DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
February 1, 2024 Vol. 58 No. 23
A message from the Superintendent...
Duneland School Corporation Updates Strategic Plan
The Duneland School Corporation 2024-28 Strategic Plan is a living document that will adapt to the changing landscape of education, promoting flexibility and innovation. By articulating our priorities and intentions, we demonstrate our commitment to providing a high-quality education that prepares our students for success in an ever-evolving world.
The update to the Duneland School Corporation Strategic Plan is an essential step in ensuring the continued success and growth of our educational community. This plan will serve as a roadmap guiding our district towards a future that is not only responsive to the evolving needs of our students, but also aligned with the values and aspirations of our community.
A districtwide strategic plan provides a cohesive framework that unites administrators, educators, parents, and community members in a shared vision for our schools. The plan allows us to identify strengths, address challenges, and set clear, measurable goals that will propel us towards academic excellence. The collaborative process of developing the plan ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, fostering a sense of inclusivity and shared responsibility. Thank you to the 51-member team of students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, board members, and community members that met in October and November 2023 to update the Duneland School Corporation Strategic Plan.
Strategic Planning Committee
I encourage you to review the Strategic Plan at the Duneland School Corporation website to become familiar with current and future initiatives.
Onward!
Sincerely,
Dr. Chip Pettit
Superintendent of Schools
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
ISSMA
Vocal/Piano Solo and Ensemble Results
Over 120 students from Chesterton Middle and Chesterton High Schools competed at the Indiana School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo & Ensemble Event for Vocal and Piano that was held at Valparaiso High School on Saturday, January 27. Under the direction of Kristen Garrett and Kristin Morris, the students earned a total of 67 medals. 57 gold medals, eight silver medals, and two bronze medals.
CHESTERTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Vishva Bharath, Katie Biggs, Elizabeth Bugajski, Annaliese Coppler, Carly Decker, Elijah Fletcher, Macey Mauke, Holden McCready, Irini Polimus, Isabella Schirripa, Aditi Shiggavi, Hunter Smith, Isabel Torres, Lucas Torres, Michael Williams, and Coralei Zeilstra.
Silver medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Anaya Alioto, Kaylie Balon, Addison Dunkle, Emilia Franco, and Arabella Purser.
Front row, left to right, Katie Biggs, Natalie Hargarten, MJ Scharp, Additi Shiggavi, and Lyla Szcudlak. Back row, Layla Niewiadomski, Sophia Onteveros, Ava Willis, Elena Rosado, Olivia Goodman, and Melody Shapiro.
Front row, left to right, Kaylie Balon, Elizabeth Bugajski, Macie Pack, Lily Hardin, Kaylee Collins and Arabella Purser. Back row, Morgan Millis, Eleanor Lewis, Addison Dunkle, Claire Eli, Clara Arizzi, Natalie Miller and Delilah Barrios.
Front row, left to right, Grace Klaiber, Haylee Hardin, Rania Polimus, Kayla Rees, Caitlin Brosas and Alias Acosta. Back row, Peyton Tratta, Katelyn Cichocki, Gabriella Alvarado, Scarlett Lubeck, Willow Price and Ava Garland.
Front row, left to right, Kendall Doede, Macey Mauke, Isabella Schirripa, Addison Pack, Carly Decker, Emilia Franco and Isabel Torres. Back row, Annaliese Coppler, Stella Strupek, Andie Kollar, Callie Harding, Olivia Muzzalupo and Madalyn Vickers.
Front row, left to right, Maverik Simmons, Oliver Good, Colin Miller, Vishva Bharath, Michael Williams and Lucas Torres. Back row, Elijah Schnarr, Elijah Fletcher, Hunter Smith, Brayden Wallen and Landan Smith.
Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Alais Acosta, Gabriella Alvarado, Clara Arizzi, Kaylie Balon, Delilah Barrios, Vishva Bharath, Katie Biggs, Caitlin Brosas, Elizabeth Bugajski, Katelyn Cichocki, Kaylee Collins, Annaliese Coppler, Carly Decker, Kendall Doede, Addison Dunkle, Claire Eli, Elijah Fletcher, Emilia Franco, Ava Garland, Oliver Good, Olivia Goodwin, Haylee Hardin, Lily Hardin, Callie Harding, Natalie Hargarten, Grace Klaiber, Andie Kollar, Eleanor Lewis, Scarlett Lubeck, Macey Mauke, Colin Miller, Natalie Miller, Morgan Millis, Olivia Muzzalupo, Natalie Newman, Layla Niewiadomski, Sophia Ontiveros, Addison Pack, Macie Pack, Rania Polimus, Willow Price, Arabella Purser, Kayla Rees, Elena Rosado, MJ Scharp, Isabella Schirripa, Elijah Schnarr, Melody Shapiro, Aditi Shiggavi, Maverik Simmons, Hunter Smith, Landan Smith, Stella Strupek, Lyla Szcudlak, Isabel Torres, Lucas Torres, Peyton Tratta, Madalyn Vickers, Brayden Wallen, Michael Williams and Ava Willis.
Gold medals awarded for piano solo performances: Clara Arizzi and Lucas Torres
Silver medals awarded for piano solo performances: Oliver Good
Bronze medal awarded for piano solo performances: Talan Lipka
CHESTERTON HIGH SCHOOL
The following students won gold medals, and qualified for State with their vocal solo performance: Kristen Cartergine, Melissa Cook, Ava Cunningham, Sofia Cunningham, Emmersyn Curran, Julia Dietrich, Ryan Gray, Luke Housman, Jordan Huneryager, Archer Lohman, Margaret Jane Maddex, Hailey Nevious, Paige Nittner, Karleigh Pawlyszyn, Samuel Smith, Ella Taylor, Aubrey Torres, and Aubree Williams.
Gold medals, and state qualification, awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Andrew Adams, Peytan Belegal, Ayden Bozak, Bella Brack (2 ensembles), Mena Brack (2 ensembles), Melissa Cook (2 ensembles), Ava Cunningham (2 ensembles), Julia Dietrich, Niyelli Estrada (2 ensembles), Ryan Gray (2 ensembles), Luke Housman (2 ensembles), Archer Lohman, Joe Lucken, Hailey Nevious (2 ensembles), Karleigh Pawlyszyn, Ella Scott (2 ensembles), Daniel Shade, and Veronica Wilgocki (2 ensembles).
The following student won a gold medal and qualified for State with their piano solo performance: Toby Ison.
Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Isabelle Cain, Marian Cook, Megan Hadenfelt, Sophia Higgins, Mara Huneryager, Lilly Koziczynski, Lauren Kroft, Caramia Larimer, Emily Ponce, and Daniel Shade.
Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Andrew Adams, Peytan Belegal, Izzy Bigman, Emma Bondra, Ayden Bozak, Ava Bozak, Skylar Burnson, Irene Camacho, Carson Foster (2 ensembles), Quinn Frey, Teah George, Alana Golec (2 ensembles), Lily Grish (2 ensembles), Annebell Haas, Megan Hadenfelt, Emma Kaegebein (2 ensembles), Lila Kollman, Lauren Kroft, Gina Lafever (2 ensembles), Joe Lucken, Emily Ponce, Avey Ricks, Annette Ruiz-Moreno, Daniel Shade, and Taryn Wellensiek.
Silver medal awarded for piano solo performances: Sophia Higgins
Silver medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Emma Bondra, Skyler Burnson, Quinn Frey, Natalia Fuentes, Annebell Haas, Megan Hadenfelt, Lila Kollman, and Annette Ruiz-Moreno.
Bronze medal awarded for piano solo performances: Mia Jakich
CHS Accompanist Gina Jones, Ayden Bozak, Joe Lucken, Daniel Shade, Peytan Belegal, and Andrew Adams
Left to right, Mena Brack, Bella Brack, Niyelli Estrada, Hailey Nevious, Ella Scott and Veronica Wilgocki.
Front row, left to right, Gina Lafever, Emily Ponce, Lily Grish and Alana Golec. Back row, Carson Foster, Avey Ricks, Emma Kaegebein, Izzy Bigman, Teah George, Irene Camacho and Ava Bozak.
