Shepherd High School Weekly Update

As a Capturing Kids Heart's school we start each class with a few minutes to share Good Things." (See the Launch at the end of this update.)

Living Our Social Contract: What Are We Doing to Be Our Best?

One of the cornerstones of Capturing Kids' Hearts is the Social Contract—the shared agreement we all make about how we will treat each other in our classrooms and hallways. It moves beyond rules and focuses on commitments.

• This week, our "Good Thing" is about Taking Ownership of our commitments.

  A strong Social Contract means everyone holds themselves and each other accountable to the commitments we made (like being respectful, being engaged, and supporting one another). When we see something that doesn't align with our shared agreement, we have a responsibility to address it constructively.

  • The Check-In Question: When things get tough, or someone makes a mistake, the CKH approach encourages us to pause and ask the question: "What are we doing right now that is aligned with our Social Contract?"

  • The Self-Reflection: This week, we challenge all students and families to ask this of themselves before reacting to a stressful situation (a grade, a peer conflict, a busy morning rush).

• Challenge for the Week: Let's practice Accountability with Grace. If you notice a student or classmate struggling to meet a commitment, approach them with kindness and simply remind them of the commitment we all share: "Hey, remember our contract about being respectful/focused? Let's get back to that."

By holding ourselves and each other accountable to our commitments, we build a truly supportive and high-achieving community.

This year, we are excited to announce "Parent University" where we will provide a safe place to learn together right in the comfort of your own home! We are going to read the book, "The Anxious Generation." Parent University is going to be guided by Tracey Galgoci who is not only a board member here at Shepherd Public Schools but also is the Behavioral Health Coordinator for the Gratiot Isabella RESD.

The book we will read and discuss together is being graciously provided by a Saginaw Chippewa Tribal grant! We appreciate the Saginaw Chippewa tribe and all the support it gives to our school!

We will begin Parent University in January. So get ready to sign up and learn together!

Sign Up Link

Meeting Dates -Virtual and in Person at Winn 6:00-7:00pm

The sessions will be a combination of presenting and time for families/staff to talk to each other.

I am inviting both families and all staff members to these.

January 29 Part 1 “A Tidal Wave: The Surge of Suffering” pgs 1-45

Feb 12 Part “The Backstory: The Decline of Play Based Childhood” pgs 49-110

Feb 26 Part 3 “The Great Rewiring: The Rise of the Phone Based Childhood pgs 113-218

March 12 Part 4 “Collective Action For Healthier Childhood” pgs 221-299

High School drop off is at the Atrium doors. Please come through the parking lot to the very south, drop off then head back through the middle lane. This will keep the north lane open for those dropping of Elementary Students.

The upper two lots are for Staff Parking Only. High School Student parking is in the lower lot, outside of the Atrium/Gym entrance.

As a Capturing Kids Heart school we are asking that parents complete this survey to help us celebrate our successes and plan for improvements. This survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete and we appreciate your input. If you have students in multiple buildings you will be receiving multiple survey links as they are unique to each building. If you already completed this, thank you.

https://app.ckh.org/public-survey/7cu7d2xy

If you need Parent Access to Schoology (our online learning platform) please reach out to the HS Office for your access code. With Parent Access you can see the day to day assignments, grades and progress in each of your student's classes. (When they say the don't have homework, you will already know the answer. 😉 )

Cap and Gown packets went home with the Class of 2026 on 9/25. Orders are due 12/1/2025 or a late fee will be charged.

*these dates/times are subject to change.

We've asked you all to consider how your actions align with our shared commitments—to be respectful, to be focused, and to bring your best effort every day. The energy and effort you put into the next few weeks will define your success, both academically and personally.

The final challenge we launch to our entire school community is this:

• For Students: Be fully present in every class and every activity. Don't just show up; engage, ask questions, and utilize the support systems available.

• For Families: Continue to support the home environment that encourages focus and effort. Ask your student, not just "What grade did you get?" but "What part of your Social Contract did you fulfill today?"

Let's finish this calendar year with integrity, respect, and a commitment to excellence. We are proud of the community we are building together, and it is founded on the very commitments we discussed this week.

Have a productive and focused week!

Be on the lookout for how you can help someone. Check in on your friends and make new ones. And find ways to make someone’s day better.