Greyhound Newsletter 11/13/20
Pausing In-Person Interactions
As you are aware, next week we will shift to distance learning at elementary level and pause in-person secondary student supports, athletics and activities through at least December 13. We are doing so in response to a sharp rise in Duluth and St. Louis County COVID rates that are projected to continue.
We have also seen a recent rise in students and staff testing positive as well as those in quarantine. District administration made this determination after consulting with the Minnesota Department of Education and local health officials who recommended a shift to distance learning for several weeks. We are announcing this with as much advance notice as possible to provide families and staff time to plan and prepare. We regret the challenges that this will cause to students and families, but must do so to help avoid deeper spread within our schools and community.
We know that this causes feelings of frustration for many of you and that many of you thought this decision was long overdue. None of these decisions are easy and we are well aware of the impact they have or could have on our students, staff, families, and community. We ask that you do your best to stay positive and supportive. We are doing our best in a nearly impossible situation and continue to work hard to improve distance learning.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for support if you need it. In this newsletter you'll see a number of opportunities and resources for our students and our families. We encourage you to access them at any time.
Attendance Calls
If you get the call, just remind your student to log in for the day in Infinite Campus. Please note that it won't show as cleared until the next update is run the following afternoon.
Thank you for your assistance in helping mark attendance in this difficult time. Don't hesitate to contact our office with questions.
*If your child is too ill to participate, has been confirmed as COVID positive, or you have a PLANNED absence, please make sure you call the attendance office at 218-336-8845 ext 2144. Leave a detailed message or ask to speak with Kathy Wilson, Attendance Clerical.
Pictures Are Here!
East PTSA School Spirit Store
Orders Delivered to East
In Time for the Holidays!
Sources of Strength: Family Supports
Over the next weeks we will map out eight strength based conversations and activities for you to have and do at home. Neuroscience and Positive psychology show that we can change our brains: becoming more optimistic and successful when we have fun, leaning into our strengths and practicing gratitude each day!
This week we focus on Family Supports. Whether related to us by blood, or by choice, these are the people who support, nurture and care for us. These can be people in our foster families, step families, biological families, extended families and chosen families.
Conversation starters:
What is an example of a time Family Support was really helpful for you?
What unique traditions do you have in your family/
How do you show Family support to others?
Activities:
Have a family dance party at breakfast
Make a DIY cooking video with your family
Have a family game night
For additional ideas, check out this link Family Support Activities
Next week, high school students will receive an email with a google form to complete if they are interested in becoming a SOS peer leader. A virtual two hour training will take place on Friday, 12/4/20. More information will be provided to interested students.
Sources of Strength Coordinator:
Ms. Marnie Thompson
Tech Tips and Tricks
- LOOK for a weekly planning guide from your teachers for each module. If you don't see one, email them.
- LOOK for a way to give feedback to your teachers each week. It is critical that you give them honest feedback so they can adjust workloads. If you're spending more than 3 hours per week on the class, they need to know that.
- Go to GOOGLE MEETS! You'll find they are really a great experience and a chance for you to get help, hear concepts explained in a different way, discuss things with classmates, and more!
- If you need access to view your students Canvas account which includes their current grades and work for each class follow the tutorial below to create an observer account and connect it with your student's.
Seniors! Check your school email for your postsecondary planning handbook!
Counseling Office Contacts:
218-336-8845
Jenn LaBelle, Registrar: ext2143, jennifer.labelle@isd709.org
Jamie Savre, Counselor (A-G): ext 2154, jamie.savre@isd709.org
Jessica Forsman, Counselor (H-N): ext 2041, jessica.forsman@isd709.org
Robert Gagne, Counselor (M-Z): ext 3032, robert.gagne@isd709.org
Career Center Updates
Click on the button below to check out notes and reminders from the Career Center!
Career Center Contacts
218-336-8845 ext 2195
Sandra Rich: sandra.rich@isd709.org
Colleen Holliday: colleen.holliday@isd709.org
Activities Office Updates
Drama
We're holding ONE ACT play auditions!!! Take a look at this year's audition information packet and fill out the audition form to get involved in this winter's competition one act. Space is limited.
Speech Team
Get involved! Fill out the attached form to sign up for information about competitive speech at East! Join a fun group of students who compete in thirteen different categories. Our current plan is to have a mix of virtual and in-person meets across the state. Work on your speaking skills while you have some fun!
Knowledge Bowl
East has a long tradition of competitive Knowledge Bowl teams! Be part of that tradition by signing up for information about this year’s competition. Knowledge Bowl is a team activity, so you don’t need to know all things about all subjects.
Sign up to be kept in the loop, and join us later for a practice once our season details come together.
Activities and Athletics Update:
Congratulations to our fall sports team and activities! Girls Tennis (Section Champion), Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Boys Cross Country (Section Runner-Up), Girls Cross Country (Section Runner-up), Theater (very successful play performance), Football (Highest finish in the QRF ratings in program history), and Girls swim finished their seasons. We are currently in season, will be starting, and pausing on November 18, for Debate (virtual), Yearbook, Robotics, Speech, Music, and our winter sports. Some activities will be able to continue virtually during this paused period of time.
Our coaches and players did a fantastic job following our Covid protocols and guidelines this past season. Our protocols were guided by the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, MSHSL, and other sports associations - and they covered daily practice, games, and behaviors away from the field, court, or gym. After looking back on our data, we did not have any team covid spread from player to player and when there were cases that were associated with community spread, players and parents followed our covid checklist and teams were able to quarantine or play based on guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. We played safe and enabled our students to participate and connect with their peers during this difficult time.
What we know:
Masks work, please wear them during all facets of your lives. "Wear you masks, so we can wear our jerseys!"
Social distance and avoid groups as much as possible!
Our frontline workers are amazing, we appreciate their efforts each and every day!
We understand that mental health is something that we all need to be aware of and monitor.
We all handle and process our time away from school with varying degrees of success.
Our Coaches will continue to contact students during the off season and during the pause for winter sports to ensure that our students athletes are safe and feel connected.
To Get Help:
Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255
Depression Hotline:1-888-640-5174
Self Harm Hotline: 1-877-455-0628
Mental Health Hotline 866-677-5924
Crisis Text Line Text: 741741
#MentalHealthAwareness
Last day of Fall Sports/Activities: November 17
Athletics/Activities - Pause November 18 - December 11
Potential Athletics/Activities Restart - December 14 (if metrics support a restart)
If we do not restart on December 14, the next decision date: January 8
During this time - Virtual Activities can continue. In person coaching/advising is paused.
All MSHSL bylaws regarding coaching, including coaching out of season/etc are still in place.
Players and students can anticipate that coaches might contact them during the off-season or during the pause of their sports to provide optional workouts or plans. Coaches understand that their mental health is very important and as coaches they have a big impact!
Stay safe Greyhounds!
Activities Office Contacts
218-336-8845
Alyssa Thompson, Clerical/Treasurer: ext 2304, alyssa.thompson@isd709.org
Shawn Roed, Activities Director: ext 2151, shawn.roed@isd709.org
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