DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, May 13, 2021 Vol. 55 No. 34
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Duneland Students Win Awards in 47th Annual Tri-County Jr/Sr HS Art Exhibition
Several Chesterton High School and Middle School students participated in the 47th annual Tri-County Jr./Sr. High School Art Exhibition at South Shore Arts in Munster, Indiana.
Students participating were:
Chesterton High School seniors Allison Christian, Aidan Healy, Olivia Kroeger, Megan Koster, Isabella Pinto, Danielle Plinovich, Logan Riley, Logan Sprengel, Macey Watkins, Josh Watkins; juniors Emma Bolinger, Jessica Bouche, Matthew Brown, Sydney Bruce, Kate Caracci, Jordan Foster, Linus Majcherczyk, Tristan Reed, Stella Trent; sophomores Aubrie Li; Savannah Smith; and freshmen Alex Rubino and Summer Machnik. Chesterton High School art teachers are Colin May, Terese Maletta, Jill Smoker, Taylor McGuirl and Adam Schultz.
Chesterton Middle School eighth graders Wyatt Goodwin, Audryana Kennoy, Melena Letic, Marley Mayer, Juliana Perez, Victoria West; and seventh graders Isabel Bartkus, Mila Beale, Paige Engels, Mia Larimer, Lexi Lauzon, Chloe Link, Elizabeth Navarro, Han Phan, Cece Post, Lincoln Rhoda and Claire Vrahoretis. CMS teacher is Jason Gast.
Receiving recognition and monetary awards this year were:
CHESTERTON HIGH SCHOOL
Donald H. Berwanger Scholarship Award, $2000
Allison Christian (12)
(artwork pictured above - Ally's cat portrait in colored pencil titled "Baby Angus' took top honors in South Shore Arts Tri-County Junior/Senior High School Exhibit).
Photo at right, Allison Christian
South Shore Arts Regional Awards for Young Artists, $100
Porter: Allison Christian (12)
Honorable Mention, $20
Alex Rubino (9)
CHESTERTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Best of Show, $100
Victoria West (8)
Awards of Distinction $25
Lincoln Rhoda (7)
First in Media, $20
Victoria West (8), Mixed Media
Melanie Letic (8), Pencil/Graphic
Marley Mayer (8), Acrylic/Tempera
Victoria West (8), Charcoal
Best Overall Presentation
Chesterton Middle School
Jason Gast
CHS IB Students to Grow Fresh Produce for Duneland Food Pantry
Chesterton High School juniors, Emma Bolinger, Kameryn Hipp, Emily Nixon, have chosen a fresh vegetable garden as a CAS service project for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. A CAS project is a collaborative, well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences, engaging students in one or more of the CAS strands of creativity, activity, and service.
These students started working on their project, but are hoping to continue efforts after they graduate in 2022. “Our goal is to grow fresh produce throughout the summer and donate it all to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry in Chesterton,” said Bolinger.
The students are also working with Purdue Extension, who has given them a grant of four garden boxes. “Terri Saltzman, NEP Community Wellness coordinator from Purdue, has provided lots of help along the way and connected us to the Master Gardeners grant,” said Bolinger. The students applied for this Master Gardeners grant and received $300 for supplies for their project.
Now that the weather is getting nicer, the students are hoping to get the outside seeds planted soon in the school’s courtyard. They will be maintaining the garden throughout the summer with the help of the school administration and teacher/supervisor Mrs. Cassie Wallace and volunteers.
Above photo, left, Principal Brent Martinson along with Marty Serocznski from Porter County Master Gardener present CHS junior IB students, left to right, Kameryn Hipp, Emily Nixon and Emma Bolinger with a check for $300 for supplies for their IB gardening project. (Masks were removed momentarily to obtain a photo of the event)
Photos below, students working on planting seedlings.
Justin Martinson named Indiana AATG Rising Star for 2021
Herr Martinson will be presented with a plaque at the AATG business meeting at the annual IFLTA convention and luncheon in November.
Duneland Schools to Launch Trojan Virtual Academy this Fall
Duneland School Corporation is excited to announce a new chapter in our history of excellence by expanding our curricular choice offerings to include a virtual K-12 program. Starting in the fall of 2021, we will be launching the Trojan Virtual Academy (TVA).
