This Week at Jackson
April 14th
Pictures from this Week
Cognia Parent Survey
Duneland School Corporation is currently conducting a series of surveys with our students, families, and staff. Information from these surveys will be used for school improvement and district strategic planning. Additionally, these results will be used as part of our Cognia (formerly AdvancED) accreditation processes.
Input from our families is critical to our process to set goals for improvement. We thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts. This survey should take 20-25 minutes to complete and includes some ranking questions as well as open ended questions at the end.
Use this link to take the Survey: Family Survey Spring 2022
Please note the following when taking the surveys
You need only complete one survey per household.
When selecting a school, select the school of your youngest child.
The term “governing body” refers to our school board.
The term “stakeholders” refers to all those with an interest in the school including students, families, community members, and school staff.
We truly appreciate you setting aside the time to offer your thoughts before Monday, May 2, 2022.
Reminder: No School Friday, April 15
There will be no school on Friday, April 15th. We hope you enjoy the long weekend with your child!
ILEARN Testing Schedule
In order for students to take the subject area assessments, they must have completed the relevant practice test first. Students that are absent will have to make-up the tests during one of the make-up days. Parents/guardians, please do what you can to encourage students well-rested and present on testing days with a fully-charged iPad.
In Memoriam: Dr. Keilman, former Duneland principal
Dr. Keilman, former principal at both Bailly Elementary and Jackson Elementary, passed away this week. I know that many of our current parents had Dr. Keilman as their principal. When he last visited us, Dr. Keilman was our Santa in December 2019, visiting all the classrooms in full costume.
Above and below are some pictures from the 1996-1997 Jackson yearbook.
Quarter Readers Program Party Upcoming
Mark your calendars: Students that have earned at least four quarter reader coupons during the school year will be eligible to attend the Quarter Readers Party on Monday, May 23rd. We will be hosting KALITA, Master of Magic, after school. The party will end at 3:30pm; all students will need a ride home, as no busing will be available.
Schoolwide Story on the Announcements
This morning, we read If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! by Elise Parsley.
Duneland 2022 Summer School
If you are interested in having your child attend one of our summer school programs, please click the button below for more information.
Best of luck to Charley Love, one of our fourth grade students, who will be showcasing her talents!
Kindergarten Sign-Ups on March 3rd
On Thursday, March 3rd, we hosted Kindergarten Sign-Up for prospective Jackson students. If you were not able to attend and you have a child who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2022, you may still sign-up your student for the fall. You can begin by clicking on the links in the buttons below to begin the online enrollment process; after that, you may call our main office at 219-983-3680 to set up a time to complete the remainder of the paperwork in person.
We will be offering events involving students, as well as opportunities to view the building, closer to the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
Lunch Visitors
We have designated a specific table for visitors to use when eating with their child. It will be marked with the signage you see below.
Visitors may only eat with their child; other students may not move to the visitor table.
Birthday Party Celebrations
"Birthday & Other Celebrations--The elementary schools do not allow food-related treats (e.g. cupcakes, cookies, brownies, Rice Krispies treats, fruit snacks, pretzels, etc.) to be distributed at school for children’s birthdays and other celebrations. The elementary schools will continue to welcome the enjoyment of celebrating birthdays and other special events just without food. Families are not obligated or expected to provide items for birthday celebrations. However, if you wish to do so we suggest items such as pencils, stickers, or school supplies. Some families may choose to donate a book to the class that can be shared and kept in the classroom library or in the school’s Media Center. Any food items brought into school will be returned with the student to be sent home. Individual building personnel may send home additional guidelines and opportunities for celebrations that are building specific. Party invitations may not be distributed at school."
Please assist us in this by not sending invitations to school and by making sure that food items (cookies, crackers, gum, candy, etc.) are not included in treat bags.
Help us Nominate DSC Teachers of Excellence today!
View DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten of Duneland
Parents As Teachers of Porter County is currently enrolling for Ready, Set, Kindergarten!!!
Ready, Set, Kindergarten is a program developed by Parents as Teachers of Porter County to provide school readiness skills to children who have had limited preschool experiences. RSK Duneland is being offered at all elementary schools within DSC.
RSK is a free kindergarten readiness class held once a week inside the elementary schools.
Please email rskclassroom@gmail.com for more information to enroll.
PTO Directory
2021-2022 Related Arts Rotation Calendars
Lunch Menu
DSC Enrollment Equity Plan Adopted
On Monday, March 7, the Duneland School Board approved a redistricting plan to balance enrollment between Liberty and Westchester Intermediate Schools beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
The plan will shift students in the southern section of Yost Elementary School’s enrollment area to Liberty for intermediate (grades 5 and 6) and middle school (grades 7 and 8). Without redistricting, enrollment would be heavily lopsided, with 934 at Westchester and 688 at Liberty.
The plan, selected for having the smallest impact on students and families, will affect 103 students and 90 families.
The redistricting will shift students in the Oak Tree Village, Corlins Landing, Trail Creek, Porter Cove, Golfview Estates and Dogwood Estates subdivisions to Liberty.
In order to to increase enrollment at Jackson Elementary School, which feeds Liberty, students in the Liberty Farm, Pines Estates, Troon and Long Lake (West) subdivisions will be moved from Liberty Elementary School to Jackson. This will affect 56 students and 45 families in the first year.
For more information, view the Enrollment Equity Plan Proposal (adopted 3/7/22) on the DSC website.
NorthShore Clinic for DSC 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
Pictured at right is nurse practitioner and Chesterton resident Shawn Kroft taking a student's blood pressure at the clinic.
Early Learning HUB now Ready for Enrollees!
The Duneland Early Learning HUB team is now ready for families!
Families with children 0 to 5 (and expecting parents) may enroll at the HUB at https://forms.gle/nkch1cFTh674UcnYA.
Learn more about our upcoming events at https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/earlylearninghub, including information about Trojan Tykes and Early Learning Emporium, FAQ's, Trojan Tales and Trojan Tunes, open office hours, book and toy exchanges, scholastic book orders and more! See you at the HUB!
STUDENT ARTIST SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL AGES
The Chesterton Art Center is pleased to announce the development of the Student Artist Scholarship Program available to student artists of all ages and available for any CAC class, workshop, or camp program. The scholarship application can be completed online at chestertonart.org/scholarships, calling the CAC office, or by mail. All applications will be received on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information about scholarships, please contact Jillian Bridgeman, Program Director, at programs@chestertonart.org or call (219) 926-4711. “We're thrilled to begin the Scholarship Program and are hopeful that this will build greater access to our programs for folks in the community,” said Bridgeman.
Special thanks to Chesterton-Duneland Kiwanis for their generous donation of $1,000 which helped create this scholarship fund. “CAC is very grateful to Duneland Kiwanis for their generous donation that creates the scholarship fund so we can serve more of our community with high-quality arts education opportunities.”
CAC has served Chesterton and the region for more than 60 years. Learn more about CAC opportunities and offerings at chestertonart.org, call (219) 926-4711, or visit us at 115 South 4th Street in downtown Chesterton. Whether a long-time supporter or new to the CAC community, come visit our galleries, become a member, learn in our classrooms, and engage in our programs.
The calendar for the 2022-2023 school year is now available. Please click the link below to review it.
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.
We are Searching for Candidates
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.