DuneNews

There will be no school for all Duneland School students on Friday, February 14 and Monday, February 17 to observe a winter break and the Presidents' Day holiday. The Duneland School Administrative Office will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 to observe the holiday.

Chesterton High School is proud to announce that senior Luke Sparks has been named a National Merit Finalist in the prestigious 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This distinguished honor places Luke among the top high school scholars in the nation, recognizing his exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and dedication to excellence.

The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, identifies and honors students who demonstrate outstanding potential for academic success. Luke was selected as a Finalist after advancing from the pool of Semifinalists, a distinction based on his exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT and a rigorous application process that includes academic records, leadership experience, and a personal essay.

Luke exemplifies the highest standards of academic achievement and character at Chesterton High School. We are incredibly proud of his dedication, hard work, and the bright future that lies ahead.

As a National Merit Finalist, Luke is now eligible for a variety of merit-based scholarships awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), colleges, universities, and corporate sponsors.

Please join us in congratulating Luke Sparks on this outstanding achievement!

Congratulation to CHS Senior Claire Demeter who won first place in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution essay contest. Claire's essay entitled, "The Hero of Two Worlds - Marquis de Lafayette" was entered in this statewide contest.

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsors the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest and invites all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate. The contest is open to all US Citizen and Legal Resident students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools in that same grade range.

To participate, students must submit an original 800 to 1,200 word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Each student’s essay is judged based upon its historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation.

The contest is conducted in three phases: the local chapter, state-level society, and national phases. The contest must be entered through an SAR chapter near the student’s residence. Duneland Chapter’s next contest will be held in the fall of 2025.

Congratulations to the Chesterton High School Winter Guard team for achieving second place at their second competition of the season at the Snider High School Competition on February 8. The Chesterton Winter Guard’s 2025 show entitled “Let it Pour,” is a cute program that preaches “a little rain never hurt anybody”.

Members of the CHS Winter Guard include: Abigail Demsich, Makayla Erickson, Ava Garland, Vanessa Godinez, Madison Jackson, Abigail Krueger, Allison Lopez, Brianna Manning, Addison Mason, Morgan Millis, Natalie Newman, Kaylin O'Daniel, Kenzie O’Daniel, Baylee Parrott, Lilyanne Peschke, Lucy Rutkowski, Alina Summer, Caryss Vandiver, and Caprie Wilson.

Prop Crew members include: Holly Decker, Mady Street, Elsa Estrage, Miles, William Newman, and Hershel Hardwick.

CHS Winter Guard Director Jeffory DeHenes is assisted by Katie Radliff with technical help. Robert Mueller has been in charge of building and maintaining our amazing props. The CHS Winter Guard is scheduled to compete next at Carroll High School on February 15.

Over 100 students from Liberty Middle, Westchester Middle, and Chesterton High Schools competed at the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Event for Vocal and Piano hosted at Valparaiso High School on Saturday, February 8. Under the direction of Kristen Garrett, Bella Marquez, and Kristin Morris, the students earned a total of 61 medals - 57 gold medals, and four silver medals. Students were accompanied by Jane DeVries, Gina Jones, and Kay Hight.

Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Anaya Alioto, Annabelle Artis, Vishva Bharath, Katie Biggs, Elizabeth Bugajski, Isabelle Fields, Clara Fletcher, Molly Gray, Harriet Hennigar, Liam Nieves, Claire Rogers, Aditi Shiggavi, Hunter Smith, Lucas Torres, Autumn Wall, and Theodore Young.

Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Clara Arizzi, Annabelle Artis, Kaylie Balon, Vishva Bharath, Katie Biggs, Elizabeth Bugajski, Lily Costello, Emily DeLong, Julia DePew, Claire Eli, Isabelle Fields, Clara Fletcher, Molly Gray, Natalie Hargarten, Logan Herbert, Lily Huneryager, Jillian Menear, Samantha Mills, Liam Nieves, Macie Pack, Cailyn Pearson, Karoline Price, Claire Rogers, Anya Sartin, Arnaa Saxena, Jacob Sessions, Aditi Shiggavi, Hunter Smith, Lauren Spiess, Lucas Torres, Autumn Wall, Zenon Wiatrowski, Ava Willis, and Theodore Young.

