Shepherd’s 18th Annual Spring Gala and Auction is only 3 short weeks away! If you have a child that attends Shepherd Elementary, consider checking some items off the list below…

• Help your room parents and homeroom teacher with a class art project for the auction. Class contributions are some of our most popular items!
• Buy tickets to attend the event. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are scheduled to close March 24th
• Talk to fellow parents and friends to encourage them to attend and bid
• When the auction site opens, bid on items that will raise funds for Shepherd.  We have some amazing items like:
  • A message to your child on the Shepherd Elementary marquee
  • A private tour of Denizen's Brewery
  • Entrance tickets to Six Flags
  • A $1000 gift certificate for orthodontics and much more!
• Purchase an angel ticket so a beloved teacher can attend for free. If you can't contribute to a full ticket, partial tickets are now available.
• Contribute as a class/grade to a themed basket for the auction - Donations can be submitted here.  
• Ask a local business that you frequent to donate an item or sponsor the event
• Volunteer for small event-support activities.  We specifically need help with copy writers, donated item pickups, and data entry with the auction site. Even just devoting 1 hour/week would help tremendously!

We hope you can check at least a few boxes, and please reach out to the Gala Committee if you have any questions or would like to volunteer!

Attention Shepherd ES Families! DCPS has launched the 2023 Panorama Survey, which measures social emotional learning, satisfaction, and engagement across staff, families, and students. Share your perspective by completing the survey: bit.ly/dcpsfamily. The survey will close March 31st.   

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.   

• The Crisis in American Girlhood - Important Must-Read for ALL Parents from The Washington Post- 
• A Guide for Mindful Living
• How You Feel About Your Job Affects How You Parent Your Kids 
• 5 Graceful Ways to Live a Mindful 2023

• Life Advice That Will Make You A Better Man In 2023

• 2023 Mental Health Awareness Events Calendar

• 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Health

• Spring Cleaning and Fine Tuning your Mental & Emotional Space

• Harvard Men's Health Watch

• It's Time to Spring Clean Your Spirit

"Coffee & Conversations with Principal Russell" for 4th Grade families will be held on Tuesday March 14th at 8:45 am.  It's a great opportunity to chat with Principal Russell and get to know other 4th Grade families. We hope you can make it.

Please mark your calendars!  The February PTO Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 15th.  

This will be a virtual-only event and will begin at 5:30 pm.

You can join us virtually here Or dial: ‪(US) +1 417-448-6041‬ PIN: ‪833 208 511‬#

The March All School Morning Meeting will be held Friday, March 31st at 9:00 am. It will be hosted by Kindergarten and the meeting will be a celebration of International Women’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Earth Day and will feature the IB Learner Profile Attribute of the month: Thinker and Approaches to Learning: Research Skills. You can connect virtually to the event here.  

Please save the date for Shepherd's Spring Musical: Aladdin Jr! Performances will be held on March 30th and 31st at 6:00 pm. Ticket information will be released shortly.  All ticket sales will proceed Shepherd Elementary’s curriculum and music/drama programs so that we can continue producing these incredible creative performances.  

The Box Tops for Education app is a quick and easy way to give back to Shepherd.  Simply follow these steps:

• Download the "Box Tops for Education" App

• Create an Account

• Search for "Shepherd Elementary" under "Find a School."  Then select the Shepherd school associated with 7800 14th Street NW.

• Scan paper receipts into the app within 14 days of purchase. The app will automatically recognize Box Top Products

• Sit back and watch Shepherd's earnings grow!

Congratulations to Ms. Montgomery as our February TAP winner!

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)