WIS Weekly

• Who needs support at home, in school, and in the community? ... Every Child!
• Who needs our guidance, attention, and patience today and every day? ... Every Child!
• Who will shape the future of our world tomorrow and in the years to come? ... Every Child!

WIS Family,

In a few weeks, our students will be taking their first round of ILEARN checkpoints. These checkpoints are designed to help us gauge how students are progressing with the curriculum and identify areas where additional support may be needed.

Please don’t worry or stress about these assessments. They are simply tools for teachers to better understand each student’s learning journey and do not require any preparation outside of regular class activities. It’s important to note that these checkpoints are not the same as the summative ILEARN assessment, which will take place in April. The results from the April assessment will provide formal feedback to parents regarding their child’s performance.

As always, please reach out to me anytime.

Mr. Longacre

slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us

We are striving to achieve a 96% attendance rate this year at WIS.

5th Grade 94.3964%

6th Grade 93.8414%

When needing to report a student absence, parents/guardians should call (219-983-3710) or email (mkowalecki@duneland.k12.in.us) the attendance secretary in the WIS office by 9:00 am on the day of the absence. If the school sends a student home early, then no notification is required.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System FAQ

What is the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System?

It is an age-appropriate, evidence-informed program that trains youth and adults to recognize warning signs and threats of potential violence and to tell a trusted adult or use the anonymous reporting system via app, website, or telephone hotline. This empowers students, parents, staff, and community members to securely share safety concerns, helping school administrators and law enforcement members to prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm, and other dangerous behaviors. Duneland School Corporation has been working with Sandy Hook Promise as we launch this program in our schools. All grade 5-12 schools will adopt this program this year.

How does the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System work?

Students and staff can submit a tip about concerning or threatening behaviors through the app, website, or a telephone call, 24/7/365. Every submission goes directly to a trained crisis counselor. The trained counselor vets the tip, gathers details, then shares the information and next steps with the school team and law enforcement (as needed). The team steps in to address the threat and provide solutions. Every District and school team has a trained Say Something response staff that includes administrators and law enforcement personnel.

Say Something is proven to prevent school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, as well as help reduce other acts of violence and victimization like bullying/cyberbullying, self-harm like cutting, drug use, and more.

How does the system work?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System can be used to report threatening or harmful

behavior, harassment, and more. Students can anonymously report a concern through

the Say Something Anonymous Reporting app, website or through a phone call. Students can also share screenshots of social media posts that are concerning. Highly trained crisis counselors immediately take action to ensure student safety and work to get the help and support students need.

What happens to the tip if the individual reporting is threatening to hurt themselves?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System’s National Crisis Center and local Say Something team members are specifically trained to recognize mental and emotional disturbances and effectively manage crisis situations. Law enforcement will be utilized in life threatening situations.

Do I have to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System? Does my student?

Using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is completely voluntary.

Who is running this program?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is offered at no cost to schools by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit that was founded and is led by family members whose loved ones were killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012. SHP has trained more than 14 million educators, parents, and students nationwide to recognize the warning signs of potential violence and the importance of sharing school safety concerns with a trusted adult.

How much are we paying for this program?

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is provided at no cost by Sandy Hook Promise, thanks to the charitable donations of their national grassroots network and philanthropic partners.

What about privacy?

All data from our school community within the Say Something Anonymous Reporting

System is owned by the district.

Do you have further questions?

Please reach out to Mr. Longacre slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us or Mr. Hernandez mhernandez@duneland.k12.in.us

We are excited to announce that this year’s yearbook will include both Westchester Intermediate School (WIS) and Westchester Middle School (WMS). Yearbooks are available for $30.00, and you can order directly through this link: Order Yearbooks Here.

Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in both WIS intramural sports and Westchester Middle School athletics. If your child wants to participate in middle school sports, they must have a current physical on file, dated after 4/1/24. Sixth grade students can ONLY participate in Middle School Cross Country, Westling, and Track and Field. This fall, students can participate in Middle School Cross Country. Mr. Rich Gross rgross@duneland.k12.in.us is the athletic director for Westchester Campus. Please reach out to Mr. Gross with any questions.

Language Arts

• We spent the week learning about different types of figurative language, and wrote an Ode to October to try our hands at using figurative language. There was a CFA on Friday. Feel free to ask your student about hyperbole, idioms, or irony! Honors ELA - Last week students began reading part two of The Odyssey, and worked on retelling a scene from a different point of view. We also spent the week learning about different types of figurative language, and wrote an Ode to October to try our hands at using figurative language. There was a CFA on Friday.

Math

• Last week, students took their first test (CSA) on whole number multiplication. Students who scored below a 70% will work with staff on remediation and will have a chance to retake this assessment and improve their grade. Many of the mistakes we noticed were with basic math facts. A way to support your student is by practicing basic math facts. If you need suggestions on how to do this, please contact your student’s math teacher. This week, we are starting to look at dividing whole numbers. Yes, this will include multiple digit long division! We will be learning a few ways to solve these problems so do not be surprised if it does not all look familiar. We will be learning the standard algorithm (old school long division) as we progress. As always, Get More Math and IXL Math path are great ways for students to get extra practice at home.

Social Studies

• Students learned about the different cultural regions of various Native tribes. We learned about the people's use of available resources, methods of trade, types of housing. Students will be taking a CSA on Monday.

