The PTO is thrilled to announce we have secured a location for our 2024 Spring Gala! This 'no-kids' event & auction is Shepherd's largest fundraiser and a fun evening that brings the community together.

• Date: May 18, 2024
• Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
• Location: Jinya @ Walter Reed, 1155 Dahlia St. NW

Tickets are selling out! Please purchase your tickets here.

If you can personally donate items for our auction, just complete our simple online donation form!

More information on how you can support the auction is available in this letter that will be sent out to families in the next couple of weeks. You can also visit our website to learn more about sponsorship levels. 

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here. UPDATE: We have added a volunteer slot to our Sign-up Genius: Photographer! We are hoping there is a talented member of our community might be willing to take a few pictures during the event (the time commitment would be minimal). More information can be found here.

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

We hope you can join us on May 18th! 

The PTO Executive Board and LSAT are critical teams dedicated to an overarching goal of developing a strong and vibrant sense of community at Shepherd. 

Many of the PTO Executive Team members are term limited in their roles and will not be able to be reelected. So we are reaching out to the Shepherd community asking you to consider running for office! Voting for the 2024-2025 school year is scheduled for early May 2024. Please note: Time commitments for each position are only about 2 hours per week. 

Please consider running for the PTO Executive Committee or the LSAT. The positions are:

• Co-President (2)
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Assistant Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Corresponding Secretary
• LSAT Parent Representative (4)

Please reach out to Michelle Toussaint at elections@shepherd-elementary.org to suggest a nomination, ask a question, or express interest in any of the roles.

Please mark your calendars. The April LSAT and PTO Meetings will be held Wednesday April 24th at 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm respectively. More information to come! 

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.   

• Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids
• Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps them Thrive
• 4 Ideas to Encourage Family Reading Time
• Laughing on Purpose, Michael Jr. Comedy Standup
• Ted Talks
  • How to Be a Better Human
  • A Reframing of Masculinity, Rooted in Empathy
  • The Science Behind How Sickness Shapes Your Mood
• Parent Movie Night
  • I Am Not Your Negro
  • A Ballerina's Tale
  • Ava
  • LUV
  • Chicago

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)