Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – February 26, 2021

Greetings Sellwood Community,

We are excited to announce that we will be holding our first picture day on March 12^th between 1PM and 7PM.  You should have received an email yesterday about Picture Day with a link to SignUp Genius, but I will post the details again below. Slots are filling up quickly, so sign up today! The photos will be used in the yearbook, plus students will get their 2020-21 student ID (finally) and families will have the opportunity to purchase a package.   We will be using a drive through model, where families will pull up on 16^th Avenue, students will walk up to the entrance next to the gym on the outdoor basketball court, get their picture card and some hand sanitizer, walk to into the gym, get their picture taken, pick up their ID and walk out the gym exit door.  Only the photographer and two or three Sellwood staff will be inside the gym, and students will only spend about two minutes inside.  All will wear masks, social distance, and use sanitizer.  Only the students will remove their masks for a few seconds to have their picture taken.

If you are unable to make picture day, you may submit your own yearbook picture.  Please submit them through the Pictavo site at https://commpe.pictavo.com/ Search and find Sellwood OR just use our code: 94743.  The deadline for submitting your own yearbook photo is April 2^nd.

Speaking of the yearbook, please help us out by sending us any candid or fun photos you have, also to the Pictavo site.  We need pictures, as we don’t have the opportunity to take candid photos at school!

I know that there has been some conflicting information regarding hybrid instruction at middle schools, as well as a lot of speculation.  Unfortunately, I do not have any specific or concrete information to share, except that the survey for middle school parents regarding their interest in hybrid vs. continuing distance learning should be coming to you soon.  You will be receiving information regarding any school opening from PPS Communications, and I don’t want to speak for the district as this is a matter of high importance for students, families, and staff.  Thank you for your patience and I am sorry I can’t say more.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

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

Dear PPS Families and Staff,

This week, Superintendent Guerrero and senior leaders presented a COVID-19 school reopening update to the Board of Education. The update largely focused on the district’s plan to offer hybrid instruction to middle and high school grades by mid-April. This follows a similar announcement two weeks ago regarding kindergarten through 5th grades.

Dear PPS Families,

We are excited to offer student-athletes in Portland Public Schools an opportunity to participate in the Portland Interscholastic League’s first athletic competitions in over a year starting next week.

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: