DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
January 30, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 24
CHS Debate Team wins 29th State Title
CHS Debate Team wins 2020 IHSFA State Debate Championship
Duneland Schools Celebrate National School Counseling Week
Duneland Schools are pleased to celebrate National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) from Feb. 3–7, 2020. Read more...
Mark your calendar for Kindergarten Round Up
Prospective Duneland students who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2020, may register for the 2020-2021 school year at their respective school.
BAILLY, BRUMMITT, JACKSON, LIBERTY & YOST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Thursday, March 5, 2020
3:00-5:00 p.m. & 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Visit this link for more details about Duneland School Kindergarten Round Up...
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.
Community Sponsors of the 2020 Recognition Program are...
The Duneland School Corporation is accepting nominations for the “Teacher of the Year” and “Employee of the Year.”
The DSC will select a “Teacher of the Year” recipient for each of the following:
- Primary (Elementary & Intermediate) Teacher Grades K-6
- Secondary (Middle & High School) Teacher Grades 7-12
The DSC will also select an “Employee of the Year” recipient for the classified staff.
Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community may nominate a DSC teacher and/or classified employee. 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.
A selection committee made up of DSC administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members will narrow the nominations and interview the final nominees before selecting a winner for each category. Winners will be announced at a School Board meeting in May.
Visit this link to access printable and online nomination forms, as well as Eligibility Requirements for Nominees for Teacher of the Year & Employee of the Year Recognition Program.
For additional information, please contact:
Melissa Jaeger
Duneland School Corporation Secretary
219-983-3605
mjaeger@duneland.k12.in.us
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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...
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Duneland Schools 2nd Quarter Honor Rolls
Westchester Intermediate School
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Yost Elementary Fourth Grader Receives Young Citizenship Award
Chesterton Middle announces Geography Bee winners
Chesterton Middle School eighth grader Summer Machnik, right, has won the school level competition of the National Geography Bee recently and is pictured with runner-up John Kovalan, left. Machnik is unable to attend the state Geography Bee on March 27, so she has stepped down and Kovalan, as runner-up, will assume her place and take the online qualifying test that will determine if he has a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state and territory will be eligible to compete in their state Bee on March 27.
Chesterton High School Big Band Bash
The Chesterton High School Music Department will once again present an evening of music and dancing that showcases the students of the Chesterton High School Jazz Ensemble.
The “Big Band Bash” offers the public a nostalgic dance, reminiscent of those held during the 1930's and 40's. The music selections will include a wide variety of familiar music, including Latin Jazz, Funk and the Big Band Swing style of the 1940's.
The Big Band Bash is a one-night event that is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, in the Chesterton High School Commons. Music and dancing will begin at 7:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres are available as part of the ticket price, with coffee and soft drinks available for a nominal cost. Patrons may use Entrance 31 located on the northeast side of the building. All seats are reserved. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Tickets are currently on sale by visiting jazz.chestertonbands.com. Tickets are $15 each.
For more information, please contact the CHS Music Dept. at 983-3730 ext. 7147.
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
A scheduled Duneland School Board public meeting will be hosted on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing the candidates to fill the Board of Trustees vacancy.
The regular Duneland School Board meeting was moved to Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, to conduct business and to appoint and swear in new school board member. Duneland School Board meetings are normally scheduled for the first Monday of the month unless noted differently.
CHS Believe and Achieve Times: Have you seen the Chesterton High School Believe and Achieve Times weekly newsletter. Don't miss all the up-to-date parent information each week. Visit this link to see the latest issue.
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
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 30, 2020
4:30 p.m. CMS 7&8A Girls BB-Morgan Twp.-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys V WR-Trojan JV Scramble-H
4:30-6:30 p.m. Duneland Learning Academy-Adm. PD Rm
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Lk Central
6 p.m. CHS Boys V SW-Munster
6 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-Munster
Friday, January 31, 2020
5:30/7 p.m. CHS Boys JV/V BB-Lk Central
5:30/7 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V BB-Andrean-H
Saturday, February 1, 2020
9 a.m. CHS Boys V SW-DAC SW&D Champ. Meet -Valpo
9 a.m. CHS Boys V WR-IHSAA Sectional-LaPorte
11 a.m. CHS Girls V GYM Invitational-H
Monday, February 3, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
5 p.m. CMS 7A&B Girls BB-Wilbur Wright
5 p.m. CMS 8A&B Girls BB-Wilbur Wright-H
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Valpo
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
WIS Candids and group photos
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
4:15 p.m. CMS 7A&B Girls BB-Kesling-H
4:15 p.m. CMS 8A&B Girls BB-Kesling
4:30-6:30 p.m. Duneland Learning Academy-Adm. PD Rm
6 p.m. CHS Girls V GYM-Valpo
6 p.m. CHS Boys V SW-Highland
6 p.m. Duneland School Board Meeting-Adm. Ctr.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
7-8:45 p.m. CHS Open Swim-Pick up at 9 p.m.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
6 p.m. BA Title I Family Game Night
4:30 p.m. CMS 7&8B Girls BB-Barker
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-Mich. City-H
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA SW&D Sectional-LaPorte
6 p.m. Duneland School Board Meeting-Adm. Ctr.
7 p.m. Duneland School Board Exec. Session
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Mich. City-H
Friday, February 7, 2020
LIS Spirit Day & Cocoa Friday
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
9 a.m. BA Title I Family Game Time
Saturday, February 8, 2020
WIS ISSMA Solo & Ensemble
8:30 a.m. CMS 8A Girls BB Invite-H
9 a.m. CHS Girls V SW-IHSAA Girls SW&D Sectional-LaPorte
Monday, February 10, 2020
7:30-2:45 p.m. CHS Spring ISTEP Retakes
4:30-6:30 p.m. Duneland Learning Academy-Adm. PD Rm
5:30- 8 p.m. Strategic Planning Team Mtg.-Adm Center
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Kankakee Valley-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.