DuneNews

The following students and staff members were recognized by the Duneland School Board members at their Monday, March 3 meeting.

Congratulations to the Chesterton High School Girls Swimming & Diving Team on another outstanding season. The team finished the season with their 26th consecutive DAC and IHSAA Sectional Championship and completed the season with an 8th place finish at the IHSAA State Finals.

CHS placed in 10 different individual or relay events at the State Finals. Congratulations to:

• 4-time medalists - Brenley Bonez & Adalyn Laughner

• 3-time medalists - Peyton Ostertag & Tegan Werner

• 3-time placeholder - Miata Henderson

• 2-time placeholder - Lux Mountford

• …and state placeholders - Bayley Fowler, Patricia Ozimek, and Emily Hoffman

In addition, during the 2024-25 school year, each school will be celebrating and honoring the work of its students and staff through recognition aligned to the three tag words identified in the Strategic Plan: Inspire, Engage, and Empower.

The INSPIRE Award is presented to Trojans who demonstrate exemplary leadership. Leadership is not just about holding a title—it is about taking initiative, supporting others, and fostering an environment where all students can thrive. Inspire Award recipients consistently embody the mindsets, behaviors, and skills necessary to succeed in school and beyond.

Mason Butler and Chloe Hall, both Peer Mentors at CHS, have made a tremendous impact on student success this year. Their dedication to helping their peers extends far beyond the classroom. Mason and Chloe ensure that students remain engaged in the learning process by keeping them on task, offering academic assistance, and providing encouragement on a daily basis. They actively check in with students who may be struggling, particularly during SRT, ensuring that no student feels left behind. Their unwavering commitment to their peers has fostered a more supportive and inclusive learning environment at CHS.

In addition to celebrating student leaders, CHS recognized the outstanding educators who work tirelessly to support student success. These dedicated teachers Crystal South, Suzanne Amling, Natalie Kaczmarski, Sara Gleason, Jen Breitzka, Jacob Lukach, Brian Hennigar, Phil Long, Mark Peterson, Jen Jendrezcyzk, and Mary Skube have gone above and beyond to ensure that students reach their full potential, embodying the very essence of what it means to Inspire.

The students they have supported have faced significant academic challenges throughout their school careers. However, through the power of positive relationships—many of which began in summer school—these teachers have motivated and guided them to achieve their absolute best. Their tireless efforts in the summer, classroom, and SRT have played a crucial role in positioning these students to graduate on time. These teachers helped this cohort of students earn 156 credits collectively during summer school and have played a vital role in helping this cohort achieve an on track to graduate rate of 93% after the first semester.

The Empower Award honors Trojans who exhibit remarkable growth and achievement through resilience and excellence in their pursuit of academic success. These students have demonstrated perseverance, determination, and a strong commitment to their education.

Jayden Ezra, Jill Mitchell, Vincent Ryan, and Izzy Kaiser have all gone above and beyond in their academic journey. Not only have they successfully earned all the required credits needed for graduation, but they have also completed an additional four credits through summer school. Their hard work and dedication reflect their unwavering commitment to personal and academic growth. Each of these students has faced challenges along the way, but rather than being discouraged, they have remained focused on their goals and their future. Their perseverance is a testament to their strength of character, and they continue to develop a solid foundation for life beyond high school.

BAILLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Teacher: Anne Long

Abigail Binder, Emma Breitzka, Liam Carter, Sam Chubb, Skylar Dilosa, Abby Garriott, Blakelyn Hicks, Isabella Lee, Morgan Michalski, Marlee White, Hailie Zmierski

BRUMMITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Teacher: Heather Connors

Lex Adelman, Adley Bozak, Harrison Brown, Orion Carstens-Sables, Piper Copollo, Ivy Frey, Alex Glatthorn, Piper Koniarz, Ari Panian, Nora Peffers, Eva Skurow

JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Teacher: Sue Calkusic

Cayia Blythe, Maisie Benson, Fiona Gurgon, Isabella Martinez, Addison Meyne, Lincoln Phelps, Micky Plinovich, Julia Pytel, Barinderjit Singh, Ainslee Shaw, Sam Wineland

LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Teacher: Aubrey Rose

Jameson Berwanger, Maverick Berwanger, Penelope Bulger, Victoria Demsich, Samantha Dobosz, Lucas Dones, Jace Hawthorne, Reed Hawthorne, Avani Parikh, Sofie Underwood, Addy Zachara

YOST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Teacher: Jose Carrillo

Devin Broshears, Vito Garza, Skylar Griffin, Nolan Kolosci, Mila Kovacich, Aiden Marin, Isabella Ontiveros, Zoe Pierce, Sammi Ritz, Piper Rooney, Stevie Sweeney

LIBERTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - Teacher: Brooke Sutter

Alex Cibak, David Brosas, Adelynne Dzugas, Fiona Haynes, Michelle Holmgren, Emily Mercon, Eleanor Palmisano, Nory Prow, Jaelynn Reno, Lexi Tarin, Juliette Wegerich

