DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thurs. Nov. 21, 2024 Vol. 59 No. 15
STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
All-Region HS Honor Orchestra
A round of applause to the three Chesterton High School students participating in this weekend's INASTA All-Region Orchestra! Hosted at Franklin Central HS, this was a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their musical skills, as well as perform with other top students from the region. Left to right, Mackenzie Griffith (10), Madeline Jakel (12), and Ella Bolinger (11) did a great job representing Chesterton Orchestras!
All-Region Honor Band
Congratulations to the 12 Chesterton Band students who performed last weekend with the IBA All-Region Honor Band! Comprised of the top students in the region, the ensemble provides an excellent opportunity for students to have their talents recognized, perform with other outstanding young musicians and work with highly respected music educators and conductors. LMS student performers were Clara Arizzi, Vishva Bharath, Kevin Landers, Callum McKiddy, Lucas Torres, and Madelyn Welborne. Students from WMS are Graciela Greenman,Benjamin Malinovsky, Thomas Moore, and Tyler Santiago. CHS was represented by Alina Summer and Claire Thomas. Fantastic work!
All-District Honor Jazz Band
Check out the five Chesterton High School Band students accepted into the IJEA All-District Honor Jazz Band! Their top skills in jazz performance earned them a place in this ensemble where they learned from professionals and performed advanced music at last weekend's event. Congratulations to above, left to right, Abigail Vidt (10), Dri White (10), Liam Gray (11), Lyric Brown (10), and Evans Frassine (10).
First Quarter Honor Rolls
Click on the links below to view the first quarter honor rolls at each school.
Donation to Duneland Building Trades
Berglund Construction recently donated $2,500 to the Duneland Building Trades Program housed at Chesterton High School. Left to right, CHS Principal Brent Martinson; students Zach Horn, Oliver Elliott-Helinski, Jude Palm, Tristin Smith, Austin Lockhart; Alisha Berglund and Brett Stanley of Berglund Construction; students Ethan Tratta, Cayden Pommell, Duneland Building Trades teacher Kevin Ortiz; and students Luke Vaughan and Aidden Blane.
DSC Harvest Helpers
This week on Wednesday, several Duneland School principals and staff members participated as Harvest Helpers serving the annual Thanksgiving meal to Duneland School students at all of its school locations.
Thanksgiving Break -- Nov. 27-29
There will be no school for all Duneland School students on November 27-29 to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2.
Due to the shortened week for Thanksgiving break, the next DuneNews issue will be released on Thursday, December 5.
Enjoy a wonderful holiday break with family and friends!
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
The Duneland Schools share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in and 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.
Want your event/activity/camp posted on this page? Submit a request by email with the flyer/information to the Duneland Schools Administrative Center to ahicks@duneland.k12.in.us and bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us.
TONIGHT • Friday • Saturday...
CHS to present Fall Musical
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present Bring It On: The Musical, music by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, lyrics by Amanda Green and Miranda, and book by Jeff Whitty, on Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 22 at 7:00 pm., and Saturday, November 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bring it On Arena also known as the CHS Auditorium, 2125 S 11th Street in Chesterton.
Bitingly relevant, sprinkled with sass, and inspired by the hit film, Bring It On: The Musical takes audiences on a high-flying journey that is filled with the complexities of friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness. The musical follows Campbell Davis, cheer-royalty at Truman High School, whose senior year should prove the most cheertastic, as she's been named captain of the squad! But, an unexpected redistricting has forced her to spend her final year of high school at the neighboring Jackson High School, where she hardly knows anyone and worse: they don’t have a cheerleading squad! Along with the headstrong and hardworking dance crew leader, Danielle, a powerhouse squad is formed for the ultimate competition, the National Championships. Bring It On: The Musical focuses on the challenges and unexpected bonds of friendship formed through the thrill of extreme competition.
Ticket prices are as follows: $12 for Adults, $8 for Students and Seniors. Tickets can be purchased online only at www.cur8.com
Madrigal Tickets still available
Less than 15 tickets remaining!
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present its 52nd Annual Madrigal Dinners on December 6, 7, and 8 in the CHS Cafeteria. All seats are reserved, and tickets will be on sale for $40 per person. Ticket sales will be online only and begin at 9:00 a.m.on Saturday, November 9. Ticket sales will be held until no tickets remain or Friday, December 6, whichever comes first. There will be no exchanges or refunds. To purchase tickets, visit www.cur8.com
Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, December 7 at 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Mark your Calendar
Middle School Dance Clinic
Click on the image below to sign up for the Middle School Dance Clinic.
DSC Food Drive
CHS FREE FAFSA Completion Night
Click on the image below for more information and to register
Duneland Early Learning HUB
Come check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB!
The HUB is reading transportation books, participating in centers and songs about transportation. We will learn about vehicles, thanksgiving, the color brown, the shape triangle and more with our HUB families for November.
If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB. Check out this FREE program at our DSC website.
https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/programs-services/duneland-early-learning-hub
Discover Duneland School Corporation's
Located within the Duneland School Corporation, the Trojan Learning Center (TLC) offers a wealth of learning opportunities for young children and their families. The TLC is also home to the offices of the RISE Academy (Alternative Education) and DSC's Northwest Indiana Online School.
Did you know? Our early childhood programs feature FREE Birth-to-School activities for caregivers and children! Duneland School Corporation provides preschool options for children ages 3-5, including two classrooms for children with developmental delays and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), as well as two additional preschool rooms operated by our community partner, the Duneland Family YMCA. All of the preschool classrooms utilize a proven curriculum that helps children grow in thinking, social skills and emotional well-being ensuring each child has a fun and supportive learning experience. Additionally, all preschool students participate in engaging and enjoyable activities together!
The TLC also hosts speech services for children aged 3-5 who qualify. Families can bring their children to work one-on-one with a speech pathologist at our center.
The DSC preschool and walk-in speech services are free for qualifying children. The Duneland Family YMCA preschool is available for a nominal fee. Best of all, Duneland Family Y Preschool held at the Trojan Learning Center is the only local preschool in the area that includes swim classes!
DSC Employment Opportunities
Exceptional Learning Instructional Aide Positions Available
Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? Interested in a fulfilling and rewarding position with no required evening or weekend work? Looking to enjoy the same summer and holiday schedule as your kids? The primary responsibilities of Exceptional Learning (EXL) Instructional Aides range from sharing smiles, making connections, building confidence, encouraging learning, supporting students with instruction in & out of the classroom, and assisting children with self help & self management skills.
DSC is currently searching for select individuals to serve as EXL Instructional Aides. Available positions can start at $19.00, $17.00 or $15.00 per hour. Opportunities exist at elementary, intermediate and secondary levels and can:
- be full-time/benefit-eligible
- be part-time and follow the student school day
- involve sharing the day with a single student
- involve engaging with multiple learners in a classroom setting
New Items!
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Stores where you can buy your Duneland all school spirit wear? Check out our Spirit Wear Store platform at: https://dunelandschoolsopenstores.itemorder.com/shop/home/
NorthShore Clinic for ALL DSC Students
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
DSC 2024 -2025 Calendar
CHS Maroon & Gold Calendar/Bell Schedules
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
Emergency School Closing Procedures
As we approach the winter season, please review the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather.
2024-2025 School Start & End Times
The new daily schedule for the 2024-2025 school year will be:
- Elementary (K-4) 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
- High School (9-12) 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
- Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
The Duneland School Corporation has adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for all grade 5-12 schools. The link to the Say Something Tip Line can be found on the DSC website, on the middle and high school websites, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.
NEW!! DSC K-4 Anonymous Safety Reporting Form
DUNELAND SCHOOL CORPORATION
K-4 Anonymous Safety Reporting Form
NorthShore Clinic for ALL DSC Students
To make an appointment please call 219-763-8112. Let NorthShore know you are a Duneland School student or staff member and that you would like to make an appointment at the Duneland School Clinic located at the old CMS.
2025-2026 DSC Calendar
The Duneland School Corporation School Board of Trustees approved next school year's 2025-2026 district calendar
Click the link above or the image to the right to view or print the 2025-2026 DSC Calendar.
The DSC Child Nutrition Department utilizes NutriSlice as its 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 menu item at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of the actual food items being served at each of the Duneland schools.
Menus will be posted on Thursday, Aug. 1
DSC Strategic Plan 2024-2028
In 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.
CONTACTING IT SUPPORT
Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:
- Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- 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
Duneland School Corporation
Email: bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: www.duneland.k12.in.us
Location: 601 West Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dunelandschools/
Twitter: @dunelandk12