DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
January 16, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 22
Duneland Schools to Develop Strategic Plan
A strategic plan establishes a direction for the school district, sharpens focus, develops the right goals and targets, and helps the district to concentrate its efforts. These goals and actions will provide the blueprint for future decisions and a roadmap for the next 3-5 years.
Development of this plan will require a special team of individuals who will work to:
1. Establish purpose and direction with goals aligned to our vision and mission.
2. Set priorities for resource allocation and decision-making.
3. Ensure operational efficiency.
4. Emphasize research-based strategies to promote student learning.
5. Develop systems that will build capacity for continued growth.
A group of 30-plus people are being invited to make up the Strategic Planning Team comprised of board members, the superintendent, central office administrators, teachers, principals, classified staff, students, parents and community members. This team will meet on 11 Monday evenings beginning on January 27 and will conclude with a presentation to the School Board for adoption on June 1. The work of this team will be facilitated by Howe and Associates Consulting, LLC.
Once goals are established, another group of individuals with experience and knowledge in the goal areas will be encouraged to help construct action plans followed by a leadership summit to be conducted in late spring seeking additional input into the plan.
Persons interested in participating in either of these groups should contact Melissa Jaeger, DSC executive assistant, by Friday, February 28 at 219-983-3605 or mjaeger@duneland.k12.in.us.
NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
Jackson Township Position - Term ending December 31, 2020
The Board of School Trustees of the Duneland School is accepting letters of interest from individuals who would like to be considered to complete the remaining term for the Jackson Township seat, which will be up for election on November 3, 2020. Read more...
Social Media & Our Kids: How Bad Can it Be?
A special presentation for parents
Don't miss this great presentation from the Indiana State Police about the impact of social media on our students and families. This FREE event will be hosted at Westchester Intermediate School, 1050 S. 5th Street, on Wednesday, January 29 from 7-8 p.m. and is open to parents in the Duneland School Community.
Read more...
Winter Card Winners Honored by School Board
PCSAC Awards Grant for DSC Positive Life Program
The Porter County Substance Abuse Council awarded the Duneland School Corporation Positive Life Program Coordinator David Milligan with a $4000 grant in January. The grant will be used to pay for Positive Life Prevention Programs at Chesterton Middle School and Chesterton High School.
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
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2019-2020 Procedures for Delaying/Closing School
As we approach the winter season, please review the attached letter from Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit regarding the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather...
Duneland School Spirit Wear Online Store
Did you know that the Duneland School Corporation has an online store for ordering all of your Duneland School spirit wear? For your convenience, all of your orders can be shipped to your home for a nominal fee or you can pick-up your online order at Blythe's Team Sports in Valparaiso.
Parents can also purchase P.E. uniforms for students in grades 7-12 and Body Conditioning for 9-12. The uniforms will no longer be available for purchase at CMS / CHS.
The CHS / CMS P.E. and Body Conditioning Uniforms (t-shirt and shorts) are the only items that will be shipped within a few days of ordering. Orders can be sent directly to your home within a few business days for a nominal fee or you can choose to pick up your online order at Blythe's Team Sports in Valparaiso.
Other spirit wear on the site can be ordered during a 14-day window. Orders will then be processed and shipped. Further information is located on the online store site.
Click the button below to enter the online store!
Join the CHS Alumni Association!
Have you been thinking about joining the Chesterton High School Alumni Association, but just haven't gotten around to it? Or, are you wondering why you should join this newly formed organization?
The CHS Alumni Association was formed to help support the enhancement of the Duneland School Corporations' educational processes and scholarships for graduating seniors at Chesterton High School. Your dues in the organization will help the group to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance. We will also enshrine teachers, administration, support staff and graduates (alumni) into their respective ''Halls of Fame” at our first annual banquet to be held on May 7, 2020 at Chesterton High School. Mark your calendar to support our next fundraiser--An Alumni Association All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 14 from 7-10 a.m. at George's Gyros Spot in Chesterton.
Interested in getting involved in the Alumni Association? The group welcomes the help of our membership to assist us in achieving our mission to raise funds for student scholarships. Please join us for our next meeting on Thursday, February 13 at 4 p.m. at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue in Chesterton.
The Chesterton High School Alumni Association welcomes all former CHS alumni, and present and past faculty and staff members of the Duneland Schools to join the Association. Annual membership dues is $15 per alumni or Lifetime membership is a one-time fee of $150.00 minus your age. (Example: $150.00 less your age of 60 years would equal dues of $90.00).
Visit the Duneland School website at www.duneland.k12.in.us and download an application to join today.
Join us on Facebook The REAL Chesterton High School Alumni Association
Did You Know...
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: https://www.internetessentials.com/
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: https://frontier.com/resources/discountprograms/lifeline-program
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
PLEASE NOTE: The next regularly scheduled Duneland School Board public meeting has been moved to Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue. Duneland School Board meetings are normally scheduled for the first Monday of the month unless noted differently.
