This Week at Jackson
April 9th
4th Grade Orchestra Presentation
3rd and 4th Grade Families: ILEARN Testing
We are rapidly approaching the opening of the ILEARN testing window. For 3rd grade students, the assessment will include an English/Language Arts and math portion. For 4th grade students, there will be a science portion, in addition to English Language/Arts and math.
This is an exciting time for us to see how much our students have learned this school year. As with all standardized testing, students may feel nervous, especially since our 4th grade students missed out on all the standardized testing last year when we were closed. If your child talks with you about the assessments, please remain positive and encourage the child to do their best.
For in-person students, it is our intention to concentrate much of the testing on Mondays and Tuesdays to avoid fatiguing the students. For the weeks of April 19th, April 26th, and May 3rd, please make every effort possible to have students present and ready for the assessments after a full night's rest and a good breakfast. If your child feels ill or if there is an emergency that requires an absence, please know that there will be make-up sessions for testing. However, students often feel most comfortable and therefore do their best when taking assessments when their peers do.
For remote students, we are asking that the child come in for a half-day on April 14, a full day on April 21, and a half day on April 28. Students in 4th grade will come an additional half day on May 5.
We believe that our students are ready, and we're excited to see how well our students do!
Please consult the visual schedule below for more details.
5 Key Things to Know about ILEARN Testing from the IDOE
Looking for Something Exciting to Do this Summer?
Art to Remember Fundraiser
5th Grade Orchestra Recruiting
Beginning orchestra information for summer and fall 2021 is ready! Learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or orchestra bass in person or remote and be a part of the orchestra.
* In Person Fittings are April 28 and 29 at CMS (virtual fittings available)
* Summer Orchestra is August 2-6
* Sign-Ups are due April 16. Be a part of the Orchestra!
Kindergarten Sign Up
If you were not able to attend our Kindergarten Sign-Up event on March 3 and you have a child who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2021, you may still sign your child up for kindergarten by following the link below.
If you need help, please give our office a call at 219-983-3680.
DSC Remote/Virtual Learning Interest Survey (2021-2022)
Duneland Families,
The Duneland School Corporation (DSC) intends to be back to 5-day per week, in-person learning to begin the 2021-22 school year on August 11th. With that in mind, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many challenges for students, parents, teachers, and staff. One of the more challenging aspects of the pandemic has been delivering remote/virtual education opportunities for students. The DSC recognizes that virtual/remote instruction has worked better for some students than others. The DSC also recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic may change the way students/parents think about learning environment options moving forward.
The DSC is investigating the interest level of students/parents in a tuition-free off-campus remote/virtual education program for students in grades K-12 for the 2021-22 school year. There are a number of implications to providing a virtual opportunity for students, not because of a crisis or pandemic, but because of demand from DSC families. It is clear the Indiana state legislature will continue to promote school choice and the concept of "dollars following the student" as the base component of the school funding formula. As a result, the DSC is compelled to examine different learning environment options based on market-driven factors with attention being given to the quality of instruction, curricular resources, social-emotional support, etc.
If there is interest, the DSC will attempt to develop a financially scalable model to support the wishes of students and parents. The first step in this process is to survey DSC families to gauge their interest in a virtual option for students that may be best served in a nontraditional learning environment. The tentative format of the program can be found at the link listed below.
Please take a few moments to complete this non-binding survey.
Thank you,
DSC Administration
Long-Term Capital Improvement Hearing on Monday April 12
At the March 1 Duneland School Board meeting, Dr. Chip Pettit, Superintendent of Schools, presented solutions to identified student learning environment needs and objectives.
The Board of Trustees will listen to a presentation from DSC Leadership on proposed long-term capital improvements and allow for public comment during the second of two advertised public hearings as required by statute. The 1st Notice of Preliminary Determination Hearing was conducted on April 5. The 2nd Preliminary Determination and Project Hearing will be hosted on Monday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Chesterton Middle School Auditorium, 651 W. Morgan Avenue in Chesterton.
Community members may review the presentation and an FAQ document that will be continuously updated throughout the Spring at the DSC website.
