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.)

We made it! The first "full" week back is in the books. While the transition from holiday "relaxation mode" to school "productivity mode" can be a challenge, I have been so impressed by the resilience and focus I’ve seen in our hallways.

Our "Good Thing" this week is The Power of the Small Win. We often wait for report cards or big games to celebrate, but our culture is built on the tiny victories that happen every period.

• For Students: Think back on this week. Did you make it to every class on time? Did you finally understand a concept in math that was tricky? Did you reconnect with a friend you missed?

  • The Action: Acknowledge your own progress. High school is a marathon, not a sprint, and you are officially back in your stride.

• For Families: Your "Good Thing" is the successful reset of the household routine.

  • The Action: This weekend, take 60 seconds to tell your student one specific thing they did well during this first week back. Affirmation is the fuel that keeps them going when the "back-to-school" excitement starts to fade.

January 9, 2026

Dear Shepherd Public Schools Parents and Guardians,

Shepherd Public Schools is proud of the strong programs, dedicated staff, and positive experiences our students receive each day. From the outside, our schools look great—and we are grateful for the support and pride our community has in our district.

However, many of our school buildings are aging, and behind the scenes, we are facing essential facility needs that cannot be addressed through our regular School Aid funding alone. State School Aid is designed to support daily operations such as staffing, instructional materials, and student

programming. It does not provide sufficient funding for large-scale facility improvements such as roofs, heating and ventilation systems, windows, safety upgrades, and accessibility improvements. For these types of projects, school districts must rely on local bond funding.

As we plan responsibly for the future, we are seeking input directly from Shepherd Public Schools residents before making any decisions.

How to Participate

• Shepherd residents will receive a postcard by January 12 with information on how to complete the survey.

• The survey will be open from January 12–23.

• The survey is available online at:
  👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShepherdPublicSchoolsSurvey2026

• Hard-copy surveys will be available beginning January 7 at:

• The Village Office

• Shepherd Public Schools Central Office

• 
  

This brief survey is anonymous, and the results will be tabulated by Perspectives Consulting Group, Inc., an independent marketing research firm. Your honest feedback will help guide future facility planning and ensure our schools remain safe, functional, and supportive of student learning.

Thank you for your time, partnership, and continued support of Shepherd Public Schools. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas for a bright future.

Warm regards,
Carrie Gauthier, Superintendent
Shepherd Public Schools

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.

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. 😉 )

The Ed Tanzini Scholarship is now live to the public! The application is available at www.gmcami.org or through the form below. The deadline is March 5th.

https://forms.gle/7p6FJXL6EA3FGyLe6

*these dates/times are subject to change.

As we head into this weekend to rest and recharge, I want to leave you with a thought about Consistency.

In Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we talk a lot about our Social Contract—that agreement we have about how we treat one another. It’s easy to follow that contract when we are fresh and rested. It’s much harder when we are tired, when the homework piles up, or when the "newness" of the semester wears off.

My challenge to you as we look toward next week is this:

Don’t let the routine dull your character. It is easy to be average; it is a choice to be excellent. As you walk back through those doors on Monday morning, don’t just "show up." Show up with the intention to lift someone else up.

You’ve proven this week that you can handle the transition. Now, let’s prove that we can handle the climb. Enjoy your weekend, get some rest, and come back ready to lead.

Make it a great weekend, or not—the choice is yours!