Ordean East Middle School News
February 16th, 2024
Ordean student qualifies for Scripps National Spelling Bee!
Congratulations to Ordean's own Yupeng Chen, on becoming the Region 3 Champion and advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.! The winning word spelled was zirconium. We are so proud of you, Yupeng. Congratulations, and best of luck to you in D.C.!
Author Erin Soderberg Downing to visit Ordean
Author Erin Soderberg Downing is visiting our school!
Duluth-native Erin Soderberg Downing will be on tour in our area to talk about her new novel, JUST KEEP WALKING! Ours is one of a few lucky schools she is visiting during her monthlong book tour to talk about her writing process, the grueling (and fun!) 310-mile hike she completed as research for this novel, and some fun behind-the-scenes real life stories that made their way into the book. Erin has written more than fifty books for kids, including the highly acclaimed middle-grade novel CONTROLLED BURN (a Junior Library Guild Gold
Standard Selection) and THE GREAT PEACH EXPERIMENT series (also a JLG Selection and set in Duluth!). JUST KEEP WALKING is her newest release and is also Erin’s favorite book yet!
Students in grades 6-8 will be attending her talk during WIN on Thursday, February 29th. If you want your student to attend, tell them to ask their English teacher and they will be signed up during their WIN.
If you would like to pre-order one of her books use the following links. Erin will be available to sign the books at the visit.
Just Keep Walking: https://bookshop.org/a/2302/9781338851397
Controlled Burn: https://bookshop.org/a/2302/9781338776065
Please remind your student to talk with their English teacher about getting signed up during our WIN sign ups on Monday, February 26th.
Check out this video of the author herself!
East High School Open House for 8th graders
8th Graders, don’t forget the Open House for incoming 9th graders on Monday, February 26 from 5:00-6:30 pm in the Duluth East Auditorium. East Counselors will share a presentation on registration, enrollment, and expectations. Current East students will be giving tours. Following the tour you are invited to stay and be a part of the “Greyhound Experience” by attending the boys varsity basketball game vs. Grand Rapids. The theme for the game is "USA”. Students are asked to dress in Red, White, & Blue! This is a fun opportunity to see firsthand some of the amazing activities East has to offer!
A Message from the PTA
Please join us for our spring PTA meeting on 3/14 at 6:30pm in Media room.
We will be talking about the remaining spring activities, and the need for new PTA officers for next year.
Questions? Contact us at ordeanpta@gmail.com
Everyone is welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!
7th Grade Winter Fest
We are excited to announce that our 7th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in Winter Fest 2024 at Ordean East Middle School on Friday, March 8th, 2024 from 5:30-7:00pm. This special event is being hosted by our amazing PTA and Student Council. Students will be able to participate in a school dance, movie, and bingo. All of these activities will take place on the first floor of the school ( school cafeteria and classrooms). Students will be provided dinner ( pizza, chips, beverages, and dessert). Students will have an opportunity to win prizes at this event.
The PTA will be sending out information for parents to volunteer, donate food/beverages, and prizes for this event. Our 8th grade students will be having an event for them this coming spring.
If you have any questions about this event please contact me at 218-336-8940 ext. 4118
or by email ( stephanie.jasperson-Aagenes@isd709.org).
School Supply Check
We have noticed that many of our students have been asking for pencils and other school supplies on a daily basis. While we are able to help in an emergency, most teachers are running low on these supplies. If you are able, please check in with your child about basic supplies to see if they are in need of replenishment.
If your family is in need, please reach out to your child's counselor and they will connect them with what they need to be successful. Thank you so much!
Family Presentation on new MS model
Dear families,
Over the past two years we have been working in partnership with teachers and staff to create a new schedule at the middle school level that would allow us to meet state requirements around art as well as give your students more choice.
We heard during our strategic planning process that parents want their students to have relevant and engaging academic learning experiences that support multiple pathways. Our students say they want to have multiple options for courses and want to have fun and feel like they belong.
I would like to invite you to learn more about this new schedule and the new course offerings we will be able to provide to your students. A family presentation will be held at 6 p.m. on March 7 in the Ordean East Auditorium.
Please join me to learn more about the positive transformation of middle school to enhance students’ learning experiences and foster a more engaging academic environment.
Thank you,
Jen Larva
Directory of Secondary Education
Teaching, Learning and Equity
Spring Conference Information
It's that time again! Spring Conferences are right around the corner. In-person conferences are scheduled for the following days:
March 7th - 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
March 12th - 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Due to Township Elections we need to ensure we have no meeting scheduled after 6 pm.
Links to sign up for in-person conferences will be available after winter break. If you are unable to secure an in-person spot, please contact the teacher you'd like to connect with.
Canvas Announcement
If you are having trouble signing in to Canvas, please try using the methods below to access your account at this time.
Observer (parent/guardian) accounts
Please use this link and sign in with your email and password.
https://isd709.instructure.com/login/ldap
Student accounts
Sign in using the Google Waffle (9 dots on the upper right hand part of the screen).
Please contact breanna.shofner@isd709.org with any questions.
