Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – February 19, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

It’s been another rough week, with the beautiful snow turning into an ice storm, leaving thousands of families in Portland without power.  We lost power for about six hours and Internet for two days, and I cannot imagine what it has been like for those of you who have experienced a week without electricity.  I am so sorry! On top of the inconvenience and discomfort, more missed school.  I just read that PGE is saying most homes will have power restored on Friday.  I certainly hope so. 

Last week I let you know that we have scheduled picture day for March 12^th, unfortunately, we have hit a snag in our safety plan approval.  We are still planning to move ahead with March 12^th but I will not be sending the final details and sign up link until I get the definite go ahead.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – February 12, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful snow today.  A trip to the dog park is in my immediate future, but for now I am staying inside!

Many of you have asked about student photos and the yearbook, and I am happy to announce that we are scheduling picture day for March 12^th from 1PM to 6:30PM.  We will be working with Dorian Studios and they will soon be sending a link to sign up with SignUpGenius.    I will send the complete details next week, but I wanted to give everyone a heads up so you can get it on your calendars.

A few days ago, PPS Communications sent a letter with an update about plans for in-person learning (hybrid) for K-5 students.  Here is a link to that message.  The letter says the following about middle and high schools, “Due to space constraints and more complex class schedule considerations, we are not yet ready to share updated plans for hybrid learning for middle and high school students.” So, unfortunately, I do not have any information to update you.

Monday is President’s Day, so enjoy the three-day weekend.  The week’s schedule is posted below.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – February 5, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

It is hard to believe that we have completed the first week of 2^nd semester.  We are still waiting to hear more concrete news as to whether and/or when we will begin hybrid learning.  In case you missed the letter sent by PPS Communications last week, here is a link to the web page with the letter.  That is the latest information that principals have received.  As always, I will update you as soon as I have information and have permission to share with families.

We have lots coming up in February.  MAP testing on the 10^th and 11^th, Virtual Outdoor School for 6^th-graders starting on the 16^th, and the annual Successful School Survey which opens February 8^th.  Please see the sections below for more details.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – January 29, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

Monday is the first day of the second semester, and February will be a busy month!  We will kick it off with the Black Lives Matter Week of Action from February 1^st to the 5^th.  MAP Testing will be conducted on February 10^th and 11^th.  6^th-graders will be engaging in virtual Outdoor School in their science classes between February 16^th and March 5^th.  Below, you can find out more details about each of these events.

We will also continue to plan for LIPI, Limited In Person Instruction, as described in last week’s newsletter.  Remember that LIPI does not replace distance learning, it is simply additional support in the afternoon for a very small number of 6^th-graders.

In other news, on Tuesday, the PPS sent a letter to all families which brought up the possibility of hybrid instruction for middle schools before the end of the year.  Hybrid instruction is a combination of in-person and virtual instruction where students come into school for a few days per week, and attend school online on the other days.  Here is the district’s letter.  It is a long letter, but I especially recommend you read the section Planning Underway for a Hybrid Model of Instruction. Many of you have emailed me worried that your children would be required to return to school, and some have expressed enthusiasm and want to know when the start date would be.  Please keep in mind that hybrid instruction will be starting out with elementary schools.  Many things would have to be worked out before implementing a hybrid instructional model at middle schools.  The letter also re-assures us that if the district implements hybrid learning at middle schools before the end of the year, families who do NOT want to return to in-person/hybrid learning may stick with 100% distance learning.  You will be receiving an online registration form to gauge the interest of families to participate in either 100% distance learning or hybrid learning.  Stay tuned, as the situation is constantly evolving.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

Dear PPS Families,

For those who were not able to attend the Explore Your K-5 Options event on February 18, we are offering the event again on Monday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m.

Dear PPS Families,

As we shared last week, we are continuing to offer increased in-person learning opportunities for students, with a goal of launching hybrid instruction to kindergarten to fifth grade students in April. We have a few updates for you this week:

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

We want to give you a final update on Enrollment and Program Balancing decisions that will go into effect in the 2021-22 school year in Southeast Portland. These decisions were finalized at the January 26 Board of Education meeting.

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

PPS buildings will be open and online Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) continues tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Meal service will resume; however, please note that tomorrow’s meal service will be slightly limited: