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.)

Congratulations on completing the first week of Trimester 3! As we settle into new routines and new classrooms, our "Good Thing" this week is the Art of Checking In. In Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we know that the strongest relationships aren't built on one big event, but on the small, consistent moments of connection.

This past week, I saw so many of you—students and staff alike—re-negotiating Social Contracts, sharing your "Good Things" in class, and finding your rhythm in new groups. That energy is what makes our school feel like a community.

• For Students: Think of one person in a new class this week who you didn't know before. Maybe they sat next to you or helped you find a page in a textbook.

  • The Action: Tomorrow, when you see them, use their name. A simple "Hey, _____, how’s it going?" is the most powerful tool you have to build "Relational Capacity" and make someone feel like they belong.

• For Families: The transition to a new trimester can be a "re-entry" phase.

  • The Action: Tonight, instead of asking "How was school?", try a CKH check-in: "Who is one person you're starting to connect with in your new classes?"

Juniors and Seniors

Next week on the 19th you have the opportunity to attend the Career Fair at Mt. Pleasant High School. All students that attend CTE in MP will be attending during their CTE class, this is both morning and afternoon classes.

All other non-CTE Juniors and Seniors have been sent a Google Form to sign up for this event. We will take a bus and leave at 8:10 and return about 10:15.

Professional Attire and Resumes

You are encouraged to wear business casual attire. It is not required, but this will definitely help them make a lasting impression and possibly land a job. We also strongly encourage all students to bring 10-15 clean/updated resumes with them that day. Our employers are hiring. They are aware of the event's primary focus and our employers have employment needs to fill.

Raffle Prizes

During the event, employers will give students raffle tickets. Students are encouraged to bring those raffle tickets to the front of the gym, write their name and school name on them, and then drop them in the appropriate box. After the event, GIRESD Career Navigators will review these and draw names for raffle prizes. We will drop off all the raffle prizes the week after MMCRE.

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 head into week two of the trimester, I want to leave you with a challenge about Consistency. In Capturing Kids’ Hearts, we say that "If you have a child's heart, you have their head." But capturing a heart isn't a one-time event—it’s a daily choice.

The first week is often fueled by the excitement of a fresh start. The second week is where we decide if our Social Contract is just words on a poster or a promise we live by.

Your Launch Challenge for the Week Ahead:

• Exceed the Standard: If your class agreed to "Respect," don't just be quiet when the teacher talks—be the person who actively listens and encourages a classmate’s idea.

• The "Two-Minute" Rule: Spend just two minutes this week genuinely listening to someone else’s "Good Thing." You’ll be surprised how much it changes your own perspective.

We’ve had a great start. Now, let’s prove that our commitment to each other is stronger than just a first impression. Let’s lead with heart and finish this trimester even better than we started it.

Let’s make it a great week!