Gold medals awarded for piano solo performances: Clara Arizzi and Vishva Bharath

Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Cassidy Hallock, Saniah Newcome, Arabella Purser, Melody Shapiro, and Coralei Zeilstra (right, pictured with her medal).

Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Alexis Dees, Virginia Murray, Arabella Purser, Amiracle Slack, Nora Schultz, Melody Shapiro, and Lyla Szczudlak.

The following students won gold medals, and qualified for State with their vocal solo performance: Emmersyn Curran, Ryan Gray, Megan Hadenfelt, Sophia Higgins, Mara Huneryager, Mia Larimer (left, pictured with her medal), Sam Smith, Ella Taylor, Antonio Unpingco, and Aubree Williams.

Gold medals, and state qualification, awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Anthony Alvarez, Logan Arthur, Ava Bozak, Ayden Bozak, Ava Cunningham, Emmersyn Curran, Niyelli Estrada, Carson Foster, Ryan Gray, Sophia Higgins, Mara Huneryager Jordan Keefover, Lauren Kroft, Archer Lohman, Hannah Loving, Joseph Lucken, Karleigh Pawlyszyn, Garrett Richerson, Samuel Smith, Antonio Unpingco, Veronica Wilgocki.

Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Ava Bozak, Isabelle Cain, Marian Cook, Annaliese Coppler, Anna Holmes, Lauren Kroft, Macey Mauke, Emily Ponce, Emmori Schott, and Emma Wahl.

Members of Bel Canto w/Medals: Emily Ponce, Lily Grish, Emily Ilges, Peyton Tratta, Annette Ruiz-Moreno, Emilia Franco, Mia Jakich, Ourania Polimus, Taryn Wellensiek, Taytumm Brunker, Skylar Burnson, Willow Price, Annabella Arguelles, Emma Bondra, Olivia Evans, Annaliese Coppler, Allie Longacre, Julia Mobley, Emmori Schott, Savannah Scheffler, Gina Lafever, Irene Camacho

Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Annabella Arguelles, Emma Bondra, Taytumm Brunker, Skylar Burnson, Isabelle Cain, Irene Camacho, Annaliese Coppler, Olivia Evans, Emilia Franco, Lily Grish, Annebell Haas, Megan Hadenfelt, Emily Ilges, Mia Jakich, Emma Kaegebein, Gina Lafever, Allie Longacre, Julia Mobley, Ourania Polimus, Emily Ponce, Willow Price, Annette Ruiz-Moreno, Savannah Scheffler, Emmori Schott, Peyton Tratta, Emma Wahl, and Taryn Wellensiek

Gold medal awarded for piano solo performances: Michael Banowetz, Jessica Dahlin, and Sophia Higgins.

Silver medals awarded for vocal ensemble solo performances: Lilly Koziczynski , Adaline Moser, and Isabella Schirripa

Silver medal awarded for piano solo performances: Adaline Moser

Silver medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Logan Arthur, Carson Foster, Lily Grish, Gina Lafever, Archer Lohman, Joseph Lucken, Ourania Polimus, Emily Ponce, Savannah Scheffler, and Taryn Wellensiek.

Team C: Above, Robbie Colson (7) Nathan Menard (7) Kaiden Roy (8). Absent from the photo is James Gano (7) and Team D.

This past Saturday, Westchester Middle School Robotics attended its third competition of the season in Plymouth, IN. This competition was a middle school only competition, so students were competing against students their own age vs. a blended high school and middle school teams. All of the WMS teams did a fantastic job competing and showed improvement. Team D made it all the way to the Semifinals which is one step away from the final round! Students will compete next at Crown Point on February 22.

Pictured at left, Team D: Lucas Blankenship (7) Daelyn Dolph (7). Absent from the photo was Elijah Haas and Dylan Johnson.

