DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
February 22, 2024 Vol. 58 No. 26
Last Chance to Nominate your Favorite DSC Teacher / Employee
VOTING ENDS...March 4 at 3:30 p.m.
Help the Duneland School Corporation celebrate the outstanding teachers and employees that make up this district. Each year, DSC conducts the Teacher and Employee of the Year Recognition Program with the mission of inspiring and celebrating those in the education industry. Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:
- Elementary Teacher- Grades K-6
- Secondary Teacher- Grades 7-12
- Employee of the Year- Classified Staff Employee
Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community may nominate DSC teachers and/or classified employees. 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. Click here to read the rules and to access the nomination forms
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Hayden DeMarco on finishing his Senior season 46-1 and as Runner-up in the IHSAA State Championships. He had a career record of 166-15 with 105 falls.
IHSAA (IN) State Finals Results for Chesterton
132
Hayden DeMarco (47-1) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Hayden DeMarco (Chesterton) 47-1 won by fall over Cole Stuffel (Yorktown) 33-11 (Fall 1:45)
- Quarterfinal – Hayden DeMarco (Chesterton) 47-1 won by decision over Eddie Goss (Center Grove) 36-6 (Dec 6-2)
- Semifinal – Hayden DeMarco (Chesterton) 47-1 won by fall over Jackson Bradley (Cowan) 35-2 (Fall 4:40)
- 1st Place Match – Jake Hockaday (Brownsburg) 37-2 won by fall over Hayden DeMarco (Chesterton) 47-1 (Fall 2:27)
Congratulations to the Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay Team of Adalyn Laughner, Annmarie Easter, Anna Wheele & Peyton Ostertag who finished in 7th place at IHSAA State Finals!
The Girls Swimming & Diving Team finished the season with another DAC Championship followed by an IHSAA Sectional Championship. They wrapped up the season at the IHSAA State Finals where they finished in 14th place.
CHS Winter Guard Takes First Place Honors
Front row, left to right, Katie Radliff, Danica Sessions, Haley Martinez. Back row, Bri Manning, Abby Krueger, Addie Mason, Lucy Rutkowski, Vanessa Godinez, Caprie Wilson, Alina Summer
The Chesterton High School Winter Guard captured the first place honors this past weekend at the Midwest Color Guard Circuit (M.C.G.C.) competition hosted at Schaumburg High School. This is the group’s second M.C.G.C. Invitational of the 2024 season.
The Midwest Color Guard Circuit hosted a total of 44 Winter Guards at this competition, including groups from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
The CHS Winter Guard team captured the first place honors in the Scholastic AA Division, the
largest of the four competitive classes at the event. The CHS Guard’s 2024 competitive show, entitled “Solstice,” is a production that features a wintery setting that is brought to life through the highly physical and artistic performance demands of the activity. Judges at the event wrapped up their recorded comments and showed support for the production with: “It’s intriguing, intellectual, emotional”, “A fresh ‘twist’ on a theme, and a very cool show!”
The group will compete again this coming Saturday and Sunday, February 25 & 26 at Lincolnway East High School in Frankfort, Illinois sponsored by Winter Guard International (W.G.I.), the governing body for both the Indoor Winter Color Guard activity, and the Indoor Winter Percussion activity. Participation in this weekend’s event marks the return of the Chesterton Winter Guard program to the national arena, after an absence of over five years. CHS will compete against 25 other groups in their class, with the 13 highest scoring guards progressing to the Sunday Finals competition. The Sunday Finals will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $20.00 for Saturday Only Passes, $24.00 for Sunday Only Passes. Combined Saturday/Sunday tickets are also available at the cost of $40.00 (cash and credit are accepted). Performance times for the Sunday Finals event are to be determined after all Prelim performances are completed.
Members of the CHS Winter Guard include: Vanessa Godinez, Abigail Krueger, Bri Manning, Haley Marinez, Addie Mason, Katie Radliff, Lucy Rutkowski, Danica Sessions, Alina Summer, and Caprie Wilson. The CHS Winter Guard is under the direction of Kylene Mitchell and Lisa Scheiber. The group is supported by the CHS Music Department and CHS Band Boosters.
For additional information about the CHS Winter Guard, please contact the Chesterton High School Music Department at 219-983-3730.
Duneland Exchange Club
Young Citizenship Award Winners
The Duneland Exchange Club recently presented two Duneland School students with the Young Citizenship award. This award is given to a student who is an all-around good citizen. The club presents this award to one fourth grade student at each of the five Duneland elementary schools, at the sixth grade level at each of the intermediate schools and at the eighth grade level at Chesterton Middle School.
Benjamin Bryak - WIS grade 6
Above, the Duneland Exchange Club recently presented Westchester Intermediate School sixth grade student Benjamin Bryak, center, with the Young Citizenship award. Also pictured, left to right, are Principal Shawn Longacre, Duneland Exchange Club (DEC) presenter Bob Capehart, his parents Anthony and Samantha Bryak, and DEC presenter Maria Bachuchin.
Raegan Matthews - LES grade 4
Above, the Duneland Exchange Club recently presented Liberty Elementary School fourth grade student Raegan Matthews, center, with the Young Citizenship Award. Also pictured, left to right, Bob Capehart and Maria Bachuchin, Duneland Exchange Club presenters; her grandmother Karon Ball; her sister Addison Matthews; her parents Tasha and Jeff Matthews; grandmother Ann Piddington; her teacher Taylor Gorecki; and Principal Heidi Hennigar.
Duneland Exchange Club
YOUTH OF THE MONTH Recipients
Alexander Drewes - January
Above, Duneland Exchange Club January Youth of the Month Alexander Drewes, center, pictured with his father John Drewes, left and Michelle Jatkiewicz, Duneland Exchange Club president, right.
Alexander is a Chesterton High School honor roll student, and a member of the National Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars. He is involved in several IHSAA sports at CHS, and has been a member of the Trojan Varsity Football team, Swimming, and Track and Field teams. Alexander is also a member of the German Club and spent last summer in Germany with the GAPP German-American Partnership Program, an exchange program through the high school. Alexander is a dedicated community volunteer. He is an assistant youth basketball coach at the YMCA, has been involved in the Beach Clean-Up program, is a Red Cross blood donor and a Back the Blue volunteer. In addition, he is also active in his church, serving as a childcare worker and member of his church's youth group.
Logan Snyder - February
Above, left to right, Jackie Ruge-Perkins, Exchange Club treasurer; father Todd Snyder; Duneland Exchange Club February Youth of the Month Logan Snyder; and mother Amy Snyder.
Logan is an exceptional Chesterton High School Senior. He is on the Principal’s Honor Roll, takes many AP classes and is a member of the National Honor Society. Logan has participated in the Science Olympiad, with Physics and Engineering his main emphasis. He is also a member of the Trojan Guard Marching Band and the Pep Band. Additionally, he serves as one of the section leaders for the trumpets. Logan also serves his community through volunteering at his church. He is looking forward to attending Purdue University next year.
ONWARD TROJANS!
IN APPRECIATION
Transportation Appreciation Day
Help us celebrate our DSC Transportation Appreciation Day today, Thursday, February 22, for National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Every day, either as children or parents, we appreciate school bus drivers. They are always there to make sure that kids go to and from school, safely and on time.
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
THIS WEEKEND
2024 CHS Family Theatre Production
Chesterton High School will host the 25th annual Family Theatre Production, "Puss 'N Boots A Tale of a Tail," on Friday and Saturday, February 23 & 24 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium at Entrance 31.
"Will the princess find love? Will the miller's sons inherit wealth beyond their wildest dreams? Will Fluffkin be reunited with her family? Will Snot the Ogre live happily ever after? Who is Puss in Boots, really? Join the cast of the 25th Annual CHS Family Theatre Production on a rollicking escapade filled with intrigue, adventure, and mistaken identity to find out!"
Click the image above to purchase tickets in advance.
FRIDAY and SATURDAY
CMS Drama Club Production
The Chesterton Middle School Drama Club has come together for their final production before the school closes this summer. This year, students will be performing Don Zolidis's, "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" This play can best be described as a retelling of all 209 Brothers Grimm fairy tales in one continuous narrative. It's sort of like... "Once Upon a Time" meets "Into the Woods" meets "The Three Stooges". The students have had so much fun putting this show together, and we're sure that the audience will have as much fun watching it!
Best of Region Voting Begins TODAY!
Help VOTE Chesterton High School 'Best Public High School' for the 2nd year in a row. Voting opens today. Participants may vote one time daily in each category today through March 24. Click on the image below of this link to vote: https://nwitimes.com/.../best-of-the-region-ballot-2024/…
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024!!
Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of your graduation legacy.
Pre-order Chesterton High School exclusive graduation shirts with all of the class of 2024 graduates' names on the back!! The perfect way to commemorate this milestone!!! Shirts, flower bouquets and other graduation merch will be available for purchase and pick up the day of the graduation!!
Kindergarten Round-Up
ONLINE ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN for incoming Duneland Kindergarten students for the 2024-2025 School Year. Families are asked to complete online enrollment prior to attending Kindergarten Round-Up on Thursday, February 29, 2024. To get started please visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/440.
Online Enrollment Now OPEN
DSC Summer School 2024
Duneland School Corporation is announcing the 2024 Summer School Dates. Summer school will consist of two sessions with Session 1 from June 10-28 and Session 2 from July 8-26. Session 1 will host classes for students in grades PreK-12 while Session 2 is only for students currently in grades 8-12.
Students currently in grades K-7 will have access to courses in Reading and Math. Students in grades 8-12 will have courses in Physical Education, Government, Economics, Health, as well as the ability to retake courses not passed during the school year. KinderCamp, for incoming Kindergarteners, and the K-4 High Ability Summer School will also be offered.
Interested families should look for applications for summer school in the coming weeks with enrollment opening in March.
2024-2025 School Start & End Times
At the January 8th School Board meeting, the following school start and end times were approved for the 2024-2025 school year.
The new daily schedule for the 2024-2025 school year will be:
- Elementary (K-4) 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
- High School (9-12) 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
- Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
CHS FRESHMAN FOOTBALL
Callout Meeting - Monday, Feb. 26
Chesterton High School will host an incoming Freshman Football Callout Meeting (in-person) on Monday, February 26 at 6 p.m. at the Chesterton High School Large Group Instruction Room (LGI). Use CHS Main Entrance #1 on the west side of the high school building.
All current eighth graders and parents of eighth graders that are interested in playing high school freshman football in the fall of 2024 should plan to attend. Both parents and players should be attending this meeting.
Information that will be covered:
- 2024-2025 Athletic Physical Documentation protocols / Final Forms
- Pre-season workouts -Dates and times
- Summer practice schedule -Dates & Times
- Two-a-day Practice schedule in August
- Please contact Coach Peterson if you have any questions.
DSC Band and Orchestra Recruitment!
JOIN Band!
Current 5th graders, this is what you have been waiting for! Beginning Band information for Summer 2024 and next school year is ready!
Join the band and learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. This opportunity is available to all fifth grade students.
- In Person Instrument Try-Outs are March 12 (LIS) and 13 (WIS) at CMS
- Summer Band is August 5-8.
- Registration Forms are due February 29. Join us and be a part of the Band!
JOIN 5th Grade Orchestra!
Calling all 4th graders, the fun is about to begin! Be a part of something special with Chesterton Orchestras next year in Intermediate School. Make lifelong friends, and join a fun team!
Join the orchestra and learn to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass. This opportunity is available to all 4th grade students.
- In Person Instrument Try-Outs are March 12 (LIS) and 13 (WIS) at CMS
- Summer Orchestra is August 5-9
- Registration Forms are due February 29. Join us and be a part of the Orchestra!
Duneland Early Learning HUB
This Week at the HUB
At Trojan Tykes, we read The Hat by Jan Brett and participated in a creativity, fine motor, hands-on, water table and free play area. Trojan Tykes is a family story time and centers on Tuesday’s at 9:00, 10:00 and 12:00.
Mini-Movers is on Wednesday’s from 9:00-9:30 in our HUB gym. This week, the children visited centers in the gym and participated in an obstacle course. The centers were walking on the balance beam, throwing scarves, walking through the tunnel, up the ramp and down the stairs and hopscotch jumping with their feet in and out. The kiddos also participated in a cool down activity.
During Kinder Kids, we did calendar, read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and were involved in stations covering math, art, reading and writing. Kinder Kids is for 4-5 year olds that will attend Kindergarten during the 2024-2025 school year. Come join us from 9:00-10:30 on Thursday if you are 4-5 years old for Kinder Kids.
Young Explorers is every Thursday from 11:00-11:30 outside at the Chesterton Park shelter. We will always have our nature based class as long as it FEELS like 25 degrees or more. We read We Are Going On a Bear Hunt, created binoculars and searched for bears with our friends and family.
This Friday, we have Trojan Time here in our classroom and multipurpose room. Families can visit and play from 11:00-1:00 or get resources from our staff.
Do not forget that most mornings and afternoons, we have Open Gym from 9:00-10:00 and 12:30-1:30.
If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB. Check us out at our DSC website.
IMPORTANT PARENT RESOURCES
INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION 2023-2024 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
eLearning Guidelines
Guidelines for Students 2023-2024 School Year
Follow the links below by grade level to find the appropriate Unplanned (Virtual - Synchronous) eLearning Day Plan for your student.
Please note the update to the 5-6 Synchronous Plan for Liberty Intermediate School only.
