Like many public schools, Shepherd relies on its parent community to help bring out the best in our classrooms and community. While many room parent positions have been filled, we still need room parents for the following classrooms: 

• 1st Grade Ms. Saxton
• 2nd Grade Ms. Murali
• 5th grade Ms. Caola
• CES Ms Patel
• CES Mr Smith
• CES Ms. Monaga

If you would like to volunteer as a room parent or in another capacity with the PTO, please complete this volunteer form.   

Any questions can be directed to info@shepherd-elementary.org. Thank you!

Please mark your calendars for the first PTO meeting of the year on Wednesday,September 20th at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held exclusively in-person at the Shepherd Cafeteria. Future meetings will offer virtual options.

Agenda:

• Purpose and Introductions
• Upcoming Events
• Principal Russell Update
• PTO Business
• Committee Chairs and Goals

As part of PTO Business, we will be voting to approve the 2023-2024 budget. Please review the proposed budget in advance here. 

Please mark your calendars for the Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 27th from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. More information to come! 

Slots are going fast! Join Shepherd PTO to raise money for Shepherd and have beautiful family photos ready for your holiday cards and gifts! 

We are partnering once again with the AMAZING Katie Jett Walls for morning and afternoon mini-sessions on October 14th and October 15th. Mini-sessions will be offered at the following dates & times.

• Saturday Morning, October 14th: Blagden Alley in DC (artsy urban setting) 8-11AM
• Saturday Afternoon, October 14th: Rose Garden at Walter Reed (our 2021 location), 3-6PM
• Sunday Morning, October 15th: Dale Drive Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring, 8-11AM

$125 fee will secure a spot, with $50 of the fee applied to any photo package (digital or print) purchased. 

If you are interested in signing up for a sitting fee, please complete the form here. 

Sign-ups will be first come, first served based on paid sitting fee, with families requested to provide timing and location preferences for mini-sessions when registering. 

After completing the form, please proceed to the PayPal site to make the $125 donation.

If you have any questions, please email fundraising@shepherd-elementary.org.

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. This edition focuses on Back to School Resources.

• PBS Kids For Parents - Back to School
• Back to School Dos and Don'ts - Child Mind Institute
• Talking to Kids About Back-to-School Worries - Child Mind Institute
• How to Help Your Child Get Motivated in School - Child Mind Institute
• Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly - Child Mind Institute
• Why Are Kids Different at Home and at School? - Child Mind Institute
• Common Sense Media's Threads App Review
• 80 Multi-cultural Children's Books About School

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_elementary)