May 12, 2024

The Duneland Exchange Club (DEC) recently presented Trojan Virtual Academy (TVA) eighth grader Lucien Lopez, center with a certificate, with the Young Citizenship award. This award is given to a student who is an all-around good citizen. The club presents this award to one fourth grade student at each of the five Duneland elementary schools, at the sixth grade level at each of the intermediate schools and at the eighth grade level at Chesterton Middle School; as well as any fourth, sixth or eighth grader who attends the Duneland TVA.

Above, left to right, Director of the Trojan Learning Center Christy Jarka, parent Barbara Woodke, recipient Lucien Lopez, TVA social worker/counselor Michelle Bruss and DEC representative Maria Bachuchin.

We extend our gratitude to all of the students and families who took the time to complete surveys for the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Family Friendly Schools designation. Thanks to your aluble input, Trojan Virtual Academy has been recognized as excelling for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Family Friendly Schools designation is about catering to the academic, physical, emotional, and social needs of students, while also providing the needed resources for families. This recognition acknowledges and celebrates schools, like TVA, that embrace all families, communicate effectively, support student success, advocate for every child, and collaborate with the community.

Thank you again,

Mrs. Christy Jarka & the TVA Team

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open now for all RETURNING families. Please log into your Skyward Parent Access to complete the registration process. Our goal is to have registration completed by the last day of school, May 30, 2024.

This is a change for our Duneland families who typically have completed this process in the summer months right before the start of school. By shifting to now, families will have access to school personnel to assist and our schools have more time to prepare for the upcoming school year. We hope this change will benefit everyone.

For more information about registration and reminders about how to use the Skyward Parent Access please check out our registration website: Duneland 2024-2025 Registration

This Spring, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released a proposal to streamline the number of high school diplomas, while maximizing flexibility for students to personalize learning pathways and experiences. This is part of the state’s ongoing, collaborative effort to rethink the high school experience, making it more learner-centric and career-relevant, and kicks off four months of public feedback to enhance the proposed plan.

Please review the 20-minute presentation from DSC Assistant Superintendent, Robert McDermott, outlining the changes proposed for the new high school diploma requirement. A link to provide feedback to the IDOE is included at the end of the presentation.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZJWv9Kf8Fds

Attended a school operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and was approved for free or reduced benefits during the 2023-2024 school year;

Attended a school implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and was notified of Direct Certification status during the 2023-2024 school year;

-OR-

Attended a school that was not operating the National School Lunch Program (neither non-CEP

or CEP) but is receiving SNAP, TANF, or certain levels of Medicaid benefits, or are foster.

Your child may be eligible for SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) benefits if they:

Attended a CEP school but was not notified of Direct Certification status during the 2023-2024

school year;

-OR-

Attended an NSLP school but was not approved for free or reduced benefits during the 2023-

2024 school year.

If not previously notified of free or reduced eligibility in the 2023-2024 school year, apply for the program here.

Please note! Households should apply for SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) benefits in the state

where their children completed the 2023-2024 school year. Households that have moved to

Indiana after the school year ended must reach out to their last state of residence to inquire

about their SUN Bucks eligibility.

Apply for Indiana Sunbucks (Summer EBT)

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires that we use information from this

application to determine who qualifies for Summer EBT benefits. We can only approve complete

forms. We may share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs

to help them deliver program benefits to your household. Inspectors and law enforcement may

also use your information to make sure that program rules are met. Some children qualify for

Summer EBT without an application. Please contact your State or ITO to get Summer EBT for a

foster child, and children who are homeless, migrant, or runaway.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

As a family enrolled in Trojan Virtual Academy, this information may not directly affect your daily school routine. However, we wanted to keep you informed. During the School Board meeting on January 8th, the following school start and end times for in-person schools in Duneland School Corporation for the 2024-2025 school year were approved.

• Elementary (K-4) 7:30 – 2:20
• High School (9-12) 8:10 – 3:10
• Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 – 3:50

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.