DuneNews

Above, left to right, Logan's parents Greg and Gretchen Arthur; Youth of the Month recipient, Logan Arthur; and presenter Jackie Ruge-Perkins.

The Duneland Exchange Club is proud to recognize Chesterton High School senior Logan Arthur as its October Youth of the Month. "Logan exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, making him an outstanding recipient of this honor," said presenter Jackie Ruge-Perkins,

Logan has been a dedicated member of the Principal’s Honor Roll for four years and has achieved the title of Scholar Athlete, along with receiving three Academic Scholar Awards. Logan has an impressive academic record, boasting a GPA of 4.53, placing him 17th in the CHS Class of 2025 and earning him a place in the National Honors Society.

Beyond his academic achievements, Logan is an active member of the CHS Tennis Team, where he has received the 3 E’s, Sportsmanship, and Fighter Awards. In the arts, Logan plays an instrumental role in Advanced Orchestra and serves as Secretary of the Tri-M Music Honors Society, earning the Most Improved award last year. Logan also excelled in Indiana’s Business Professionals of America competition, placing 5th in his area and qualifying for Nationals.

Logan’s commitment to his community is evident through his volunteer work at his church, the Memorial Opera House, and his involvement in the Chesterton Youth Collective. He is also a dedicated employee at (219) Taproom. His passion for theater shines through his participation in Chesterton High School plays and musicals, and he plans to pursue Theater and Psychology in college, with Denison University in Ohio as his preferred choice.

The Duneland Exchange Club commends Logan Arthur for his dedication, leadership, and impact on the community, and is honored to celebrate his achievements and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.

Chesterton-Porter Rotary recognized Willem Connors as its October Student of the Month. Connors was nominated by instructional aide Kim Goodman, who notes his “leadership skills and the kindness and patience he shows to his peers and the staff at CHS. Willem always makes himself available to tutor a peer and to always ask if there is something that needs to be done. He is always working toward his goals while showing maturity, determination, and honesty.”

“Willem is an accomplished and well-rounded student who exemplifies the Rotary motto ‘service above self.’ He derives joy from helping others and we are pleased to highlight his achievements,” notes Bonnie Hawksworth, Rotary director of youth services. For more information about the Student of the Month program and Chesterton-Porter Rotary, contact Bonnie at bonniehawksworth@atproperties.com or 219-309-7638.

Pictured above at right are Hawksworth and Connors.

The Duneland School Corporation will participate in a scheduled eLearning day on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will follow eLearning Guidelines for a scheduled Online eLearning day for K-12 students - PLANNED ASYNCHRONOUS.

Teachers will be available during office hours for questions regarding eLearning assignments. All schools will communicate teacher availability for office hours.

Parent-Teacher conferences this year for grades K-4 will also be hosted on Nov. 5.

The first grading period report cards are now available on the Skyward Family Access Parent Portal. Parents have the option of printing out their student's report card. Parents needing access assistance to their Parent Portal on Skyward, should contact their child's school directly.

As we approach the winter season, please review the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather. The decision to close school and engage in a virtual-synchronous eLearning day (see below) or alter the school day is made after collaborating with multiple district personnel, local, state departments and agencies, including: law enforcement, national weather service, highway/street departments, and transportation. In addition, other Porter County school districts are consulted due to partnerships that impact special education and career-technical education students.

Decisions about school delays due to inclement weather will be made as early as possible. In some instances, a school cancellation may follow a two-hour delay. In the event of a two-hour delay followed by a cancellation, we will do our best to make the decision to cancel school before 9:00 a.m. Delay or cancellation information will be delivered through the Skylert notification system. These notifications are based on the contact information provided in the General category within your Skylert notification system. Please review and update (if necessary) your contact information to receive these notifications. School closing/delay information will also be posted on the DSC website (www.duneland.k12.in.us) and sent to the following media outlets:

• Radio: WAKE 1500 AM; Indiana 105.5 FM; WEFM 95.9 FM; WDSO 88.3 FM; WGN Radio 720; WBBM Newsradio 780

• Local TV Channels: 2, 5, 7, 9, 32

• Website: www.emergencyclosingcenter.com

The following options will be considered during weather emergencies:

Option 1: Start of the school day will be delayed 2-hours. Delayed start times are:

• Elementary - 9:30 a.m.

