WIS Weekly
May 9, 2022
A Message From Mr. Longacre
Dear Families,
Despite our school year coming to a close this month, you can tell by looking through this issue of the WIS Weekly that our pace here at school is hardly slowing. Westchester continues to provide engaging activities in the classroom, during clubs, and through sponsorships. Our students and staff persist in embracing educational change and growth through the programming that we offer. Westchester prides itself on its many accomplishments, from sending members of our WIS Robotics team to the world finals in Texas to celebrating the efforts of our very own Becky Holmen, Duneland's K-6 Teacher of the Year. Westchester strives to foster an environment that promotes cognitive growth, acknowledges individual diversity, and supports a positive mindset. As we approach our final weeks, I also ask families to continue to support their student(s) by encouraging them to strive for their best and finish the school year at their fullest potential.
As always, I can be contacted at slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us.
Respectfully,
Mr. Longacre
WESTCHESTER IN ACTION
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Spring Book Fair
NORA DANCE
WIS RUN CLUB
WIS Run Club held its first ever track meet last Wednesday (May 4) which, by the way, was the last event ever to be held on the old WIS dirt track. Students competed in four different events: 1-mile run, 100-yard and 200-yard dashes, and 400-yard run. Coaches Mrs. Ellerthorpe and Mr. Burke led this amazing group of runners in six weeks of distance and speed runs in preparation for this culminating event. The kids showed great sportsmanship and camaraderie as they ran with the motto and mindset: “It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”
WIS Run Club 5th graders Sophia Lugo and Ryan Seaman earned Positive Attitude awards. Tyler Santiago and Anastasia Florczyk earned the Most Improved Runner Awards. Leadership awards were given to 6th graders Nolan Marin and Kylie Bagwell.
5th graders Ryan Seaman (3rd), Michael Roberts (2nd), and Jackson White (1st) took the top three spots in the mile run with our winner earning a time of just 6:57! The 100-yard dash winners were McKenzie Cochran (3rd), Nolan Marin (2nd), and Carter Larson (1st). These three runners had to place in preliminary races before winning the final. The 200-yard dash was the only race separated by gender (due to the amount of kids interested in running in this event). Female winners were Eva Solmos (3rd), Makenna Stasko (2nd), and McKenzie Cochran (3rd). The winners of the boys’ race were Michael Roberts (3rd), Carter Larsen (2nd), and Nolan Marin (1st). The final event of the track meet was the 400-yard run and the top finishers were Colton Beckwith (3rd), Ella Rone (2nd), and Makenna Stasko (1st).
Congratulations to all our runners for a great season!
Choral Concert
ILEARN TESTING Make-ups
As we conclude the 2022 testing for ILEARN, students who are still ILEARN testing are reminded of the following recommendations:
*Bring your iPad-connected ear buds.
*Don't bring smartwatches, phones, Bluetooth-enabled earbuds, and other electronic devices.
*How to prepare for a day of testing:
1. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test, eat a solid breakfast the morning of the test, and drink plenty of water the day of the test.
2. Be positive about the test. Think to yourself, "I can do this."
3. Read all directions slowly and carefully. Make sure you understand the question before answering.
4. Try to think of the correct answer before reading the answer options.
5. If you feel yourself becoming anxious, then try to relax by counting backwards from five to one while breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth... slowly.
Would you visit a different country?
In The Classroom This Week
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5th Grade
Language Arts
- ELA will take the NWEA this week. On Tuesday we will take the reading test, and on Wednesday we will take the language arts test.
- Holes: This week we will read chapters 41-46 (pgs. 182-210). There was an open book/open note test over chapters 31-41 today. The end-of-the-book test will take place on Wednesday, May 18th.
- IRAs: The theme of this week will be an author study over Andrea Davis Pinkney. The book we will analyze is Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation.
Math
Last week, we took both the Math ILEARN and NWEA tests. Whew! We will work on making up tests for students who were absent or did not finish.
