Panther Pause

by Kaden 5/4/23

Since summer is coming up soon I thought it would be a good idea to ask people what their favorite summer activities are. Personally, my favorite summer activity is Hanging out with my friends. Below are my results for people's favorite summer activities.

Swimming: 7

Video games: 6

Hanging with friends: 4

Skating: 2

“I like playing Video Games during summer because I have more time for it” -Stephen (6th grade)

“I like skating during the summer because it is really sunny” -Wyatt (6th grade)

by Jade 4/17/23

Sellwood has a few different elective options currently, from Spanish and French to Art and Publishing. A few years ago, there were even more electives to choose from. Marimba and Media literacy were two classes that students could take during the school day, but Marimba was changed to an after-school program and Media literacy was canceled because there were too few teachers to teach it.

But, in the school year 2023-2024, NEW ELECTIVES will be offered to Sellwood students. Classes like Team Green, to learn more about taking care of the planet, and Games, to play board games and make books, will be new electives.

“The new electives will probably attract more attention because they are new and no one at Sellwood has been able to do them before,” said Cameryn.

“Electives are super important to Sellwood and our school, so the new ones will probably be fun,” said Lucy.

With so many new electives to choose from, students will get more options and more opportunity to share their interests with their Sellwood classmates. New electives will let the students express their thoughts and feelings more, and show what they like. They will also be able to explore new interests, meet new people, and spend time doing what they enjoy. This will make Sellwood a more inclusive and happy community, for both students and teachers.

Overall, these new electives will probably benefit Sellwood greatly, and make our school a better place to be.

(To learn more about these electives, check the Google Doc that Principal Carbone sent to all Sellwood Students on Gmail.) 

by Anna 4/17/23

On May 7th, the sixth grade students at Sellwood Middle School are going to outdoor school. They are splitting the 6th grade up into two different camps, Angelos and Collins.

If you are a 6th grader in AM block you are going to camp Angelos! Camp Angelos is located in Corbett, Oregon and is a 30 minute drive from Portland. The place isn't just used for camping, it is also a fun place to have retreats, conferences, fundraisers, reunions, school dances and weddings. “I’m excited to go to Camp Angelos because one of my friends is a counselor there,” said a student who wanted to remain anonymous.

Camp Collins is a YMCA camp in Oxbow Oregon, about 45 minutes away from Portland. The sixth graders who have AM block will be going to Camp Collins! Camp Collins has many fun activities. At the camp there is Archery, Arts and Crafts, a climbing tower, a campfire,  a giant swing, and a zipline.

Both camps are amazing and so much fun, but it will be nothing like Sellwood.

by Sam 2/15/23

        Some days, I see kids on their phone either playing video games or checking the latest social media post.

The main place that I see kids on their devices is in the bathroom, but even though the teachers can’t see you, other students can. On several occasions I have walked into the bathroom and seen kids watching Youtube or playing video games.

What should you do if you see a kid on their phone in the bathroom or somewhere else? The first thing you should do is to tell a teacher. It may seem like you are being a tattletail but it’s always the right thing to do.

Did you know that when you look at your phone at school, it can distract and negatively affect your reaction time, performance and enjoyment of focal tasks? Also, when you use phones too much, they can induce stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and depression.

These are all reasons why your phone should stay at home.

by Jade 2/15/23

The Oregon Humane Society was founded in 1868 by Thomas Lamb Eliot in Portland, Oregon, to help homeless animals find new families and homes.

The Oregon Humane Society helps over 11,000 animals a year, and is one of the oldest and most respectcal animal welfare organzations in the United States. It currently has 52 dogs, 27 cats, 2 rabbits, 3 hamsters, and 5 mice. That comes into a total of 82 different homeless animals looking for homes, and all are promised food, shelter, and safety from abusive owners or a life on the streets. Oregon Humane Society is a non-kill shelter, which means that they will keep animals no matter how long it takes for them to find a family without putting them down. They also neture and give their creatures monthly check-ups to keep them all healthy and happy in the shelter.

“... We are working towards our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness, and respect.” - Oregon Humane Society Website (Our Story Page)

“They helped me find both of the dogs I’ve owned, and they’ve been super helpful and kind both times!” - Ada (local student and pet owner).

Along with having a fully functioning website and two different locations, Oregon Humane society is a four and a half star shelter, with one location in Portland and one in Salem. The Portland location has a large play area where the dogs can get their energy out and stay well-exersixed and healthy, as well as several volunteers that help walk, feed, and care for the animals. It offers summer camps, tours and field trips, and classroom presentations to local school students.

The Oregon Humane Society takes in all different types of animals that could live with a loving human family, including small animals like mice or bigger animals like horses! The main goal of the Humane Society is to make the world a better and more humane place where animals can live in happy, safe families.

by Lela 2/15/23

The Sellwood Stars dance team had their second competition on Saturday Feb 11. The competition was two hours away, at a high school. It was far away, but the Stars love to compete with their amazing routine.

