WIS Weekly
September 12, 2022
September 19, 2022
It's all about OUR KIDS!
- Who needs support at home, in school, and in the community? ... Our Kids!
- Who needs our guidance, attention, and patience today and everyday? ... Our Kids!
- Who will shape the future of our world tomorrow and in the years to come? ... Our Kids!
A Message From Mr. Longacre...
Dear Families,
During my career as a Duneland administrator – both as principal at WIS and as assistant principal at CHS – it has sometimes come to my attention that one or more students are sharing or saving inappropriate material. The range of discovery runs the gamut, but it often includes one or more of the following categories: obscenity, bullying, hate/violence, or self-harm. The format of this material can include photos, videos, and messaging. Sometimes the material is shared directly between students, sometimes the text and imagery is posted to social media sites, and sometimes it is simply saved to the device.
I encourage you to check your child’s iPad and cell phone frequently. Whether it be a personal or school-issued device, I recommend that you take the time to sit down regularly with your student(s) to look through and discuss what content is being shared or saved. Photos, Zoom/Google chats, Google Docs, email accounts, and even material on Canvas are all accessible by electronic devices and, therefore, should be monitored by parents and guardians.
Respectfully,
Mr. Longacre
As always, please reach out to me anytime.
Mr. Longacre
Instructional Aide, Title I Paraprofessional, and Lunch/Recess Aide Needed
If you are looking for a position within the Duneland School Corporation, WIS in particular, please reach check out the link below. The positions noted above follow the DSC calendar and the school day. You can transport your children to school in the morning, home in the afternoon, and be available during all school breaks.
5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Last week we finished our novel Swindle and finished the test over this book on Friday. We have discussed all the different types of conflict within our IRA stories. Students have also been practicing with tools for excellent word choice. They listened to a children’s story “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” and also the song “said is dead” in order to help reinforce this concept.
This week we will be working on a Google Slides research project based on five famous people and watching the Swindle movie in order to compare/contrast the plot and characters in the book and movie. We will also go over our final 6-Traits writing strategy, conventions, in which we spend time practicing the use of proper grammar in our writing.
Math
In Math last week students completed the unit on Adding and Subtracting Decimal Numbers. Later this week, we will begin a unit on Multiplication, starting with Powers of Ten and Multiplication Patterns with Powers of Ten.
Today was a review day with various activities in all classrooms. Tomorrow, Tuesday, is a TEST on Adding and Subtracting Decimals.
Social Studies
- We are currently in Unit 1 Lesson 2 of the social studies textbook. Students are studying Native Americans and how they use the environment. Please encourage your child to check grades frequently. Students have the opportunity to complete missing work or make corrections.
Science
- STEM challenge success! Students were required to follow the Engineering Design Process to plan, create, test, and modify a catapult prototype. Their challenge was to create a catapult that launched the pom pom the furthest! We had some great prototypes!!
- On Tuesday, the students will complete the Skills Handbook Unit with an open book assessment.
6th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Sixth grade ELA students will continue to practice making inferences and supporting their answers with evidence from the text. Students will also practice writing stamina as they write and add details to memories that they have experienced.
Math
- This past week students took a CFA over addition and subtraction of fractions. Students then began working on multiplication of fractions. Fraction operations require a lot of basic fact knowledge. Students have to multiply to find common denominators, divide to reduce/simplify, and use their knowledge of factors and multiples. It’s a lot of work! Students will finish up fraction operations and test over them this week.
Social Studies
- We will be starting our unit on Canada this week. Students will learn that Canada is divided into five regions and will see how people live differently in each one. Students will learn about the first settlers and how location influences people's lives. On Friday, they will be tested on the country's provinces, territories, capitals, and some bodies of water that surround Canada.
Science
- Being able to graph and interpret data is a State high priority standard students should be able to master by the end of 6th grade. This week in science, we will complete the catapult lab by graphing their data. The entire project needs to be submitted by Wednesday at 3:00 pm. We will also be concentrating on improving graphing skills by doing the Gizmos graphing skills activity found in Clever. We will also be working on metric conversion to give students a foundation in the metric system on which we can build. Students need to be able to have a sense of the size of meter, liter, centimeter, millimeter, milliliter etc. to be able to understand the data they are collecting. On Friday, we will be discussing hardware and software by doing an interactive activity with their peers.
Related Arts
- This week in music class, fifth graders are learning to play more advanced rhythms and learning about ABA form. Sixth graders are understanding what Rondo form is, and they will learn to play canons, or rounds, as a group. Fifth and sixth graders will begin to explore leadership roles in music. We will start with conducting, in which they will learn to conduct a basic four-beat pattern with a steady beat.
Art
- Wrapping up our final week in this rotation, students in art class will " Take a Walk through Art". We will focus on iconic artists and pop culture and how they influence the world around us. Students will use their iPads and a drawing app to create their own personalized digital shoe that reflects their personality.
PE
- This week we are continuing our Frisbee Unit and will be playing Ultimate Frisbee to end our unit. We will also be running the mile today!
- Last week, Juliana Facer broke the school record for the Sit-ups! She did 80 sit ups in 1 minute.
HEALTH
- Health class was learning about the body systems. Each group gave a presentation on a body system that was assigned to them.
Come join WIS in the Homecoming Parade
Nurse Tina's Note
Dear Parent/Guardians,
Starting September 26, 2022 the Health Services at WIS will be conducting Vision Screenings of 5th grade students , according to Indiana Law are required to have their vision checked.
