Hello Students and Families,

Winter has definitely arrived! Everyone has done a great job with our first weather related eLearning day. Thank you for making sure your children were logged into their computers by 9:00 and ready for the live Google Meet sessions with their teachers. Students are expected to complete all of their eLeraning day assignments that are posted in Canvas and attend all class sessions according to our virtual synchronous schedule posted on the DSC website.

When school is in session, please make sure that your students are coming to school bundled up with the possibility of going out to recess if the temperatures permit. We are not out there for too long, but it can feel like forever if you are not dressed for the weather.

Together we shine brighter!

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs. Hardwicke

Principal

The following Liberty Intermediate School students and staff members were recognized by the Duneland School Board members at their Monday, January 13 meeting. During the 2024-25 school year, each school will be celebrating and honoring the work of its students and staff through recognition aligned to the three tag words identified in the Strategic Plan: Inspire, Engage, and Empower. LIS will continue to recognize students and staff throughout the year with these awards and highlight the amazing things happening around our school.

EMPOWER Award

The EMPOWER award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary growth and/or achievement. This is demonstrated by resilience and excellence in the pursuit of academic success.

Three Liberty Intermediate School students and one Liberty Middle School student were awarded with the EMPOWER Award for achieving a perfect score on their ILEARN assessment last year while attending Liberty Intermediate School.

Congratulations to Porter Blythe, Michael Tarnow, Micah Nieves, and Isaac Holmes for their outstanding achievements! Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have not only led to their success but also serve as an inspiration to their peers.This outstanding accomplishment reflects not only their academic abilities but also their perseverance and determination.

Also, receiving EMPOWER awards were students, Audrey Hoffman, Julian Fulkerson and Gabriella Lawson.

• Audrey Hoffman was honored for demonstrating exemplary growth and academic achievement. Audrey progresses in all academic areas, is always prepared for class, and her work ethic and dedication to learning are truly inspiring. She consistently pushes herself to master new skills and seeks feedback to further improve, always striving for excellence. Her commitment to understanding academic material and growing as a student has set her apart.
• Julian Fulkerson is being recognized for remarkable growth on both the Maze and NWEA assessments, demonstrating his strong work ethic and commitment to success. He is always proactive in completing his work and staying organized. Julian is a responsible and determined student who takes the initiative to complete unfinished work independently. His resilience and strong work ethic set him apart, as he consistently overcomes challenges. His commitment to education not only enhances his learning but also inspires his peers, making him a valuable asset in the classroom.
• Gabriella Lawson also has made impressive strides on the Maze and NWEA assessments, and her growth in class is equally remarkable. Gabby demonstrates a strong work ethic, and is beginning to confidently advocate for herself when she needs help. She has made significant strides in her writing skills and has found joy in self-expression through this subject. Her growing confidence is evident in the quality of her work.

In addition, Mrs. Nicole Bell was recognized with the EMPOWER Award.

• Liberty Intermediate is incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Bell as its Reading Specialist. As a key member of the Liberty team, Mrs. Bell plays a crucial role in analyzing student data and identifying individual student needs. She collaborates with teachers to implement targeted supports that ensure our students show continuous growth and academic success. As the leader of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team at LIS, she is an advocate for our students' needs, helping ensure they receive the support they need to thrive. Mrs. Bell builds strong connections with the students she works with and is always by their side, cheering them on and encouraging them to do their best. She enjoys working with small groups of students and pushing into classrooms to support instruction. Her dedication, expertise, and passion for student success make her an invaluable asset to our school community.

INSPIRE Award

The INSPIRE award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary leadership. These leadership qualities embody the mindsets, behaviors and skills to succeed in school and beyond.

Tonight we are honoring Quinn Ellis and Emelia Kincaid and with the INSPIRE Award.

