This Week at Jackson
August 5th
Thursday, April 6th
Pictures From This Week
DSC 2023 Teacher & Employee of the Year Finalists
The Duneland School Corporation (DSC) will continue to celebrate excellence in education by selecting a Teacher of the Year at both the elementary and secondary level and a classified staff member as Employee of the Year.
Selection Process
Outstanding teachers and employees were nominated for recognition by students, parents, colleagues and Duneland community members in the month of February. In March, finalists were selected from those nominated by principals, supervisors and the Duneland Teachers Association.
A selection panel representing students, parents, community members and district administration will interview and then select the Teachers of the Year and the Employee of the Year from those recognized as finalists during the month of April.
The 2023 winners will be recognized at the May 1, 2023 School Board meeting, Beginning of the Year Programs in August, in DSC publications, website, and social media and on a plaque displayed at Central Office. Winners will also receive a classroom/office door banner along with a monetary stipend of $500. In addition, both the elementary and secondary winners will represent Duneland teachers in the Indiana Department of Education’s statewide Teacher of the Year Program.
Jackson Wishes the Best of Luck to Our Finalists
Mrs. Ilgin and Mrs. Urban have both been selected this year. We wish them the best of luck! We know they will represent Jackson well.
Mrs. Ilgin
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Urban
Reading Specialist
Teacher of Excellence - Mrs. Psimos
Congratulations to Mrs. Psimos, one of our first grade teachers, who was selected as a March 2023 Teacher of Excellence!
Kenneth J. Allen Law Group supports Northwest Indiana teachers who go above and beyond for their students and honors them for their outstanding contributions to education. To learn more about the educators who are Teachers of Excellence or if you know of someone who should be recognized as a Teacher of Excellence, please nominate your favorite by following this link.
View all DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.
Jump Rope for Heart--Top Fundraisers
Phoenix Center Jackson Club: A Peer Support Group for Grieving Students
The VNA Phoenix Center of Valparaiso is broadening their community outreach by offering school-based grief support groups. If your child has experienced the death of a family member/loved one, please consider joining our peer support group hosted at Jackson on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 pm. The group will run from April 11th through May 16th. It is led by a trained facilitator from The Phoenix Center, with assistance from Jackson's school counselor, Liz Martin.
Look for more information, including instructions on how to sign up, in your child's folder. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Martin, school counselor, (219) 983-3680 or Ashlee Pendleton, VNA Phoenix Center Coordinator, (219) 252-0786.
Preview: ILEARN Testing Schedule
We are quickly approaching the opening of the ILEARN testing window. We ask that 3rd and 4th grade parents do their best to ensure students are present at school on testing days with a fully-charged iPad.
'Beyond The School' Transition Fair
A team of Duneland educators and parents will host a free resource Transition Fair, "Beyond The School", for families who have children with disabilities (individuals with 504s or IEPs) on Wednesday, April 12 at the Chesterton High School Cafeteria. Please use Entrance 1.
The fair will feature over 40 confirmed vendors/organizations. Families can walk through anytime between 5:30-7:30 p.m. to learn about various resources within our community for their children. Information is applicable from preschool age through adulthood. These resources are not limited to Duneland families, organizations provide services throughout all of Porter County and surrounding areas. Childcare will be available during the fair.
Duneland K-7 Summer School
PTO: Upcoming Fundraisers
Child Nutrition Charging Policy Change
School Meals: No Longer Free For ALL Students
School meals are no longer free for all students during the 2022-2023 school year unless you qualify for free meals through the free or reduced-price meal benefit.*
Please note: Parent/Guardians who owe money for their child(ren)’s meals, will receive an email each day with the amount owed. Those emails will be coming from the cafeteria computer software and will show up with Solana as the sender. Excessive negative balances can be turned over for collections.
Current Meal Prices:
Elementary/Intermediate Breakfast Price - $1.45
Elementary/Intermediate Lunch Price - $2.55
Middle/High Breakfast Price - $1.60
Middle/High lunch Price - $2.95
Parent/Guardian’s can also put money on their child’s meal account through the following link: MyPaymentsPlus
*To see if you qualify for free or reduced price meals you must fill out an application. Applications can be found on the DSC Child Nutrition webpage or by calling your child’s school.
Jackson Reading Program
Spring Spirit Wear Fundraiser
April PTO Meeting Minutes
PTO Calendar
Easy Ways to Support the PTO
Snacks for the Staff
Jackson Meals Menu
MyPayment Plus for School Meals
Need to add money to your students school meal account on MyPaymentsPlus? Click on the image below to access
Related Arts Rotation
Our students rotate through their related arts classes every two days. The below charts will help you to know what is happening with your child each day.
DSC 2022-2023 Calendar
DSC 2023-2024 Calendar
Internet Safety Event
Chesterton Middle School Gymnastics
Are you interested in competing for a Chesterton Middle School Gymnastics team in the Fall of 2023? All skill levels welcome!
Classes are available for girls entering 6th-8th grade in the Fall of 2023 who are interested in competing against other middle school teams around the conference.
A Spring session will run from April 4-May 25. Practices will be held from 5:00-7:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the CHS Fieldhouse. During the class, girls will work on learning new skills and requirements for routines following the NFHS Gymnastics rules that will be used to judge the fall competitions.
Questions? Contact Lauren Poncsak at lponcsak@duneland.k12.in.us
Chesterton Gymnastics Club
Join the Chesterton Gymnastics Club! Classes are open to current K-8 students. Classes are an hour long, offered four days a week. These classes will provided age level appropriate training on all four events. Student athletes will be coached by the CHS Gymnastics staff and High School gymnasts.
Our spring session will be held in the Chesterton High School Fieldhouse. The 8 week session starts Monday, April 3rd and runs through Thursday, May 25th.
Choose which days you’d prefer for classes Monday-Thursday nights from 5:00-6:00 PM or 6:00-7:00 PM.
Questions? Contact Christy Dzierba at chestertongymnasticsclub@gmail.com
Employment
DSC NOW HIRING!
The Duneland School Corporation is seeking candidates for the following positions:
CHILD NUTRITION
Child Nutrition associates provide nutrition services to students and staff. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
CUSTODIAL
Duneland School Corporation Custodians are required to clean and sanitize all corporation facilities. This position has a highly responsible role in providing custodial services and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Custodians interact with individuals both inside and outside the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Custodians may be required to work in other Duneland School Corporation facilities. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
TRANSPORTATION
Duneland School Corporation Transportation positions (Bus Drivers, Sub Bus Drivers) require eligible persons to operate all school vehicles or (Sub Bus Aides) to assist in the transportation of all special students needing additional attention. These positions are highly responsible roles in transporting and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Transportation personnel interact with individuals both inside and outside of the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Seeking substitute teachers for all grade levels. To apply for a substitute teaching position, please apply in person at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Ave. in Chesterton to complete an application.
Paraprofessional Positions Available in Duneland
Chesterton High School Athletics
Duneland Community Opportunities
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
This year, the Duneland Schools will share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in outside of school on a special page on our website. These available opportunities are offered by not-for-profit partnerships and organizations within our school district boundaries and local communities. Follow this link to Community Opportunities.