"The challenge: Take a stack of boards and follow a plan to build a nightstand in 6½ hours. Most of the boards were not cut to size, and joints also had to be cut, making it a challenge for high schoolers learning the woodworking trade." 

Our very own Victoria Lenius and other Purgolder woodworkers accepted that challenge, competing in last week's SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference at the Alliant Energy Center. 

Lenius plans to be an environmental engineer, but thanks to several trades classes offered at East by teacher Dennis Mossholder, she now has another lifelong craft. Beautiful work representing East!

Check out the full Wisconsin State Journal Article and Channel 3000 story.

📣 "When the land we love is under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!"

📣 "No more coal, no more oil, keep our carbon in the soil!"

We love it when our students raise their voices in support of, or in opposition to, important issues and events happening in our world. On Thursday these young activists demonstrated – in very chilly temps and gusty winds – against the Line 5 Pipeline.

Purgolders don't attend job fairs to fill up swag bags. At Wednesday's Job Fair event, students demonstrated some serious summer job and volunteer experience-seeking skills they have been developing:

🛗 Creating and practicing an elevator pitch to introduce yourself to potential employers. 

🙋🏽‍♀️ Preparing one to two questions to ask each employer. 

📝 Writing a solid resume to capture your goals, strengths, and educational experience. 

💭 Thinking of two questions you could ask an employer at your next job interview.

Thank you all of the local organizations and businesses offering enriching and rewarding opportunities to our students and to East's Academic and Career Planning Coordinator, Tyler Kastner, for helping ensure our scholars were prepared for the fair!

This week, the Intro to Barbering class traveled back to the '90s, practicing the "Gumby" and other styles and techniques while listening to music from that era. They also did an excellent job multitasking, as they were interviewed and photographed for an upcoming article on this "Big Ideas"-funded program in the Wisconsin State Journal while working on their craft. Stay tuned!

Have you seen the updates that are coming to East High School? Get up to speed by checking out the East Referendum 2020 website. The MMSD Building Services staff gave an update at the April 12, 2021, Board meeting on the status of the projects funded by the referendum. (The referendum update begins at 1:22:36).

As we move through this process we will continue to keep you informed of the exciting changes that may impact your environment. You can also view construction updates and timelines on the MMSD website.

Join our East High United Purgolder Parent Meeting on Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30pm via Zoom for East specific updates from Interim Principal Mikki Smith and other district and construction partner staff.

East High School's Prom will be held on Saturday, April 23rd from 8:00-11:00pm at the Wisconsin Masonic Center, located at 301 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison.

A Prom Pep Rally will be held on Friday, April 22nd, 2022 from 2:45-3:39pm in the East High School Field House (Adjusted Bell Schedule)

Come and celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22nd during lunch. If the weather is good, we'll be outside in front of the school on East Washington. If the weather is bad, we'll be in the mall and forum. The East Jazz Band will play, there will be speakers and spoken word performances and information tables from local organizations fighting to end climate change. Help hold signs and encourage passing motorists to Honk for Renewable Energy. For more information, please see Ms. White in room 2038.

There will be current students and staff from Shabazz at East High School in Room 1041C on Thursday April 21st during 4th hour to talk about their experience at Shabazz and answer questions.