Spartan Weekly Update
Friday, February 3
Happy Black History Month
Happy Weekend Spartan Families:
A big thank you to all of the families who sent positive vibes to keep the negative temperatures from impacting our school day. We are hoping we don't face anymore close calls this winter and we will continue to encourage all of our students to bundle up with coats, hats and gloves until the spring arrives.
It was a busy and exciting week for all of us at Shepard with pictures below to showcase the fun we had.
We are also taking time in our classrooms, ExSEL time and daily announcements to highlight and celebrate Black History Month, and our Shepard LC has curated some amazing books from some of the greatest Black authors, past and present, for students to check out and enjoy.
As you head into the weekend "warm up", we are wishing you a relaxing and family focused Saturday and Sunday.
Chris Cybulski, Principal
Marie Zlotnikov, Associate Principal
Ginger Logemann, Coordinator for Student Services
Extracurricular Activities Calendar
Click Here for Access to Our Extracurricular Calendar (Note: This calendar is live, so changes and updates will be made throughout the school year).
Pies Were Thrown...
Beginning Monday, we are back to a "no throwing food" policy in the lunchroom. :)
*A huge shout out to all of our willing pie victims.*
We Packed the Place!!!
Thank you to everyone who supported our special Student Council Event!
The first ever Students vs. Deerfield Police and Fire Departments basketball game is in the books. It was a wonfderful night full of great thrills on the court, delicious snacks in the concessions stand and great energy in the bleachers. In the end, the 8th grade boys and girls beat the First Responders with a 3 pointer as the clock ticked down.
Proceeds from this wonderful event are being donated to the Illinois 100 Club, an organization that supports first responders and their families.
Congratulations to Our Spelling Bee Contestants
Panorama SEL Survey
Building students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) skills is an important part of middle school. As a part of the learning process, we will be asking our 6th through 8th grade students to reflect on their own SEL mindsets via an online survey. The survey will be administered on Wednesday, February 8, and it should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. It asks students to self-reflect on their own grit, growth mindset, self-efficacy, self-management, social awareness, emotional regulation, and supportive relationships.
Individual student responses can provide the school and family with insight into what skills the child self-identifies as strengths and others they would like to develop. The overall data helps us (the educators) identify priorities and provide targeted learning opportunities to address the SEL needs in our classrooms.
Per policy, if you would like your child to opt out of taking the survey, please click here by February 4.
Attention Young Authors!
If you are nearing the end of creating a story or poem or just recently finished one you are proud of, submit it to Mrs. Cameron or Mrs. Brady to participate in the 2023 Young Authors Competition! Deadline to submit your story is February 17th.
Upcoming Dates
February 8 - Student Panorama SEL Survey during ExSEL (8am)
February 10 - StuCO Morning Fundraiser (7:45am-8:00am)
February 17 - Young Authors Deadline
February 20 - NO SCHOOL for Presidents Day
February 21 - NO SCHOOL for Teacher Institute Day
DHS Pack the Pantry
Counselors' Corner
Meghan Wilmot, Counselor
847-948-0620 x 5104
Erica O’Brien, Counselor
847-948-0620 x513
Tara Seiden, Social Worker
DISTRICT COMMUNICATION
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Parents across Illinois again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, teachers and 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal no later than February 15, 2023.