Principal's Newsletter 4.4.2024
Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – April 4, 2024
Greetings Sellwood Community,
Today is the last day of 3rd quarter; the end of the school year will be soon be upon us. Please review the “Important Dates to Remember” section at the end of the newsletter for event dates and mark your calendars.
Two newly added events are the all 7th-grade field trip to the Pure Seed Farm and the all 8th-grade field trip to the University of Oregon, both on May 7th. Read more about these trips in the blurbs below.
I also wanted to let you know that we are reverting to our springtime recess practices. During the colder, rainier winter months, we allow some students to remain inside the cafeteria during recess. Now that the weather is getting warmer and dryer, we are returning to our all outdoor recess. Unless the weather is rainy and cold, all students will go outside for at least the last 15 minutes of lunch/recess. We know it is sometimes still chilly, but students benefit from the fresh air and being outdoors. Please make sure that students bring clothing that will keep them comfortable for 15 minutes outside.
I hope you enjoy the long weekend,
Sincerely,
Jeandré Carbone
Sellwood MS Principal
PTA NEWS
Sellwood Garden Tour 2024 - May 19
Mark your calendars - we are excited to share that the Garden Tour will take place on Sunday, May 19! We have five beautiful gardens to showcase, all in the Sellwood/Moreland area. Details and ticket information coming soon.
We still need help finding sponsors for this event. If you know of a local business who may want to sponsor, please let us know so we can reach out to them. This support is crucial to the success of the tour, as it allows us to offset costs and raise more funds directly for SMS.
If you would like to help with the Garden Tour, please let us know as we will need volunteers. Thank you for your support!
April PTA Social at PDX Sliders
Please join the PTA and Principal Carbone for a social gathering at PDX Sliders on Tuesday, April 23 from 5:30-7:30 pm. This will be a great chance to connect and learn more about the PTA. We look forward to seeing you there!
8th Grade Graduation Sign Orders
If you have a graduating 8th grader and would like to purchase a yard sign to celebrate them, please visit the following link: https://spirithero.com/
Questions? Email Liz Super at supere@ohsu.edu. Congratulations 8th graders!
SMS PTA Board opportunities - 2024-2025
We are looking for new PTA Board members for the 2024-2025 school year. We will have several member-at-large vacancies on the board and want to ensure all feeder schools are represented. Please consider joining us to and helping with important committees like Sellwood Dines Out, Staff Appreciation, PEAK programs and other important events throughout the year. Reach out to sellwoodpta@gmail.com with any questions!
Important links:
- PTA email: sellwoodpta@gmail.com
- Join the PTA: www.schoolpay.com/link/
sellwoodpta - Join Konstella: https://www.konstella.com/cd/
AXC2Z9 - Instagram: @sellwoodmiddlePTA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
SellwoodMiddleSchoolPTA/
SELLWOOD’S SCHOOL PLAY – FROM DRAMA TEACHER MS. CRABTREE
Sellwood MS Drama Department is searching for helpers, clothing, prop & set items for our May 9 & 10 play “Roshambo”!
STUDENT HELPERS:
We need Students to help with: Costumes, Curtain/Lights, Sound, Publicity, Props, Ushers.
If interested, follow the following steps by April 9th:
1. Add your name to the signup sheet, under the role that you are interested in, in the office (on table on R. as you enter), 2. Find and take home to read and sign the Info Packet/Contract (sitting to R. Of sign up sheets and 3. ask a teacher that knows you well to email me very short (3 sentences max) letter of recommendation for you.
ADULT HELPERS:
- Adult/Parent Costume Coordinator (resourceful, but sewing experience not necessary)
- Adult/Parent Usher Coordinator (to lead student ushers on performance nights (May 9 & 10). Admittance is free. Only giving programs and helping with any audience/presentation needs.
- Adult/Parent(s) w/sound effect and/or music cue knowledge.
- Adult/Parent w/any experience moving or focusing stage lights.
COSTUMES AND PROPS:
If you have any items to lend or donate (clothing in youth or adult sizes), could you let Ms. Crabtree know by emailing her at colcrabtree@pps.net OR dropping off for her in bags at the office?
- Synthetic Athletic “performance” shirts in solid bright colors with small or no logos.
- Athletic (esp. white or lighter colored) pants- especially any tapered ankle w/zip sides. Stripes OK.
- Athletic (esp. white or lighter colored) jogger style (cuffed ankle) pants would also be acceptable.
- Small duffle bags that are in solid colors. Preferably not all black
- Any athletic gloves for golf, baseball or weight lifting. In white or solid colors also OK
- Umpire or other B&W shirts/ uniforms in larger sizes
- Strip or Rope (contained in plastic tube) LED lighting, especially in neon colors
- A very modern looking black electronic console preferably with its own stand (to look like a tiny monitor)
- Various (mostly smaller) smart phones that would pass as being used (or very small old flip styles coming back in style) in the near future -5-10 years from now.
- Any specialty lighting effects that you would donate (such as special beams of light from small sources, multi-colored lights, small spotlight, holiday projection items, or disco balls)
7TH GRADE PURE SEED FIELD TRIP
All 7th grade students will attend a field trip to Pure Seed farm and headquarters to learn about careers in agriculture on May 7th from 9:30 to 2pm. More details and permission slips will be coming soon. We are looking for chaperones! If you are interested, please email mmortensen@pps.net
8TH GRADE FIELD TRIP TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
As part of college and career learning, all PPS 8th-graders will be visiting a college or university this spring. Sellwood 8th graders will attend a field trip to the University of Oregon on May 7th. Buses will be departing first thing in the morning, and returning at approximately 5PM. Students will visit the Student Welcome Center, tour the campus, visit the Athletics Facilities and the Museum. More details and permission slips will be coming soon. We are looking for chaperones! If you are interested, please email mmortensen@pps.net
SELF-REGULATION STRATEGIES – FROM COUNSELOR KATIE
Hello Sellwood Families,
As we start quarter 4 the end of the school year is quickly approaching! Our school team is committed to helping Sellwood students end the year academically strong and emotionally prepared. Below are some suggestions you can do at home to support your student’s success at school!
Establish & Maintain Routines:
- As the days get longer and the weather gets nicer it is important to keep a consistent bedtime routine to ensure students are getting enough rest.
- Set aside time for you to review Canvas with your student to check grades and make sure they are staying on top of their assignments
Encourage Mindfulness & Relaxation Practices:
- Exercise! Go on walks, bike rides, or practice yoga as a family.
- Use this Mood Meter visual at home to help students navigate big emotions.
- Make time for self care. Here are some ideas! 80+ Self Care Strategies for Teens
Use Calendars and Visuals:
- Use a family calendar to keep track of activities and major assignments. This will help keep everyone organized and you all can start counting down the days to summer vacation!
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps:
- Set aside time each week to review assignments and due dates with your student and help them stay on top of homework and do assignments a little bit at a time.
- Instead of asking them to clean their room. Whoa, that’s overwhelming, break tasks down. Ask them to make their bed, put their laundry in the hamper, and bring their water glass to the kitchen.
YEARBOOK REQUEST FOR PHOTOS
Photos for the Yearbook!
Our print deadline is rapidly approaching, and we are missing photos of out-of-school team events with Sellwood students. Please email photos to Lsouther@pps.net by April 1. We especially need:
- Band performances (Monster March)
- Dance Team
- Athletics (volleyball, cross country, basketball, wrestling, etc.--Cleveland youth)
- Chess, Debate, OBOB, etc.
It's a quick turnaround, so thank you in advance!
PIL YOUTH SPORTS
PIL sports registration, schedules and calendar found HERE. Sellwood falls under the "Cleveland Cluster". If your student is playing a sport or any extracurricular activity outside of the PIL, we would love to support them as well. Send an email to Mr. KB (akennybrew@pps.net) including the schedule, including playoff information, and team pictures. Thank you
COUNSELING CORNER
Students with last names A-L: Mr. KB – akennybrew@pps.net
Students with last names M-Z: Ms. Katie – kfrancis@pps.net
MAIN OFFICE
The best way to reach us is by email.
- Melissa Whiteside (mwhitesi@pps.net) is our school secretary and registrar.
- Claire Howard (choward1@pps.net) is our principal’s secretary and bookkeeper.
- 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;
- press 3 for Claire
- press 2 for all Attendance matters.
- press 5 for Records, Registration.
- press 0 for the front counter; however, students may answer this line. Do not discuss anything confidential or leave any confidential messages.
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 or if you must get a message to a student. For student pickup, advance notice is strongly recommended to minimize classroom interruptions. No pickups/dismissals will be allowed after 3:30 pm.
Guides to Help you:
To access your student’s attendance in Synergy: Log into ParentVue.
To make changes to your student’s registration in Synergy: ParentVue/StudentVue
Please email Melissa Whiteside (mwhitesi@pps.net) for:
- Passwords: If you have forgotten your password, have been locked out of your account, or do not have login credentials
- ParentVue (if your account has been disabled).
Please email Claire Howard (choward1@pps.net) for:
- School Pay/Bookkeeping/accounting issues.
- Administrative Support: Messages or matters of support to the principal or assistant principal.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
- April 5: No School for Students – Teacher Planning Day
- April 8: Make-up Day (Previously not a school day for students)
- May 7: All 8th-grade Field Trip to University of Oregon in Eugene
- May 7: All 7th-grade Field Trip to Pure Seed Farms
- May 9 & 10: Sellwood School Play “Roshambo”
- May 19: PTA Garden Tour
- May 22: Spring Band Concert
- May 27: Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL
- June 6: Showcase Night
- June 10: OAKS Park – 8th Grade
- June 11: OAKS Park – 6th and 7th Grades
- June 12-14: Make-up Days
- June 14: 8th Grade Promotion 10:30 AM
- June 14: Last Day of School – Half Day