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.

As we head into this final week for the Class of 2026, our "Good Thing" is centered on Affirmation and Legacy. This week isn't just about checkboxes and final signatures; it’s about recognizing the footprints our Seniors are leaving behind. From the first day of freshman year to these final moments, the "Good Thing" we celebrate is the growth, resilience, and character of this graduating class.

• For our Seniors: Take a moment tonight to reflect on one "Good Thing" a teacher, coach, or peer did for you over the last four years that changed your trajectory.

  • The Action: Don't let the week end without telling them. A quick "affirmation" note or a "thank you" in the hallway is the best gift you can leave behind.

• For our Underclassmen: You are watching your mentors prepare to fly.

  • The Action: Identify one Senior who has modeled what it means to live out our school’s Social Contract. Tell them, "I noticed how you led this year, and I'm going to carry that forward."

• For Families: Transition is a "Good Thing," even when it’s emotional.

  • The Action: Share a "Good Thing" from your student’s high school journey around the dinner table tonight to set a positive tone for the busy week ahead.

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 prepare for the final bells to ring for our Seniors this week, I want to leave you with a thought about Finishing Well. In Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we often talk about how we start—the handshake, the welcome, the "First Four." But how we finish is just as important. The final chapter of a book is what stays with the reader long after they’ve put it down.

This week, I challenge every student—Seniors and Underclassmen alike—to "Launch" into this week with three goals:

1. Be Present: Don't "check out" before the clock hits zero. Every conversation and every classroom moment this week is a piece of your history.

2. Be Kind: Emotions can run high during transition. Lead with the grace and respect we agreed upon in our Social Contracts back in August.

3. Finish the Work: Whether it’s a final project for a Sophomore or the last walk through the halls for a Senior, do it with the excellence that defines a [School Mascot].

Seniors, you are about to transition from being the leaders of our hallways to being the leaders of our world. Underclassmen, the torch is about to be passed to you. Let’s make this final week a masterpiece of respect, celebration, and heart.

Make it a great final week—the choice is yours!