Sells eNews
June 27th, 2023
September 12, 2025
Good Evening,
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to a beautiful weekend!
Next week marks our first Sells Spirit Week, and we’re excited to also participate in Start With Hello Week. Each day will feature a fun theme and activities designed to encourage new friendships, build social connections, and foster a sense of belonging. Our Student Council has been hard at work (and having fun) organizing all of the events!
Here’s what’s coming up:
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Monday: Meme Day
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Tuesday: ’90s Day
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Wednesday: Sports Day
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Thursday: Twin Day
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Friday: House Colors
On Friday, we’ll wrap up the week with our very first ROCK Rally! Students and staff will join in friendly competitions to earn points for their House; it’s sure to be an exciting celebration of our school spirit.
Finally, I want to thank you for sharing your students with us every single day. Their ideas, learning, smiles, laughter, and the way they care for one another are what make Sells such a special place.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
With ROCK Pride,
Katy O'Neal
Principal
Kevin Masterson
Assistant Principal
Dale Jennings
Administrative Intern
Upcoming Dates
October 9th - Flu Shot Clinic for students 9:00 - 11:00am in the library
October 13th - Picture Make up Day
Fellowship of Christian Athletes/Students (FCA)
Join us for breakfast, fun & games, and faith-based speakers starting on Thursday, September 25th! Your student doesn't have to be an athlete to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Where: Mr. Berner’s room- Rm 24 in the 1919 building; drop off in the 1919 building loop
When: Every other Thursday- 7:15am-8:15am (9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21)
Contact Scott Hadley (hadley_scott@dublinschools.net) with questions or if you'd like to be added to the email group for updates/reminders.
Here is the breakfast sign-up if you’d like to provide breakfast for the students:
Attention 8th Grade Parents
PSAT Information:
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, all 8th-grade students will be offered the free PSAT 8/9 assessment. The PSAT 8/9 is the first assessment in the College Board's SAT Suite offered by Dublin City Schools.
For more information about the PSAT 8/9, please click here.
Washington DC Information:
Please visit the following website to register for the Washington DC Trip.
https://sells.dublinschools.net/sells-middle-school/washington-dc-trip-info
HB 123/SAVE Act
Dear Middle School Families,
HB 123/SAVE Act mandates annual instruction in suicide awareness and prevention, violence prevention, and social inclusion for students in grades 6-12.
Programs approved by Ohio Department of Education and Workforce are used to satisfy the requirements of HB 123/SAVE Act. Approved programs can be found HERE.
Dublin City Schools will comply with this mandate by using an approved program. Please contact your child's school for information on which program will be used.
Please complete this FORM only if you wish to opt your child OUT of the mandated requirements of HB123/SAVE Act.
Music Theatre Information
Attendance Information
If your child will be absent from school:
PREFERRED ABSENCE REPORTING METHOD: Please use the Absence Request tool in Infinite campus
Other reporting methods: email sms_attendance@dublinschools.net or call 614-718-8572 and leave a voicemail
Please do not call the main line for attendance before 9:00am.
Please utilize the Absence Request Tool in Infinite Campus or attendance email or 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 - Please use the Absence Request Tool or send a note from the parent/guardian. The note should to 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 into 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. Please use the Absence Request Tool to let us know ahead of time.
The complete attendance policy is located in the Middle School Student Handbook on
pages 11-13.
PTO Information
Help us Fund the FUN! Each year the PTO does things like feed teachers, host (free!) events for students, provide teacher grants, and so much more. BUT we can't do it without you! Your financial support (as well as signing up - and following through on your signup - to bring donations) allows us do to these things! Without you, none of the above can happen. If you can't make a donation, who do you know that might be able to? Do you know any businesses that might like to make a donation? We will definitely give them recognition! If you use Venmo, you can make a donation to @SellsMSPTO.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/sellsmspto for up-to-date information about everything that we have going on and how you can get involved!
Feeding Team Sells - The teachers and staff asked us to pass along their gratitude to those who made donations of food and who have supported the PTO. This helped us to provide lunch to them today!
Sells Swag - Are you looking to add to your Sells swag? This online store will be open until September 1 and items will be shipped directly to your house: http://www.tinyurl.com/2025SellsSW
Save the Dates!
- Tuesday, September 16 @ 7p - Help us kick off the year with our 1st PTO meeting! We will gather in the Sells Commons. Stay tuned for more details. We would love to have you join us!
- Thursday, October 2 - 3-5p - The PTO invites all students to its annual All School Tailgate. Join us out back right after school for pizza, some music, and hanging with friends. We'll provide a piece of pizza, chips, and a drink for you for free! Kona Ice will be available for purchase. Stay to cheer on the football team to a victory over Davis!
Donations
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!
DCS News
Parent Survey K-12 Curriculum
As part of our regular curriculum review cycle, Dublin City Schools is seeking community feedback on our Visual Arts and Physical Education programs. CLICK HERE to access the survey. The survey will remain open through September 25, 2025. Thank you for taking the time to share your input.
Global Travel Opportunities
The DCS Global Travel Program is offering trips for middle school and high school students in 2026 to several different international destinations including: The Alps and Mediterranean Coast, Germany and Austria, New York City, Robotics, Engineering and the Future Cities in Japan, rome, Athens & the Greek Isles. Trip leaders are planning trip information meetings and there is still time to sign up. Check out the full list of trips and learn more here.
From the City of Dublin
Self-Empower with Self-Defense (For High School Students Only)
Students 16 years and older can experience an interactive self-defense class with Dublin Police officers Tuesday, Sept. 16. Boost your confidence and equip yourself with essential skills for personal safety. Register now.
From School Zones to City Milestones
As the new school year began, the City reinforced safety in school zones with added traffic enforcement and reminders for drivers and families. August also brought community milestones like the Dublin Irish Festival, Purple Heart Day and the opening of Dublin’s 30th roundabout. Check out the August highlights.