We recognize that most students find academic and social success best through in-person learning. Our commitment to these practices and programs remains unchanged. However, as we navigated 2020, we became increasingly aware of a growing number of students that thrive through alternative learning environments and specifically through online learning.
The TVA thus serves as a school choice option for families to maintain connection with Duneland Schools while selecting a learning option that they feel works best for their student(s).
Parent Information Nights will be hosted over the next two weeks. For more information, please visit our Trojan Virtual Academy site for more information.
Trojan Virtual Academy Applications Available Friday, May 14
Families interested in enrolling their student in the Trojan Virtual Academy for Fall 2021 should complete an online application found on the Duneland School Corporation website. The application window will be open from May 14-June 4 with families being notified of final decisions by June 10.
As we navigated 2020, we became increasingly aware of a growing number of students that thrive through alternative learning environments and specifically through online learning. The Trojan Virtual Academy is Duneland's school choice option for families to maintain connection with Duneland Schools while selecting a learning option that they feel works best for their student(s).
To learn more about the TVA please visit the Duneland School Corporation website and click the link under "Find it Fast" for Trojan Virtual Academy or click https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Page/1696. On this page, parents can find links to handbooks, presentations, FAQs, and other related documents. Starting May 14, the application will also be able to view online as well.
We realize that families have many educational options for their children and we are honored that you continue to make Duneland School Corporation your education destination.
Duneland K-8 Art Exhibit 2021
Representative art work from students in grades K-8 will be on display at the Duneland School 2021 Art Exhibit hosted at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th Street in Chesterton, from May 6-26, 2021.
SATURDAY: CHS Music to Host All That Jazz, Opus XLVII
On Saturday, May 15, the Chesterton High School Music Department will host its annual event, All That Jazz: Opus XLVII, beginning at 7pm in the CHS Auditorium (enter Door 31). This year’s performance will feature the CHS Jazz Ensemble and special guest artists:
Chip McNeill, saxophone
Dustin Shrum, trumpet
Jim Widner, bass
Chip Stephens, piano
Joel Spencer, drums
Tickets are available online via chestertonbands.org: $12 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors. Social distancing and face coverings will be required throughout the performance.
CHS 2021 Yearbook Sales to End May 14
The last day to buy a 2020-2021 Chesterton High School yearbook is Friday, May 14. Order at www.jostensyearbooks.com
Senior parent ads are available for $10. Get yours before they sell out!
DSC COVID-19 Support Center
Looking for COVID-19 Resources?
Duneland School's Daily COVID-19 Risk Level is located on our COVID-19 INFO Home page along with many other helpful resources.
Quick Reference Guide for Attendance
Check out this...
COVID Screening Tool
COVID-19 Dashboard
The DSC administration has established a COVID-19 dashboard that can always be found on our COVID-19 Support Center webpage. The COVID-19 dashboard (below) will now be updated once per day with all active cases reported, and/or will include cases removed from active status (conclusion of the 10-day isolation period). Below is the COVID-19 Dashboard with the latest update available at time of this publication. Please visit the COVID-19 Support Center for the most up-to-date posting.
Long-Term Capital Improvements
DSC School Board Issues Notice of Adoption of Preliminary Determination
The Duneland School Board of Trustees listened to presentations from DSC Leadership on proposed long-term capital improvements and allowed for public comment during two advertised public hearings as required by statute. The 1st Notice of Preliminary Determination Hearing was conducted on April 5 and the 2nd Preliminary Determination and Project Hearing on Monday, April 12.
Following the 2nd Preliminary Determination and Project Hearing this past Monday, April 12, 2021, the Duneland School Board made a preliminary determination to issue bonds and enter into a lease agreement for the 2021 Safety, Security, Modernization and Improvement Projects, consisting of renovation of and improvements to Chesterton High School; renovation of and improvements to Bailly, Brummitt, Jackson and Liberty Elementary Schools; renovation of or construction of a new Yost Elementary School and renovation of and improvements to Liberty and Westchester Intermediate Schools, including site improvements to all school facilities; and the purchase of real estate, equipment and technology.
Community members may review the presentation and a FAQ document that will be continuously updated throughout the Spring at the DSC website.
Duneland School Summer School Offerings
Duneland K-8 Summer School
Duneland 9-12 Summer School
Classes Offered
Virtually or In-Person
Registration closes June 4, 2021
Click here for more information
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 has been moved to Wednesday, May 5.
