Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – April 9, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

As you know, we will be starting in-person hybrid instruction the week of April 19^th.  I know you are all eager for the specifics of our hybrid plan. 

Next Monday, will be the start of the fourth quarter. Monday and Tuesday, will be normal CDL days.  However, during April 14-16 (Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday), teachers will be completing training as they prepare for hybrid instruction. To continue student progress, students are completing coursework in all classes asynchronously on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Each day, students should log into canvas and complete the assigned work. Teachers will be posting assignments connected to course content, and/or curated modules focusing other topics/themes related to their course or grade level.

We are going to have an “All About Hybrid Meeting” on Wednesday Evening, April 14^th, at 7PM.  This will be combined with the PTA meeting, with the Zoom link PTA Meeting “All about Hybrid” 7PM.

In the meeting, we will cover a multitude of topics:

• Entry and exit procedures
• Which door should students enter the building
• Health and safety procedures and entry screening
• Sanitation
• Ventilation
• What to bring?
• What is the regular bell schedule?
• Will there be a special schedule the first week?
• And more!

I will be sharing documents with you on Monday night or Tuesday morning with a wealth of information, so that you can review them before the meeting and be prepared with follow up questions.  If you cannot make the meeting, don’t worry.  All of the information you need will be in the documents.

Below, I have shared “a Few Hybrid FAQs”, which may be helpful information to have right now.

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – April 2, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

Yesterday, I was pleased to send families choosing hybrid instruction their cohort assignments: either cohort A, Monday/Tuesday, starting on April 19^th, or cohort B, Thursday/Friday, starting on April 22.  There will be many new ways of doing things, and starting next week we will be sharing the details so that you know what to expect.  I know many students are excited but also nervous.  During the first week, students will have a special orientation schedule reserving extra time with their 3^rd period teacher (same teacher that did SEL during soft start and the BLM week of action).  They will learn about all the new procedures, have a tour of the school, learn where to find all of their classes, and engage in some activities meant to increase their comfort level at school. Mr. L has convened a “Hybrid Welcoming Task Force” and they are hard at work planning ways to make hybrid learning less scary and more joyful.

Regarding cohorts, as I have shared a few times previously, Sellwood, just like other schools, is not able to make changes to cohorts.  The cohorts were created by an optimizing program which randomly assigned students to cohorts with the aim of making sure cohorts in all classes sections were the same size.  This is essential, because classroom size limits are pretty severe.  Since several parents have asked to switch cohorts, I wanted to provide an explanation as to why I cannot do that.  If a student is changed from one cohort to another, the classes become lopsided, not just one class, but all: math, science, etc.  For example, if one 8^th grader wanted to switch to cohort B and another to switch to cohort A, because they don’t have exactly the same class schedule, it would still result in lopsided cohorts for some classes.  So, changing just one student’s cohort could result in classes being over capacity and force a class to move to the library or staff room.  Additionally, while the reasons for the requests to switch have been compelling, I feel very strongly that if I were able to figure out a way to switch cohorts for one student, I would have to switch cohorts for every family that requested it.  It is just not possible.  So, if I receive any emails requesting a cohort change, I will have to decline all requests.  I apologize in advance.

I am also getting excited about the Sellwood Virtual 5k, which is being organized by the Sellwood MS Foundation.  Our feeder schools Lewis, LLewellyn, and Duniway are participating as well.  Please read more about it below.

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – March 19, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

As you are aware, PPS will begin some in-person learning in the afternoons for middle school students, starting April 19^th.  As I have described in previous emails, the amount of time that students will be able to attend in person is severely limited by space constraints and safety requirements.  At Sellwood, this will likely mean two afternoons every other week, from 1:30 to 4PM, either Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday.  I am sorry if the limited time is a disappointment, but we are severely restricted by small classrooms and large class sizes and will need to have 4 groups (cohorts).  Please note that just like other schools, I am sorry but we cannot accommodate requests for specific cohorts, except in the case of keeping siblings together if needed.  The good thing about the fourth quarter schedule is that students will maintain their current schedule and teachers, and distance learning will mostly continue as it has the first three quarters.  Below is a rough idea of the schedule.

PPS sent a survey to all middle school families this Monday so that parents could indicate whether they would like to return to school for those in-person afternoon classes.  Many parents did not get the survey initially, but I have been emailing out the individual links and we have been calling and sending survey links by text as well.  Most families have already responded, but if your family still needs your survey link, please send an email to jcarbone@pps.net and put “need survey & your child’s name” in the subject line.  Please do it today, as spring break begins tomorrow and the survey is due on Sunday, March 21^st.