Left to right, Alana Golec, Lily Grish, Gina Lafever, Carson Foster and Emma Kaegebein.
Duneland Invitational
VEX IQ Robotics Competition
This past Saturday, January 27, Duneland Schools hosted the Duneland Invitational Robotics competition at Chesterton Middle School (CMS). The competition consisted of 46 teams from all of the elementary and intermediate school teams in Duneland. This was truly a corporation-wide event as many vital volunteer roles were filled by CMS and CHS robotics students. Not many events are able to include students from all nine (9) schools!
The finals included five teams from WIS, three teams from Brummitt, one team from LIS and one team from Yost. After a tiebreaker round in the finals, WIS team M and Brummitt team D defeated the LIS team C and Brummitt team A by six points. The two winning teams have qualified for the State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium at the end of March.
Above, front row, left to right, state qualifiers, Brummitt Team D members Levi Dees, Camden Niehaus, Jack Squok, Grant Mundt and Monty Mikuzis. Back row, WIS Team M members Austin Walters, Nathan Menard, Chase Olszewski and Rylie Sizemore.
ONWARD TROJANS!
Duneland School Board Meeting
Monday, February 5, 2024
Yost named Model PLC School
Congratulations to Yost Elementary for their dedication to training
For the past three years, Duneland Schools has partnered with Solution Tree, a professional development company, to ensure that teachers and staff throughout the district are trained and implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
These communities (usually grade level teams) meet multiple times a week to discuss curriculum, teaching strategies, student growth and student achievement. During their time with Solution Tree, Yost has shown tremendous growth not only on state assessments, but also on in-house assessments. Due to the growth and the collaborative atmosphere of Yost, the school has been awarded the distinction of a Model PLC school. Currently, Yost is one of 11 schools in the State of Indiana to be awarded this recognition and one of 563 schools nationwide. This is a huge accomplishment for both Yost and Duneland Schools. Congratulations Yosties!
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
DSC Professional Development
Duneland staff participated in a diverse array of professional development opportunities during the day on Monday, January 29.
Our K-4 teachers continued their work on the Science of Reading with their Kendore Learning coach Jennifer Hasser (pictured above).
The Intermediate buildings provided a joint meeting between buildings to focus Professional Learning Communities and bridging the gaps as we approach the 24/25 Transition.
Chesterton Middle School staff participated in a NWEA data workshop and learned about technology tools available to students on their iPads. They also collaborated and reviewed student grade distribution and assessment data within their teaching teams.
At Chesterton High School teachers discussed AI and its impact on student learning. They also looked at their student grade distribution outcomes and discussed opportunities for general education and special education co-teaching experiences for students. The day rounded out with professional development to support high impact teaching strategies being evaluated this year.
Our Health Care Professionals were provided with in depth CPR training to support all ages of students and staff.
CPR training
In our yearlong commitment to training all staff in Question Persuade and Refer suicide prevention training, two sessions were provided to our classified staff. Administrative assistants were also updated on best practices and procedures in many areas that encompass their work at the schools.
Our Exceptional Learning administrative team provided the ongoing training from Crisis Prevention Institute for de-escalation and protocols for CPI implementation.
Administrative Assistant updates
National School Counseling Week
Duneland Schools will celebrate National School Counseling Week, February 5-9, 2024. This special week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Each Duneland School employs at least one school counselor and each school counseling program is a recipient of the Indiana Department of Education Gold Star Counseling Award as well as the A.S.C.A. Recognized Model Program (R.A.M.P.) award.
Family Friendly Schools
Survey for Students (Gr. 5-8)
Each of the 10 Duneland School Corporation schools, in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education, are working toward renewing distinction as a Family Friendly School. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that each DSC school is demonstrating excellence in engaging families in their children’s education.
Launched in 2015, the Family Friendly Schools initiative focuses on addressing the academic, physical, emotional, and social needs of students, while providing the needed resources and fostering the active involvement of their families through schools and the community. The program recognizes and honors schools that welcome all families into the school community, communicate effectively, support student success, speak up for every child, share power and collaborate with the community.