- In order to provide additional time for teachers to submit student grades, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on Wednesday, June 2 has been moved to the last day of the school year for students on Friday, June 4.
Click on the above link or image for a downloadable PDF calendar.
Housing Resources List for Families
School Meals TO GO!
Meals continue to be free for all children through the end of this school year. Each week, parents will preorder online. Please visit our Child Nutrition Services for detailed information regarding meals and meal pickup sites. The links to the meal to go order forms are listed below for your convenience.
IN SCHOOL LEARNERS
Students who participate in the In-School Learning 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 9:30 am and 10:30 am each Wednesday. The form must be submitted online by 9 a.m. each Tuesday to receive meals. Click on link below.
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 9 a.m. to receive meals. Click on link below.
Seeking Local Business Partnerships for 2021-2022 Program
CHS Internship Program for 2021-22 School Year
Chesterton High School is interested in establishing partnerships with Duneland businesses who would be willing to host a CHS student in an internship position for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. If you have a business or know of any businesses that would like to participate in the internship program, please contact Chris Roof at croof@duneland.k12.in.us or 219-983-3770.
The goal of the CHS Internship Program is to provide students with structured opportunities to understand the relevance between classroom learning and the work environment, while participating as productive employees/volunteers in a company or organization. These internship opportunities allow students to explore areas of personal and career interests, acquire the skills necessary to be successful employees, and to formulate goals and plans for their futures.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
Summer Sport Camps
All of the Athletic Summer Camps can be found at the CHS Athletics website.
Football
- 2021 Little Trojan Football Camp
- CHS Football Skill Camp 2021
- CMS Spring Football Skills Camp
- Golf Outing: https://twitter.com/Chesterton_IN/status/1387159449526325254/photo/1
Boys Basketball
- K-1st Grade Camp: https://form.jotform.com/211095233526147
- 2nd-8th Grade Camp: https://form.jotform.com/210705578493159
- Golf Outing: https://form.jotform.com/211007893283152
- Golf Outing Sponsorship: https://form.jotform.com/211008618615147
Volleyball
Girls Basketball
- Future Lady Trojans Basketball Camp Grades K-4th Online Registration, Camp Runs June 7th, 8th, & 9th
- Future Lady Trojans Basketball Camp Grades 5th-8th Online Registration, Camp Runs May 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
- Chesterton/Duneland AAU Summer League Online Registration Grades 6th-12th. Begins June 1st, 2 days a week through June 23rd
Boys and Girls Soccer
Tennis
Athlete Physical Information
Chesterton Athletics has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows parents to complete and sign all necessary athletic forms for your student athletes. This includes enrollment, informational, medical, athletic, technology and other traditional forms you have filled out by hand in the past. The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice! FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.
https://chestertontrojans.com/2021/05/10/physical-information-final-forms-launch/2021 Northwest Regional Sheriff's Camp
CHS Trojan Football Golf Outing -Sign up deadline July 2
FORMAT: FOUR PERSON TEAM (18-Hole Scramble)
START TIME: 1pm-SHOTGUN START (registration begins at 11:30)
COST: $100 per person (includes cart, green fees, range balls, 2 beverage
tickets and All-American grill dinner)
AWARDS: Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Individual prizes will also be
awarded for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Auctions and raffles
will also take place.
All proceeds will benefit the Chesterton High School Football Program.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 2, 2021
NOTE: MONEY MUST BE RECEIVED BY DEADLINE: NON-REFUNDABLE
3 METHODS OF PAYMENt:
- Check and registration form sent to:
CHS Football Boosters
Attn: Jeff Cunningham
210 Sandpiper Drive
Chesterton, IN 46304 - Check and registration form dropped off to the CHS Athletic office.
- Purchase online with EVENTBRITE (Registration form must also be turned in)
NorthShore Clinic for ALL DSC Students located at CMS
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services to establish a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.
This partnership will provide access to healthcare for ALL Duneland School students.
Some of the services include:
- Strep Throat
- Ear Infections
- Immunizations
- Sports Physicals
- Treatment for pink eye
- Rashes
- Behavioral health services and referrals
Duneland parents interested in using the school-based clinic for their child will need to have a signed consent form on file. Consent forms are available from your Duneland school nurse or can be obtained at the NorthShore clinic where the visit is scheduled.
