DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thurs., Oct. 17 2024 Vol. 59 No. 11
STUDENT RECOGNITIONS
Civil Construction Ribbon Cutting
Educators, local and regional officials, and representatives of the Civil Construction/Work In Roads industry gathered at Sunset Hill Farm Park in Valparaiso yesterday for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony to celebrate the Civil Construction Program for Porter County Career and Technical education hosted by Chesterton High School and the Duneland School Corporation.
This is the first program of its kind in Northwest Indiana and was developed in 2023 to address regional workforce needs in construction through a partnership involving the high school, The Center of Workforce Innovation, Construction Advancement Foundation, Work In Roads and many additional industry partners.
The Civil Construction Program, now in its first full year, is housed at Sunset Hill Farm Park - Porter County Parks & Recreation Department.
Those taking part in the ribbon cutting included Dr. Chip Pettit, superintendent of Duneland School Corporation; Audra Peterson, executive director of Porter County Career and Technical Education; Kevin Bontrager, teacher of Civil Construction, Chesterton High School; Kevin Comerford, Construction Advancement Foundation; Senator Ed Charbonneau; Eric Fisher, Work IN Roads and the Civil Construction students.
STAFF RECOGNITIONS
Duneland Education Foundation
Two Acorn Grants Awarded at CHS
Congratulations to CHS teacher Molly Campbell who was recently awarded an Acorn Grant from Duneland Education Foundation for a Little Trojan Book & Cook system. Ms. Campbell with her class, left to right, Principal Brent Martinson, Daisha Lewis, Peyton Tratta, Cole Richards, Ms. Campbell, Morgan Steele, Emmori Schott, and Nevaeh Lattanzio.
Congratulations to CHS German teacher Herr Justin Martinson who was awarded an Acorn Grant to create a Free German Lending Library for his class. Pictured with his class, front row, left to right, CHS Principal, Brent Martinson, Alyssa Scalf, Kylie Bagwell, Rania Polimus, Herr Martinson, James Burns, Ewing Martin, and DEF Board Member Abby Evans. Row 2, Avey Ricks, Collin Gallagher, Blake Cacini, Cameron Campbell Callum Webb, Emeric Ritter, and Elliot Perham. Back row, Abigail Demsich, Aiden Caldwell, Logan Campbell,Tommy Kostbade, Dominic Sylvester, and Elaina Kozinski.
Congratulations to Chesterton High School Special Education teacher Jessica Evans who was selected as an October 2024 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.
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Speakers share stories of survival with students
Guest speakers, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Menyongar, visited Geography classes at CHS and shared their stories of survival in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Samuel wrote a book based on his miraculous experiences during the civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Also pictured above is Martina Drewes (left), who brought the guest speaker to the classrooms of Drew Boetel, Dan Smith, Kevin Potter and Christine Bullock.
CHS Spanish classes visit National Museum of Mexican Art
Spanish 4 students in Amy Weil and Kaylene Arizzi's classes traveled to the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago last week for a bilingual tour through the Día de los Muertos exhibit located in the National Museum of Mexican Art to learn about the traditions and importance of the holiday. After touring the museum, students walked a few blocks to the restaurant, Los Comales, where they were able to apply their Spanish language skills. Many students also had time to grab a sweet treat before heading back to CHS.
Parent Ambassadors Next Tuesday...
The Duneland Exceptional Learning Department will host its first quarterly Parent Ambassadors meeting for the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, October 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the DSC Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton. This free, informative meeting is open to all Duneland School parents.
This first meeting, Mental Health in Our Schools, will focus on mental health issues impacting students as well as local resources and district initiatives that are in place to support students with mental health needs. District leaders will also present district data from the school counselors; provide information about district and community resources; and discuss the new state law regarding the restriction of personal device use during the school day and allowable accommodations. CHS School Counselors, Amy Snyder and Gretchen Arthur, will join in this presentation.