The Sellwood Stars placed second out of five teams in their division. The Stars are coached by Madison, a student at Cleveland High School. She does a lot of volunteer time and works very hard, also being a member of the Cleveland dance team. Madison’s mom, and two other members of the Cleveland team named Pinonica and Tinia also help so much with the team. They are all so amazing and the whole team appreciates them so much!

Ramona, a sixth grader and member of the Sellwood Stars dance team, said she loves to perform and that competitions are her favorite part of being on the dance team. Ramona is really happy with how the Stars did but believes that they can get first place at later competitions. “When I perform for an audience it adds more worth to the dance,” said Ramona. She is a dedicated dancer and always tries her best to help the team succeed.

The Stars practice four hours a week, twice on Wednesday and twice on Friday.

Their dance is Mary Poppins themed, and they perform the same routine at every competition. One dancer is Mary Poppins and the rest of the dancers are chimney sweeps. The Sellwood Stars also placed second at their last competition.

The Sellwood Stars are doing so amazing and I really look forward to seeing how they do in future competitions. Go Stars!

by Anna 2/15/23

Sellwood Middle school was founded by the Sellwood Real Estate Company, which promised a good town, and soon realized something was missing; they would need a school to teach the kids living in the neighborhood. Sellwood Middle School first opened its doors in 1884 on S.E. Umatilla and 15th Street.

Miss Eva Browning and Miss Clara Morgan were the first teachers at Sellwood. A couple of years later a new teacher arrived at Sellwood Middle, and her name was Ms. Hell. Despite her unusual name, the students back then loved her.

Ms. Souther has been teaching at Sellwood for 20 years, more than any other teacher here. Over the years she has seen some changes at Sellwood, for example Block class used to be three periods and 6th, 7th, and 8th graders all had the same lunch time. 

“My favorite part about Sellwood is all the caring and engaged students,” Ms. Souther said.

By Hanna 12/14/22

There are many winter sports, but which one is the most popular? With winter around the corner, it’s time to break out the skis, sled, or snowboard. But which sports gear will be used the most this winter?

“I like sledding because it requires the least gear, ” said Ms. Souther.

I asked 12 students/teachers what their favorite winter sport is. Here are the results:

Down hill skiing: 7

Cross country skiing: 2

Sledding: 2

Ice skating: 2

Other: 2

Downhill Skiing seems to be the most popular winter sport, with all the others tied. The number one place to go downhill skiing near Portland is Mt. Hoods Ski bowl, but there are many other great places to ski.

Just because downhill skiing is the most popular, it doesn't mean that the other winter sports aren't just as fun.

I like sledding because you glide down the hill so fast, and you can lay on your stomach, it's also more free than skiing.” says 6th grade June.

“I like downhill skiing because it's relaxing to go down hill, and once you’ve got the hang of it you just glide,” said 6th grader Vera.

By Macie and Hanna 10/13/22

GSA means Gender Sexuality Alliance. And, here at Sellwood, we have GSA Club. GSA is for all grades, races, genders, and sexualities. At lunch, sixth graders go to the health room, and seventh and eighth graders go to the Spanish room during lunch on Wednesdays. The GSA Club is a great way to make everyone feel included and that they have the same rights as everyone else.

“Because it’s inclusive to everyone,” said 6th grader Hazel. The GSA Club has the students really involved. Ms. Walker helps keep everything on track but it’s really only the students who make decisions. They just voted on the secretary, whose job is to send email updates out to everyone.

6th grader Sophie started GSA for 6th graders this year. She always wanted to be in the GSA Club, but because she is a 6th grader, she could not go to the meeting at 7th and 8th grade lunch.

Since Sophie started it, she is president of the 6th grade club. Her friend, Daphne, helped her get more people to join, and then became the vice president. Next they wanted a secretary, and a few people who wanted to be the secretary, so they had a draw. Cece and Hazel won the “election” to  be secretary.

GSA is definitely growing, and it's really cool. Sixth grade GSA started with just two people putting up posters about it, and now they have a whole council, and a lot more people. Lots of people joined GSA Club for different reasons, and some of the same reasons. 

“I joined GSA Club because I wanted to be with people who were like me,” said an anonymous sixth grader. 

“I am proud to be pan sexual, and love supporting my community,” said sixth grader Lucy.

They don’t just have 6th grade GSA, they have 7th & 8th grade too. It is run by 8th grader Maya. 

“I didn't exactly start it; last year Ms. Susan, a counselor, ran it, but she left so I picked it up this year. I run GSA this year because I think a lot of people like GSA and it's good for social and pride planning purposes,” said Maya.

