Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – September 22, 2022
Greetings Sellwood Community,
It has been a tough week. As you know, it was alleged that a student was overheard threatening to bring a gun to school. I understand that is very traumatic and frightening for students, parents, or staff to hear. Some of you have asked for an update, but unfortunately there is no update for me to give you. The student reporting the threat did not see the student or know their identity, only their gender and the specific class where it occurred. Based on that information, we conducted a thorough investigation and we did not find any evidence of weapons or a plan to commit violence. Without a witness to identify the student, we will probably never know who allegedly made the threatening statement.
While I cannot state for certain that the threat was an empty threat, or serious, or even know for certain that it happened, these kinds of statements are unfortunately becoming common in schools across the nation. It only takes a few seconds to make a verbal threat or write something on a wall. Most students know better, but unfortunately there are a few who either think it is funny or who do it because they are aware it will provoke fear and have an outsized impact on the school and community.
Please know that we take student safety very seriously. Sellwood follows all PPS safety protocols and security measures, plus we have a few specific to Sellwood, such as not allowing backpacks in classrooms, hallways, or at lunch/recess. Students have to keep backpacks in their lockers. All of our exterior doors are locked during the day, and they are checked periodically throughout the day. Also, if we do identify a specific student of concern we follow a very thorough formal threat assessment protocol, which includes interviews with parents, the student, the student's teachers, and we determine whether the student of concern actually has access to a weapon at home.
Security measures alone are not going to be the solution. It will take changes in state and national policies along with changes in society for things to improve.
Each of us has a role to play to keep our school safe. Parents, please impress upon your children that in times like these, words intended to frighten people have the power to do real damage. Keep an eye on your children’s social media use, as there are groups out there intent on the radicalization of young people. Finally, talk to your students about reporting threatening language to an adult right away, or using SafeOregon.com to make a tip.
Sincerely,
Jeandré Carbone
Sellwood MS Principal
PICTURE DAY: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH.
Picture Day is approaching soon, Wednesday, September 28th. If you would like to order online please see the flyer.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Sellwood Middle School will hold our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 29th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Parents will enter through the entrance on Umatilla. Principal Carbone and partner organizations (PTA & Sellwood Foundation) will speak briefly and share information about school programs and the upcoming school year. At 5:50 we will start a schedule rotation, with parents following their student’s schedule for seven minutes. Families should utilize ParentVue on their personal devices to view and follow their students’ schedules.
Here is the schedule for Back-to-School Night.
- 5:30-5:45/50 Everyone starts in the gym for a short presentation.
- 5:55-6:02 - Period 1
- 6:06-6:13 - Period 2
- 6:17-6:24 - Period 3 or 4
- 6:28-6:35 - Period 5
- 6:39-6:46 - Period 6
- 6:50-6:57 - Period 7
- 7:01- 7:08 - Zero Period Band
SELLWOOD STARS DANCE TEAM TRYOUT
Please see the flyer for information about Sellwood Stars Dance Team Tryouts on September 30th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, in the Sellwood Gym.
PTA
First PTA Meeting
Our first PTA meeting will be held in person next week on 9/29 at 7pm. We will meet following Back To School Night as we are hoping many families will already be at SMS. Come join us and learn how the PTA supports our school. For any questions email us: sellwoodpta@gmail.com
Join the PTA!
It’s not too late to join! https://www.schoolpay.
Volunteer Opportunity
Looking for an easy way to help the SMS PTA and stay informed? We are looking for someone to help keep our PTA social media and website up to date. Please reach out if you are interested!
P.E.A.K. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Sellwood PEAK Fall Registration is Open!
The PEAK Program is a series of in-person after school classes open to all Sellwood students. Most classes run on a 8-10 week session schedule in the fall, winter, and spring, and require a fee. Scholarships are available as the PEAK goal is to include every SMS student. The PEAK program is totally independent of Sellwood Middle School and is under the jurisdiction of PTA. Classes typically start at 4:15 pm, after teachers and day students have left the building.
Register for classes at https://tinyurl.com/
Scholarship request form is here: https://tinyurl.com/
Please email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions.
Classes for registration now:
- French 1a Part 1
- This class is the first in a 3-part series in which students will learn the basics of interacting in French, how to ask and answer basic questions to get to know others, and reflect on how to communicate and interact respectfully when meeting people from other cultures. The class will be conducted 90% in French in order to promote language acquisition.