First Grading Period Ends FRIDAY
The first grading period will end on Friday, Oct. 18 and report cards will be available on the Skyward Family Access Parent Portal on Tuesday, October 29 at 3 p.m. Parents have the option of printing out their student's report card. Parents needing access assistance to their Parent Portal on Skyward, should contact their child's school directly.
Fall Recess - Oct. 24 & 25
There will be no school for all Duneland School students on Thursday and Friday, October 24 & 25 for fall recess. Classes will resume on Monday, October 28.
November 5
DSC Planned eLearning Day / K-4 Parent-Teacher Conferences
The Duneland School Corporation will participate in a scheduled eLearning day on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will follow eLearning Guidelines for a scheduled Online eLearning day for K-12 students - PLANNED ASYNCHRONOUS.
Teachers will be available during office hours for questions regarding eLearning assignments. All schools will communicate teacher availability for office hours.
Parent-Teacher conferences this year for grades K-4 will also be hosted on Nov. 5.
Candy Collection for U.S. Troops
Once again, Hurst Orthodontics, PC will collect Halloween candy in our schools to be donated to a non-profit organization called Supporters of the Military (SOM). For the last 22 years, the candy has been shipped to US soldiers serving both domestic and abroad. This year many Indiana veterans will also enjoy the candy. Many of the candy recipients have been Indiana National Guard members, as well as members of the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.
Last year Hurst Orthodontics, PC, with the help of local schools, other community organizations and the public collected a total of 632 pounds of candy for the troops.
Candy donation boxes will be placed in each school beginning on Tuesday, October 29 - November 7. Donations from the public are welcome. Letters and cards for the troops from the students would be very welcome as well.
Duneland Early Learning HUB
Come check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB!
Come check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB!
The HUB is Duneland's birth to school program free to any family with 0-5 year olds that live within the Duneland School Corporation district.
We have the following classes:
Music and Motion
Trojan Tykes
Mini Movers
Calm Crew
Kinder Kids
Young Explorers
PALS
Trojan Time
Open Gym
Multipurpose Room Open Play
Happy fall y’all! The HUB started our fall books, centers, songs, etc. this week. We will continue learning about apples, pumpkins, Halloween, 5 senses and more with our HUB families for October.
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
Weekly District Newsletter - DuneNews
The district newsletter, DuneNews, is published each Thursday afternoon throughout the school year. Each weekly issue can be found on our website at https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/news/dune-news-online along with archived issues for review.
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.
Say "CHEESE!"
PICTURE RETAKES:
- Brummitt - Oct. 16
- CHS - Oct. 22 Order Code is: 87556MU
- Liberty Elem. - Nov. 6
- LIS & WIS - Nov. 8
- Jackson & Yost Elem. - Nov. 14
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.
Click on the image below to learn more about all these activities
Chesterton High School will again host their annual inside Trick or Treat event at the school on Tuesday, October 29. Mark your calendars for this annual tradition!
Organizations wishing to participate can email Natalie Kaczmarski at nkaczmarski@duneland.k12.in.us
CHS Golf Cart Raffle
Support Cheer & Lifters
Giveback @ Parlor Doughnuts
Support Cheer & Lifters
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
CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2024
HALL OF FAME
The Chesterton High School Alumni Association is seeking nominations from the community to be considered for the CHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame for 2024.
“Many accomplished and dedicated individuals are not necessarily in the public eye; they are the unsung heroes and quiet warriors among us impacting students and staff every day,” said Mike Anton, CHS Alumni president. “The 2024 recognition committee invites alumni, community members, parents and others throughout the Duneland community to submit their nominations.”
Please consider nominating a candidate for Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff based on the following qualities:
Excellence
Leadership
Respect
Exceptional Contributions
Citizenship
Giving Back
Collaboration
Courageous Acts
Advocacy
The CHS Alumni Association is accepting nominations for 2024 now through Friday, November 1 at 3 p.m.
Learn more about the past Hall of Fame recipients and about the CHS Alumni Association at the CHS Alumni Association website.
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
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.
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
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