Ms. Shamayne Coles is joining the Shepherd Community as Assistant Principal. Ms. Coles is a native Washingtonian, now residing in Southern Maryland and formerly served at Myrtilla Miner Elementary School. With over seventeen years in education, Ms. Coles served as a classroom teacher in DCPS for thirteen years, an Academic Coordinator for one year, and most recently, Math Instructional Coach for five years. Beginning her teaching career in 2005, at Savoy Elementary School in Southeast, Ms. Coles has taught second grade through fifth grade within Wards 5, 7, and 8.

As a student athlete, Ms. Coles received her bachelor’s degree at the University of the District of Columbia in Elementary Education, her master’s degree from Trinity Washington University in Curriculum and Instruction, and she is currently completing her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Higher Education at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Ms. Coles currently serves the Washington, DC community as the Chair of Omicron Phi Zeta Chapter’s nonprofit, The Women of the Dove Foundation.

Please help us welcome Assistant Principal Coles to our community!

We want to extend a warm welcome to all new Shepherd Elementary Families and of course a Welcome Back to those currently in our community!

These Shepherd Bulletins are released weekly during the school year as a way for the PTO community to remain informed on news, correspondence and events.  

Please encourage any new Shepherd Families to register for A to Z connect so they can receive these weekly bulletins and stay connected to the PTO.

It's Back to School season! Principal Russell recently released the list of necessary school supplies by grade for the 2022-2023 school year.  You can access the list through the Shepherd Elementary website or through this hyperlink.

If you cannot access the hyperlink or website, please email communications@shepherd-elementary.org and we can forward a personal copy.  

Please join the community and Principal Russell for Shepherd Beautification Day this Saturday, Aug 20th from 10 am - 4 pm. Beautification Day is an opportunity for families in the school community to come together to celebrate and improve the Shepherd campus.  This year, the community will be focused on exterior gardening and interior painting & patching.  If you specialize in any of these areas, we would welcome your involvement! Please bring any tools you think might help spruce up the school (gardening gloves, rakes, spades, paint brushes, etc). If you plan to purchase any specialized supplies, the PTO can reimburse you. Please reach out to communications@shepherd-elementary.org for more information. 

So that we can have an accurate head-count, please complete this form if you would like to participate.  We appreciate your support! 

This month the Shepherd PTO will be hosting 2 Back-to School Playdates for new and returning students to meet and/or get reacquainted.  We'll meet at the Shepherd Park playground on Jonquil St.  As part of the playdate, the PTO will also coordinate a uniform swap where the community can donate gently-used uniforms and exchange them for a new size.  

Please mark your calendars:

Sunday, August 21st: 2 pm - 4 pm

Sunday, August 28th: 2 pm - 4 pm

Please join Principal Russell for the Shepherd Elementary Open House on August 25th.  Open House hours will be designated by grade:

PreK3 - Kindergarten:  3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

1st - 5th Grades:  4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

With the release of class lists this week, we are looking for volunteers to serve as Room Parents.  Room Parents are critical liaisons between the teacher/school and families.  Responsibilities include sharing class specific information and school events with families; organizing parent help for class activities; helping with fundraisers; and encouraging PTO participation. If you are interested in serving as a room parent, please complete this volunteer form.   

The PTO is looking for parents to serve as Ambassadors for new Shepherd Elementary families.  As an Ambassador, you will be assigned a new incoming Shepherd family or families.  We'll ask that you reach out to them at the beginning of the school year to welcome them and answer any questions.  The time commitment should be less than 1-2 hours.  

If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador, please submit your name and contact information through this volunteer form.  

The school year is quickly approaching and the Shepherd PTO is looking for volunteers to support its annual engagement, advocacy, and fundraising activities!  

Like many public schools, Shepherd relies on its parent community to help bring out the best in our classrooms and community. We recognize that your time is precious and there are a variety of ways to help from your office, on weekends, or during the school day.  For the 2022-2023 school year, we especially need 

• PTO Committee Chairs/Volunteers
• Event Coordinators
• Recurring Activities Leads. 

If you have time and/or special skills that you would be willing to donate, please complete this volunteer form.   

Any questions can be directed to communications@shepherd-elementary.org. 

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