This week we will be going on a simulated road trip and students will calculate mileage and gas to cities of their choice, work on map skills, and research hotel and entertainment costs throughout their trips. Each day students will complete a different component of the activity and submit it as their assignment for the day.
Social Studies
Last week students studied the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This week students will study the War of 1812 and learn about the history of the "Star-Spangled Banner".
- Evelyn Dow -- The Lewis and Clark expedition influenced the growth of the United States in many ways. An example of this is how they kept detailed notes about everything they saw and noticed. When people looked at those notes they realized that the Louisiana Territory had other benefits that the rest of the United States didn’t have.
- Devin Steele -- The significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore the Missouri and Columbia Rivers to see if they could find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. The significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to also meet and learn about the Native Americans who lived in the region. Lastly, they were to study and take notes on the landforms, plants, and animals they found. The Lewis and Clark expedition influenced the growth of the United States by reaching the Pacific Ocean and bringing back a lot of different plants and animals that no other state had.
- Last week students completed their final science unit. Since we wrapped up the life science unit, students submitted many assignments. Please encourage your student to check grades and submit any missing assignments.
- This week students will be creating a modified version of a battle bot. Please encourage your student to discuss how the project is going
6th Grade
- Sixth grade math students will have their final NWEA test of the year on Tuesday, May 10th. Students will begin working with probability for the rest of the week.
Science
- This week in science we will be taking the end-of-the-year NWEA on Wednesday and Friday. Please make sure your student’s iPad is charged and that they have breakfast and get a good night’s sleep. In health we will continue to work on nutrition and “My Plate” on Monday and Tuesday which will transition into learning about the digestive system.
Social Studies
- Students have been working on their Central & South American country reports. This week, they will be finishing up their presentations and educating the class on their country’s geography, economy, history, government, culture, and sites to visit.
- Later in the week, we will begin a unit on economy. Students will learn about supply and demand as well as the stock market.
Language Arts
Sixth grade ELA students will take the NWEA Reading test on Monday and the NWEA Language Arts test on Tuesday. Students will then continue reading The Westing Game.
Sixth grade Honors ELA students have completed King Arthur. They will also take the NWEA tests this week on Monday and Tuesday. Students will then begin their parody projects with a partner.
Related Arts
Art
- 5th graders are learning new weaving skills while making pouches.
- 6th graders are continuing work on acetate portraits with acrylic paint and color theory.
PE
- This week we will be focusing on our baseball/softball unit. We will be working on skills and lead-up games. Towards the end of the week we will be playing actual games.
Music
- This week students will finish writing their ABA Form Compositions. Also, in our large Orff (xylophone) ensembles, fifth graders will start to learn a Beethoven medley and sixth graders will begin learning the Star Wars theme. We will focus on listening to others while playing, as well as observing dynamic and tempo markings.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Construction Begins!
Resource Fair
SUMMER SCHOOL Sign-ups
Spirit Wear
The WIS PTO is hosting a Spring Spirit Wear fundraiser. This is a quick turn around event so that your orders can be delivered before the end of the school year. Therefore, no online orders are being accepted.
Please print this attachment (paper copies available to students at school), and send it back with your check (made out to WIS PTO) or cash payment. Your order and payment must be received by Friday, May 6th at the end of the school day.
Thank you!
WIS PTO
Lady Trojans
Boys Basketball
Trojan Football
2022-2023 Middle School Football Camp Information
CMS 2022 Football Call Out meeting - Monday May 9th at 6:00 p.m.
This google meet is intended for all current 6th and 7th grade students at LIS - WIS and St. Pat's. Please contact Mark Peterson at mapeterson@duneland.k12.in.us or Evan Steiner at esteiner@duneland.k12.in.us if you have any questions prior to the meet on Monday May 9th at 6:00 p.m.!
