September 8, 2024

• A Message From the Director
• Upcoming Events and a School-Year Calendar
• Information for Seniors: Class of 2025
• Details about the new iLearn Checkpoints

Dear NWI Families,

Our first week of onsite testing was successful. Students in grades kindergarten through 8th took their NWEA assessments, had screenings to check their hearing and/or vision, and they had their school pictures taken. Students in grades 9th - 12th also joined to have their pictures taken. Picture retake day is scheduled for December 3, 2024. More information will be shared as the day gets closer.

Our next onsite day is on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, for students in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. At that time, students will take the new iLearn Checkpoint assessment. See below for more information about the schedule of the day and to learn about the iLearn Checkpoint test. Students in grades 9, 10 and 11 will have their first onsite day in October. On that day students will take the PSAT.

On another note, we often get questions if students enrolled in Duneland's Northwest Indiana Online School school can attend school dances, after school activities, etc. See below for some highlights:

• Extra Curricular Activities - Students who have legal settlement in Duneland School Corporation are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports*, etc. at the school. The NWIOS Handbook outlines specifics on this. (*High school students must follow the guidelines established by IHSAA to participate in any athlethic program at the high school level).

• School Events - NWIOS students are allowed to attend extra curricular events (games, performances, etc.) just like any community member would. As with any other students, there are guidelines for conduct that we expect of students that are outlined in the TVA handbook.

• Special Events - Many schools host parties, trunk-or-treats, or other events for their students after school hours. These events are only for students and families enrolled in that school. If a school hosts an event that is open for the entire community. This is different as it is open to all. (Example: CHS’s Trunk-or-Treat in October is open to the entire community)

• Dances - NWIOS students are permitted to attend dances as a guest of an in-person student. Schools have forms that guest students must fill out and must be completed by the NWIOS office as well in order to attend.

We are delighted to be a part of the expansive Duneland School Corporation. NWIOS is a school that provides alternatives for students. While we continue to expand our student enrollment, we consistently contemplate our unique yet interconnected relationship with Duneland Schools. Your enrollment and participation within our virtual school is greatly appreciated. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 219-983-3743.

Thank you for choosing Northwest Indiana Online School for your child(ren).

Mrs. Christy Jarka, Director, & The NWIOS Team

Tuesday, 9/17/2024

Grades 3-8 Onsite Testing Day. 📝

iLearn CheckPoint #1 - required

Tuesday, 10/15/2024

Grades 9-10-11 Onsite Testing Day. 📝

PSAT- required

Tuesday, 10/22/2024

Grades 7th & 8th Onsite Testing Day. 📝

PSAT- required

Seniors, Class of 2025, if you are planning to graduate this school year, there are two upcoming events that you should plan to attend:

1. Schedule a senior meeting with Mrs. Jarka, Director of NWIOS, to review all of your high school information to make sure you will hae everything you need to graduate on time. Use this link to schedule your meeting.
2. Attend the Cap and Gown ordering information meeting at Chesterton High School on September 25, 2024, at 10:00 am. Let us know you will be attending the Cap & Gown ordering session at CHS: Please CLICK HERE or below to reserve your spot on Cap & Gown Day.

Click here or below to read the CLASS OF 2025 NEWSLETTER

What: Grades 3-8 Onsite Testing

Time: 8:45 am - 11:00 am (see below for full schedule)

Location: 601 W Morgan Avenue, southeast side of the former Chesterton Middle School - Door #9

What:

Grades 3 - 8

• Onsite required assessments - iLearn Checkpoints
• Students will need their fully-charged DSC device & headphones. They may also bring a water bottle and a snack (peanut-free, please), and of course their best smile! 😃 📷

ILEARN Checkpoints are short assessments that will be given three times during the school year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Each checkpoint contains 20-25 questions designed to measure students' understanding of critical skills and concepts as outlined in the Indiana Academic Standards. These checkpoints provide teachers with valuable information to guide instruction and support each student's learning journey.

• Subject: Checkpoint for ELA and Checkpoint for math.
• Grade Levels: The ILEARN Checkpoints are being piloted for students in Grades 3 through 8.
• Test Length: Each checkpoint includes 20-25 questions. Estimate to take 30-45 minutes per checkpoint.

These checkpoints are an essential component of the new ILEARN through-year assessment that will be fully implemented across Indiana in the 2025-26 school year.

By participating in this pilot, NWIOS will be at the forefront of adopting this innovative approach to assessing student learning and supporting academic growth.

The NWI Online School Office is located at 601 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN 46304

Specifically, you can find Door 9 on the south side of the former Chesterton Middle School near the pool entrance.

Call 219-983-3473 to reach Mrs. Palko and the NWI Online Office

Learn more about the FREE Duneland Early Learning HUB Classes at the Trojan Learning Center

Click on the images below to enroll.

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

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.

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.