Dear Westchester Middle School Parents,

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Community Open House at the Westchester Campus on Wednesday, September 18th from 5:30-7pm. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for you to explore our campus through self-guided tours. Please note that teachers will not be in the building during this time, as the focus will be on allowing you to freely navigate and experience our facilities at your own pace.

As we approach the end of the first month of school, we would also like to remind you to take advantage of our yearbook special. The lowest price of the yearbook is available for a limited time only, and this special offer will end in just one week. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure a keepsake that captures all the memories of this school year.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1073339/Westchester-Intermediate-School/2025-Yearbook/2024080709151199062/CATALOG_SHOP/

Additionally, we want to ensure that students are fully prepared for their classes. Please make sure your child brings a fully charged iPad and a pencil to school each day. This preparation will help them engage more effectively in their lessons and activities.

Lastly, we encourage you to explore the many opportunities available at WMS. From academic clubs to extracurricular activities, there’s something for everyone. We believe these activities are a great way for students to develop new skills, meet new friends, and become more involved in the school community.

We look forward to seeing you at the Open House and appreciate your continued support.

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:

9/14 (A) Cross Country (Co-ed) Warsaw Invite

9/16 (A) Volleyball 7/8 A Team vs. Kahler MS at 5:00pm at Kahler

9/17 (A) Football vs. Hobart at 5:00pm at Hobart Middle School

9/17 (A) Cross Country (Co-ed) vs. LMS at 5:00pm

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

9/19 (H) 8th Gr. Volleyball vs. Ben Franklin at 5:00pm at WMS

9/19 (A) 7th Gr. Volleyball vs. Ben Franklin at 5:00pm at Ben Franklin MS

9/21 (A) 7th/8th Gr. A Team Volleyball Edgewood Tournament at 8:00am in Warsaw

9/21 (A) 7th/8th Gr. B Team Volleyball Col. Wheeler Tournament at 9:00am

9/21 (A) 9/21 (A) Cross Country (Co-ed) Willowcreek Invite at 9:00am at Woodland Park

9/24 (H) Cross Country vs. Taft/Col. Wheeler at 5:00pm

A:an antelope

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 Middle School 7th grade Math students and Liberty Middle School 8th grade ELA students will be participating in the ILEARN Checkpoint pilot this year. Assessments will be condensed and focus on limited standards during each of the three checkpoints

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.

1. Chesterton Girls Basketball Winter League at Chesterton High School

• Girls in grades 2nd-6th
  
• Registration is open now until September 26th.
• Player Evaluations on October 6th, League begins November 17th
• Register at www.chestertongirlsbasketball.org

2. Chesterton Girls Basketball Middle School Winter League (Club1 League)

• Girls in grades 7th/8th
• Registration opens Monday, September 16th
• League begins Nov. 10th and runs for 4 weeks at area schools.
• Register at www.chestertongirlsbasketball.org

3. Chesterton Girls Basketball Fall Girls Hoops & Handles Skills Academy

• Girls in grades K-8th
• Registration opens Friday, September 13th
• Ball Handling, Shooting, Offensive and Defensive concepts
• Register will open on www.chestertongirlsbasketball.org

4. The Chesterton High School Girls Basketball program is hosting a trivia night fundraiser on Saturday, October 5th, in the Chesterton High School cafeteria. Join the Trojans for a night of trivia, food, basket raffles, music, and fun! Bring an entire trivia team with costumes and compete for prizes. Or, you can also purchase individual trivia seat tickets as well. To purchase trivia tickets, make a donation, or if you own or work at a business that is interested in being a winter season sponsor, please visit www.chestertongirlsbasketball.org. We are a 501c3 Not-For-Profit Group and all transactions have no processing fees and receipts are issued immediately for tax purposes. If you have any questions, please contact Chesterton High School Head Coach Candy Wilson at chestertongirlsbbchs@gmail.com.

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.