Sells eNews

There is ONE week left in the first semester! It is hard to believe that we are at this point in the school year already. With that said, please discuss with your student their progress in their classes. What work is still outstanding? What tests do they have next week? Creating a plan will help them from becoming overwhelmed and this will help them understand what they need to do in order to be more successful.

At any time you need to speak with one of your child's teachers regarding their academic and behavior progress for this quarter, please do not hesitate to reach out via email. Our teaching staff is dedicated to creating partnerships with all parents in order to further the success of our students overall!

Have a great weekend!

Matt

Below is the Testing schedule for the last week of the semester for our 8th grade students. ONLY students taking high school courses will take an exam. Other classes may be giving a test that week, but will NOT be considered an exam.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns as we work to finish up this first semester of school. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Principal: Matt Sachtleben (sachtleben_matt@dublinschools.net)

Assistant Principal: Katy O'Neal (oneal_katy@dublinschools.net)

Here are the assignments for our school counselors this school year.

Last names A-F: Mrs. Erin Bissell (bissell_erin@dublinschools.net)

Last names G-M: Mrs. Jessica Lanka (lanka_jessica@dublinschools.net)

Last names N-Z: Mrs. Dawn Wolf (wolf_dawn@dublinschools.net)

It is time, once again, for the Sells yearbook cover contest. Show off your creative talents, and your artwork could grace the cover of the 2024-2025 Sells Middle School yearbook, allowing it to be remembered forever.

Pick up a form in the office, from Mr. Rauh (room 151), or from Mr. Sebastian (room 137). Designs can be done on the form, or created digitally - Just make sure to follow the instructions on the form. Submissions are due by Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. See Mr. Sebastian if you have any questions.

We're excited to announce that we'll be partnering with Junior Achievement, January - May, as they provide support for volunteers who come to our school to discuss their educational and career journey with our students.

Junior Achievement believes that career exploration should be a funnel, not a hose; that kids need to learn about as many jobs as possible so they can confidently self-direct to a career of their choosing!

With that in mind, we'd love if YOU would join us as a JA Career Speaker Series volunteer, helping the students connect the dots from the classroom to the Real World. By the end of the program, the students will share with their parents a full portfolio of career research and steps they need to take to further their exploration.

Junior Achievement has made it easy for you to participate by creating a Google Slides presentation for you to follow. (If you'd like to create your own presentation or "just talk to the kids," that's great, too! However you are most comfortable.)

Please click the link below to register as a JA Career Speaker Series volunteer:

JA Career Speaker Series Schedule and Registration

After clicking the link, scroll through the volunteer opportunities or simply hold downControl-F on your keyboard and enter our school name into the "find" box at the top right corner of the page. Then hit the down arrow to see dates on which we are welcoming volunteers into our classroom.

Please consider volunteering at other schools as well and please share this email with friends, family and colleagues. All careers are welcome ... remember ... the funnel!

Thank you for all you do in support of our school and community.

Check a back-to-school box off your list by going ahead and filling out the Free and Reduced Meal Application for your students. Apply online through PaySchools Central or use one of our printable forms (translated in multiple languages) to submit your information.

If your child will be absent from school, please email our attendance line at sms_attendance@dublinschools.net

Or leave a voicemail at 614.718.8572

Please do not call the main line for attendance before 9:00am.

Please utilize the attendance EMAIL or attendance VOICEMAIL.

• Students MUST be in Rock period by 8:28am - Anytime after 8:28am is considered LATE and MUST sign in at the Main Office.
• LEAVING EARLY - A note from the parent/guardian should be given to Mrs. Stevenson (Attendance Secretary) first thing in the morning. She will give them a pass to leave class at the given time and your student will meet you in the Main Office at that time. You as the Parent/Guardian will need to come in to the office to sign them out.
• ARRIVING LATE - If your student is arriving late to school due to an appointment, they will need to sign in at the Main Office with Mrs. Stevenson. Medical appointments will be excused with a note from the medical provider.

The complete attendance policy is located in the Middle School Student Handbook on

pages 11-13.

Another fun hockey opportunity to raise money for Sells PTO!

Join us on Saturday, January 11th at 7pm at The Schott as the Buckeyes take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Tickets are $20 and a portion of each ticket is donated back to the Sells PTO and parking is free.

Go Bucks!

Let's get ready for some hockey! We have partnered again with the Columbus Blue Jackets to offer 4 different fundraiser games which means they will donate a portion of the ticket cost back to Sells PTO. It is a great opportunity to raise some money and have fun!

You can donate to the Sells PTO all year and it is easy to do! Donations support several

fun, FREE things planned for the students and teachers and they wouldn't be possible

without your support!

Just click link below or your child can drop off a check in the office in an envelope

marked PTO Donation.

https://john-sells-middle-school-pto.square.site/

Don’t forget to join the Sells Middle School PTO Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1741183269442405

Winter Break

The last day of school for the first semester is Friday, December 20. School will resume on January 7 following winter break and a teacher work day.

Redistricting Maps Now Available

The elementary and middle school redistricting process is now finalized. Families can view the static boundary maps, which will take effect beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, on the Dublin City Schools Maps and Boundaries page or by visiting Cropper GIS's dedicated DCS Redistricting webpage.

To see school assignments based on your address, use the interactive map tool on the Cropper GIS webpage. Simply enter your street address into the search bar to view your elementary and middle school assignments for the 2025-2026 school year.

Don’t Miss Out on Available Student Activities

We have recently added new opportunities for students to the Info Hub. Is your student interested in conservation? Or scouting? Or Volleyball? Learn more about how to participate in these activities by visiting the Info Hub.

PSAT 8/9 Resources

During the month of October, eighth grade students participated in the PSAT 8/9 assessment. These results are now posted in the student’s CollegeBoard portal. If your child did not previously create a CollegeBoard account with their school counselor, follow the steps linked here to create their account. Please use your child's district email when creating this account. If your child is unable to login to their account, you must contact CollegeBoard directly at 877-348-5728. The presentation from the PSAT 8/9 parent night held on December 4 can be found here. The recording of the presentation can be found here.

How To Be Energy Efficient at Home This Winter

MORPC works to support low- and moderate-income households maintain and improve their homes through repair and energy efficiency (weatherization) programs. Each program has different eligibility requirements. If you apply and are ineligible, MORPC staff will redirect you to other resources. Learn more.

Donate to Police Holiday Toy Drive

Come one, come all to the annual Dublin Police toy drive this Saturday, Dec. 14! From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can drop off new, unwrapped toys and gift cards at the Dublin Justice Center to support local kids. Donation details.