WESTCHESTER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - Teacher: Paige Hart

Erika Aker, Miley Campbell, Lillian Carter, Gretta Dortmund, Daniel Fowler, Crosby Lejeune, Margaret Myers, Maiya Reed, Addison Spanopoulos, Rowyn Turner, Bailey Yagelski

LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL - Teacher: Jason Gast

Brittany Anderson, Rowan Cashmer, Leah Douglas, Brooklyn Hardsock, Lily Huneryager, Isabella James, Sydney Johnson, Chloe Murzyn, Riya Patel, Abby Roper, Lauren Spiess

WESTCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL - Teacher: Katherine Jones

Iyanna Beach, Angelo Burnahl, Savannah Carlson, Riley Evans, Roxanna Frey, Abigail Kuffer, Kaden Mullert, Siddarth Senthil, Avery Smith, Genevieve Smith, Adlyn Wallace

Congratulations to the Chesterton High School Winter Guard team for achieving third place at their fourth competition of the season at the Zionsville High School Competition on March 1.

The Chesterton Winter Guard’s 2025 show is entitled “Let it Pour,” and is a program that preaches “a little rain never hurt anybody”. Our music and inspiration for this show is something that has been put together for a while, but never came to fruition. The show consists of two different songs. The first being “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly, and the second song being a rendition of Rhianna's “Umbrella” by The Baseballs. The show begins slightly somber and light while the second is much faster and more visually striking. Throughout the show you'll see members dancing and spinning flags, rifles, and sabers! (And umbrellas!)...and now-beach balls! The balls resemble the light at the top of a lamp post.

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: William Newman, Elsa Estridge, Miles Gast, Cohen Parrott, Natalie Leensvaart, and Levi Swart.

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 Franklin Central High School on March 8. In just one week on March 11, our middle school guard and high school guard will be performing In the main gym of Chesterton High School. This is an amazing opportunity for our younger performers to gain experience, and it is also an empowering send off as the high school guard heads to state finals. Official start time is 7:00pm in the main gym at the high school!

Five Chesterton High School seniors, all Japanese 5 students, have been selected as finalists to compete in the 39th Annual Japanese Speech Contest in Chicago, sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan. This prestigious contest welcomes Japanese learners from elementary school through college across ten Midwest states. The event will take place on Saturday, March 22. CHS finalists are, left to right, Izdel Burruecos-Huerta, Cooper Fowler, Luke Sparks, Carmen Thomas, and Milena Letic.

Congratulations to Chesterton’s Gold-Winning STATE Competitors! Over the last few weekends, Band, Choir, and Orchestra students competed at the State ISSMA Solo & Ensemble contest to bring home Gold! Representing the Duneland School Corporation were CHS students under the direction of Jonathan Flodder, Brian Grenier, and Kristin Morris.

Band student soloists who achieved Gold are: Andrew Kazmierczak (Tenor Sax), Will Liles (Alto Sax), Archer Lohman (Bassoon), Addison Matthews (Clarinet), Conleigh Murray (Snare Drum), Katie Newbanks (Flute & Piccolo), Cece Post (Marimba), Zavier Santiago (Alto Sax), Claire Thomas (Tenor Sax).

Band soloists who achieved a Gold with Distinction are: Elsa Estridge (Tympani), Sierra Grant (Flute), Liam Gray (French Horn), and Abigail Vidt (Clarinet).

Band soloists who achieved a Gold with Distinction and a PERFECT SCORE are: Giacomo DePasquale [Perfect Score] (Snare Drum), Makayla Erickson [Perfect Score] (Flute), Rylan Fields [Perfect Score] (Marching Tenor Drums), and Lillian Hardwick [Perfect Score] (Vibraphone).

The CHS Clarinet Choir had a Gold with Distinction winning performance: JJ Ames, Madison Buckley, Holly Decker, Addison Huffmaster, Aleks Kantowski, Lucy Rutkowski, Hazel Santos, Madelyn Street, Alina Summer, and Abby Vidt.

Mallet Trio earned Gold with Distinction: Lillian Hardwick, Cece Post, and Aubree Williams

The Trombone Quartet achieved a Gold with Distinction rating: Sam Ames, Jayden Hughes, Dri White, and Tiara Wilkerson.

Our Flute Quartet achieved Gold with Distinction rating: Gabby Aden, Sierra Grant, Kira Lopez, and Katie Newbanks, with the assistance of Makayla Erickson.

Saxophone Trio earned Gold with Distinction rating: Alex Brown, James Drury, and Zavier Santiago.

Woodwind Quartet earned a Gold rating: Holly Decker, Makayla Erickson, Archer Lohman, and Abby Vidt.

CHS Senior Megan Hadenfelt earned a Gold for her Vocal Solo.