• Intermediate - 10:50 a.m.

• Middle School - 10:50 a.m.

• High School - 10:10 a.m.

Option 2: Students will not report to school; students will participate in an unplanned inclement weather eLearning day (virtual-synchronous-see Guidelines for Students)

• Students will take part in Google Meet sessions with their teachers to receive face-to-face instruction. Teachers will post schedules by 9:00 A.M. Please click on the link above for more information.

Option 3: Schools will dismiss early

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.

The HUB is Duneland's birth to school program free to any family with 0-5 year olds that live within the Duneland School Corporation district.

We have the following classes:

Music and Motion

Trojan Tykes

Mini Movers

Calm Crew

Kinder Kids

Young Explorers

PALS

Trojan Time

Open Gym

Multipurpose Room Open Play

HUB in the NeighborHOOD

HUB in the NeighborHOOD with Dunes Learning (New Program)

HUB Care Team (New Program)

Open Swim at the Duneland YMCA’s Healthy Living Campus

Happy fall y’all! The HUB is reading all our fall books, participating in autumn centers and songs. We will continue learning about apples, pumpkins, Halloween, 5 senses and more with our HUB families for October and will have new curriculum in November.

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

PICTURE RETAKES:

• Liberty Elem. - Nov. 6
• LIS & WIS - Nov. 8
• Jackson & Yost Elem. - Nov. 14
• Northwest Indiana Online School - Dec. 3

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.

Just a reminder...at the sectional football game against Michigan City on Friday night at 7 p.m., everyone must purchase a ticket to get in. Since it is an IHSAA event, teachers and staff badges, all sports passes, student all sports passes, senior citizen passes, and any other passes will not be accepted for admission into the game.

Tickets can be pre purchased online at the link below or card/cash at the gate.

https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=98656

Please join Chesterton Dance Team for this season’s showcase! The showcase is this Sunday November 3, at 12 noon in the Chesterton High School Gymnasium!

CDT is excited to perform choreography from their Football Performance Team as well as works in progress from their Competition Team!

They will also have some visiting performance groups:

CDT Kiddie Camp Dancers
Eclipse Performing Arts
Portage HS Cheer
Portage HS Dance
Purdue West Lafayette ACaBellas
West Chester MS Cheer
Wilbur Wright MS Dance

Tickets are available for purchase at the Door and ahead of time by using the QR Code provided on the poster.

Tickets purchased on Venmo are $10.50 ($.50 service charge.)

Liberty Middle School (LMS) will host its first Veterans Day community recognition program on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in the Liberty Intermediate / Middle School (LIMS) Gym, 44 W 900 N, Chesterton. The public and veterans are invited and encouraged to attend. Doors will open to the public for seating at 9:00 a.m. Seating for guests will be located in the bleachers on the main floor. The program will include music performed by LMS music students, a guest speaker presentation, as well as the reading of the winning student essay.

Throughout the month of October, LMS students and families have been fundraising for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. Additional cash donations will be accepted at the door. All donations will be presented to representatives from the Folds of Honor at the Veterans Day program.

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
• 
  

To find out more about this opportunity, please see the Instructional Aide EXL job postings on our employment opportunities webpage at: Duneland School Corporation - Frontline Recruitment (applitrack.com)

The Chesterton High School Alumni Association is seeking nominations from the community to be considered for the CHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame for 2024.

“Many accomplished and dedicated individuals are not necessarily in the public eye; they are the unsung heroes and quiet warriors among us impacting students and staff every day,” said Mike Anton, CHS Alumni president. “The 2024 recognition committee invites alumni, community members, parents and others throughout the Duneland community to submit their nominations.”

Please consider nominating a candidate for Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff based on the following qualities:
Excellence
Leadership
Respect
Exceptional Contributions
Citizenship
Giving Back
Collaboration
Courageous Acts
Advocacy

The CHS Alumni Association is accepting nominations for 2024 now through Friday, November 1 at 3:00 p.m.

Learn more about the past Hall of Fame recipients and about the CHS Alumni Association at the CHS Alumni Association website.

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/

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.

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 new Strategic Plan will guide DSC for the next five years in the areas of Student Achievement, Safety & Operations, People & Culture, and Finance & Facilities.

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