Dear Shepard Families:
Happy Friday! Today, Spartans got to experience our culture fair stations. From henna tattoos to Brazilian dance to pasta making, our students and staff (I gradually saw more and more adults walking around the building with their own henna tattoos as the day went on) had the opportunity to learn from others and have fun while doing it! As we move toward the end of the school year, there is typically a sense of unrest as students—understandably—crave their summer break. It was really cool to see students in each grade locked in and focused on how to play Israeli games, do yoga, participate in Scandinavian folk painting, and more! We are immensely grateful to our community volunteers who gave up their time to give our students these experiences. Thank you!
In this edition, you will find:
New Information:
- School Supplies
- 2025-2026 Fees and InfoCheck
- Volunteers for 6th-Grade Reality 101 Needed
- Spartan PRIDE-a-Palooza
Family Access will be Closed from May 21 until June 6
- Graduation Details
- Lost and Found
- Snacks
- Deerfield High School Football Visit for 8th Grade
Sincerely,
Rob Wegley, Principal
Cathy Van Treese, Associate Principal
Ginger Logemann, Director for Student Services
As we end this year, we know many are already planning for next school year. On the PTSO website, you can find the update school supply list.
Families can now log into Family Access to:
Pay your 2025-2026 fees before the July 1 early payment deadline
Verify your contact and other information
Review the Student/Parent-Guardian Handbook
Learn about new publication permission opt-out procedures
InfoCheck is a new online form that brings together a few important annual procedures in one place and time. When you log into Family Access, click on the “2025-2026” InfoCheck tile.
The SignUp Genius link is https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4CA9AB2FA4FF2-56382530-reality#/
8th-Grade Families: We sent out a newsletter earlier today with details for the end of the school year and graduation for our 8th-grade students. You can find that here!
As we strive to keep you informed about important events and updates at Shepard Middle School, we are excited to use the Remind app again as a valuable tool to strengthen our school-family partnership. Through this app, you will receive announcements from our Student Council (also known as StuCo), led by Mrs. Greenberg. These announcements will not only keep you informed about spirit days, fundraisers, and other important events throughout the school year but will also actively involve your child in the exciting activities shaping our school community.
To sign up, please follow the directions below. Check out this video if you would like step-by-step instructions.If you require any assistance setting up the app, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Greenberg.
Our amazing PTSO shared information on this in their welcome back letter, too, but we wanted to add a reminder that you can purchase school lunches through Lunch Solutions in advance! Ordering opened Tuesday, August 6th. Ordering for the following week closes at 10:00 am on THURSDAY each week. For information and ordering, please visit http://ptgms.com/lunchsolutions/shepard.
Medication
Please do not send any medication, over-the-counter pain pills (Tylenol/Advil/aspirin), or cough drops with your students. State law prohibits students from taking medication at school outside of the nurse's office with a doctor's note on file. We will confiscate any medications as listed above found outside of the nurse's office.
Attendance
If your student will not be in school, please report the absence to the health office by phone—(847) 948-0620 x5103 or email (shepardattendance@dps109.org) before 8:00 am. If you do not contact our school nurse by this time, she will contact you at home or at work to ascertain your child’s whereabouts. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students will only be dismissed to a parent/legal guardian or to emergency contacts designated in Family Access.
Student Tardiness to School
Students who arrive late are greatly disadvantaged because they miss starting the day with their peers and miss out on the instruction given at the beginning of class. This means that they are often unsettled and confused about tasks, resulting in reduced achievement, regardless of academic ability. It is also very important that students establish good routines and habits in preparation for the rest of their lives. Punctuality is a life skill that is important to develop.
Tardiness to school will be unexcused even if a family member brings the student(s) to school. Oversleeping, missing the bus, car/traffic problems, etc. are all unexcused. Tardies are excusable under the following circumstances: personal illness of student, serious illness or death in the family, a doctor/dentist/professional appointment (a note or phone call from a parent or a professional), family emergencies, and religious holidays.
School begins promptly at 8:00 am. Students are expected to be in class ready to learn by 8:00 am.
Student Tardies to Class
Students are expected to be in class, in their seats, ready to learn at the start of class. Students who are not are subject to school discipline.