This Week at Jackson
November 23rd
Pictures from Jackson
Thanksgiving Break
Congratulations to Matilda Pagels
As the winner, Matilda's artwork will be featured in the Times of Northwest Indiana and on billboards across Porter County. Matilda also was able to honor Mrs. Calkusic with a gift card in honor of the positive impact she has had on her life.
Mrs. Urban Honored as Teacher of Excellence
Merry Movie Night, December 3rd
Lunch Visitors
Because of contact tracing measures, we have designated a specific table for visitors to use when eating with their child. It will be marked with the signage you see below.
Visitors may only eat with their child; other students may not move to the visitor table.
Birthday Party Celebrations
"Birthday & Other Celebrations--The elementary schools do not allow food-related treats (e.g. cupcakes, cookies, brownies, Rice Krispies treats, fruit snacks, pretzels, etc.) to be distributed at school for children’s birthdays and other celebrations. The elementary schools will continue to welcome the enjoyment of celebrating birthdays and other special events just without food. Families are not obligated or expected to provide items for birthday celebrations. However, if you wish to do so we suggest items such as pencils, stickers, or school supplies. Some families may choose to donate a book to the class that can be shared and kept in the classroom library or in the school’s Media Center. Any food items brought into school will be returned with the student to be sent home. Individual building personnel may send home additional guidelines and opportunities for celebrations that are building specific. Party invitations may not be distributed at school."
Please assist us in this by not sending invitations to school and by making sure that food items (cookies, crackers, gum, candy, etc.) are not included in treat bags.
Help us Nominate DSC Teachers of Excellence today!
View DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten of Duneland
Parents As Teachers of Porter County is currently enrolling for Ready, Set, Kindergarten!!!
Ready, Set, Kindergarten is a program developed by Parents as Teachers of Porter County to provide school readiness skills to children who have had limited preschool experiences. RSK Duneland is being offered at all elementary schools within DSC.
RSK is a free kindergarten readiness class held once a week inside the elementary schools.
Please email rskclassroom@gmail.com for more information to enroll.
Art to Remember
Our school is participating in a creative fundraiser with Art to Remember that allows you to purchase keepsake products customized with your child's art. There are over 60 products and many are less than $15. These make great gifts and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school. Click on the link below and enter the online order code shown on your child's order form or to search for your child's artwork. Then, have fun shopping!
PTO Directory
2021-2022 Related Arts Rotation Calendars
Lunch Menu
School Menu Update
Due to ongoing effects of the COVID Pandemic, many industries are suffering from labor shortages which is causing disruptions and shortages in the food chain. At present, Duneland School's Child Nutrition Department is experiencing unprecedented food order shortages causing many last minute changes to the breakfast and lunch menus. In an effort to communicate these changes to families in a timely manner, we ask that you please check this website daily for any changes to the menu.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these setbacks!
Food Assistance for Parents/Community
Looking for food assistance? FoodFinder can help.
FoodFinder is a map of food pantries nationwide. Click on the image to the right for access to a Food Assistance site map where individuals can enter a zip code to find the nearest area food pantries.
CHS Baseball Camp
Duneland Schools to Kickoff New Early Learning HUB
Duneland School Corporation (DSC) will kickoff their new Birth to School initiative in January.
The DSC Birth to School initiative, now coined ‘Duneland Early Learning HUB’, is a hub of resources for Duneland’s zero to five year old children and their caregivers. The term ‘HUB’ refers to the program’s vision to Help, Understand and Build connections and relationships between families, educators and the community.
CHS Madrigal Dinner Online Ticket Sales Begin November 12
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present its 49th annual Madrigal Dinners on December 3, 4, and 5, in the school cafeteria. All seats are reserved, and tickets will be on sale for $30 per person. Ticket sales will be online only and begin on Friday, November 12. General public sales will start at 5 p.m. Ticket sales will be held until sell out or Friday, December 3rd, whichever comes first. There will be no exchanges or refunds. To purchase tickets, visit www.showtix4u.com
Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 3, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 4, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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, Adam Bess, Brian Grenier, Kristin Morris, and Laura Alonzo 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, and dessert. A nut-free plate or vegetarian plate including dessert will be available with your request at the time of ticket purchase. The meal is prepared each year by the CHS Cafeteria staff.
DSC Enrollment Equity Committee to Create Balance at Intermediate/Middle School Campuses
In the fall of 2023, the Duneland School Corporation (DSC) will serve students in grades 5-8 at renovated Liberty and Westchester campuses. Each school will serve 900-1,000 students. Without making any adjustments to current school enrollment boundaries, Westchester would have close to 1,000 students and Liberty would have just over 700 students. In order to provide maximum opportunities for all students, DSC will look to establish enrollment equity at each of the two schools.