• Quinn Ellis was recognized for her exceptional leadership at Liberty Intermediate School. With unwavering drive, determination, and perseverance, Quinn consistently strives for excellence while maintaining a positive attitude. As the producer for our News Crew, she not only creates and edits our student news videos but also leads with a level of maturity and responsibility that goes above and beyond. Leadership is truly an understatement when describing her—Quinn inspires others to be their best. Her effective communication skills, kindness, and dedication to the best interest of every situation make her a standout role model in our school community. We are fortunate to have her as a student leader at LIS!
• Emelia Kincaid is also being recognized for her exemplary leadership skills. Emmie sets very high standards for herself, which sets a strong example for others around her, motivating them to strive for excellence as well. She is always quick to volunteer and offer help to others. Her willingness to take initiative and support her peers makes her a true leader in our school community. We are proud of Emmie’s dedication and the positive impact she has on those around her!

Also recognized with the INSPIRE award was Mrs. Sarah Smenyak, our school counselor, for her exemplary leadership with our SAVE Promise Club. Under her guidance, an incredible group of 21 fifth and sixth-grade students is making a profound impact by fostering a positive and welcoming environment at LIS. The SAVE Promise Club plays a vital role in welcoming new students to our building. The club members begin by giving our new students tours and walking them through their schedules. They make sure they are included during lunch and recess and help ensure that they feel welcomed. Mrs. Smenyak and the SAVE Promise Club also highlight students and staff members with shout-outs and actively finds ways to recognize the positive actions happening at LIS. Mrs. Smenyak’s dedication to building a supportive school community is truly inspiring, and her leadership is helping to create an atmosphere of kindness and inclusivity at Liberty Intermediate School.

ENGAGE Award

The ENGAGE award is based on Trojans who demonstrate exemplary behaviors. These behaviors include using your unique talents to respectfully connect to the school and community.

Liberty Intermediate School students honored with the ENGAGE Award were Ian Mundt, Alex Cibak, Malina Simms and Lila Guljas.

• Ian Mundt is being recognized for his outstanding behavior and for positively impacting those around him. He is cooperative, responsible, and an outstanding student. Ian always makes it a priority to build strong connections with both students and staff. His encouragement and motivation inspire others to do their best and make the right choices. Ian has a positive attitude and is kind to others. He is a role model for his peers, and the respect he earns from his classmates speaks to the incredible influence he has in our school community.
• Alex Cibak is being recognized for consistently demonstrates kindness and consideration toward his classmates and adults. He does not rely on others to determine his actions—he confidently makes the right choices based on his values. His integrity and strong character make him a positive role model, and his peers look up to him as an example of how to lead with respect. We are fortunate to have him in our school community!
• Malina Simms is being recognized for her outstanding behavior and the positive impact she has on those around her. Malina consistently does the right thing, even when no one is looking, demonstrating integrity and strong character. She has a genuine desire to learn and actively participates in class, always eager to contribute and help others. She is a kind and dependable friend to everyone, offering support and encouragement to her peers. Her thoughtful actions and positive attitude make her an invaluable member of our school.
• Lila Guljas is being recognized for her outstanding behavior and the positive impact she has on those around her. Lila consistently demonstrates initiative by immediately starting tasks that benefit her learning when she enters her classrooms. She also challenges herself to build on the work she is completing by adding details and finding ways to extend her learning. Lila is not only kind and respectful to everyone she meets but is also helpful to those around her, always willing to lend a hand. She treats everyone with kindness and respect, and she handles all situations with grace and dignity. Lila’s self-motivation, thoughtful approach, and respectful nature make her a true asset to our school community.

Liberty Intermediate and Middle schools are proud to share that we have received a heart safe school designation from Project ADAM. They join Chesterton High School and Westchester campus, who have also received this designation.

Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) is a nationally recognized program dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in schools. Named in honor of Adam Lemel, a high school student who tragically lost his life to SCA, the initiative focuses on raising awareness, training staff, and providing schools with necessary tools to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

Chesterton High School Nurse Brittany Smith, RN, completed the high school designation alongside CHS Nurse Marie Kirchner. Smith assisted in the coordination of the program at both the Westchester and Liberty campuses. The initiative was supported by the school district and will be implemented throughout all Duneland schools in the next two years. Smith stated, “Implementing this initiative throughout the district promotes cardiac awareness and provides a strategic plan in the event of a cardiac emergency for Duneland’s staff, students, and community.”