We are asking that if your student wears glasses that they have them on their person daily so that there will be no delay in getting their testing completed. If you have any questions, please contact WIS School Nurse, Tina Sosby, R.N. at 219-983-3710 or via email at
eLearning Updates for 2022-2023
Please read and make yourself aware of the updated eLearning guidelines. The biggest change will be how lessons are coordinated on unscheduled eLearning days. On these days, students will take part in Google meet sessions with their teachers to receive face to face instruction. Teachers will post schedules by 9:00 A.M. on the eLearning day.
Robotics
Monday: Club
Wednesday: Travel Team
Both meet after school until 4:30pm, please pick up at door 8.
Choir
Mark your calendar...Thursday, December 1 at 7pm the Winter Choir Concert will be held here at WIS.
Student Council
Thursday, September 22, after school until 4:00 to finish decorations for the Homecoming Parade Float in Mrs Schmiegel’s room.
WIS Nora Project Sign-up
The Nora Project was started in 2016 to provide an Empathy based curriculum to schools. In 2018, WIS became a part of the Nora Projects schools and will continue to do so for the 2022-2023 school-year. This after school program focuses on teaching empathy, how to focus on how to be a good friend to everyone, gain a better understanding of disability awareness, disability history, how to tell their stories and gain skills in documentary filmmaking.
We would love to have you join us this year, as we continue to plan events, welcome guests to our school and help all students feel important at Westchester.
Where: Westchester Intermediate School
When: Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 starting September 21, 2022
Any questions? Please email me Brian Doolin (WIS teacher and Nora Leader)
You may also go to the Nora Project Website to get more information: https://thenoraproject.ngo/
Parents: Please click on the link below to fill out the media waiver to allow your child to be included in the documentaries and media posts.
Attention 6th Grade Students & Parents: Informational/Call Out Meeting for Science Olympiad Team
On Monday, September 26, 2022, there will be an informational/call out meeting for any 6th grader interested in participating in Science Olympiad and their parents/guardians. The meeting will be at WIS in the media center at 6:00 pm. Parents will need to enter through door 8. Science Olympiad is a competitive academic team focused on STEM activities. The team is composed of 15 participants and 2 alternates. This is an important informational meeting for ALL those interested in participating AND their parents/ guardians.
We will be discussing:
Practice times and commitments
Regional competition
Cost for building events
We look forward to seeing everyone on 9/26/22. If you are unable to attend, please contact either of us.
Lisa Filipek lfilipek@duneland.k12.in.us
Kari Balon kbalon@duneland.k12.in.us
Come join WIS ASL Club
Purpose: The purpose of the American Sign Language (ASL) Club is to educate students about the Deaf culture and to facilitate the study of American Sign Language.
Sign Up: Permission slips from parents must be turned in prior to the first meeting. Flyers are located outside the Media center or click here to download and print.
Meeting Information: Once a month on Thursday from 3:15-4:15 at WIS.
First semester meeting dates: Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 15
Sponsor: Monica Martin, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing @ WIS & CMS momartin@duneland.k12.in.us
Games Needed for Indoor Recess
Please donate gently used board games, decks of cards, dice, other card games (UNO, Skip-Bo, etc) for WIS students to play on rainy/snowy days.
Title I Annual Parent Meeting
When:
- September 20, 2022
- 6-7pm (door opens at 5:50pm)
Where:
- Westchester Intermediate Media Center
- Entrance 8 (park on the north side of the building)
Every student in attendance will receive a free book!
Construction
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.
Tech Help
Westchester is committed to supporting students' use of technology. To get your problems solved as fast as possible, choose one of the following methods:
- Open a new Freshservice ticket online:
- 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
- Contact Westchester's tech aide (Mrs. Michael) in WIS Library/Media at 219-983-3710 or fmichael@duneland.k12.in.us.
Parent Teacher Organization
Helpful Links
2022-2023 Duneland School Calendar
(REVISED 6/6/22)
Skyward
Class schedules, grades, bus routes, ILearn, and lots more!
Homecoming Parade call-out
Homecoming is September 23!! Any local community groups and organizations interested in participating in the annual CHS Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. should contact the CHS Assistant Principal’s Office by Wednesday, Sept. 21 by calling 983-3730, or emailing Assistant Principal Robert Blumenthal at rblumenthal@duneland.k12.in.us. Please provide the name of the group, the number of participants involved and what type of transportation will be used.
Homecoming Parade Route & Royalty
The CHS homecoming parade will begin at 4 p.m. (lineup begins at 3 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 23 from the Chesterton Middle School Pool Parking lot. The parade will leave the lot traveling east on Porter Avenue to Calumet, Calumet to Broadway, Broadway to Sixth and back to CMS. The parade will be followed by the CHS home game against Portage. Royalty will be crowned at halftime.
Homecoming Block Party
The annual CHS Student Government Homecoming Block Party is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the front section of the CHS Parking Lot.
The entrance fee will be $5.00 or $15.00 per family. This charge will include one food item and one drink from Pick's BBQ. Event includes a jump house and obstacle course, face painting, performances by the dance and cheer team, and other fun-filled activities. For an additional charge students will be able to create their own tie-dye shirt with Mrs. Wilt and purchase Kona Ice.
Westchester Intermediate School
WIS Mission:
WIS provides a safe and engaging environment where students are empowered to explore their talents, build on their curiosity, embrace high expectations, and become responsible, caring citizens.
WIS Vision:
WIS inspires learners to become independent, critical thinkers collaborating in an environment where responsibility, adaptability, and reflection are modeled and developed.
Email: slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/14
Location: 1050 South 5th Street, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterintermediate/