Ordean East Middle School News

As we move into the second half of the 2024-2025 school year, we want to take a moment to remind families about Duluth Public Schools' "Away for the Day" cell phone policy. Our goal is to create a focused and engaging learning environment for all students.

Per the student handbook (page 22):
"At Duluth Public Schools, every school participates in Away for the Day, meaning students will not have access to their cell phones from the first bell to the last bell. We ask for families’ support in reinforcing this message at home. As always, our school has a landline phone in every classroom and office space to ensure important messages can be delivered to students during the day. Students who have earbuds in, cell phones out of their lockers, or smartwatches on during school hours will be asked to leave their devices at home for the remainder of the quarter."

🔗 View the full handbook here

To help students stay engaged in their learning, we kindly ask that all cell phones, earbuds, and smartwatches remain powered off and stored in lockers throughout the school day—not in pockets or on their person. By this point in the year, students should be familiar with this policy, and we truly appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home.

If a phone is found on a student during the school day, it will be placed in our "cell phone locker" (a key locked cell phone locker) in the main office, where it will remain until the end of the day. If a student repeatedly violates this policy, families will be asked to have their student keep their device at home for the remainder of the quarter.

Thank you for your continued support in creating a positive and focused school environment!

It's almost Valentine's Day and the PBIS Team and BARK store crew are getting in on the action. This week and next, students will have the opportunity to purchase flowers and candy grams using the BARK bucks they earn for good behavior OR cash! Money earned goes towards items for the BARK store. See details below!

Carnation Sales - Limit 3 per student

$1 - BARK buck or cash

Pre-orders extended through Monday 2/10! See Ms. Paschen at lunch to place an order.

Flowers will be delivered to YOU during school on Friday 2/14.

Candy Gram Sales - Unlimited!

$1 - BARK buck or cash

Gram Sales will last through Tuesday 2/11!

A Candy Gram is a short message and sweet that can be addressed to any student. Grams will be delivered to recipients during school on Friday 2/14.

Dear ISD 709 families, free online tutoring for K-12 students is available through the CSS/ISD 709 Tutor Program. We have tutors in most grade levels and subjects. They have completed training and are ready to work with Duluth students!

Go to this web address: https://css709tutor.setmore.com/ to book tutoring appointments. Once there you will be able to choose the grade level needed, the content, the tutor and the time they are available. After you book a tutoring session you will receive an email with a Google Meets (video-conference) link from your tutor. Use that link at the time of your appointment.

If you have any questions please feel free to email Beth LaVigne blavigne@css.edu

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!

Calling all volunteers! Many hands are needed to support upcoming events at OEMS. Check out opportunities to support the 7th grade WinterFest on Feb 7th, a lunch time hot cocoa sale, candy gram sale, and upcoming BARK bucks auction! Click on the links below to sign up!

7th grade WinterFest: https://signup.com/go/MgeHRLf

BARK Auction #2: https://signup.com/go/cxdXUmy

Who's hungry for Chipotle!? On Tuesday, February 11th plan to order dinner from Chipotle and a portion on your sale will go towards OEMS PTA. Be sure to show the pic below or use the code in the flyer if ordering on the app!

On January 22nd there was an informational meeting about a trip to Washington, DC that Mrs. Vang hosted. In order to go on the trip, travelers must fill out an application. The application deadline has been extended to February 6th!

Below you will find the links for the student and adult traveler application.

Student Traveler Application (Teacher Recommendation Form)

Adult Traveler Application

Below is the link to the slides shown during the meeting.

Vang - Informational Meeting Slideshow

Let Dani Vang know if you have any questions! (danielle.vang@isd709.org)

Congratulations to Mr. Lehigh, Ms. Thums and all of the band students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade on a wonderful concert last Thursday! A great time was had by all.

On Wednesday, February 5th, History Day Club went on a field trip to the University of Minnesota Duluth's Library. There, students were shown how to use the libraries database to find primary sources. These students had to have previously found 10 different sources and have their thesis approved to attend. Afterwards, they ate in the food court. History Day has a regional competition on March 1st, see their finalized projects at UMD then!

Thank you to the head librarian, Matthew for guiding students and Sue Denio, Susan Jessico, Glenn Tracey, and Yelena Sokolova for chaperoning!

Congratulations to the Ordean students on the Alpine Team on their Section Finals meet! The East Girls qualified for State!

8th grade environmental science students collected winter water data from Hartley Pond.

Duluth Farm to School is honored to be the recipient of February's Duluth Whole Foods Co-op's Give! Program. When shopping at the Central Hillside and Denfeld Whole Foods locations, customers can round up to the nearest dollar at the register to support repair of school garden beds and youth programming. The Farm to School program is so important to our school garden at Ordean East. If you shop at the Whole Foods Co-Op, please consider rounding up!

Reflections Artists!

You still have time to submit your artworks before February 11!

You can see the winning artworks in 2023-2024 at the link below: Virtual Exhibit of

2023-2024 Reflections National Winners

Jan. 30th - OEMS Band Concert

6:00 PM - OEMS Gymnasium

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

Mar. 11th - OEMS Orchestra Concert

7:00 PM - OEMS Gymnasium

May 6th - New Student Open House

Why coach GOTR? To help form positive relationships, make a lasting impact on a child's life, and instill confidence and empower youth. OEMS Girls on the Run (GOTR) is looking for a new coach. Please scan the QR code below for more information!

History Day Club will continue to meet after school Thursdays in Mrs. Vang's room, 3133. March 1st is the regional competition and the registration deadline is Feb. 13th. Please let Mrs. Vang know if you will be gone.

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