Science

• Last week we continued learning about the states and properties of matter. We learned about matter changing states through freezing, melting, evaporation, and condensation. The lab for the week taught students how temperature affects reaction rates. Please ask your student about the results. We also began our study on shadows and how they change. The students went outside and measured the length of their shadows. We will continue to revisit this activity throughout the year. When complete, students will be able to see how different seasons and sun location affect shadow length. This week we will continue learning about matter and how it can undergo chemical and physical changes.

Language Arts

• This week we will take our practice ILEARN test. This is in preparation for our first Checkpoint Assessment which will take place the week of October 14th. Students will also wrap up their study of Roald Dahl’s memoir by writing part of a narrative (exposition and rising action). We will focus on priority standard 6.W.3-Write narrative compositions in a variety of forms that: C. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. D. Use precise words, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

Math

• This week we will take our practice ILEARN test. This is in preparation for our first Checkpoint Assessment which will take place the week of October 14th. This assessment is meant to inform teachers on how students are doing at this point in the year - how prepared students are for the end of year ILEARN test. FULLY CHARGED iPads are a must. We will also continue working with fractions and decimals. Percentages will be introduced as well.

Social Studies

• This week in Social Studies we will be taking a formative assessment on Ancient Greece. Students will also continue to focus on Athenian democracy. We will be looking at the influences of this on our own democratic government in the United States.

Science

• This week we will be working on Photosynthesis in preparation for the algae lab which will be coming at the end of this week. The students will be doing vocabulary. The middle of the week will consist of the students performing a human model play of photosynthesis. They will become the elements of photosynthesis. The students will then perform a lab in the classroom to further understand the elements. Finally, they will be doing a Gizmo lab on photosynthesis. The week will end with the students creating a comic strip to demonstrate their understanding of the two stage process of photosynthesis. MS-LS1-6: I can describe the chemical reaction by which plants produce complex food molecules (sugars) and require an energy input (i.e., from sunlight) to occur.

PE

• This week in PE, we will continue with our fitness testing (shuttle run, flexed arm hang, 50 yard dash).

Art

• This week in art, we will begin our unit on shape and painting. Students will select an up-close animal to create a reverse painting.

Music

• This week in music 5th graders will continue to explore layering sounds and converting standard notation to matrix notation to input into a beat sequencer. 5th grade students should bring wired headphones/earbuds to class. 6th graders will continue drumming with standard notation and will have a performance test on Rhythm Sheet 1 on Wednesday-Friday (they can find this page in CANVAS). This week’s theme for Music Request Friday is “The Music of our Elders.” Students are encouraged to talk with parents and ask about the music they enjoyed in their youth. Find some time to listen to music with them.

PLTW

• This week in PLTW, 5th graders will be using the Engineering Design Process to revise their robot designs and evaluate the designs. 6th graders will continue to use Micro:bits to learn computer coding that includes conditionals and variables.

Media

• Discussion and activities this week will continue with our exploration of communication and digital citizenship by examining binary languages.

Our Trojan Cafe has a new look! We have a new serving area with 2 lines to serve our students. We will also have new trays available for our students to use during lunch.

Please help your student memorize their student identification number, as they will need to know this number in order to purchase their lunch.

Here are the meal prices for the 2024-25 school year.

Elementary Breakfast Price: $1.45

Elementary Lunch Price: $2.55

Intermediate/Middle/High Breakfast Price: $1.60

Intermediate/Middle/High lunch Price: $2.95

• iPads are the property of Duneland Schools. Students should keep the devices in operable condition.
• Students should refrain from downloading apps, pics, etc. that are not permitted under school and/or corporation policy.
  
• Students are required to bring their charged iPads to class.
• Our Intermediate curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons, remediation, and enrichment activities.

5th and 6th grade students are not allowed to use their personal communication devices (cell phones and smart watches) during the instructional day. Items used for communication should be stored in lockers to be kept safe throughout the day. If students need to contact a parent/guardian during the day, they are welcome to do so from the office. Classrooms also have phone access. Similarly, students are not permitted to wear personal earbuds with bluetooth capabilities attached to their phones (e.g. Air Pods, etc.). Students will need to use their school-issued iPad earphones for Exact Path lessons and select ILEARN testing sessions. The only time audio ear pieces are permitted are for teacher-assigned classwork and medically-approved needs.

Westchester is committed to supporting students' use of technology. To get your problems solved as fast as possible, choose one of the following methods:

1. Open a new Incident IQ online:
   1. AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
2. Open a Incident IQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
   1. Please be sure to include email address, student or staff name, and a description of the problem
3. Contact Westchester's tech aide (Ms. Bennett) in WIS Library/Media at 219-983-3710 or fbennett@duneland.k12.in.us.

DUNELAND TRANSPORTATION

Information regarding student bus transportation for the 2024-2025 school year is available on DSC website under the Transportation Department.

TRACK STUDENT'S BUS WITH MYSTOP APP

The Duneland School Corporation Department of Transportation has now made My Stop available to our families.

My Stop is a web-based application which will allow parents to access live bus GPS information using a smartphone, tablet, or computer and securely view the current location of your child’s bus on routes. The system also provides the bus’s estimated time of arrival at your child’s bus stop.

Please read the attached letter to parents for more information on how to use My Stop to track your child's bus.

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.

WIS Mission:

WIS provides a safe and engaging environment where students are empowered to explore their talents, build on their curiosity, embrace high expectations, and become responsible, caring citizens.

WIS Vision:

WIS inspires learners to become independent, critical thinkers collaborating in an environment where responsibility, adaptability, and reflection are modeled and developed.

Email: slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/14
Location: 1050 South 5th Street, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterintermediate/