DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, November 3, 2022 Vol. 57 No. 14
STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Tri-M Music Honor Society Inducts New Members
On Tuesday, October 25, the CHS Tri-M Music Honor Society inducted 15 members. This international program is dedicated to the recognition of exceptional music secondary school students that meet the music, academic, leadership, and character criteria. Tri-M is a program of the National Association for Music Education, which is the largest arts education association in the world. The ceremony was attended by friends, parents, administrators, and led by chapter sponsors Kristin Morris, Jonathan Flodder, and Brian Grenier.
Tri-M inducted a total of 33 members, welcoming 15 new members: Emmalise Adcock (10), Lilly Boyter (10), Theresa Connors (12), Adrian Dooley (11), Makayla Erickson (10), Sophia Gudino (11), Matthew Haubold (11), Jordan Huneryager (11), Bella Kelly (10), Margaret Maddex (10), Abby McCarthy (12), Gannon Michna (12), Hailey Nevious (11), Annette Ruiz-Moreno (10), and Ella Scott (11).
Congratulations to all new and returning members who have been accepted into this prestigious society!
CHS Football wins Sectional Opener
Photo courtesy of Pete Hokanson
The CHS Football Team defeated Michigan City on Friday night by a score of 28-20 to advance to the Sectional Finals. The Trojans ran all over the Wolves and now will take on the Valparaiso Vikings on Friday night at CHS. The game will start at 7 p.m. Come out on Friday and support the Trojans to a Sectional Championship!
LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE TICKETS - NO CASH TICKETS AT GATE
Just a reminder to all fans that this Friday’s IHSAA Football Sectional Championship game between Chesterton and Valparaiso is an IHSAA event and there will be NO PASSES accepted for the game (No DAC, No Season Pass, No Student Pass No Punch Pass, No Senior Citizen pass etc.). Everyone attending the game must purchase a ticket either online with the address below or at the gate with a credit/debit card. Just a reminder that cash is not accepted at the gate! Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait in the long line and miss any action. Do not self-validate your ticket prior to showing it to ticket takers. If your ticket scans invalid you will be directed to purchase another ticket.
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
HALL-O-Ween FUN at Chesterton High School
Chesterton High School Student Government hosted their annual Trick or Treat event at the school this past Thursday evening, October 27, 2022. Approximately 1,000 visitors (210 families) attended the event. A percentage of the proceeds from the event will go to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry in Chesterton. Click on the video below to see the FUN had by all:
Duneland School Corporation 1st Quarter Honor Rolls
In Memory: CHS Teacher PennyJo Morris
This week, the Duneland School Corporation and Chesterton High School grieve the loss of a teacher, colleague and friend, PennyJo Morris, after her long battle with cancer.
PennyJo spent most of her adult life as a stay-at-home mom. When her youngest daughter finished high school, she decided to attend college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. This current year was her seventh year as an English teacher at Chesterton High School. She taught English 9 and 11, and just this year added English 12 to her classes. Her academic short biography posted for families included this statement, "I love being a teacher, and look forward to a fabulous year together."
Many people have shared wonderful stories of her ability to build relationships and connect with her coworkers, students and their families. Students have expressed how she was a compassionate person and an inspiration to those whose lives she touched. Her loss will be felt by many throughout the district and community.
The family will be having a a memorial service for PennyJo on Sunday, November 13, at 2:30 PM. at Immanuel Lutheran Church; 1700 Monticello Park Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Attendees are invited to wear her favorite color, purple, in her memory.
ALUMNUS in the SPOTLIGHT
CHS 2009 Alumnus Max Sangerman Debut on Broadway
Chesterton High School 2009 Alumnus Max Sangerman will make his debut on Broadway in, A Beautiful Noise, a musical based on the life and music of Neil Diamond.
Max graduated from CHS in 2009 and played in the CHS Marching Band as well as the Show Choir's backup traveling band before joining show choir and performing on stage acting, dancing and singing. The training he received during his years in Merrillville Regional Theater were enhanced and encouraged during his four years at CHS under the direction and watchful eyes of former choir director Chris Brush and retired band director Michael Scheiber.
"I firmly believe the Duneland School system played a crucial part in Max's formative training in music and performance and would take pride in his current success," said his mother Pegg Sangerman. "Our family spent many years working with the band and theater departments from 2005-2009, as our daughter, Samantha, also pursued this career and was featured in many CHS productions during her time at CHS! Such great years and a phenomenal training ground for young talent."
Max currently resides in Queens, New York. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College in Boston in 2013.
His Off-Broadway performances include: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Blue Man Group (Blue Man). Other credits: Footloose (Kennedy Center), Airness (Geva Theatre), BEAU (AFT), The 12 (Denver Center), Rocky Horror, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Bucks County Playhouse). Films include BEAU and Lights on the Radio Tower.
Visit A Beautiful Noise Facebook page or the official webpage to view the Cracklin' Rose Music Video.
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
Family Friendly Schools Survey for DSC Families
In keeping with our Core Values, Duneland School Corporation is committed to fostering partnerships to improve the quality of life in our community. One of our most important partnerships is with our families. As we strive to continue to build upon and strengthen our family partnerships, DSC is applying for renewal from the Indiana Department of Education as an IDOE “Family Friendly Schools” corporation. In doing so, we will continue to “focus on addressing students' academic, physical, emotional, and social needs while providing the needed resources and fostering the active involvement of their families through schools and the community.” (Indiana Department of Education Family Friendly Schools Handbook)
Please help us as we continue to support our students and community by completing the IDOE online survey by November 18, 2022.
Your ongoing support in educating the children of our community is greatly appreciated!
SURVEY LINK AND INSTRUCTIONS:
Website: https://form.jotform.com/210636394920961
School Name: choose your school from the drop-down list
School Corporation: 6470 Duneland School Corporation
School Liaison Name: JENNIFER BYE
School Liaison email: jbye@duneland.k12.in.us
School Codes for your convenience:
6928 - Bailly Elementary School
6819 - Brummitt Elementary School
6817 - Jackson Elementary School
6823 - Liberty Elementary School
6941 - Newton Yost Elementary School
6821 - Liberty Intermediate School
6927 - Westchester Intermediate School
6930 - Chesterton Middle School
6925 - Chesterton Senior High School
For Trojan Virtual Academy - "Choose Other - TVA
FALL BACK - REMINDER!
Scheduled eLearning Day on Nov. 8 & K-4 Parent-Teacher Conferences
The Duneland School Corporation will participate in a scheduled eLearning day and will follow the 2022-2023 eLearning Guidelines for a scheduled Online eLearning day - PLANNED ASYNCHRONOUS.
This year, Parent-Teacher conferences for grades K-4 will also be hosted on this day from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. During the eLearning day, time for office hours will be available. Parents/Guardians may request a conference, or school personnel may request a conference with parents. Specific information regarding conferences is being communicated by each of the schools.
2022-2023 eLearning Guidelines
Guidelines for Students 2022-2023 School Year
Follow the links below by grade level to find the appropriate Unplanned (Virtual - Synchronous) eLearning Day Plan for your student.
DSC Annual Winter Card Contest
DEADLINE: Friday, November 11
DSC Announces Winter Card Contest for Grades K-8
The Duneland School Corporation will again host a Winter Card Contest for Duneland School students in grades K-8. Contest submissions are due on Friday, November 11. Winners from each grade level will be notified and invited to the Dec. 5 school board meeting to be recognized and awarded. Eligibility and rules for the contest are listed under district announcements on the Duneland website and are posted in the district’s newsletter DuneNews. All submissions are due to their respective school’s main office on or before the end of the school day on Nov. 11.
CMS Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11
Chesterton Middle School will host its 55th annual Veterans Day community recognition program on Friday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the CMS Goldsborough Gym. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Doors will open to the public for seating at 1:00 p.m.
Seating for guests will be located in the bleachers on the main floor. The program will include music from the CMS music department, and speeches will be presented by a guest speaker, as well as, a CMS student essay winner.
Throughout the month of October, CMS students and families have been fundraising for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. Additional cash donations will be accepted at the door. All donations will be presented to representatives from the Folds of Honor at the Veterans Day program.
CHS FALL MUSICAL - Nov. 17, 18, & 19
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium, 2125 S 11th Street in Chesterton. The amazing cast consists of 50 high school students, and a Children's Choir made-up of over 60 Duneland School students in grades 1- 8.
Based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis, “Joseph is sold as a slave by his brothers because of his ability to explain people's dreams. When the Pharaoh calls on him to break down a dream, Joseph predicts a famine and is made the Pharaoh's second hand man. When the famine hits, Joseph's brothers come to him for relief and have to pass a test to prove they've changed before he'll forgive them… A truly timeless Old Testament tale, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to a multitude of musical genres, spanning from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock and roll.”
Ticket prices are as follows: $10 for Adults, $8 for Students and Seniors, $5 for Elementary Students. Tickets can be purchased online only at Showtix4u.com
Ticket Sales Begin for Madrigal on November 5
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present its 50th Annual Madrigal Dinners on December 2, 3, and 4 in the CHS Cafeteria. All seats are reserved, and tickets will be on sale for $35 per person. Ticket sales will be online only and begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 5. Ticket sales will be held until no tickets remain or Friday, December 2, whichever comes first. There will be no exchanges or refunds. To purchase tickets, visit www.showtix4u.com
Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 2 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
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 six performances. The students and their directors, Vince Arizzi, Matt Christensen, Jonathan Flodder, 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, rolls, and dessert. A gluten 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 Chesterton Child Nutrition staff.
NEW! CHS Madrigal Alumni Gathering & Sing-A-Long
NEW! Duneland School 2023-2024 Calendar
Planning ahead? The Duneland School Board approved the 2023-2024 Calendar at the October 10 meeting. Click on the image to download a PDF of this calendar.
Duneland Early Learning HUB
Just a reminder there are no classes at the HUB on Nov 8 (no school). Check out the HUB at https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/earlylearninghub and follow us on Facebook (Duneland Early Learning HUB Page).
School Picture Retakes
Duneland School Picture Retake Dates
PICTURE RETAKES:
Chesterton MS - Friday, November 4
Liberty Elementary - Monday, November 7
Westchester Intermediate - Wednesday, November 9 (Revised date)
Liberty Intermediate - Tuesday, November 15
Bailly Elementary - Thursday, November 17
Jackson Elementary - Thursday, November 17
Yost Elementary - Tuesday, November 29
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
This year, the Duneland Schools will share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in outside of school on a special page on our website. These available opportunities are offered by not-for-profit partnerships and organizations within our school district boundaries and local communities. Follow this link to Community Opportunities.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR PARENTS
2022-2023 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
2022-2023 eLearning Guidelines
Guidelines for Students 2022-2023 School Year
Follow the links below by grade level to find the appropriate Unplanned (Virtual - Synchronous) eLearning Day Plan for your student.
DSC 2022-2023 Calendar
The REVISED 2022-2023 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at Resources > Documents and Forms
👀 Looking for dates for NEXT school year? Here is the NEW DSC calendar for 2023-2024
CHS Maroon & Gold Calendar/Bell Schedules
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
LONG-TERM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Yost Campus
Liberty Campus
Westchester Campus
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, October 10, school board members and the public were updated by Scott Cherry of The Skillman Corporation on the work that has been completed in the last 4 weeks at each of the current worksites, as well as what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
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.
Community members may review the current Long-Term Capital Improvements information that will be continuously updated on the DSC website.
DSC Strategic Plan
The Duneland School Corporation Strategic Plan provides the focus and alignment for the school district over the next 3-4 year. These timelines were revised as of June 2022 to reflect the necessary adjustments to the plan.
Chesterton High School Class of 2012 - 10 Year Reunion
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
7 p.m. - Midnight
Moose Lodge, 602 Broadway Ave., Chesterton, IN
Looking forward to bringing the Class of 2012 back together! Join us at the Moose Lodge for fun and reminiscing.
Facebook Event link for more updates: https://facebook.com/events/s/2012-class-reunion/272780384952154/
Fee: $10 a person
Food and drink: Cash beverages, hot dogs, midnight snack at 9 p.m.
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. 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
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
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.
NorthShore Clinic for DSC Students
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services and has established a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.
This partnership provides 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:
Mondays and Thursdays - 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Tuesdays and Fridays - 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays - 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
(Closed on school holidays)
Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment
601 W Morgan Avenue
Enter using CMS Door #7
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.
Device Repair
In some cases there will be issues that cannot be resolved remotely. If you have a device that has sustained physical damage (i.e. cracked screen, broken keyboard), please fill out the form below. After submitting the form, a member of the IT department will contact you to schedule your service appointment.
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
NOVEMBER REFERENDUM SPOTLIGHT
Above, High Ability teacher Holly Koedyker works with High Ability students in the classroom.
On May 7, 2019, residents living in the Duneland School Corporation boundaries voted to continue a twenty-two cents ($0.22) tax levy originally approved in 2012, for the purposes of maintaining the current educational and operational programs of the Duneland School Corporation. This general operating referendum will expire in 2026. Each month, the DuneNews will highlight a different initiative or program being funded by referendum dollars. The Duneland School Corporation thanks the community for their support, and in turn, pledges to be innovative and responsible stewards. This month, DSC highlights High Ability Teachers and Aides.
At the elementary level, a high ability teacher and instructional aides provide students identified as high ability with educational opportunities to ensure they reach their highest level of academic achievement in reading and math. The licensed, high ability teacher oversees the elementary program and designs the curriculum for the identified students who receive pull-out services. These services are also provided by trained high ability aides in our schools. The high ability teacher provides professional development to educators on the academic needs and social characteristics of the high ability learner.
For more referendum information, visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367
CMS/CHS Student PE/Strength Training Uniforms
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.
Duneland School Corporation
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