Ordean East Middle School News

With the end of 1st semester just one week away, we wanted to share a few pieces of information regarding 2nd semester schedules.

• 2nd semester schedules are currently not visible to students or families, as our counselors are working diligently to make some necessary changes before the first day.
• Schedules will be printed and distributed on Tuesday, January 21st. Students will begin that day in their advisory classroom, much as we did on the very first day of school back in September.

Thank you for your understanding! We are looking forward to a great second half of the school year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sue Lehna

Building Principal

The Duluth NAACP is leading the organizing of a series of events on January 19-20, 2025 to honor and carry on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More info can be found here: https://duluthnaacp.org/mlk

Community worship Service

Sunday, January 19, 2025

• Time: 4:00 pm

• Location: Peace United Church of Christ - 1111 North 11th Avenue East, Duluth MN 55805

• Description: This service will be a modern-day expression of the Black Church tradition that nurtured the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More details to come.

Community Breakfast

Monday, January 20, 2025

• Time: 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM (CST)

• Location: First United Methodist Church - 230 E Skyline Parkway, Duluth MN 55805

• Description: The breakfast will feature a brief local program and a community viewing of the broadcast of the program in Minneapolis. Keynote speaker will be the journalist and author Michele Norris. This year’s event will also feature musical entertainment by Grammy award winning Sounds of Blackness and a special collaborative performance byThreads Dance Project and Vocalessence Food will be served starting at 7:00 am. The broadcast runs from 8:00-9:30 am. A freewill offering will support the United Negro College Fund which supports students of African Heritage throughout Minnesota to attend college. For more information, you can visit: mlkbreakfast.com.

Gathering and March

Monday, January 20, 2025

• Time: 10:30 - 11:45 AM (CST)

• Location: Gather at Family Freedom Center (Washington Center Gymnasium) - Entrance between 3rd and 4th Street on 1st Ave West; We will begin on Lake Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue.

MLK Rally

Monday, January 20, 2025

• Time: 12:00 - 1:30 PM (CST)

• Location: DECC-Symphony Hall; 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the events, fill out this volunteer form.

We respectfully ask that you not send your children food or beverages from delivery companies like DoorDash or Uber Eats. It is very disruptive for students, classroom staff, and the front office. Students are welcome to bring lunch from home or take advantage of our great cafeteria (at no charge!). Thank you so much for your attention to this matter.

25-26 Incoming 9th graders!

Join us for a fun and informative East High Registration Information Night the evening of Thursday, February 13th from 5:30-6:30 in the EHS Auditorium. All current 8th graders and their parents/guardians are welcome to attend. East counselors will give a presentation including info on registration, enrollment, and expectations. There are optional student-led tours to follow.

Stay afterwards to watch the East High Boys Basketball team take on Denfeld @ 7:00 PM!

Please call the counseling office with any questions: 218-336-8845 x2143

Hope to see you there!

Students reviewed the color wheel, learned about color schemes, and practiced their paint mixing skills to create these colorful disco balls! Fun fact: Every single color on these disco balls was made using only red, blue, yellow, white, and black paint!

In Advisory, students played the Lily Pad game during which they had to "cross the pond" without falling in. It's all about making choices and decisions as a group.Check out Mrs. Vang's advisory making their way!

Lake Superior College Dental Hygiene Clinic will provide free services for children from low-income families who don't have acces to dental care. Appointments are available on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at 2101 Trinity Rd. Duluth, MN 55811. To schedule an appointment, please call (218)733-5939. "Give Kids a Smile" is coordinated statewide by the MN Dental Association, whose members are dedicated to making sure all children's smiles are the picture of health. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must have an appointment in advance.

Services offered include:

• Dental exams
• Cleanings
• X-rays
• Sealants
• Extractions
• Fillings
• Fluoride varnish/treatments

We hope to see you there!

We're on a mission to keep our students' creativity flowing, but we're running low on pencils! If you could donate a pack or two, we would greatly appreciate it. Donations will be accepted from now through the end of the school year and can be dropped off in the main office.

Thank you for your support! Every pencil helps our students shine.

OEMS Staff

The Duluth Public Schools K-12 Math Committees are inviting interested family and community members to participate in the Math Curriculum: Family and Community Member Survey. This survey asks for feedback regarding both the current Duluth Public Schools math curriculum as well as suggestions for the new or revised curriculum as they work toward implementation of the 2022 Minnesota Math Standards. The committee will review the feedback as part of their process to review, revise, and adopt a new math curriculum during the next couple of years. The survey can be found here and is open until January 31st, 2025. Thank you in advance!

Duluth Community Education would like to make sure all community members can participate in youth enrichment classes. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please complete the application form online at https://www.isd709.org/community/community-education or download it below!

Do you like to travel? Are you interested in seeing history up close? Mrs. Vang is organizing an educational tour to Washington DC during the October MEA break. Travel offers a wealth of opportunities for learning outside the classroom, and this will be a fun, easy way for students to see the world with their friends. This opportunity is available to current 6th-8th graders. The parent information meeting will be on January 22nd, at 5:30pm in the Media Center.

The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) provides students with the opportunity to explore their passions and pursue new topics within a fun and inclusive environment. 100% of last year's participants said they had a "great overall experience" at MITY. Students can choose from nearly 50 unique STEM, humanities, and fine arts classes. Need-based financial aid is available.

MITY is currently accepting applications for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Check out more information pictured below!

January 7th & 14th

Winter FAST Testing

Jan. 17th - NO SCHOOL

Teacher Work Day

Jan. 20th - NO SCHOOL

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Feb. 7th - 7th Grade Winter Fest

6:00-8:00 PM - OEMS

Feb. 10th - 8th Grade Pre-Registration for high school

During 8th Grade Math Classes

Feb. 13th - EHS Registration Information Night

5:30-6:30 PM - EHS Auditorium

Feb. 25th - 9th Grade Registration

During 8th Grade English Classes

• The Ordean East Swim Team started practices this week. Sign ups will remain open until Friday, January 17th.

  This is an introductory program open to all OEMS students. Find more information on the team website.

  Sign up form.

History Day Club will be meeting afterschool on Thursdays in Mrs. Vang's room, 3133.

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