Finally, I have to share that I am so saddened and upset by the senseless acts of hate and violence toward members of Asian communities in Atlanta, across the nation, and here in Portland.  Sellwood Middle School strongly denounces these acts of hatred and violence and will do whatever it takes to keep our school a safe haven for all students.  Sellwood stands in solidarity with the Asian community and our Asian families and students. My heart goes out to all of you.

I wish you all a safe and peaceful spring break.

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• March 22 - 26: Spring Break
• April 8: End of Quarter 3
• April 9: No School
• April 12: First day of Q4. 
• Week of April 19^th – Start of hybrid in-person learning.
• May 31: Memorial Day – No School
• June 11: Last Day of School

YEARBOOK NEWS:

Order a yearbook for $20 on SchoolPay. Full color, hardbound yearbooks will be distributed in June; please order by April 15 to ensure you get one!

Submit school-related photos of your kiddos at https://commpe.pictavo.com/ You can search and find our school OR just use our code: 94743. Please share a photo of your Sellwood student(s). High quality phone photos are great and pets are welcomed with their student! Photo submission deadline April 9. If you missed school portrait day, this is a great way to help your student make it into our yearbook. 

PTA NEWS:

Our next PTA meeting will be April 14th, at 7pm on Zoom.

Sellwood Dines Out is back! Thank you to those that supported The Portland Bottle Shop!

Our next Dines Out is set for April 7th at Por Que No (Hawthorne Location)! They are contributing 10% of their sales up to $300.  4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd.  4p – 9p  https://porquenotacos.square.site/

Spread the word-The PTA is still looking for new board members for the 2021-22 school year. Please email sellwoodpta@gmail if you or someone you know is interested. It is a small time commitment and a great way to get involved

Donate to the PTA through Amazon Smile. Purchase with purpose. Shop for the holidays with AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives. and Amazon donates to Sellwood Middle School PTA.

FOUNDATION NEWS – SELLWOOD VIRTUAL 5K!

The Sellwood Virtual 5K is coming this May!  Stay tuned for more details, but in the meantime it is never too early to start moving.  This will be a fun community event that supports the Sellwood Foundation, along with our three feeder elementary schools.  Because we are stronger together!

FROM NUTRITION SERVICES

With the upcoming transition to hybrid learning, the last day for home meal delivery will be Friday, March 19. On Monday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 17 each student will receive 3 days worth of meals.  On Friday, March 19, each student or child will receive 7 days worth of meals to cover the week of spring break.  We will be pausing our services the week of spring break.  Meal services will resume with new locations and service times. Please visit https://www.pps.net/nutrition for updated information.

COUNSELORS’ CORNER:

MOVIE GROUP:

March: The Maze Runner on YouTube

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action

March 19th @ 3:15-4pm enter through Ms. Katie's "door"

Email your counselor for information on how to stream this movie for free!

ART GROUP:

Are you feeling stress? We can help!

Come join the Create More, Fear Less group that the counseling team will host every THURSDAY from 12:15-1pm starting next week on March 11.  

If you are interested in participating, come to Ms. Katie's "door" at 12:15 and we will do a quick check-in and start working on some sort of art project to help ease the stress and anxiety of the pandemic and the loneliness that comes along with distance learning.  

If you have questions or need some art supplies email one of the counselors for support. 

Hope to see you next week!

Appointments with your counselor:

Watch this video if you need helping signing up!

Please click on the counselor name you would like to sign up for a check in with or send them an email directly.  

Ms. Susan-Calendar

Ms. Katie-Calendar

Ms. Cara- send an email to schedule a time

MAIN OFFICE:

New phone numbers for the main office!

971-201-6931 – work cell for Melissa Whiteside, Sellwood School Secretary – attendance, email passwords, registration, enrollment, and ParentVue

971-201-5880 – work cell for Claire Howard, Sellwood Principal’s Secretary – regarding issues for the principal or SchoolPay.

Just a friendly reminder the school building is closed.  Office staff will be in the main office on Tuesday’s from 9:00AM-12:00 PM and Thursdays from 1:00PM-3:00PM. 

Other than Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon, office staff is working remotely from home. Email is the best way to reach us.  mwhitesi@pps.net or choward1@pps.net .  The second best way is using the work cell numbers listed above.

Parents have called to find out which class their student was marked absent for. The best way to find this information is to log into ParentVue.  If you have forgotten your password, have been locked out of your account, or do not have login credentials. Please email Melissa Whiteside @ mwhitesi@pps.net

If you need to excuse your child's attendance, please email Melissa Whiteside. (mwhitesi@pps.net) I will be more than happy to assist you. 

For matters concerning registration, enrollment, and ParentVue send emails to mwhitesi@pps.net .

To make changes to your student's registration in Synergy please log-in and use ParentVue.

