Tiny Chefs Virtual Baking Class

Taryn Losch-BeridonEvents

THIS SATURDAY (April 24th) at 5pm – Does your family like to watch baking shows? Or do you or your kids like chocolate chip mini cookie cakes with vanilla buttercream frosting? Then join us for a Shepherd school wide virtual family baking class hosted by Tiny Chefs! This event is great for the whole family and proceeds go to Shepherd PTO. You can also purchase “add-ins” including ingredient kits and Shepherd aprons and chef hats like Sofia is modeling below. Get your tickets and ingredients here.  CUTE PIC BELOW FOR ADVERTISING! 🙂

Holiday “Porchtrait” Fundraiser

Taryn Losch-BeridonEvents

With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, we can now plan for some holiday photos and not offend the turkey!  We’re bringing back our holiday photo FUNdraiser with a twist this year! We’re bringing the photog to YOU! Sign up for a 15-min mini session to have pics done of your family or kids on your porch or in your front or backyard.  Be CREATIVE – use props, include your pets (safely!), get on your holiday finest, wear masks, or your favorite sports team gear! Our photographer will be wearing a mask and will stay 6 feet away from all. Please don’t invite any additional people to be in the photos who don’t currently live with you.  Pics will be delivered one week after the sessions. DATE: Saturday, Dec 5th TIME: Sessions will start at 10 am and will be scheduled next week based on location COST: $50 sitting fee donation to Shepherd PTO; digital pics and prints can be purchased from the photographer directly for $20-35 IMPORTANT: In the “Add a Note” section on PayPal, please include the address for your portrait location, as well as your name, email and cell phone. Wishing you all Happy Holidays! Shepherd PTO Executive Board

Lynch Creek Farms Wreath Sale

Taryn Losch-BeridonEvents

As we prepare for the holidays during this most unusual year, we’re hoping to lift spirits and spread cheer! And since we’re all home A LOT MORE, why not have something beautiful to enjoy? We’re excited to be working with Lynch Creek Farms again this year to do online and direct home delivery of holiday wreaths and greens for the season. Their products are VERY lovely and anyone across the country can order items and help support Shepherd PTO.  Every time someone shops for holiday decor through our group’s fundraising page, Shepherd PTO will receive 15% of the purchase! See attached brochure for a sampling of available items. Lynch-Creek-Farms-Brochure.pdf Help us meet our $1000 goal and make purchases online at https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/253742.    Happy holidays from the Shepherd PTO Board

Note from the Chancellor

Taryn Losch-BeridonChancellor Notes

Dear DCPS Community, DC Public Schools has a responsibility to provide every student with an equitable, rigorous, and joyful education — no matter if they are learning at home or learning in school. While we planned to offer in-person learning at the start of Term 2 for select elementary school students, this timeline will need to be adjusted. This means all students in grades PK-12 will now begin Term 2 on Monday, November 9 with learning at home. Please also note that this week’s academic calendar will not shift as previously announced. We apologize for any inconvenience this update may cause. Monday, Nov. 2 — Instructional day Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Election Day; no school for students and teachers Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Instructional day Thursday, Nov. 5 — Instructional day Friday, Nov. 6 — No school for students; 1/2 Records Day and 1/2 Professional Development Day for teachers We commit to supporting our students, families, teachers, and staff in our urgent mission to safely reopen schools. We have heard feedback from many in our community about #ReopenStrong plans, and we will use this moment to adjust our timeline and staffing plans for reopening. We are still taking steps to reopen and will … Read More

Note from the Chancellor

Taryn Losch-BeridonChancellor Notes

Dear DCPS Community, Since the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency, DC Public Schools has remained grounded in the firm belief that to best serve students furthest from opportunity, learning should take place in the classroom with clear safety precautions. This is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we would not present school reopening plans that did not prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families. While our current reopening plans are focused on elementary schools, our health and safety commitments apply to anyone who may return to the classroom. We cannot reopen our schools without our educators. DCPS has engaged in more than 100 hours of discussions with the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) around reopening plans, including health and safety matters. We will continue to act in good faith with everyone, including the WTU, to ensure students are able to access high-quality instruction and the resources they need and deserve. Earlier today, I joined Mayor Bowser to detail how DCPS will implement all health and safety precautions for school reopening outlined by DC Health, as well as additional safeguards recommended by our union partners. You can review our full presentation here (begins on … Read More

Note from the Chancellor

Taryn Losch-BeridonChancellor Notes

Dear DCPS Families, It brings me joy to welcome you to a new school year at DC Public Schools! The start to every school year presents new opportunities and challenges, and we are grateful to our entire school community for your patience as we adjust to all-virtual instruction this fall. I am excited by what is happening this week across the DCPS community: Students are receiving warm greetings from our educators — including some in song and virtual recess!Schools are having office hours and setting up “genius bars” to support online learning.Families are navigating new routines with grace and excitement.Our greater community continues to advocate for our students and families.This week, our teachers launched virtual classrooms across the district, powered by nearly 10,700 Canvas Course Companions using the DCPS curriculum. Our K-12 students are logging online each day to meet with teachers, participate in live lessons, or access learning materials. Tech Tips for Learning at Home We want to make sure every student can use their technology device to learn at home. Follow this link for easy-to-follow directions about how to “Log On, Get Ready, and Go!” From using a new computer to becoming familiar with Canvas, we recognize families … Read More

Virtual Open Houses Cancelled for August 27th

Taryn Losch-BeridonAnnouncements

Due to updates in Aspen in prep for school starting on Monday, DCPS students can log in to Canvas, but they will not be able to link to a classroom by the time we’d scheduled open houses this afternoon. We are cancelling our open houses this afternoon for that reason. Our apologies for the late notice, and we will see everyone on Monday morning!

Shepherd Family Demonstration

Taryn Losch-BeridonAnnouncements

Hello Shepherd family and friends, Attached is the flyer for this Thursday’s Shepherd Family Demonstration. Please meet at the school at 5 pm this Thursday, June 18. Feel free to walk, ride or stand outside in solidarity with us. The route is on the attached flyer. Thanks for your support! Dr. Hedlund, Shepherd Staff, and the PTA Shepherd_Family_Demonstration.pdf

Note from the Chancellor

Taryn Losch-BeridonChancellor Notes

Dear DCPS Students and Families, DC Public Schools (DCPS) stands with our community in grieving the recent tragic deaths of George Floyd, a Black man in Minnesota, and Tony McDade, a Black Trans man in Florida. I share in the hurt, confusion, and anger about what is happening in the District and around the nation. Our community will not tolerate any actions or policies that sanction or perpetuate racism and racial violence. Now more than ever, we must turn attention to our ray of hope, our children. DCPS and the District will continue to support our young people by having courageous conversations with them around race to cultivate a brighter future. As a support to our families who are grappling with extremely difficult events and engaging in complex, challenging conversations, DCPS is providing access to anti-racism resources for you and your family. As our community navigates this moment together, I encourage you to take time to reflect, listen, and engage with one another. Event: Talking about race with your child As a part of our DCPS Parent University series, we are offering a free online workshop, “Talking about Race with Your Child” this Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. You … Read More

Hello? Can you hear me?

Taryn Losch-BeridonEvents

Oh, I must be on mute… Ok, enough of the pandemic humor…let’s get down to business. 30 mins until the Online Auction starts! The Auction is the PTA’s BIGGEST fundraiser for the year and helps us make sure the PTA has sufficient resources to cover many gaps in the DCPS school budget like: – Providing additional supplies for the classrooms and teachers – Covering a field trip for every grade level and additional professional development for teachers and staff – Sponsoring in-school performances and community events like Jazz Night, School Beautification Day, Fall Fest and Movie Nights – Celebrating and appreciating our teachers and staff! REGISTER HERE or download the Handbid app to bid and donate to help us focus our efforts on recess equipment and materials for the 2020-2021 school year.  And a HUGE thanks to our Auction sponsors – Sibley Memorial Hospital, Ledo Pizza and Chevy Chase Pediatric Dentistry.