Sells eNews

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)

On Wednesday, we celebrated our March Students of the Month by inviting family to be with us as we honored this achievement. These students have been nominated for this distinguished achievement through their continued demonstration of Rock Pride. Specifically, how they have demonstrated perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline and empathy in and out of the classroom.

The March Students of the Month:

6th Grade: Eliot Esala, Adeline Harmon, Camryn Ollanketo and Christopher Pak

7th Grade: Harshu Arunprasath, Yalda Jalili, Jack Pauling and Helena Wehnke

8th Grade: Theodore Peltier, Yenera Rowlands, Ricardo Ruiz, Sophia Stemple, Jana Tamimi,

Kevin Torres Gomez and Victoria Velazquez

Hello Rock Families!

We had another great week here at Sells on the fields and on the track! Our kids and coaches are hard at work preparing for the upcoming seasons. Our first competition is next week as our Boys Lacrosse team will travel to scrimmage Orange next Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Thank you to all of those who came to our meet the coach night on Tuesday. It was great to see all of our returning families and some new faces as well!

Athletic Picture Day is next Thursday, March 13th after school. Your coaches will be reaching out with specific times for their programs to get their pictures taken.

GO ROCKS!!!

- Mr. Jones

Due to her performance in the school spelling bee and on the regional qualifier online test, Alexa is moving on to represent John Sells Middle School in the Columbus Blue Jackets regional spelling bee program on Saturday, March 22nd at 12 pm at Nationwide Arena!

GOOD LUCK ALEXA!!

Attention ALL female students...Sign up for our annual powderpuff game this April hosted by the Sells cheerleaders. It's free to participate and open to all grade levels. Sign up here by March 21st. Go Rocks!! Questions? Email Devon Lewis (lewis_devon@dublinschools.net).

During the weeks of March 10 to March 20, Dublin City Schools students in Grades 3-12 will have the opportunity to participate in a questionnaire asking their perceptions about school and student support.

Due to a change in dates, the Panorama survey will not take place at Sells until the week of March 17. Specific details as to which days this will be administered will be shared next week.

The 8th grade trip to Washington, DC is now set for the next school year. This trip will be available to any 8th grader during the 2025-26 school year. The specific travel dates will be May 12-15, 2026. A parent information meeting will be held the first week of May before our school year ends. During this meeting we will discuss how to register for the trip, the cost, the planned itinerary and we will answer any specific questions. Please be looking for details as to the specific date and time we will host this meeting in May.

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.

Head on over to Shake Shack (3734 Dublin Granville Rd)! When you let them know that you’re there on behalf of the Sells PTO, they will donate 25% of your bill back!

Place your order for Piada (6495 Sawmill Rd) on their website or app using code 73QAMF OR go into the restaurant on April 9 (and tell them you're there for the Sells fundraiser) and they will send 20% of your bill back our direction!

It is that time of year to start planning the 8th Grade End of Year Celebration on May 22nd! We will be having an outdoor party with lunch, a DJ, Kona Ice, games and prizes. We are asking each family to contribute $10 to cover the cost of the event. You can pay via Venmo, Square or drop off cash/check in the office. Please include your student’s name in the comments/information section or the envelope of your donation. Additional donations are welcome.

Deadline: Friday, April 4th

Venmo: @SellsMSPTO

Square: john-sells-middle-school-pto.square.site

Cash/check (made out to Sells PTO) and delivered to Sells office

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

New Absence Reporting Tool Now Live

We’re excited to announce that the new Absence Request tool in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal is now available for families. This tool offers a faster, more efficient way to report student absences, whether you’re using a desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device. No more waiting on hold or searching for email addresses—just a few clicks, and your student’s absence is reported.

Here’s how to use the Absence Request tool:

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.

2. Select your child’s profile.

3. Navigate to More, then Absence Request.

4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.

5. Submit your request.

For detailed instructions, visit the Absence Request Guide.

Spring Forward - Daylight Savings time begins

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9 @ 2:00 a.m. Remember to “spring forward” and set your clocks forward one hour!

Eat the Rainbow: Smart Nutrition for Kids
March is National Nutrition Month! A colorful plate = a strong body and brain. Encourage kids to eat a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and proteins for energy and focus at school! Dublin City Schools and Aramark strive to help families meet students' nutritional needs. Learn more by visiting the Food Services Frequently Asked Questions page on the website!

New Opportunities Posted on the Info Hub

This week, the Info Hub added two new opportunities: A Chess Tournament hosted by the Jerome Chess Club; and the Harmony Music Festival hosted by ACT Council which promotes an alcohol-free and drug-free lifestyle. Also, i9 Sports has a discount for summer sports if you sign up before March 31. Check it out here.

New After Schools Activities Available

Dublin City Schools is happy to collaborate with local organizations to bring families an array of exciting opportunities for students! Explore the After School Activities page to discover activities and programs your child will love. Don’t miss out—check them out today and find the perfect fit for your family!

Credit Flexibility Applications Due on May 1

This year, students are asked to use our new online submission form. Students interested in earning summer or fall credit should fill out their application online no later than May 1. Please review the information regarding Credit Flexibility on the district website. Students who engage in summer learning and are also a part of the CCP program should be aware that all summer learning credits count towards maximum credit calculations for College Credit Plus. Please see your school counselor with any questions.

DCS Virtual Summer School Registration Now Open

Looking for a way to help your student get ahead this summer? DCS Virtual Summer School gives students the chance to earn credits, take on a challenging course without the pressure of a full school schedule, or lighten their future workload—all with the flexibility to learn on their own time. Taught by certified Dublin City School teachers, these self-paced courses allow students to stay on track while still enjoying their summer. Whether they want to tackle a tough subject in a low-pressure setting, get a head start on next year, or make room for electives and extracurriculars, this is a great opportunity to set them up for success!

Hear from City Leaders at the State of the City!

Join City Manager Megan O'Callaghan, Dublin City Council, and your community at the State of the City address and community reception on March 13 at 6 p.m. Your participation helps keep Dublin exceptional. Learn more and RSVP.

See you at the Greenest, Grandest Parade!

Celebrate with us at the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade, starting 11 a.m. March 15. Watch the 110+ groups as they travel from Metro Center through Historic Dublin in their greenest garb. The parade will take place rain or shine — dress in layers! Read all the details about parking, accessibility and more.

Read Exciting Updates from the City of Dublin

The February City Manager's Report, featuring community growth and exciting updates, is available now! From traffic improvements near schools to exciting City developments, here’s what happened last month in Dublin that may affect your family. Be in the know.

No Pinching Required!

Make sure your family is ready for St. Patrick’s Day with green gear from EverythingDublin.com. Perfect for school spirit days, Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, and all your festive fun! Grab your green today.