Nutrislice App / MENUS
The DSC Child Nutrition Department is now utilizing NutriSlice as its new menus program. This app is available for iphone and android through your mobile app store. Parents can also access the full website for Duneland Schools on a computer via this NutriSlice link.
This app will allow parents and students to view the menus as well as the nutritional info for each items at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of food items being served at each of the schools.
NEW! DSC 2024-2025 Calendar
The new 2024-2025 Duneland School Corporation Calendar has been adopted by the Duneland School Board of Trustees. Click the link above to see all the date for next school year.
DSC 2023-2024 Calendar
The Revised 2023-2024 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
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
CONTACTING IT SUPPORT
Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:
- Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- Log into IncidentIQ and submit a request duneland.incidentIQ.com
CHS Athletic Tickets 2023-2024
ACTIVITY 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.
The Duneland Schools share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in and 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.
Want your event/activity/camp posted on this page? Submit a request by email with the flyer/information to the Duneland Schools Administrative Center to ahicks@duneland.k12.in.us and bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us.
DSC SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS / CAMPS / ACTIVITIES
For more information on ALL the current Camps being offered at CHS visit Athletic Camps/Events on the CHS Athletics webpage.
District Art Show
Representative artwork from students in grades K-12 will be on display at the Corporation's annual exhibit at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th Street in Chesterton.
The first exhibit on March 5-13 will feature artwork of students in grades 9-12. An opening reception will be hosted at the Center on Tuesday, March 5 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The second exhibit on March 16 - 30 will feature the artwork of students in grades K-8. An opening reception will be hosted for grades K-8 at the Center on Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
The exhibits will be open to the public without cost during Gallery hours (weekdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.).
MS Cheerleader and Lifter Clinic
Wondering what high school cheer is all about? CHS Cheer is excited to offer a clinic for current Middle School students!! Sign up today for the Cheerleader and Lifter Middle School Clinic on Sunday, March 3 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the CHS Field House. Click the image below to learn more and sign up...
CHS Senior Class Fundraiser - Feb. 27
MS Athlete Development Camp
Click the image below to register.
AUDITION Entries Due March 1!
Duneland Exchange Club Talent Showcase
The Duneland Exchange Club is proud to present the 32nd Annual Youth Talent Showcase on April 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Chesterton High School Auditorium. Auditions for the Talent Show will be held on March 6 and March 7, 2024 at the Chesterton Middle School Auditorium. You must complete and submit an audition application by clicking the image at the right.
Little League Baseball / Softball
State Park Little League 2024
Online registration is now open for State Park Little League Baseball 2024. New or Returning players may register by clicking the State Park Little League logo at left.
Liberty Rec. Baseball and Softball
Online registration for 2024 Liberty Rec. Baseball and Softball. Register by clicking the Liberty Rec. Baseball and Softball logo at left.
Class of 1974 - 50 year Reunion
The CHS Class of 1974 will host a 50-year reunion on Friday, June 21 beginning at 5 p.m. at Gelsosomos Pizzeria, 371 Indian Boundary #8, Chesterton. A second event will be hosted on Saturday, June 22 beginning at 6 p.m. at the SPA (reservations and prepayment required), 333 N Mineral Spring Rd., Porter, IN.
Members of the Class of 1974 can follow this LINK to update their information and RSVP for this event.
'SAY SOMETHING' Tip Line for Grades 5-12
The Duneland School Corporation has adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for all grade 5-12 schools this year. The link to the Say Something Tip Line can be found on the DSC website, on the middle and high school websites, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.
Tip Line for Grades K-4
The established Anonymous Safe Schools Tip Line for students in grades K-4 will remain the same. The link to this tip line for Grade 5-12 can be found on the DSC website, each DSC elementary school website, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.
DuneNews
The district newsletter, DuneNews, is published each Thursday afternoon throughout the school year. Each weekly issue can be found on our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us/dune-news along with archived issues for review.
Not receiving school communications?
The district and schools send out weekly communications. Parents that are not receiving weekly communications should contact their respective school Main Office or email Bridget Martinson at bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us
LONG-TERM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Yost Campus
Bailly Campus
Brummitt Campus
Jackson Campus
Liberty Elem. Campus
LIS Campus
WIS Campus
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, February 5, school board members and the public were updated by Chris Muvceski of The Skillman Corporation on the work that has been completed in the last four 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.
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Store where you can buy your Duneland all school spirit wear? Apparel for all ages, stadium seats, accessories and more. CHECK IT OUT!
NorthShore Clinic for All DSC Students
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