Hello Students and Families,

During the month of March, we are excited to focus on an essential life skill that can help our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom: Growth Mindset.

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. It’s about embracing challenges, persevering through setbacks, and understanding that mistakes are opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. When students believe that their potential is not fixed, they become more resilient, creative, and motivated learners.

Throughout this month, we will encourage students to adopt a growth mindset in all areas of their learning. Whether it’s mastering a new skill in math, tackling a difficult reading passage, or working with peers on a group project, we will emphasize the importance of effort, persistence, and a positive attitude.

We encourage you to reinforce this message at home as well. Talk with your child about the power of “yet” — the idea that while they may not know something yet, with practice and perseverance, they can achieve their goals. Let’s work together to create a school environment where every challenge is seen as an opportunity to grow.

Together we shine brighter!

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs. Hardwicke

Principal

March 3 - March 7

Tap here to view the LIMS Spring Scholastic Book Fair link 3/3-3/7.

Tap here for Grades 5-6 Book Trailers.

Mrs. Wood's sixth grade students and Ms. Ellis' fifth grade students are both reading stories about refugees. The two classes partnered up and spent time sharing the experiences that were discussed in their stories. The students looked for similarities and differences and then completed some activities with their partners.

Our school will be participating in the South Bend Cubs Reading Club. Your students will be completing four reading challenges at school over the next few weeks, ultimately earning a free ticket to a South Bend Cubs game. Your family can also purchase discounted tickets. The game that our school will be highlighted at will be taking place on Saturday, May 10. Students who attend will be recognized on the field before the game. We hope your family can attend this fun game to celebrate the hard work your child is putting forth at school.

Help VOTE Chesterton High School 'Best Public High School' for the 3rd year in a row! Voting is now OPEN. Participants may vote one time daily in each category today through March 23. Click on the image below of this link to vote: https://www.nwitimes.com/exclusive/readerschoice/best-of-the-region-ballot-2025/

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 spring, students can participate in Middle School Track and Field. Mr. Nick Bamber is the athletic director for Liberty Campus. Please reach out to Mr. Bamber with any questions.

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. Smart watches can be worn as long as students are using them as a simple watch. 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.

Saturday, several of our students participated in the Circle the State with Song concert at Wheeler High School. This program is a statewide choral festival for elementary and junior high/middle school choirs. Nearly 4,000 youth from hundreds of different schools participate in Circle the State each spring at one of 12 sites throughout Indiana. Liberty Intermediate School had 11 students participate.

Celia Arizzi

Taylor Balon

Elijah Lendof

Avery McClelland

Zeke Wilmington

David Brosas

Norah Dalbey

Brianna Hargarten

Harriet Hennigar

Kaylynn McKeague

Micah Nieves

Last week during recess, Mr. Frencl joined an intense game of gaga ball.

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

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.

3/3-3/7 Book Fair Week

3/12 PTO Meeting After School

3/14 End of 3rd Grading Period

3/21 Report Cards Released on Skyward

3/21 Turtle Olympics 9:00 - 12:20

3/24-3/28 Spring Break

3/31 School Resumes

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.

Online registration is now open for these baseball programs. Click the links below for more information.

Do you want to earn money but still be home with your family?

Does the cost of childcare hinder your plans to work?

Does your child participate in the many afterschool opportunities?

Would you like to spend quality time with your kids during spring, summer and winter breaks?

https://www.applitrack.com/dune.../onlineapp/default.aspx...

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.

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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