Greyhound Newsletter 10/23/20
Reminder: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, is a Professional Development Day. Teachers will be in training all day and unavailable.
Why Thursday to Wednesday?
We have had many questions about the reason for Thursday to Wednesday content modules. When our Distance Learning model was created, we leaned heavily on the staff in Duluth's online school for advice. They strongly advocated for a module week that allowed for students to access their teachers at the beginning of the module and again at the end. This way students can get instruction and ask questions when the module rolls out and again at the end in the days leading up to due dates. If they were due on a weekend, students wouldn't be able to ask questions or get additional help before turning them in.
Students should look for the planning guides their teachers include in each module. Spend some time on Thursday finding those and mapping out your week. You can work around your other responsibilities by planning ahead. Make sure to plan for time AWAY from your school work. You all need this!
It is critical that our students give true feedback to teachers about the workload. We are working hard to adjust as we go and make sure we have realistic expectations of our students. It is also extremely important that students are attending as many Google Meet sessions as possible each week.
Grading and End of Term 1
- The modules that are due on November 4th will be the last grades entered for the term. We'll give a week past that date to finish things up and for teachers to accept any late work and move grades into Infinite Campus.
- Report cards will be published in Infinite Campus and mailed home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Grading is back to normal this year with letter grades given. While we have been more flexible with late work, the work still needs to be completed. Make sure you're staying in contact with teachers and keeping up with weekly module work. Sometimes being flexible gives too many opportunities for things to pile up!
- The only exception to our grade scale this year is that instead of an F, the student will receive an "NC" or No Credit on the report card or official transcript.
*We will be closely monitoring the trends and patterns we see. Due to the unique nature of this year, the difficulties many have had with Distance Learning, and the struggles with monitoring system wide grading patterns, we will need to be responsive to those patterns. As we monitor and adjust, we will keep you informed.
Remember that:
- Term Grades are only reported on the quarterly report cards. They do not become part of the student's official high school record, which is their Official Transcript.
- This Term 1 grade, combined with the Term 2 grade and any final exam, becomes the grade on their official transcript. No matter the Term 1 grade, students can still pass the class for the semester. Don't give up!
- There is time to make improvements now before the term ends. Students should be completing work in Canvas and staying in contact with their teachers! Reach out if you need help. Your teachers are here for you.
- Your counselors and social worker are here to support you, too. See a link to request an appointment with them later in this newsletter.
PLANNERS ARE HERE!
Did you miss school pictures?
If you're taking your own snapshot, please do so in front of a plain wall. The student should be facing the camera and the photo should be taken vertically (longer up and down) of the shoulders and head. Smile!
If the photo doesn't meet yearbook requirements for any reason Birchlog staff will let you know.
Email the snapshot to kirstin.peterson@isd709.org
Tech Tips and Tricks
- LOOK for a weekly planning guide from your teachers for each module. If you don't see one, email them.
- LOOK for a way to give feedback to your teachers each week. It is critical that you give them honest feedback so they can adjust workloads. If you're spending more than 3 hours per week on the class, they need to know that.
- Go to GOOGLE MEETS! You'll find they are really a great experience and a chance for you to get help, hear concepts explained in a different way, discuss things with classmates, and more!
Help Page in Canvas for East Students
This is your one stop shop for your distance learning questions! Need to request tech help, find a tutor, want to get in touch with your counselor, have a sports question, attendance question, or need help clearing something up? This page will have what you need!
Click the link below to enroll in the class. All students and learning mentors are welcome!
https://isd709.instructure.com/enroll/T8WT8ACounseling Office Notes
SENIORS:
Do you have questions about Financial Aid and completing the FAFSA? You're local area experts are here to help! Join Lake Superior College, University of Minnesota-Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica to get all of your Financial Aid questions answered.
- WHO SHOULD ATTEND: High school seniors who are interested in attending any college Fall 21 (family members are encouraged to join as well!)
- WHEN: Thursday, October 29th, 5:30-6:30 P.M.
- WHERE: Zoom https://umn.zoom.us/j/92024985822
- WHAT INFO WILL BE COVERED:
- Overview of Financial Aid and tips for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- When should you apply?
- What is the difference between a grant, scholarship and loan?
- What if I don't know what I want to do after graduation?
- Learn more about Community and Technical College, 4-year Public, 4-year Private College options
JOIN US!
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AP Students! It's time to register for your AP Exams! Deadline to register is November 12th. Click on this LINK for registration details. You need a Gmail or ISD709 email account to access this link. Email Jessica.Forsman@isd709.org if you cannot access this form.
Counseling Office Contacts:
218-336-8845
Jenn LaBelle, Registrar: ext2143, jennifer.labelle@isd709.org
Jamie Savre, Counselor (A-G): ext 2154, jamie.savre@isd709.org
Jessica Forsman, Counselor (H-N): ext 2041, jessica.forsman@isd709.org
Robert Gagne, Counselor (M-Z): ext 3032, robert.gagne@isd709.org
Career Center Updates
Click on the button below to check out notes and reminders from the Career Center!
Career Center Contacts
218-336-8845 ext 2195
Sandra Rich: sandra.rich@isd709.org
Colleen Holliday: colleen.holliday@isd709.org
Thank You from our Drama Department!
Thank you Students, Staff, Families, and Community~
Finding the “new normal” in such familiar activities can be difficult and honestly a lot of work; however, sometimes the journey is the best part of the process. This year's fall show, The Drowning Girls, did not look like it has in the past, but it certainly did feel special. The theater department would like to take this opportunity to thank those who took a hand in creating the “drive-in” theater experience this past week in the Duluth East parking lot. Without your help, this would have not even been a remote possibility! From our sponsors to our custodial staff, we are so grateful you played “your part”! We would like to give a special shout out to our larger financial donors: Carlson Orthodontics, PAVSA, Destination Fitness, Dryer Peterson, and Knutson, P.C., Luke Chiropractic & Wellness, RBC Wealth Management, and Lester River Medical Clinic.
Activities Office Updates
Congratulations and best of luck to our Fall Sports Teams as they wrap up their seasons!
- Boys Soccer plays Saturday (rescheduling due to weather) in the Section Final (last game of season).
- Girls Swim competes in their Section Meet (final of the year) on Saturday.
- Girls Soccer had a great season, ending with a loss in the section quarter final game.
- Girls Tennis ended their season as Section Champions.
- Girls and Boys Cross Country teams both finished 2nd at Sections and were honored with Gold Level (3.75 GPA or higher) Academic Excellence from the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association. All State Academic Individual Awards go to Simon Long, Oliver Miatke, Crystal Kaczmarczyk, and Cora Nephew. They hold a 3.75 GPA or higher and finished in the top 15 in the section race.
- Girls Cross Country finished 2nd at Sections (would make them state qualifiers).
- Football and Volleyball got a late start, so these seasons have just begun. Watch for live streaming information coming soon!
Activities Office Contacts
218-336-8845
Alyssa Thompson, Clerical/Treasurer: ext 2304, alyssa.thompson@isd709.org
Shawn Roed, Activities Director: ext 2151, shawn.roed@isd709.org
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