DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
February 6, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 25
Coming Soon...Kindergarten Round Up
Prospective Duneland students who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2020, may register for the 2020-2021 school year at their respective school.
BAILLY, BRUMMITT, JACKSON, LIBERTY & YOST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Thursday, March 5, 2020
3:00-5:00 p.m. & 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Visit this link for more details about Duneland School Kindergarten Round Up...
Duneland Schools Welcomes New SRO Mike Manion
Chesterton Police Corporal Mike Manion has joined the Duneland School Corporation team as the newest School Resource Officer (SRO). Officer Mike will be replacing longtime SRO Randy Komisarcik who has now retired from the Chesterton Police Department.
Officer Mike is a graduate of Eastern Greene High School in Bloomfield, IN. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Vincennes University and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University-Bloomington in criminal justice, in addition to completing his police academy training.
Officer Mike began his law enforcement career at the Indiana State Prison and joined the Chesterton Police Department in February 2013. His office will be at Chesterton Middle School.
Duneland Schools to Develop Strategic Plan
A strategic plan establishes a direction for the school district, sharpens focus, develops the right goals and targets, and helps the district to concentrate its efforts. These goals and actions will provide the blueprint for future decisions and a roadmap for the next 3-5 years.
Development of this plan will require a special team of individuals who will work to:
1. Establish purpose and direction with goals aligned to our vision and mission.
2. Set priorities for resource allocation and decision-making.
3. Ensure operational efficiency.
4. Emphasize research-based strategies to promote student learning.
5. Develop systems that will build capacity for continued growth.
A group of 30-plus people are being invited to make up the Strategic Planning Team comprised of board members, the superintendent, central office administrators, teachers, principals, classified staff, students, parents and community members. This team will meet on 11 Monday evenings beginning on January 27 and will conclude with a presentation to the School Board for adoption on June 1. The work of this team will be facilitated by Howe and Associates Consulting, LLC.
Once goals are established, another group of individuals with experience and knowledge in the goal areas will be encouraged to help construct action plans followed by a leadership summit to be conducted in late spring seeking additional input into the plan.
Persons interested in participating in either of these groups should contact Melissa Jaeger, DSC executive assistant, by Friday, February 28 at 219-983-3605 or mjaeger@duneland.k12.in.us.
The Duneland School Corporation is accepting nominations for the “Teacher of the Year” and “Employee of the Year.”
The DSC will select a “Teacher of the Year” recipient for each of the following:
- Primary (Elementary & Intermediate) Teacher Grades K-6
- Secondary (Middle & High School) Teacher Grades 7-12
The DSC will also select an “Employee of the Year” recipient for the classified staff.
Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community may nominate a DSC teacher and/or classified employee. There is no limit to the number of teachers or classified employees a person may nominate. Please complete a separate nomination form for each teacher and/or classified employee you wish to nominate.
A selection committee made up of DSC administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members will narrow the nominations and interview the final nominees before selecting a winner for each category. Winners will be announced at a School Board meeting in May.
Please complete nomination forms online:
Teacher of the Year – TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
Employee of the Year – EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
Printable forms are also available:
Teacher of the Year – PRINTABLE TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
Employee of the Year – PRINTABLE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
and mail to: DSC, Teacher and Employee of the Year, 601 W. Morgan Ave., Chesterton, IN 46304.
Nomination forms must be received no later than Tuesday, March 2, 2020 to be considered.
For additional information, please contact:
Melissa Jaeger
Duneland School Corporation Secretary
219-983-3605
mjaeger@duneland.k12.in.us
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Bailly School Recognized at Common Sense School
Bailly Elementary School has been recognized as a Common Sense School, an honor that recognizes efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire school community in this important discussion.
The recognition, announced by Common Sense—a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, acknowledges the school’s commitment to helping students build skills that are essential for their well-being today—and for the opportunities they'll have tomorrow. Read more...
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Chesterton Middle School All-Region Ensembles
This year, Chesterton Middle School (CMS) had 16 students selected for the Indiana All-Region Band and Orchestra. Northwest Indiana students are selected for these groups through application and teacher recommendation. Some of the criteria include class performance, solo and ensemble participation, and private lessons experience. The students chosen receive an entire folder of music to prepare, mostly on their own, then meet together with students selected from middle school music programs in the Northwest Indiana region. Read more at CMS in the News...
