OCTOBER 6, 2024

• A Message From the Director
• Purple Star Distinction
• Updates -- Assessments for Grades 8, 9, 10 & 11
• Veteran's Day Request
• Pictures and IDs are Ready for Pick Up
• Link to the Class of 2025 Newsletter

Dear NWI Families,

October brings cooler weather and a fresh focus on online learning! As we settle into the school year, it's a great time to stay organized, check progress, and set goals. Whether you're catching up or pushing ahead, this month is perfect for staying engaged and motivated. Let's make the most of October together!

Families with students in Grades 8, 9, 10 & 11 should have received a mid-week newsletter with updates about the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT assessments. In that newsletter, it was announced that after thorough consideration, the PSAT/NMSQT will no longer be a required assessment for students in Grades 8 through 11 who are enrolled in Northwest Indiana Online School.

The test is now OPTIONAL for students in Grades 10 and 11. If you would like your student to take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 15, 2024, please refer to the information in this newsletter.

Thank you for choosing Northwest Indiana Online School for your child(ren).

Mrs. Christy Jarka, Director, & The NWIOS Team

The Indiana Purple Star School Designation honors schools that have displayed a significant commitment to service members, veterans, and students and families connected to our nation's military.

What is the PSAT?

• The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test that serves as a practice version of the SAT. It is primarily taken by 10th and 11th-grade students.
• The purpose of the PSAT is to help students familiarize themselves with the format and content of the SAT, which could reduce test anxiety and improve performance when they take the actual SAT.
• The PSAT is designed to prepare students for the SAT.
  

What is NMSQT?

• The NMSQT refers to the test taken by high school juniors to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious academic competition that awards scholarships based on high academic performance.

• For juniors, high scores can lead to scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program or other college scholarship opportunities.

Why should my student take PSAT/NMSQT?

• SAT Preparation:

  • The PSAT closely mirrors the SAT, giving students valuable practice with the format, timing, and question types they'll encounter on the SAT. This can reduce test anxiety and improve scores when they take the SAT

• Personalized Feedback:

  • Students receive a detailed score report that highlights strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback is useful for targeted SAT prep and academic growth.

• College and Career Tools:

  • PSAT results link students to College Board resources, including college search tools and career exploration tools, to help them plan for the future.

• Skill Development:

  • The PSAT tests critical reading, writing, and math skills that are essential for success in college and careers, making it beneficial beyond just test prep.

  Low Pressure:

  • Unlike the SAT, the PSAT doesn’t affect college admissions directly. It’s a great way to get familiar with standardized testing in a low-stakes environment

Tuesday, 10/15/2024

OPTIONAL PSAT for Grades 10-11 Onsite Testing Day. 📝

Thursday, 10/24/2024 and Friday, 10/25/2024

Fall Break for Duneland Schools ~ This is a great opportunity for you to get caught up on late assignments.

Northwest Indiana Online School will be honoring our Veterans with a Celebration Video during the month of November. To honor our Veterans, we would like to invite you to submit information to recognize someone you know that has served our country. All submissions are due by Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

CLICK ON THE BUTTON (LINK) BELOW TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR VETERAN.

Are you seeking additional support to navigate the online curriculum?

Our Duneland Team is offering in-person support sessions throughout the school year. During these sessions our DSC team will help students and parents navigate through Edmentum, provide academic support, and help students get caught up with their assignments.

Our last onsite support session for this month will be held on Wednesday, October 9 from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm at the Trojan Learning Center. This work session is open for new and returning students. Parents are welcome to attend, too. Please see more information. We ask that you RSVP to this session by completing the form below or by calling 219-983-3743.

Our next onsite support session will be held in November.

FYI: Students who are off pace may be required to attend the on-site tutoring sessions.

For those NWIOS Students that had their picture taken on September 3rd, Student ID Cards are available for pick-up at the NWIOS Office inside the Trojan Learning Center on regular school days between 7:30 and 3:00.

Picture Packages will be available for pick-up at a later date and you will be notified when they arrive.

For any NWIOS Student who did not get their picture taken or is otherwise interested in retakes, they are scheduled for December 3rd.

More information will be forthcoming as the date gets closer.

The NWI Online School Office is located at 601 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN 46304

Specifically, you can find Door 9 on the south side of the former Chesterton Middle School near the pool entrance.

Call 219-983-3473 to reach Mrs. Palko and the NWI Online Office

Learn more about the FREE Duneland Early Learning HUB Classes at the Trojan Learning Center

Click on the images below to enroll.

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!

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

The new 2024-2025 Duneland School Corporation Calendar has been adopted by the Duneland School Board of Trustees. Click the link above to see all the date for next school year.

The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.

This year, the Duneland Schools will share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in 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.

For more information on ALL the current Camps being offered at CHS visit Athletic Camps/Events on the CHS Athletics webpage.

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.