Dear PPS Families,

We hope you are enjoying a safe and healthy summer break. Thank you for sharing your feedback on the re-entry survey we recently sent to you. While there are still numerous details to finalize, we wanted to update you on where we are with our efforts to ensure healthy beginnings for the 2020-21 school year. 

Dear PPS Families,

We want to make sure you are aware of a change in meal distribution. For this week only, sacks of breakfast and lunch will be available Monday through Wednesday instead of the usual Monday through Thursday. Sacks of breakfast and lunch will be distributed outside 14 of our schools, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dear PPS Community,

We wanted to remind you about opportunities to provide feedback on the 2020 School Bond Renewal, including one that is now open. The 2020 School Bond Renewal Survey is now available. The survey, which will allow you to share your input on priorities and approaches to funding, will be open until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3:

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – June 11, 2020

Dear Sellwood Community,

Summer break has finally arrived, after probably the most challenging school year any of us have experienced and one that none of us could have imagined in September 2019.  Even though at the end it felt like we were limping across the finish line, we tried to do it with some grace.

Everyone has questions, of course, about what the fall holds for us.  Yesterday, the Oregon Department of Education released its guidelines for the reopening of schools.  You probably read the article in the Oregonian, or you may have read ODE’s document entitled Ready Schools, Safe Learners.  In any case, there are still many questions left unanswered, and specific plans are still being formulated.  Each district will create its own blueprint by August 15th, which will then be shared with families.  As always, I will do my best to communicate with you as soon as I have news.

The pandemic has put our regular planning duties way behind our planned timeline.  In a normal year, I would be sending student schedules home in June.  Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, in June, we are having to rework the staffing that we did in March.  In early July, PPS will begin our hiring process.  This new timeline means that I will likely not be able to send home schedules until late August.  Please be patient and bear with us. 

In some positive news, our security upgrades are finally being installed.  A video and buzzer system will allow us to keep all of our doors locked at all times.  A PA system connected to our emergency announcement system, with speakers both indoors and outdoors, has been installed.  This means that areas of the school that previously had trouble hearing announcements can now hear them clearly.  Still no elevator, though…

Also, below my letter, please find a few resources for white students and families who are seeking to be better white allies and others that support students and families of color who are impacted by racism.

Sellwood community, I would like to thank you all for your kindness and support, and for supporting students through distance learning, while juggling your many other responsibilities.  I hope you find some joy and relaxation this summer, and the first day of school, however it comes, will be here soon.

In gratitude,

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood Principal

RESOURCES

CNN and Sesame Street’s Town Hall on Racism

Emotionally Restorative Self Care: People of Color

SUMMER MEALS FOR PPS STUDENTS

The Nutrition Services department will be extending current meal services into the summer, June 11th through August 21st at all locations except Rigler and Harrison Park due to extensive construction projects.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided to any PPS student and any children in the community ages 1-18, Monday through Thursday. Meals for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are provided on Thursdays. Children do not need to be present to pickup the meals.  

Meals will be available for pickup outside the school from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the locations below. 

As in years past, the Nutrition Services department will partner with Portland Parks and Recreation to provide meals at 13 additional parks throughout the city starting June 22.   More information will be provided later about services times.  

The park locations are listed below:

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – June 4, 2020

Dear Sellwood Community,

With a heavy heart, I write this week’s newsletter.  Our country is reeling in pain after witnessing the senseless and horrific death of another unarmed Black man, George Floyd, at the hands of the police.  This outrage came on the heels of the fatal shooting and murder of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed Black jogger in Georgia, at the hands of three white men.  Just today, I learned that before Ahmaud was shot, the men had hit him with their truck!  Yet these two brutal killings are just the most recent expressions of a system rooted in racial oppression and injustice.

As a White, anti-racist in a position of leadership, I am compelled to speak out against racial injustice and White supremacy. I believe we all have a responsibility to play an active role in dismantling systemic racism and change our collective future.  When driven by parents and schools working side-by-side, education can be the key to that change.

