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.

• For Students: Think about the seniors you admired this year—the ones who coached you, led your clubs, or simply said "hello" in the halls.

  • The Action: Identify one quality a graduating senior had that you want to emulate as you move up the ranks next year.

• For Families: Graduation is a community win. Whether your student was on that stage today or has a few years to go, take a moment to celebrate the persistence it takes to reach that milestone.

  • The Action: Ask your student tonight: "How did it feel to see the seniors graduate today? What do you want your own graduation day to feel like?"

So far this spring we have had a few things (see below) that have come up and we need to remind everyone about. The text below is copied from the Student Handbook, please review and make adjustments accordingly.

Deliveries

To ensure a safe and focused learning environment, all deliveries for students, including gifts, flowers, food, and packages, must be directed to the building office. Items will not be given to the student until the end of the school day to minimize disruptions to the educational process.

Dress and Grooming

In general, clothing should be clean and appropriate for the climate and the situation. Student dress, cleanliness, or personal appearance that is a threat to the safety, health, or welfare of others; violates any statute, Policy 5101, or the Dress Code; or substantially disrupts the educational environment or that school officials reasonably forecast will substantially disrupt the educational environment, is grounds for remedial or disciplinary action.

The final decision in any situation involving inappropriate attire rests with building administrators.

Students who are dressed inappropriately will be asked to change clothing immediately. If necessary, parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing, students can use extra clothing provided by the District, or the student may be sent home to change. Repeated dress code violations may result in more severe consequences.

Dress Code

Tops must not be see-through and must have straps or sleeves and must cover the student’s entire torso from armpit to armpit and to the waistline of the student’s pants. Pants, shorts, and skirts must have an inseam at least 4 inches in length; and rips or tears in the pants, shorts, and skirts must be below this area. Footwear must be worn. Clothing may not display material that:

• Is materially and substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a substantial disruption;

• Is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd;

• Promotes the use of or advertises illegal substances, including but not limited to substances illegal for minors;

• Incites violence;

• Contains “fighting words”;

• Constitutes a true threat of violence;

• Demonstrates hate group association/affiliation or uses hate speech targeting groups based on their membership in a protected class; or

• Displays nipples, genitals, or buttocks.

Unless administration publishes an exception in advance for a specific holiday or spirit day, students are prohibited from wearing:

• Hats, hoods, or other headwear;

• Trench coats, or bulky coats;

• Masks, costumes, or costume accessories;

• Flags.

Students who represent the District at an official or school-sponsored function or public event (e.g., athletic teams, bands, choirs, and other groups) may be required to follow specific dress requirements as a condition of participation or attendance.

Driving and Parking Personal Vehicles

Student driving and parking on District property is a privilege, not a right, that may be revoked at any time. Students who drive to school must obey the following rules:

1. Students may not move their vehicles, sit in, or be around their vehicles during the school day without permission from administration.

2. Students may not drive carelessly or with excessive speed on school grounds.

3. By driving to school and parking on school grounds, students and parents consent to having that vehicle searched when school officials have reasonable suspicion that a search will reveal a violation of school rules, Board Policy, or law.

4. Students must park in the student parking lot/spaces outside of the gymnasium entrance.

Over the past three months, our NASA TechRise Challenge team has been hard at work meeting with engineers, building prototypes, and creating models to prepare for their space-bound experiment. They are now focused on building the final capsule that will be launched into space this summer. They are running computer-simulated test flights to check sensors, gather data, and ensure everything works perfectly.

Great Work Alivia, Elijah, Blake, Eddie, Logan, and Brayden. These BlueJays are taking their ideas from the classroom all the way to the stars!

*these dates/times are subject to change.

As we head into these final three weeks, the atmosphere of our school changes. With our seniors gone, there is a natural shift in leadership. In Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we talk about "Stepping Up." Tomorrow morning, the "Social Contract" of our school rests entirely in your hands.

It is easy to "check out" when the finish line is in sight, but true leaders are defined by how they finish the race, not just how they start it.

Your Launch Challenge for the Week:

• Own the Culture: With the seniors away, it is your turn to set the tone. Will our hallways be respectful? Will our classrooms stay focused? You are now the "Upperclassmen" of this building. Lead accordingly.

• Finish with Integrity: Don't let the final 15 days of school undo the hard work of the first 165. Show your teachers and your peers that your commitment to our Social Contract doesn't have an expiration date.

The building might be a little quieter next week, but your impact can be louder than ever. Let’s show everyone that [School Name] doesn't just graduate leaders—we are leaders, all the way to the final bell.