Greyhound News Bi-Weekly 2/4/22
Reminder: No School February 21-25!
Spring conferences at East will be March 1 and 3. All conferences will be virtual again this time for ISD 709. Watch for more information in the next newsletter!
School Safety Reminders
Each year we send families the presentations given to students about our safety drills during the year. Even when we have real lockdowns we still run the full five practices each year. If you'd like to review those presentations they are linked below.
MEDICAL LOCKDOWNS are not uncommon in schools. This is how we control traffic flow in the hallways when we have a medical emergency that may require emergency response to enter the building. If the patient is already in the health office, there is no reason to keep the hallways clear as we have a direct exit from that area. When the medical emergency is out in the school somewhere, we need to keep all students and staff out of the hallways for a few reasons. There are safety concerns when emergency responders (and any equipment or stretcher) need to move to the patient. We are also working to provide privacy for the individual having a medical emergency.
In these instances there is no danger to our students and no cause for alarm, but we will always be clear in announcements and will send an alert to our families to let them know of the need for a medical lockdown and any changes to the bell schedule that became necessary because of it. This week, for example, we had to hold dismissal for almost 10 minutes.
We know this is an inconvenience at times and ask that families are understanding if we should ever need to disrupt the schedule as we did this week. Our students and staff are familiar with this process, and we appreciate their patience when it happens.
Our required 5 lockdown drills were placed on the schedule at the beginning of the year. Remember that we must maintain the drills as they include practices of specific skills in safe ways. We also are required to have 5 fire drills each year (we have 3 to go) that are a little more flexible and based on favorable weather conditions.
East ALICE ("Lockdown") Skills Drills 21-22:
Monday, September 20, 2021: Lockdown with Barricade Strategies (view slideshow)
Monday, November 22, 2021: Barricade and Counter Strategies (view slideshow)
Wednesday, December 8, 2021: Evacuation Locations (view slideshow)
Monday, January 31, 2022: Barricade and Counter Strategies
Thursday, March 10, 2022 (Tentative): Evacuation Strategies
If you have questions about our safety practices and strategies please don't hesitate to reach out. Additional information can be found on the district website.
Tweed Museum Field Trip with the ISD 709 Office of Education Equity
Some Duluth East & Denfeld students were lucky enough to attend a Black History Student Experience at Tweed Museum. We were given a tour and different activities revolving around African American culture.
The students were given a guided tour of a civil rights themed artist exhibit, artist led painting where each student took home canvas they painted, & an artist led workshop where students learned braiding and styling techniques for black hair, they were also served lunch while watching a speed painting demonstration.
It was a great day for the students to get out and learn about black history and culture. We are thankful for all in person experiences together. Thanks to the Tweed Museum, BIPOC Arts Collaborative Committee, American Indian Education and to the many faces of OEE!
Exploring SRO Effectiveness Community Report Back
Duluth Public Schools and Marnita's Table invite you to join us for small group conversations facilitated by the Marnita's Table team to share your questions, comments and concerns after exploring the results of our series of community feedback sessions and surveys about School Resource Officers and safety in Duluth Schools.
Please RSVP
Questions? Call 612-275-1678
Yes! The event is free and open to the public.
Yes! Good food will be provided for everyone from vegan to carnivore.
Yes! All ages are welcome.
Yes! We aim to create a safer space for all to provide an unbiased and complete picture of what everyone needs for a safe and welcoming school and work environment.
Yes! Translation and other access accommodations will be provided if you let us know ahead of time.
Duluth Saliva Test Site: DECC
Mon-Thurs: 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Schedule an appt: mncovidtestingappt.as.me
*Students experiencing symptoms may request a rapid test from the health office.
Students and ISD 709 staff who have COVID symptoms can receive a Rapid Testing kit from our office. Please do not send students into the building with symptoms. Call the office to arrange for a pick up.
Please stay home if you're sick!
Quarantine anyone with symptoms (fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, chills, cough, runny nose or congestion, sore throat, headache, fatigue). Those with symptoms should remain quarantined from all school, extracurricular, and social activities until they:
Have a negative COVID test AND symptoms improve OR
Receive a positive test and have passed the quarantine date set by our health office.
Get a COVID test done. If students have symptoms, the school has test kits available to send home. If they are leaving with symptoms, we can send them with one. If they stayed home with symptoms, a family member or friend without symptoms can pick up a test for them. There are also numerous test sites in the community that may have availability. Please note that rapid testing (kits from school and at other sites) are only for symptomatic people. If you have been exposed and need a test but don’t have symptoms, you will have to be tested at a saliva test site, where anyone can be tested.
Report any symptoms and both positive and negative test results to our health office.
Increase all mitigation strategies (masking, social distancing, washing hands, limiting contact, etc.) in all areas, not just school.
Encourage and enforce proper mask wearing. Wash hands before and after putting your mask on and taking it off. Over the nose and under the chin. Don’t touch the front of the mask while wearing it. KEEP IT UP!
Work with your healthcare provider and consider vaccination if you haven’t already. If and when entire classes need to quarantine those who are vaccinated will be able to continue attending school and won’t be required to quarantine.
EAST HEALTH OFFICE
Gerri Settergren, Heath Office Aide ext 2114, geraldine.settergren@isd709.org
Susan Sederberg, School Nurse ext 2429, susan.sederberg@isd709.org
Saturday School and Prescription for Success Reminder
Saturday School and Prescription for Success are an opportunity for students to make up time from unexcused absences/unexcused tardies, to complete unfinished school work, projects or tests/quizzes, and to receive tutoring from an East National Honor Society Student. The Prescription for Success is a voluntary agreement between teacher and student that allows for work to be made up during Saturday School. Quality work completed during that time will be given at least 60% credit. Students can be assigned a specific tutor to assist while at Saturday School. Students should see their classroom teacher if they would like to take part in Prescription for Success or would like a tutor for Saturday School.
Remaining Saturday School Dates for 21-22 School Year:
- February 12, 2022
- March 5, 2022
- March 26, 2022
- April 9, 2022
- May 7, 2022
- May 21, 2022
Attendance Issue Contacts:
Main East High School Number (218)336-8845
Kyle Rock: Assistant Principal Ext. 2348, kyle.rock@isd709.org
Jon Flaa: Assistant Principal Ext. 2325, jon.flaa@isd709.org
Tutoring Available with St. Scholastica Students!
Counseling Office Notes
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR COUNSELOR OR SOCIAL WORKER
Counseling Office Contacts:
218-336-8845
Jenn LaBelle, Registrar: ext 2143, jennifer.labelle@isd709.org
Jamie Savre, Counselor (A-E): ext 2154, jamie.savre@isd709.org
Jessica Forsman, Counselor (F-La): ext 2041, jessica.forsman@isd709.org
Morgan Costley, Counselor (Le-Re), ext 1262, morgan.costley@isd709.org
Laura Horton, Counselor (Rh-Z,) ext 1121, laura.horton@isd709.org
Kerri Persons, Counselor (9th Grade), ext 1345, kerri.persons@isd709.org
Activities Office News
Click to view the full activities and facility schedule.
Click to learn more about activities at East!
Click to live stream East events.
Activities Office Contacts
218-336-8845
Lynn Carlson, Clerical/Treasurer: ext 2304, lynn.carlson@isd709.org
Shawn Roed, Activities Director: ext 2151, shawn.roed@isd709.org
Notes and Resources from Outside Agencies (Not ISD 709)
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