Earlier in the school year, Sellwood students indicated in a survey that working to end racial injustice was one of their strongest areas of interest, along with climate justice.  That knowledge fills me with hope.  I am also aware that many Sellwood students and families participated in local protests in the wake of the George Floyd killing.  Before the abrupt school closure, Sellwood had started doing some school-wide work with students addressing hate speech, and had signed up to participate in the 2020 Middle School Conference on Race.  Unfortunately, we did not make as much progress as we had hoped.  However, I want you all to know that I am committed more than ever to do the work. 

Below are links to resources families can use to engage children in conversations that can open minds and inspire action.

Racial Equity & Justice Parent Resources

• NPR Interview with Professor Harvey: 'Raising White Kids' Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race

• Parent Toolkit: How to talk to kids about race and racism

• CNN Article: How to talk to you children about protests and racism

• Raising Equity: Resources for parents engaging kids in conversations about racial equity

• List of movies from Common Sense Media that “Inspire Kids to Change the World”

Education must be centered on human dignity and prepare our students to disrupt systems of oppression.  Schools and families must partner to raise and educate our white children be to anti-racists.  We must teach our youth to stand up and speak out for justice and decency.  There is no other way forward.

- If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor - Desmond Tutu

Thank you, Sellwood Community: students, families, and staff.  I look forward to working with you to shape a future changed for the better.

Ever hopeful,

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood Principal

Important Dates to Remember

• June 8: 6^th-grade Item Collection (see schedule below)

• June 9^th: 7^th grade Item Collection (see schedule below)

• June 9:  8^th-grade Promotion Video Virtual Party, 7PM

• June 10: 8^th-grade Teacher Car Parade, 1PM

• June 10: Last Day of School

• June 17: Sellwood Middle School Foundation Meeting

Yearbooks

Yearbooks will be available for pick-up at the school on June 8^th and 9^th.  If you did not order a yearbook and would like to purchase one, they are $17.  Please note that we are unable to provide change.

Final Medication Pick-up

Our school nurse will be at Sellwood on Tuesday, June 9^th, from 8-12 and will be available for a final medication pick-up.  Medication that is unclaimed after the end of the school year will be destroyed as per medication guidelines.

SUMMER MEALS FOR PPS STUDENTS

The Nutrition Services department will be extending current meal services into the summer, June 11th through August 21st at all locations except Rigler and Harrison Park due to extensive construction projects.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided to any PPS student and any children in the community ages 1-18, Monday through Thursday. Meals for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are provided on Thursdays. Children do not need to be present to pickup the meals.  

Meals will be available for pickup outside the school from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the locations below. 

As in years past, the Nutrition Services department will partner with Portland Parks and Recreation to provide meals at 13 additional parks throughout the city starting June 22.   More information will be provided later about services times.  

The park locations are listed below:

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – May 28, 2020

Greetings Sellwood Community,

A few weeks ago we celebrated teacher appreciation week.  There was an outpouring of love and care from families, students, the community, and many local businesses.  The cards, letters, and gifts made all of our educators feel special.  Following this link will take you to a video where staff share their heartfelt gratitude for all of your support. 

https://youtu.be/SYVIguKcsBk  Mil Gracias!

The 2019/20 School year is rapidly winding down.  Many of you have been asking about when you would have the opportunity to collect your students’ belongings from their lockers.  Unfortunately, there have been restrictions preventing us from accessing the building, and we were hoping that restrictions in Multnomah County would be lifted in time for us to allow students in tightly controlled groups to enter the school and retrieve their items.  Unfortunately, that is not going to happen so we are moving on to plan B.  Since students and parents cannot enter the building, custodians are collecting belongings from lockers and placing them in bags, labeled with locker numbers.  We will be distributing these bags on designated days, along with yearbooks and other items.  We also plan to collect textbooks, library books, and instruments on these dates.

Students will be assigned a date and time based on their grade and first letter of their last name.

Please see below for more details and dates and times.

