Ordean East Middle School News
April 5th, 2024
OEMS Families - WE NEED YOU!
Now that our last day of school is officially set for Wednesday, June 5th we can start planning for our end of the year celebration! We will have special activities for all students and will have something extra special planned for our outgoing 8th graders. In order for us to make this event a smashing success, we need help from YOU! If you have any flexibility in your schedule or can plan to be with us during the school day on June 5th, we would love to hear from you. Please click on the link below to give us your contact information and we will be in touch soon!
Family Climate Survey
We are asking all parents/guardians to fill out our school climate survey. Your input is extremely valuable to us and provides schools with a comprehensive understanding of how families perceive school climate. Visit bit.ly/FamilyClimateSurvey709 to fill out the survey.
This information will be used to inform school and district plans to make improvements. The survey is anonymous and voluntary and you do not have to provide your name and have the option to select “Prefer not to answer” on all items including demographic information.
We are so very appreciative of any time you are willing to dedicate to helping us improve our school community!
Spring Climate Surveys - Next Week!
Our school district is also asking students in grades 3-12 to participate in a similar survey called the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) School Climate Survey. The elementary version consists of 11 items and the secondary version consists of 36 items.
Ordean East will be administering the survey during WIN on Monday April 8th.
If you do NOT want your student to take the survey please fill out the opt-out form, once for each student: www.isd709.org/climate-survey
If you would like to review the survey in advance, please contact:
Kristin Paschen, MTSS SEB Coordinator
218-336-8940 x4135
Thank you so much for helping us gather this important information!
Spring MCA Testing - Week 2
MCA Math testing begins April 9 in Math classes. Make sure your student's Chromebook is charged each night, they get a good night's sleep, and eat a good breakfast! Remind them to bring wired headphones/earbuds as bluetooth/wireless headphones are not allowed. There will be some available to borrow if needed. 8th graders will test in Science April 23-24.
Student Achievement and Learning
Science of Hockey Contest Placement
Congratulations to 6th grader, Finley Valentine on placing 3rd in the University of Minnesota Science of Hockey contest with her entry entitled "Why Do We Use Frozen Pucks When Playing Ice Hockey." We are so proud to call you a husky, Finley! Check out her awesome work linked below.
6th grade - Math Thinking Boards
6th grade students work at thinking boards with partners to practice solving one-step equations in Ms. Kiero's class. Thinking boards give students a chance to be on their feet, invite collaborate with peers, let students communicate math ideas, and improve student engagement. Good luck and good thinking on the Math MCA's next week, Ordean Students!
Hygiene Drive Winner
Congratulations to Ms. Goodreau's WIN on winning this year's hygiene drive! All donations were given to the St. Francis Apartments in Duluth, MN, which is run by CHUM. Thank you to everyone who contributed to helping those in need in our community!
Referendum Information
Duluth Public Schools is committed to building a resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure that enhances learning, improves teacher and staff efficiency, and keeps students, staff and community members safe.
On Tuesday, May 14, residents in our district will vote on a capital projects levy which, if approved, will provide $5.2 million annually to support upgraded classroom technology and curricula, digital infrastructure, and cyber and physical security throughout our schools.
If voters approve the referendum, the approximate breakdown of spending would include:
- 26% — Learning technology and digital curriculum
- 17% — Cybersecurtiy and physical safety measures
- 17% — Technology and security maintenance staff
- 15% — Digital infrastructure
- 15% — Staff training
- 10% — Career and technical education program maintenance and upgrades
Explore our referendum website, FutureForward709.org, to learn more about the goals of the plan, what the proposed levy would support, the projected tax impact and how you can make your voice heard on Election Day.
BARK Updates
OEMS Cleaning Crew
Over the past two months, we have been running a voluntary program for students who are interested in helping to keep our cafeteria clean. Each week, students can volunteer (either on their own or with a few friends) to be part of the weekly cleaning crew during their lunch. As part of the crew, they skip to the front of the lunch line, get time to eat and socialize with friends, and then help out by pushing trash cans around to gather garbage or to sweep the floor of any spilled food. In exchange for their service, they get to continue to skip the lunch line the following week and are invited to sit in the VIP booth seating area located next to the cafeteria. Our building custodial staff shared that their efforts have had a HUGE impact on their work, and we are so proud of the way they've shown their BARK kindness and responsibility. We are looking for new volunteers every week, so please encourage your child to grab a few friends and get involved! The sign-up link is on the OEMS website under "News and Announcements."
Away for the Day Reminder
8th Grade Field Trips
Local Experience Field Trips - Parent Volunteers Needed
Please click on the following link to sign-up as a parent volunteer for one or several of the field experience field trip days. When signing up, please select your child's WIN teacher so you are with the right group. We hope to see you there! Parent Volunteer Sign-Up
Your 8th grade student will get a permission form from their WIN teacher this upcoming Tuesday 3/26 for Field Experience Days. Tues April 30-Thurs May 2nd 8th grade students will rotate with their WIN class through 6 local experiences. Stay tuned in Friday's s'more newsletter for a signup genius link for parent volunteers to assist with these experiences. 8th graders will be gone from the building from 8:45 to approximately 1:00 all three days and will have an adjusted class schedule. Forms are due back April 5th. Thanks!
Field Experiences - in the 3 days students will rotate between the following:
Experience A: Tour of WLSSD
Experience B: Visit Lake Superior Estuarine Reserve
Experience C: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Experience D: UWS Marcovich Wellness Center
Experience E: Community Service: Parks litter clean-up
Experience F: ‘Class in the Courtroom’ St. Louis County Courthouse
Please check out this short video of Mrs. Timmersman explaining a little about the trip: https://chat.google.com/dm/nGyNegAAAAE/xjYCel9EZW8/xjYCel9EZW8?cls=10
2024-2025 Blended Learning Form
The 2024-2025 Blended Learning Form is ready for parents/students.
Digital Version : https://form.jotform.com/240814275040044
Hard Copy (pdf) : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Or_wnFcyCyUgZJmUQZqDK7MXhD1PQRIS
The Blended Learning Form is an agreement between families and ISD709 for both use of chromebooks and permission for rostering students with digital resources. In order for students to use digital resources set forth by their educators, we need permission from their parents.
Yearbook Reminder
Have you ordered your yearbook yet? If not, you can order online! Please click the link below and add the numerical code. Paper copies can also be picked up in the school office.
Order your yearbook online: Lifetouch Yearbook
You must enter your school’s Yearbook ID code. The code is 11452624.
Receiving a yearbook is a fun and exciting time for students. However, Ordean has many students who cannot afford to buy their own. If you have the means to purchase a yearbook to a student in need, we know they would be very grateful! To donate a yearbook, when you fill out the form, under first name, simply put "Scholarship" in that box.
We cannot thank you enough for your support and kindness! Please reach ou to Ms. Lussier or Ms. Anderson with questions:
Tracy's Tells
SAVE THE DATE
Apr. 9th - Apr. 11th - Math MCA
Administered in Math classes
Apr. 15th - Apr. 19th - Spring Break
NO SCHOOL
Apr. 23rd - Apr. 24th - 8th grade Science MCA
Administered in Science classes
Apr. 30th - May 2nd - 8th grade Local Experience Field Trips
May 8th - Incoming 6th Grade and New Family Open House
4:00 - 5:15 PM
May 30th - 8th grade Twins Game Field Trip
June 5th - Last Day of School Celebration
🏐🏀OEMS Activities and Clubs HQ🐲🏃♀️
Social Justice Club
Social Justice Club will be moving to a new format! If your child is interested in learning more about how to make our building a more positive and inclusive place for ALL students, please encourage them to sign up for the Social Justice Club WIN on Thursdays with Ms. Kaija and Ms. Paschen. We will still plan to meet one Thursday per month after school, but we would love to have more students involved in shaping our club's mission. Please feel free to sign up if you're interested, even if you've never attended a meeting before!
Autism Walk Northland
The Autism Association of Northern Minnesota is hosting the 16th annual Autism Walk Northland on Sunday, April 21 at Hermantown High School. All money raised by walkers goes directly to local free autism programs. Please click on the attachments below to see more information!
OEMS Staff Feature
Let's meet Nate Specht, Building-Wide Paraprofessional
Describe your role at OEMS
I am a building wide Paraprofessional here at Ordean. I work in a variety of classrooms helping students who need extra support or just a little guidance.
What do you like to do when you are not at school?
I love going Hiking, Fishing, biking and playing board games with friends.
We follow BARK principles at OEMS. BARK stands for Be kind, Act responsibly, Respect others, and Keep safe. Which is your favorite BARK principle?
My favorite is "Respect Others" because no matter who you are we all deserve respect.
What advice do you have for middle school students to help them be awesome humans?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get some help. Middle school is a great time to start building skills that will last a lifetime.
If banished to a deserted island, what three things are you bringing with you?
A Good Book, My phone and a fishing pole
Ordean East Middle School
Email: ordeaneast@isd709.org
Website: https://ordeaneast.isd709.org/
Phone: 218-336-8940