Believe and Achieve Times

I want to take a moment to wish you all a happy holiday season and a joyful New Year. This time of year offers a special opportunity to gather with loved ones, reflect on what matters most, and create cherished memories.

I hope you find this season to be a time of joy and fulfillment, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. May it also be an opportunity to extend kindness and generosity to others in our community, making a difference in ways both big and small.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Chesterton High School family. Your support, involvement, and care make our school the wonderful place it is.

Enjoy your time together, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, ready for new opportunities and continued success.

The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) is proud to present the Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2024. Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four students currently in the 11th grade, based on their academic achievement. Please join us in congratulating these students on all they have already achieved, as well as offering support and encouragement as they continue their accomplishments and expand their knowledge, growth and leadership skills well into the future.

Rising Stars of Indiana

Mara Huneryager

Mackenzie Kania

Patrick Mochen

Jany Zhang

In keeping with our Core Values, Duneland School Corporation is committed to fostering partnerships to improve the quality of life in our community. One of our most important partnerships is with our families. As we strive to continue to build upon and strengthen our family partnerships, DSC is applying for renewal from the Indiana Department of Education as an IDOE “Family Friendly Schools” corporation. In doing so, we will continue to “focus on addressing students' academic, physical, emotional, and social needs while providing the needed resources and fostering the active involvement of their families through schools and the community.” (Indiana Department of Education Family Friendly Schools Handbook)

Please help us as we continue to support our students and community by completing the IDOE online survey by December 20, 2024

Your ongoing support in educating the children of our community is greatly appreciated!

SURVEY LINKS AND INSTRUCTIONS:

Survey Links:

• 2025-2026 Family Friendly Survey Questions for Families

• 2025-2026 Family Friendly Survey Questions for Families-Spanish

School Name: choose your school from the drop-down list

School Corporation: 6470 Duneland School Corporation

School Liaison Name: MICHELLE PALKO

School Liaison email: mpalko@duneland.k12.in.us

School Codes for your convenience:

6928 - Bailly Elementary School

6819 - Brummitt Elementary School

6817 - Jackson Elementary School

6823 - Liberty Elementary School

6941 - Newton Yost Elementary School

6821 - Liberty Intermediate School

6927 - Westchester Intermediate School

6925 - Chesterton Senior High School

6926- Northwest Indiana Online School (Trojan Virtual Academy)

Thank you all who donated toys for the CHS toy drive for Lurie's Children's Hospital. We collected over 100 new toys for children in need. A huge shout out goes to CHS senior Zachary Jatkiewicz for organizing this event for those in need!

Chesterton High School student volunteers, left to right, Kylia Peterson, Ava Cunningham, Carmen Stark, Isabella Kelly, Jane Maddex, and Bethany DeLong represented the internship program at Sunset Hill’s Winter Lights Christmas With Santa Event. Students did face painting, and sang carols for the event. The CHS Internship Program also sponsored a decorated tree.

Come out and see Northwest Indiana’s only competitive high school show choirs, the Drifters and Sandpipers, along with their all student back-up band, The Business, present their 2025 Winter Showcase: Competition Show Preview Night on Saturday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m. The showcase will feature the Drifters Competition Show “Shattered” and the Sandpipers Competition Show “Homecoming Spirit Week.” This is a fantastic opportunity to see the groups’ shows before they begin their competition season the following weekend. This showcase is one of three performances on our home stage for the show choir program. Snacks and Good Luck Ducks for your favorite performer will also be available for purchase. This performance acts as a fundraiser for competition season expenses, and sets the tone for our season!

To purchase tickets, click the image above or visit https://cur8.com/15468/project/128112 (or www.cur8.com and search Chesterton). Online Tickets are $12 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors. Seating is reserved; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door will cost $14 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Director Kristin Morris encourages you to get your tickets early as, “We hope to pack the place! Wear your show choir or trojan spirit wear, and come out to cheer on this amazing program!”

2025-2026 FAFSA Now Open
Students are encouraged to file before Indiana's April 15 deadline

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced today a statewide completion goal for the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Commission’s goal is to have at least 60 percent of high school seniors complete the current FAFSA by Indiana’s deadline of April 15, 2025. The 2025-2026 FAFSA form is currently open.

Additionally, the Commission seeks to increase the total FAFSA filing rate including high school seniors, adult learners, and returning students by at least five percent from the previous year. For 2024, Indiana ranks second in the nation in completion rates for this year’s high school graduating class, with less than a 2-percentage point decline compared to the national average of a near 9-percentage point decline.

“Indiana ranks third in the Midwest and eighth in the nation for our need-based aid opportunities,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “With legislative increases in 2023, Hoosier students have access to even more financial aid than before. Millions of dollars in additional aid are available throughout the next five years, only accessible through the FAFSA.”

The FAFSA not only determines federal grant and scholarship eligibility but is used to award state financial aid, including the Frank O’Bannon Grant, Indiana’s largest need-based financial aid award. It is also necessary for 21st Century Scholars to complete the FAFSA to receive their scholarship.

“While cost remains a high barrier for many Hoosiers looking to pursue education and training after high school, Indiana has opportunities to alleviate those challenges and make higher education accessible,” said Lowery.

FAFSA Week of Action

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has announced December 9-13 as the FAFSA Week of Action. This week is specifically aimed at encouraging high school seniors to create their StudendAid.Gov Accounts (FSA IDs) and complete the FAFSA. The USDOE and Indiana Commission for Higher Education are encouraging high school counselors, principals and other school leaders, superintendents, after school programs, parent groups, non-profit organizations, and other local and state education organizations to commit to taking action to raise awareness about the FAFSA form.

More resources and information are available through the National College Attainment Network (NCAN).

Creating a StudentAid.Gov account (also called FSA ID account)

Students and parents (of dependent students) or spouses (of independent students) must create a StudentAid.Gov Account (FSA ID) at least three days before filing the FAFSA. Resources needed to create a StudentAid.Gov Account include:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Mailing address
• Personal email address
• A memorable username and password

How to file the 2025-2026 FAFSA

Students can file the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. Information needed to complete the FAFSA include:

• Gov Account (FSA ID)
• Federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned from 2023
• List of any federal benefits received
• Asset information including bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

Help is available

The Commission’s Outreach Coordinators are available to assist students and families in the filing process. Outreach Coordinators are strategically located in eight geographic regions in Indiana and can help students, families, and educators with questions about state financial aid and filing the FAFSA.

To send a direct message to your region’s Outreach Coordinator, visit www.learnmoreindiana.org/contact.

Additional resources:

• Hoosier families can also access free FAFSA help through INvestEd by email (outreach@investedindiana.org) or phone at 317-715-9007.
• ¿Necesitas ayuda en español? Llame al 317-715-9007.
• The U.S. Department of Education provides email and live chat assistance for FAFSA filers as well as a helpline at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

FAFSA filing events

Higher education institutions around the state are hosting FAFSA filing events for students and families.

To view the upcoming events calendar, visit learnmoreindiana.org

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About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily Price
463-261-7397
eprice@che.in.gov

Daniel Ayres-Kobren
317-232-1032
dayreskobren@che.in.gov

December 17-20: Final Exams

December 23 - January 5: Winter Break

January 6: No School - Teacher Records Day

January 7: School resumes

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!

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.

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.

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.

The Duneland School NorthShore Clinic will be CLOSED on:
December 24

December 25

January 1, 2025

January 2, 2025

January 3, 2025

Business hours are normal for non-holiday days. M and Th 6:30am-2:30pm, Tu and Friday 7:00am-3:00pm, and Wed 9:00am-5:00pm, Direct line to office is 219-983-3756.