Open Swim: Chesterton High School offers open swim every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $1 for school children and $2 for adults. Please use Entrance 34 at Chesterton High School. Children must be within arms reach at all times. Check out the the full 2019-2020 schedule
Scholarship Information: Scholarship information can always be found on the CHS College and Career Center site: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=786
Duneland Swim Club: 2019-2020 FALL WINTER SEASON Online Registration Now Open at Duneswim.com for returning members for our season that runs through February 14, 2020. Try out to become a full member, or for the Trial Program for New Swimmers: TRIAL #6-January 27. Tryouts are mandatory for all new swimmers at the Chesterton Middle School Pool through Door #9 or on the first day of the designated trial dates from 4:30-5:15 p.m. All new swimmers must be four (4) years of age and swim 12 ½ yards without touching bottom or side. Please bring a copy of their birth certificate. New swimmers practice from 3:45-4:30 p.m. Visit www.Duneswim.com for returning member practice schedules and more information. Email Coach Christy at kallayfamily@comcast.net with any questions.
This SUNDAY: Youth Free Throw Championship: All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2020 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. Mark your calendar...The local competition will be held Sunday, Jan 19, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Classic Gym at St Patrick’s Church in Chesterton, IN. Event info at: https://www.facebook.com/events/512803312648280/
COMING SOON: Sweetheart Swirl: Annual Father/Daughter Dance: The Chesterton Lions Club will host their 13th Annual Father/Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Chesterton High School. A fun filled evening with dinner, dancing and memories. All proceeds from this event benefit services provided to the Duneland community. For more information contact Robin Smith at 219-916-4549. To order tickets visit www.sweetheartswirl.chestertonlions.org
“NO LIMITS” MAGIC SHOW FOR ALL AGES! The Duneland Family YMCA will host a family fun magic show featuring Magician Chandler Maglish on Saturday, February 22 in the Chesterton High School Auditorium. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting at 6:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit our website or stop by the Y at 215 Roosevelt St. in Chesterton. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Toni Biancardi, 926-4204, for more information. Click here to register online!
The new 2020-2021 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, January 16, 2020
4:30 p.m. CMS 7A&B Boys BB-Willowcreek-H
4:30 p.m. CMS 8A&B Boys BB-Willowcreek
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-Munster/Lk Central (JV Meet)-H
6 p.m. BA PTO Meeting
6:30 p.m. CHS Boys V WR-Valpo-H
Friday, January 17, 2020
11:30 a.m. LIS Spirit Day & Kona Ice
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V BB-LaPorte-H
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-LaPorte-H
Saturday, January 18, 2020
8:30 a.m. CMS 7B Boys BB Invite-Thom. Jefferson
9 a.m. CMS 8B Boys BB Invite-Ben Franklin
9 a.m. CHS Girls V SW-DAC Championship Meet-Crown Pt.
9 a.m. CHS Boys V WR-DAC Championship Meet -Valpo
10 a.m. CHS Girls Fr BB-Crown Pt
11:30 a.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Crown Pt
4-5 p.m. CHS Mid-Year Graduation-CHS Aud.
CHS Winter Dance
Monday, January 20, 2020
NO SCHOOL-Martin Luther King Jr. Day
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-LaPorte
6 p.m. CHS Girls Fr BB-Lk Central-H
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
4:30 p.m. CMS 7A Boys BB Conf. TBD
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV BB-Bishop Noll
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys V SW-Portage
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-Portage
5:45 p.m. CMS 8A Boys BB Conf. TBD
6 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-Crown Pt-H
7 p.m. CHS Girls V BB-Bishop Noll
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Andrean-H
7-8:45 p.m. CHS Open Swim-Pick up at 9 p.m.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV BB-Crown Pt
6 p.m. CHS Girls Fr BB-Portage-H
6 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-Lowell and New Prairie-H
6-7 p.m. CHS Junior Parent Night-CHS Cafe
7 p.m. CHS Girls V BB-Crown Pt
7-8 p.m. Social Media & Our Kids-WIS Gym B
Friday, January 24, 2020
10:30 p.m. BA Frozen Friday
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-Crown Pt.
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Crown Pt.
6-9 p.m. CHS Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser for NHS-CHS Cafe
Saturday, January 25, 2020
8 a.m. CMS 7B Girls BB-Lincoln Jr. High, Plymouth, IN
8:30 a.m. CMS 7A Girls BB Invite-H
11 a.m. CHS Girls V SW-DAC JV Swim and Dive Meet-Lk Central
5 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-South Bend Adams-H
6:30 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-South Bend Adams-H
Monday, January 27, 2020
6 p.m. CHS Girls Fr BB-East Chicago Central-H
Child Nutrition Services
To check out our school lunch menus click here
Not familiar with our Child Nutrition Services account payments and charging policy? Click here to view it now.
Have you read this month's publication of Nutrition Nuggets? This publication, a parent's guide to food and fitness for a healthy child, is available free on our Child Nutrition Services webpage.