Currently Open: Mondays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (when school is in session)
Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment
MAY REFERENDUM SPOTLIGHT
Registered Nurses in Every School Building
The Duneland School Corporation is fortunate to have a registered nurse in each of its school buildings. Only about 50 percent of schools nationwide have a full-time registered nurse for at least 30 hours per week and 18 percent do not have a nurse at all.*
A skilled school nurse can be a lifesaver for teachers. School nurses have medical training to deal with the physical and mental illnesses of students as well as the entire school population. School nurses are a vital part of the health of our schools and community.
* Taken from Building Strong Children: Why We Need Nurses in Schools, by Erin D. Maughan (www.aft.org/ae/spring2016/maughan)
For more operating referendum information, visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367
INTERNET CONNECTIVITY & IT SUPPORT
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.
After-Hours Technical Support
After-hours IT Support hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - until 7:00 p.m.
Call: 219-983-3759
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), or Use our Anonymous Tip Line
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Celebrate Your Favorite Duneland School Teacher(s)
Nominate DSC Teachers of Excellence today!
View DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.
Liberty Intermediate Teacher Selected May
Congratulations to Liberty Intermediate fifth grade teacher Cris Petro for being selected as a May 2021 Teacher of Excellence.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This calendar of events is subject to change
Thursday, May 13, 2021
4:15 p.m. CHS Girls V TN-Lake Central-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb-South Central
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SB-New Prairie
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV SB-New Prairie-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf Tri Meet-M’ville-(Turkey Creek)
7 p.m. (Grades 7-12) Orchestra Spring Concert - CHS Gymnasium
Friday, May 14, 2021
11:30-12:45 p.m. LIS Spirit Day & Kona Ice
1 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf Ubele Invitational @ Beechwood-LaPorte
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb-Highland
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV SB-New Prairie-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V TN-Culver Academies-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SB-New Prairie
7 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb-Highland
Saturday, May 15, 2021
7 p.m. CHS (Jazz Band) All That Jazz - CHS Auditorium
Monday, May 17, 2021
7:30- 3:30 p.m CMS Book Fair
5:00 p.m. CMS Tennis Match @ Kesling Park’s Leroy Courts
7-10 p.m. CHS Senior Honors Night - CHS Auditorium (by invitation only)
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair
4 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf-Portage/Lake Central@Portage
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb -Crown Pt.
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV/V Bsb -Crown Pt.-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SB-Michigan City-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V TR-IHSAA Sectional-H
6-8 p.m. CMS National Junior Honor Society Induction
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
eLearning Day
7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair
TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb-Crown Pt.-H
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys JV/V Bsb Crown Pt.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair
TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals
TBD CHS Boys V TR-Portage
4:30 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf-Valpo-Forest Park GC
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SB-Portage
5 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb-Munster-H
Friday, May 21, 2021
7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair
TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals
4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SB-Munster
7 p.m. CHS Choral Spring Revue - CHS Auditorium
Saturday, May 22, 2021
TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals
9 a.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb Frosh Tourney-Portage
10 a.m. CHS Boys JV Bsb-Viking Invite-TJMS Bsb Field
10 a.m. CHS Boys V Bsb-Columbus North-Carmel
2 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb-Carmel
11 a.m. CHS Boys V Golf LC/CHS Boys Golf Invite-Lake Central
2 p.m. (Grades 6-12) Band Spring Concert - CHS Stadium (Rain Date = Tues, 5/25 after 5pm)
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.
$50 Special Offer Lifetime Alumni Association Membership
Thinking about joining the Chesterton High School Alumni Association, but just haven't gotten around to it? Are you wondering why you should join this newly formed organization?
COVID-19 has limited our fundraising efforts this past year, so the Chesterton High School Alumni Association would like to offer an opportunity to former alumni, present and past faculty and staff members of the Duneland Schools to join the Association for only $50 for a Lifetime charter membership. This limited special membership opportunity will be available from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022.
The CHS Alumni Association was formed to help support the enhancement of the Duneland School Corporation’s 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”. Just recently the Alumni Association inducted three retirees into the Hall of Fame - Becky Dunbar, support staff member; James Cavallo, teacher; and Garry Nallenweg, administrator. Read more...
CHS REUNIONS
If you are on a planning committee for your Chesterton High School reunion, please email us with reunion information so that we can include it on the DSC Website. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to contact you by phone.
For additional information on the currently planned reunions visit the website link above.
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