Principal's Newsletter 03/04/2022

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – March 4, 2022

Greetings Sellwood Community,

As you know, masks became optional outdoors at school as of March 1st.  PPS also announced this morning that masks will be optional indoors and on school buses as of Monday, March 14th.  PPS Communications sent a letter to the community today sharing this news. 

Please remember, after March 14th:

  • It will still be OK to wear a mask.
  • It will also be OK not to wear a mask.

I ask students, families, and staff to respect everyone's choice to wear or not wear a mask.  During the process of writing our mission statement, the Sellwood community expressed a strong commitment to an inclusive environment.  As part of that commitment to inclusivity, we accept and practice empathy toward those who may have different life experiences or who make choices that are different from ours.  To that end, after March 14th, you will see some staff members who are wearing masks on one day, and not wearing masks on another day, as a visible signal to students and families that we honor their individual choices.

Also, here is an update on the Southeast Guiding Coalition (SEGC).  Previously a proposal entitled F3 was to be presented to the board for approval.  However, now it looks like there may be two additional proposals considered.  From what I have seen, each of the proposals being considered would have the same impact on Sellwood’s boundaries and elementary school feeder pattern.  Llewellyn, Lewis, and Duniway would stay as elementary school feeders to Sellwood. The areas that would change from Sellwood to Lane would be between SE 52nd and SE 57th, bordered by SE Duke to the north. Our enrollment would be about 540, which is above the 500 suggested minimum.

Under the currently proposed rollout, in the school year 22/23 any student living in that area could elect to attend Lane if they choose.  In 2023/24 6th-graders (currently 4th-graders) in the area would attend Lane, in 2024/25 6th and 7th-graders would attend Lane, and in 2025/26 all students in that area would attend Lane.  Again, any scenario would still need to be presented to the school board and voted on for approval.  Until the board votes to approve one of the proposals, which will likely happen toward the end of April, changes are always possible.

Finally, we will soon be asking students to choose their electives for next year.  On March 11th, current 7th-graders will be choosing their electives for 8th-grade, and on March 15th, current 6th-graders will be selecting their electives for 7th-grade.  I will send you more detailed information on course descriptions and the forecasting process next Thursday.

Enjoy the weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

 

PTA News

This month’s staff appreciation is a crock pot lunch on St. Patrick’s Day.  Please follow the links in Konstella to sign up and participate.

YEARBOOK NEWS

Use Schoolpay to purchase the yearbook now. Students are working to capture our memories of this school year, and for $20, you can make sure you get a copy in June.

IMMUNIZATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 20th

The deadline to submit proof of required vaccinations has been extended to April 20th. If your student is incomplete with a vaccination/s, the MESD immunization department will mail you a letter that states the exact one your student is incomplete on.  You can take that letter, that also comes with a CIS form, to your doctor to fill out and sign after they receive the vaccination. Lease see the attached document:

The easiest way for parents to give us that information, is to just bring in the CIS form/vaccination form or bring in a note from the doctor's office that states the vaccination is now up to date.  One of our secretaries will give the proof of vaccination to the health office.

 

COUNSELING CORNER

The best way to schedule an appointment with us is by filling out the Counselor Check-In Request Form or emailing us directly.  Messages sent through Canvas are not always responded to promptly.  

RACE, RACISM, & RACIAL EQUITY RESOURCES 

MAIN OFFICE:

  • Open Monday to Friday, School Hours

The best way to reach us is by email.  

The Office Phone Number

  • The office phone number is 503-916-5656.  
  • When prompted, press 4 for Melissa or “Attendance”; press 3 for Claire.  
  • You can also press 0 for the front counter where often students help us answer the phone and direct communication.

Secured Building 

  • Sellwood is now a locked and secure building.  
  • Please ring the doorbell to the right of the main doors to reach the office.  We will guide you accordingly.

Parent/Student Requests:  

  • Arrangements can be made with the office staff for student pick up, a student arriving late, or any other matter that may require meeting a parent/guardian at the front door. If you know of such needs in advance, please email either Melissa or Claire. 

Guides to Help you:

  • For questions about your student’s absence: Log into ParentVue. 
  • To make changes to your student's registration in Synergy: ParentVue/StudentVue

Please email Melissa (mwhitesi@pps.net) for:

  • Attendance:  If you need to excuse your child's attendance. 
  • Passwords:  If you have forgotten your password, have been locked out of your account, or do not have login credentials.
  • Registration, Enrollment.
  • ParentVue (if your account has been disabled).   

Please email Claire (choward1@pps.net) for:

  • School Pay. 
  • Bookkeeping/accounting issues.
  • Administrative Support:  Messages or matters of support to the principal or assistant principals.  

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

  • March 21-25 – Spring Break
  • April 7 – End of 3rd Quarter
  • April 8 – No School for Students
  • May 18: Spring Band Concert
  • May 25: Spring Marimba Concert
  • May 30 – Memorial Day – No School
  • June 10 – Last Day of School
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