Mustang Express
Globally Engaged - Compassionate - Life Long Learners
Thank You for another engaging week!
Thank you for another engaging week!
Step Afrika
Monday, we had a wonferful performance by Step Afrika. The performance was engaging and interactive. It was a great experience for our school community.
MSAA Testing
This week we had a successful start for our MSAA Testing. Shoutout to Mr. Smith who is conducting the testing. The window will stay open until April 9th.
LSAT/PTO Meeting
On Wednesday, LSAT and PTO held their monthly meetings where some preparations and changes for next year were discussed.
Donuts with Grown Ups
Thursday, we hosted our last Donuts with Grown Ups. Parents who signed up were able to join classes for their morning routines and enjoy coffee and donuts in the atrium after class visits.
The Embassy of Panama
The Embassy of Panama visited our 5th grade Spanish students. This visit is apart of their work with the Embassy Adoption Program.
Club Sign-Up: i-Ready Lab K-2nd
Students will work through teacher assigned and “my path” Math/Reading i-Ready lessons with a lesson completion of 85% or higher.
Sponsor: Ms. Rajwani & Ms. Gray
Day(s): Thursdays
Grade Level: Kindergarten - Second
Number Accepting: 15
Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AEA82EA2F4C61-63087981-iready
Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found is quickly filling up! We encourage you to check the Lost & Found area for any missing jackets, sweaters, lunchboxes, or other personal items. Items will be placed near the Main Entrance this week. Any unclaimed belongings may be donated at the end of the month. Thank you for helping us return items to their owners!
Staffing Updates
We are excited to share that Ms. McCall will officially join our first‑grade team on March 24! She brings tremendous warmth, enthusiasm, and a passion for helping young learners grow. We know our first graders will thrive under her care and joyful teaching style.
We look forward to you meeting Ms. McCall!
Parent Cafe
On Thursday, March 26th, we will hold our next Parent Cafe. This Cafe will be on all things enrollment! We encourage families to join us at 4:30-5:30 pm to learn all things enrollment ahead of SY 26-27 Enrollment Season beginning on Friday, March 27th.
5th Grade Academic Transition Conversations
As we prepare our 5th grade students for a successful transition to middle school, we will be conducting 1:1 Academic Transition Conversations with each student.
Over the next couple of weeks, these conversations will take place with Shepherd Leadership. During this time, students will have the opportunity to discuss their current classes, reflect on what is going well, and share how they are feeling about the transition to middle school. This is an important opportunity for us to better understand and support each student during this exciting next step.
We encourage you to talk with your child at home about their experiences, goals, and any questions they may have about middle school.
Early Dismissal
Early dismissal is when a student is picked up by a parent/guardian prior to 2:45 PM. Please remember to also notify Mrs. Wilson, in the Main Office, if you are picking up your student early so that we can ensure they are ready and properly documented prior to your arrival.
After 2:45 PM, students will only be dismissed following normal dismissal procedures at 3:15 PM, as teachers and students are transitioning and wrapping up for the day.
Panorama Family Survey
The 2026 DCPS Family Panorama Survey is open through April 3! This year’s survey is also part of OSSE’s statewide school survey initiative, DC SAYS. The yearly survey helps us learn what DCPS and Shepherd ES are doing well and how we can improve. Take the family survey at dcsays.dc.gov. Please take the survey once for each public or public charter school where you have a student enrolled. More information can be found on https://dcps.dc.gov/surveys
Construction Shepherd Park Community Center:
The gym door that leads to the field/playground will be temporarily unavailable due to the construction on the stairs. A small section of the field will be fenced off, but the rest of the field and playground will remain open for Shepherd students and the wider community. Classes will use the exit from the main playground to access the field.
Career Day Volunteer Sign Ups
We’re excited to host a 5th Grade Career Day Expo on April 8th! Students will rotate through stations to explore different careers and ask questions. We are asking for parent volunteers to sign up and share their professional experience in a fun and engaging way.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click the link to sign up!
Autism Acceptance Week
We’re excited to celebrate Autism Acceptance Week at Shepherd from March 30 – April 3! That week is all about celebrating neurodiversity, inclusion, and the amazing strengths of our students. We hope everyone will join in the fun and help make this week meaningful for our community.
🎉 Spirit Week
Monday – Magnificent Minds Monday: Wear a fun hat
Tuesday – Light It Up Blue: Wear blue to celebrate autism acceptance
Wednesday – Neurodiversity Day: Wear tie-dye
Thursday – Be Comfortable with Autism: Wear your favorite pajamas
Friday – Mustang Pride: Wear Shepherd gear
⭐ Special Events
March 31 @ 8:55 AM: Autism Acceptance Strong Start
-April 1 (During Specials): Students will help decorate a collaborative banner and create posters.
-April 1 @ 4:00 PM: Sensory Play Night & Gallery for families featuring interactive sensory stations.
-April 2 @ 2:30: Autism Acceptance Rally
Click on flyer to make them bigger.
Autism Awareness Spirit Week
Family Senory Play Night
Autism Acceptance Rally
We would love to celebrate each student's birthday. However, Shepherd is a severe allergy school. That means we have students and staff throughout the building who have various severe allergies. Therefore, birthday parties are not permitted during school hours for students in grades K-5; ECE has a separate policy, which has been communicated to their families.
Please refrain from bringing or sending birthday treats to school. Instead, parents may send goodie bags for students to take home at the end of the day. Please ensure that if you are planning on sending goodie bags, that you inform your child's teacher and that there are enough for each student in the class receive one.
As a school community, we will acknowledge student birthdays on the school announcements daily.
Please do not pack or send any products containing nuts (peanuts or tree nuts) to school.
Thank You for helping to keep our students safe.
"60/40"Attendance Policy
Important notice regarding elementary school attendance.
Stay Connected!
Main Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Principal Russell: tyra.russell@k12.dc.gov
AP Coles: shamayne.coles@k12.dc.gov
Ms. Wilson, Main Office: Brenda.wilson@k12.dc.gov
Ms. Offor, MSL: Uchenna.offor@k12.dc.gov
School Phone: (202) 576-6140