“We make slides for the morning slideshow because November’s LGBTQIA+ month. We are going to redesign more inclusive posters for classrooms and more,” she said. “GSA is important to me because it is a safe place for LGBTQIA+ people & allies to connect and help build a better community.”

GSA is important to have in school because it can make the community more inclusive. GSA Club is a fun way to eat your lunch,  chat with your friends and support LGBTQIA+ people. Anyone can join!

By Liam 10/13/22

At Sellwood, many school buses have started to become late. This has been a problem in the past years, but not as bad as it currently is.

“I think that the buses getting here later causes some kids to be late to class, and for the kids who can’t eat breakfast at home they can get hungry during the day,” said Thomas, a bus rider. The breakfast point he brought up definitely is true. Studies have shown that students who don’t eat as much can have their academic performance lower significantly.

Out of a survey of 10 kids, 3 kids ride the bus and 7 kids don’t. With some buses getting here after the first bell, and some even after the second bell causes a lot of problems.

“I see a lot of kids coming in late from late buses, and I think that them coming in not knowing what the class is doing can cause a lot of problems and distractions,” Thomas said.

School buses are still very important, but them getting to a bus stop 10 minutes before the first bell rings isn’t very good. This problem in general could be solved by the buses leaving earlier, and them getting to all the stops at around 8:30 - 8:40 and then head to school, and get there around 9:00.

By Charlie 10/13/22

Basketball tryouts are coming up at Sellwood. Lots of people are wanting to go to tryouts because they want to play basketball with their friends.

The tryouts are happening November 5 for boys 6th, 7th and 8th grades, and for girls the next day. During tryouts they are going to test shooting, ball handling and your listening ability. For each grade there are two teams with 10 people.

George said, “I can’t wait to go.”  The teams will have practice Monday and Wednesday and games on the weekend. Practice is a hard but fun workout while you can also talk with friends. If you’re wanting to play basketball go sign up now before it’s too late.  

by Hanna 10/7/22

Canvas is an online learning platform that allows students to do their homework and assignments on the computer that the school provides. 

This year, most teachers post their homework on Canvas, where you can submit it as well. Canvas may be a useful tool, but do the students prefer it? And is it as effective as paper and pencil assignments?

In Canvas, you can see all your assignments, homework,  and all your grades. You can also chat with your teacher. Canvas can be helpful because if you're absent you can still do the work from home.

Some students prefer paper, some don't. “I prefer paper because I like to write with a pencil, and it's annoying to stare at a screen. But I like that I can see my grades.” said sixth grader Vera. “I prefer Canvas because I don't like to write.” said eighth grader Henry.

Canvas can have its ups and downs. Using canvas can lead to more technical problems and you will be staring at a screen. But you don't have to worry about losing the homework or forgetting when it's due because it's all in canvas. 

Everyone has their preferences, maybe they like pencil and paper, or maybe they like Canvas. The most important thing is that you complete your assignments.

by Liam 10/7/22

Many students often complain about lunchtime at Sellwood, and how little time we get.

“I think that lunch should be more like a full period of an hour because I think that kids would have an easier time learning if they had a longer break.” says Max, a student of Sellwood middle school.

Having a full period of lunch still raises problems, such as how we only have 6 ½ hours of school time, and the entire schedule is designed to have lunch be 35 minutes long. An idea is having one or two “half electives” which is half of a full period, but they still let you have fun and learn about that topic.

“With lunch being so late for the 7th and 8th graders, I get pretty hungry after around 5 hours of not eating,” says Max. A solution to this problem would be somewhat like indoor lunch, where for half of lunch, 6th graders go inside the cafeteria, while the seventh and eighth graders are at the field, and vice versa.

By Bee 12/14/22

Earlier this year, advanced band students were given the opportunity to apply for the middle school PPS All-City Honor Band. If they chose to apply and were accepted, Mr. Patterson provided them with music that they were responsible for practicing in their own time.

Two rehearsals in January will take place at Cleveland. The first rehearsal, on the 7th, lasts from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The next day, students will return to Cleveland at the same time,

but at 2:30 pm they will perform for an audience, as will the highschool band and choir.

Students are expected to know how to play their music well by the time of the first rehearsal. An advanced band student in honor band said, "I think the honor band is a great opportunity to practice and to just have fun."

by Annabelle 12/14/22

On December 3rd, people in Sellwood could walk around and make stops at various places to celebrate the coming of the holiday season.

One of the activities you could do was walk around at the outdoor market on the corner of Spokane. They were selling wreaths, candles, and jewelry.

Ms. Souther said, “I think it is a great way for people to explore Sellwood’s small businesses.”

People could also get photos with Santa, go to Tea Chai Te for a free sample, and enjoy a free dance class at Pacific Dance Academy.

Usually, there is a double-decker bus that went around dropping people off at the stops.