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)

During the weeks of March 6 to March 17, 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.

The survey will be administered at Sells MS on March 6 and 7 during ROCK Period.

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.

Starting on Monday, March 3, we will be working to designate a place where students can report to in order to maintain their fast as they observe Ramadan and not have to be in the cafeteria during lunch. This space will be supervised by staff during each grade level lunch. There will be a few expectations that will be in place for the students:

• Students should report to this alternate space immediately
• Students will NOT be permitted to go back and forth from this space to the cafeteria
• Phones and chromebooks will NOT be permitted during this time
• All classroom common commitments will be enforced

Our goal is to have games for the students to play during this time. We will be sure to explain this to the students and remind them of what will take place should they choose to access this alternate space as they are observing Ramadan.

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.

No need to cook lunch or dinner!!

Join us at Bibibop (6400 Sawmill Rd)! Tell them that you are there to support the Sells Middle School PTO and they will donate 20% of your bill back to the PTO! You eating at Bibibop on March 4 helps us support the amazing staff and students of Sells!

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

Starting Monday! A Faster, Easier Way to Report Absences

On Monday, all DCS parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to report student absences quickly and efficiently. Whether from a desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device, this tool provides a convenient way to notify the school without phone calls or emails. 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. Thank you for helping us be more accurate and efficient!

Spring Testing & High School Late Start Days

Spring means testing season for students in grades 3-12! Testing at elementary and middle schools will take place on various dates throughout April. Families can find their school’s specific testing schedule on our Testing & Assessments webpage.

For high school students, testing days include late starts on April 7, 8, 14, and 15. Parents of students taking high school courses should review the Spring 2025 Late Start Schedule to see how these changes impact the school day. Additionally, high school students and parents will receive an email regarding the tests and dates for their tests this spring.

Beyond the Classroom

This week, the Info Hub added two new events: a Dublin STEM Camp that benefits both Children’s Hospital and the Dublin Education Foundation and a youth running camp. New opportunities are added regularly. Check it out here.

Introducing the Culinary Chronicles from Aramark

In coming months you will see a link to Aramark’s monthly newsletter within Inside DCS. In the meanwhile, they would like your help in making your child’s dining experience even better! Take a quick survey and share your thoughts on our breakfast and lunch service. It only takes a minute, and your input matters! Click here to start the survey.

Middle School MAP Window

Students in grades 6-8 will complete the MAP assessments in both reading and math throughout the month of March. This benchmark assessment window is the spring map window for middle school students. The assessment will be nationally normed and will look at the growth between the September administration and the March administration. Parents will be notified when the scores have been uploaded into the Infinite Campus parent portal. Additional information about the MAP assessment can be found here.

Last Chance to Ice Skate This Season

Come skate at the Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink before it closes in March! Check out its operating hours.

Healthy Guide Out Now!

Get the latest on programs and events happening at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Plan your spring and summer by flipping through the guide.

• Registration Activities and Specialty Camps:

• City of Dublin Residents (CR) – March 11

• Dublin City School District (SDR) residents & Non-Residents – March 18

• Summer Camp Registration:

• Wyandot Camp (CR & SDR) – March 4

• Camp Kaltenbach & Extended Week Camp (CR only) – March 4

• Wyandot Next, Teen Adventure Camp and Counselor in Training (CR & SDR) – March 6

• My First Camp & Playground Adventure Camp (CR only) – March 6

Calling all Parents! Citizen U Apps Open

Apply to join the 2025 McDaniel Citizen U academy. Participation is open to Dubliners interested in how their local government runs on a daily basis. Activate your civic duty!

Celebrate Black History

Crystal Maiuri, president of the Dublin Parents of Black Students Association, shares the origins of Black History Month and what makes this time of reflection important to her. Watch history come alive in Dublin.

E-File Taxes

All 2024 tax returns can now be filed electronically, including refunds for both City of Dublin residents and non-residents. E-filing is faster, more secure and more accurate. See how it works before April 15.