"Coffee & Conversations with Principal Russell" for 2nd Grade families will be held on Tuesday, January 17th at 8:45 am.  It's a great opportunity to chat with Principal Russell and get to know other 2nd Grade families. We hope you can make it.

Our January PTO Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 18th.  We will hold an in-person session at 5:30 pm in the Shepherd Cafeteria.  

We will also offer a virtual option as well.  Please connect via this meeting link or dial: ‪(US) +1 234-759-0374‬ PIN: ‪579 099 938‬# 

The agenda will include:

• Upcoming Events
• January TAP Nomination
• Update from Principal Russell
• Meet our new Social Worker, David Bardach
• Update from Star Achievers (SESSA)
• Treasurer's Report Update
• Committee Updates

Please join us for the January All School Morning Meeting hosted by 1st grade on Friday, January 27th.  The agenda will focus on a Celebration of Africa, Kindness Week, the IB Learner Profile Attribute of the month: Balanced, and Approaches to Learning: Self-Management. You can virtually access the morning meeting here.  

Each month, the Bulletin will feature parent resources courtesy of Dr. Persephone Brown, our wonderful School Psychologist.  These resources provide tips to help with your physical, social and emotional well-being.  Take a few moments to read or listen to some of these pieces and know we're here for you and your students.    

• Your Mental Health for 2023
  • The Greatest Mental Health Habits We’re Taking Into 2023
  • 8 Big Wellbeing Trends For 2023 Revealed 
  • 15 Best Mental Health Apps To Help Wellbeing
  • Michelle Obama talks parenting, partnership and turning your rage into change 
  • Moving Upstream: Confronting Racism to Open Up Children’s Potential
  • How Racism Can Affect Child Development
  • Creating New Family Traditions for the New Year
  • Resolve to Be Present for the Children in Your Lives
  • The Importance of Maintaining Consistency Between Home & School
• Self-Care and Mental Health for Your Mustangs
  • 11 Simple Self-Care Habits for Kids
  • A Care Plan for Honest History and Difficult Conversations
• More Resources
  • 32 Black Mermaid Books for Children & Teenagers 

The Shepherd PTO has two exciting projects underway to improve our facilities. First, we would like to give back to the teachers & staff who give so selflessly to our children every day. The current teacher and staff lounge is in need of renovation. We have big plans to make it an inviting space where teachers can consult, socialize, and recharge. Thank you to all families who very generously donated to this effort! We would like to start with a fresh coat of paint. 

The makerspace is a collaborative space next to the library which is used for making, learning, exploring and sharing. This room helps bring our IB curriculum to life, and similarly, it could use a refresh. 

What: We need parents to help prep, paint, and clean up. 

When: Wednesday, February 1 through Sunday, February 5.  Do you have a few hours after school/work? Or have availability over the weekend? Any time you can give to this group effort will go a long way. 

If available to volunteer, please email amy.zettle@gmail.com and let her know when you have some time to help, and she'll provide you with the details.

The Facilities Improvement Committee is looking to move forward with preparing for its support to Shepherd's Outdoor Learning space.  Help is needed from our PTO community!  One of the recommended learning spaces are moveable seats cut from a large tree trunk. We have a fallen tree identified on a family's property, but are looking for an experienced parent with a chainsaw to help us turn a downed tree into a classroom experience.  If you can assist, please email info@shepherd-elementary.org.

Congratulations to Ms. Brenda Brown and Mr. Max Chamovitz as our December TAP winners!

The Teacher Appreciation Program, or TAP, gives parents an opportunity to recognize a teacher at Shepherd for their great work and dedication. TAP invites parents to write a letter of appreciation recognizing a teacher who has been especially helpful or admirable in the classroom. 

Once a month, a special teacher will be selected from the nominations to receive a Wishlist fund bonus.  The recognition letters will also be shared with the selected teacher and school community.

TAP a teacher today by submitting a nomination here.

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