As today is Veterans Day, we take this opportunity to recognize and honor the remarkable individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their commitment and sacrifice exemplify the highest ideals of service to our country. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and to recognize the courage, selflessness, and dedication of those who have fought to protect them.

At Chesterton High School, we are fortunate to have veterans among our faculty and staff who have not only served our country but continue to serve our school community. Please join us in offering a heartfelt thanks to the CHS veterans who have given so much for our nation:

• Mr. Tom Biel – CHS Business Teacher (Army)
• Mr. Matt Christensen – CHS Assistant Band Director (Marines)
• Mr. Donovan Estridge – CHS Exceptional Learning Teacher (Coast Guard)
• Mr. Ron Kniola – CHS Substitute Teacher (Army)
• Mr. Pat Moody – CHS English Teacher (Army)
• Mr. Brian Hennigar – CHS Science Teacher (Marines)
• Dr. Robert Martino – CHS Science Teacher (Army)
• Mr. James Sensibaugh – CHS Social Studies Teacher (Army)
• Dr. Blake Soller – CHS English Teacher (Navy)
• Sgt. Chris Swickard – CHS School Resource Officer (Marines)
• Mr. Chris Richardson – Exceptional Learning Teacher (RISE Academy) – Army
• Ms. Hailey Leohr – Custodian (PM) – Army National Guard

These individuals embody a legacy of bravery and resilience that is essential to our country’s history and future. Through their daily commitment at CHS, they inspire us all with their dedication to education and service.

Let us use this day to reflect on the values that these men and women stand for and remember the sacrifices made by all who have served. To our CHS veterans and to veterans everywhere – thank you for your service, your bravery, and your unwavering commitment to the freedoms we cherish.

We want to take a moment to share how much we value your presence at school each day. Your attendance not only supports your academic success but also plays a vital role in creating a vibrant, positive school culture. Each student brings unique talents, ideas, and energy that enriches our community and makes a difference in our classrooms, hallways, and beyond.

When you’re here, you’re part of a team that values growth, kindness, and achievement. We are thrilled to see you each morning, ready to learn, connect, and make memories. Together, we build a stronger, more connected school where everyone has a place to thrive.

Thank you for your commitment to being here and for contributing to the wonderful atmosphere at our school. Let’s make this year one of connection, success, and positivity. We are so glad you’re here with us!

Chesterton Coed Varsity Cheer traveled down to New Castle, IN today to compete in the IASP State Cheerleading Championships. The team had to qualify to be in the finals this weekend at New Castle High School. Chesterton competed in the large Time-out division and placed 9th out of the 24 teams that competed overall. The Time-out division requires a crowd leading cheer that begins and ends with the sound of a buzzer replicating a basketball Time-out situation.

Competing at the state finals were teammates Aubrey Schilla, Ava Casselman, Bayli Stills, Bobby Spencer, Brendan Brady, Canon Surane, Carly Decker, Cole Gilbert, Emma Gilbert, Ethan Wood, Gaby Dunlap, Gionna Pinkston, Grace Miller, Jori Hawkins, Jori Higdon, Kate Cichocki, Lauren Koonce, Levi Swart, Maddie Lyons, Mady Novak, Nicole Marciniak, Niko Monaco, Olivia Papp, Veronica Perez, and Vincent Casselman and manager Ashlyn Dolph. The Trojans are Coaches by Tara Graf and Calla Dolph.

This was the cheer programs first visit to IASP State finals in the history of the competition and they represented Duneland extremely well!

The CHS Football team lost to Valparaiso last Friday night by a score of 28-21. The Trojans fought hard after trailing 14-0 in the first quarter. Congrats to Coach Peterson, the coaching staff, and the entire team on a great season!

Chesterton High School students Chloe-Joi Pablo and Karina Vasquez entered their artwork into the Purdue Fort Wayne's Annual High School Juried Art Exhibition. They killed it! On October 14th, Karina received 1st place overall for her oil painting, "The Call of Dreams." She won $175 cash! Chloe won BEST IN SHOW for her ink drawing, "Dog Days." She won $200 cash and a $1,200 scholarship for Purdue! I'm so proud of these amazing artists and can't wait to see what else they come up with for their IB Art Show in the spring!

This past Wednesday, November 6th, a grouping of CHS female students participated in the annual Hattagirl women’s tea event at the Sand Creek Country Club, featuring a panel of influential female speakers who shared their insights and experiences. One of the featured speakers was Chesterton HS Associate Principal Kristen Peterson!

The event is designed for successful women to share with other women, helping them to learn how they manage juggling the many hats they wear and how it contributes to their successes.

