Denfeld and Ordean – DNT nails it

Paul Lundgren Feb 11, 2010 13 Comments

I think today might be the third time the Duluth News Tribune has editorialized that Duluth’s two high schools (when the long range facilities plan is complete) should be called Denfeld and Ordean. (‘Denfeld,’ ‘Ordean’ preserve past, discourage east-west divide.)

I couldn’t agree more, and I wish the school district would finally put this issue to rest. Are you with me, people?

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13 Comments

hbh

about 14 years ago 

Oh yes. It's the only thing that makes historical and cultural sense. 

I mean, WTF's with "Split Rock High School"? There is a Split Rock, and it's way up the shore with a lighthouse on it. And Aerial High School? Huh?

baci

about 14 years ago 

when you're a jet, you're a jet all the way

wildgoose

about 14 years ago 

Oh boy ... we're gettin' fancy again.  What is with the new comment comments?  Well, feel free to experiment and innovate.  And if it doesn't work, the trolls will LOVE it!

--

In my opinion, the Red Plan is deeply flawed from an economic and a cultural standpoint and will set back racial and cultural harmony AND do much to exacerbate the already way past done East-West Divide in this town, not just on the High School level but with Middle schools and elementaries and more.  

But hey ... I agree with the DNT and Lundgren on this one, that has got to be some kind of planetary alignment.  And I say this as and East High School Grad, my reunion is this summer, even.  But it is time for that name and that school to go.  

Further, if it was me making the decision, I would keep the name "central" and ditch "unity/alc/teen parent." It's a very clinical sounding school name, anyway.  Plus, it meets in the "main" Central High School building which has such strong emotional and architectural importance, at the true heart of this town.  That would save that name and some of the tradition that goes with it, even though it is an alternative High School.

mac

about 14 years ago 

I'm sorry Wildgoose, but I think your prediction that the Red Plan "racial and cultural harmony" is deeply flawed itself.  The problems changes like this make are always much bigger in the eyes of those who don't attend these schools anymore.  Kids are going to handle this fine.  Keeping Denfeld and East is going to preserve history/culture and infuriate the least number of people.  Changing the remaining schools' names will only rile up the feathers of everyone whereas dropping Central really only affects those from Central.

As to your argument about the Red Plan being flawed from an economical standpoint, do you think it's logical to keep schools open when enrollment continues a decline that has been going on for years.    This isn't 1985 anymore.  There are less kids in the schools and there is less need for more buildings.

wildgoose

about 14 years ago 

Mac, I agree in part, the kids should handle things pretty well, they are a new new generation, flexible, pretty open minded and so on and on.  The alums and the parents, grandparents and older generations need to get over the East-West divide.  

I'm not trying to stay in 1985 (or 90, that's when I graduated, btw) And the price tag itself was never as important to me as just using the money EFFICIENTLY. What is really gonna improve learning for kids over the preK - 12 years.   But I won't be able to defend my ideas here since I don't even remember which color was which plan and the red plan is gonna happen now anyway so I don't know why I even brought it up.  Me and my silly threadjacks again.  Sorry Paul

@ndy

about 14 years ago 

How about the school board putting it to a referendum on the '11 ballot? like they never got around to doing with the red plan...

And not to disparage anyone who is trying to break down the east-west divide, but what in the heck difference does it make whether we call EHS East or Ordean? Everyone in the community is still going to know that the kids from the eastern part of the city go to Ordean and the kids from the western part of the city go to Denfeld. Is anyone seriously naive enough to believe that changing a name is going to erase the geographic section of the city people associate with each school?

Tony D.

about 14 years ago 

Permission to come aboard, Cap'n Paul! 

I agree with Denfeld Hunters and Ordean [not sure yet] for the names as reasoned in the DNT. Go with the historical nod (and keep directional boundaries out of it), that be my prejudice. Would "Eagles" for the birds displaced for the new parking lot be fitting or sarcastic? Or perhaps there's something else in the district's history that might inspire a name for the teams and other organizations.... Who's got it?

wildgoose

about 14 years ago 

It's true, that could be a nod to honor  the eagles.  But, eagles is the mascot of Edison Schools (a budding rival to the Duluth Schools) and more importantly also the mascot for Unity/TeenParent/ALC HS which I have already discussed.

What's wrong with keeping greyhounds?  And the school colors?  It would make the transition easier with uniforms, team schwag, and etc ...

Sue

about 14 years ago 

Brilliant idea!  Denfeld and Ordean high schools makes so much sense.

mevdev

about 14 years ago 

Screw the Red, Blue, Magenta, Green, Hazel and purple plans.

Send your kid to Harbor City International School.

hbh

about 14 years ago 

What's your hesitation on the Ordean name? I'm curious.

hbh

about 14 years ago 

Oh. I see. You mean the team name. :-)

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago 

Well, the School Board voted to go with Denfeld and East rather than Denfeld and Ordean. Which is fine. At least a decision was made. Hopefully the field at East will continue to be called Ordean Field.

More credit to the Duluth News Tribune -- the paper actually reported that this happened. 

WDIO apparently didn't have a reporter at the meeting. Northland's News Center did a story about the School Board meeting, but the reporter didn't seem to notice that this happened.

Oddly, the issue wasn't actually on the School Board's agenda, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some media missed it.

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