DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, October 7, 2021 Vol. 56 No. 11
ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Girls Varsity Cross Country finishes 1st place at DAC XC Championship Meet
Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country Team as they go back to back in winning the Duneland Athletic Conference Championship.
The Lady Trojans competed in the DAC XC Championship Meet on Saturday 10/2 at Sunset Hills. The Lady Trojans finished on top and become back to back DAC Team Champions! We placed 5 in the top 10 for All-DAC. Catherine White (4th), Ciara Bonner (6th), Grace Carpenter (7th), Alyssa Dunlap (8th), Bree Gentry (10th), Ali Sierazy (26th) and Bailey Ranta (31st) rounded out our top 7.
Our JV finished Runner-Ups to Valpo and Bella Smith was our Individual JV DAC Champ with a time of 20:56. The rest of the top 5 included Addison Leady (3rd), Madison Trumbo (11th), Sydney Szabo (16th) and Alain McGrogan (18th).
Results: https://thtiming.com/2021raceresults.html
The Lady Trojans will start their post season run on Saturday 10/9 – Sectionals at New Prairie High School.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
National World School Milk Day
School Milk Today
Milk and dairy products continue to play a role in children’s diets today. A carton of school milk provides a 4-6 year old with:
- 52% of their recommended calcium intake
- 59% of their recommended iodine intake
- 100% of their recommended vitamin B12 intake
- 59% of their recommended B2 intake.
For older children aged 7-10 years, a carton of milk provides:
- 42% of their recommended calcium intake
- 53% of their recommended iodine intake
- 100% of their recommended vitamin B12
- 47% of their recommended B2 intake.
Milk also provides energy and protein for their growth and development.
World School Milk Day is celebrated in many countries, with an increasing number of activities taking place each year.
Chesterton Middle School Bands Fall Concert
Photo above, eighth grade band trombones, left to right, Gage Teso, Colin Kellogg and Dannin Newton. Photo below, seventh grade band French horns, left to right, Maxwell Prince and Emilly Hofmann. (Band photos provided by Kris Lauzon)
This past Monday, the Chesterton Middle School Bands presented their fall concert in the CHS Auditorium. The CMS Bands, which account for over 120 CMS students, are under the direction of Mr. Vince Arizzi and Mr. Joe Nuzzo. The 7th grade band performed Haunted Clocks by Brian Balmages, Peace by Frank Ticheli, and Sword of Fire by Rob Romeyn. The 8th grade band performed Dark Ride by Randall Standridge, A Joyful Journey by Robert Sheldon, and 1812 Overture Selections by Tchaikovsky, arranged by Andrew Balent.
“I was extremely pleased with our first concert of the school year,” remarked Arizzi. Mr. Nuzzo was equally impressed. “None of the band students had ever performed in an auditorium of that size, so I thought they did a wonderful job and the audience seemed to think so as well.”
The next concert for the CMS Bands will be the Holiday Concert, held in the CMS Auditorium on Monday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. For more information or videos of past performances, visit the Chesterton Bands Facebook Page for call the Chesterton Music Office (219) 983-3758.
LIS 2021-2022 Student Council
TEACHER RECOGNITION
Teacher Appreciation Night
This past Friday, Chesterton High School Football hosted their bi-annual Teacher Appreciation event recognizing ALL Duneland School teachers and hometown heroes.
This year, CHS Football Coach, Mark Peterson, asked each of his team members to write a letter to the teacher who made a positive impact on their school career. Teacher names were put into a drawing for a game ball signed by all the CHS football team members. Teachers receiving a game ball were, above, left to right, Liz Graupner of CMS; Jeannie Morgan, Sue O'Connell and Erin Cochran, all of CHS; Tim Ray of LIS, PennyJo Morris of CHS, Becca Taylor of Yost and Sandy Campbell of Bailly.
Game balls were made possible through a partnership with American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the College Football Playoff Foundation high school game ball recognition program, entitled Extra Yard for Teachers.
