DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, April 30, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 36
K - 8 Summer School Remote Learning Programs
Click on any of the links below to register your child for one of the Duneland Schools K - 8 remote learning summer school programs.
Remote Learning Summer School (K - 5th)
Duneland Adventures is designed for our Kindergarten through 5th grade students. This remote learning summer program integrates both reading and math into thematic units centered around high interest topics and essentials skills of learning. Each grade level will take on a specific theme to properly engage students at their level. Students will engage in reading books, math explorations, online meetings with teachers, and virtual field trips. Additional integration of music and art as well as real life connections to science and social studies are also included.
All class content and interactions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays before noon with a total of three to four hours per week. Two sessions are offered with Session 1: June 2-June 25, and Session 2: June 30-July 23.
Register at Remote Learning K-5 Summer School
Remote Learning High Ability Summer School (1st-4th)
Duneland Islands of Adventure is designed for our identified 1st through 4th grade high ability students. This integrated summer school program, by invitation only, provides students with a world wide island hopping adventure complete with reading, writing, projects, virtual field trips, and enrichment activities to dig deeper into essential skills. The program is developed and facilitated by Duneland’s high ability staff.
All class content and interactions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays before noon with a total of three to four hours per week. Two sessions are offered with Session 1: June 2-June 25, and Session 2: June 30-July 23.
Register at Remote Learning High Ability Summer School
Remote Learning Summer School (6th-8th)
Duneland Explorations is designed for our 6th through 8th grade students. This remote learning summer school program provides families with the option to focus on reading, math or both through units of study. Students will engage in project based learning focused on the most essential skills needed for success at the next grade level. Additional emphasis will also be placed on readiness for transition points between grade levels and buildings. Each session and content area will be uniquely designed to bring a high level of engagement and interest for our intermediate and middle school level students.
English class content and interactions will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two sessions are offered with Session 1: June 2-June 25, and Session 2: June 30-July 23.
Math class content and interactions will take place Mondays and Wednesdays. Two sessions are offered with Session 1: June 1-June 24, and Session 2: June 29-July 22.
Register at Remote Learning 6-8 Summer School
Chesterton High School - Remote Learning Summer School
Chesterton High School is now accepting applications online for Summer School 2020.
Due to COVID-19, all summer school courses will be online for this year only. CHS Summer School 2020 is FREE for all students. Parents can enroll their student(s) in both sessions of summer school at one time.
For more information and to register online visit https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/46
Questions about CHS Summer School can be directed to Assistant Principal Kristen Peterson at kpeterson@duneland.k12.in.us
Duneland Schools K-12 Student and Parent FAQs
Have questions about your child's education and learning process during the COVID-19 distance learning? Duneland Schools has prepared and updated this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on the website for your convenience. Visit K-12 Student and Parent FAQs
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Board Members Receive Highest Honors
The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) has announced the achievements of Duneland School Board Members John Marshall (left photo) and Ron (Red) Stone (bottom right photo), who through their active participation in continuous improvement and professional development during the 2019 year, have both advanced to the Exemplary Board Member designation in ISBA’s Exemplary Governance Awards (EGAs) program.
Both Marshall and Stone worked to achieve Exemplary Governance status by earning 225 EGA points. Both have received the highest honor bestowed upon an individual board member by
demonstrating exemplary leadership and serving as models for other board members through his continuous engagement in ISBA’s professional development programs.
“John Marshall and Ron Stone are two of only 19 individuals in the state of Indiana who reached this Exemplary level. We commend them for their dedication to professional development and actively seeking the resources that ISBA offers to grow in effectively governing the Duneland School Corporation. We want to extend our congratulations to both John and Ron for this great accomplishment,” stated ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin.
Duneland Schools Welcome PCES Executive Directors
The Duneland School Corporation would like to welcome Liz Prieboy and Audra Peterson, new Porter County Education Services (PCES) directors who will begin on July 1, 2020. Liz Prieboy will serve as PCES Special Education Director and Audra Peterson as the PCES Career and Technical Education Director.
Liz Prieboy - PCES Special Education Executive Director
Liz Prieboy, currently the PCES District Director for Portage, is looking forward to collaborating with parents, educators, and community members as she steps into her new role as PCES Director for Special Education. Prieboy will replace long-time PCES Executive Director, Diane Massa, who is retiring in June. Diane’s remarkable career spanned 45 years, including the last 10 as Executive Director of PCES.
