ORDEAN EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION DAY

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2025 FROM 12:45- 2:30

WHERE: ORDEAN EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM

This is just a friendly reminder that Ordean has a no cellphone policy. Cellphones are to be placed in your child's locker during the school day. If your child is not feeling well, please encourage them to see our school nurse. This is to promote active learning and engagement. We appreciate your cooperation and support to help us create an enriching learning environment.

Overdue book notices were sent out after school on Friday May 16. We have many books that are overdue and while we don't charge late fees, if a book is not returned a fine will be placed on your students account for the replacement cost. We would like to have all library books returned by May 30. Textbooks will be returned at scheduled times. Students can return books to the drop slot in the hallway outside the library or to the basket on the counter inside of the library. Thank you for your help in getting the books back home.

On Thursday June 5th, OEMS will be celebrating a phenomenal school year with a school-wide celebration. The schedule for that day will be as follows:

All students will start the day with their advisory, and will rotate with their whole grade level through several stations: Yearbook Signing in the gym, Media Arts showcase and Minute to Win It in the Auditorium, and Outside Time in the back field.

Following the first three periods of rotations, students will get to sign up for different activities being hosted by teachers throughout the building (Activities include: Yard Games on the front lawn, Friendship Bracelets, Snack and Chat, and many more!) 6th and 7th graders will get to attend 4 different activities and 8th graders will get to attend 2. Every grade will get to enjoy an ice cream treat generously provided by the Duluth Police Department following their lunch in the cafeteria!

To celebrate our 8th graders' very last day of middle school, our incredible PTA is planning a party just for them out on the back field during the last two periods of the day. There will be a dunk tank, music, games, face painting, and more! If you are an 8th grade parent and you're interested in helping out, please check out the PTA facebook page and sign up! They are also looking for donations for a raffle and store that they are planning for kids to use up their BARK bucks.

We love our students and we can't wait to spend the day celebrating and enjoying our last day together. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our MTSS coordinator, Kristin Paschen (kristin.paschen@isd709.org). Thanks so much!

Hello Parents/ Guardians of 8th graders,
We are looking forward to our Valley Fair Field Trip on Monday June 2nd. Please see the attached PDF with important information for our day. Remember to drop off your student so we can depart for the buses at 8:00 a.m.

If your student is NOT attending the field trip and you plan on keeping them home and excusing them, can you please notify our attendance office asap so we can plan accordingly for the students who will be staying back at Ordean. You can call 218- 336-8940 ext. 4201 or email ordeanattendance@isd709.org. Thanks
8th Grade Team

For those attending the Field Trip, please review the slideshow below for information about this fun experience.

Mr. Thorson and Ms. Kiero's 6th grade math classes extended their MN Studies learning about the early 1900's MN logging industry by visiting the OEMS front lawn's beautiful pine trees. We learned about the role of the "Timber Cruiser" in the logging industry. The Timber Cruiser was responsible for visiting land coming up for sale, approximating the value of its board feet of potential pine lumber, and recommending whether or not the logging company should bid on the land for the next logging season. Students used a "Cruising Stick" to estimate the diameter and height of our pines and used a formula to calculate the available board feet of lumber in each pine. This helped us practice our order of operation and calculator skills. We found that our front lawn could have been worth about $3,000-5,000 in 1900. We currently value our pines for their beauty and the shade they give us when we get to have class outside!

All Physical Education students will be turning in their assigned PE lock and cleaning out their locker on Monday, June 2nd and Tuesday, June 3rd. Students who do not turn in or have lost their locks will owe $6 to the school to replace the missing lock for next year. If students are missing anything, they can check the lost and found tables outside the locker rooms. Any items left behind in the lockers and/or locker room after locker cleanout will be put on the lost and found tables.

Fine Arts Night will be Friday, May 30th from 5:30-7 PM. Jazz Band, Orchestra small groups, visual arts, graphic arts and snacks! In the OEMS Cafeteria. Free with cash donation for snacks.

Volunteers and donations are needed to help our 8th graders celebrate the end of their time in middle school. An exciting afternoon on the last day of school is planned with games, food, fun and memories. Adult volunteers are needed to assist school staff in chaperoning activities. Donations are requested to fund extra prizes. Click here to sign up for a shift or to make a donation. https://signup.com/go/VMSbfpz Thanks for stepping up for our school!

The Ordean East staff will be working harder than ever through the end of the school year. The PTA invites you to help us show our appreciation by providing a delicious breakfast the morning after the students' last day of school. Please sign up to bring a breakfast item via this link: https://signup.com/go/VdfciqM Every contribution, big or small makes a difference!

