Principal's Newsletter 8.24.2026

Aug 26 2026

Sellwood Principal's Newsletter - August 21st, 2026

Greetings Sellwood Community,

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! We're thrilled to welcome our new students to Sellwood. Incoming 6th graders will take part in a special Jump Start orientation on Wednesday, August 26. 6th graders should report to the courtyard area between 9:00 and 9:10 AM. Led by our WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) student leaders, Jump Start is designed to help students get comfortable with middle school by meeting classmates and staff, touring the building while following their class schedules, learning how to use their lockers, and getting familiar with the school before all students return.

The first day of school for all 7th and 8th grade students will be Thursday, August 27.

Read on to find out more details.

Jeandre Carbone

Sellwood Middle School Principal

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET TO SCHOOL

Drop offs

Please drop students off on SE Umatilla, SE 16th Avenue, or SE Sherrett (green). Please do not drop students off or pick them up on SE 15th Avenue, which is reserved for buses (red). Also, please do not drop students off or pick them up by driving through the staff parking lot. This is for everyone's safety.

General Building entry

After the first day, students will use one of 4 entrances based on how they came to school: by bus, drop-off, walking, biking, or skating. Please refer to the map below.

August 26th

6th-GRADERS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

6th-graders will have a special "jump-start" orientation on August 26th. The "jump start" will be led by a team of friendly 8th-grade students called WEB Leaders. WEB = Where Everyone Belongs. 6th-graders will learn how to: find their way around the school, open their lockers, and follow their schedules. They will also meet their teachers, office and support staff, and learn about Sellwood's policies, procedures, and ways of doing things. Of course, they will have a chance to see old friends from elementary school, and also make new friends!

Please do not bring backpacks with school supplies to 6th-grade jumpstart (unless it is a very small backpack where you can carry your water bottle, lunch, and other personal items). DO bring a water bottle. Also, bring lunch, or you may get lunch (free to all this year) in the cafeteria. Plan to arrive between 9:00 and 9:10 AM, and head to the courtyard, where our team will be waiting to welcome you. You will get a fresh hard copy of your schedule then.

AUGUST 27th

7th-8th GRADERS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (All students attend)

Welcome back, 7th and 8th graders! Please head to the outdoor basketball court near the gym, where we will greet you and give you a fresh hard copy of your schedule. Re-orientation to Sellwood will be built into each period of the day.

PTA NEWS

Welcome to the New School Year!

The SMS PTA Board is thrilled to welcome you and your student to another exciting

year at SMS! We are committed to supporting our dedicated staff and fostering a vibrant school community.

To start off the school year there are a couple of things you can do:

First - Join the PTA - be part of the conversation that shapes our school's future

Join the PTA and work with us to make this an outstanding year for every student at SMS. Your participation counts! Join here: Join the PTA

Second - Join Konstella

The PTA uses the Konstella app to keep parents informed, engaged, and up to date with events, announcements, volunteer sign-up opportunities and important news.

Join here: Join Konstella

BottleDrop Blue Bag Program - Recycle Cans and Bottles and Support the PTA!

You can help support the PTA by collecting and returning your empty cans and bottles to the nearest BottleDrop Location through the BottleDrop Blue Bag program. During the school year you can pick up blue bags from SMS community members who have blue bags on their porch and from the SMS Front Office.

Find locations here: Sellwood PTA - BottleDrop Blue Bag Program

UPCOMING PTA EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

Decorate the Sidewalks at SMS on 8/25 from 7pm-8pm

Kick Off the School Year with Color & Creativity! Join us for a beloved Sellwood Middle School tradition—brightening the sidewalks outside SMS before the first day of school! Bring your favorite chalk, your imagination, and your school spirit as we team up with the PTA and fellow families to fill the walkways with cheerful messages and uplifting artwork. Let's give our students a warm, colorful welcome they'll never forget!

Join Us for a First-Day Parent Meet & Greet for 6th Grade Parents on 8/26!

After you drop your 6th grader off for their first day of school on 8/26, treat yourself to a coffee and donut, and take a moment to connect with other parents and members of the PTA. We'll have a welcome table set up outside the school near the Umatilla entrance from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Stop by, say hello, and start the school year off with some friendly faces!

Ice Cream Social 9/3 from 5:30 - 7pm

Join us for a Sellwood Middle School tradition - the Ice Cream Social hosted by the SMS PTA. Join other families, students, and staff for free ice cream bars and a chance to connect with the community. There will be food for purchase onsite from the Montage Ala Cart truck - so bring a blanket, order dinner, have some free ice cream bars and enjoy the evening. We hope to see you there!

Fruit Sale Fundraiser with Kiyokawa Family Orchard

The Sellwood Middle School PTA is hosting its annual fruit fundraiser and selling freshly picked and amazing tasting boxes of apples and pears from Kiyokawa Family Orchards in Parkdale.

