WIS Weekly
September 6, 2022
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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/
It's all about OUR KIDS!
*Who needs support at home, in school, and in the community? ... Our Kids!
*Who needs our guidance, attention, and patience today and everyday? ... Our Kids!
*Who will shape the future of our world tomorrow and in the years to come? ... Our Kids!
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A Message From Mr. Longacre...
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Dear Families,
Our Kids represent the future. They are the next generation of professionals and skilled tradesman who will continue in the long tradition of improving society on every level. Our Kids are a generation of thinkers and innovators who will hold the keys to discoveries and improvements that are yet to be known. The potential contributions that Our Kids will make, both great and small, should fill each of us with hope.
Today I'm asking that you consider being a part of Our Kids' lives right now. Our Kids will only reach their fullest potential with the guidance, support, and love that a community brings to bare on their lives. Our Kids deserve the benefit of nurturing adults who can help them to be all that they can be.
As you are well aware, many school systems face shortages which impact the classroom and student learning. While Duneland is fortunate to have a strong teaching core with dedicated support staff, it is always important to maintain a human resource pool of qualified personnel. To this end, I'm asking for you to consider being a part of something profound: Have you ever thought about being a Porter County Special Education (PCES) paraprofessional in one of our Duneland schools? To maintain the level of curricular support that all Duneland students need, paraprofessionals have become an integral part of programming. If you are interested in making a meaningful difference in the lives of Our Kids, then please read the PCES announcement below and consider supporting Duneland students.
As always, please reach out to me anytime.
Mr. Longacre
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WIS News
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E-Learning
Kona Ice
Kona Ice will be here on Friday, September 9, during both recesses. The cup cost is $3.00 - $6.00 each.
Homecoming Parade
Spell Bowl Update
Congratulations to the following students who have made the 2022 Spell Bowl Team!
Danielle Burchuk, Della Capodice, Savannah Carlson, Riley Evans, Cooper Himen, Robert Hundt, Jackson McCurdy, Ernest Phillips, Robert Seiss, Riley Shepperd, Sophia Solmos, Hunter Taylor, and Lexi Wilkins.
Volleyball
Who: All 5th and 6th grade students
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3:10-4:15pm, starting September 27th and ending October 19th
Where: Gym A
Cost: $15
Coaches: Mrs. Nashkoff and Mrs. Holmen
rholmen@duneland.k12.in.us
*Students will need to be picked up by 4:15 p.m. at Door 8 after each practice. After two (2) late pick-ups, students will no longer be able to attend volleyball.
In Remembrance
Basketball
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WIS Reminders
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Title I Program
Immunization
Student Pics
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WIS Classroom Curriculum
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5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Climbing rooftops, shutting off streetlights, hacking emails, and playing board games on an old man’s front porch… These are just some of the components in the master plan for the baseball card heist we read about in Swindle this week. Ask your students about their favorite character’s role in the plan to get back what is rightfully theirs? Next week we will read more as the plot continues to unfold…
- We also continued to work on our 6-Traits writing this week, focusing on the trait of organization. Next week we will begin to look at sentence fluency.
Math
Last week students completed a unit on place value of decimals. There was a quiz on Thursday. Those results should be in Skyward soon if not already.
This week we move ahead with adding and subtracting decimal numbers. We will begin pulling students during SRT for extra practice as needed.
Grade 5 Math Decimal Standards:
- G.4: Understanding decimals expressed in words.
- G.5: Place values in decimal numbers
- G.6: Relationship between decimal place values* (tough, BUT a Priority Standard)
- G.10: Rounding Decimals
- G.14: Compare decimal numbers
- G.15: Put decimal numbers in order
Social Studies
- We are continuing to study geography which can be found in the student textbook on pages 1-30 (Lesson 1). We will have the first test on Tuesday, September 13th, or Wednesday, September 14th. To prepare for the test, students can study the vocabulary (pg. 8) and definitions they wrote in their social studies spiral notebooks. In addition, students may use their TCI online addition, as well as find a game and vocabulary cards from Unit 1 Lesson 1.
Science
- In science we continue to work through the Scientific Method. The students spent the week learning about control groups and variables. Our hands-on experience for the week required the students to test and compare the absorbency of three different types of paper towels. Students tested Bounty, Best Choice, and the school brand. Please encourage your student to share the results.
6th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
This week students will prepare for their first Summative Assessment. On Friday, students will apply all that they have reviewed and learned for this test in regards to theme, central idea, and text evidence.
Math
Another great week in 6th grade math classes. Students started the week with a test over decimals. Students will continue to work on operations with decimals, but will be moving forward into fractions. In preparation for working with fractions, students have been reviewing prime and composite numbers as well as least common multiples. Again, students are encouraged to continue working on multiplication and division facts. Each week students are challenged with a 3-minute timed test in both multiplication and division. For more practice students should visit:
Social Studies
This week students will learn about the different types of maps along with the different parts that help you read them, such as how mapmakers represent a round globe on a flat map, map scales, keys, etc. Students will practice using context clues for choosing vocabulary while learning about La Tomatina (a yearly festival held in Spain). Students will also identify the central idea and supporting details as they learn about King Tut.
Science
- This week in science, on Monday and Tuesday, we are going to be doing a lab to develop skills in measurement. We will be using triple beam balances, electric balances, various sizes of graduated cylinders, meter sticks and rulers. We are also going to use a virtual measurement lab in the program Gizmos. Then, on Thursday and Friday, we are going to use STEM skills to design and fly the best straw rocket. This is one of many STEM activities we will be doing in the upcoming weeks.
Related Arts
- Fifth grade students will be learning how to play melodies on the classroom instruments, as well as learning all about tempo and dynamics.
- Sixth grade students will learn how to play canons, or rounds. They will also learn to recognize major and minor chords and how they are used with other musical elements to create a mood.
Art
- This week 5th and 6th grade student artists will continue becoming familiar with the art room procedures and expectations while being introduced to their Graffiti Art name projects. The students will learn to organize and develop artistic ideas and artwork.
PE
- This week we will be starting our soccer unit. Students will play lead-up games the first part of the week and then finish the week with real soccer games. We will also start our first fitness test on Thursday, which will be the Sit and Reach.
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WIS Campus
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Drone Photography
Construction
Drop Off / Pick Up Safely
*Drop off students at door 8 (north side)=> No drop offs before 7:45 am.
*Pick up students at door 8 (north side)=> Post name tag near passenger side windshield.
*When entering from 5th St., take an immediate right into the student drop off / pick up lanes.
Walkers / Bikers
Door 2 opens at 7:45 am. No bike riding on school campus.
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WIS Technology
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Tech Help
Westchester is committed to supporting students' use of technology. To get your problems solved as fast as possible, choose one of the following methods:
- Open a new Freshservice ticket online:
- 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
- Contact Westchester's tech aide (Mrs. Michael) in WIS Library/Media at 219-983-3710 or fmichael@duneland.k12.in.us.
Cell Phones, Earbuds & Earphones Usage
iPad Use
* Students should refrain from downloading apps, pics, etc. that are not permitted under school and/or corporation policy.
* Students are required to bring their charged iPads to class. Intermediate curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.
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WIS Resources
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Look in SKYWARD for...
Parent Teacher Organization
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