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.)

Coming back from Spring Break is always a bit like trying to start a lawnmower that’s been sitting in the garage for a while—it takes a few pulls to get the engine humming! Our "Good Thing" this week is simply the successful reconnection we saw in our hallways over the last few days.

Before we dive into the logistics of testing, let's celebrate the fact that we found our rhythm again. We saw students checking in on each other, teachers sharing stories of their week off, and our community settling back into the routines that keep us grounded.

• For Students: Think of one person you were truly happy to see again this past week. Maybe it was a friend you missed or a teacher whose classroom feels like home.

  • The Action: Send them a quick "Glad you’re back" text or tell them in person tomorrow.

• For Families: Transitions are taxing.

  • The Action: Tonight, celebrate the "win" of getting through the first week back. Ask your student: "What was one thing that made you laugh at school this week?"

The engine is officially humming again. We are ready for whatever this week brings!

For those of you who are taking the PSAT/SAT this spring here is some potential good news for you. . . We have decided to offer Exam Exemptions for those of you who meet the proficiency requirements on the Math and/or Reading & Writing PSAT/SAT.

If you meet the requirement in Math and you have at least a 77% in your math class you can be exempt from that exam. (If you don't have a math class this trimester, you can be exempt from another - not English - exam.) If you meet the requirement in English and you have at least a 77% in your English class you can be exempt from that exam. (If you don't have an English class this trimester, you can be exempt from another - not math - exam.)

PSAT 9 Math Benchmark 450

PSAT 9 Reading & Writing Benchmark 410

PSAT 10 Math Benchmark 480

PSAT 10 Reading & Writing Benchmark 430

SAT Math Benchmark 530

SAT Reading & Writing Benchmark 480

We take the PSAT/SAT on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. That gives you over a month to put in some extra time preparing and taking practice tests (you will be doing some of this in classes too.) If getting an exam exemption sounds like a good way to end the school year, make sure to put some extra time in now getting ready.

Students whose parents wish to sign them out early (12:00), after the PSAT/SAT testing window, will need to complete this form and return it to the HS Office by 8am on April 15, 2026. Students were emailed this information and form on Friday and there are several copies available for pick up outside the HS office.

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 PSAT and SAT testing, I want to leave you with a thought about The Total Person. In our Social Contract, we talk about treating each other with respect and dignity. This week, as we fill in those bubbles and tackle those prompts, it’s easy to feel like our value is tied to a number. But at Shepherd High School, we know that a test can measure what you know in a moment, but it can never measure who you are as a person. It can't measure your kindness, your resilience, or the way you show up for your friends.

• For Students: Walk into that testing room this week with your head high. Give your best effort not because of a score, but because you committed to excellence in our Social Contract. When the test is over, "check in" on a peer who looks drained. A kind word after a long exam is the ultimate CKH move.

• For Families: Be the "calm in the storm." Remind your students that you are proud of their hard work, regardless of the results.

You’ve got the skills, you’ve got the heart, and you’ve got a community standing behind you. Take a deep breath, trust your preparation, and let’s show them what BlueJays are made of.