Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – October 13, 2022

Greetings Sellwood Community,

It is 85 degrees and sunny as I write this newsletter, with more of the same projected for the weekend.  While I know Oregon really needs rain right now, I plan to get out to enjoy the sunshine this weekend while it lasts.  We will be back to our more typical wet weather soon enough.  I hope your family has a chance to spend some time outside as well.

THE SELLWOOD FOUNDATION

The Sellwood Foundation has an important job! They raise money every year to pay for vital teaching positions that are not covered by the PPS budget.  In the coming weeks the Foundation will hold their Annual Fundraising Campaign.  They will be asking all parents, community members and supporters of Sellwood Middle School to give as generously as they are able.  Sellwood MS will use the money to continue to support the French, Technology, and Cooking electives.  In addition, the Foundation funds  our teacher assistant who helps out in oversized classrooms so that students get more support and adult attention, as well as providing additional adult supervision to keep our outdoor lunch and recess fun and our hallways and bathrooms safe.  Look for information on how to give next week!

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

PTA FRUIT FUNDRAISER

Calling Sellwood PTA Supporters and Fruit Fans! 

Please order freshly picked, healthy, and amazing tasting boxes of apples and pears from Kiyokawa Family Orchards. This local orchard from Parkdale, Oregon is known for its excellent quality fruit and reputation for supporting local nonprofits, like the Sellwood PTA. This is one of the PTA’s largest fundraisers and last year the PTA raised close to $4,000. Get your order in today!  https://www.schoolpay.com/link/sellwoodfruit

Thanks, Amy

PEAK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

PEAK after-school classes are starting as soon as this week. Sign up if you are interested as some classes will close registration. PEAK program is under the jurisdiction of the PTA and is not run by Sellwood Middle School.

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

Scholarship request form is here: https://tinyurl.com/PEAKScholarship 

Please email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions.

Classes:

• Chess Club (NEW)
  • We play chess after school on Mondays! We improve our chess skills by playing as much as possible, solving puzzles, and learning basic strategies. Our after-school program focuses on basics but we hope to develop a more competitive program. We meet on Mondays that school is in session. Note that this is a year-long club.

• 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.
• Choir
  • This is a free, student led choir class provided by the Cleveland Choir Department, and the Cleveland Youth Choir (CYC) team. With the support of Allison Bassett, the Cleveland Choir director, Cleveland Choir students will lead a class filled with  fun singing activities, practicing musicality skills, and learning about other cultures and stories through song! It is not only an educational opportunity, but a performance opportunity.  Students who participate will have an opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Choir at one of our events.
• Marimba
  • PEAK marimba is a once a week class (Thursdays from 4-5PM) that teaches students the basics of playing in a marimba ensemble. No experience is necessary. Instruments are provided. Students will learn to play music in a group setting.
• Red Cross Babysitter Training (FULL - waitlist available) Note we are planning additional training sessions on 1/27/23 and 4/10/23
  • One-day training on November 4th, 9am-4:30pm (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
• Speech and Debate (FULL - waitlist available)
  • 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.
• Jewelry Making (FULL - registration closed)
  • 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

SELLWOOD PARENT TAG MEETING

Thank you to all who attended the TAG Meeting last night.  If you were unable to make it, here are the slides that were used.  TAG SLIDES.  For any remaining questions you may have about Sellwood’s TAG program, please contact our TAG coordinator, Lisa Souther,  lsouther@pps.net.

BEYOND DIVERSITY: RACIAL EQUITY AT SELLWOOD

“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible” - Maya Angelou

• Watch:  You can’t talk about race and develop racial consciousness without vulnerability:  Grab some popcorn, something to take notes on, sit back in your favorite chair and watch Brene Brown’s TED Talk:  The Power of Vulnerability.  Her wisdom and willingness to be vulnerable is a powerful example to explore, consider, and apply.
• Listen:  Code Switch is an NPR podcast which features fearless conversations about race.  Code Switch is hosted by journalists of color and tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor.  Subscribe to Code Switch HERE.

MAIN OFFICE:

The best way to reach us is by email.  

The Office Phone Number

Secured Building 

Parent/Student Requests:  

Guides to Help you:

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

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

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• October 14: No school – Oregon Teacher In-service Day
• November 3: End of 1^st Quarter
• November 4:  No school for students – Teacher planning day
• November 9: Picture retakes
• November 11: No school - Veteran’s Day
• November 19: Sellwood Foundation & PTA Meetings
• November 21 & 22: Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 23-25: Fall Break
• December 8: Winter Band Concert 7:00 PM
• December 19 – January 2: Winter Break
• January 16: No school - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• January 26 – End of 1^st semester
• January 27 – No school for students - Teacher planning day
• February 17 – No school for students – Teacher planning day
• February 20 – No school – President’s Day (potential snow day make-up day)
• March 27 – 31 – Spring Break
• April 7 – End of 3^rd Quarter
• April 10^th – No school for students – Teacher planning day
• May 16: Spring Band Concert 7:00 PM
• May 29: No school – Memorial Day
• June 13 – Last day of school
• June 14, 15, 16 – Potential snow day make-up days