Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – March 13, 2022

Greetings Sellwood Community,

I apologize for the late newsletter.  I was away from the office last Monday through Wednesday and am only now just catching up.

It is hard to believe that two years ago today, due to concerns about the new COVID-19 virus, we began our “extended two-week spring break” which continued for longer than any of us could imagine. 

Tomorrow, masks will be optional on school buses and at school.  COVID transmission in Multnomah County is low (9 per 100,000) and hospitalizations continue to drop.  Levels of immunity are high, either through vaccination, infection, or both.  Effective anti-viral treatments such as Paxlovid are becoming more widely available.  Risk of COVID-19 transmission at school is very low, and we will continue with other mitigations strategies such as improved air flow and filtration, hand washing, and outdoor lunch and recess when weather permits.

However, while some students and staff are elated to not have to wear a mask, others are feeling concerned or even scared.  Some in our community may be immunocompromised or live with someone who is at risk.  Others have become accustomed to wearing a face covering and don’t yet feel comfortable without one. 

Please remind your children to show grace and kindness to those who choose differently from them.

• It is ok to wear a face covering.
• It is ok to not wear a face covering.

The year is passing quickly, and spring break is one week away.  We are starting to plan our end of the year events.  This week, staff will be discussing ideas for 8^th-grade promotion and the Bullwinkles trip (dates and times TBD), and other traditions such as the Ambassador Awards (evening - May 12^th), Showcase Night (June 9^th) and OAKS Park for 6^th and 7^th graders on June 10^th. 

We will be coming up with a few different scenarios for 8^th-grade promotion and the Bullwinkles trip, which we will share with 8^th grade students and families to get feedback on your preferences.  Please feel free to share any ideas you may have.

I must say it is fun to start thinking about celebratory events that have not been possible for the past two years! 

I look forward to seeing students tomorrow,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

PTA NEWS

• Do you have a hidden gem in your backyard?  We are organizing a Garden Tour in late May to raise funds for Sellwood.  We are looking for a couple more gardens to showcase.  Please contact us if you can help!  sellwoodpta@gmail.com
• Mark your calendars: Next Sellwood Dines Out will be at Sunny’s Pizza on March 16th.  10% of sales all day!  Orders via delivery services don’t apply.  Many thanks to Micah Chu for coordinating these fundraisers!
• Earth Day school clean up!  We are organizing 3 Wednesday mornings in April to join our students in helping clean up the outside of the school.  Look to Konstella next week for volunteer slots.

2022 PEAK REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Sellwood PEAK classes will be online in Winter 2022

Registration is open now for PEAK classes (starting January 2022):

• Speech and Debate 
• Comic Books and Graphic Novels
• SMS Bulls and Bears: Stock Market
• French 1a 

Register for classes at  https://tinyurl.com/sellwoodpeakprogram

Scholarships are available. Email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions.

THIS IS SPIRIT WEEK

Monday – Pajama Day:  Wear some comfy clothes

Tuesday – School Spirit: Sellwood Blue & Gold

Wednesday – College Pride Day: Wear your college gear

Thursday – Jers-day Thursday: Wear your favorite team jersey

Friday – Pattern Day: Wear your polka-dot, plaid, or other patterns

FREE LEAD TEST KITS FROM THE PORTLAND WATER BUREAU

Find out how to get them here.

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 20^th. 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 

• “What is Systemic Racism?” videos from RaceForward
• Racism Interruptions sentence frames (see PDF in folder)
• “Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon? A Hidden History” (Walidah Imarisha)

MAIN OFFICE:

• Open Monday to Friday, School Hours

The best way to reach us is by email.  

• Melissa Whiteside (mwhitesi@pps.net) is our school secretary.  
• Claire Howard (choward1@pps.net) is our principal’s secretary.  

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 3^rd Quarter
• April 8 – No School for Students
• May 12^th – Ambassador Awards
• May 18 – Spring Band Concert
• May 25 – Spring Marimba Concert
• May 30 – Memorial Day – No School
• June 9 – Showcase Night
• June 10 – Oaks Park – 6^th & 7^th graders
• June 10 – Last Day of School (half-day)