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February:
Dates to Remember
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President's Day
No School for Students
PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm
- Parent Academy, 8:15 am
- Open House for Perspective Parents, 9:30 am
- Class Pictures
- Ms. Holt's Wax Museum (Black History Project)
Parent Teacher Conference
African American Class Presentation (Black History Project)
School Assembly - Jackie Robinson
- Mustang Buck Event
- Jazz Night at Shepherd
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Come One . . .
Come All . . .
The Mustang is looking for a few good writers to serve as contributors to the The Student Scoop, a student-written column that will appear in every Mustang.
Keep your schoolmates up to date on what's happening at Shepherd for a student's-eye view!
If you are interested, please send an email to
Subject: Student Writer
We want your voice in the Mustang!
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Mustang:
Content Submissions
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The Mustang is the biweekly newsletter for Shepherd Elementary and community.
We welcome community-relevant submissions of announcements (100-200 words) or articles (300-500 words) to add to the newsletter.
The Mustang is published on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month; please submit items two weeks in advance in order to be included in the next Mustang.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Mustang staff reserves the right to edit announcements and articles for space and content, and to decline submissions of inappropriate subject matter. Advertisements and solicitations are not permitted.
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Stay Connected
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Jazz Night POTLUCK
The 26th Annual Jazz Night is free and open to the Shepherd community; but we ask that each family who attends sign up for at least one "pot luck" food item.
The PTA will provide chicken and beverages and we're asking your help in rounding out the menu.
Please sign-up using the following link:
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Welcome to the Mustang e-Newsletter!
Look for a new publication every 1st and 3rd Monday to stay connected with Shepherd school and community news.
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A Message from Principal Miles
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We Have an Awesome PTA!
For the past few weeks it has been Christmas at Shepherd. Daily packages arrive with items purchased by our PTA from teachers' wish lists. "I am so excited. I received materials today. I immediately opened the first package and will be using the multi-meaning activity book as part of a lesson next week with my fifth graders. Then I opened the other boxes and immediately started thinking of how each and every new item will be used in a lesson and how these items will excite and enhance the skill and interest levels of my students. I am so grateful to have received these materials". Thank you, PTA, for meeting our needs so that we can better serve our students.
Science Fair Time, Again
The Alexander R. Shepherd Primary Science Fair will be held on April 29th and April 30th. Judging will take place on April 30th. All K, 1st and 2nd grade students are encouraged to complete a project for the fair. Parents and students should work collaboratively to complete the project. For example, you may (1) type or help your student type; (2) correct spelling and help with editing; (3) complete the experiments together; and (4) stretch your student's thinking by asking questions and teaching new vocabulary words. Do the work with your student, not for your student. Work should be developmentally appropriate. Students must be able to talk about their projects.
Communication
Shepherd is a busy place and one of the best ways to be an involved parent is to be an informed parent! We are working to improve our communication by expanding our communication channels. This past week you should have received at least two emails. If you did not, please contact Ms. Brooks in the main office. We will continue to send emails twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays). You will also continue to receive phone messages as needed. Our teachers will continue communicating with you via their newsletters, Class Dojo, websites, and Remind.
To receive occasional text messages about school wide events click the following link:
https://www.remind.com/join/shepherdpa
Volunteers/Classroom Visitors
At Shepherd we welcome parents to visit and volunteer in our classrooms. However, we ask that parents be respectful of our teachers and the tremendous job they do.
Here are a few reminders in planning your school visits:
- If you need to speak with the teacher, please schedule an appointment.
- If you have an emergency situation, please allow us to assist you in the main office.
- If you need to deliver something to your student, please leave it in the main office.
- If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, please coordinate a time with the classroom teacher.
- If you would like to sit and observe, please coordinate things with your child's teacher or the main office.
- If you would like to do a "drop-in" visit on your student, please stop by the main office.
We strive to create a welcoming environment. However, it is also imperative that we keep distractions to a minimum so that our students can focus on learning and our teachers can focus on teaching.
Science Fair Winners!
Our intermediate science fair was a success. The judges continue to be impressed with our students. We extend a special thank you to Salim Abddeen, NOAA representative; Ms. George, the Science Fair Chair; and all of our NOAA partners for helping make our fair a success.
The winners are:
5th Grade
1st Place - Fahari Dominique - Burning Bio Fuels
2nd Place - Iesha Thomas - The Safest Soda Pop
3rd Place - Amanda Glover - Which Gum Lasts Longer?
4th Grade
1st Place - Stephen Levine - Unfrozen
2nd Place - Kalkidan Kebede - Keep Your Cool
3rd Place - Savannah Alexander - Potato Power
3rd Grade
1st Place - Gus Wells - Tall Towers
2nd Place - Kayla Bethea - Soapy Time
3rd Place - Preston Underwood - Color and Heat
Follow Us On Twitter
@ShepherdDCPS
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Getting Ready for All That Jazz!
Submitted by:
Dr. Michael B. Wallace, Founder & Artistic Coordinator
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 Did you know that the U.S. Congress passed a law (House Resolution 57) in 1987 that recognizes "jazz as a rare and valuable national treasure"? HR-57 was introduced by House Representative John Conyers of Michigan, who now has introduced another related and historic bill, The National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2014 (H.R. 4280). This legislation will establish a National Jazz Preservation Program at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. This program seeks to create oral and video histories of leading jazz artists; acquire, preserve and interpret artifacts; conduct exhibitions and other educational activities that will enable generations of Americans to learn about and enjoy jazz; and provide for performances by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra that interpret the history of jazz.
It has been said that jazz is "America's greatest gift to the world." That gift is one reason why we have participated in and enjoyed 25 years of the Annual Shepherd Jazz Night, sponsored by your PTA! This event, which has featured many great musicians over the years, some of whom are nationally and internationally renowned, has always achieved its goals to promote the jazz art form; to provide historical awareness and knowledge; to supplement the school's music instruction; and, very importantly, to provide an opportunity for families and the Shepherd School community to enjoy time together. Our parent volunteers always make sure of that!
Shepherd Jazz Night will be held this year on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. It includes a pot-luck dinner, a video presentation, live up-close jazz music by outstanding artists, creative activities, dancing, a special tribute to New Orleans, and fine company! In the coming weeks, your student(s) will bring home several flyers that highlight jazz greats. Parents are encouraged to read these bio sketches with their children, or have them read to you, in order to discuss them as a family. We should prepare our young people to have a great time at the jazz fest by being well-informed. Please remind everyone to bring their best listening skills and not playground skills for the evening. We surely look forward to seeing you there!
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Greetings!
Our awards assembly took place on Friday, February 6th and many students were recognized for their hard work. We recognized students for their achievements in Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Perfect Attendance and IB Learner Profile Traits. We also recognized the Terrific Kids from each class in Pre School to Third Grade and the students that Brought up [their] Grades (BUGS) in Fourth and Fifth Grade recognized. Recognition was also given to the top three Science Fair Winners from Third, Fourth and Fifth grade (see student recognitions in Principal Miles' column).
Congratulations to all award recipients!
Math (Most Improved):
Daniel Messing, Kendal Lacey, Isabella Gonzalez, Kenia Grigsby, Adrian Lynch, Kallay Secka, Ellington Lusane, Audrey Kain, Musiq Bryant, Alexander Anagnostopoulos, Imani Akers, Ana Zepeda Castillo, Kadar Muir, Christopher Castillo-Zepeda, Eden Sileshi, Malchiah Marable, Sean Reece, Romy Herisse, Roman Carter, Marcus Blunt, and David Okechukwu
Reading (Most Improved):
Hannah McDuffie, Daniel Levine, Chris-Wise Bedtad, Ruth Alemu, Isabella Lambert, Jalen Wallace, Brandon McIntyre, Danarielle Charles, Jean-Vieve Joyeux, Micah Lewis, Demetrius Pringle, Layla Denning, Nabi Yemane, Andrea Bolanos, Miles Johnson Dean, Marley David, Madison Watkins, Emma Laudadio, Bianca Popa, Jamillya Henry, Gabrielle Brown, and Nana Sissoko
Science:
Samantha Harrison, Amina Medati, Derek Marcus, Coruan Nunn, Sydney Mabry, Alexandre Ritter, Kayla Bethea, Gus Wells, Dai'Ahmir Morgan-Fleming, Radha Tanner, Jean-Pierre Roberts, and Kayla Muir
Social Studies:
Louis Elliott, Yao Boateng, Jacob Matthews, Samuel Wells, Alison Sorto-Reyes, Kellis Webb, Carter Alston, Kaylee Barrett, Michaela Jenkins, Silas Wells, Frances Coulibali, Lena Webb, Anthony Hodo, Carys Nelson, Sofia Jadotte, Savannah Alexander, Victoria Newson, and Benjamin White
IB Thinker:
Kendal Lacey, Nora Eliot, Ellison Doomes, Michael Lewis, Aliyah Francis, Ella Ross, Adrian Hanna, Christian Goletiani, Zora White, Ahmir Thomas, Janith Robertson, Amina Brown, Zorian Hill, Aminata Sissoko, Trinity Adams, Nia Dunham, Kai Smith, Addyson Lynch, Alexander Yemane, Brianna Royall, Claudia Goletiani, Khari Wilson, Nicholas Anagnostopoulos, Truth Woods, Dina Johannes, Romy Herisse, Renata Mills, Nacala William, Deborah Okechukwu, Kayla Muir, and Shaina Adams
IB Open-minded:
Daniel Messing, Emerie Hines, Samuel Wells, Dalia Bolanos, Chris-Wise Bedtad, Nahema Konate, Sala Queen, Kaylee Barrett, Kellis Webb, Emil Hanna, Miles Gross,Cifani Dakka,Imani Akers,Elijah Retamoza,Panagiotis Alevras,Ruadhan Keller-Mcleer, Adrian Cook,Eden Sileshi,Miles Johnson-Dean,Farrah Richmond,Sarah Rice,Alexander Carter,Kennedy Harrison,Jamillya Henry,Radha Tanner,Cierra Barnette,Zora Pauk,Amanda Glover,Victoria Newson,Carlos Peterson,and Benjamin White
IB Risk Taker:
Nylah Daniels, Nora Eliot, Jacob Matthews, Amani Andrews, Zanyla Hill, Nahema Konate, Freeman Snoddy, Adrian Hanna, Emanda Nessro, Anton Arrington, Chike Lynch-Huria, Michaela Jenkins, Panagiotis Alevras, Sanaa Graham, Adrian Cook, Ruadhan Keller-Mcleer, Autumn Cowsert, Zion Banks, Sharon Chirambo, Sean Reece, Tobias Lindo, Hashim Coward, Rashad Biddle, Radha Tanner, Sean Holmes, Aileen Santacruz, Marcus Blunt, Victoria Newson, David Okechukwu, and Blanca Castro
Terrific Kids or BUGS:
Nora Eliot, Xavier Alexander, Daniel Levine, Chris-Wise Bedtad, Tamiya Snow, Zanyla Hill, Michael Lewis, Zuri Relayo, Amani Andrews, Ahmedsalim Camara, Ellington Lusane, Danarielle Charles, Addison Alston, Jean-Vieve Joyeux, Ivori Jennings, Christian Goletiani, Adrian Hanna, Zorian Hill, Sifan Kabeta, Alexander Anagnostopoulos, Aminata Sissoko, Panagiotis Alevras, Layla Surafel, Elijah Denning, Kai Smith, Andrea Bolanos, Alenandre Ritter, Makhaila Belmar, Raimon Nelson, Yasmina Konate, Jalyn Hall, Alexandria Sutherland, Nyla Mickel, Chyna Hollaway, Kennedy Mack, Aiden Washington, Stephen Levine, Dai'Ahmir Morgan Fleming, Amari Allen, Senay Yemane, Lattera Dakka, Kahlil Slater, Henry Tremble, Miliki Lee, Carlos Peterson, Yonatan Shewangzew, and Marie-Therece Tata
Perfect Attendance:
Daniel Messing, Kaden Brown, Clarence Stovall, Zora White, Brandon McIntyre, Kaylee Barrett, Sala Queen, Amina Brown, Samuel Elliott, Trinity Adams, Love Reynolds-Gordon, Aminata Sissoko, Peyton Wood, Alyson Blackburn, Adrian Cook, Joyce Kao, Raimon Nelson, Alexandre Ritter, Aidon Alston, Kayla Bethea, Jonathan Royall, Joshua Blackburn Lee Bruner, Kennedy Mack, Nyla Mickel, Sean Reece, Sarah Rice, Romy Herisse, Sean Holmes, Stephen Levine, Logan Lewis, Micah Stovall, Grace kao, Fahari Dominique, Deborah Okechukwu, Jay Adams, David Okechukwu, Nana Sissoko, Marie-Therece Tata, and Benjamin White
Trivia Answers (Questions posted in the February 3rd Mustang)
- Who was the first African American woman elected to congress? Shirley A. Chisholm
- Who was the first African Canadian woman elected to Parliament and responsible for getting parliament to recognize African Heritage Month in Canada? Jean Augustine
- Who was the first African Heritage woman to be elected to the House of Commons in the United Kingdom? Diane Abbott
Have a Super Duper week!
Sandra Hart
IB Coordinator
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 Hello Star Achievers Families -
We are closing in on scheduling new art, PE and dramatic activities for the months of March, April, and May. Stay tuned for the details and the new schedule.
For February, we are operating on the fall activity schedule.
Staff Changes -
We have said goodbye to our Kindergarten volunteer Alaysha Riley-Condit and our French/Kindergarten teacher Ms. Abouattier. We hope they return to visit and teach a special class now and then. In addition, Ms. Lester has been out on medical leave. The Kindergarten and other schedules will return to normal in late February.
Upcoming Events -
Sugarfoots participatory storytelling performance, "Sugarfootin' With Sugarfoot: A Yearlong Black History Celebration" is coming to Star Achievers on the following dates:
PS3, Pre K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade:
Friday February 20, 4:00 - 4:50pm in the gymnasium
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade:
Friday February 27, 4:00 - 4:40pm, in the gymnasium
Imagination Stage will also bring their magic to Star Achievers Aftercare in April and May, with dates to be announced later.
Spring is Coming Soon!
Claire Riley
Program Director
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Shepherd's Music Program
Submitted by: Mr. Gonzalez
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Dear Parents:
As the school year progresses, there are always great things happening in music class.
Throughout the year we focus on the nine (9) "National Standards for Music Education":
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
This month as we celebrate Black History Month, we are studying the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, slavery, as well as the symbolism in spirituals and how it affected the music development in America.
Last month we worked on Standards (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9); this month we will continue on the same ones and add standard (8) to the list.
I am very excited about the new music program and hope to have you involved as much as possible. Please feel free to contact me [email protected]
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