March 14, 2025

Good evening, Liberty Middle School Parents.

3rd Quarter report cards are now available to students and parents in Skyward.

Congratulations to our 8th Grade Girl's Basketball Team! They finished the season undefeated and Lake-Porter Conference Champions! They beat Crown Point Taft in the championship game last night 34-14! They also received a police escort to Dairy Queen afterwards, courtesy of LMS SRO, Officer Tony Alfaro.

Spring Break is March 24-28! All Duneland Schools will be closed during that time. Have a fantastic break!

Our online fan store is open with all kinds of LMS spirit wear and accessories! Items will be added periodically throughout the year and the store will remain open all year. Find the link below for all of the details!

Make sure to check out the LMS Student Announcements that are linked below! The students put a lot of work into it and do a great job!

--Reminders: The next LMS Weekly will come out on April 4.

Respectfully,

Mike Hamacher, LMS Principal

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.

In accordance with Indiana Code, please see the new cell phone policy below. Please take some time to share this with you child. Thank you!

Wireless Communication Devices

Per IC 20-26-5-40.7 - The use of wireless communication devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, gaming devices, smartwatches, etc. is strictly prohibited during academic class periods unless explicitly authorized by the teacher for educational purposes.

Students are permitted to use a wireless communication device in the event of a health or safety emergency or to manage health care as specifically defined in the student’s Individualized Health Plan (IHP), Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or Section 504 Plan.

A wireless communication device is defined by Indiana law as any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two (2) or more parties.

Electronic devices can aid or hinder the learning experience in a school environment. With this in mind, cell phones are not permitted to be visible/audible in the classrooms, hallways or lunchrooms at any time.

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.

As the Student Council sponsor, I’m excited to announce that we are collecting gently used prom dresses for our 8th graders to wear to the upcoming dance! If you have a dress that’s gathering dust in the back of your closet, consider donating it to help make this special night unforgettable for our students.

Donations can be dropped off at the Liberty Middle School office until April 4. Your generosity will ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend the dance feeling confident and ready to celebrate.

Thank you in advance for your support! Let’s make this dance one to remember!

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 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 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.

• March 14 - End of the 3rd Quarter
• March 21 - Staff vs. Student Annual Basketball Game (During School Day Event)
• March 24 - March 28 - Spring Break
• May 9 - 8th Grade Reality Store (During School Day Event)
• May 23 - 8th Grade Farewell Dance @ WMS (MORE INFO TO COME)

• Tuesday, March 12 - Girls BB 7th vs. Willowcreek @ 5PM - Home
• Tuesday, March 12 - Girls BB 8th vs. Willowcreek @ 5PM - Away
• Wednesday, March 13 - Girls BB 7th vs. TJ - Play-In Tournament @ 5PM - Home
• Wednesday, March 13 - Girls BB 8th vs. TJ - Play-In Tournament @ 6PM - Home

Click the image below for the direct link. Or use the QR Code!

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students, we want to inform you about an important update regarding students who are injured and wearing medical devices such as walking boots, crutches, casts, slings, or splints. Effective immediately, any student with a medical device will be required to provide a doctor’s note confirming that they are cleared to participate in both gym class and recess. If a doctor advises against participation for any specified duration, the student will need to provide a subsequent note from the doctor clearing the student to resume these activities once they are healed.

LMS students have a busy spring semester ahead.

*Then on April 26th, 8th grade girls will be offered the opportunity to attend a NEW conference. This event focuses on the non-traditional employment for women. Girls will get to see and understand what career options are available besides the traditional female jobs. More information will follow.

*Finally, our 8th grade students will participate in the Reality Store. This is a role playing career exercise that will take place in May. As the time gets closer there will be more information shared.

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 Duneland School Corporation will continue to improve current facilities to enhance the student experience with the following capital improvements in 2025: playground replacements at Bailly, Brummitt, Jackson, and Liberty elementary schools and soccer stadium renovations and carpet replacement at Chesterton High School. This presentation below provides additional details on the scope of each project. Concept drawings and timelines regarding 2021-2025 capital improvement projects are available on the DSC website.

ATTENTION!!!

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

Middle School Physicals will need to be turned 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 packets are available in the main office.

*Physical Checklist*

• Physical Examination from the Doctor
• History Form
• Consent and Release Certificate (Make sure insurance information is complete)
• Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Sheet
• ALL FinalForms documents MUST be completed.

BREAKFAST

$1.60

LUNCH

$2.95

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.

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.

44 WEST 900 NORTH

CHESTERTON, IN 46304

OFFICE # - (219) 983-3740

FAX # - (219) 983-3753