearing and the steps underway.

Request for Family Feedback

DCPS Central Office leadership, including Chancellor Ferebee, has encouraged the PTO Board to help gather perspectives from families regarding their experiences with Shepherd’s school leadership.

All feedback — positive or constructive — is welcome. Families who wish to share their experiences directly with DCPS may email stephanie.arias@k12.dc.gov and cc pto@shepherd-elementary.org. 

What’s Next

The PTO will invite DCPS to attend our next PTO Meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, so that parent questions can be shared through the appropriate channels.

Families should also be aware that some parents are organizing advocacy efforts independently. More information may be shared by those families as those efforts develop.

Actions Taken to Date

The PTO Board has taken the following steps in response to teacher concerns:

• Shared feedback directly with school administration

• Communicated with DCPS leadership to ensure they are aware of staff feedback

• Inquired with DCPS about the status of the annual Insight Survey, which measures staff experience, leadership effectiveness, school culture, and areas for improvement

• Confirmed that DCPS will meet directly with teachers to hear their concerns

Our Commitment

The PTO Board remains committed to supporting the entire Shepherd community in service of our students and ensuring Shepherd continues to be the strong, caring school we all value.

If you have questions, please contact the PTO Board at pto@shepherd-elementary.org.

When unexpected hardship impacts our staff and teachers, families often want to help in ways that allow educators to feel supported and remain present for students. We’re pleased to announce that the Shepherd Elementary PTO has established a Staff Hardship Fund, supported exclusively through designated donations, to provide limited, need-based assistance to staff facing temporary financial challenges due to emergencies or unforeseen events. While this fund was created in response to recent incidents affecting multiple staff members, we hope to carry this practice forward to support future needs of the staff we care so deeply about.

This fund is separate from the PTO’s general operating budget and will be used only for its stated purpose. Families who wish to contribute may donate one-time or on a recurring basis using the PTO donation link; at checkout, please be sure to select “Staff Hardship Fund” (rather than General Budget) so your gift is directed appropriately. Thank you for helping support the people who care for and support our students every day. More information will be shared at the PTO meeting on 2/18.

We are so excited for our 2nd Friendship Ball this February. Help make the Friendship Dance a success! We need some volunteers:

• We need 1 more volunteers to help with concessions for each of the grade bands. 

Sign up to volunteer here. 

Thank you to the entire Shepherd community: our PTO, room parents, families, and students for showing up and helping bring the Urban Glow Art Show to life. I’m so proud of our students’ amazing glow artwork and grateful to our IB Ambassadors for leading and supporting with pride, along with every parent who volunteered their time to make everything come together. Your help truly made a difference! Your generosity and presence at events like this continue to strengthen the program experience we’re building for our students.

Special Acknowledgements:

Stephanie Bingham 

Catherine Godwin 

Peggy McCloskey 

Lauren Okonkwo 

Guy Riddick

Megan Rose 

Marquisha Thomas 

Brett White

If you have any pictures from Spirit Week or the Urban Glow Art Show, please upload them to this link: https://app.kululu.com/unp4hk .

Prospective families are encouraged to visit Deal for one of our in-person open houses. You will have an opportunity to meet current students and connect with Principal Neal!  Sign-up here. 

February 28 | 10:00 - 12:00PM

March 21 | 10:00 - 12:00PM

April 25 | 10:00 - 12:00PM

May 20 | 5:00 - 6:30 pm

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