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 survived the first two weeks of Trimester 3! Our "Good Thing" this week is Momentum. The "newness" of the trimester has worn off, and we are now seeing the rhythm of learning take place. Whether it's a new elective that has sparked an interest, a sports team finding its stride, or a club preparing for a spring event, the energy in the building is high.

• For Students: Think about one person—a teacher, a counselor, or a classmate—who has helped you settle into your new Trimester 3 schedule.

  • The Action: Before you head out for break next Friday, make it a point to tell them, "You've made my transition into this trimester much easier." Small affirmations build huge Relational Capacity.

• For Families: Transitioning between trimesters is a heavy lift.

  • The Action: Tonight, celebrate the "small wins." Ask your student, "What is one thing you’ve successfully figured out about your new routine over the last two weeks?"

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.

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. 😉 )

*these dates/times are subject to change.

As we look at the calendar, it’s tempting to start the "vacation countdown" on Monday morning. But in our school community, we believe that how we finish a week matters just as much as how we start it. Our Social Contract doesn’t have an "expiration date" just because a break is coming. In fact, this week is the most important time to lean into our commitments to be respectful, engaged, and supportive.

Your Launch Challenge for the Week Ahead:

• Finish the Drill: Don’t leave "Future You" with a pile of unfinished work to return to after break. Use these next five days to get ahead, stay focused, and close out this first "mini-chapter" of Trimester 3 with excellence.

• Be the Anchor: When the "pre-break" energy gets a little chaotic, be the student who stays grounded. Be the one who helps keep the classroom environment positive and productive.

Let’s give our very best effort for five more days so that we can truly enjoy the rest that follows. We see your hard work, we value your presence, and we can’t wait to see you finish this week strong.

Make it a great week, BlueJays!