As part of this process, students in grades 5-12 will be asked to take a 5-minute Family Friendly Schools survey (link). Students will take this survey at their school sometime between January 29 - Feb. 9.
Thank you for your support!
Westchester Intermediate is excited to announce that progress on construction continues to advance on schedule.
The interior renovations have been dramatic, and WIS staff members are anxious to move into their new permanent classroom assignments. One room change that is now complete and ready for occupancy is the updated Main Office.
Beginning on Tuesday, January 30, all parents and visitors are asked to use the Westchester Intermediate School central entrance located adjacent to the building's north parking lot. Visually, this is the entrance accented with an external awning. Additionally, please note that student drop-off and pick-up during the school day will also take place at this new location.
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
Online Enrollment Now OPEN
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.
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.
Duneland Early Learning HUB
This Week at the HUB
During Trojan Tykes, we felt snow, learned that snow turns into water when it melts, danced to Dance Freeze Melt, read The Snowy Day and popped bubbles. The children and caregivers participated in free-play, an action area, hands-on area, fine motor area or creativity area after story time. Trojan Tykes is a family story time with 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. The HUB saw 12 DSC kiddos this morning at Mini-Movers. Mini-Movers worked on jumping,crawling, throwing, hand/eye coordination and tip-toeing. These gross motor skills are important to enable children to perform every day functions.
During Kinder Kids, we did calendar, read When it Starts to Snow 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 Animals in the Winter and continued talking about winter and how animals prepare and adapt to the cold weather.
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.
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.
TONIGHT
10th Annual Alley-Oop for Awareness - Feb. 1
The 10th Annual Alley-Oop for Awareness is tonight!
This event aims to bring the community together to show support and raise awareness for individuals with exceptional needs!
It will be hosted in the Main Gym at Chesterton High School on Thursday, February 1, AND will begin immediately after the boys’ JV basketball game. The boys' JV basketball game starts at 5:30. Students from the Applied Skills class at CHS will be getting to shine as they perform after the JV game! Let's give these kids a full house of support!
Shirts, Car Coasters, and Stickers will be sold at the event to raise money for the Peer Leader Scholarship. You can contact Jessica Evans at jevans@duneland.k12.in.us for additional information on how you can help support this cause!
MS Athlete Development Camp
Click the image below to register.
'Night of Connection' on February 10
The journey of grief is often complex, and can leave those experiencing it with a feeling of isolation. Indeed, the relationship between a person and one that has passed is unique to just those two individuals. Within the realm of loss, a special population emerges of children who have lost a parent during their formative years. Duneland Schools recognize this significant group within our student body.
For many, opportunities and resources to connect those who have or are still experiencing grief are limited. Through a valuable partnership with the VNA Phoenix Center, Duneland has been working to bring those opportunities to our students experiencing the loss of a parent or primary caregiver. As a result of that collaboration, there has been interest in a larger group event. The theme of "you are not alone" for students to be able to interact with and connect with others who have had an unfortunate similar connective experience of the death of a parent can bring healing and hope to remove some feeling of isolation. This concept is beneficial for both older and younger students alike.
If your family/child has experienced a loss of a parent, we extend a heartfelt invitation to join us for a special event - the "Night of Connection". On Saturday, February 10th, the Duneland School Counseling department will host an evening in the Chesterton High School cafeteria, offering pizza, salad and dessert, followed by tickets to the Chesterton High School boys basketball game. The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. with the CHS boys basketball game starting at 7:00 p.m.
We understand the challenges that come with such experiences, and our aim is to provide a welcoming environment for healing and connection. If you have any questions or would like further information, please reach out to Maureen Hurst, Westchester Intermediate School Counselor, at (219) 983-3710 ext. 6103 or mhurst@duneland.k12.in.us.
If your family would like to attend the Night of Connection. Please fill out the following Google Form: (Please RSVP by 2/6/24)
AUDITIONS!
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 is now open through Feb. 5. 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
Liberty Elem. Campus
Bailly Campus
Brummitt Campus
Jackson Campus
LIS Campus
WIS Campus
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, January 8, 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