Greyhound Newsletter 8/13/21
LOTS of Back To School Information!
Back to School 2021
Welcome back, Greyhound Family, and a special welcome to our newest Greyhounds!
While we have been hopeful for a completely normal return to school, as COVID numbers rise we know that probably won't be the case. However, with some mitigation measures in place, we WILL be able to have almost all of our normal back-to-school events and a nearly normal start to the school year. The staff at East High School is so excited to have everyone back in the building full time this year. We can't wait to see you all at Jump Start and Open House and look forward to welcoming our 9th graders at Hound Pack. We have learned well in the last year or so that things can change quickly and we will continue to be prepared and keep you informed as much as possible.
I will continue to send newsletters weekly for awhile until we feel things are settling down. At that point EHS newsletters will likely switch to bi-weekly. This one has a lot of information on it, probably more than you can read in one sitting, so hang onto it for reference later.
Important items included in this newsletter:
1. Required Fall Forms, including the chromebook agreement required for all students
2. Optional forms including the big ones for seniors (parking and open campus lunch)
3. Schedule and Schedule Change Information
4. A link to the East Events 2 page printable calendar
5. JUMP START and school photo ordering information
Our offices have been fielding a number of common questions lately and I'd like to provide any answers that I have at this point.
1. Will we be in person? YES! 5 days a week!2. Is distance learning an option? No. If you want or need full time distance learning it will have to be through registering in Duluth's online school, Academic Excellence Online, or another MN approved provider. You may not take East classes permanently online this year.
3. What will the daily schedule be like? Back to normal, 6 periods, WIN is back, 30 minute lunch time.
4. Is social distancing still required? NO. This means juniors will NOT have the option to leave at lunch this year. We are closed campus for grades 9-11. No exceptions. Sorry. Seniors still have open campus lunch and may leave IF they have their student ID and the permission form completed. (See below.)
5. Are we getting Chromebooks again? YES. Every student at East will be assigned a district chromebook. You may not bring in your own device this year, you must use the district chromebook. You'll get a case for it to keep it safe so you can carry it separately or put that case in your backpack to and from school.
6. Are masks going to be required? They are right now and we anticipate that continuing into the beginning of the school year. We will let you know if this changes. Whether we agree with this or not, we will all follow the district mandates related to health and safety.
7. Will activities be back to normal? As of now, yes. We are moving forward planning as many of our normal back-to-school activities as possible. The only exception is the traditional assemblies that would put our entire student body packed into the gym together. We will be finding other options at least at the beginning of the year for those events by splitting them up, moving them outside, or putting them online.
What if we are uncomfortable coming to the large back-to-school events or can't make it?
As you receive your counseling assignment next week you can also work with them if you have concerns about other events or things you need to take care of for the fall return.
Jump Start is Scheduled for Wednesday, August 25 from 12:00-6:00 pm.
*Please note: each student may only bring ONE guest and masks are required!
Jump Start registration will take place on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 12:00-5:45 p.m. This year to control the flow and lines, we are asking that you sign up for a time slot. Please click here or on the button below to sign up: Jump Start 2021
What is Jump Start?
- Students will receive their schedule and locker assignments.
- All students in grades 9-12 will have their school pictures taken on this day. For grades 9-11 this photo is for the yearbook and a new student ID. Seniors are required to get their photo taken for an ID that all students MUST have. You must be recognizable, no face paint, hats or sunglasses.
- All required forms are linked in this newsletter and can be found on our website. We ask that you complete the forms prior to Jump Start but they are all REQUIRED to be completed by Friday, September 10, 2021. If you are unable to complete the forms online we will have paper forms available at Jump Start and in the office during open hours.
- Visit our Activity Fair! It will be also open again during Open House. This is an amazing chance to visit tables set up around our commons area and learn more about the incredible opportunities to participate in activities outside the classroom.
- If you are entering grades 10, 11, or 12 and are new to our building, we will have students available on Jump Start Day to take you on a tour. This is especially important for any students who stayed in distance learning all year. Take the opportunity to find your classes and learn your way around. (9th grade students will have full tours during Hound Pack on September 1.)
Click the flyer above to place an online order for school photos!
The link above is active for 48 hours after picture day. Once this code expires, families can still order pictures through MyLifetouch.com for their students with the codes (Portrait ID & Access Code) that are provided on the proof sheet. These proof sheets come with the bulk shipment of packages approximately 3-4 weeks after picture day. Every student that had their picture taken will receive a proof sheet.
If you have questions about their order, or are having troubles ordering, contact LIfetouch Customer Care at 1-800-736-4753. The hours are Monday - Friday. 8am-8pm, EST.
Printed Planners will be available for all students again this year. Pick up at Jump Start or in the Main Office after Jump Start.
Required Back-to-School Forms
Option 1: ONLINE FORM COMPLETION
Print: Annual Health History (filled out for each student and signed by legal custodian) Sorry-this one is still a PAPER FORM ONLY.
The District mails a copy of the handbook to each household, make sure you read it and sign the online consent form.
Educational Benefits Form (We encourage ALL families to fill out this form, whether you may use the individual benefits or not, as it is a critical aspect of school funding.)
Option 2: PRINTABLE OPTION - print or request copies from the office at 218-336-8845 or stop in
- Print: Annual Health History (filled out for each student and signed by legal custodian)
SIGNATURE PAGE: THIS MUST BE TURNED IN NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, you will initial and sign this ONE DOCUMENT to acknowledge understanding and agreement of the following:
Locker Agreement Form (paper copies available in office and at Jump Start)
These forms are online, please contact the office for assistance:
- Chromebook Agreement Form
- Educational Benefits Form
What about my schedule?
SCHEDULES ARE NOT FINAL UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. As changes are made we often need to re-balance classes. The classes you have shouldn't change, but the hour and teacher might.
Prior to the end of last year, students made a commitment to their course requests that will be strictly adhered to. The schedule was built based on these requests allowing little room for movement. Every effort was made to honor those requests but there may be limited cases where this wasn’t possible or a change needs to be made. We mailed home a course verification sheet over the summer to inform you of courses that will not be offered. If a course you registered for isn't running, you should have emailed your counselor to request an appointment already to select a different course (and/or you'll be placed in an alternate selection you registered for.)
Schedule changes will ONLY be made if a form is completed and turned in (NO EMAIL OR PHONE CALLS ACCEPTED):
The student failed a class and needs to retake it.
The student didn’t register for a class required for graduation.
There was an error and a student was placed in a class they didn’t register for.
The student is scheduled for the same class twice.
There is a gap in your schedule and/or the student is registered for two classes in the same hour.
The student wishes to make a change into or out of a study hall.
We will NOT be considering schedule changes if:
The student is requesting a different teacher (unless the student failed a class with that teacher previously).
The student is requesting a different lunch.
The senior student is trying to re-arrange for an early release or late start.
The student changed their mind about what was requested at registration.
They are trying to re-arrange their schedule to be with friends.
SENIORS ONLY: Late Start/Early Release and Open Campus Lunch Forms
We are allowed to have open campus for lunch as long as the parent/guardian and student agree to the following conditions. Failure to meet these conditions may result in the privilege of open campus being revoked for the student and possibly for the entire senior class. Students MUST have this completed form submitted by the parent/guardian in order to be allowed to leave campus.
You MUST have your student ID on it's lanyard and in order to be allowed to leave at lunch. Those students with a completed form will receive a sticker for the back, making it easily identifiable by supervisory staff and principals at the door.
Additional Forms You May Need
Yearbook Website Please visit the Birch Log site to learn how to order a yearbook, send in senior photos, etc. a table will be set up at Jump Start- the price goes up as the year goes on, order as soon as you can!
Music Boosters Contact Info Form- THIS ONE IS PRINT ONLY - copies will be available at Jump Start - for all families who want to receive communication
All Night Grad Party Registration Form (Seniors only)
PTSA (Parent/Teacher/Student Association) Membership form, Wish List information (optional for all)
ALL CHROMEBOOKS, TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY MATERIALS ARE DUE! All missing materials and fines must be taken care of prior to the start of the school year.
Parking Pass Applications
*During the first week of school, parking in the main lot is first-come, first-served. Students are NOT allowed to park on Greyhound Drive, in the Stadium Lot, or in the Staff Lot across the street. You can expect a Duluth Police Department Parking Ticket should you violate our parking rules. Repeat offenses result in your car being removed (towed).
*NEW this year, you will not have to submit a paper copy of your valid driver's license or proof of insurance. You WILL be asked to show them at the time of permit distribution.
- Parking Permit Online Application (Seniors have first priority)
- Printable Parking Permit Application (copies available in office)
Counseling Office Notes: Welcome New Counselors!
Duluth Public Schools is using some of its ESSER funding to add School Counselors at East High School. We are thrilled to welcome these new counselors and appreciate the additional time we will now be able to devote to our students in these much smaller caseloads.
New Counselor Assignments will be coming next week. East will have 4.5 School Counselors this year. The hiring process is nearly complete and we will notify you of the new counselor assignments as soon as possible. If you have questions before that please contact the counseling office and we'll do our best to help you out.
Counseling Office Contacts:
218-336-8845
Jenn LaBelle, Registrar: ext 2143, jennifer.labelle@isd709.org
Jamie Savre, Counselor: ext 2154, jamie.savre@isd709.org
Jessica Forsman, Counselor: ext 2041, jessica.forsman@isd709.org
SENIORS and FAMILIES OF SENIORS! Join us for Future Planning Night on Monday, August 16th at 6:00pm at East High School. This event will include colleges and universities from Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota as well as military recruitment officers and youth employment services.
Activities Office News
CLICK HERE for the Athletic Registration Packet (can be filled out online if you are currently enrolled and in the system as an East High School Student)
Please have the following information ready before starting the registration process:
- ISD709 Student Number (Lunch Number)
- Contact Information (E-mail Addresses, Phone Numbers)
- Emergency Contact Information
- Family Medical History
- Health/Dental Insurance Information
Activities Office Contacts
218-336-8845
, Clerical/Treasurer: ext 2304,
Shawn Roed, Activities Director: ext 2151, shawn.roed@isd709.org
Notes and Resources from Outside Agencies (Not ISD 709)
We are passing along an opportunity for any Class of 2021 students who were unable to graduate this past spring or during summer school. This is a pilot project between YES Duluth and LSC specifically crafted for seniors that did not graduate.
If the senior is eligible for YES Duluth (their status of not graduating on time greatly improves eligibility), then they can enroll in both YES Duluth and LSC. They will attend LSC for in-person GED prep/support and First Year Experience. Their tuition will be paid for by YES Duluth, and each student may be eligible for a stipend for their GED class time.
There are only 15 slots as we are trying to keep this a small pilot project. Please click the link to learn more.
GED Preparation / First Year Experience Class: An opportunity for 2021 Ungraduated Youth
Duluth East High School
Assistant Principals: Jon Flaa, Kyle Rock
Activities Director: Shawn Roed
Email: darcy.motschenbacher@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/duluth-east
Location: 301 North 40th Avenue East, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8845
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dulutheasthighschool