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

Important Dates to Remember

June 3: 8^th-grade Items Collection (see schedule below)

June 8: 6^th-grade Item Collection (see schedule below)

June 9^th: 7^th grade Item Collection (see schedule below)

June 9:  8^th-grade Promotion Video Virtual Party, 7PM

June 10: 8^th-grade Teacher Car Parade, 1PM

June 10: Last Day of School

June 17: Sellwood Middle School Foundation Meeting

Collecting Items from School

We ask that all students and family members wear masks and keep physical distance of at least 6 feet.  Please also limit the number of people in your group as much as possible.  At your scheduled time students will be directed to a table and asked for their locker number and a quick description of the locker’s location, for example – first floor near Ms. Bond’s room.  A runner will enter the building and retrieve the bag with the locker’s contents.  

Sellwood 6^th and 7^th-graders share lockers, which adds another challenge to the process.  Because we cannot determine on our own whose items are whose in any shared locker, when the bag for your shared locker is brought out, students will put on a fresh pair of gloves (that we will provide) and remove their items from the bag.  An additional challenge is that some students have left items in lockers that were not assigned to them.  We will only allow students to retrieve items from lockers assigned to them.  If a student knows they left an important item in a friend’s locker, they should remind the friend to get their item and return it to them when it is safe to do so.

There will also be tables for yearbook distribution and other items, and locations for dropping off textbooks and library books.

Please keep in mind that while we will do our best to keep items from becoming contaminated, any items transported by others should not be considered sanitized, even if the person was wearing gloves.  Please assume that any items you are taking home may have been handled by someone, and be sure to sanitize them and wash your hands.

Here is the schedule for the collection of items:

June 3^rd: 8^th-graders

• 9:30-10:30 – Last names A-C

• 10:30-11:30 – Last names D-G

• 11:30-12:30 – Last names H-L

• 1:15-2:15 – Last names M-R

• 2:15-3:15 – Last names S-Y

June 8^th: 6^th-graders

• 9:30-10:30 – Last names A-D

• 10:30-11:30 – Last names D-J

• 11:30-12:30 – Last names K-M

• 1:15-2:15 – Last names N-R

• 2:15-3:15 – Last names S-Z

June 9^th: 7^th-graders

• 9:30-10:30 – Last names A-C

• 10:30-11:30 – Last names D-G

• 11:30-12:30 – Last names H-L

• 1:15-2:15 – Last names M-R

• 2:15-3:15 – Last names S-Z

Message for Sellwood 8th grade families:  

We realize that this year is ending quite differently for all of us.  Our 8th-graders, especially, are missing out on several traditional activities that would have marked the end of their middle school years and the transition to high school. 

Here are a few details about our planned 8^th-grade promotional events.  On Wednesday, June 3^rd, 8^th-graders can pick up their t-shirts along with their yearbooks and locker belongings.  On Tuesday, June 9^th, at 7PM, we will release the 8^th-grade Promotion Video for a virtual video viewing party.  On June 10^th, at 1PM, teachers will do an 8^th-grade celebration drive through Sellwood neighborhoods.  The final details of the route are being worked out, and we will share them, along with an estimated timeline, early next week.  We are trying to make the route pass as many of your homes as possible.
 

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – May 21, 2020

Greetings Sellwood Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  This week’s newsletter contains information regarding the upcoming virtual Sellwood PTA meeting, a new schedule for the distribution of Chromebooks, and a few resources for families experiencing need.

Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

Important Dates to Remember

May 25: No School, Memorial Day

May 27: Virtual Sellwood PTA Meeting, 7PM

June 9:  8^th-grade Promotion Video Virtual Party, 7PM

June 10: 8^th-grade Teacher Car Parade, 1PM

June 10: Last Day of School

June 17: Sellwood Middle School Foundation Meeting

PTA News:

Save the Date: Virtual PTA Meeting on Zoom, Wednesday May 27th, 7:00pm. 

• Join Zoom Meeting

• https://pdx.zoom.us/j/91284771930

• Meeting ID: 912 8477 1930

• Password: 166542

One tap mobile

+19712471195,,91284771930# US (Portland)

We will vote on 2020-2021 board members and approve the budget for next year.

