Originally delivered on 2/14/2024 3:03 pm

SUBJECT: Shepherd PTO Bulletin - 02/14/2024

Shepherd PTO Bulletin - February 14, 2024

Happy Valentine's Day!

In this week's PTO Bulletin...

- Star Achievers (SESSA) Open for No School Day

- Upcoming Events

February LSAT & PTO Meetings

- IB Corner

- Dr. Brown's Corner

- Giving Back Opportunities

Online Gear Storefront
Teacher Appreciation Program (TAP)
180 Fund

- Community Offering

- Other Upcoming Important Dates

February 16th - Professional Day, No School (SESSA No School Day Available)
February 19th - President's Day, No School

Star Achievers (SESSA) Open for No School Day

This Friday, February 16th, is a No School Day for DCPS. If you are looking for child care services, Star Achievers (SESSA) is accepting registrations. Conveniently located at Shepherd Elementary, the program offers both day (9:00 am - 3:00 pm) and extended-day options (9:00 am - 6:00 pm). SESSA will also offer No School Day services on March 14th and April 5th.

To register your child for any of the above No School Day, please visit the link here and scroll down to the Programs section.

Upcoming Events

February LSAT and PTO Meetings

Please mark your calendars. The February LSAT will be held Wednesday, February 21st at 4:00 pm.

The February PTO Meeting will be held Wednesday, February 21st at 5:30 pm.

IB Corner

ABC7 Features Celebrate Africa Week!

Last week ABC7 highlighted author Ada Ari's showcase of African culture during her recent assembly at Shepherd Elementary. To see and learn more about the special event, please visit the WJLA website here.

IB Excellence Award Application

The 2024 IB Mid-Atlantic Student Excellence Award application is now open!

Details:

This award seeks to recognize outstanding PYP, MYP, CP, and DP students from our member schools who represent the ideals of the IB Learner Profile and who have displayed a commitment to service.
The award is $500 for at least one student in a PYP or MYP Programme, and $1,000 for at least one student in a DP or CP Programme.
To apply, students must fill out the application on Survey Monkey:

Application portfolios are due by MARCH 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. No late applications will be considered.

School-wide Action Project

As a school community, we are reading Water Stories from Around the World by Radhika Menon. This collection of stories delights because of its diversity. Each story is attractively illustrated, and will appeal to young readers. The stories show why achieving SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation matters, and that it matters to everyone everywhere.

Deal Feeder Chat

Alice Deal MS is hosting a feeder school chat for current 5^th graders and their families. During this brief virtual event, families will learn all about Alice Deal, the transition to middle school, and get questions answered by current Alice Deal students. Ms. Mack and the Deal IB Coordinator will also be speaking very briefly about the transition from PYP to MYP during the chat. Log on below to join us!

Shepherd - February 21 at 6:30 pm:bit.ly/SHEPHERD21

February's IB Learner Profile and Approach to Learning

IB Learner Profile Attribute: Principled

We act with integrity and honesty. We have a strong sense of fairness and justice and respect others. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Approach to Learning: Self-Management

This includes organization skills and states of mind.

Dr. Brown's Corner

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.

HIGHLY Recommended Films for February and Beyond for ALL
For Our Mustangs
- Kids & Family Podcasts with Black Hosts and Black Lead Characters
From Oprah Daily
Ted Talks
- Unconditional Self-Love: A New Family Paradigm
- The Power of the Black Woman's Self Love Journey
On Self-Love for Men
- The Ultimate Guide to Practicing Self-Love for Men

Giving Back Opportunities

Online Gear Store

Our Shepherd Elementary gear storefront is now available for orders under "Giving Back to Shepherd" on the Shepherd website. After you've completed your purchase, gear will be delivered directly to your child's classroom within 7 business days. The PTO will still host in-person events throughout the year, but the gear store will provide a convenient alternative to those sales.

Please note, if you select gear and it cannot be added to the bag, it is likely sold out.

Teacher Appreciation Program (TAP)

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.

Shepherd 180 Fund Appeal And Bonus Incentive!

Help the Shepherd PTO fund lots of great events, initiatives, and extra curricular efforts at Shepherd this year by donating to the 180 Fund.

It's called the 180 Fund because there are 180 instructional days in the school year and your donation of a dollar a day per student helps the PTO support sending students on offsite field trips, funding teacher educational wish lists, putting on school plays and concerts, updating outdoor playground equipment, funding additional academic supports, and hosting school-wide events! This budget really helps us give our students even more unique, meaningful and enriching opportunities each year.

Any contribution is always much appreciated. And as a reminder, your contribution is 100% tax deductible. Thanks for your support!

Thank you to our 180 Families!!

McIntosh Family

Daly Family

Neal Family

Ma-Holdridge Family

Batler-Landau Family

Archer Family

Riley-Keck Family

Krill Family

Tivol-Kaufmann Family

Howard Family

Coble Family

Kunce Family

Faulman-Coffey Family

Arellano Family

Walejko-Markham Family

Boykin Family

Kane Family

Snyder-Johnson Family

McNeill Family

Marchand Family

Raglani Family

Romine Family

Fagen Family

Kasargod-Staub Family

Zettle-Kreisberg Family

Mainor Family

Marnon Family

Kim Family

Gilberg-Prince Family

DeAngelo Family

Hatcher Family

Jabaily-Messing Family

Hoehn Family

Humphries Family

Jackson Family

Bassin-Reimer Family

Head Family

Bowie Family

Warkentien-Moncton Family

Ross-White Family

Boyd Family

Roberts Family

Hechter Family

Miller Family

White Family

Toussaint Family

Ju Family

Jones Family

Monninger Family

Lewis Family

Mayorga Family

Britton Family

Pau Family

Garn Family

Cooper Family

Mokodean Family

Frias Family

Maser Family

Prabhu-McDonald Family

Fessler Family

Goodman Family

Rijmen Family

Scott Family

Molseed-Foley Family

Reddy Family

Nguyen-Stevens Family

Masters Family

Beridon Family

Vaagen Family

Queen Family

Youssef Family

Markand Family

Henry-Meme Family

Kominakos Family

Godwin Family

Hauge Family

Upcoming Events

Professional Day, No School

President's Day, No School

February LSAT Meeting

February PTO Meeting

February Strong Start Assembly

Celebration of Black History Month (1st - 5th Grades)

Dates

Friday, February 16th

Monday, February 19th

Wednesday, February 21st

Friday, February 23rd

Thursday, February 29th

Follow Shepherd PTO on FB and Insta

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