James E. Shepard Middle School -

Black History Month Spirit Week

Mark your calendar for the DPS Sustainability Summit 2026 🌎
Join us on March 7, 2026 at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (800 Clayton Rd, Durham, NC) for a full day of ideas, creativity, and community focused on building a more sustainable future.
This isn’t just a summit. It’s a chance to see sustainability in action.
You’ll experience:
• Student projects that bring real-world solutions to life
• Practical tips you can use at home right away
• Community partners sharing the work happening across Durham
• Food trucks, arts and crafts, and fun activities for all ages
• An inside look at sustainability efforts across Durham Public Schools and our local community
🎟 Your FREE ticket includes a $5 food voucher to use at the food trucks during community time.
Bring your family. Invite a friend. Come curious. Leave inspired.
Register now and secure your food voucher:
👉 https://bit.ly/Sustain2026

Marca tu calendario para el DPS Sustainability Summit 2026 🌎
Acompáñanos el 7 de marzo de 2026 en la Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (800 Clayton Rd, Durham, NC) para un día lleno de ideas, creatividad y comunidad, enfocado en construir un futuro más sostenible.
Esto no es solo una cumbre. Es una oportunidad para ver la sostenibilidad en acción.
Podrás disfrutar de:
• Proyectos estudiantiles que muestran soluciones reales
• Consejos prácticos que puedes aplicar en tu vida diaria
• Organizaciones comunitarias compartiendo su trabajo en Durham
• Camiones de comida, arte, manualidades y actividades divertidas para todas las edades
• Una mirada interna a los esfuerzos de sostenibilidad en las Escuelas Públicas de Durham y en nuestra comunidad
🎟 Tu entrada es GRATIS e incluye un cupón de $5 para usar en los camiones de comida durante el tiempo comunitario.
Trae a tu familia. Invita a un amigo. Ven con curiosidad. Sal inspirado.
Regístrate ahora y asegura tu cupón de comida:
👉 https://bit.ly/Sustain2026

Family Engagement Summit

ACCESS Testing Begins on 1/27/2026 / ACCESS-teste beginne op 27-1-2026

Science Donations Needed

MOY Testing Starts on December 11th!/¡Las pruebas MOY comienzan el 11 de diciembre!

Tour Sign-Up/Inscripción al tour

In order to support the Hurricane Melissa victims in Jamaica, we will be collecting hygiene products such as:
Menstrual pads
Washcloths
Bath towels
Diapers
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Bath soap/body wash
Deodorant and
Socks.
These items will be collected next week, from November 17th through the 21st. This is a service project between Burton Elementary, Shepard, and Hillside High Schools' IB programs. Donated items can be given to Dr. Williams, and will be shipped to Jamaica over Thanksgiving break.

CDM - Credit By Demonstrated Mastery

High School Information Night at Shepard. We will have school representatives from Jordan, Hillside, Riverside, Southern, CMA, Durham Early College of Health Sciences, Durham School of Technology, Holton Career and Resource Center, and J.D. Clements Early College. They will share information with families about the HS registration and selection process along with a timeline for the process. You do not want to miss this information-filled event to prepare your scholar for High School. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Smith, counselor at quarshunda_smith@dpsnc.net.

Are you interested in becoming an IB Ambassador? Click on the link below to apply today! / ¿Te interesa ser embajador del IB? ¡Haz clic en el enlace de abajo para solicitarlo hoy mismo!

Application - https://forms.gle/k5bRcnng65fVgXHs8
Teacher/Community Member Recommendation Form - https://forms.gle/tRqDnp7fuPvNL5aX8

Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week 2025! October 13th - 17th!
¡Semana del Espíritu de la Herencia Hispana 2025! ¡Del 13 al 17 de octubre!

We’re excited to invite you to Curriculum Night! Join us at 5:40pm in the auditorium to kick off the evening with information about our next international trip, the Title I Opening Meeting, and more. Afterward, explore your student’s curriculum, meet teachers, and learn how families and staff can partner for success. We can’t wait to see you there!

6th Grade Survival Guide, Created by Shepard 6th Graders!!

Guía de supervivencia de sexto grado, ¡creada por estudiantes de sexto grado de Shepard!

🎒 Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year – Starts Today! 🚍 Durham, let’s kick off the school year right! The annual “Fill That Bus! Fuel the Year” school supply drive begins today, running through August 8. Our good friends at the DPS Foundation will be leading the effort in restocking the shelves at Crayons2Calculators so every DPS teacher has the tools needed—completely free—for student success 📝📚 What’s happening: Community-wide efforts to gather essential supplies—pencils, notebooks, art tools, rulers, folders, tissue, and more. Drop-off bins are set up around the city (libraries, churches, businesses) and at Crayons2Calculators warehouse, 808 Bacon St., open Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11 am–3 pm. Prefer to support digitally? Financial donations help purchase high-need items efficiently. Why it matters: Last year, Crayons2Calculators distributed over $129,000 in supplies, supporting 96% of DPS teachers at 59 schools—and many teachers still spend hundreds out-of-pocket. 👉 How YOU can help: Donate supplies: drop off at Crayons2Calculators or community bins. Give online: support via financial contributions. Share & volunteer: host your own drive or help pack supplies. Let’s come together and ensure no teacher—or student—goes without this school year. 🔗 Visit www.fillthebus.org for more details and a full list of needed items. #FillThatBus #DPSStrong #FuelTheYear #Crayons2Calculators

🎉 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week at Durham Public Schools! 🍎💙 This week, we honor the dedicated educators who shape minds, build confidence, and create a lasting impact in our schools and communities. Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting our school-level Teachers of the Year—outstanding individuals who go above and beyond for their students every day. Stay tuned right here as we celebrate their passion, commitment, and the powerful role they play in every child's future. #ThankATeacher #DPSProud #TeacherAppreciationWeek #WeAreDPS

📢 State Superintendent Mo Green Wants to Hear From You! 📢 Join the "Mo Wants to Know" tour on April 7 at 6 PM at Northern High School (Durham, NC) for a public listening session on the future of NC public schools. Parents, students, educators & community members—your voice matters! Register here: go.ncdpi.gov/NorthCentralMWTK #MoWantsToKnow #NCed #PublicEducation