Anyone is able to run for a board position. Please email sellwoodpta@gmail.com if you are interested on being nominated.

The nominees as of now:

• President: Gina Biehl

• Vice President: Maggie Vining

• Secretary: Cyndi Redmond

• Treasurer: Erika Morales

• Auditor: Kristin Wise

• PEAK Coordinator: Open

Updated 2019-20 District Calendar

The 2019-20 District Calendar has been updated to reflect the furlough as well as changes to the end of the school year.  It is also posted on the district website. 

The 2020-21 District Calendar is also linked here.

Leap into 9th Grade - Canceled for Summer 2020

Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and budget constraints, Leap into 9th Grade will not take place this summer.

Computer Distribution and Exchange Services Shifted To Mondays & Thursdays

As the 2019-20 school year winds down under unprecedented circumstances, we want to make you aware that we are reducing our days for distributing and exchanging district-owned  computers used for PPS-HD, our home-based distance learning program.

With demand slowing down, we will shift to two days of service for families with a student who still does not have an available computer at home, or those who need to exchange a computer that is not working properly.

When: Monday and Thursday, 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 at least 6 feet of space between groups and wearing a facemask or face covering, if possible.

Please note that if you have a technical issue and are not sure if you should exchange a computer, you can also:

Call: 503-916-3375

Email: support@pps.net 

Web: pps.net/student

Thank you for your patience and diligence as we all navigate the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Office of Technology & Information Services

Medical Care

For students who need medical care, the Multnomah County Student Health Center at Parkrose High School remains open:

• Address: 12003 NE Shaver St.

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m-4:45 p.m.

Please call 503-988-3392 first for more information about appointments. The center is open to students ages 5-18 who live in Multnomah County. There is no out-of-pocket cost. (The student health centers at five PPS high schools -- Cleveland, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison at Marshall and Roosevelt -- have been closed during the coronavirus crisis.)

Multnomah County also offers low-cost family health care to all county residents, including those who are low income and uninsured, at Primary Care Clinics. Four are open during the crisis (Portland unless noted):

• East County Health Center, 600 NE 8th St., Gresham

• Mid County Health Center, 12710 SE Division St.

• Northeast Health Center, 5329 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

• Health Service Center at Gladys McCoy Building, 619 NW 6th Ave.

Please call 503-988-5558 for an appointment.

Telemedicine appointments also are available at 503-988-3392 (Parkrose for students) and 503-988-5538 (primary)

Health Insurance

Families that have had a loss of income or have lost insurance coverage could be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan.

Go to www.oregonhealthcare.gov to apply. Certified assisters can help you apply; find one through the website or by calling 800-699-9075.

Drive through Food Bank on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM

Oregon Food Bank, New Seasons, Safeway, and All Saints Episcopal Church are teaming up to support families’ nutrition needs in response to the PPS Furlough.

Fridays from 1:30 to 3:00 at All Saints Episcopal at 40th and Woodstock, 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd there is a drive through food bank. There are vegan boxes as well.  It is a family friendly service.

Message for Sellwood 8th grade families:  

We realize that this year is ending quite differently for all of us.  Our 8th-graders, especially, are missing out on several traditional activities that mark the end of their middle school years and the transition to high school.  We are striving to plan some safe and celebratory events to warmly recognize our 8th-graders in June.  Please let us know if you have any other ideas that we might be able to accomplish.

Greetings 8th graders! We are preparing a special something for your Continuation and need a few things from you:

1. A picture of you working from home.
2. A choice photo (could be a silly pic, glamour shot, anything school-appropriate)

Please share the photos by May 28th by either method.
a. Email it to bnelson1@pps.net, with your first and last name.
b. Add it as an attachment to the assignment in your "Sellwood Middle School 8th Grade" Google Classroom (This is the preferred method.)

If you need help figuring out how to share it Mrs. Nelson know via email! We will have more information regarding the celebration of YOU soon!