M u s t a n g  N e w s l e t t e r
      

In This Issue
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, 12/2:
Shepherd Spring Gala Kick-Off Planning Meeting
6:30 PM

Friday, 12/4:
Professional Development for teachers - No School for students

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
6:30 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

November 30, 2015 
 
A Message from Principal Brawley
Dear Shepherd Community,

As parents, you have the greatest impact on your child's success.

As principal, I have the most significant impact on students' success when I am able to devote a considerable amount of time to observing instruction and providing teachers with actionable feedback that will enhance their practice and increase student achievement.

It is imperative that I prioritize spending even more time in classrooms. Therefore, as of tomorrow, I will begin having office hours on Monday and Friday mornings from 8:00 - 10:00, during which anyone is free to step in and share any feedback, concerns or questions without an appointment. Although I will continue to be available before and after school for in-person meetings and via email and phone, it is my goal to commit as much time as I can to being an instructional leader.

Sincerely, 

Jade L. Brawley
Principal

Thank you! Gracias! Merci!
Our students certainly enjoyed all of the classroom celebrations that have taken place over the past two weeks. Thank you for all of your support.
Loose Change Fundraiser


The annual Shepherd Loose Change Fundraiser concludes this Tuesday, December 1st. Proceeds benefit a family in need for Christmas and support needed changes at our school.  Send in the last pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters on Monday or Tuesday!

Volunteers are needed to help count the loose change.   Loose Change Fundraiser coordinator Leonie Stephenson and PTA Treasurer Allison Boehm will be counting the change this Thursday, December 3rd @ 3:30 PM.  Please contact Allison at boehmal@yahoo.com to volunteer. 

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

 The school music teacher, Mr. Gonzalez, asks that the children dress in festive holiday apparel in colors like red, green, blue, 
 silver, gold, and white.
  
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  christina.tiffany@dc.gov  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
If you are doing any holiday shopping this year, remember to click  here to find ways to support Shepherd.  Don't forget to go to Amazon via the Amazon Smile link on the Shepherd home page so a percentage of your purchases will be donated to Shepherd

Please join us for the Spring Gala planning meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd @ 6:30 PM.  Volunteers are needed for the following committees:
-   Event Planning - food, drinks, decorations, etc.
-   Auction Logistics - auction software, coordination
-   Fundraising - silent auction donations, corporate sponsorship
-   Shepherd History - help put together info about the history of Shepherd ES

Send an email to anne.mcleer@gmail.com to volunteer for a gala committee.  We look forward to seeing you at the kick-off meeting!


 

Shepherd Elementary | (202) 576-6140 | mustangshepherd2@gmail.com 
  http://www.shepherd-elementary.org/
7800 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20012