Don’t miss this Friday’s home game, Middle School Football Night, against Crown Point at 7 p.m. The CHS Football team will also wear pink socks in honor of Cancer Awareness Week.
First Grading Period Ends October 8
Celebrate Your Favorite Duneland School Teacher(s)
Help us Nominate DSC Teachers of Excellence today!
Kenneth J. Allen Law Group supports Northwest Indiana teachers who go above and beyond for their students and honors them for their outstanding contributions to education. To learn more about the educators who are Teachers of Excellence or if you know of someone who should be recognized as a Teacher of Excellence, please nominate him or her by following this link.
View DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.
DSC COVID-19 Support Center
COVID-19 Dashboard
The DSC administration has established a COVID-19 dashboard that can always be found on our COVID-19 Support Center webpage. The COVID-19 dashboard (below) will now be updated once per day with all active cases reported, and/or will include cases removed from active status (conclusion of the 10-day isolation period). Daily dashboard emails will not be sent to families and/or staff members this school year. Below is the COVID-19 Dashboard with the latest update available at time of this publication. Please visit the COVID-19 Support Center for the most up-to-date posting.
DSC Response Plan 2021-2022
Long-Term Capital Improvement Updates
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, October 4, school board members and the public were updated on the progress of site plans and floor plan concepts for Liberty and Westchester Intermediate/Middle Schools.
The most current information regarding the DSC Long-Term Capital Improvement projects, such as current concept drawings, information and preliminary timelines, are available on the DSC website. The information on the website will be continuously updated as we move forward with the process.
Yost Elementary and the two 5-8 buildings (LIS/WIS) will be the first locations to begin construction in early 2022.
Community members may review the current Long-Term Capital Improvements information that will be continuously updated on the DSC website.
DSC Strategic Plan Timelines
Important Information Parents Need to Know
Safe School - TIP LINE
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
Skyward Family Access Quick Guide
Need some help in navigating your Skyward Parent Portal? Here is a Quick Guide with helpful videos attached to guide parents in familiarizing and utilizing Skyward.
SCHOOL MENUS/MEALS
*SCHOOL MEALS 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!
Visit the DSC Child Nutrition page for links to the menus for the Week of Oct. 4-8 or click the menu links below.
SCHOOL PICTURE INFORMATION
Photo Retake Dates
BA - Nov. 5
JA - Nov. 16
LES - Nov. 18
YO - Nov. 18
LIS - Oct. 26
WIS - Oct. 28
CHS - Oct. 15 Link to order is: https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60116C
Student Fall Pictures for Grades K-8
BR - www.mylifetouch.com Use school id: EVT4D7P3W
JA - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60705JB
LES - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60497TB
YO - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60501W
LIS - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60182BA
WIS - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60183YB
CMS - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60170XB
CHS - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/60114T
Trojan Virtual Academy (TVA) - https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/62193E
Red Cross Blood Drive at Yost Elementary on Oct. 14
2021 Hall of Fame Nominations
The Chesterton Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2021 Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff Hall of Fame. Plans are to honor recipients at an annual Alumni Association Dinner Banquet in May 2022.
“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 2021 recognition committee invites alumni, community members, parents and others throughout the Duneland community to submit their nominations.”
Please consider nominating a candidate for Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff based on the following qualities:
Excellence
Leadership
Respect
Exceptional Contributions
Citizenship
Giving Back
Collaboration
Courageous Acts
Advocacy
The CHS Alumni Association is accepting nominations for 2021 year through Wednesday, December 15 at 3 p.m. Those that wish to submit one nominee for each category must use separate nomination forms.
Nomination forms will also be available for pick up 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; 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.
Link to fillable nomination form (Just fill-out and print)
Link to Printable form
DSC Now Hiring..
