Ordean East Middle School News
March 29th, 2024
Spring Climate Surveys - Coming Soon!
Dear families,
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 โPrefer not to answerโ on all items including demographic information.
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!
US Studies Students Celebrate Women's History Month
To celebrate Women's History Month, in 7th Grade US Studies, students recently researched and created a collage about an accomplished woman in United States History.
Spring MCA Testing
MCA Reading testing begins April 2 in English 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. Math testing will be April 9-11 and 8th graders will test in Science April 23-24.
Registration Information for 24-25
Current 7th Grade: On Thursday 3/28, all current 7th grade students received 8th grade registration worksheets during WIN if they had 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:
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% โ Learning technology and digital curriculum
- 17% โ Cybersecurtiy and physical safety measures
- 17% โ Technology and security maintenance staff
- 15% โ Digital infrastructure
- 15% โ Staff training
- 10% โ 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
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 April 5th. 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: โClass in the Courtroomโ 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
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 schoolโs 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 8th - Incoming 6th Grade and New Family Open House
4:00 - 5:15 PM
May 30th - 8th grade Twins Game Field Trip
๐๐OEMS Activities and Clubs HQ๐ฒ๐โโ๏ธ
7th Grade Real Talk
Mr. Muellenbach and Ms. Paschen will be having an informational meeting for those interested in finding out more about becoming Real Talk Student Advocates. What is a Real Talk Student Advocate? If you become a Real Talk Student Advocate, one of your jobs will be to gather information and feedback from other students from all grade levels and bring that back to staff so that we can use your voice to make changes that are positive for students in our building. If you are interested in becoming a part of this group there will be an informational meeting during WIN next Tuesday in the Little Theatre. We hope to see you there!
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!
Art Club
Registration is now open for Spring Art Club! The late spring section of Art Club starts Tuesday, April 2, and runs through the end of the school year! Art Club is open to all OEMS students.
Join in for lots of hands-on opportunities, including things like clay Chia Pets, printmaking, and more! Register through Community Education.
Space is limited; register now!
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.
OEMS Staff Feature
Let's meet Jessie Douglas, Administrative Assistant
Describe your role at OEMS:
I am the new office secretary. I am excited to be here and look forward to meeting you all!
What do you like to do when you are not at school?
I am all about dogs! I show my golden retrievers (Hobey Baker and Soucy) in conformation and obedience and I also do therapy work with Hobey. We go to Essentia, UMD and we even came here to Ordean a couple weeks back.
We follow BARK principles at OEMS. BARK stands for Be kind, Act responsibly, Respect others, and Keep safe. Which is your favorite BARK principle?
Be Kind. Kindness can make the world a happier place for everyone.
What advice do you have for middle school students to help them be awesome humans?
If you are struggling with any part of any class, donโt wait until youโre so far behind that catching up seems impossible. There are many places you can go for help. Ask questions in class, talk to your teacher after class, ask your friends for help, or talk to your parents.
What would your band name be?
The Golden Retrievers
Ordean East Middle School
Email: ordeaneast@isd709.org
Website: https://ordeaneast.isd709.org/
Phone: 218-336-8940