M u s t a n g  N e w s l e t t e r
        
Fifth graders presented their projects on Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
In This Issue
Dates to Remember
Friday, 12/11:
International Festival
5:30 - 7:00 PM

Tuesday, 12/15:
Holiday Concert
6:00 PM

Wednesday, 12/16:
Winter Dance, 3:30 - 6:00 
Shepherd PTA Meeting,
6:00 PM
Don't Forget!




Any items left in the lost and found will be donated to a  local charity on the last Friday of the month.


Shop for Shepherd!

Did you know that many local stores like Giant and Safeway will donate a percentage of your purchases to Shepherd?

Visit the PTA website to find out how:   Shop for Shepherd!



IB Learner Profile

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Dress Code

Shepherd Elementary is a uniform school. The uniform consists of a white top and navy blue bottoms. All students are expected to adhere to the uniform policy.

Spirit Day

Every Friday is Spirit Day! Everyone is encouraged to show their Mustang Pride by wearing the school colors, gold and green along with any other Shepherd apparel.

Star Achievers
Greetings Star Achievers Families!

As many of you know, I 
am retiring from Star Achievers after three years  with the Before and  Aftercare Program. 
 
I have enjoyed building 
the program,  especially working with all of the parents, students and 
staff in the Shepherd Community.  

The process f or selecting a  replacement has begun,  and I will remain with the Program until the new administration is settled in.

If you or anyone you know
is interested in leading 
Star Achievers, please see the position descriptions 
for Operations Manager 
and Program Director at idealist.org.  Or, contact 

Thanks for your help in taking Star Achievers to the next level - 
 
Claire Riley
Program Director

December 7, 2015 
 
A Message from Principal Brawley
Dear Shepherd Community,

December is a festive time of year and we are fortunate to have many activities planned in addition to our rich instructional day. 

We hope that you will be able to join us! 

Sincerely, 

Jade L. Brawley
Principal

 
Hour of Code 
To celebrate National Computer Science Education Week (December 7-13, 2015), twenty-four Shepherd students will participate in an Hour of Code with scientists from NOAA.



Inclusive Schools Week Kick-Off Panel (12/7)
As a kick-off to Inclusive Schools Week (Dec 7-12), there will be a moderated discussion at McKinley HS from 4:30-6:00 PM on Monday December 7 th with DCPS Parents, Teachers, School Leaders, and Alum regarding their barriers and successes in  building a culture of inclusion. This panel, titled "Overcoming Challenges to Build a Culture of Inclusion," is open to parents, educators, and community members. For questions, please contact [email protected].


DCPS EdFest
My School DC is excited to bring to bring EdFest 2015, DC's only citywide public school fair! Representatives from more than 180 DC public and charter schools will showcase their programs. With the launch of the My School DC common lottery application on December 14th for the 2016-17 school year, EdFest is the perfect opportunity to ask questions about schools and their related services and programs. EdFest will also have many free services and recreational activities for all so bring the whole family!
Save the date!
Saturday, December 12, 2015
11am-3pm
DC Armory 2001 E. Capitol St., SE
www.myschooldc.org
International Baccalaureate PYP Update
Did You Know?  
Friday December 11th is the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's Birthday. UNICEF was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries devastated by World War II. Today, UNICEF is located in New York City providing long-term charitable assistance to mothers and children living in developing countries. 

 
Learner Profile
This month, the Learner Profile trait is Open-minded. An open-minded person is someone who understands and appreciates their own cultures and personal histories. They are open to perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.  They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.


Cheerleader Tryouts

Cheerleading Tryouts!!!

Who: Girls in grades 1-5

When: December 8 and 9 (Cheerleader Clinics)
December 18th (Cheerleader Tryouts) 

Where: Shepherd Multi-Purpose Room

Time: 5:45-6:45 (Clinics) and 3:30 (Tryouts)

Sponsors: Coach Arrington and Coach Hamer

Shepherd Elementary International Festival

Shepherd families are invited to participate in the annual International Festival on Friday, December 11th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the School Auditorium.

Share your family's heritage with our school community, including country displays, food sampling, special performances, and a fashion 
show.

   

Shepherd Holiday Concert
Mark your calendars for the 
 annual Shepherd Holiday Concert!

Tuesday, December 15th
6:00 PM
School Auditorium

 All students (preK3 - 5th grade) 
 are encouraged to participate.

Dress code: Red, green, silver, 
 blue, white, or gold
  
SY15-16 Basketball Season

Girls practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00.

Boys practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00.

Look out for the complete schedule from Coach Walcott.

  
Letters About Literature 2015 Contest
Letters About Literature is a reading and writing contest put on each year by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. This contest is for students in grades 4-12. 

Students read a book, poem or speech and write to that author (living or dead) about how the piece affected them personally. Letters are judged on state and national levels. Please consider talking with your child to see if he/she is interested in participating. 

If your child chooses to write a letter to an author, you may mail their entry individually or drop it off to Ms. Tiffany in the library by Friday, January 8, 2016. Guidelines and the entry form can be found  here . Please feel free to contact Ms. Tiffany at  [email protected]  or stop by the library after school until 3:30 p.m. if you have any questions about the contest.
A Message from the PTA
Please mark your calendars:

Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and the Department of General Services will host a Community Meeting on Wednesday December 16th @ 6:00 PM to discuss the status of the construction project at Shepherd and address parent concerns.  

The Shepherd PTA has provided a list of questions/concerns based on discussions at our PTA meetings in October and November.

Please note that the Community Meeting will start at 6:00 PM (not our regular 6:30 PM PTA meeting time).  We will hold a brief PTA meeting following the Community Meeting.


 

Shepherd Elementary | (202) 576-6140 | [email protected] 
  http://www.shepherd-elementary.org/
7800 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20012