Principal's Newsletter 3-5-2021
Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – March 5, 2021
Greetings Sellwood Community,
What a difference a week makes! Last Saturday, PPS communications sent out an announcement that middle schools would begin hybrid instructions 4th quarter, on March 12th. You can read the PPS communication here. Today, Governor Brown announced that all K-5 schools must begin in-person or hybrid instruction in late March, and all 6-12 schools by April 19th. You can read Governor Brown’s letter here. We are excited about the return to in-person instruction while recognizing the many challenges we need to navigate. As you probably know, there are stringent safety requirements that are very necessary, but present logistical challenges. One of these requirements is 35 sq. foot per person, which results in many of Sellwood’s smaller classrooms being limited to 7 or 8 occupants, including the teacher. With class sizes of around 30 or more, this requirement limits the number of days we can offer. However, you can see that Governor Brown’s letter states that the state is conducting “a review of requirements that can better facilitate the return of in-person instruction while also reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19”. We hope to see the results of that review soon. As you can see, things are happening fast. I have mentioned several times previously in my newsletter that a PPS parent survey was forthcoming. To my knowledge, there has been a survey for k-5 parents, but we are still waiting for the 6-12 survey. Sorry for the wait. That information will be very helpful in planning! Another challenge will be finding solutions to support our teachers with child care responsibilities. I know many of you have experienced the work and child care balancing act first-hand and it has been very difficult. In the end, we are going to make it work. Yesterday, we began Limited In-Person Instruction with 17 students, and it was truly a joy to see children in the building. I am very much looking forward to seeing ALL students back at school :-)
Please sign up for Picture Day on March 12th. We had planned to do 1PM to 7PM, but the earlier slots filled up quickly, so we added 20 more time slots between 12:40 and 1PM. There are still plenty of time slots in the early evening between 6-7PM. The link for picture day is below.
Also, 6th and 7th-graders, it is already time to forecast for next year’s classes! On Tuesday morning, I will be sending you a forecasting Google form, an instructional screencast video, and an elective class course guide so that you and your child will be able to make your elective selections. We will have some afternoon question & answer extra help sessions scheduled as well. Look for my communication about forecasting Tuesday morning.
Finally, we want your feedback. Please take the Successful School Survey today :-)
Have a great weekend,
Sincerely,
Jeandré Carbone
Sellwood MS Principal
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
- March 12: 1PM to 6:30 PM – Picture Day!
- March 22 - 26: Spring Break
- April 8: End of Quarter 3
- April 9: No School
- April 12: First day of Q4. Hopefully, first day of hybrid in-person learning.
- May 31: Memorial Day – No School
- June 11: Last Day of School
SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS SURVEY
Tell us about your experience at PPS. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “successful schools?” We believe that successful schools are safe, healthy and welcoming learning spaces that are inclusive for all students. But, we want to hear your thoughts.
We are excited to announce the 2021 Successful Schools Family Survey. When you take the survey, you help us understand your experience as a parent or guardian. This important information will guide us as we determine the future of our schools. The survey launches today and will be available for the next four weeks.
Take the survey today! You can complete the survey from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It should only take 15-20 minutes of your time. Select the school your child attends and answer the questions for that school. If you have children at more than one PPS school, please complete one survey for each school your children attend. If you need help taking the survey please contact your teacher or principal.
Thank you for being part of the PPS family!
surveys.panoramaed.com/
PICTURE DAY - From Dorian Studios
As the official school photographer for Sellwood Middle School, we are excited to take your photos!
Click on the link below to schedule an appointment for your student(s).
https://www.signupgenius.com/
We will be taking individual photos for Sellwood on Friday, March 12th, between 12:40PM and 7PM. Do not delay, please schedule your appointment today!
Please come to the school to check-in and ensure you are wearing a face mask. Appointments are required and can be scheduled using the link above.
The drive through drop-off zone will be on 16th Avenue facing south on the west side of the street. Please stay in your car while your child goes inside to have their picture taken. They will walk across the outdoor basketball court, enter near the gym (there will be school staff directing) and exit through the gym door. It should take each student about 5 minutes total. If you are early please have your child remain in your car until 3 minutes prior to your appointment time. When you arrive we ask that your child wear their face mask the entire time they are at school, except for briefly removing their mask for the picture. Our photographer and all staff members will also be wearing masks, social distancing, and we will be sanitizing often.
Pre-Order Pictures Today! You have the ability to pre-order pictures only by visiting dorianstudio.com and searching for your school name. Your online order can be placed now and up to four (4) days after picture day. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Customer Advocate Team by email at support@dorianstudio.com or by phone at (800) 826-3535. We look forward to seeing you soon!
YEARBOOK NEWS:
- Order a yearbook for $20 on SchoolPay. Look for "Yearbook 2020-2021" 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 the Sellwood student(s) at your house. High quality phone photos are great and pets are welcomed with their student! - Picture day on March 12. This portrait will appear in the yearbook.
PTA NEWS:
Our next PTA meeting will be March 10th, at 7pm on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8192
Meeting ID: 819 2496 1643
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,81924961643# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,81924961643# US (San Jose)
Thank you to those that supported the PTA and Pizza Doughnais for our first Sellwood Dines Out!
There will be more Dining out opportunities coming soon!
PORTLAND BOTTLE SHOP: March 17, POR QUE NO: April 7, ROCIO'S: May 17!!
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 http://smile.amazon.com/ch/93-
RACIAL AFFINITY GROUPS:
We are excited that we have the opportunity to begin racial affinity groups next week through a contract with East Ed an organization that has partnered with PPS for many years. The groups will meet once per week on Wednesdays from 12:15-1:00 via google meet starting March 10th. The following slide deck was or is being shared with your child to give details and has a google form for them to complete to express their interest.
Please also discuss with your child and decide if this would be a space for them to talk. Here is an FAQ that provides some more details about affinity groups.
If you have further questions you can contact our Assistant Principal, Mr. L at kletofsky@pps.net or 971-710-8135.
MATH GUIDING COALITION:
The PPS Mathematics Department is forming a Mathematics Guiding Coalition to continue developing a mathematics instructional framework for PPS. To find out more about the Coalition, the dates the meetings will occur and to express interest in participating, click here.
FOUNDATION NEWS
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission of raising funds to support more teachers at Sellwood Middle School! Since November 1st 175 blue bags have been returned with an average income of $8 per bag. Thank you! To pick up more bags check out our map of distribution sites at www.
We also received a few more monetary donations, and for that we are also incredibly grateful. You will hear more from us in the near future, as we plan out our fundraising goals and strategies for the remainder of this crazy school year.
Have a great weekend! Your Foundation Board.
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. 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@
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/
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