In an effort to develop an equitable enrollment plan, DSC will form a committee consisting of parents, community members, teachers, principals, district administrators and one or two school board members. This committee will be responsible for developing options regarding possible elementary, intermediate and middle school attendance boundary adjustments for the DSC. Ideally, the goal is to have the same elementary school students matriculate to the same intermediate and middle schools as they do currently; however, the change will impact some of the elementary school boundaries as the committee strives for enrollment equity in these new 5-8 schools.
The committee will be charged with developing a proposal in the Fall of 2021 to be sent to the Superintendent for consideration and ultimately, to the DSC School Board for approval. Robert McDermott, Assistant Superintendent, will serve as the facilitator for the committee. The committee structure is as follows:
Facilitator -1
District Administrators – 2
Building Principals – 5
Teachers – 4
Parents – 15 (three per elementary school)
Community Members – 2
School Board Members – 1 or 2
Committee Responsibilities - The Enrollment Equity Committee is charged with developing options regarding possible elementary, intermediate and middle school attendance boundary adjustments for the DSC.
The committee will recommend boundary adjustments that conform to the following parameters:
Each school should have a total student population consistent with the number of classrooms planned to serve the general population, exclusive of rooms set aside for other uses.
When possible, recommended boundaries should take into consideration space to accommodate anticipated enrollment growth.
Consideration should be given to all schools’ demographic profiles during the attendance boundary development process.
Changes from the present attendance boundaries should be minimized.
Students with disabilities should be placed in accordance with applicable laws with consideration given to appropriate services, specialized spaces, and sound educational practices that meet students’ identified needs.
All students within the new attendance boundaries shall be required to attend their assigned school except when approved through the pre-defined DSC transfer processes where transportation is not provided.
Student travel time on school transportation should be considered.
The committee will make progress reports to the Superintendent periodically as they work toward the goal of bringing forward a final enrollment equity recommendation by December 31, 2021.
If interested in participating in this process, please email Bridget Martinson, director of Public Relations and Marketing.
Inclement Weather Information - School Closing/Delay Procedures
As we approach the winter season, please review the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather. The decision to close school and engage in an eLearning day or alter the school day is done after collaborating with multiple district personnel, local, state departments and agencies, including: law enforcement, national weather service, highway/street departments, and transportation. In addition, other Porter County school districts are consulted due to partnerships that impact special education and career-technical education students.
Decisions about school delays due to inclement weather will be made as early as possible. In some instances, a school cancellation may follow a two-hour delay. In the event of a two-hour delay followed by a cancellation, we will do our best to make the decision to cancel school before 9:00 a.m. Delay or cancellation information will be delivered through the Skylert notification system. These notifications are based on the contact information provided in the General category within your Skylert notification system. Please review and update (if necessary) your contact information to receive these notifications. School closing/delay information will also be posted on the DSC website (www.duneland.k12.in.us) and sent to the following media outlets:
Radio: WAKE 1500 AM; Indiana 105.5 FM; WEFM 95.9 FM; WDSO 88.3 FM; WGN Radio 720; WBBM Newsradio 780
TV Channels: 2, 5, 7, 9, 32, CLTV news
Websites: www.cancellations.com; www.emergencyclosingcenter.com
The following options will be considered during weather emergencies:
Option 1: Start of the school day will be delayed 2-hours. Delayed start times are:
Elementary - 10:00 a.m.
Intermediate - 10:15 a.m.
Middle School - 9:50 a.m.
High School - 9:40 a.m.
Option 2: Students will not report to school; students will participate in inclement weather eLearning day
Option 3: Schools will dismiss early
The purpose of this communication is to provide insight into the decision making process and share the communication protocols that will be used. We appreciate your understanding and support.
We are Searching for Candidates
The Duneland School Corporation is seeking candidates for the following positions:
CHILD NUTRITION
Child Nutrition associates provide nutrition services to students and staff. Benefit-eligible positions available. Apply online at Click to apply online
TRANSPORTATION
Duneland School Corporation Transportation positions (Bus Drivers, Sub Bus Drivers) require eligible persons to operate all school vehicles or (Sub Bus Aides) to assist in the transportation of all special students needing additional attention. These positions are highly responsible roles in transporting and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Transportation personnel interact with individuals both inside and outside of the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
CUSTODIAL
Duneland School Corporation Custodians are required to clean and sanitize all corporation facilities. This position has a highly responsible role in providing custodial services and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Custodians interact with individuals both inside and outside the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Custodians may be required to work in other Duneland School Corporation facilities. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Seeking substitute teachers for all grade levels. To apply for a substitute teaching position, please apply in person at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Ave. in Chesterton to complete an application.
Jackson Elementary School
Email: smarshall@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/10
Location: 811 N 400 E, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3680
Facebook: facebook.com/JacksonElementaryDSC