Principal's Newsletter 9.13.2024

Sellwood Principal’s Newsletter – September 13, 2024

Greetings Sellwood Community,

As you may remember from last year, as part of PPS’s efforts to improve safety across the district, the District’s safety task force set the expectation that all PPS middle and high school students must wear school ID badges in a visible location while on school campus.  The purpose of wearing student IDs is to identify students as members of the school community, and also to identify each student by name.  Last year, middle schools had uneven success in the first year’s implementation.  Many students wore their badges every day, while many others did not.  We understand that even with the best of intentions, developing new habits takes time and practice.  This year, we have a renewed expectation that all students wear their name badges every day while at school.  We would like students to develop this habit right away.  Even though we have not yet had picture day and students have not yet received their official ID badges, this week we distributed lanyards and had students create their own temporary name badges to begin wearing immediately, starting Monday.  These temporary badges will be replaced with their official badges when we receive them.  Please help your child develop this important school habit by reminding them as they are getting ready for school. 

On Monday, students who are not wearing their ID badges during first period (or at any other time of the day) will be sent to get a name tag to wear for the rest of the day. This will be our practice until students develop the habit of wearing their ID badges.  As I said, wearing a visible ID badge is a district safety requirement at all PPS middle and high schools.

Picture Day will be next Wednesday, September 18th.

Also, next Thursday, Sellwood will host our annual Back-to-School Night starting at 6PM.  See below for more details.  We hope to see you here :-)

Enjoy the weekend,

Sincerely,

Jeandré Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

jcarbone@pps.net

LINK TO STUDENT & FAMILY HANDBOOK

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

On Thursday, September 19th, Sellwood will welcome families to our annual Back-to-School Night.  We will start at 6:00 PM with a brief presentation in the gym, followed by a shortened bell schedule where parents will follow their children’s schedules and get to meet their teachers and hear about their classes.  We will not be handing out paper copies of students’ schedules, so please make sure you can access your child’s schedule through ParentVue on a mobile device.  Student leaders will be posted in hallways to help direct families.  Back-to-School night is designed for parents, so no need to bring your children as we are limited on space.  However, if parents cannot get childcare and need to bring children along, they may do so.

Here is the schedule for the evening.

 

·  6:00-6:20 – Parent Presentation in Gym

·  6:25-6:32 - Period 1

·  6:36-6:43 - Period 2  

·  6:47-6:54 - Period 3 

·  6:58-7:05 - Period 4 or 5 

·  7:09-7:16 - Period 6

·  7:20-7:27 - Period 7

·  7:31-7:38 – Period 8

We hope to see you there!

PTA NEWS

Join the PTA

Please join the PTA and contribute your voice to the conversation on making this a great school year for our kids and SMS community.  Here is the link to join! 

www.schoolpay.com/link/sellwoodpta 

Join Konstella

The PTA uses the Konstella app to keep the parent community up to date with scheduled events, the school calendar, volunteer sign ups and PTA announcements. Here is the link to join!

https://www.konstella.com/cd/AXC2Z9

First PTA Meeting -  Thursday, September 19

Please join us for our first PTA meeting of the year to learn more about the PTA and upcoming volunteer opportunities.  We will meet from 7:45-8:30 pm in the SMS library after Back to School Night events. We would love to see you!

September Volunteer Opportunities
All volunteer opportunities are posted on Konstella. Please sign up there or email us at sellwoodpta@gmail.com. 

PPS Clothing Closet: Thursday, September 26 at the Marshall Campus
Each PPS school is responsible for sending volunteers two times during the school year to assist students in receiving clothing and shoes.

Thursday, Sept. 26th is Sellwood's day to send 5-6 volunteers from 9:30am -1:30pm, to help kids receive clothing and to help sort donations so there are lots of choices for kids to see. Volunteers can be parents/guardians, grandparents, or community members.

We are looking for donations of teen-adult size gently worn/new sweatshirts, hoodies, and warm coats, as we are very low in these items. Also boys pants, joggers, and jeans size 4-14.

OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books)

We are seeking a volunteer(s) to run OBOB for SMS this year! Registration is open now and runs through October 31. The regional tournaments are in March and the state tournament is in April. Here is the OBOB website for more information: www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org

If you have questions about the program or this opportunity, please reach out to our SMS librarian, Tini Maier, for more information at tmaier@pps.net.