Chesterton Middle School Music Students receive All-State Honors
Chesterton Middle School (CMS) music students are again among the finest in the state of Indiana! This year CMS had four students, above, left to right, Adrian Dooley, Chloe Wring, Ava Komp and Sarah Bennett who were selected for Indiana Junior All-State Ensembles (Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra). The Junior All-State Ensemble participants are selected from blind audition recordings submitted by 7th, 8th and 9th grade music students all over the state. They are then evaluated several times by a variety of Indiana music educators. Read more at CMS in the News...
Chesterton High School Class of 2021 Rising Stars
Four Chesterton High School juniors have been recognized as Class of 2021 Rising Stars of Indiana in the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) recognition program. Those CHS juniors are pictured above, left to right, Frances Clancy, Connor Casbon, Olivia Kroeger and Carter Casbon, with Principal Brent Martinson.
Rising Stars of Indiana is a non-competitive recognition program, designed to honor high school juniors for their academic achievement. By allowing schools to identify outstanding scholars during their Junior year, students can increase their visibility and scholarship opportunities. Each Indiana high school can recognize up to four individual students. These students were selected based on their academic achievement.
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
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2019-2020 Procedures for Delaying/Closing School
As we approach the winter season, please review the attached letter from Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit regarding the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather...
Duneland School Spirit Wear Online Store
Did you know that the Duneland School Corporation has an online store for ordering all of your Duneland School spirit wear? For your convenience, all of your orders can be shipped to your home for a nominal fee or you can pick-up your online order at Blythe's Team Sports in Valparaiso.
Parents can also purchase P.E. uniforms for students in grades 7-12 and Body Conditioning for 9-12. The uniforms will no longer be available for purchase at CMS / CHS.
The CHS / CMS P.E. and Body Conditioning Uniforms (t-shirt and shorts) are the only items that will be shipped within a few days of ordering. Orders can be sent directly to your home within a few business days for a nominal fee or you can choose to pick up your online order at Blythe's Team Sports in Valparaiso.
Other spirit wear on the site can be ordered during a 14-day window. Orders will then be processed and shipped. Further information is located on the online store site.
Click the button below to enter the online store!
Join the CHS Alumni Association!
Have you been thinking about joining the Chesterton High School Alumni Association, but just haven't gotten around to it? Or, are you wondering why you should join this organization?
The CHS Alumni Association was formed to help support the enhancement of the Duneland School Corporations' educational processes and scholarships for graduating seniors at Chesterton High School. Your dues in the organization will help the group to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance. We will also honor teachers, administration, and support staff (alumni) into their respective ''Halls of Fame” at our first annual banquet to be held on May 7, 2020 at Chesterton High School.
Mark your calendar to support our fundraiser for CHS student scholarships:
Alumni Association All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, March 14 from 7-10 a.m.
George's Gyros Spot
325 N Calumet Rd. in Chesterton
Interested in getting involved in the Alumni Association? The group welcomes the help of our membership to assist us in achieving our mission to raise funds for student scholarships. Please join us for our next meeting on Thursday, February 13 at 4 p.m. at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue in Chesterton.
The Chesterton High School Alumni Association welcomes all former CHS alumni, and present and past faculty and staff members of the Duneland Schools to join the Association. Annual membership dues is $15 per alumni or Lifetime membership is a one-time fee of $150.00 minus your age. (Example: $150.00 less your age of 60 years would equal dues of $90.00).
Visit the Duneland School website at this link www.duneland.k12.in.us and download an application to join today.
Join us on Facebook The REAL Chesterton High School Alumni Association
CHS Alumni Association seeking nominations for Hall of Fame 2020
Chesterton Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2020 Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff Hall of Fame. Recipients will be honored at the first annual Alumni Association Dinner Banquet on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Chesterton High School.
“Many accomplished and dedicated individuals are not necessarily in the public eye; they are the unsung heroes and quiet warriors among us impacting students and staff every day,” said Jim Hall, CHS Alumni president. “The 2020 recognition committee invites alumni, community members, parents and others throughout the Duneland community to submit their nominations.”
Please consider nominating a current or past Duneland employee for one or more of the categories based on:
Excellence • Leadership • Respect • Exceptional Contributions • Citizenship
Giving Back • Collaboration • Courageous Acts • Advocacy
The CHS Alumni Association is accepting nominations for a teacher, administrator and support staff member of the year through Friday, February 28 at 3 p.m. Those that wish to submit one nominee for each category must use separate nomination forms. A nomination form is available online by clicking this link.
Nomination forms will also be available for pick up at Chesterton High School, 2125 S 11th Street during school hours only or at the Duneland School Corporation Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Completed nominations may be submitted electronically to CHSalumniassociation@duneland.k12.in.us; or by mailing to CHS Alumni Association, PO Box 1063, Chesterton, IN 46304; or by dropping off the at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The regular Duneland School Board meeting was moved to Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, to conduct business and to appoint and swear in new school board member. Duneland School Board meetings are normally scheduled for the first Monday of the month unless noted differently. An DSC Executive Session will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. immediately following the regular school board meeting.
