Greyhound Newsletter 9/3/21
Here we go!
The building opens daily for students at 7:45 am. All students must be out of the building by 3:45 every day unless they are WITH a teacher or coach.
The first day is almost here!
Please know that there are MANY people here to help with this. Look for the helpers, we are here for you. Our Hound Pack student leaders, Sources of Strength peer leaders, Exec Board, Association, and ALL school staff will all be watching out for students who may need a little help.
While we all went through many struggles in the past year and a half, for some of our students and families there were additional challenges that may not be apparent. The pandemic disrupted "normal" life for all of us but that impact has been felt in very different ways. We know there were positives many found as life changed but we also know there was a lot of trauma for our students in the last year, also. We want to do everything we can to support all of our students and help everyone feel safe and welcome at East.
Remember to check on each other and assist anyone in need to reach out for help. Talk to our school counselors and social worker, they are amazing advocates and support for all of our students! We know that students have the best chance at academic success when any mental health needs are being met.
We are so excited to welcome our students back next week. Please know that we will do our very best to take great care of them all. If you need help, have questions, or are worried about someone, contact a principal, counselor, social worker, teacher, or any adult at East. We'll get you connected to the support that is needed!
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year, Greyhound Family!
Schedule for the first day
- Zero hour runs as normal, 8:07-8:55
- All students report to their WIN teacher at 9:00-9:30 for the final copy of their schedule
- 1st hour on Tuesday will be 9:35-10:23
- 2nd hour will be 10:28-11:16
- The rest of the day is scheduled as normal.
**On Friday we will be following the PM Assembly schedule for the first time ever. We will hold our annual Back-to-School Assembly outside at the stadium!
Free Breakfast Every Day! Opens at 8 am. Students must remain in the commons until 8:30 am.
School Supplies Available!
If you would like to donate items this year please drop them off in the main office at any time. The generosity of our school community is amazing and greatly appreciated by our school and the many students and families who benefit from it.
All students must check out a school issued chromebook.
All students in grades 6-12 will be issued a district Chromebook and should have it in their hands by the end of the first week!
What does this mean and what do we need to do?
- Blended learning enhances in-person learning by providing each student educational access to digital and online resources.
- Teachers and students will use the Chromebooks for in-person classroom activities and students may take the devices home for schoolwork and collaboration.
- ONLY district owned Chromebooks will be allowed. You will not be able to send a personal Chromebook, laptop, or tablet to school. Necessary apps and permissions will only be enabled on a school chromebook, which is why you can't use a personal device this year.
- Blended learning is not distance learning. While it will definitely make life easier for students who miss school due to illness or school activities, it will not look like distance learning did last year.
- There are no up-front fees for families. Fees may be assessed for missing or damaged equipment.
- Devices will be returned at the end of each school year.
- The Blended Learning 1-1 Agreement Form must be completed for each student.
- Students may not pick up a Chromebook unless that agreement has been completed by their parent or guardian.
- Additional opportunities for Chromebook check out will be held during Open House and in the first week of school. All students are expected to have the form filled out so they can have the Chromebook in their hands by the end of the first week.
- Teachers may start expecting student work through those Chromebooks the second week of school.
Required Back-to-School Forms (itemized list)
Required for ALL STUDENTS:
- 2021-2022 Blended Learning 1 to 1 Agreement This one is really important, all students must have a district chromebook this year.
- Annual Health History Sorry, this one is still paper only- a paper copy is on it's way to you in the mail now.
- Family and Student Handbook Consent Form
- The District mails a copy of the handbook to each household, make sure you read it and sign the online consent form.
- Locker Agreement Form
- Academic Honesty Online Form
- Attendance Policies and Procedures Online Form
- Dress Code Online Acknowledgement
Optional or just for some students:
- Educational Benefits Form (We encourage ALL families to fill out this form, whether you may use the individual benefits or not, as it is a critical aspect of school funding.)
- Parking Permit Online Application (Seniors have first priority)
- SENIORS ONLY: Late Start or Early Release (not both) Parent/Guardian Permission Form
- SENIORS ONLY: Open Campus Lunch Parent/Guardian Permission Form
- Yearbook Website Please visit the Birch Log site to learn how to order a yearbook, send in senior photos, etc.
- Music Boosters Contact Info Form- THIS ONE IS PRINT ONLY
- All Night Grad Party Registration Form (Seniors only)
Printed Planners will be available for all students again this year. They will be distributed the first week of school.
Student Schedules
Schedules will be open to view in Infinite Campus beginning at 4 pm on Friday, September 3. When students report to their WIN teacher at 9 am on Tuesday they will be given a paper copy of their final schedule. After that it will only change if the student has submitted a change request form that is approved.
SCHEDULES ARE NOT FINAL UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. As changes are made we often need to re-balance classes. The classes you have shouldn't change, but the hour and teacher might.
Schedule changes will ONLY be made if a form is completed and turned in (NO EMAIL OR PHONE CALLS ACCEPTED).
Final day to drop a class without penalty (F on transcript) is Monday, September 20.
JUNIORS will be able to go HOME for lunch again for the 21-22 school year
For this year ONLY due to COVID social distancing needs, Duluth Public Schools will be allowing 11th grade students to go HOME for lunch with parent/guardian permission. This will allow for greater social distancing for those students, and will allow for smaller numbers and more distancing in the cafeterias. The following conditions must be agreed upon and adhered to, or the student’s privilege to leave campus for lunch will be revoked for the remainder of the year. This is not an open lunch for our 11th graders; we are allowing parents/guardians to approve their coming home for lunch for this year only.
A signed copy of this form must be submitted and approved, and the student must have their ID with the approval sticker on it, before they may leave for lunch. NO EXCEPTIONS.
SENIORS ONLY: Late Start/Early Release and Open Campus Lunch Forms
We are allowed to have open campus for lunch as long as the parent/guardian and student agree to the following conditions. Failure to meet these conditions may result in the privilege of open campus being revoked for the student and possibly for the entire senior class. Students MUST have this completed form submitted by the parent/guardian in order to be allowed to leave campus.
You MUST have your student ID on it's lanyard and in order to be allowed to leave at lunch. Those students with a completed form will receive a sticker for the back, making it easily identifiable by supervisory staff and principals at the door.
Parking Pass Applications
*During the first week of school, parking in the main lot is first-come, first-served. Students are NOT allowed to park on Greyhound Drive, in the Stadium Lot, or in the Staff Lot across the street. You can expect a Duluth Police Department Parking Ticket should you violate our parking rules. Repeat offenses result in your car being removed (towed).
- Parking Permit Online Application (Seniors have first priority)
- Printable Parking Permit Application (copies available in office)
Counseling Office Notes
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
Activities Office News
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
Sign Up for your PORT CARD! This is a great resource!
The Duluth Public Library and ISD709 are collaborating to expand access to free library resources to as many students as possible by offering ISD709 students PORT CARDS (electronic library cards).
Parents and Guardians: Please, make sure to sign the PORT CARD Opt-In Form! It’s quick! All that’s needed is a name and signature.
PORT CARD Opt-In Form:
http://form.jotform.com/211516729922054
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS OF PORT CARDS:
- Students can check out up to 5 books or materials from the public library by typing their student ID number on a pad.
- Students can access the Duluth Public Library’s ebooks, audiobooks and databases for research while at school.
- If students are stuck at home due to COVID, they can check out up to 10 ebooks or audiobooks from the public library and read them on their Chromebooks or other devices.
+ There’s no financial risk! If a student loses a book, library staff will work with that student to “pay” the replacement cost by reading or completing other activities.”
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