December 6, 2024

Dear Westchester Middle School Families,

What an amazing week we’ve had at Westchester Middle School! I’m excited to announce our November Distinctively Duneland award winners, celebrating outstanding contributions by our students and staff in the areas of Inspire, Engage, and Empower:

• The Inspire Award: Recognizing exemplary leadership, goes to James Ryan Vernon. JR’s leadership exemplifies the mindsets, behaviors, and skills essential for success in school and beyond.
• The Engage Award: Highlighting mindful behavior, goes to Evelyn Prater. Evelyn consistently demonstrates how talents can connect respectfully with our school and the larger community.
• The Empower Award: Honoring growth and achievement, goes to Siddarth Senthil Rajapandian for his resilience and commitment to academic excellence.

Among our staff, we’re thrilled to honor Mrs. Darcy Lamb, our school counselor, as the November Engage Award recipient, as voted by her colleagues. Thank you, Mrs. Lamb, for your unwavering dedication to our students and staff!

Additionally, I’d like to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance. Did you know that students with regular attendance are more likely to succeed academically and develop lifelong habits of responsibility? Let’s work together to make every day count!

Finally, a reminder to come to class prepared every day with a charged iPad, pencil, and class materials. Preparation sets the tone for success! Thank you for being part of our Westchester community and for supporting our students and staff in their journey to Inspire, Engage, and Empower.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Lauren Seiss, WMS Principal

Reminders:

• 48-Hour Attendance Policy for Call Off(s) - Parents/Guardians will have 48 hours to excuse their students absence, after which time it will be considered unexcused.

• Parents who are picking up their child or dropping something off for their child must present a driver's license or state ID to our office staff in order to do so. Also, if a parent sends someone else to pick their student up or drop something off for them, they must not only present identification but must also be on the list in Skyward as a family or emergency contact.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

12/9 - Art Club Callout meeting

12/12 - Westchester Holiday Concert at 7:00pm @ CHS Auditorium

12/7 - Westchester Holiday Concert at 7pm @ CHS Auditorium

12/19 - Kona Ice during lunch

12/20 - End of the 2nd Nine Weeks/1st Semester

12/23 - 1/3 - Winter Recess - NO SCHOOL

1/6 - Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL)

1/7 - Classes Resume

1/10 - Report Cards Accessible Online after 3:00pm

1/20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

1/21 - Classes Resume

1/27 - Teacher Professional Development - NO SCHOOL

1/28 - Classes Resume

1/30 - Westchester Orchestra Recital Night

2/1 - Robotics Competition

Upcoming ATHLETIC Dates to Remember:

12/7 (H) 8th Grade A Team Basketball Invite at 8:30am @ WMS

12/9 (A) 7th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs Taft at 5:00pm @ Taft MS

12/9 (H) 8th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Taft at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/10 (H) Wrestling Meet vs. Thomas Jefferson at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/11 (H) 7th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Hobart at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/11 (A) 8th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Hobart at 5:00pm @ Hobart

12/12 (A) Wrestling Meet vs. Hobart at 5:00pm @ Hobart

12/14 (A) Basketball 7/8 A Team Lakeview MS Invite

12/14 (A) Wrestling Meet Lake-Porter Wrestling Conference

12/16 (A) 7th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Pierce at 5:00pm @ Pierce MS

12/16 (H) 8th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Pierce at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/17 (A) 7th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Fegely MS at 5:00pm @ Fegely

12/17 (H) 8th Gr. Boys Basketball Game vs. Fegely MS at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/19 (H) Wrestling Meet vs. Liberty at 5:00pm @ WMS

12/21 (A) Wrestling Calumet Rumble in the Region

The Inspire Award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary leadership. Leadership embodies mindsets, behaviors and skills to succeed in school and beyond.

"J.R has shown to be a positive leader in the classroom! He is willing to help others who are struggling. He'll ask for and take feedback on his own performance. He is kind to those around him and is happy for others when they succeed." - Ms. Benedetti

The Engage Award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary behaviors. Behavior embodies mindfully using your unique talents to respectfully connect to the school and community.

