We want to take a moment to share how much we value your presence at school each day. Your attendance not only supports your academic success but also plays a vital role in creating a vibrant, positive school culture. Each student brings unique talents, ideas, and energy that enriches our community and makes a difference in our classrooms, hallways, and beyond.

When you’re here, you’re part of a team that values growth, kindness, and achievement. We are thrilled to see you each morning, ready to learn, connect, and make memories. Together, we build a stronger, more connected school where everyone has a place to thrive.

Thank you for your commitment to being here and for contributing to the wonderful atmosphere at our school. Let’s make this year one of connection, success, and positivity. We are so glad you’re here with us!

The CHS Counseling Office will host Sophomore Parent Night on Thursday, November 7 at 6pm in the CHS Cafeteria. The counselors will discuss 2025-26 scheduling information, dual credit, and have break out sessions for our International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), and Career and Technical (CTE) programs. We look forward to seeing you on November 7!

On a bright balmy fall Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Indiana, Spencer Martin completed his season finishing in 91st place. His time was 16:17. While he’s disappointed he didn’t run better, his appearance at the meet is a celebration of five months of hard work! He ran 16:45 on this same course in August! Spencer and the rest of his Trojan teammates now set their sights on post season races; winter training; and, the start of the track season three and a half months away on February 17, 2025!

Jessica Martin also competed at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terra Haute, Indiana, Jessica Martin completed her season finishing 143rd place. Her time was 19:52.4. Jessica, who is only a sophomore, did a great job this past Saturday! Jessica and her entire team will look to work hard to get to the state finals next year as a team. Congrats Jessica and the entire girls' cross country team on a wonderful season!

The Trojans defeated the Michigan City Wolves this past Friday in overtime by a score of 28-21! The hard fought victory sets up a match up against the Valparaiso Vikings on Friday, November 8 for the Sectional Championship! The game will be played at Valparaiso at 7pm! Come out and watch the Trojans claim their first Sectional Championship in school history!

The CHS Red Cross Club hosted our annual Halloween Blood Drive at CHS on Thursday, October 31. The Halloween Blood Drive brought in 73 pints of blood and had 43 first-time donors!

Shout out to our faculty sponsor, Danielle Gingrich and our wonderful students who led this charge! President: Marley Mayer VP: Devin Throw Secretary: Vanessa Vega Treasurer: Holly Anton Social Media Coordinator: Lila Miller Blood Drive Event Coordinator: Georgia Peterson

On Wednesday, November 6 at the SELF school gym the Porter County Education Services will hold a community event to help parents navigate the IEP process. If your child is receiving services from the Porter County Educational Services or if you are in the initial evaluation stages you are invited to attend this event.

On Monday, October 7, 2024, the Duneland School Board approved a K-12 addendum for all school handbooks. This addendum addresses how school administration responds to threats of violence made by students. It is important that students know of the potential repercussions of their words. The schools will be addressing this addendum with students prior to it going into effect on Monday, October 14, 2024. This addendum, is also available in each of the school handbooks under Student Code of Conduct/Specific Rules of Behavior.

November 7: Sophomore Parent Night / 6pm in the CHS Cafeteria

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.

This past July, the Town of Dune Acres gifted Chesterton High School with a donation towards drug awareness and education for students and families. Duneland School SROs have worked closely with Chesterton administration to cultivate educational opportunities, using materials purchased through Human Media Relations, to help students who may struggle with vaping and drug pressures.

Deferment course materials, in tandem with family conferences, are aimed towards giving students more knowledge about the dangers of vaping and controlled substances, as well as establishing trusted working relationships between the school, SROs, and families.

In our efforts to prepare every student for life after high school we have an opportunity for your student to learn what we believe are the most important traits to help them be successful. At Chesterton High School every student has the opportunity to sign up to participate in our Work Ethic Certification program. We will be giving every student the opportunity to sign up to work toward earning a Work Ethic Certification during their Advisory period on Tuesday, September 17. This credential can be used in potential interviews for jobs, college admissions, and scholarship opportunities. If you have any questions please contact Doretta Kurzinski at dkurzinski@duneland.k12.in.us or Brent Martinson at brmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us.

Why Work Ethic Certification?

• Employers have indicated that mastery of Work Ethic Skills is one of the top characteristics needed in employees.

• One of the fundamental goals of Northwest Indiana Workforce Board is to produce an emerging workforce that has the 21st Century Skills needed to face the challenges of a global marketplace.

What is the Work Ethic Certificate?

• A filter for employers when hiring or selecting candidates

• A common identifiable metric of work habits

• A credential demonstrating knowledge of skills, abilities and commitment to work

• Development of needed behavioral characteristics in emerging workforce

Who is eligible to earn a Work Ethic Certificate?

