Hello Shepard Families,
This is a friendly reminder to please complete the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey. Your feedback is very important to us and will help guide our school goals for next year.
In order to receive a school report, we need at least 20% of families to complete the survey. The survey window closes March 13, 2026, so there is still time to participate!
You can access the survey here:
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your voice and support Shepard!
We’ve officially launched Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association - let’s rally to change lives and be heart heroes for kids!
Through Finn’s Mission, you’ll learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and how to recognize a stroke. Here are the next steps to take today:
1. Sign Up for Kids Heart Challenge by downloading the free “AHA Schools”app for Apple or Android or by clicking HERE.
2. Be a hero: Send 10 texts TODAY to help save lives.
3. Complete Finn’s Mission: Learn Hands-Only CPR, earn your lifesavers cape and be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets!
By signing up and raising funds, you can help us earn gift certificates for physical activity and recess equipment to support the health & wellness of our school community.
I can’t wait to see our school create a community of lifesavers this year.
Due to the snow day on Monday, our lunch menu has changed for the rest of the week. Please see the updated menu below:
Wednesday:
• Chicken Nuggets
• Sweet Thai Meatball Rice
Thursday:
• Cheeseburger
• Cheese Quesadilla
Friday:
• Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
• Corn Dog
Thank you for your understanding!
Good morning families,
Just a quick reminder about morning car rider drop-off! To help things stay safe and smooth, please stay in your car and have your student open the door themselves.
We know car doors don’t always work perfectly—if that happens, our staff is happy to help so drop-off can keep moving.
For our kindergarteners and younger students, this can be a fun skill to practice at home—over the weekend or when you’re out and about—so they feel confident opening their car door at school.
We have around 100 cars each morning, so following these procedures helps keep traffic moving, gets students inside safely, and sets a great example for them!
Thanks so much for your help and support—we really appreciate it!
For more Shepard-specific info, including arrival and dismissal procedures, check out our Parent Information Slides.https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d_W0MiC3nYzVBIynlnpqXAhhsjUWM48zgI7LjleI46U/present?slide=id.p13
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Get ready for a week full of festive fun, laughter, and holiday cheer. Each day, our students can show their spirit in different ways—think cozy pajamas, silly socks, sparkly hats, and more!
Let’s make this week extra special and full of smiles as we celebrate the season together. ❄️🎁
#ShepardHolidaySpirit #K3Fun #TigersCelebrate #HolidayCheer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1213BQ4YoEwt2M4iC3ER-YpWArfrspj-7/view?usp=sharing
🎄✨ Holiday Spirit Week is here for our K–3 Tigers! 🐯
Get ready for a week full of festive fun, laughter, and holiday cheer. Each day, our students can show their spirit in different ways—think cozy pajamas, silly socks, sparkly hats, and more!
Let’s make this week extra special and full of smiles as we celebrate the season together. ❄️🎁
#ShepardHolidaySpirit #K3Fun #TigersCelebrate #HolidayCheer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1213BQ4YoEwt2M4iC3ER-YpWArfrspj-7/view?usp=sharing
Due to the temperatures predicted for Thursday, the village of Bourbonnais has decided to cancel the Tree Lighting event for this year. I know some of the students were really excited about this opportunity. However, keeping everyone warm and safe is more important.
We look forward to sharing all their hard work with everyone next Friday, December 12th at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Family and friends are welcome to join at either performance.
Thank you to everyone for your understanding and flexibility.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heald
Music Teacher
Alan B. Shepard Elementary School
healde@besd53.org
(815)929-4600 (ext: 4623)
Hola Familias de Tercer Grado:
Debido a las temperaturas pronosticadas para el jueves, la Villa de Bourbonnais ha decidido cancelar el evento de Iluminación del Árbol para este año. Sé que algunos de los estudiantes estaban muy emocionados por esta oportunidad. Sin embargo, mantener a todos abrigados y seguros es más importante.
Esperamos poder compartir todo su arduo trabajo con todos ustedes el próximo viernes, 12 de diciembre, a las 9:30 a. m. y 2:00 p. m. Familiares y amigos son bienvenidos a asistir a cualquiera de las presentaciones.
Gracias a todos por su comprensión y flexibilidad.
