DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, October 8, 2020 Vol. 55 No. 7
Message from the Superintendent...
This week, schools moved to Level 3, with students choosing the in-person learning model coming to campus 4-days per week. Students selecting the remote learning model will continue to receive instruction without coming to campus. In an effort to provide families with choices during the pandemic, students were able to change their learning model preference prior to this level change. Currently, approximately 75% of our just over 5,800 students are attending in-person with 25% attending remotely. 631 students moved from remote to in-person and 325 students moved from in-person to a remote learning model. In this latest change, approximately 15% of students made a change to their learning model. I believe this speaks to the uncertainty we have come to experience on all pandemic related topics.
We have been monitoring student and staff use of personal protective equipment and social distancing in all of our schools. We have not had one instance of a student or staff member being unwilling to wear a mask. Where possible, students are 6-feet apart. There are times when students are closer than six feet due to space constraints or activities in which students work with a partner or in small groups. With that in mind, we undoubtedly will have additional students and staff members that will need to be quarantined or isolated due to testing positive for COVID-19 or being designated a ‘close contact’ to someone that has tested positive. In instances where the entire classroom is determined to be in close contact with one another, it is reasonable to expect the entire class and teacher to be quarantined for 14 days. In that instance, it is plausible that the teacher could provide remote instruction to students while in quarantine.
As we develop and hone pandemic related communication protocols, we have chosen to send a district-wide email every time a positive COVID case is reported from a student or staff member. Some have questioned this practice as it may seem excessive to alert everyone about a positive test result that is unrelated to your school building. We have chosen to err on the side of transparency even if it does clog your inbox. All COVID cases are documented on a dashboard (below) at the school corporation website under the COVID-19 Info tab off the homepage.
Thank you for your support.
Dr. Chip Pettit, Superintendent
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Chesterton High School Commended Students
Chesterton High School Principal Brent Martinson announced that Jackson Fleming, Gavin Layman, and Hunter Stewart have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2021 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
"Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.
We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."
In-School Student Day on Wednesday, November 4
View the updated DSC Calendar to see the changes that reflect the transition to Level 3.
CHS Maroon & Gold Calendars and Bell Schedules
Progress Reports for K-4 Students
Student progress reports will be available in the Skyward Parent Portal on Friday, October 9th. This update is coming 3-weeks earlier than in a typical year due to the possibility of a teacher change for students when moving from Level 4 to Level 3 on October 5th.
In addition to quarterly report cards, student progress is monitored throughout the year using NWEA and mClass assessments. Kindergarten also utilizes ESGI to assess and monitor kindergarten skills. NWEA and mClass assessments are given three times a year to allow teachers the ability to identify areas to challenge and support a student’s academic needs. Individual student reports for these assessments will be sent home the week of October 12.
Parent Teacher Conferences K-6
Due to the fluid nature of the pandemic, the K-6 Parent Teacher Conferences originally scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2020 will not take place. Duneland teachers will continue to communicate progress and concerns with families on a regular basis.
Parents/Guardians may contact their child’s teacher(s) requesting updates on their child’s school work. As always parents may check student progress using their Skyward parent portal.
eLearning on Wednesdays
All students will work independently, via a traditional eLearning day, on Wednesdays due to the teaching constraints of preparing and providing instruction in two different instructional models (remote and in-person) or in a remote-only model. The eLearning module assignments will be posted in Canvas by 8 a.m. Students will need to complete an attendance activity each Wednesday to be counted present for the eLearning day. Teachers will not be conducting live (synchronous) class sessions or holding office hours on Wednesdays.
NEW! eLearning Guidelines for students
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s Mobile Marketplace is available to all Northwest Indiana residents in need of food assistance. Each Marketplace will provide FREE grains, fruits, vegetables and protein to individuals and families. Mobile Marketplace travels to a different community each week, distributing healthy food to communities across the Region.
Individuals should have valid proof of Indiana residency to access Marketplace services, and are asked to bring boxes or bags to carry items. All Food Bank of Northwest Indiana distributions are first-come, first-served while supplies last.
CHS Club Earth Community Clean-Up on Saturday, October 10
The Chesterton High School organization Club Earth will host a day of community clean-up on Saturday, October 10. Members of the club will be independently cleaning up areas and picking up trash around their own homes, or other sites in the Duneland area if they wish.
Rather than have the club as a whole pick up trash in one location, spreading out individually will both increase the impact, as well as maintain safety due to COVID-19.
Additionally, to gain awareness and more participation towards taking care of the areas you live in, the club invites members of the community to also participate independently. Feel free to join the club members in sharing the Duneland Community Clean-Up Day on social media, using the hashtags #communitycleanup and #clubearth.
Please wear masks and use gloves when picking up trash, and especially if participating in this event with other people.
DSC COVID-19 Support Center
Looking for COVID-19 Resources?