• High school students who demonstrate mastery of 10 employer expectations (See below)

Top 10 Employer Expectations

1. Show a positive attitude

Encourages & assists others when needed, sees the best in situations, responds positively to authority, demonstrates willingness to learn new tasks

2. Work well with others

Sees different perspectives, collaborates/cooperates with others, communicates effectively, encourages others to participate,

3. Be honest and have integrity

Is trusted by others, is truthful/does not lie or cheat, acknowledges one's own work, shows up, follows through on tasks

4. Arrive to work on time

Arrives on time, anticipates and adjusts for potential delays, meets deadlines

5. Follow directions

Follows rules and procedures, clarifies directions, completes assignments

6. Recognize problems and find solutions

Thinks critically, accepts challenges, considers choices, finds alternative solutions

7. Apply good listening skills

Values and respects other opinions, knows when to speak & when not to, demonstrates patience, asks questions for clarification

8. Manage time effectively

Routinely plans and prioritizes, sets realistic and attainable goals

9. Maintain a safe work environment

Understands the need for healthy lifestyle, laws, & regulations in the workplace, is aware of purpose of passing drug & background checks

10. Respect diversity and exercise tolerance

Recognizes and respects others’ differences

Thank you to all of our students and parents for helping us get off to a good start regarding our arrival and dismissal procedures! We will continue to make adjustments to effectively get our buses out and on their routes. When we work together then we can accomplish anything!

Key Changes:

• Morning Drop-Off: All students being dropped off before 8:10 AM must be dropped off at Door 34 or Door 31.
• Afternoon Pick-Up: All students being picked up after 3:10 PM must be picked up at Door 34 or Door 31.

This change is being made to ensure that our buses can enter and exit CHS safely and on time.

We appreciate your cooperation in following this new policy and helping us maintain a smooth and efficient arrival and dismissal process for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

In efforts to help with our arrival and dismissal procedures at CHS the following procedures will be implemented for all student drivers.

All student drivers must purchase a student parking pass and display visibly to park at Chesterton High School. You can pick up a student parking application in the main office. All students need to have a complete application and student parking pass by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 21. There will be no fee for the student parking pass.

Parking Guidelines:

• Students are only allowed to park by Door 31, Door 34, and in the back of the school by the tennis courts.
• Students are NOT allowed to park in the front of the building (west side), which includes the faculty lot and the visitor lot.

Failure to follow this policy could result in disciplinary action and/or loss of driving privileges.

Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines.

CHS currently offers 67 Dual Credit courses! Our goal at CHS is for 75% or more of our students to earn dual credit while they are in high school and 40% of our seniors to earn 1 years worth of college credit. We have dual credit partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Northwest, Ball State University, University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, and Indiana University. Ivy Tech is our main partner for dual credit opportunities. We offer many courses through our Dual Credit partnerships that are part of the Indiana College Core (ICC) Transfer Library. This means that students who take these FREE courses will be able to transfer those college credits to any state funded institution. The current cost of a year of college at a state funded school (ex. IU or Purdue) is approximately $10,000 for tuition plus room and board. By earning these credits at CHS you could save A LOT of money!

To be eligible for dual credit, students need to apply to Ivy Tech AND earn a score of 70 or higher on both English and Math STEM Knowledge Assessments BEFORE registering for a dual credit course.

Scan the QR Code below for the steps to apply for Ivy Tech Dual Credit courses. Once you apply, you will be able to register for dual credit courses. If you have any questions or need assistance contact Mrs. Tiffany Hawkins, CHS Assistant Principal, at 219-983-3730 or thawkins@duneland.k12.in.us.

On July 1, 2024, the Indiana Legislators enacted a new law for all K-12 schools in Indiana. The law reads as follows:

Electronic Devices (P.L. 108-1994, HEA 1202): Wireless Communication Devices

Per IC 20-26-5-40.7: the use of wireless communication devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, gaming devices, smartwatches, etc., is strictly prohibited during academic class periods unless explicitly authorized by the teacher for educational purposes.

Students are permitted to use a wireless communication device in the event of a health or safety emergency or to manage health care as specifically defined in the student’s Individualized Health Plan (IHP), Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and/or Section 504 Plan.

A wireless communication device is defined by Indiana law as any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two (2) or more parties.

Chesterton High School’s new policy regarding wireless communication devices includes cell phones, earbuds/headphones, smartwatches, and any other auxiliary device that can be paired with a cellular phone. When a student is directed by a teacher or staff member to follow the established classroom phone/wireless communication policy, noncompliant students will be referred to the office and are subject to disciplinary action for insubordination.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us create a focused and productive learning environment at CHS.

Learn more about the Duneland Early Learning Classes at the the HUB. Click on the image below to enroll.