- Jewelry Making
- In this popular class, students will learn how to make their own jewelry pieces from mediums such as glass beads, clay, enamels, and plastic. They will make and take home several pieces which may include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, key fobs or zipper pulls.
- Choir
- Sing your heart out with the student leaders of the Cleveland High School choir.
- Speech and Debate
- The Cleveland High Speech and Debate team is one the largest and most successful programs at the school. Find out why these students love it so much, and build your own debate skills. You will practice speaking and debating skills in preparation for local middle school competitions. The Sellwood team will be coached by team captains from Cleveland.
Planned class (more info later):
- Red Cross Babysitter Training
- One-day training planned for November 4th (no school day)
- Designed for young people to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care to infants and children in a residential setting.
- Participants receive a certificate of completion for Babysitter’s Training
- Participants receive a two year certification for Pediatric CPR/First Aid.
FROM THE TAG DEPARTMENT
NEW! Parent Office Hours with the TAG Department
Ask questions and receive information related to TAG identification, services, processes, etc.
We will meet on Zoom, 6:00-7:00 PM on 9/28/22, 10/26/22, 11/30/22, 1/25/23, 2/22/23, 3/22/23, 4/26/23, and 5/31/23.
Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September 28 6:00-7:00 PM
Zoom link for Parent Office Hours with the TAG Department
We look forward to seeing you!
PTA NEWS
Sellwood PEAK Registration is Open!
The PEAK Program is a series of in-person after school classes open to all Sellwood students. Most classes run on a 8-10 week session schedule in the fall, winter, and spring, and require a fee. Scholarships are available as the PEAK goal is to include every SMS student.
Register for classes at https://tinyurl.com/
Scholarship request form is here: https://tinyurl.com/
Please email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions.
Classes for registration now:
- Jewelry Making
- In this popular class, students will learn how to make their own jewelry pieces from mediums such as glass beads, clay, enamels, and plastic. They will make and take home several pieces which may include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, key fobs or zipper pulls.
- Choir
- Sing your heart out with the student leaders of the Cleveland High School choir.
- Speech and Debate
- The Cleveland High Speech and Debate team is one the largest and most successful programs at the school. Find out why these students love it so much, and build your own debate skills. You will practice speaking and debating skills in preparation for local middle school competitions. The Sellwood team will be coached by team captains from Cleveland.
Planned class (more info later):
- Red Cross Babysitter Training
- One-day training planned for November 4th (no school day)
- Designed for young people to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care to infants and children in a residential setting.
- Participants receive a certificate of completion for Babysitter’s Training
- Participants receive a two-year certification for Pediatric CPR/First Aid
First PTA Meeting
Our first PTA meeting will be held in person on 9/29 at 7pm. We will meet following Back to School Night as we are hoping many families will already be at SMS. Come join us and learn more about the SMS PTA! For any questions email us: sellwoodpta@gmail.com
Have you signed up for Konstella?
This is a great app where you can find the school directory, calendar of events and volunteer opportunities. Join with the link below!
CLIMATE TEAM/SITE COUNCIL
We are looking for a family liaison to be on our Climate Team and Site Council. This team is all about creating an environment at our school where students, educators and families feel a sense of belonging and connection with each other and our school community. If you are interested in joining, please reach out to dcollins@pps.net.
MAIN OFFICE:
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.
- Our Sellwood website (pps.net/sellwood) has many “Quick Links” to help you immediately.
The Office Phone Number
- The office phone number is 503-916-5656.
- When prompted, press 4 for Melissa (“Records/Registration”) or press 3 for Claire (Principal’s Secretary)
- When prompted, press 2 for any “Attendance” matters. It’s a designated line just for attendance.
- You can also press 0 for the front counter where often students help us answer the phone and direct communication. This is not a private line and confidential messages should not be left in this voice box.
Secured Building
- Sellwood is 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:
- Please email both Melissa and Claire for student pick up, a student arriving late, or any other matter that may require meeting a parent/guardian at the front door or getting a message to a student. Advance notice is strongly recommended since the office is very busy throughout the day.
Guides to Help you:
- For questions about your student’s absence: Log into ParentVue.
- 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
- September 28: Picture Day
- September 29: Back to School Night 5:30-7:00PM (planned to be in-person this year)
- September 29: PTA Meeting 7:00 PM (also in person)
- November 21 & 22: Parent Teacher Conferences
- December 8: Winter Band Concert 7:00 PM
- May 16: Spring Band Concert 7:00 PM
