TVA Times
Sept. 5, 2021
A Message from Mr. Zeck
TVA Families,
We are quickly approaching a month into this school year if you can believe it. How time flies when you are having fun. This weeks TVA Times is full of new information. As always a few quick notes as well.
- Homecoming Dance - An email was sent to families on 9/3 with information on how a 9th-12th grade student can buy a ticket for the Homecoming Dance.
- K-8 Reminders for 9/9 - Check out the messaging below for quick reminders for next Thursday.
- Masks - Please be aware of the new guidelines for Duneland Schools as we approach some in-person time together in the coming weeks.
- Body Safety Grades 5-8 - Separate messages have been sent to families but is also included below.
Please remember that students may work on their coursework on Monday, but there will be no live teaching or interaction from Edmentum...so they can take the day off if they desire. Those who joined us late may find Monday as a good opportunity to get caught up with the rests.
We have a busy week next week and look forward to seeing our K-8 students here in person. Thank you for being strong partners in this process.
Sincerely,
Mr. K. Zeck
TVA Director
September 9th Reminders
- LUNCH: Only families coming in the morning sessions will be provided a lunch option to take home. Those arriving at 12:15 will need to provide a lunch to your child prior to arrival as we are only offering a Grab and Go option on this day.
- iPAD: Students should bring their charged iPad with them.
- HEADPHONES: Students in grades K & 1 need to bring earbuds or headphones as well. Other students may elect to bring them but they are not required.
- WATER: Students can bring water bottles with them.
- NO SNACKS - For several reasons students should not bring snacks.
- MASKS: Students and family members dropping them off will be required to wear a mask while in the building per recent COVID protocol changes.
For those who are dropping off your student please bring them to entrance 8 in the Southeast corner of Chesterton Middle School near the Tennis Courts.
5th -8th Grade Body Safety Presentations
Dear TVA Family,
There is a new state law that expands the grade levels for all schools to provide an age-appropriate child abuse prevention program that utilizes research and evidence-based instruction. This includes child abuse and child sexual abuse. In order to best meet this requirement and the needs of our students, we have arranged for Sara Hoyt from Dunebrook to present to 5th - 8th grade students who are present for our onsite day on Thursday, September 9th.
If you are interested in learning more about the presentation you can join Mrs. Hoyt and I for a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 7th at 6:30 p.m. To join the meeting follow this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81450086611?pwd=L1kyMXgyYVVyL1N6R3EvWkx5Wi9xUT09
Meeting ID: 814 5008 6611
Passcode: 068783
A link is also provided below to a brochure and additional information about the program.
It is my hope that every student will hear this valuable presentation. However, as parent/guardian, it is your right to choose for your child to opt out of hearing the presentation. If you do NOT want your child to participate, please email me by the end of the day on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.
If you have questions or wish to know more, please contact me or Dunebrook at 219-874-0007.
Respectfully,
Mr. K. Zeck
p.s. We hope that the presentation for our K-4 grade students will take place on our December onsite day. Stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming Events - Month at a Glance
9/6
- NO School - Labor Day
9/7
- 6:30 PM - Body Safety Zoom Meeting for Parents of Grades 5-8
9/8
- Time TBD - 5th -8th Grade Parent Preview of Body Safety Presentations - Zoom Mtg.
9/9
- K-8 In-Person Testing Day
9/10
- 4 PM Homecoming Parade
9/11
- Homecoming Dance (Grades 9-12 Only)
9/13
- 6 PM - School Board Meeting
10/04
- 2-6 PM - Picture Day
School Pictures
OUR DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR MON., OCT. 4 FROM 2-6PM.
Families should report to Entrance 8 at CMS for pictures.
All students are invited to participate. Those in grades 9-12 who missed an opportunity for pictures at CHS may still come to get their picture taken to be included in the CHS yearbook.
COVID-19 Level Change
On Wednesday, Governor Holcomb released Executive Order 21-24 which directed the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to modify quarantine requirements for K-12 schools who mandate masks. The new guidelines indicate that when all individuals are masked, students and staff who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual do not need to be quarantined unless experiencing symptoms. Instead, close contacts will monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days while they continue to attend school.
Reducing the number of quarantines is essential to preserving 5-day per week, in-person learning and co- and extra-curricular activities during the pandemic. Since school started, over 450 students have been in quarantine (3,600+ days of missed school). At this pace, DSC will quarantine more than 4,800 students this year (38,000+ days of missed school).
In an effort to keep schools open and minimize learning disruptions related to mandated quarantine rules, the Duneland School Corporation will move to the “Quarantine Caution” level in the DSC COVID-19 Response Plan and require masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status for all students, staff and visitors, effective Tuesday, September 7, 2021. The goal will be to remove the mask requirement as soon as it is plausible to do so.
This change follows an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the school community and a significant increase in the number of students placed in quarantine. DSC schools are required to follow quarantine protocols established by the ISDH as outlined in the Governor’s executive order. By requiring masks, DSC looks to eliminate quarantines which will increase the likelihood of preserving 5-day per week, in-person learning and co- and extra-curricular activities during the pandemic.
Staff will provide students opportunities, as is allowed by state health protocols, to remove masks at appropriate times when eating, when 6-feet of social distancing is possible and while outdoors, as well as when participating in athletics.
The DSC COVID-19 Response Plan will remain a fluid document and can and will be changed as new information becomes available during the pandemic. DSC administration will continue to consult with Porter County Health Department, monitor active cases and adjust protocols as necessary.
HOMECOMING PARADE CALL OUT
Homecoming is September 10!! Any local community groups and organizations interested in participating in the annual CHS Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. should contact the CHS Assistant Principal’s Office by Wednesday, Sept. 8 by calling 983-3730, or emailing Assistant Principal Robert Blumenthal at rblumenthal@duneland.k12.in.us. Please provide the name of the group, the number of participants involved and what type of transportation will be used.
The Duneland School Corporation is seeking candidates for the following positions:
CHILD NUTRITION
Child Nutrition associates provide nutrition services to students and staff. Benefit-eligible positions available. Apply online at Click to apply online
TRANSPORTATION
Duneland School Corporation Transportation positions (Bus Drivers, Sub Bus Drivers) require eligible persons to operate all school vehicles or (Sub Bus Aides) to assist in the transportation of all special students needing additional attention. These positions are highly responsible roles in transporting and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Transportation personnel interact with individuals both inside and outside of the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
CUSTODIAL
Duneland School Corporation Custodians are required to clean and sanitize all corporation facilities. This position has a highly responsible role in providing custodial services and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Custodians interact with individuals both inside and outside the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Custodians may be required to work in other Duneland School Corporation facilities. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Seeking substitute teachers for all grade levels. To apply for a substitute teaching position, please apply in person at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Ave. in Chesterton to complete an application.
Relocating: Used Paper Retriever at CHS
Looking for the paper recycling container at Chesterton High School? The Paper Retriever.com (formerly Abitibi) paper recycling will be relocating the CHS retrieval unit presently in the front of the school to the back of the building. The containers will now be located in the northeast corner parking lot behind the school between the soccer field and next to the tennis courts.
Need Technical Support During the Day
Trojan Virtual Academy
Email: kzeck@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/452
Location: 601 West Morgan Avenue- Suite 2, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3743
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrojanVirtualAcademy
Twitter: @TrojanVirtual