-Plan now to join us for the google meet May 9th at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting ID: jum-sboz-rga
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 478-331-6168
PIN: 212 345 708#
Chesterton Middle School Futures Camp [May 16-19th FREE] (at CHS)!
❖ Current 6th (W.I.S. - L.I.S. - St. Pat’s & Discovery) and 7th Grade Students that intend to play Middle School or Pop Warner football next fall.
➢ Camp times will be from 3:30-5:15 at CMS!
Middle School Football Position Specific Camps
[Two Sessions -June 20,22&23 & June 27, 28 & 29 $50 ea.] (at CHS on the Turf) Registration forms are on the CMS Athletic Website
❖ Students entering grade 6,7, or 8 in ‘22 with a desire to develop specific position specific skills for the upcoming season.
Session 1
-Defensive Back and Wide Receiver Skills Camp
Mon. Wed. & Thurs. June 20th-22nd-23rd (Noon - 1:30 p.m.)
Session 2 (These two camps will run at the same time).
-Quarterback & Running Back Skills Camp
Or
-Off. & Def. Lineman & Linebacker skills camp
Mon. through Wed. June 27th, 28th& 29th (Noon – 1:30 p.m.)
We’re looking forward to seeing our Future Trojan Football Players!
Questions / Registration: Mark Peterson
Head Football Coach
Chesterton High School
219-983-3730 Ext. 7249
Little Trojans Camp
Futures Camp
Position Specific Camp
Orientation for incoming 7th graders
Sports Physicals
Cell Phones, Earbuds / Earphones, iPads
Opportunities
Support WIS PTO
Chesterton Art Center
North Shore Clinic for Students
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services and has established a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.
This partnership provides 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 (updated):
Monday & Thursday from 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Friday from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-6 p.m.
Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment
Consent paperwork needs to be completed prior to an office visit. The paperwork is attached and can be completed prior to the visit to save time. If you choose this option, the consent paperwork needs to be on file beforehand. If returning paperwork via email, please send to: Shawn Kroft, skroft@northshorehealth.org.
2022-2023 School Calendar Approved
Food Assistance for Parents/Community
Looking for food assistance? FoodFinder can help.
FoodFinder is a map of food pantries nationwide. Click on the image to the right for access to a Food Assistance site map where individuals can enter a zip code to find the nearest area food pantries.
SCHOOL MENUS/MEALS
*SCHOOL MEALS UPDATE*
Due to ongoing effects of the COVID Pandemic, many industries are suffering from labor shortages which is causing disruptions and shortages in the food chain. At present, Duneland School's Child Nutrition Department is experiencing unprecedented food order shortages causing many last minute changes to the breakfast and lunch menus. In an effort to communicate these changes to families in a timely manner, we ask that you please check this website daily for any changes to the menu.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these setbacks!
Visit the DSC Child Nutrition page for links to the menus for the Week of Nov. 15-19
Covid-19 Information
Vaccine Information
Updated vaccine information from the Indiana Department of Health is available in the resources listed below.
- Youth Pfizer Fact Sheet, ages five to 11
- Mixing Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Fact Sheet (English)
- Mixing Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Fact Sheet (Spanish)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet, individuals five and older
- Family Quarantine Fact Sheet
For questions, please email backtoschool@isdh.in.gov.
Help us Nominate WIS Teachers of Excellence today!
Parent Observer Account
Parents are encouraged to set up their Canvas observer accounts to monitor their students' progress.
Parents can click this link to view how to set up their Parent Observer Account
Link to the Canvas Log In
Job Opportunities in Duneland
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.
Westchester Intermediate School
WIS Mission
- WIS provides a safe and engaging environment where students are empowered to explore their talents, build on their curiosity, embrace high expectations, and become responsible, caring citizens.
WIS Vision:
- WIS inspires learners to become independent, critical thinkers collaborating in an environment where responsibility, adaptability, and reflection are modeled and developed.
Email: slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/14
Location: 1050 South 5th Street, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 983-3710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westchesterintermediate/