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 have officially hit the midpoint of the 2nd Trimester! In the world of high school, this is often when the "middle-of-the-term" fatigue can set in. However, it is also the perfect time to stop and recognize the incredible growth that has happened since December.

Our "Good Thing" this week is Celebrating the Process. We often wait for the final grade or the end-of-season trophy to celebrate, but CKH teaches us that the real magic happens in the daily effort.

For Students: Look back at your work from the first week of this trimester. Think of one skill—whether it’s a math concept, a sports play, or a way you’ve handled stress—that you are better at today than you were six weeks ago.

• Your Action: Affirm yourself! Tell a friend or a teacher, "I’m really proud of how I’ve improved in [specific area]."

For Families: Mid-trimester is a great time for a "Check-In" that isn't just about the grade book.

• Your Action: Ask your student, "What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself this trimester that has nothing to do with a test score?"

WE'RE GOING TO SPACE! (kind of...)

Back in December, our team of students submitted a proposal to the NASA Techrise Student Challenge. We are proud to announce that their experiment was selected as one of only 60 across the United States and will be floating around the stratosphere this summer after they spend the remainder of the school year building the experiment. CONGRATULATIONS to Alivia Kirchofer, Elijah Robinson, Eddie Radtke, Brayden Rountree, and Logan Lambert!

Watch for updates as this project progresses.

As students prepare to build their class schedule preferences for the 2026-27 school year, please talk to your student about future plans and what classes will be best for the preparation of that future. Counselors will begin the scheduling process with students the week of January 20, so have those conversations now!

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 the second half of this trimester, I want to leave you with a challenge regarding our Social Contract. When we created our agreements at the start of the term, we committed to how we wanted to be treated and how we would treat others. At the midpoint, it’s easy for those commitments to slide. We get tired, we get busy, and sometimes we stop being as intentional with our words and actions.

Your Challenge for the Week Ahead:

• Audit Your Effort: If our school’s Social Contract was a mirror, what would it show you right now? Are you still being the "Encourager"? Are you still showing up with "Respect"?

• The Mid-Course Correction: If you’ve let a habit slip—whether it's getting to class on time or staying positive during a tough assignment—this is your moment to pivot. Don’t wait for the 3rd trimester to "start over." The best time to be the person you want to be is the moment you realize you’ve drifted. Let’s take the momentum from our "Good Things" and use it to fuel a focused, kind, and high-achieving second half.

Finish the week strong, BlueJays! We’re halfway there, and the best is yet to come.