NO SCHOOL: There will be no school for all Duneland School students to observe a winter break on Friday, Feb. 14 and for the President’s Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 17. All classes will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Open Swim: Chesterton High School offers open swim every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $1 for school children and $2 for adults. Please use Entrance 34 at Chesterton High School. Children must be within arms reach at all times. Check out the the full 2019-2020 schedule
Scholarship Information: Scholarship information can always be found on the CHS College and Career Center site: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=786
The new 2020-2021 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us
“NO LIMITS” MAGIC SHOW FOR ALL AGES! The Duneland Family YMCA will host a family fun magic show featuring Magician Chandler Maglish on Saturday, February 22 in the Chesterton High School Auditorium. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting at 6:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit our website or stop by the Y at 215 Roosevelt St. in Chesterton. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Toni Biancardi, 926-4204, for more information. Click here to register online!
Duneland Exchange Club Talent Show Auditions-The Duneland Exchange Club will host its 29th annual Talent Show auditions on either Tuesday, March 17 OR Thursday, March 19 at the Chesterton Middle School Auditorium, 651 W Morgan Ave. Any Duneland student is welcome to audition and showcase their talents. Entry Forms MUST be turned in by Tuesday, March 10.
All interested students must audition in order to be a part of the actual Talent Showcase scheduled on Saturday, April 18 at Chesterton High School. There is also a mandatory dress rehearsal on Friday, April 17. Entry forms will be available at each school Main Offices. Any questions may be addressed to Judi Rue (rue51@comcast.net)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, February 6, 2020
National School Counseling Week
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
6 p.m. BA Title I Family Game Night
4:30 p.m. CMS 7&8B Girls BB-Barker
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-Mich. City-H
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA SW&D Sectional-Valpo
6 p.m. Duneland School Board Meeting-Adm. Ctr.
7 p.m. Duneland School Board Exec. Session
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Mich. City-H
Friday, February 7, 2020
LIS Spirit Day & Cocoa Friday
National School Counseling Week
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
9 a.m. BA Title I Family Game Time
6 p.m. CHS Girls VBB IHSAA Sectionals - TBDl @ Portage
Saturday, February 8, 2020
WIS ISSMA Solo & Ensemble
8:30 a.m. CMS 8A Girls BB Invite-H
9 a.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA Girls SW&D Sectional-Valpo
9 a.m. CHS Boys WR IHSAA Regionals - Crown Point
Monday, February 10, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
4:30-6:30 p.m. Duneland Learning Academy-Adm. PD Rm
5:30- 8 p.m. Strategic Planning Team Mtg.-Adm Center
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Kankakee Valley-H
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
3:30 p.m. LIS PTO Meeting-Media Ctr
4:30-6:30 p.m. Duneland Learning Academy-Adm. PD Rm
5 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA Diving Regional-Penn
6 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-Lk Central-Lk Central
7 p.m. CHS TG Awards Night
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
11-1 p.m. Valentines Flower Sale Fundraiser Student Government
3:15-5 p.m. LIS Fun Night
7-8:45 p.m. CHS Open Swim-Pick up at 9 p.m.
4:30 p.m. CMS 7&8A Girls BB-Hebron
6 p.m. CHS Boys FR BB-Merrillville - H
Thursday, February 13, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
JA Valentines Parties
BR Valentines Parties
11-1 p.m. Valentines Flower Sale Fundraiser Student Government
1:30 p.m. BA Valentines Parties
11:30 a.m. LIS Kona Ice
6 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-M'ville
Friday, February 14, 2020
NO SCHOOL-Mid-Winter Break
5 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA State Swimming and Diving Finals -IUPUI Natatorium
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB - Portage
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Portage
Saturday, February 15, 2020
7a.m.- 11p.m. CHS Show Choir Trojan Classic Invitational
Noon CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA State Swimming and Diving Finals –IUPUI Natatorium
2 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-Best of the Rest-Merrillville
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB - Munster
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Munster
Monday, February 17, 2020
NO SCHOOL-Presidents' Day
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Hammond High-H
Child Nutrition Services
To check out our school lunch menus click here
Not familiar with our Child Nutrition Services account payments and charging policy? Click here to view it now.
Have you read this month's publication of Nutrition Nuggets? This publication, a parent's guide to food and fitness for a healthy child, is available free on our Child Nutrition Services webpage.