Atentamente,
Mrs. Heald
Maestra de Musica
Escuela Primaria Alan B. Shepard
healde@besd53.org
(815)929-4600 (ext: 4623)
Dear Parents,
We wanted to let you know there was an accidental mix-up with the lunch menu. The choices listed were supposed to be chicken tenders or corn dogs, but students were actually served chicken patty sandwiches or pasta with meatballs. Students were made aware of the change.
To make sure everyone has the correct information, we will be sending a corrected December lunch menu home with your student today.
We apologize for any confusion and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ozMAAqJVkJiKd4TnFZVAm8UymmbDSyNo/view?usp=sharing
As a reminder, students will go outside for recess when the combined temperature and wind chill is 20°F or above, unless it is raining, hailing, snowing, or lightning. If conditions indicate an immediate threat of thunderstorms or tornadoes, students will remain indoors for safety.
When the wind chill drops below 20°F or the heat index rises above 95°F, recess will also be held indoors.
As the weather takes a colder turn, please make sure your child comes prepared with jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and other warm items. We also encourage you to label all belongings with your child’s first and last name.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and comfortable during outdoor play! ❄️🧤
Just a reminder that our district wellness policy does not allow birthday treats to be brought to school. 🎂🚫
But don’t worry — we still love to celebrate our students! 🥳
Each teacher has a special way to recognize birthdays in the classroom, we celebrate during morning announcements, and students get to visit Mrs. LaVoie’s office for a special birthday pencil! ✏️🎈
Students are welcome to wear their costumes on October 31st for our Harvest Party! Please remember:
No weapons, masks, or gore
Costumes should be easy for your child to put on and take off independently for restroom breaks
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.
We can’t wait to see all the creative costumes! 👻✨
Join us as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week and say NO to drugs with fun dress-up days:
Monday: Sock it to drugs! 🧦 Wear your crazy socks!
Tuesday: Team up against drugs! 🏀 Wear your favorite team shirt!
Wednesday: Are you RED-Y to say no to drugs? ❤️ Wear red!
Thursday: Don’t get tied up in drugs! 👔 Wear tie-dye, neckties, bow ties, or hair bows!
Friday: Say boo to bad choices! 👻 Wear Halloween costumes or colors!
Let’s have a fun week while making healthy choices! 🌟
As a reminder, students will go outside for recess when the combined temperature and wind chill is 20°F or above, unless it is raining, hailing, snowing, or lightning. If conditions indicate an immediate threat of thunderstorms or tornadoes, students will remain indoors for safety.
When the wind chill drops below 20°F or the heat index rises above 95°F, recess will also be held indoors.
As the weather takes a colder turn, please make sure your child comes prepared with jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and other warm items. We also encourage you to label all belongings with your child’s first and last name.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and comfortable during outdoor play! ❄️🧤
Our Harvest Parties are just around the corner! If you signed up to send in supplies, please have all items turned in to the school by next Friday, October 24th so volunteers have time to prepare.
Thank you so much for your support and generosity in helping make these celebrations a success for our students!
We can’t wait for a fun and festive day!
We can’t wait to see everyone there! Don’t forget to come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume! 🎃📚
We’re excited to celebrate our upcoming Harvest Party on Friday, October 31st!
To help make the event simple and fun for everyone, we’re asking for a $5 donation per student, to be handed in by Thursday, October 17th. Donations will go toward snacks, activities, and decorations for the celebration. Thank you if you have already turned your donation in!
A party supply and volunteer sign-up will be shared soon for those who would like to help in other ways.
Thank you so much for your continued support—we’re looking forward to a wonderful celebration!
Just a quick reminder — if your child is a car rider in the morning, please keep them in the car until 8:30 a.m. That’s when our staff begins morning duty, and we want to make sure all students are safe and supervised.
Thank you so much for helping us keep mornings running smoothly and safely!
Tomorrow, our students will attend the NED Show Assembly.
As part of the program, students have the option to purchase a yo-yo.
Order forms will be sent home with your student.
If your child would like to purchase one, please:
Place the order form and money in an envelope labeled with your child’s name and teacher.
Have your child give the envelope to their teacher.
Yo-yo sales will run from 9/17 through 9/26.
Yo-yos will be delivered to your child’s teacher once orders are filled.
Thank you for your support—we’re looking forward to a fun show!
https://www.thenedshow.com/ned_program.html
Regular school attendance is one of the best ways to support your child’s learning and success. Even a few missed days can add up quickly.
Learn more here: Why Attendance Matters: https://vimeo.com/196101998?fl=pl&fe=vl
Thank you for helping your child be here every day!