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.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten Registration for 2021-2022
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 for as low as $9.95 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
Contacting IT Support
The Duneland School Corporation IT department is committed to making hybrid and remote learning models as successful as possible. To get your problems solved as fast as possible:
- Open a new Freshservice ticket:
- AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
- Serial number is also acceptable
- AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
- Open a Freshservice ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- Please be sure to include email address, student or staff name, and a description of the problem
- Please use the above best methods to contact the DSC IT Department.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR TROJAN VIRTUAL ACADEMY STUDENTS DURING THE DAY:
Mrs. Bye, TVA'S administrative assistant, can assist TVA students with technical issues during the school day. Please email jbye@duneland.k12.in.us or call our new line at 219-983-3743. Mrs. Bye will answer and then work with the IT Department to find a resolution.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
District events are available on the Duneland School website at www.duneland.k12.in.us. Click on CALENDAR at the top of the page for a month by month calendar. You can even customize the calendar to see events for the schools your students attend.
OCTOBER REFERENDUM SPOTLIGHT
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a challenging two-year program for juniors and seniors that focuses on an internationally-minded education. In congruence with other CHS courses, students take a combination of six IB classes, along with a “core” that involves an extended essay, a Theory of Knowledge course, and a service learning component called CAS, which stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. DP graduates boast higher rates of acceptance to universities across the nation. As well, due to the comprehensive skill development DP students encounter, they are better able to adjust to the rigors of university coursework compared to their non-DP counterparts.
For more referendum information, visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367
NorthShore Clinic for ALL DSC Students located at CMS
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services to establish a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.
This partnership will provide access to healthcare for ALL Duneland School students.
Some of the services include:
- Strep Throat
- Ear Infections
- Immunizations
- Sports Physicals
- Treatment for pink eye
- Rashes
- Behavioral health services and referrals
Duneland parents interested in using the school-based clinic for their child will need to have a signed consent form on file. Consent forms are available from your Duneland school nurse or can be obtained at the NorthShore clinic where the visit is scheduled.
Currently Open:
Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment
Pictured at right is nurse practitioner and Chesterton resident Shawn Kroft taking a student's blood pressure at the clinic.
Duneland Schools Spirit Store
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Store where you can buy your Duneland spirit wear?
Purchase your CMS/CHS student P.E./Strength Training uniforms (shorts and t-shirts) online and arrange to have them delivered to your home or pick up at the store.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Parent Meeting for CHS Marine Bio Trip for Grades 9-12
For 15 years, the Chesterton High School Marine Biology program has conducted a summer SCUBA diving trip to Key Largo, FL under the direction of CHS teachers Dan Paff and Adam Schultz.
A special opportunity to participate in this program is now being offered to all current CHS students in grades grades 9-12. The dates for the 2022 summer program are June 23 - 27.
This educational trip will focus on marine ecology. Students will learn about coral reefs, seagrass/mangrove systems, fish identification, and ecosystem functioning. Instruction will be given through lectures, labs, and field work (SCUBA/snorkel). This is a great opportunity for students to get a hands-on approach to marine science and ecology, all while enjoying five (5) days SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys. If a student has ever wanted to become a SCUBA diver or wanted to learn more about marine science, this is the perfect program opportunity.
A parent meeting for this program will be hosted on Thursday, October 21 at 6:00 p.m. at CHS Room C593 for all those interested in this great opportunity. Attendees please use Entrance #1. Anyone who would would like more information prior to the meeting should contact Mr. Paff (dpaff@duneland.k12.in.us) or Mr. Schultz (aschultz@duneland.k12.in.us).
CHS Cheer Camp
DuneNews
The DuneNews is emailed each Thursday afternoon to all Duneland families through their school related email address. It is also posted on our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us/dune-news along with all archived issues; and on the DSC Facebook and Twitter. If you are not receiving your emailed issue of the DuneNews each week please email Bridget Martinson.
Duneland School Corporation
Inspire | Engage | Empower
Email: bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: www.duneland.k12.in.us
Location: 601 West Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dunelandschools/
Twitter: @dunelandk12