Hello Shepard Families,
As a reminder, we will go outside for all recesses when the combined temperature and wind chill is 20 degrees or above unless it is raining, hailing, lightning, or snowing. If conditions are favorable for immediate thunderstorms or tornadoes, the students may also be kept indoors. If the wind chill drops below 20 degrees or the heat index rises above 95 degrees, recess will be held indoors.
As the weather takes a cold turn, please send your child with jackets, hats, gloves, etc. We encourage you to label all these items with your child’s first and last name as well.
Thank You!
Project SUN - new resource available for Shepard Families! We are happy to share that our school is piloting an amazing, FREE resource for our parents through the efforts of Project SUN/Parent Guidance. Parents will have free access to monthly webinars, parent coaching, therapy sessions, and many other resources. The first available webinar for parents will be on Nov. 6th and the topic will be ADHD. Please click on the link below to access the webinars and register. https://parentguidance.org/mhsindex/
Shepard Families,
Each classroom will be having a Harvest Party on Thursday, October 31st. Our grade-level team parents will organize all of the fun activities our students will be doing on party day. We are asking parents to make a minimum $3.00 donation (CASH ONLY). Your donation will go toward party supplies and treats. Please send your cash donation to school with your child in an envelope or ziplock bag with your child’s name and teacher's name on it. Your child can give this to their teacher.
We ask that all donations be handed in by Friday, October 18th.
Children are allowed to wear their costumes on October 31st. We ask that there be no weapons, masks, or gore. Also, children need to be able to take their costumes on/off for restroom breaks, etc. without assistance. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child’s teacher.
Thank you for your help in making our Harvest Parties a memorable event for our students!
Below is a link created by grade-level team parents for supply sign-up and donations as well.
K - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AA8AD28A1FCC16-52207613-kindergarten#/
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0A49ACA82FA4F8CE9-52226286-kindergarten
1 - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48ABAA2EA3F4C61-52289082-first#/
2 - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A5A823A3FBCF8-52265754-harvest
3 - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E45AFAE2FA7FD0-52132769-3rdgrade
Thank you for your help in making our Harvest Parties a memorable event for our students!
Family Literacy Night
Hello Shepard Parents/Guardians,
We’ve had a GREAT first week of school with your child! We wanted to share a few reminders as we are finishing up our first week.
Car riders,
If you are picking up your student at the end of the day, please remember to keep your car rider tag on the rearview mirror until your student is in the car with you. Also, we understand that some of our younger students are still learning how to buckle themselves in. If you have to help your student buckle, we ask that you pull forward and park to do so. It is our goal to make the dismissal line safe and efficient so we can get families through quickly.
Pre-K Families,
-Between 7:45 a.m.-8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m. the MAIN PARKING LOT is for BUSES ONLY for Shabbona and Shepard arrivals and dismissals. All car drop-offs and pick-ups must be in the west lot.
-Please look at the attached slides containing important information about our procedures at Shepard. This can also be found on our Shepard webpage under the "About Us" section.
ELA Curriculum
We are excited to share our new district literacy vision with you as well as our new Wit and Wisdom ELA curriculum. Please be on the lookout for a letter in your student's backpack regarding this information.
Thank you again for a great first week and we are excited about this new school year!
All Clear. The Phones are back up in the district.
Due to a server issue the phones are currently down in the district. Our emails and internet are available for regular contact. If you have an emergency and need to contact your students school or transportation department, please contact our emergency line at *redacted*. Thank you for your understanding.
Good Evening,
Transportation Assignments are now available in Skyward. When you log in, you will see a Transportation Tile on the home dashboard. If you do not see your tiles, ensure you are under the family access area ( look for the drop-down arrow in the top left, next to the house icon).
Based on the uncertainty of all the adjustments that will occur prior to the start of school, please check back on your Transportation assignment on Tuesday, August 20, for possible time changes to your schedule.
If you have any questions, please email Transportation@besd53.org
Thank you,
BESD53 Families,
Schedules are now live in Skyward. Please be advised that bus routing information continues to be entered and updated. Up until the night before school, this should be checked for accurate times. If you do not see any bus routes, please check again on Friday Afternoon; the Transportation Department is continuing to update and enter these.
Hello Shepard Families! We'd like to share the dates for all Open House/Supply Drop-offs and Pre-K & Head Start orientations.
