This Week at Jackson
February 26th
RtI, MOY Test Scores, Q4 Transition Requests
With the middle of the year (MOY) testing window closed, we've recently finished holding our meetings to analyze our students' academic and behavioral data. In the past, we have always separated the academic portion--what you may have heard us refer to as RtI (Response to Intervention)--from the behavioral. This year, we combined our RtI group with our Student Assistance Team (SAT) to help us better understand and support our students. At this point, we are in the process of following up with families regarding any changes in their students' services.
You should have received or soon should be receiving a copy of your child's performance on the mCLASS and NWEA assessments during the MOY testing window.
Please remember that the window to request a change in instructional model is currently open. This window closes next Thursday, March 4th. The link is below.
Finally, if you have a remote student in the 3rd or 4th grade, I would like to remind you that we are going to need to ask you to bring your student in to complete the state standardized tests. Both grades will complete ILEARN; third grade will also take IREAD-3. Your child's teacher will provide specific instructions as we approach each test window.
Read-A-Thon Results: Top Readers in Each Class
Kindergarten
Abbigail Smits, Ivy Dondlinger, Madison Holmgren, Declan Burke
1st Grade
Addison Bailey, Adalynn Howton, Caden Bowen, Gavin Pack
2nd Grade
Mia Pack, Porter Blythe, Michelle Holmgren
3rd Grade
Brooklyn Hardsock, Nikola Isla, Aaron Combs
4th Grade
Samantha Mills, Zachary Racette, Macie Pack
Kindergarten
- Abbigail from Mrs. Ratajec's class
- Ivy from Mrs. Ridley's class
- Madison from Miss Williams' class
Kindergarten
- Declan from Mrs. Nay's class
1st Grade
- Addison from Mrs. Helmbrecht
1st Grade
- Adalynn from Miss Washo's class
- Caden from Mrs. Urban's class
- Gavin from Mrs. Psimos' class
2nd Grade
- Porter from Mrs. Caudle's class
- Michelle from Mrs. Tumbas' class
2nd Grade
- Mia from Mrs. Tarnowski's class
3rd Grade
- Brooklyn from Miss Furto's class
- Nikola from Miss Bailey's class
3rd Grade
- Aaron from Mrs. White's class
4th Grade
- Samantha from Mrs. Vesling's class
- Zachary from Mr. Conway's class
Read-A-Thon Results: Top Individual Reader in the School
Dr. Seuss Theme Week Upcoming
Kindergarten Sign Up
Prospective Duneland students who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2021, may register for the 2021-2022 school year at Jackson on Wednesday, March 3 during one of these convenient times:
9:00-11:00 a.m. / 1:00-3:00 p.m. / 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Families, please review the link below for more detailed information. This day is not an all-in-one event like Kindergarten Roundup was in past years. The Sign-Up event is for completion of paperwork; there will be no student assessments, building tours, or bus rides at this time.
If Your Family Needs Help
Fourth Quarter Instructional Model
In alignment with the DSC reentry plan, we are providing families with an opportunity to change their selection between desired learning models (in-person or remote) for the 4th nine weeks.
If you are interested in switching your student from in-person to remote or remote to in-person for the 4th nine weeks, please complete the form at the following link now:
https://forms.gle/Goj3C2PUc9NzULy36. If, however, you wish for your student to stay in his/her current learning model, then you do not need to complete the form.
The window for completing this form is February 18, 2021 – March 4, 2021. Requested changes will take effect on Monday, March 29, 2021.
Families with more than one student must complete a separate form for each student.
Based on the number of changes that take place, particularly at the elementary level, some students will receive teacher/class changes. All schedule changes will be shared by your student’s respective school prior to March 29th.
Selections will be in effect until the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Teacher & Employee of the Year Nomination Process
The Duneland School Corporation believes in celebrating 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.
Parent-Teacher Conferences for Grades K-6
The Duneland School Corporation understands the importance of establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships between parents and teachers. Despite the pandemic, our commitment to this remains unchanged.
The parent-teacher conferences originally scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2020, were postponed because of the switch from Level 4 (hybrid) to Level 3. Beginning in January, K-6 teachers will be reaching out to their students’ families to offer a phone or virtual parent-teacher conference. These conferences may take place in January and/or February.
Conferences are a great opportunity to:
discuss your student’s academic performance, social-emotional progress and/or overall school experience
share information regarding your student’s strengths, needs, behaviors, and learning styles
share enrichment or intervention strategies to support the student’s learning
examine issues that may be interfering with students' learning and growth
School Meals TO GO! - Beginning on Jan. 6, 2021
Meals will continue to be free for all children through the end of the school year. Beginning January 6, 2021 there will no longer be daily meal pickup. Meal pickup will be as follows:
IN SCHOOL LEARNERS
Students who participate in the In-School Hybrid Model will be eligible for Free Breakfast and Free Lunch each day while in school. An order form will be available online to preorder 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch to be picked up on the Wednesday E-Learning day each week. Meals can be picked up between the hours of 9:30am and 10:30am each Wednesday. The form must be submitted online by 9am each Tuesday to receive meals.
Wednesday Meal To Go Order Form
FULLY REMOTE LEARNERS
Free Meal Pickup for Fully Remote Learners will consist of 5 breakfast and 5 lunch meals with instructions to be prepared at home and will be distributed once a week on Wednesdays between the hours of 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. (Child must be fully remote to receive the weekly meals.) An order form will be available online to preorder meals. The form must be submitted each week by Monday at 9am to receive meals.
Remote Learner Weekly Meals To Go Order Form
MEAL PICKUP SITES
Yost Elementary - 100 W. Beam St., Porter
Enter parking area from Beam St. Go left down the hill. Stay left of cones and follow drive around to back of the building for meal pickup at the Food Service Pickup Window.
Chesterton High School - 2125 S. 11th Street
Enter parking area from 11th Street by the Football Stadium and follow signage to back of the building for pickup.
Please pick up meals for all children in the household at one of these two locations.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of a cancellation of activities/programs on a Wednesday due to inclement weather, meal distribution will be conducted the following day, Thursday.
If picking up meals for a child with food allergies, please contact the Child Nutrition Director, Tammy Watkins, at 219-983-3700 for detailed information.
Visit this link to see the Remote Meal Menu with Heating Instructions
Summer Camp at Sunset Hill
Celebrate Your Favorite Duneland School Teacher Teachers of Excellence
Kenneth J. Allen Law Group supports Northwest Indiana teachers who go above and beyond for their students and honors them for their outstanding contributions to education. To learn more about the educators who are Teachers of Excellence or if you know of someone who should be recognized as a Teacher of Excellence, please nominate him or her by following this link.
After-hours Technical Support
After-hours IT Support hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - until 7:00pm
Call: 219-983-3759
Minutes from the January PTO Mtg
Fundraising Opportunities
Jackson Elementary School
Email: smarshall@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/10
Location: 811 North 400 East, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3680
Facebook: facebook.com/JacksonElementaryDSC