"It is my pleasure to recommend Evelyn Prater for the Engage Award. Evelyn consistently demonstrates the qualities this award celebrates—using her unique talents to foster a constructive and respectful atmosphere at Westchester Middle School. With a naturally positive attitude and a genuine willingness to help others, Evelyn stands out not only for her excellence in the classroom and involvement in extracurricular activities, but also for her encouragement of peers throughout the day. Evelyn is a deserving candidate whose kind and uplifting nature truly embodies what it means to be a Trojan." - Mrs. Good

The Empower Award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary growth/achievement. Growth and achievement as demonstrated by resilience and excellence in the pursuit of academic success.

Siddarth has demonstrated an impressive ability to tackle challenges head-on, showing a remarkable commitment to learning and improvement. His perseverance and adaptability set a high standard, motivating his peers and embodying what it means to strive for success.

Mr. Zucker

"Darcy engages with students in a productive way everyday" - Colleague Teacher

Q: They've been described as having the unique scent of "slightly earthy soap with pungent, leather-like clay undertones"

A: Crayola Crayons

Please call our main office at 219-983-3780 to report your student absent with in 48hours.

Attendance questions should be directed to Amanda Ray amray@duneland.k12.in.us

Westchester Middle School 7th grade Math students and Liberty Middle School 8th grade ELA students will be participating in the ILEARN Checkpoint pilot this year. Assessments will be condensed and focus on limited standards during each of the three checkpoints

Click on the image below for more information and to register for Trojans Baseball Holiday Camp 2024.

The DSC Child Nutrition Department is now utilizing NutriSlice as its new menus program. This app is available for iphone and android through your mobile app store. Parents can also access the full website for Duneland Schools on a computer via this NutriSlice link.

This app will allow parents and students to view the menus as well as the nutritional info for each items at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of food items being served at each of the schools.

Breakfast $1.60

Lunch $2.95

ATTENTION!!!

2024-2025 ALL ATHLETES MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE TO PARTICIPATE!

Middle School Physicals will need to be turned in to coaches or the athletic department, prior to open gym, tryouts, or practices in order to participate.

There are a total of 6 forms that need to be completed. The actual physical is completed by the Dr. and the rest of the forms are completed by the parent(s) and the student. Physicals will not be accepted if there are forms missing!

*Physical Checklist*

• Final Forms Online parent and student
• Physical Examination from the Dr.
• History Form (It is 2 pages)
• Consent and Release Certificate (Make sure insurance information is complete)
• Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
• Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Code of Conduct

Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Earbuds, & Earphones Usage:

7th and 8th grade students are not allowed to use their personal communication devices (cell phones and smart watches) during the instructional day. Items used for communication should be stored in lockers to be kept safe throughout the day. If students need to contact a parent/guardian during the day, they are welcome to do so from the office. Classrooms also have phone access. Similarly, students are not permitted to wear personal earbuds with bluetooth capabilities attached to their phones (e.g. Air Pods, etc.). Students will need to use their school-issued iPad earphones for Exact Path lessons and select ILEARN testing sessions. The only time audio ear pieces are permitted are for teacher-assigned classwork and medically-approved needs.

iPad Use

• iPads are the property of Duneland Schools. Students should keep the devices in operable condition.
• Students should refrain from downloading apps, pics, etc. that are not permitted under school and/or corporation policy.
  
• Students are required to bring their charged iPads to class. Middle school curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.

CONTACTING IT SUPPORT

Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:

1. Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
   
2. Log into IncidentIQ and submit a request duneland.incidentIQ.com

Internet Connectivity

Families without internet due to financial hardship have access to programs from two local providers.

Comcast Internet Essentials:

• Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Internet Essentials program from Comcast.

• This program offers internet at a low cost per month.

• Additional options and services are also available

• More information is available at this Comcast link

Frontier Lifeline Program:

• Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Lifeline Program from Frontier.

• More information is available at this Frontier link

Parent Observer Account

Parents are encouraged to set up their Canvas observer accounts to monitor their students' progress. Parents can click this link to view how to set up their Parent Observer Account

Link to the Canvas Log In

WE WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE THE BUS HOME WITH FRIENDS THAT DO NOT SHARE THE THE SAME DESIGNATED BUS ROUTE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE UTMOST CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OUR STUDENTS.

n the Fall of 2023, a strategic planning team was formed to review and update the current four-year strategic plan into a five-year plan that will be used to guide the Corporation from 2024-2028. The new Strategic Plan will guide DSC for the next five years in the areas of Student Achievement, Safety & Operations, People & Culture, and Finance & Facilities.