If your ParentVue account has been disabled please email Melissa Whiteside mwhitesi@pps.net

RE: STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE

From Claire Howard, Principal’s Secretary and Bookkeeper

School Pay Accounts:  Thank you to the many families who have supported Sellwood Middle School students through donations to our various SMS programs.  It is with your support that SMS continues to offer our students the best educational opportunities even during distance learning.    

Here’s the link to our School Pay https://pps.schoolpay.com/                 (Credit/Debit Cards & Electronic Checks Accepted)

YEARBOOK:  'Yearbook 2020-2021' purchase is now open on School Pay for all students in all grades.  Cost is $20.00 per student.  Currently School Pay is the only option for purchase.  For cash purchases: Extra yearbooks, as supply allows, will be available for cash purchase when yearbooks are distributed in June.  If you pay NOW with a credit card or electronic check the quantity needed is more accurate for our order.   NOTE:  Some families pay for a book donation to help our Sellwood families.  If you are doing so, after you pay for your child, open another order page and in the Student Name section put "Donation" rather than the name, put any grade and then include your name as indicated.  

STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE:  These funds help all Sellwood students during the year.  If you haven’t already donated, please consider doing so now.  $20.00 Suggested Donation per Child.

Other accounts open for donations (any amount accepted):

• Math: Will offset some of the cost of graph paper and whiteboards distributed.
• Art:  Will help offset the cost of art material kits distributed.
• Principal's Discretionary:  Used to support students.
• Marimba:  Great program.  Help us with instrument tuning, repair, music and more.
• Band:  Great program:  Help keep it amazing! 
• Library:  Love to Read?  The Library can always use support.

Thank you.  Happy New Year!    

CHROMEBOOKS

Chromebook distribution is now being managed by the central office at the BESC.  If your child needs a Chromebook or if their Chromebook needs to be replaced, here are the details:

For families that still do not have an available computer at home for students to use, or need to exchange the one they recently received because of technical issues, we have these upcoming opportunities for you:

• When: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Where: PPS district office (501 N. Dixon St). Please go to the lower level parking lot, which has an entrance on N. Larrabee Ave. 
• Please bring: Your student’s school ID or ID number. If you are exchanging a device, please bring the device and charger with you. 
• Please be aware: We are asking everyone to use recommended social distancing practices, keeping 6 feet of space between groups and wearing a facemask or face covering, if possible.

RACE, RACISM, AND RACIAL EQUITY RESOURCES

• Black History is Not American History – article from National Council for Social Studies
• Teenagers Discuss Microaggressions - video on YouTube by HatchKids

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – March 12, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

One year ago, on Friday, March 13^th, 2020, PPS schools closed for an extended two-week spring break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Schools districts around the country closed as well.  As I waved goodbye to Sellwood students going home on the bus, I was struck by the feeling that our lives were changing and that the extended spring break would not be two weeks.  And later it snowed, adding to the surreality!

One year later, our lives have indeed changed.  We have endured so much, and our world is full of complexities and uncertainties.  And yet, we wholeheartedly embrace and appreciate all opportunities for joy J Yesterday was Sellwood picture day, and it was lovely to see many students, parents, and Sellwood staff in person.  And, what a beautiful day today! 

You may have read about the Governor’s executive order that all middle schools will begin in-person learning the week of April 19th. We are excited about re-opening and have been actively planning to the extent we can with ever changing requirements. On Monday, March 15^th, you should receive information from PPS Communications about the PPS middle school hybrid plan and schedule, and have the opportunity to indicate whether or not you plan to have your child return to in-person learning during the 4^th quarter.  I have been briefed on the potential schedule, but as it is still being negotiated with the teachers union and could possibly change, I can’t share it.  Please make sure to look for the email, review the plan, and respond to the survey as soon as you can – April 19^th will be here before we know it!

Also, 6th and 7th-graders, don't forget to choose your classes for next year.  Your forecasting forms are due Monday, March 15th!  Please check out the section on forecasting below with links to all the documents.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Portland Public Schools is thrilled to announce the availability of $10 million to support partners who provide summer safety and enrichment programming for students this summer. 

Dear PPS Community,

As we continue welcoming our students to hybrid in-person learning, today we want to share a new resource that is available to you. For this project, we ReImagine a Digital Experience – an experience that is easy to navigate, multilingual, user-friendly and welcoming for ALL.

Dear PPS Families,

We have been working hard to put the finishing touches on the safe return of students to our schools for hybrid learning, and are excited to see students in grades 6-8 starting next week! For families whose students will participate in hybrid instruction, we have included information and reminders to help you prepare for the first days of in-person learning this school year. 

We are excited to welcome our high school students back into buildings starting April 19. It will be great see students, hear the voices in the hall and connect with one another in person. The last few weeks we have been preparing for students to return and wanted to share a few reminders to students and families.