Additional AEDs have been placed throughout LIMS and WIMS campuses as well as directional signs making access to life saving equipment readily available. Chesterton Police Dept. Sergeant Chris Swickard serving CHS coordinated efforts with the Chesterton Fire Dept. Chief Sean O’Donnell and Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief Brian Duncan were both present while the drill was conducted at both campuses. Collaboration by both parties was needed in order to be successful with implementing emergency cardiac plans.

Liberty Intermediate School will begin intramural girls basketball on Monday, February 3. There will be no charge for the intramural program and it is open to all girls in grades 5 and 6. Those participating do not need a physical, but they must fill out the sign-up form on the LIS Canvas Student Page.

Basketball will take place at LIS on select days (no Fridays) in February BEFORE school from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM. We have to have intramurals before school this year because the middle school basketball teams will be using the gym after school. Please check the schedule on the bottom of this sheet to see the exact days of basketball. Doors will open at 6:45 and will be open until 7:15. We will use door 15 on the west end of the building. Practice is over at 8:00. Players will stay in the gym or go to the cafeteria for breakfast before school starts.

Please sign up using the link below. If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Lashenik.

Mrs. Sutter is looking for students who are interested in joining Art Club. Please complete the application if you are interested.

Mrs. Sutter's 5th grade students are making paper mache owls during art.

The Duneland School Corporation will continue to improve current facilities to enhance the student experience with the following capital improvements in 2025: playground replacements at Bailly, Brummitt, Jackson, and Liberty elementary schools and soccer stadium renovations and carpet replacement at Chesterton High School. This presentation below provides additional details on the scope of each project. Concept drawings and timelines regarding 2021-2025 capital improvement projects are available on the DSC website.

PTO has opened up a spiritwear shop online. Orders can be placed throughout the year.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students, we want to inform you about an important update regarding students who are injured and wearing medical devices such as walking boots, crutches, casts, slings, or splints. Effective immediately, any student with a medical device will be required to provide a doctor’s note confirming that they are cleared to participate in both gym class and recess. If a doctor advises against participation for any specified duration, the student will need to provide a subsequent note from the doctor clearing the student to resume these activities once they are healed.

This update is designed to ensure that all students can safely engage in physical activities while also considering their health and recovery. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Health Clinic. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in both LIS intramural sports and Liberty Middle School athletics. If your child wants to participate in middle school sports, they must have a current physical on file, dated after 4/1/24. Sixth grade students can ONLY participate in Middle School Cross Country, Westling, and Track and Field. Below is a link to the Liberty Winter Sports page. This winter, students can participate in Middle School Wrestling. Mr. Nick Bamber is the athletic director for Liberty Campus. Please reach out to Mr. Bamber with any questions.

1/21-1/23 5th Grade Presentation on the 4 R’s with the Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction District

1/27 Teacher Professional Development Day - No School for Students

1/28-1/29 ILEARN Checkpoint 2

2/14 Snow Make-Up Day - No School Unless Snow Day

2/17 No School - Winter Break

Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Earbuds, & Earphones Usage

5th and 6th 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. Intermediate curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.

Information regarding student bus transportation for the 2024-2025 school year is available on DSC website under the Transportation Department.

TRACK STUDENT'S BUS WITH MYSTOP APP

The Duneland School Corporation Department of Transportation has now made My Stop available to our families.

My Stop is a web-based application which will allow parents to access live bus GPS information using a smartphone, tablet, or computer and securely view the current location of your child’s bus on routes. The system also provides the bus’s estimated time of arrival at your child’s bus stop.

Please read the attached letter to parents for more information on how to use My Stop to track your child's bus.

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.

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.

DuneNews

You can access the most current issue of the DuneNews by clicking here.

LIBERTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

School Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/13

Address: 50 W. 900 N. Chesterton, IN 46304

Phone: 219-983-3690

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