Prior to working as the PCES District Director for Portage, Prieboy taught as a special education teacher for 14 years and spent six years as a building and district level administrator. She earned her Masters in Special Education and Director of Exceptional Needs Licensure from Indiana University Bloomington. In addition to her practical experience as educator and leader, she is active and well respected in many professional organizations.
Prieboy is honored to accept this leadership role and continue serving the Porter County community. “I strongly believe that all students, regardless of exceptionality, can achieve at high levels. I plan to use the newest technology and research to guide our programming,” she said.
Audra Peterson - PCES Career & Technical Education Director (CTE)
Audra Peterson began her CTE career in 1989 teaching Dental Health Careers at the Porter County Career Center before moving to the Hammond Area Career Center as Principal and Director of Career and Technical Education in 2003. Most recently, Audra has been leading the AK Smith Career Center in Michigan City where she marshalled staff through major changes to align goals and initiatives with K-12 college and career programming.
Peterson, a Chesterton resident, is a highly skilled and qualified leader who is familiar with the Porter County Career and Technical Center. Her prior experience and leadership will ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of the PCES CTE program for students and staff. Peterson replaces Jon Groth, who served as the Director for Career and Technical Education Director in Porter County for 26 years.
The Duneland School Corporation welcomes Liz Prieboy and Audra Peterson to their new leadership positions and expresses gratitude to Diane Massa and Jon Groth for their time, talent and expertise through the years.
UPDATED Duneland Schools 2019-2020 Calendar
CHS 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
Assistance for Families in Need
Club Connect: The Duneland Boys and Girls Club has available resources for Club members and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information visit https://www.bgcgreaternwi.org/club-connect/
Geminus Community Partners program, part of Regional Health Systems, has limited funds available to assist families who have been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This funding can assist with rent, utilities, baby needs, food, etc. for our families in Porter County.
Those in need may call the 24hr hotline at 888-357-4264. Someone will return the call during regular working hours.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten Offered in Collaboration with Duneland Schools
Ready, Set, Kindergarten (RSK)
Parents as Teachers of Porter County (PAT) in collaboration with the Duneland School Corporation is offering Ready, Set, Kindergarten (RSK) at Duneland Schools in September 2020. The program is for children ages 4-5 who will enter kindergarten in August 2021 (age 4 by Ausgust 1, 2020).
- RSK is designed to teach children the skills needed to do well in the classroom. Experienced PAT Educators work with the children in areas of academics, motor skills, social skills and listening skills to ensure they are ready to enter school and to succeed.
- The children meet with the Educators one time per week for two hours in a classroom at their future home school. Activities each week include writing, cutting, listening, turn taking, and early reading. It starts with basic skills and progresses through the year to meet all kindergarten entry standards. The children are also screened with reading and developmental tools to determine if there are areas that are of any concern.
- Parents will also have the opportunity to be in the classroom at times to help out and to observe your child.
- This is a GREAT opportunity for your child and your entire family. Supplies and weekly take home practice will also be provided. THE PROGRAM is FREE due to the commitment from the Duneland School Corporation and United Way Porter County.
Registrations are being accepted now. Don't delay - spots will fill
Questions? Text or call 219-617-8861
or email dunelandrsk@gmail.com to learn more.
Internet Connectivity
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
Contacting IT Support
The Duneland School Corporation IT department is committed to making this extended eLearning period as successful as possible. To get your problems solved as fast as possible:
- Open a Freshservice ticket here: https://duneland.freshservice.com/support/tickets/new
- 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
- Due to the closure, the IT Support hotline is not operational. Please use the above methods to contact the DSC IT Department.
It is understandable that there may 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. A drive-up IT service station will be opening up soon. After submitting the form, a member of the IT department will contact you to schedule your service appointment.
Reaching Their Students...Teachers Caught In Action
Please note: Not all of the videos are in a format that can be loaded into the online DuneNews, but a link to each of the videos is available with a brief explanation provided.
Don't Forget to Complete the 2020 Census
Here is the link to the 2020 Census: https://my2020census.gov/
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
The 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
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.
'Grab and Go' Meal Distribution Schedule
Duneland Schools Child Nutrition and Wellness 'Grab and Go' meals are distributed at Chesterton High School from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday for the remainder of the school year (May. Meals consist of a lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day; except on Thursdays when families can pick up meals for both Thursday and Friday. Vehicles will enter the CHS parking area through the entrance by the CHS Football Stadium. Follow signs to the distribution area and pull up to the curb for meal pick-up. Exit onto 1050 North.