DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
December 12, 2019 Vo. 54 No. 19
Duneland Schools Winter Card Contest Announces Winners and Finalists
The Duneland School Corporation third annual Winter Card Contest for grades K-8 has come to a close. Approximately 10-20 designs per school were chosen by art teachers to represent their buildings. The cards are now on display through February 2019 at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue in Chesterton during business hours Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Three first place designs were chosen by the Duneland School board members; one from the elementary level, one from the intermediate level, and one from the middle school level. In addition, a runner-up design from each level was also selected. Those winners will be honored at the January 13th monthly school board meeting. The student card entries not chosen to be on display will be sent overseas and distributed to service men and women for the holiday season.
2019 Winter Card Winners are:
Elementary
1st Place: Isabelle Orlando, Bailly Elementary Gr. 2
Runner-up: Nolan Brewer, Liberty Elementary Gr. 2
Intermediate
1st Place: Audrey Rudzinski, Westchester Intermediate Gr. 6
Runner-up: Crosby Moore, Liberty Intermediate Gr. 5
Chesterton Middle School
1st Place: Marie Dandinidis, Grade 8
Runner-up: Ayla Johnson, Grade 8
Click on the link below to see our student Winter Card Contest winning designs or visit our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us
Follow this link to see a list of all the Winter Card Contest finalists
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
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DSC Website - A New Look for the New Year
Duneland School Holiday Concerts and Events
The remainder of our school's holiday concerts listed below are free and open to the public.
Dec. 14 - CHS Band, Choir, Orchestra Holiday Concert-Aud. at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Two (2) performances) PLEASE NOTE: This year's CHS Holiday Concert is a combined Choir/Band/Orchestra event. Due to the number of students involved, all attendees will need a ticket. Tickets are FREE but must be reserved and printed in advance from www.showtix4u.com (search CHS MUSIC DEPT. HOLIDAY CONCERT)
Dec. 16 - CMS Band Holiday Concert at 7 p.m.
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
Just a Reminder...Flu Season is Upon Us
Now that the flu season is upon us, we would like to remind you that if your student has a fever, persistent cough, or vomiting; or any other symptoms of a communicable illness, your student (s) should stay home to rest and help prevent the spread of germs.
Students with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher and who display symptoms of illness should not return to school until at least 24 hours have passed after the student has been fever-free and without the need for fever-reducing medications.
If you have any questions, contact your school nurse or visit the Duneland Health Services webpage.
TONIGHT: Freshman Parent Night
The Chesterton High School will host a Freshman Parent Night for current ninth graders on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6-7 p.m. in the CHS Cafeteria.
Westchester Hosts Third Annual Student Chess Tournament
Westchester Intermediate hosted their 3rd annual Knight Before Christmas Chess Tournament for their chess club members. 30 of their 36 club members competed in this double elimination tournament. Round 1 took place on Dec. 4 and Round 2 took place on Dec. 11 after school. Each of the club members did an amazing job playing their games.
The top 1st through 4th place winners are front row, left to right, Kenny Callaway (4th place), Nate Vaughan (3rd), Kyle Fischer (2nd) and Jesse Salazar (1st). Back row, chess club coach Faith Michael and parent volunteer Aaron Morely.
Westchester Robotics Club 'B Team' qualify for State
Team 91362B members, above, left to right, Ethan Glassman, William Morgan, Keith Ward, and Ayden Bozak won the Excellence Award for the top overall team and the Teamwork Alliance Champions award at the Cooks Corners competition in Valparaiso this past weekend. These awards have qualified them for the state competition at Lucas Oil Stadium in the spring.
Westchester Robotics Club Team 91362C members, above, left to right, Aiden Sweet, Caden Koedyker, Maddox McKinney, Luke Kisala, Ryan Postelnik, also won the Design Award at this past weekend's event. This award is presented to the team with the most effective and efficient robot design, and has documented the process thoroughly in an engineering notebook. They also tied for second place in the finals with Team 91362E.
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 of each year.
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, December 12 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
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Winter Recess begins at the end of the regular school day on Thursday, Dec. 19. All Duneland School classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
No Open Swim: The Chesterton High School Pool will be closed from Dec. 25-January 1, 2020 to observe the holiday break. Open swim will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The next regularly scheduled Duneland School Board public meeting will be hosted on Monday, January 13, 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
A Children’s Christmas Party at The Westchester Township History Museum: Kids ages 3-12 are invited to the Brown Mansion for an old-fashioned Christmas party on Saturday, December 21 from 2 – 4 p.m. There will be a special visit from Santa from 3-4 p.m. This open house style event includes making ornaments and playing games. Registration is not required to attend. A parent or guardian must accompany their children.
The Westchester Township History Museum is a free cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library and is open to the public Wednesday – Sunday from 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. The museum is housed in the historic Brown Mansion, located at 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton. For more information call the museum at 983-9715.
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 #5-January 6; and 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.
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/
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
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, December 12, 2019
1:30-2 p.m. BA Ms. Roles Poetry Cafe
3:15 p.m.-5 p.m. LIS Fun Night
4-6:15 p.m. CHS Macbeth Performance-Eng 11 Honors- LGI
4:45 p.m. CMS WR-Hobart-H
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-Valpo-H
6 p.m. CHS B&G V SW-Bishop Noll
6 p.m. CHS Freshman Parent Night
Friday, December 13, 2019
11:30 a.m. LIS Spirit Day & Kona Ice
11 a.m.-Noon CHS Mid Year Grad Ceremony Practice-Aud.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
8:30 a.m. CMS Lake-Porter WR Conf.-H
11 a.m. CHS Girls V SW Invitational-Homestead
11 a.m.-4 p.m. CHS Book Fair-Barnes & Noble-Valparaiso
3 p.m. CHS Band, Choir, Orchestra Holiday Concert-Aud.
5 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-Elkhart Memorial
7 p.m. CHS Band, Choir, Orchestra Holiday Concert-Aud.
Monday, December 16, 2019
4:30 p.m. CMS WR-Boston-CMS
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-M'ville
7 p.m. CMS Band Holiday Concert
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
1:30 p.m. JA Holiday Parties
4:30 p.m. CMS 7A&B Boys BB-Fegely
4:30 p.m. CMS 8A&B Boys BB-Fegely-H
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SW-Valpo
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-East Chicago Central-H
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
WIS 6th Grade Donuts with Mr. Longacre
1:30 p.m. BA Holiday Parties
6:30 p.m. CHS Boys V WR-M'ville-H
7-8:45 p.m. CHS Open Swim-Pick up at 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
End of the 2nd Grading Period / End of Sem. 1
LIS District Skits
BR Holiday Parties
WIS 5th Grade Donuts with Mr. Longacre
10:30-12:30 p.m. BA Frozen Friday
6 p.m. CHS Boys Fr BB-LaPorte-H
Friday, December 20, 2019
NO SCHOOL-Winter Recess thru 1/3/2020
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-21st Century Charter School
5:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV BB-Valpo
7 p.m. CHS Boys V BB-21st Century Charter School
7 p.m. CHS Girls V BB-Valpo
Saturday, December 21, 2019
11 a.m. CHS Girls V GYM Pairs-LaPorte
Monday, December 23, 2019
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls Fr BB-Kankakee Valley-H
7 p.m. CHS Girls V BB-Kankakee Valley-H
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
5:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV BB-Bishop Noll
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.