Hello Students and Families,

Each week, our teachers have their students log into Skyward to check their grades and look to see if they have any missing assignments. This is something you can also do as a parent. In Canvas, you can sign-up to be an Observer. This means you will be able to see your child's assignments, grades, and due dates. You will also be able to see any announcements that are posted on their Canvas pages.

In Skyward Family Access, you can also check your child's grade book and look for missing assignments. In order to do this, we must have an email address for you on file in Skyward. If you do not remember your user name or are unsure if we have an email address for you on file, please call the school office and we can help. Once you are in Family Access, you can choose to get grade notifications sent to your email, letting you know when new grades are added to their grade book.

Directions for becoming a Canvas Parent Observer and signing up to get Skyward grade book notifications are attached below. We do ask that if you have any questions regarding your child's grades and classwork, that you please reach out to their teachers. Keeping communication open between school and home plays such a vital role in ensuring that our students are finding success at school. You can reach your child's teacher by calling the school, sending an email, or texting a message on Class Dojo.

Together we shine brighter!

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs. Hardwicke

Principal

This week, students will begin attending their new related arts rotations. Related arts include Art, Gym, Music, and Project Lead the Way/Media. All students who are not in performing arts (band, choir, orchestra) will have each related arts class two times during the first semester of school. All students who are in performing arts will have each related arts class once during the first semester.

Liberty Intermediate and Westchester Intermediate 5th and 6th graders will be participating in the ILEARN Checkpoint Pilot this year for both ELA and Math in October. Assessments will be condensed and focus on limited standards during each of the three checkpoints.

Per our District and Building Safety Plan, we conduct various monthly safety drills. On September 26, 2024, Liberty Intermediate/Middle School will be conducting an Armed Intruder Drill/Lockdown. This will be the rescheduled drill from earlier this month.

Per Indiana Code (IC) 10-21-1-10, during armed intruder drills, Liberty Intermediate/Middle schools will:

• Conduct the drill in a practical nature (initiate a school-wide lockdown);

• Have accommodations for students who have mobility restrictions, sensory needs, or auditory or visual limitations;

• Provide access to mental health services on school grounds following the conclusion of a drill; and

• Provide alternative exercises for students who are unable to participate in a drill.

Miss Ellis is one of our new fifth grade teachers this year. She teaches ELA and Social Studies on a team with Mrs. Petro. She is a Ball State graduate. Chirp! Chirp! Miss Ellis brings a passion for learning and is ready to challenge her students accomplish great things in her classroom. She is such a wonderful addition to our staff. Thank you for everything you do for ours students.

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Chinese Food

Favorite Subject as a Student: Art

Favorite Hobby: Learning ASL (American Sign Language)

An interesting fact about Miss Ellis is that she used to race dirt bikes.

Information regarding student bus transportation for the 2024-2025 school year is available on DSC website under the Transportation Department.

TRACK STUDENT'S BUS WITH MYSTOP APP

The Duneland School Corporation Department of Transportation has now made My Stop available to our families.

My Stop is a web-based application which will allow parents to access live bus GPS information using a smartphone, tablet, or computer and securely view the current location of your child’s bus on routes. The system also provides the bus’s estimated time of arrival at your child’s bus stop.

Please read the attached letter to parents for more information on how to use My Stop to track your child's bus.

Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Earbuds, & Earphones Usage

5th and 6th 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. Intermediate curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.

Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in both LIS intramural sports and Liberty Middle School athletics. If your child wants to participate in middle school sports, they must have a current physical on file, dated after 4/1/24. Sixth grade students can ONLY participate Middle School Cross Country, Westling, and Track and Field. Below is a link to the Liberty Fall Sports page. This fall, students can participate in Middle School Cross Country. Mr. Nick Bamber is the athletic director for Liberty Campus. Please reach out to Mr. Bamber with any questions.

10/9 - PTO Meeting in Media Center 4:00

10/18 - End of 1st Grading Period

Purchase Kona Ice Curing Lunch

10/24 & 10/25 - Fall Break No School

10/29 - Report Cards Released on Skyward

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.

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.

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

DuneNews

You can access the most current issue of the DuneNews by clicking here.

LIBERTY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

School Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/13

Address: 50 W. 900 N. Chesterton, IN 46304

Phone: 219-983-3690

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