Dear Sellwood Community,

Welcome back from Winter Break! Whether you found sunshine somewhere in the world or stayed in Portland with lots of rain (as I did) I hope your family enjoyed some time off and you feel rejuvenated for the new year.

Moving toward second semester there are many events and dates to be aware of. I have updated the "important dates to remember" section at the very bottom of this newsletter. Please refer to that section when you have a moment to update your calendars.

You should also read further for information about our Art & STEM Show next Thursday, Outdoor School dates for 6th-graders, CHS forecasting information for 8th graders, Standards-Based Grading coming to all PPS middle schools, PTA events (meeting next Thursday @7PM), PEAK after school program information, and more.

We also have a last minute request for a few parent volunteers to help chaperone an AVID field trip to the Portland Art Museum on January 22nd. Please see the attached flyer and let us know if you are interested.

Enjoy the weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

Dear Sellwood Community,

Our two week winter break is here! The first four months of the school year have flown by, and it has been my joy to serve as the Sellwood Middle School principal.

I am so grateful for the positivity and involvement of Sellwood students, staff, and families.

I appreciate you all!

Have a wonderful break, and I hope you enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Sincerely,

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

Dear Sellwood Community,

I hope you all had a wonderful fall break and enjoyed some quality rest & relaxation.

Next week, we are excited to host our Winter Choir & Band Concert at the Cleveland High School Auditorium, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, on Thursday, December 12th. That morning, we will also hold a Choir and Band Assembly, so that Sellwood students get to experience a performance by our band and choir programs, and hopefully get inspired to get involved themselves.

8th grade families, if your child is interested in attending Benson Polytechnic High School or another focus option high school next year, please be aware that the application window closes Monday, December 16th -- Learn more: Application and other information

I hope you have a lovely weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible achievement by 96 of our outstanding PPS music students, who have earned spots in the prestigious All-State Ensembles for the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA). 

This annual statewide competition recognizes the "best of the best" in student musicianship, bringing together top performers from across Oregon to play in cross-district ensembles at the state music education conference this weekend, January 17-19.

PPS is hosting a series of events that focus on belonging, equity and inclusive practices where we will screen powerful, award-winning documentaries that will challenge each of us to consider what is possible in the systems we create for our children with disabilities.

As part of this series, we will be holding a free screening of "Forget Me Not” on Thursday, January 16th at 6:30 PM at Franklin High School.

"Forget Me Not" is a moving story about 3-year-old Emilio whose family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities: that of securing the right to an inclusive education. Filmmaker Olivier and his wife, Hilda, turn the camera on themselves and their child as they navigate an often frustrating system on their way toward ensuring that their son gets the education he needs and deserves.

Staff, families, and community members are all invited. Parking is free and light refreshment will be provided. We hope to see you there!

If you’re ever lucky enough to tag along with Tom Myers and his bird club at Skyline School, you’ll most likely notice a few things: that Skyline in the early morning can be a breathtakingly beautiful place, and that if you have a question about birds – or the natural world in general – the man his students call “Teacher Tom” can almost certainly answer it.