Principal's Newsletter 12.13.2024

Dear Sellwood Community,

Last night, Sellwood held our first joint Choir & Band Winter Concert, which was kicked off with an all school morning assembly for staff and students to enjoy. We hope the assembly sparked musical interest in some students who will in turn sign up for band or choir electives when we forecast for next year's electives. The band performances highlighted their practice and passion, and the music delighted the audience. The beginning, intermediate, advanced, and jazz bands all had their turn to shine. The choir ensemble performance was amazing, especially since choir is Sellwood's newest program and the class has only been in existence for just over three months! I can't wait to see their growth and development over the course of the school year. We hope enough students will be inspired to join so that we can offer at least two sections next year. Our aim is to eventually have the best middle school choir ensemble in the region. We thank Mr. Patterson (band) and Ms. Kowak (choir) for their hard work and skill as they prepared students for these wonderful performances.

Next week is the last week before winter break, and we can already feel the student excitement and corresponding increase in energy. As the weather turns colder, please remind your children to wear their jackets and warm clothing. If it is not raining or snowing we hold recess outdoors.

Finally, keep in mind that Wednesday, December 18th will be an early release at 1:45.

 

Enjoy the weekend,

 

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood MS Principal

 

PTANEWS

Volunteer Opportunities

 

BINGO

The Sellwood PTA is hosting a Bingo event in early 2025! Our goal is to raise $5,000 , and thanks to a generous donor, it will be MATCHED! We need YOUR help to make this event a success! Proceeds will go towards beautifying the Sellwood grounds and providing much-needed recess equipment and . Our first meeting is Monday, December 16 at 7:15pm at Smitty's Taphouse . Please join us and be part of the fun!

 

WINTER CELEBRATION

The SMS counseling team is planning the school Winter Celebration on 12/20 for the last hour of the school day. We are looking for 4-5 parent volunteers to hand out treats to the students, and some volunteers to help organize and procure treats. Sign up information is on Konstella, so please see details there!

 

CLOTHING CLOSET

Monday, January 27, is Sellwood’s day to send 5-6 volunteers to help at the PPS Clothing Closet from 9:30-1:30 pm. Each PPS school is responsible for sending volunteers twice during the school year to assist students in receiving clothing and shoes. The Closet is located at the Marshall campus, 3905 SE 91st. Please sign up on Konstella!

 

They are also looking for donations of teen-adult sized gently worn/new sweatshirts, hoodies, and warm coats, as they are very low in these items, as well as boys’ pants, joggers, and jeans size 4-14.

 

Thank you for your support!

 

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

 

SCHOLARSHIPSOPENFORPEAKAFTERSCHOOLPROGRAMS!

Registration will open on 12/10! 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. 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!


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

Deadline for scholarship requests is Monday December 9th at noon.


Classes this Winter:

Python Coding with Coding with Kids $259 Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15, 1/7/25 - 3/18/25 (10 lessons, no school on 1/28/25)
Join us to explore Python, a widely used programming language. Beginners get a user-friendly introduction, covering essentials like variables and functions. Returning students delve into advanced topics like Arrays, while all students create various fun games, including a custom space invaders game. Flyer.

Monologue and Scene Study with Rogue Pack Theatre $250 Wednesdays 4:15-5:45, 1/22/25-3/12/25
Aspiring actors! Come learn the craft of acting through games, exploring your imagination and learning how to apply it to script and character analysis, scene study and or monologue development according to each person’s interests. We’ll build confidence in our ability to embody characters and bring stories to life in a supportive, playful and collaborative class.

Chess Club approx $125 Mondays 4-5 pm - all year course!! Runs from October to March 31, 2025, a few spots left!
Taught by Alaric True. 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 $50, 1/7/25-3/18/25 (no class 1/28)
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. Appropriate for both new and returning students.

 

Marimba $104.50 Thursdays 4:15-5:15 1/9-3/20/25, Taught by Ben Kinkley
Curious about African music? Want to share your own ideas with a new music ensemble? Sellwood Marimba is the place for you. Come to learn the basics or build your skills - and definitely come to jam! We'll meet ten sessions this winter, on Thursdays beginning January 9. No experience is necessary. Instruments are provided.

Red Cross Babysitter Training - $140 All Day Course 1/28 or 3/3
One-day training offered on no school days or Saturdays. 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. We are seeking a parent chaperone for the 3/3 course in exchange for free tuition. Email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com

 

2025-26HIGHSCHOOLLOTTERYWINDOW(CLOSESMONDAY!)

November 13, 2024 - December 16, 2024

Students from across Portland Public Schools can apply to lottery slots at our three focus options high schools:

  • Benson Polytechnic High School
  • Jefferson High School-Middle College for Advanced Studies
  • Metropolitan Learning Center

 

Learn more: Application and other information

 

SUCCESSFULSCHOOLSURVEY-OPENUNTILDECEMBER16

Dear families,

Today Portland Public Schools begins the annual Successful Schools Survey. The Successful Schools Survey is an opportunity for students, staff, and families to provide important feedback on their school environments, learning experiences, and sense of well-being and safety at school.

The survey is conducted once every school year to provide timely information to schools, district leadership, and the community, allowing us to make informed decisions about school climate and culture. This year, the survey window is open November 1 to December 16.

Portland Public Schools highly values the input and opinions of its families, and we welcome all PPS parents and guardians to complete this year’s survey. We use the data to help improve our schools, providing targeted feedback and training on how to create healthy school environments that are welcoming for all.

You can complete the Successful Schools Survey online using the link provided below. Please complete one survey per household. If you have more than one student at PPS, we ask that you complete the survey considering the experiences of your eldest child.

The survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete and is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese and Chinese.

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/fall24family

 

For more information about the Successful Schools Survey, please go to pps.net/sss2024.

 

MAINOFFICE

The best way to reach us is by email.

Willa Grund is our new school secretary. wgrund@pps.net

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 Willa Grund (“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:

While we understand it is sometimes necessary to pick up your child from school, please try to limit your student’s daytime appointments. If necessary, please ring the bell at the main door and expect to wait while your child is located.

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 wgrund@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 principal.
 

IMPORTANTDATESTOREMEMBER

December 18: Early Release at 1:45

December 23-January 3: Winter Break

January 16: PTA Meeting

January 16: STEAM Show, 5:30-8:00 PM

Link to PPS Calendar for 2024 - 2025

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