May 29th - East Debate Team Informational Meeting for Incoming 9th Graders

May 30th - Fine Arts Night

June 5th - Students' Last Day of School!

August 28th - OEMS New Student Orientation Day

The OEMS track team ran their final meet of the year on May 21st.

There were FOUR city records broken by Ordean athletes!

Maggie Schmidt broke the girls 55 meter hurdle record.

Somadina Igwe crushed both the boys 1600 and the 800 meter run records, by an incredible 10 and 7 seconds!

The 8th grade boys 4x100 relay team consisting of Peter Ahrens, Everett Johnston, Simon Liddle and Robert Forsman broke the boys 4x100 record that had been set in 1985 and hadn't been broken since! They ran a time of 51.10!

Many other athletes ran their own best times.Congratulations to all track athletes!

Please remember to turn in your track jersey to Coach Thums in room 4444 if you haven't already done so. Failure to turn in a jersey will result in a fee.

We hope you continue to run track in the future. Thank you for a great season!

-OEMS Coaches, Kristiina Thums, Nate Specht, Jeff Steinsberger, Luke Konietzko and Sam Easty

From now until the end of the school year, any student that takes the bus to East High School after school needs to take bus number 525. It will be near the front of the line of buses. This will be the designated bus that will take Ordean students to East High School for after school activities.

The Garden Crew will have their last meeting after school on Monday June 2nd. We will continue to meet throughout the summer! We meet Mondays at 9am in the school garden (one hour). Contact danielle.vang@isd709.org for questions.

This year’s Summer Reading Program runs from June 1st - August 15th and all ages can participate! Log your reading time, complete activities, or attend library programs to earn prizes. Any reading counts — including e-books and audio-books.

Read or be read to for 20 hours and earn a FREE book and an entry into our grand prize drawings! Keep reading beyond 20 hours for additional chances to win.

Click this link to get registered today: https://duluthlibrary.beanstack.com/reader365

This summer the greyhounds are hosting a baseball camp for 7-14 year olds.

The ultimate goal of our summer program is to provide the players within our program a great basketball experience at a low price. We strive to improve the fundamentals of each player in the program by working on footwork, ball handling, finishing, shooting, and overall defensive skill. These are essential components in becoming a better basketball player. When it comes to building a basketball player, there is NO more important time! We need our kids in the gym!

The Link Center at UWS Superior is launching a new educational camp for the summer of 2025. These programs are thoughtfully crafted to offer middle and high school students a mix of learning and recreation, fostering personal growth and career exploration. To learn more, visit https://www.uwsuper.edu/community-engagement/youth-and-high-school-programs/educational-summer-camps/

If you have any questions, please contact the Link Center at link@uwsuper.edu.

UMD will be hosting its Annual Football Youth Camp this year on July 10th - 11th from 9am-4pm each day. Please see below for the flyer and link for registration.

UMD will be hosting its Padded Development Camp for incoming 8th and 9th graders on July 10th-11th. Please see below for the flyer and link for registration.

If you would like to learn more about summer programs and activities through Duluth Public Schools, please see the link below.

This is a fun class to learn how to combine mixed media layers to create a zine. You will pick from a variety of different tools and art supplies to experiment with color and texture to create one of a kind designs. Then we’ll learn how to fold and assemble your creation into a mini zine. We will talk about ways that you may want to use text, pictures, embellishments, or artwork to fill your zine. Additional supply fee of $5 due to the instructor at class.

Class # 2272 Friday, Jul 11

Register here: Create a Mixed Media Zine

Instructor: Stephanie Brenning
Students will explore a variety of media during this camp. Projects can include clay, print, fiber, paint and more! Projects in session A and Session B will be different. Section C is for students who would like to attend both sessions.

Class is for students age 10-14

Class #7051 Mon Jul 7 - Thu Jul 10

Class #7052 Mon Jul 14 - Thu Jul 17

Register here: Summer Art Camp

Please see the flyer below if you would like to learn more about YMCA's summer opportunities for kids and families.

The program is for ages 10-18 and allows them to come into the facility for free Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30-6pm. It is staffed and there’s a snack provided.

Children aged 10 & 11 would need to stay with the Teen Thrive staff (unless in the pool with the lifeguard supervision), but 12+ can feel free to utilize the facility on their own!

https://www.duluthymca.org/programs/family-and-community/community-programs-duluth-area/thrive

On the last Friday of each month, YMCA hosts Teen Night at their Hermantown location for ages 10-18. This event includes concessions, games, open swim, and more—a great way for teens to have fun in a safe and welcoming space.

Email: ordeaneast@isd709.org
Website: https://ordeaneast.isd709.org/
Phone: 218-336-8940