Fruit pick up will be on October 15th, from 3 pm to 5:30 pm at the SMS parking lot (located at the intersection of SE 15th and SE Harney). If you are unable to pick up your fruit during this time, you can contact Sarah Erickson to make alternative arrangements at erickson.sarah5@gmail.com. Please note that any fruit not picked up as arranged will be donated.

The last day to get your order in is October 1st.

THANK YOU for helping to make our fundraiser a SWEET SUCCESS!

Buy Fruit Here: Sellwood Middle School Fruit Sale

First PTA Meeting - September 22

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 7:45-8:45 pm in the SMS library after Back to School Night events. We would love to see you!

Stay Connected With the PTA:

Want to know what is coming up for the school year and learn about events?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SellwoodMiddleSchoolPTA/

Instagram: @sellwoodmiddlepta

Web: https://sites.google.com/view/sellwoodpta

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services is happy to announce all enrolled PPS students will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2026-27 school year. Families do not need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application.

Breakfast includes an entree, choice of fruit, and milk. Lunch includes a choice of entree, milk, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Students must choose at least three foods, with one food being at least a 1/2 cup of fruit and/or a vegetable. If students bring their lunch from home and want milk, they may choose two other foods - such as a fruit and vegetable - at no charge. Milk can no longer be purchased separately.

ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY

As you know, Sellwood has had a "no cell phone" policy for many years. PPS now has a district-wide cell phone policy. Sellwood's policy aligns with the PPS district-wide policy on personal electronic devices. Students must keep their phones and personal electronic devices off and away all day, even during lunch and recess. If a staff member observes a student's cell phone, they will confiscate the phone and turn it in to the office. The first time a cell phone or personal electronic device is confiscated, the parent will be called and the student may pick up the device at the end of the day. The second time, the parent must pick up the phone. All violations of the PPS electronic device policy will be recorded as discipline referrals in Synergy.

Smart watches with cellular capability are not allowed. Watches without cellular capability or on "school mode" will be allowed and considered watches. If a student uses their watch to send/receive texts, make/receive calls, watch videos, or use the watch in any phone-like manner, the watch is considered a "Smart Watch" which is a violation of the cell phone policy. The student would no longer be allowed to wear that watch at school.

Students are not allowed to use wireless/Bluetooth earbuds at school during the school day. Here is a link to the PPS cell phone policy.

Students needing to use headphones in class (with Chromebook and teacher permission) must use wired headphones such as the ones described on our Back-to-School shopping list

GUARDIAN COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS AND HATE SPEECH

Portland Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, positive, and productive learning and working environment for all. Harassment of any kind, including intimidation or bullying, acts of cyberbullying, and sexual harassment are strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated in the District.Please refer to the linked document for more information.

SELLWOOD SUPPLY LIST 2026/27

SELLWOOD BELL SCHEDULE 2026/27

UPDATE YOUR STUDENT'S INFORMATION ONLINE

Please see the flyers linked below for instructions to complete the yearly verification process.

Online verification - English

Online verification - Russian

Online verification - Spanish

Online verification - Vietnamese

MAIN OFFICE

The best way to reach us is by email.

TBA is our school secretary/enrollment coordinator.
Claire Howard (choward1@pps.net) is our principal's secretary.
Our Sellwood website https://sellwood.pps.net/ 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 (School Secretary)
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 that daytime appointments are sometimes necessary, early release is discouraged. Please try to limit your student's daytime appointments. When early release is 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 https://sellwood.pps.net/

Please email Kirstin (kbill@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.

LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DISMISSALS

Late Arrival Due to Appointments: If your student arrives late to school due to an appointment, please let the office know using one of the following options:

a) sign your student in at the office

b) leave a message on the attendance line

c) email Kirstin at kbill@pps.net

d) have your student bring a signed doctors / dentists note

Their tardy / absence will otherwise be unexcused.

Early Dismissal/ Mid Day Pick Ups: If you are picking your student up during school hours, we kindly ask that you sign your student out in the office and be prepared to allow up to 10 minutes for the pickup process. We regret that we are unable to call your student from class ahead of time.

Please let Kirstin know if you have any questions or concerns.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER PPS Calendar 2026-27

August 26: First Day of School for 6th graders (JumpStart Orientation)
August 27: First Day of School for 7th & 8th graders
September 3: PTA Ice Cream Social 5:30-7:00 PM
September 16: Early Dismissal @ 1:45
September 22: Back to School Night 6:00-7:45 PM
September 24: Q1 Progress Reports
October 9: State Inservice Day - School Closed
October 21: Early Dismissal @ 1:45
October 28: End of Quarter 1
October 29 & 30: Teacher Grading & Planning - No School for Students
November 11: Veterans' Day - Schools Closed
November 19, 23, & 24: Parent Teacher Conferences
November 25-27: Fall Break
December 10: Q2 Progress Reports
December 16: Early Dismissal @ 1:45
December 21 - January 1: WinterBreak
January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - School Closed
January 22: End of Q2
January 25 & 26: Teacher Grading & Planning - No School for Students