SMS PEAK Program Volunteers

We are looking for 1-2 people to help support our existing volunteers with PEAK, which has been one of our most successful programs to date! The PEAK program is a series of in-person after school classes open to all SMS students. This program is independent of Sellwood Middle School and is under the jurisdiction of the PTA. Scholarships are available as the PEAK goal is to include every SMS student. 

The success of our programs and offerings depends on volunteer support, so thank you for offering your time and expertise!

PEAK Program Registration

Registration is open and our fall programming includes Acting: Improvisational Theatre, Marimba, Python Coding, and Speech & Debate.

For more information and to register for classes at  https://tinyurl.com/sellwoodpeakprogram. If you are a first time user you will need to create an account for your student. 

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

Please email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions.

Turn Your Empty Bottles into Money for the PTA!

Collect and return your empty cans and bottles through the Blue Bag program. This year the Blue Bag program will be supporting the PTA and more than $3,000 was raised by our community last year! Visit the office at any time to pick up Blue Bags for BottleDrop.

Or pick up Blue Bags from SMS community members who have a stash on their porch. Keep this newsletter bookmarked to easily locate blue bag access points near you:

·  7125 SE 21st Ave. (between SE Bybee & Knapp)

·  7645 SE 17th Ave. (between SE Rex & Lambert)

·  3704 SE Ogden (at SE 37th Ave)

·  NEW LOCATION ADDED! 4922 SE Knapp (between SE 48th & 50th) 

Return your bags to the nearest BottleDrop location and support the PTA! 

If you have Blue Bags from last year, you can still return them this year. Even though we are switching the Blue Bag program from the SMS Foundation to the PTA, you can return any Blue Bags you have that say “Sellwood Middle Foundation.” It will all go toward the PTA this year.

 Want to do more? We are looking for one more community member to host Blue Bags on their porch. Do you live in the Duniway boundary and have a covered porch? Email sellwoodpta@gmail.com to sign up to keep Blue Bags on your porch this year. 

Many former SMS Foundation fundraising efforts are being transitioned to SMS PTA. As a reminder, the PPS Board is no longer allowing individual School Foundations to raise funds to support their school directly. All funds must go through the central PPS Foundation and will be disbursed across the district. Many of the ways you used to support the SMS Foundation are being transitioned to the PTA this year. Keep an eye out for more info during the school year.

PEAK PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Scholarships for PEAK after school programs!

Registration will open next week! We will send an email out once we open registration.

The PEAK Program is a series of in-person after school classes open to all Sellwood students.  The PEAK program is totally independent of Sellwood Middle School and is under the jurisdiction of PTA. Most classes run on a 8-10 week session schedule in the fall and winter and require a fee. Scholarships are available as the PEAK goal is to include every SMS student.  

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

Deadline for scholarship requests is Monday, September 16 at noon.

Please email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com with any questions. We are always looking for parent volunteers to help us run this program. Please email if you are interested!

Classes this Fall:

 

·  Python Coding with Coding with Kids $259 Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15

o Fall session 10/1 - 12/10 (10 lessons, no school on 11/26)

o Python is versatile, easy-to-learn, and one of the world's most powerful programming languages! Widely used by software developers, scientists, and data analysts, Python can be used for everything from medical research to rocket engineering. The Python pathway teaches students core programming concepts and how to build interactive games using this popular coding language.

·  Improv with Rogue Pack Theatre $250 Wednesdays 4:15-5:45

o Fall Session: October 2- November 20th

o Come explore the exhilarating world of theatre improv and let your imagination soar! Through games, exercises and group engagement we will develop foundational acting skills: building trust, listening, curiosity, relationship, status, motive, influence, character, given circumstances, beats and the freedom to fail beautifully. Our class will culminate in a group-generated performance to share our favorite adventures with friends and family on the last class. This course will provide skills to enhance our courses in the winter and spring sessions 2025: Acting: Scene Study and Acting: Monologue.

o Michelle Guthrie is an actor and improviser of the theatre and film based in Portland, OR. Her education took her to the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she pursued graduate studies in acting. She has worked nationally and internationally in theatre, film, television, and commercials. Some of her favorite parts have been Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blonde in Serenade, and Luciana in A Comedy of Errors, because of the rich characters she was allowed to develop and risks that she was encouraged to take. Lately she has been playing improv under the direction of Theresa Dudeck with the Impro Lab Players.