Duneland School's Daily COVID-19 Risk Level is displayed on our COVID-19 INFO Home page along with many other helpful resources.
Quick Reference Guide for Attendance
School Meals TO GO!
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted a waiver to allow all children under the age of 18 to receive school meals at no cost. This program is now in effect.
In-person Learning Model Students
All students participating in the in-person learning model can pick up a free meal during breakfast and lunch daily Monday-Friday (M-F)when at their school. On days that those students are remote learning from home, their meals can be picked up following the Remote Learning Model instructions listed below.
Remote Learning Model Students
All students in the remote learning model will be able to pick up daily free meals between the hours of 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the following sites:
Liberty Intermediate - 50 West 900 North
Enter the parking area at the west entrance (next to Liberty Elementary), follow the horse shoe left around the parking spaces. Pick up is at the Main Entrance of the Intermediate School.
Westchester Intermediate - 1050 S. 5th St.
Enter Parking area from 5th Street. Follow drive to the right at the fork. Circle around the median to pick up meals at door #8.
Yost Elementary - 100 W. Beam St.
Enter parking area from Beam St. Go left down the hill. Stay left of the cones and follow drive around to back of the building for meal pickup at the Food Service Entrance.
Please pick up meals for all children in the household at one location.
If you will be picking up meals for a child with food allergies, please contact the Child Nutrition Director, Tammy Watkins, at 219-983-3700 for detailed information.
Please remember that if your child receives their free meal when they are in-school, parents are not allowed to also pick up a meal for that same child at the mobile pickup location on the same day.
Visit this link to see the Menu for Remote Learning
REFERENDUM SPOTLIGHT
For more referendum information, go to: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367
The Duneland School Corporation would like to thank the community for their support, and in turn, pledges to be innovative and responsible stewards.
Positive Life Program
The Positive Life Program provides opportunities for students to learn about positive approaches to life. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug addiction prevention and awareness education is a priority when it comes to our students making lifelong healthy decisions. In fact, the program provides K-12 prevention and awareness education. This information is shared with students through presentations from recovering addicts, addiction counselors, Porter County coroner, informational programs from the Community Action Drug Coalition and Porter County Substance Abuse Council. Substance abuse classes also visit the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. Anti-bullying campaigns and social acceptance for all are priorities as well.
(The photo above is not a current photo and features a Positive Life sponsored program from a past school year)
INTERNET CONNECTIVITY & IT SUPPORT
Internet Access for DSC Families
Duneland School Corporation understands that the pandemic has placed a heavy emphasis on internet connectivity in order to access learning within Canvas (our learning management system) and that there are several factors that may prevent you from receiving this service. We have provided information from our local providers below to assist you.
Comcast Internet Essentials - https://www.internetessentials.com/
About Comcast Internet Essentials:
Internet Essentials is a program for families and other income-limited households who currently do not subscribe to Internet services at home. Xfinity Internet customers are not eligible for Internet Essentials.
For all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service has increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.
Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. Comcast is waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by December 31st, 2020 (standard eligibility rules apply).
Here are some quick links to the program and direct to the application. https://Apply.InternetEssentials.com = English Application Portal https://Aplicar.InternetEssentials.com = Spanish Application Portal
Frontier Lifeline - https://frontier.com/resources/discountprograms/lifeline-program
About the Frontier Lifeline program
If you have been living without phone service because you cannot afford it, you may be eligible for this government assistance program. Frontier is committed to helping qualified income-limited individuals pay for telephone service or qualifying internet access services by supporting the principles of Universal Service. The goal of Universal Service is to make telephone or qualifying internet access services affordable, by participating in low-income Lifeline (or Tribal Lifeline/Link Up) programs in all the states where Frontier provides service.
You can apply your Lifeline discount to qualifying standalone internet access services. If you do not have voice (traditional telephone) services with Frontier, but you have standalone internet access, you may be able to qualify for the Lifeline discount. Services and availability vary by location, so contact Customer Service and a Frontier representative will be happy to see if you have qualifying internet access services in your area.Did you know that several local businesses offer free WiFi?
Several local businesses in both Chesterton and Valparaiso offer free WiFi for community members. For locations please see this map. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1RlCX9awpwFhyLyo6cU252WWRFg10nC9T&usp=sharing
Families that continue to experience issues receiving internet service or if you have other extenuating circumstances, we ask that you please contact your building principal to discuss alternative options.
Contacting IT Support
The Duneland School Corporation IT department is committed to making hybrid and remote learning models as successful as possible. To get your problems solved as fast as possible:
- Open a new Freshservice ticket:
- AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
- Serial number is also acceptable
- AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
- Open a Freshservice ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- Please be sure to include email address, student or staff name, and a description of the problem
- Please use the above best methods to contact the DSC IT Department.