Thursday, August 15th: 5:00 - 6:00 pm - Kindergarten
Monday, August 19th: 5:30 - 6:30 pm 1st - 3rd Grade
(Shabbona’s Open House is from 4:00-5:00, so please do not arrive too early or parking will be limited. Shepard’s doors will open at 5:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, August 20th: PreK Orientations (AM 10 - 11) (PM 1 - 2)
Tuesday, August 20th: Head Start Orientation 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
Wednesday, August 21st: First Day of School for Pre-K through 3rd Grade students. This is a full day of school.
Monday, August 26th: First day for Head Start students
Don’t forget to register your student, school is starting soon!
If you still need to register your student, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Please call Alan Shepard and set up an appointment with our front office staff.
Families will have access to Skyward beginning on August 14th, 2024!
We look forward to seeing everyone to kick off a great new school year!
BESD53 will participate in the Free Summer Meals Program again this year. This program is open to all kids 18 or younger in Kankakee County. Breakfast and Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, June 4 - June 28th at Alan Shepard and July 1 - August 16th at the Upper Grade Center. Please see the Flyer for further details!
Last night BESD53 held our "Kindergarten Roundup"! We had Kindergarten teachers from every building meet the incoming students and did a quick screener to help ensure the best placement for them. Information was also handed out on kindergarten readiness, and a fun photo op for our future BESD53 Tigers! Thank you to all who came and the staff who helped make this a success!
Along with the Ace Program for students at Shepard, we have the Super Staff program for staff members."Super Staff" is a staff member who always goes above and beyond, maybe lending a helping hand, or just bringing a positive to your day. Once nominated, they enjoy the bonus of having their class covered by the administration and can choose to take our, Staff Only, hovercarts for a spin. Why should only the students have fun, right?
Say hello to our “Super Staff” member Mrs. Mosier, along with her TA Mrs. Skanburg. Thank you Mrs. Mosier for all you do for our staff and students. We appreciate you!
Kindergarten Roundup is this Wednesday! Sign up today to attend.
Who: All incoming BESD53 Kindergarteners (must be 5 on or before September 1st, 2024)
Where: Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center 200 W. John Casey Rd.
When: April 17th, 2024 4:00-6:00 pm Please visit our website to sign up for a screening time to ensure the best placement for your child in our district!
Please RSVP at www.besd53.org/page/kindergarten-information We look forward to meeting all of our new Kindergarteners!
Mr. Peachey's fish "Ace," says Holden & John Rock!!! Every week two teachers are secretly selected to quietly keep an eye out for a student who is going above and beyond to "Ace" their weeks. To be selected students must be kind friends, work hard on their academics, and live out the Tiger Pledge. Winners get to ride scooters with Mr. Peachey and help collect our weekly Tiger Tickets! Congratulations Holden & John! We are proud of you!
Mr. Peachey's fish "Ace," says Keaton & Yanelli Rock!!! Every week two teachers are secretly selected to quietly keep an eye out for a student who is going above and beyond to "Ace" their weeks. To be selected students must be kind friends, work hard on their academics, and live out the Tiger Pledge. Winners get to ride scooters with Mr. Peachey and help collect our weekly Tiger Tickets! Congratulations Keaton & Yanelli ! We are proud of you!
Hello Shepard Families, If you have not done so please take a moment and fill out our 5 Essentials Survey. http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Mr. Peachey's fish "Ace," says Luna & Cam'Ron Rock!!! Every week two teachers are secretly selected to quietly keep an eye out for a student who is going above and beyond to "Ace" their weeks. To be selected students must be kind friends, work hard on their academics, and live out the Tiger Pledge. Winners get to ride scooters with Mr. Peachey and help collect our weekly Tiger Tickets! Congratulations Luna & Cam'Ron ! We are proud
Please join BESD53 for our 2024-25 Kindergarten Roundup!
Who: All incoming BESD53 Kindergarteners (must be 5 on or before September 1st, 2024)
Where: Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center 200 W. John Casey Rd.
When: April 17th, 2024 4:00-6:00 pm
Please visit our website to sign up for a screening time to ensure the best placement for your child in our district! Please RSVP at www.besd53.org/page/kindergarten-information
We look forward to meeting all of our new Kindergarteners!
Save the Date
Safer Internet Parent Night on Wednesday, Feb 21st