Orchestra soloists who achieved a Gold with Distinction are: Avi Burke (Viola), Madeline Jakel (Violin), and Lily Linsemeyer (Viola)

Orchestra soloists who earned a Gold rating are: Mackenzie Griffith (Violin), James Monik (Cello), and Samuel Smith (Bass)

Advanced Orchestra Large Strings Ensemble performed selections from “Capriol Suite”, and earned Gold Rating: Emmalise Adcock, Rebecca Adcock, Ella Bolinger, Jeremy Canfield, Makenzie Dees, Elayna Doede, Lena Finck, Savannah Grant, Madeline Jakel, Katherine Jegen, Lily Linsemeyer, Chloe McGowan, James Monik, Maeci Mullet, Kaylin O'Daniel, Bailey Pikula, Isabella Ray, Kooper Sutherland, Mia Tsugawa, and Hannah Welch.

Team A: Catherine Ward, Riley Evans, Noah Hyde, Robert Hundt, and Matzen Finck

On Saturday, March 1, Westchester Middle School Robotics concluded its season at a middle school-only competition hosted at Chesterton High School, where its four teams competed against 22 others from northern Indiana to Indianapolis, showcasing significant improvements from previous events. Notably, two teams advanced to the quarter-finals, while all teams experienced a rise in their skills scores, anticipating qualification for state despite fewer competition opportunities. Additionally, Team A, pictured above, earned the prestigious Innovate Award for their exceptional and well-documented design process, validated by their Engineering Notebook submission.

Chesterton-Porter Rotary recognized Patrick Hansen as its January Student of the Month.

Hansen was nominated by Speech and Debate Director Joshua Coots, who shared that “Patrick is a dedicated member of the Speech and Debate team who has become a leader this year… he spent his own time helping his peers with arguments and … was able to be successful as a senior learning a new style of debate. Patrick is a dedicated team player while also being capable and driven in his own right. He demonstrates exactly the kind of qualities that make Chesterton Speech and Debate the legendary team that it is."

Rotary’s Student of the Month program highlights the diversely talented youth at Chesterton High School. For more information about Chesterton-Porter Rotary and its community service and student recognition programs, please contact Bonnie Hawksworth at bonniehawksworth@atproperties.com or 219-309-7638.

Pictured are Patrick, along with his parents, Brian and Melanie Hansen, and Bonnie Hawksworth, youth services director, Chesterton-Porter Rotary.

Summer School Registration will open on Monday, March 17th in a new Skyward portal. Families interested in enrolling in one of Duneland's PreK-12 Programs should look for email communication next week with detailed instructions on how to register.

Separate registration processes will be shared for invitation only Kinder Camp and Grades 1-4 High Ability programs. PreK-7 Summer School will take place at Liberty Elementary from 8am-12pm in Session 1. Grades 8-12 Summer School will take place at CHS from 7:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m. in both sessions. See below for the scheduled dates of this year's schedule.

Help us celebrate DSC Child Nutrition staff during National Nutrition Month and beginning on March 1. Take this time to thank the Child Nutrition Associates in your school for all they do in keeping our students nourished.

Help VOTE Chesterton High School 'Best Public High School' for the 3rd year in a row! Voting opened TODAY. Participants may vote one time daily in each category today through March 23. Click on the image below of this link to vote: https://www.nwitimes.com/exclusive/readerschoice/best-of-the-region-ballot-2025/

Dear Families,

We are excited to announce that we have adopted a new form of school-to-home communication at called ParentSquare for the 2025-2026 school year. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with [school or district name]. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:

• Send and receive school and class information

• Share pictures and files

• See calendar items

• Sign up to volunteer

• Schedule parent-teacher conferences

• and much more . . . all in one centralized place!

Parents—Getting Started Video

All district and school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).

Have questions? Click the question mark in the top right corner of the desktop version or the Help tab on the app (tap the triple bar icon at the top left) to find answers to most of your questions.

The third nine weeks grading period ends on Friday, March 14. Student report cards will be available at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 21.

There will be no school for all Duneland School students on March 24-28 to observe Spring break. Classes will resume on Monday, March 31.

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.

Click on the image below to register

Click on the image below to register

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.

This March, the HUB is exploring topics like Dr. Seuss, weather, spring and much more with our families. If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB.

Don't miss out on this FREE program—visit our DSC website to learn more!

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

Explore the Duneland School Corporation’s Trojan Learning Center (TLC)!

The Trojan Learning Center offers a variety of educational opportunities for young children and their families. Here's what we provide:

• Duneland Early Learning HUB: A FREE birth-to-school program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Learn more about this exciting program here: Duneland Early Learning HUB.

• Preschool Programs: We offer preschool options for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

• Duneland Family YMCA Partnership: In collaboration with the Duneland Family YMCA, we also offer two additional preschool classrooms.

All of our preschool programs use a proven curriculum to support children's social skills and emotional growth. The TLC ensures that every child enjoys a fun and nurturing learning experience, with engaging activities that bring all preschool students together!

Click on the image below for more information and to apply TODAY!

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.

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