Dear Westchester Middle School Parents,

It has been another great week at Westchester. As we settle into our daily routines, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

We are off to a great start, and I am incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and positivity our students have brought with them each day. Their eagerness to learn, along with the dedication of our talented teachers and staff, creates an inspiring atmosphere for growth and success. It is truly a joy to witness their hard work and progress.

This year, we are committed to fostering not only academic excellence but also social and emotional well-being. Our goal is to create an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. With your partnership, we know we can continue to build a school community that encourages curiosity, creativity, and kindness.

I encourage you to stay engaged through our various communication channels, attend school events, and reach out to us whenever needed. Thank you again for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, we are creating a bright future for all our students.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Lauren Seiss, WMS Principal

Reminders:

• 48-Hour Attendance Policy for Call Off(s) - Parents/Guardians will have 48 hours to excuse their students absence, after which time it will be considered unexcused.

• Parents who are picking up their child or dropping something off for their child must present a driver's license or state ID to our office staff in order to do so. Also, if a parent sends someone else to pick their student up or drop something off for them, they must not only present identification but must also be on the list in Skyward as a family or emergency contact.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

9/9 (H) 7th Gr. Volleyball vs. Pierce Middle School at 5:00pm @ WMS

9/9 (A) 8th Gr. Volleyball vs. Pierce Middle School at 5:00pm @ Pierce

9/9 Duneland School Board Meeting at 6pm

9/10 Cross Country (Co-ed) vs. Hobart/Liberty at 5:00pm

9/10 (A) Football vs. Willowcreek at 5:00pm @ Willowcreek

9/10 (H) 7th Gr. Volleyball vs. Liberty at 5:00pm @ WMS

9/10 (A) 8th Gr. Volleyball vs. Liberty at 5:00pm @ LMS

9/12 (A) 7th Gr. Volleyball vs. Union Twp. at 5:00pm @ Union Twp. MS

9/12 (H) 8th Gr. Volleyball vs. Union Twp. at 5:00pm @ WMS

9/13 Kona Ice at lunch/recess

9/14 (A) Cross Country (Co-ed) Warsaw Invite at 11:00am

9/18 Community Open House and Site Tour 5:30 - 7:00pm

A: Crunch

Please call our main office at 219-983-3780 to report your student absent with in 48hours.

Attendance questions should be directed to Amanda Ray amray@duneland.k12.in.us

Westchester Families,

Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported while they are on our campuses every day. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority -- and requires a proactive approach to violence prevention. That is why the Duneland School Corporation has the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.

We will be retraining our students on when and how to use it starting on September 10, 2024.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is a research-based violence prevention program offered by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization. It teaches the warning signs of potential violence or self-harm and provides students and staff with secure ways to share safety concerns through a mobile app, website, or phone call.

Simply put, this program will further enhance the student protections we already have in place.

More than 5,000 schools nationwide have launched this program to date. Administrators and school staff report that their students already feel safer—and lives have already been saved.

We have included information about what the app is, how students can use it, and why we are adopting it in our schools below.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lauren Seiss, Principal

The Duneland School Corporation has adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for all grade 5-12 schools this year. The link to the Say Something Tip Line can be found on the DSC website, on the middle and high school websites, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.

The DSC Child Nutrition Department is now utilizing NutriSlice as its new 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 items at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of food items being served at each of the schools.

Breakfast $1.60

Lunch $2.95

ATTENTION!!!

2024-2025 ALL ATHLETES MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE TO PARTICIPATE!

Middle School Physicals will need to be turned in to coaches or the athletic department, prior to open gym, tryouts, or practices in order to participate.

There are a total of 6 forms that need to be completed. The actual physical is completed by the Dr. and the rest of the forms are completed by the parent(s) and the student. Physicals will not be accepted if there are forms missing!

*Physical Checklist*

• Final Forms Online parent and student
• Physical Examination from the Dr.
• History Form (It is 2 pages)
• Consent and Release Certificate (Make sure insurance information is complete)
• Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
• Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Code of Conduct

Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Earbuds, & Earphones Usage:

7th and 8th 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.

iPad Use

• 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. Middle school curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.

CONTACTING IT SUPPORT

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

Internet Connectivity

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

Parent Observer Account

Parents are encouraged to set up their Canvas observer accounts to monitor their students' progress. Parents can click this link to view how to set up their Parent Observer Account

Link to the Canvas Log In

WE WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE THE BUS HOME WITH FRIENDS THAT DO NOT SHARE THE THE SAME DESIGNATED BUS ROUTE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE UTMOST CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OUR STUDENTS.

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.

n 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.