Ordean East Middle School News
March 25th, 2024
Important Info about Last Day Of School
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying a successful school year. I am reaching out to share an important update regarding our school calendar for this year.
After careful consideration and with the approval of our new contract, we have decided to move the last day of school for students to Wednesday, June 5. This adjustment is necessary to accommodate additional professional development for our teachers in preparation for the next academic year.
We understand that changes to the school calendar can have a significant impact on family schedules. This decision was not made lightly. Our goal is to ensure that our educators are equipped with the most current and effective teaching strategies and tools to provide the highest quality education for our students.
All final exams and closing activities will be rescheduled accordingly to fit this new timeline.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Our administration and teachers are committed to minimizing any inconvenience this change may cause and to making the transition as smooth as possible for our students and families.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this change, please feel free to reach out to our administration office. We are here to assist and support you through this adjustment. You can view the updated district calendar on our website at isd709.org/calendar.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient educational community for our children.
Warmest regards,
Anthony Bonds
Assistant Superintendent
Teaching, Learning and Equity
Duluth Public Schools
Staff v. Students Basketball Game Fun
In our 2nd annual basketball showdown on Friday 3/22, students triumphed once again! Choir students serenaded us with the national anthem, setting the stage for an intense game. Half-time brought lightning games for 6th graders and a pre-engineering float parade for 7th graders. The students clinched victory in the second half, followed by student council recognition and prize announcements! A great time was had by all!
Many thanks to the following people for helping to make the game a success:
Ms. Rodrigues and her singers
8th graders Eliza S and Anna S for keeping the tunes going
Student Coach Rich Windt and Staff Coaches Eric Stang and Eli Muellenbach
Parent volunteers for helping out with supervision
8th grader Willow S for taking photos
Yearbook staff for taking photos
Angela Pioro for taking photos
Kevin Chederquist for creating the float project and running the float parade
Jodi Timmersman and Mary Gavitt for running the Lightning competition
PI Day Celebration
6th grade math students celebrated Pi Day on March 14 by learning about Pi, the history of Pi, and using Pi to measure circular objects. They also practiced their ratio and percentage skills by measuring the frequency of the first 100 digits of Pi. Finally, each 6th grader decorated a Pi symbol, all of which are now tessellated and on display in the "Ticket Booth" on the 4th floor.
Registration Information for 24-25
Current 7th Grade: On Tuesday 3/26, all current 7th grade students will receive 8th grade registration worksheets during WIN if they have not already. Students are to bring it home, fill it out with their family and return it to their Math teacher. Current 7th grade registration for 8th grade will start the week of April 1st during their math class.
Here is a link to the worksheet:
Technology at OEMS
Dear OEMS Families,
As Superintendent Magas highlighted in the most recent Weekly Newsletter, Duluth Public Schools is committed to responsibly using digital tools to equip students with the skills they need to succeed. I want to take a moment to highlight some examples of how teachers here at Ordean East are responsibly using technology to elevate students’ learning experiences and call attention to the upcoming technology referendum on Tuesday, May 14.
“Currently our Art 6 courses use photography for both formative and summative assessment, creating print images. We learn the basics of photography. We also animate using StopMotion for our Animated Storytelling lesson, so students get a grasp of just how much planning it takes to storyboard and create moving stories! In addition, students use PhotoPea to create and edit digital collages, and Google to create virtual galleries. Starting next year, with expanded Media Arts capabilities, we look forward to providing opportunities for cinematography and more!” Mrs. Hannu - Art
“Hola! My students use an online resource called "Garbanzo" which is a little like Duolingo to grow their reading and language skills in Spanish. They really enjoy learning using Garbanzo. Of course they use their chromebooks for research, tests, projects and homework., etc.” Mrs. Ascheman - Spanish
“Global Studies uses technology in the classroom by teaching students about Global and Digital Citizenship. We develop research skills and learn about credibility and bias. We hone our investigative skills by looking at geographic information systems like ArcGIS.” Mrs. Timmersman - Global Studies
“Students use WeVideo for many things including daily announcements, History Day presentations, student videos for other projects throughout the year.” Mrs. Lyle - Media
Modern Classroom is also an example of how teachers are using technology to ensure no student gets left behind. It combines in-person instruction with teacher-created online tools to allow teachers to spend more time with students who need more guidance and allow students who learn quickly to work ahead at an accelerated pace. Only some of our teachers use Modern Classroom, but we are excited about the possibility of expanding its availability in the future!
If you want to learn more about Duluth Public Schools’ goals to strengthen learning technology and digital curriculum, I encourage you to learn more about the upcoming technology referendum at FutureFoward709.org. The referendum is a great opportunity to make your voice heard on our district’s efforts to provide resources like these for students.
Warm regards,
Sue Lehna
OEMS, Principal
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
Donations Needed
We have seen an outstanding increase in the number of students following the 3 C's of chromebook care and we are so proud of the way many of our students have stepped up to protect this investment. While we are thrilled for this, we are still seeing a group of students who are refusing to follow these requirements. We would like to continue recognizing those who are doing the right thing, but in order to do so, we need to make sure our BARK store is stocked! If you are able to send in extra snacks or cash donations, we would certainly appreciate it. We will keep reinforcing our BARK expectations and the 3 Cs and we hope you can join with us to do the same. Thank you so much!
Away for the Day Reminder
8th Grade Field Trips
All 8th graders are invited to attend 'Math Day' at the MN Twins vs Kansas City Royals game Thursday May 30th. We will depart OEMS at 9:00 a.m. and arrive back between 6/6:30. Cost of this field trip is $45. Permission forms are due by this Friday March 29th. Thanks for encouraging your students to attend and celebrate their accomplishments in middle school!
Local Experience Field Trips
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
Health Office Request
If your child is ill and needs to go home during the school day, they MUST report to the health office first. Health office staff will then contact you for pickup, if necessary. We have had many parents come to the health office asking to pick up their student and we have no idea the student is ill. This process often takes much longer for both our nursing staff and front desk staff to find/connect with each student.
If you receive a call /text from your student asking to get picked up, please remind them to follow this process. Thank you very much for helping us keep things streamlined!
Lori Saari LSN
Julie Hein LPN
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. 2nd - Apr. 4th - Reading MCA
Administered in English classes
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 30th - 8th grade Twins Game Field Trip
🏐🏀OEMS Activities and Clubs HQ🐲🏃♀️
4-H Incredible Exchange
The 4-H Incredible Exchange volunteer program is open for enrollment to students ages 13-15. The program partners with local nonprofits to provide opportunities for hands-on learning through volunteering. Youth in the program connect with positive adult mentors, build job skills, and contribute to their community in a meaningful way. They can also earn an exchange certificate valued up to $200 for a recreational or cultural activity of their choice.
Heart and Sole @ OEMS
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.
Ordean East Middle School
Email: ordeaneast@isd709.org
Website: https://ordeaneast.isd709.org/
Phone: 218-336-8940