Today we celebrated our DSC School Resource Officers for National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day.

SROs are full-time law enforcement officers with sworn law enforcement authority, trained in school-based policing and crisis response and assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts.

Our school resource officers serve as important bridges between youth, law enforcement, and the communities they serve. The Duneland Schools recognizes the important role these individuals play in our schools and school community.

Click on the image below to view the CHS New High School Diploma Presentation

ONLINE ENROLLMENT is NOW OPEN for incoming Duneland Kindergarten students for the 2025-2026 school year. Families are asked to complete online enrollment prior to attending Kindergarten Round-Up on Thursday, February 27, 2025. To get started please visit: DSC Kindergarten Enrollment 2025-2026

Nominations on are now open. Click on the image below to learn more and to caste votes for your favorites.

Each of the 11 Duneland School Corporation schools, in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education, are working toward renewing distinction as a Family Friendly School. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that each DSC school is demonstrating excellence in engaging families in their children’s education.

Launched in 2015, the Family Friendly Schools initiative focuses on addressing the academic, physical, emotional, and social needs of students, while providing the needed resources and fostering the active involvement of their families through schools and the community. The program recognizes and honors schools that welcome all families into the school community, communicate effectively, support student success, speak up for every child, share power and collaborate with the community.

As part of this process, students in grades 5-12 will be asked to take a 5-minute Family Friendly Schools survey (link for parent review only). Students will take this survey at their school sometime between the dates of Feb. 18 - March 2.

Thank you for your support!

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.

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)

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

The Duneland Schools share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in and 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.

Current 5th graders, this is what you have been waiting for?

Beginning Band information for Summer 2025 and next school year is ready!

Join the band and learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. This opportunity is available to all 5th grade students.

· In Person Instrument Try-Outs are February 25 (LIS) and 26 (WIS) at CHS

· Summer Band is August 4-7.

· Registration Forms are due February 12. Join us and be a part of the Band!

“Join Band!” Web Link

Calling all 4th graders, the fun is about to begin!

Be a part of something special with Chesterton Orchestras next year in Intermediate School. Make lifelong friends, and join a fun team!

Join the orchestra and learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass. This opportunity is available to all 4th grade students.

· In Person Instrument Try-Outs are February 25 (LIS) and 26 (WIS) at CMS

· Summer Orchestra is August 4-8.

· Registration Forms are due February 12. Join us and be a part of the Orchestra!

"Join Orchestra!" Web Link

Click on the image below to register

Online registration is now open for State Park Little League Baseball 2025. New or Returning players may register by clicking the State Park Little League logo at left.

Online registration for 2025 Liberty Rec. Baseball and Softball. Register by clicking the Liberty Rec. Baseball and Softball logo at left.

The CHS Applied Arts class is excited to exhibit cubism self-portraits at their upcoming "Outside the Box" gallery show. The exhibition will feature oil pastel drawings by 21 students celebrating uniqueness and diversity through creativity. The class is taught by CHS art teacher Colin May.

The show will be hosted at The Das' Gallery (Country Inn & Suites, 2020 Laporte Ave. Valparaiso, IN) through February 2025.

The Duneland Exchange Club is thrilled to announce the 33rd Annual Youth Talent Showcase, an exciting event designed to spotlight the incredible talents of students in grades K-12. Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform magic, or have another unique talent, this is your time to shine!

The showcase will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Chesterton High School Auditorium. Proceeds from the event will directly support the Chesterton High School Natural Helpers Club, a student organization dedicated to peer support and community service.

Audition Information:
Auditions are required for participation and will be held at Bailly Elementary School on:

• Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM
• Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Students interested in participating can apply online by visiting the Duneland Exchange Club’s website at www.dunelandexchangeclub.com. Applications can also be accessed via the QR code on event posters.

Both group and individual acts are welcome to apply. With a professional stage at Chesterton High School, this is a fantastic opportunity for young performers to showcase their skills in front of a live audience.

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible tradition. Apply today and join us for a night of fun, talent, and community spirit!