BARK Updates
Valentine's Day BARK Donations
Thank you so much for making Valentine's Day special! The flower sale was an ENORMOUS hit. We are so lucky to have such an awesome community of families.
Chromebook Care Incentive - Week of 2/26
The Ordean staff will be reinforcing the 3 Cs of Chromebook care: Case, Charged, and Closed during the week that we return from break. It is required that all students keep their chromebook in a case AT ALL TIMES, that they charge it each night before school, and that they have it closed at the beginning of class.
For one week beginning on Monday February 26th, we will choose one hour each day to recognize students who are following those guidelines. If they are, they will receive a pink ticket from their teacher. Once they have four, they can turn them in to any staff member in exchange for a BARK buck. These expectations need to be followed for the rest of the school year or unfortunately there will be consequences. Please join us in reinforcing these important expectations so we can protect our district's investment. Thank you so much!
SAVE THE DATE
February 19th-23rd - NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
February 26th - East High Open House (8th graders)
5:00-6:30 PM - East Auditorium
March 7th - MS Model Family Presentation
6:00 PM - Ordean East Auditorium
March 7th - High School Pre-Registration
March 7th - Spring Conference Night #1
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
March 12th - Spring Conference Night #2
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
March 14th - 8th grade Registration for High School
March 14th - OEMS PTA General Membership Meeting
6:30 PM - OEMS Media Center
Counselor Corner
Important Dates for 8th graders:
East Open House for current 8th graders. Monday February 26th 5:00-6:30 pm East Auditorium
East Counselor presentation, info. on registration, enrollment and expectations. East students will lead tours.
March 7th East School Counselors Come to OEMS for High School Pre-Registration
March 14th East School Counselors come to OEMS to register 8th grades for High School
Ms. Seglem will be doing a Career lesson with students in February. It is so fun to explore with your children their future possibilities.
OEMS Paws Event
Animals are coming to Ordean on February 29th from 3:20-4:05 p.m. Did you know that about 70% of people reported reduced stress and anxiety while around animals? With winter blues the OEMS Paws decided to team up with Animal Allies to hold this “pawsome” event. If you are interested in attending, you must fill out a permission slip (you can get from your counselor). Be sure to turn it in by February 27th to Ms. Seglem at Room 2212 or your counselor’s room. If you have any questions see Ms. Seglem. Remember to keep a “Pawsitive” attitude and we “Cat” wait to see you!
🏐🏀OEMS Activities and Clubs HQ🐲🏃♀️
Art Club Resumes in February
Come on down to the Art Lab in room 2134 for our Winter Art Club! We will meet from 3:45-4:45 on Tuesdays starting February 13. Sessions include different media each time, using materials like clay, printing, paper mache', and more! Registration Fee (materials included) is $100. All grade levels are welcome! Registration is limited to OEMS students. You will not be done on time to catch the Activity Bus so you must arrange your own transportation home.
Heart and Sole Spring Session @ Ordean
Exciting news: Heart & Sole is returning to Ordean East! Heart & Sole is an afterschool program that uses the power of running to prepare 6th - 8th grade girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Over the course of the 8-week, 16-lesson season, girls learn life-changing lessons about healthy friendships, teamwork, decision-making, self-respect and more, all while preparing to run a 5K. Open to all 6th - 8th grade girls and non-binary/gender expansive youth; no previous running experience required, and generous financial aid is available. Registration is open at www.gotrmn.org now! Our season will be each Tuesday & Thursday 3:15 - 5:00 p.m. from April 1 - June 1, culminating with the Girls on the Run 5K the weekend of June 1-2. Space is limited so register early! Visit www.gotrmn.org or contact Laura Jonker at 218-269-1124 for more information.
UMTYMP is back!
University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) is an accelerated program for students who are highly talented in mathematics. Please refer to this link for more information regarding the UMTYMP program. If your student is interested in joining the new online section of UMTYMP Algebra next year (2024-2025), they must take the qualifying exam this spring. This exam is scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd and is offered to students who are currently in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. For detailed information about the entrance exam, please refer to this link. If you have any questions, please contact UMTYMP directly at 612-625-2861 or mathcep@umn.edu.
OEMS Staff Feature
Let's meet Kevin White, Supervisory Assistant
Describe your role at OEMS:
My role at OEMS is to help students. I open jammed lockers, help kids get to class, and help maintain a positive atmosphere.
What do you like to do when you are not at school?
When not at school, I enjoy going for hikes, playing with my dogs and bird, and when I get a chance to ride my motorcycle.
We follow BARK principles at OEMS. BARK stands for Be kind, Act responsibly, Respect others, and Keep safe. Which is your favorite BARK principle?
I like the Be Kind BARK principle. If everyone worked at being kind, the world would be a better place.
What advice do you have for middle school students to help them be awesome humans?
Everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself. Learn from it, and move on. Don’t let your mistakes define you.
Tell a joke.
What is the easiest way to get straight “A”’s?
Use a ruler.
Ordean East Middle School
Email: ordeaneast@isd709.org
Website: https://ordeaneast.isd709.org/
Phone: 218-336-8940