Shepherd High School Weekly Update
Good Things
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.
Think back to the first day of school. Think about the nerves, the new schedules, and the blank Social Contracts we hung on the walls. Look at where we are now. The ultimate "Good Thing" is the immense growth, resilience, and Relational Capacity our students and staff have built together over the past nine months. We have laughed, learned, overcome challenges, and grown closer as a school family.
For Students: Take five minutes tonight to look back. Identify one major goal you accomplished this year, or one friendship that made your year better.
The Action: Before you leave campus for the summer, track down at least one teacher, staff member, or peer who impacted you and give them a specific, heartfelt affirmation. Say, "Thank you for helping me with [X] this year. It made a huge difference."
For Families: Your partnership has been our backbone.
The Action: Tonight, look your student in the eye and tell them how proud you are of the person they are becoming. Celebrate their character, not just their final report card.
Students in our Coding class are bringing their ideas to life using Microbits to code and wire interactive projects. From a digital pet hamster and a playable guitar to video games, a piano, and even a robot that can navigate a maze using sonar sensors, students are combining creativity, engineering, and coding skills to create amazing projects.
Hands-on learning, problem-solving, and innovation are on full display as our students discover what’s possible through computer science and STEM education!
Handbook Reminders
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:
Students may not move their vehicles, sit in, or be around their vehicles during the school day without permission from administration.
Students may not drive carelessly or with excessive speed on school grounds.
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.
Students must park in the student parking lot/spaces outside of the gymnasium entrance.
Shepherd High School Daily Schedule
*these dates/details are subject to change.
Launch
This is it—the final lap. Tomorrow morning begins our last week together, and with it comes the challenge of final exams. It is easy to let our focus drift to summer break, but in Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we believe in finishing as strong as we started.
Your legacy at Shepherd High School isn't just defined by how you walk in on day one; it is defined by how you carry yourself across the finish line.
Our final Launch challenge for the school year is this:
Protect the Contract: The expectations of our Social Contract don't expire because it's the last week. Treat your teachers, your peers, and your final exams with the utmost respect and integrity.
Leave a Footprint: Let’s leave our building, our classrooms, and each other better than we found them. Bring your best energy, your focus, and your kindness to every single exam period.
You have written an incredible chapter this year. Let’s make sure the final pages are something we can all be proud of. Sleep well tonight, study hard this week, and let's cross this finish line together.
For the last time this school year: Lead well, BlueJays!