For more information about the Duneland Exchange Club and its programs, please contact mariabachuchin750@hotmail.com.

This is an excellent opportunity for parents/caregivers and team members to gain valuable insights and resources for navigating the IEP process.

The SEPAC team will be on hand to share information about resources available outside of the school setting.

Mark your calendars and join us for an informative and supportive evening. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Duneland School Corporation Early Learning HUB is proud to be the first birth to school initiative in Porter County. The HUB is a place for caregivers and their children to learn, play and grow together.

The HUB is learning about feeling, Valentine’s Day, community and more with our HUB families for February. If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB. Check out this FREE program at our DSC website.

https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/programs-services/duneland-early-learning-hub

Discover Duneland School Corporation’s Trojan Learning Center

Located within the Duneland School Corporation,

the Trojan Learning Center (TLC) offers a wealth of learning opportunities for

young children and their families. Here is what we offer:

• Duneland Early Learning HUB is a FREE Birth-to-School program for children from 0-5 and their caregivers. Check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB for more information.
• Duneland School Corporation provides preschool options for children ages 3-5 for children with developmental delays and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Operated by our community partner, the Duneland Family YMCA, also has two additional preschool rooms.

All of the preschool classrooms utilize a proven curriculum that help children grow their social skills and emotional well-being. The TLC ensures each child has a fun and supportive learning experience. Additionally, all preschool students participate in engaging and enjoyable activities together!

Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? Interested in a fulfilling and rewarding position with no required evening or weekend work? Looking to enjoy the same summer and holiday schedule as your kids? The primary responsibilities of Exceptional Learning (EXL) Instructional Aides range from sharing smiles, making connections, building confidence, encouraging learning, supporting students with instruction in & out of the classroom, and assisting children with self help & self management skills.

DSC is currently searching for select individuals to serve as EXL Instructional Aides. Available positions can start at $19.00, $17.00 or $15.00 per hour. Opportunities exist at elementary, intermediate and secondary levels and can:

• be full-time/benefit-eligible
• be part-time and follow the student school day
• involve sharing the day with a single student
• involve engaging with multiple learners in a classroom setting
• 
  

Do you want to earn money but still be home with your family?

Does the cost of childcare hinder your plans to work?

Does your child participate in the many afterschool opportunities?

Would you like to spend quality time with your kids during spring, summer and winter breaks?

https://www.applitrack.com/dune.../onlineapp/default.aspx...

Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Stores where you can buy your Duneland all school spirit wear? Check out our Spirit Wear Store platform at: https://dunelandschoolsopenstores.itemorder.com/shop/home/

The DSC Child Nutrition Department utilizes NutriSlice as its menus program. This app is available for iPhone and Android through your mobile app store. Parents can also access the full website for Duneland Schools on a computer via this NutriSlice link.

This app will allow parents and students to view the menus as well as the nutritional info for each menu item at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of the actual food items being served at each of the Duneland schools.

Menus will be posted on Thursday, Aug. 1

In the Fall of 2023, a strategic planning team was formed to review and update the current four-year strategic plan into a five-year plan that will be used to guide the Corporation from 2024-2028. The Board of School Trustees for the Duneland School Corporation approved the new DSC Strategic Plan at its December 4, 2023 regular meeting. The plan will guide DSC for the next five years in the areas of Student Achievement, Safety & Operations, People & Culture, and Finance & Facilities.

These timelines were revised as of December 2024 to reflect necessary adjustments to the plan and to ensure the continued success and growth of our educational community.

Click this link to view the new 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

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

Families without internet due to financial hardship have access to programs from two local providers.

Comcast Internet Essentials:

• Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Internet Essentials program from Comcast.

• This program offers internet at a low cost per month.

• Additional options and services are also available

• More information is available at this Comcast link

Frontier Lifeline Program:

• Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Lifeline Program from Frontier.

• More information is available at this Frontier link

Email: bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us

Website: www.duneland.k12.in.us
Location: 601 West Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dunelandschools/
Twitter: @dunelandk12