Pictured are participating CHS students: Marlee Wilson, Kelly Swickard, Lilly Boyter, Jane Maddex, Claire Demeter, Kylia Peterson, Anisa Faroh

The Chesterton High School Music Department will present its 52nd Annual Madrigal Dinners on December 6, 7, and 8 in the CHS Cafeteria. All seats are reserved, and tickets will be on sale for $40 per person. Ticket sales will be online only and begin at 9:00 a.m.on Saturday, November 9. Ticket sales will be held until no tickets remain or Friday, December 6, whichever comes first. There will be no exchanges or refunds. To purchase tickets, visit www.cur8.com

Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, December 7 at 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

The CHS Cafeteria will be transformed into a “Greate Hall” complete with Elizabethan settings and costumes for “Ye Olde Madrigal Christmas Feasts.” The Madrigal is set in the 16th Century and represents the traditions of the Christmas season through spoken and musical offerings. The cast of approximately 100 CHS music students dressed in medieval costume sing, play, juggle, amuse and serve throughout each of the five performances. The students and their directors, Vince Arizzi, Matt Christensen, Jonathan Flodder, Brian Grenier, Kristin Morris, and Laura Carrillo work each year to present a quality performance.

Included in the Madrigal, along with the music and drama, is a complete dinner. The dinner includes a relish tray, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, wassail, rolls, and dessert. Special Diet Plates consisting of either Gluten Free, Dairy Free, or Vegetarian meals will be available ONLY IF REQUESTED at the time of ticket purchase. The meal is prepared each year by the Chesterton Child Nutrition staff.

As we approach the end of the first semester, we would like to take a moment to inform you about the upcoming final exam schedule and set some expectations to ensure a smooth and successful conclusion to the semester.

Final Exam Schedule: (See Below)

The final exam schedule has been carefully crafted to provide ample time for students to review and prepare for their exams. Please find the detailed schedule below. We encourage both parents and students to review the schedule and take note of the dates and times of each exam.

Preparation and Study Tips:

To optimize performance during the exams, we recommend that students:

• Create a Study Schedule: Plan study sessions well in advance, covering all subjects with a focus on challenging topics.

• Review Class Notes: Go through class notes, textbooks, and any provided study materials to reinforce key concepts.

• Practice Past Papers: Utilize past exams or practice questions to familiarize yourselves with the exam format and time constraints.

• Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure proper sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise to support overall well-being and concentration.

Exam Day Expectations:

On the day of the exams, we request your cooperation in ensuring the following:

• Punctuality: Arrive at the examination venue on time. Late arrivals or absences will negatively impact your child’s grade on this exam.

• Materials: Bring all necessary materials, including pens, pencils, school issued computer device, and any approved resources.

Attendance:

All students are expected to participate in final exams for their classes. Students will not be dismissed from a class for a scheduled appointment until all students in that class have finished the exam. If you have any questions please contact your child's Assistant Principal.

Our faculty and support staff are here to assist and guide students through this period. Should you or your child have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the respective teachers or the school administration.

We appreciate your continued support in fostering a positive and focused exam environment. Together, we can ensure that our students finish the semester on a high note and enter the well-deserved break with confidence.

Best wishes to all students as they prepare for their final exams. We believe in their abilities and are confident in their success.

Final Exam Schedule:

Tuesday, December 17

Wednesday, December 18

Thursday, December 19

Friday, December 20

On Monday, October 7, 2024, the Duneland School Board approved a K-12 addendum for all school handbooks. This addendum addresses how school administration responds to threats of violence made by students. It is important that students know of the potential repercussions of their words. The schools will be addressing this addendum with students prior to it going into effect on Monday, October 14, 2024. This addendum, is also available in each of the school handbooks under Student Code of Conduct/Specific Rules of Behavior.

November 21, 22, 23: CHS Musical at 7pm in the Auditorium

November 27, 28, 29: No School - Thanksgiving Break

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.

This past July, the Town of Dune Acres gifted Chesterton High School with a donation towards drug awareness and education for students and families. Duneland School SROs have worked closely with Chesterton administration to cultivate educational opportunities, using materials purchased through Human Media Relations, to help students who may struggle with vaping and drug pressures.

Deferment course materials, in tandem with family conferences, are aimed towards giving students more knowledge about the dangers of vaping and controlled substances, as well as establishing trusted working relationships between the school, SROs, and families.

In our efforts to prepare every student for life after high school we have an opportunity for your student to learn what we believe are the most important traits to help them be successful. At Chesterton High School every student has the opportunity to sign up to participate in our Work Ethic Certification program. We will be giving every student the opportunity to sign up to work toward earning a Work Ethic Certification during their Advisory period on Tuesday, September 17. This credential can be used in potential interviews for jobs, college admissions, and scholarship opportunities. If you have any questions please contact Doretta Kurzinski at dkurzinski@duneland.k12.in.us or Brent Martinson at brmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us.

Why Work Ethic Certification?

• Employers have indicated that mastery of Work Ethic Skills is one of the top characteristics needed in employees.

• One of the fundamental goals of Northwest Indiana Workforce Board is to produce an emerging workforce that has the 21st Century Skills needed to face the challenges of a global marketplace.

What is the Work Ethic Certificate?

• A filter for employers when hiring or selecting candidates

• A common identifiable metric of work habits

• A credential demonstrating knowledge of skills, abilities and commitment to work

• Development of needed behavioral characteristics in emerging workforce

Who is eligible to earn a Work Ethic Certificate?

• High school students who demonstrate mastery of 10 employer expectations (See below)

Top 10 Employer Expectations

1. Show a positive attitude

Encourages & assists others when needed, sees the best in situations, responds positively to authority, demonstrates willingness to learn new tasks

2. Work well with others

Sees different perspectives, collaborates/cooperates with others, communicates effectively, encourages others to participate,

3. Be honest and have integrity

Is trusted by others, is truthful/does not lie or cheat, acknowledges one's own work, shows up, follows through on tasks

4. Arrive to work on time

Arrives on time, anticipates and adjusts for potential delays, meets deadlines

5. Follow directions

Follows rules and procedures, clarifies directions, completes assignments

6. Recognize problems and find solutions

Thinks critically, accepts challenges, considers choices, finds alternative solutions

7. Apply good listening skills

Values and respects other opinions, knows when to speak & when not to, demonstrates patience, asks questions for clarification

8. Manage time effectively

Routinely plans and prioritizes, sets realistic and attainable goals

9. Maintain a safe work environment

Understands the need for healthy lifestyle, laws, & regulations in the workplace, is aware of purpose of passing drug & background checks

10. Respect diversity and exercise tolerance

Recognizes and respects others’ differences

Thank you to all of our students and parents for helping us get off to a good start regarding our arrival and dismissal procedures! We will continue to make adjustments to effectively get our buses out and on their routes. When we work together then we can accomplish anything!

Key Changes:

• Morning Drop-Off: All students being dropped off before 8:10 AM must be dropped off at Door 34 or Door 31.
• Afternoon Pick-Up: All students being picked up after 3:10 PM must be picked up at Door 34 or Door 31.

This change is being made to ensure that our buses can enter and exit CHS safely and on time.

We appreciate your cooperation in following this new policy and helping us maintain a smooth and efficient arrival and dismissal process for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

In efforts to help with our arrival and dismissal procedures at CHS the following procedures will be implemented for all student drivers.

All student drivers must purchase a student parking pass and display visibly to park at Chesterton High School. You can pick up a student parking application in the main office. All students need to have a complete application and student parking pass by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 21. There will be no fee for the student parking pass.

Parking Guidelines:

• Students are only allowed to park by Door 31, Door 34, and in the back of the school by the tennis courts.
• Students are NOT allowed to park in the front of the building (west side), which includes the faculty lot and the visitor lot.

Failure to follow this policy could result in disciplinary action and/or loss of driving privileges.

Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines.

CHS currently offers 67 Dual Credit courses! Our goal at CHS is for 75% or more of our students to earn dual credit while they are in high school and 40% of our seniors to earn 1 years worth of college credit. We have dual credit partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Northwest, Ball State University, University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, and Indiana University. Ivy Tech is our main partner for dual credit opportunities. We offer many courses through our Dual Credit partnerships that are part of the Indiana College Core (ICC) Transfer Library. This means that students who take these FREE courses will be able to transfer those college credits to any state funded institution. The current cost of a year of college at a state funded school (ex. IU or Purdue) is approximately $10,000 for tuition plus room and board. By earning these credits at CHS you could save A LOT of money!

To be eligible for dual credit, students need to apply to Ivy Tech AND earn a score of 70 or higher on both English and Math STEM Knowledge Assessments BEFORE registering for a dual credit course.

Scan the QR Code below for the steps to apply for Ivy Tech Dual Credit courses. Once you apply, you will be able to register for dual credit courses. If you have any questions or need assistance contact Mrs. Tiffany Hawkins, CHS Assistant Principal, at 219-983-3730 or thawkins@duneland.k12.in.us.

On July 1, 2024, the Indiana Legislators enacted a new law for all K-12 schools in Indiana. The law reads as follows:

Electronic Devices (P.L. 108-1994, HEA 1202): 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.

Chesterton High School’s new policy regarding wireless communication devices includes cell phones, earbuds/headphones, smartwatches, and any other auxiliary device that can be paired with a cellular phone. When a student is directed by a teacher or staff member to follow the established classroom phone/wireless communication policy, noncompliant students will be referred to the office and are subject to disciplinary action for insubordination.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us create a focused and productive learning environment at CHS.

Learn more about the Duneland Early Learning Classes at the the HUB. Click on the image below to enroll.