Device Repair
In some cases there will be issues that cannot be resolved remotely. If you have a device that has sustained physical damage (i.e. cracked screen, broken keyboard), please fill out the form below. After submitting the form, a member of the IT department will contact you to schedule your service appointment.
Anonymous Tip Line
Do you have a safety or security concern at Duneland that you'd like to make us aware of? Please contact us by email or phone (contact information below), or use our anonymous tip line.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Remote Learning Student Expectations for 2020-2021
Required Face Coverings/Daily Screening Tool
Reentry Plan 2020-2021
Questions about school, procedures, daily schedules during the 2020-21 school year. Please consult the DSC Reentry Plan for details
UPDATED!!! DSC 2020-2021 Calendar for Level 3 Transition
The 2020-2021 Duneland School Corporation Calendar has been updated for the Transition to Level 3 and is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at Resources > Documents and Forms
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
Chesterton Basketball League
Chesterton Trojan Baskeball is excited to start its first year in-house Chesterton Basketball League. The goal is to provide an opportunity for kids in grades K-6 to develop as an overall basketball player within our basketball program.
View this link for more information about the league and how it will be set up: Chesterton Basketball League flyer
We are looking forward to working with your son and the future of our basketball program.
TO REGISTER or MORE INFORMATION VISIT: chestertonbasketball.com
Register for Fall Tennis Camp
Registration is now open for Duneland Fall Tennis Camp is for students in grades 5-8. Camp dates are Monday and Tuesday, October 19 and 20 (rain dates Oct. 21& 22). Students in grades 7&8 will meet from 3:30-4:45 p.m. and students in grades 5-8 from 4:45-6:00 p.m.
TO REGISTER or MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://sites.google.com/view/dunelandtennis
Additional questions can be directed to Kyle Prow at kprow@duneland.k12.in.us
Beyond the Influence Workshop Series
Help Promote WDSO 88.3 FM Radio by Ordering a T-Shirt/Hoodie
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This calendar of events is subject to change
Thursday, October 8, 2020
5 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SCR-IHSAA Girls SCR Sectional-H
5 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V VB-M’ville-H
7 p.m. CMS Band Fall Concert-CMS Auditorium
Friday, October 9, 2020
End of 1st Grading Period
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. LIS Spirit Day & Kona Ice
7 p.m. CHS Boys V FB-Crown Pt.
Saturday, October 10, 2020
TBD CHS Boys V TN-IHSAA Tennis Semi-State-Away
9 a.m. CHS Girls Fr VB 4-Way Invite-Valpo
10 a.m. CHS Girls V CC IHSAA XC Sectional-New Prairie
10 a.m. CHS Boys JV FB Crown Pt.-H
10:30 a.m. CHS Boys V CC Sectional-New Prairie
2 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SCR IHSAA Sectional Championship-H
7 p.m. CHS Boys JV/V SCR IHSAA Sectionals-Crown Pt
Monday, October 12, 2020
7 p.m. CHS Band Fall Concert-CHS Auditorium
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
TBD CHS Girls V VB-IHSAA VB Sectionals-Away
3:30 p.m. LIS PTO Meeting - Media Ctr
7 p.m. CHS Orchestra Fall Concert-CHS Auditorium
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
CMS PSAT
7 p.m. LIS Fall Orchestra Concert - LIS Gymnasium
Thursday, October 15, 2020
TBD CHS Girls V VB-IHSAA VB Sectionals-Away
3:15-5 p.m. LIS Fun Night
3:30-5:30 p.m. Food Bank Mini Mobile Market-WIS Door#8
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr FB-Crown Pt.
7 p.m. WIS Fall Orchestra Concert - WIS Gym
7 p.m. CHS Choir Fall Concert-CHS Auditorium
Friday, October 16, 2020
TBD CHS Boys V TN State Finals-Away
CHS TG Perform @ FB Game-CHS
7 p.m. CHS Boys V FB-M’ville-H
Saturday, October 17, 2020
TBD CHS Boys V/JV SCR-IAA Regional-Goshen
TBD CHS Girls V/JV SCR-IAA Girls SCR Regional-SB Adams
TBD CHS Girls V VB IHSAA Sectionals-Away
10 a.m. CHS Boys/Girls V CC-IHSAA Regional-H
10 a.m. CHS Boys JV FB-M’ville
5 p.m. TG Community Night Performance-CHS FB Stadium
Duneland Schools Spirit Store
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Store where you can buy your Duneland spirit wear?
Purchase your CMS/CHS student P.E./Strength Training uniforms (shorts and t-shirts) online and arrange to have them delivered to your home or pick up at the 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? Would you like 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 and support of our fundraising efforts will help the group to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance.
Visit the Duneland School Corporation's website at this link: Download an application to join today.
Duneland School Corporation
Inspire | Engage | Empower
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