FEBRUARY 2021
Upcoming Events
Black History Month
February

February 1st-5th

February 1st-5th

Thursdays, 3:30pm

February 2nd, 6:00pm

February 3rd, 6:00pm

February 10th & 11th

NO SCHOOL
February 11th - Conferences

NO SCHOOL
February 26th - Mid Winter Break
Greetings, East High Community! 

As we have officially crossed the halfway point of the school year, I would like to take some time to celebrate one of the many strengths of our school community, and one that has been especially important during this uniquely challenging year in our school’s history: the voice and leadership of our students. East has a proud tradition of student activism and leadership. I learned quickly when I arrived here as a teacher that East High students are committed to actively building the community they deserve both inside and outside of the school walls. As educators at East, we know that true learning is not just about passing on knowledge to our students, it is about creating the conditions where our students’ own knowledge, talents and convictions have room to grow, and where we can learn along with them. This month I would like to elevate a few highlights from the first semester...  

To the students of our Food for Thought club, who have proposed an innovative way to make sure that our community members have access to healthy food when they need it. More to come on this soon.   

To the members of our Gender Equity club for their commitment to fostering a school culture in which all students can truly feel safe by elevating issues that stand in the way of equity at East.  

To students who met with the architectural design team about how referendum funds should be used to improve our school facilities. Your message about creating an atmosphere that reflects the diverse cultures and identities of our students was loud and clear. 

To the members of Student Congress who have pushed us, and our district leaders to ensure that our curriculum reflects the voices and histories of all members of our community, especially those that have historically been marginalized. Your advocacy is part of the reason that East will be able to add a Modern African-American History course to our offerings for the 21-22 school year, a class which WILL fulfill the graduation requirement for Modern United States History.   

To the students of United Asian Club and Raza United who led powerful professional development activities for our staff on Wednesday mornings, as well as the students who partnered with staff last week to share ideas for engagement and community building in virtual classrooms. We look forward to the staff learning that will be led by members of our Black Student Union during the next month.  

To the students who have joined our staff meetings to help us plan equity focused professional development, and our outreach plan to see Advanced Placement classrooms that truly reflect the diversity of our school community. We are also eager to hear from the students who will be joining our books circles during our staff wide equity read this semester.  

I could go on, and I know there will be more to come. Students, I want to thank you for everything that you teach us, and for always reminding us that we are lucky to be at East. 

Brendan Kearney 
Principal      
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Outstanding Young Person Awardees
East High School students were recognized at the Urban League's Stand for Justice event on January 17th with Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Young Person Awards. This year more than 250 area middle and high school students were featured for their incredible contributions in the classroom and in the community.
Congratulations:
Brandon Anderson
Gueda Daff
Rinzin Kunsel
Farren Lockridge
Ameira Matthews
Michael Onabule
Abou Sangaré
Alayna Tucker
Abby Tuinstra
Aliyyah Wiley
Policy Debate State Champions
Madison East Seniors Ellis Kondrashov and Julian Jaimés emerged as state champions in policy debate by winning 8 of 9 rounds at the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament. Ellis and Julian completed their fourth season with the Madison East Debate Team virtually but can be seen here competing together in years prior.
Dane County Youth Of The Year
Congratulations to Vanessa Bahena Hernandez on being named the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County's 2021 Youth Of The Year! Vanessa is a Senior at East High School and captain of the Varsity Cheer Team. She considers herself an environmental activist and engages in protests and walkouts around gun control, climate strikes, immigrant rights, women's movements and Black Lives Matter. Vanessa plans to attend UW Madison and major in Psychology. She will move on to compete in the Wisconsin State Youth Of The Year Competition, representing Dane County.
FEATURED PROGRAM
Food For Thought Club
The Food For Thought Club supports East High's free school food pantry and snack program. With the school closed, the club continues to meet at a weekly zoom meeting to find creative ways to continue its mission. Several members are running weekly pop-up pantries in the community, sharing food donated from local pantries. The club designed and used it's money to provide the East High Mobile Food Pantry with signs directing people to the pantry site on Thursday afternoons. The club also used it's money to purchase 8 $50 Woodman's gift cards that were then given to the Social Workers to distribute to families. Finally, the club made a donation of snacks to a local youth group, Life As A Boy, that operates out of the Vera Court Community Center. If you want to join the club, contact Helena White for more information on the Thursday lunchtime club meetings.

Pictured below: (Left) The signs the club provided for the East High Pop-Up Free Food Pantry. (Right) Members of the Vera Court Community Center's youth group 'Life As A Boy' received a donation of snacks from The Food For Thought Club before heading out to donate food to community members for Thanksgiving.
STAFF SHOUT OUTS
Social Studies Teachers
After Capitol insurrection, East High School Social Studies teachers worked to help students process and understand recent National events.
East High School social studies teachers Amanda Pustz (top left), Jeremy Buehl (top right), Brad Vonck (bottom left) and Cesar Martinez (bottom right) discuss how they approached teaching their students after a historic day.
MADISON EAST HIGH SCHOOL
east.mmsd.org