DSC Announces Teacher and Employee of the Year Finalists 2021
The Duneland School Corporation (DSC) will continue to celebrate excellence in education by selecting a Teacher of the Year at both the elementary and secondary level and a classified staff member as Employee of the Year.
Selection Process
Outstanding teachers and employees were nominated for recognition by students, parents, colleagues and Duneland community members in the month of February. In March, finalists were selected from those nominated by principals, supervisors and the Duneland Teachers Association.
A selection panel representing students, parents, community members and district administration will interview and then select the Teachers of the Year and the Employee of the Year from those recognized as finalists during the month of April.
2021 winners will be recognized at the May 3, 2021 School Board meeting, Beginning of the Year Programs in August, in DSC publications, website, and social media and on a plaque displayed at Central Office. Winners will also receive a classroom/office door banner along with a monetary stipend of $500. Thank you to 1st Source Bank, McColly Real Estate - Paul Boyter and Ellis Electric for continuing to sponsor the recognition program. In addition, both the elementary and secondary winner will represent Duneland teachers in the Indiana Department of Education’s statewide Teacher of the Year Program.
2021 DSC Teacher of the Year Finalists
Secondary Teachers:
Doug Adams - Chesterton High School
Kaylene Arizzi - Chesterton High School
Rachel Blythe - Chesterton High School
Liz Gyure - Chesterton High School
Anne Stark - Chesterton Middle School
Akiko Tsugawa - Chesterton Middle School
Elementary Teachers:
Elissa Dortmund - Brummitt Elementary School
Dave Lashenik - Liberty Intermediate School
Nancy Moats - Bailly Elementary School
David Mueller - Liberty Elementary School
Tammy Socausky - Yost Elementary School
Kaitlyn Toweson - Westchester Intermediate School
Marquita White - Jackson Elementary School
2021 DSC Employee of the Year Finalists
Classified Employees:
Chris Hall - DSC Maintenance
Lynne Jenks - DSC Human Resources
David Nawotka - DSC Technology
Mark Singer - DSC Maintenance
Leslie Tarnowski - DSC Teaching and Learning
Deeann Witek - DSC Technology
Long-Term Capital Improvement Preliminary Determination Hearing - Monday, April 5
At the March 1 Duneland School Board meeting, Dr. Chip Pettit, Superintendent of Schools, presented solutions to identified student learning environment needs and objectives.
The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to accept the recommendation and have advertised the 1st Notice of Preliminary Determination Hearing as required by statute for April 5th.
This hearing will be hosted at:
Chesterton Middle School Auditorium, 651 W. Morgan Avenue in Chesterton.
April 5th - 6:30 p.m.
Community members may review the presentation and an FAQ document that will be continuously updated throughout the Spring at the DSC website.
DSC 2020-2021 Calendar Changes
ATTENTION PARENTS:
The Duneland School Corporation has made TWO (2) changes to the 2020-2021 DSC Calendar.
- Since there are no elections scheduled in Porter County on Tuesday, May 4, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on May 4 will be moved to Wednesday, May 5.
- In order to provide time for teachers to submit student grades, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on Wednesday, June 2 will be moved to the last day of the school year for students on Friday, June 4.
1:1 Devices for Students in Grades K-8
DSC will enter into a four-year lease agreement with Apple for new iPads for all students in grades K-8. These new, latest generation iPads will include rugged keyboard cases and accidental damage protection. This accidental damage protection will allow DSC to remove the cost to K-8 parents for device insurance. Students will exchange their current device with a new device prior to the end of the school. Students will be able to take new devices home over the summer.
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
United Way of Porter County: Housing Resource List
United Way of Porter County is responding to family hardships during these unprecedented times with assistance in a number of categories. Help is available in the areas of rent, mortgage and utility bills, eviction, and even homelessness. Please refer to the Housing Resources List from United Way for addresses, phone numbers, and weblinks listed on the First Contact list for further information regarding specific resources.
Mini Mobile Market by Foodbank of Northwest Indiana on April 13
Chesterton Pop Warner Football & Cheer
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 February 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