·  Chess Club approx $125 Mondays 4-5 pm - all year course!!

o Runs from October to April/May, exact dates coming soon. 

o Taught by Alaric True

o 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.

·  Speech and Debate Tuesdays 4:15-5:15 suggested $50 donation

o October 1- December 10

o 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.

·  Marimba $104.50 Thursdays 4:15-5:15 

o Fall term starts soon!!

o Taught by Ben Kinkley

o PEAK marimba is a once a week class 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 - $140 All Day Course 11/23, 1/28, 3/3 or 4/7

o One-day training offered on no school days or Saturdays

o 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. 

o Participants receive a certificate of completion for Babysitter’s Training

LOGGING IN TO CANVAS ON A HOME COMPUTER

Students can login to Canvas on a shared home computer.  Here is the link. https://launchpad.classlink.com/ppsor You can also use my.pps.net 

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY RESOURCE

Parents: If you are interested in getting mental health support for your student without having to leave the school, our partnership with school-based counselor Maya of Trillium has 3 to 5 openings available. Maya has her own office space at Sellwood to provide privacy to all students that she supports. If you are interested, please contact your student counselor to start the referral process. Thank you!

--

SMS counselor check-in request form

Sellwood Counseling Website

COUNSELING CORNER

Students with last names A-L: Mr. KB – akennybrew@pps.net

Students with last names M-Z:  Ms. Katie – kfrancis@pps.net

CLEVELAND TENACITY DANCE TEAM RUMMAGE SALE

The Cleveland Tenacity Dance Team is hosting a Rummage Sale at Cleveland High School on September 15th as well as a Collection Day on the 14th. We would be thrilled if you would be able to share the flyer (attached) in your upcoming newsletter. All proceeds go toward supporting the team. Thank you for helping to spread the word within the community! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Cosette Posko

Tenacity Dance Parent

971-563-9679

 

 

MAIN OFFICE

MAIN OFFICE:

The best way to reach us is by email.  

·         We are in the process of hiring a school secretary/enrollment coordinator.

·         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 Johanna (“Records/Registration”)

·         press 3 for Claire (Principal’s Secretary)

·         press 2 for any “Attendance” matter.  It’s a designated line just for attendance. 

·         press 5 for Records, Registration

·         press 0 for the front counter – answered by students; not a confidential line.

 

  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.

Picking up your student during the day:  

·         Early release is discouraged.  While we understand it is sometimes necessary to pick up your child from school, please try to limit your student’s daytime appointments.  It is disruptive to the teacher’s instruction time and to the other students in the classroom.  If necessary, please ring the bell at the main door and expect to wait while your child is located.  We may not be able to facilitate early pick-ups within the last 15 minutes of the school day as we will have only one staff member in the office and many end of the day tasks to accomplish.

Guides to Help you:

·         To correct your student’s attendance: Log into ParentVue. 

·         For changes to your student's registration profile in Synergy: ParentVue/StudentVue

·         Quick Links found on Sellwood’s website (pps.net/sellwood)

Please email Johanna (jmendizabalgomezi@pps.net) for:

·         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 18: Picture Day!

  • ·         September 19: Back-to-School Night – 6:00-7:45

  • ·         September 19: PTA Meeting 7:45-8:30

  • ·         September 25:  Early Release at 1:45

  • ·         October 11: No School – State In-Service Day

  • ·         October 15:  School Starts at 9:30

  • ·         October 23: Early Release at 1:45

  • ·         October 31: End of 1st Quarter

  • ·         November 1 & 4: Teacher Planning - No School for Students

  • ·         November 5: School Starts at 9:30

  • ·         November 11: Veteran’s Day – No School

  • ·         November 20: Early Release at 1:45

  • ·         November 25 & 26:  Parent Teacher Conferences

  • ·         November 27-29: Fall Break

  • ·         December 3:  School Starts at 9:30

  • ·         December 12: Winter Band & Choir Concert @ Cleveland Auditorium

  • ·         December 18: Early Release at 1:45

  • ·         December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

·         Link to PPS Calendar for 2024 - 2025

 

, ; (Last Modified about a minute ago)