DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
March 7, 2024 Vol. 58 No. 28
Spring Forward on Sunday, March 10
Spring Forward
Just a friendly reminder to Spring Forward one hour this Sunday, March 10!
End of the 3rd Grading Period
The third nine weeks grading period ends on Friday, March 15. Student report cards will be available at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 22.
Spring Break - March 25-29
Spring Break
There will be no school for all Duneland School students on Friday, March 25-29 to observe Spring break. Classes will resume on Monday, April 1.
Duneland School Board Recognitions
The following students were recognized by the Duneland School Board members at their Monday, March 4 meeting.
Brummitt Student Recognition
Nine Brummitt Elementary students were recognized for high growth from fall to winter on their NWEA assessment and three students for earning perfect IREAD scores on the Spring 2023 IREAD-3 assessment.
- Students Exhibiting High Growth in English/Language Arts: Miriam Shrader - Kdg, Charles Griffin - 1st, Lyla Campbell - 2nd, Nathaniel Evans - 4th, Bently Bradley - 4th
- Students Exhibiting High Growth in Math: Athena Orth - Kdg, Jack Cheeseman - 1st, Ocean Vogel - 2nd, Liza Ketner - 4th
- IREAD-3 Perfect Scores: Cavan Flory, Raeanna Kucala, Willow Ontiveros
CHS Japanese Olympiad State Champs
Chesterton High School won the Japanese Olympiad state championship in the 2nd year division, and placed 3rd in the 3rd-year division on Saturday, February 24 at Ball State University in Muncie. CHS has now won the Japanese Olympiad state championship 23 times along with three national Japan Bowl championships and one national runner-up.
The CHS 2nd-year team of Brooklyn Guivas, Michael Izguerra and Paxton Martinez won the state championship.
The 3rd-year team of Marissa Roe, Emily Ponce and Dave Ruoff finished in 3rd place.
The 4th-year team of Oliver Elliot-Halinski and Mitchell Miller turned in an excellent competitive performance.
The teams are coached by John Sparks and Akiko Tsugawa.
Coach Jack Campbell
The school district celebrated the career of long-time teacher and coach, Jack Campbell. Coach Campbell announced his resignation as Chesterton HIgh School Girls Basketball Coach at the conclusion of the season last month after 36 years at the helm of the program. Coach Campbell also resigned as Head Baseball Coach last Spring after the conclusion of the 2023 season after 53 years as Head Coach.
Jack ends his tenure as a Chesterton Varsity Coach with 1,275 career victories, 820 on a baseball diamond and 455 on the basketball court. Coach Campbell is a member of the Indiana Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. His contribution to Duneland student-athletes and the community goes far beyond wins and losses. The Duneland School district and Board of School Trustees extends its deepest gratitude for his remarkable service and wish him well in his new chapter.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Chesterton Show Choirs continue season on a high note
The Chesterton Show Choir program competed in the Chicagoland Showcase in Arlington Heights, IL at John Hersey High School this past weekend, where they competed against incredible show choirs from four different states.
On Saturday, March 2, the Drifters and the Business were named the Champions of the Single Clef Division making this their third division championship this season. They also earned both the Best Vocals and Best Visuals caption awards. Their score placed them among the top five scoring groups of the entire day, earning them a spot in finals. They ended the night winning Overall Third Runner-Up. Shayani Hall was named the group’s Outstanding Performer.
The Sandpipers and the Business placed First Runner-Up in the Open Class Division, after battling some of the top show choirs and show choir bands in the country. Their score also earned them a spot in finals, where they earned Overall First Runner-Up. Again, the Business played well in both shows and was within a point of capturing an additional Best Band Award. Sofia Cunningham was named the group’s Outstanding Performer. Luke Housman (at right) was named best Bass Solo in a show, and went on to win the Bass Voice division of Solo Competition which earned him a full-tuition scholarship to Showchoir Camps of America!
The Chesterton Show Choirs continue to make a name for themselves at competitions throughout the Midwest and are working hard to continue to improve their shows as they head into their final two weekends of competitions. Next up, they will travel to the Tournament of Choirs at Cosby HS in Virginia this coming weekend.
The CHS Show Choirs are under the direction of Choral Director Kristin Morris and Instrumental Director Matt Christensen. The Drifters are choreographed by Ellie Jordan and the Sandpipers are choreographed by Randy Sage and Ellie Jordan. The Choirs are supported by an incredible group of stage dads ‘The Do-Dads’, amazing chaperones, and incredible parents and fans.
Music Students earn Gold ratings at ISSMA Jazz Contest
CMS Jazz Band
This past weekend, five Chesterton Music groups competed at the ISSMA Jazz Contest where they earned Gold ratings.
The CMS GOLD Jazz Band, pictured above, earned a Gold with Distinction rating after performing pieces such as “Avenue Swing”, “Cubano Chant”, and “Beantown Blues Parade”. Seven CMS jazz band soloists, at right, Jacob Anderson, Claire Thomas, Oliver Good, Alex Brown, Talan Lipka, Porter Fowler, and Elijah Fletcher earned Outstanding Soloist awards with Elijah Fletcher earning it twice for a total of eight awards.
Congratulations to the CHS Jazz Strings who earned a Gold rating performing “Swing on a String”, and “Puerto de Libertad”, in addition to Jazz Strings soloist Hailey Jalovecky earning an Outstanding Soloist Award.
The CHS Maroon Jazz Band earned a Gold rating with its pieces “Bubbert Kicks Back”, “One Note Samba”, and “Tater Hill Shuffle”. Maroon Jazz soloists Cody Brewer, Will Liles, and Tiara Wilkerson also earned Outstanding Soloist awards.
The CHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, comprised of the singers of Camerata choir, above, also competed on March 2 at Portage High School earning a solid Gold rating. Soloists Luke Housman, Karleigh Pawlyszyn and Hailey Nevious earned recommendations for Outstanding Soloist awards. The group performed “Route 66”, “Over the Rainbow”, and “Tuxedo Junction”. This is the second year that CHS has participated in the ISSMA Vocal Jazz event, and its second time earning Gold.
The CHS Jazz Ensemble, above, also competed twice at Portage High School earning two awards. Performing “‘S Wonderful”, “It’s All Right With Me”, and “Bandstand Boogie”, the band earned a Gold rating. Performing “Filthy McNasty”, “In Her Family”, and “Cold Duck Time” the band earned a Gold with Distinction rating, a program first in Group 1 competition. Soloists Matthew Haubold, CJ Adent, Mike Schwab, Adrian Dooley, Evans Frassine, and Chloe Wring earned Outstanding Soloist awards for their performances throughout the evening. In addition to rating the group well, all adjudicators shared the same sentiment in their evaluations: “Wow.”
CHS Robotics
Friday was the end of our regular season for the Trojan Chargers and it was a great evening for everyone. All four teams attending made it to the quarter finals with team B (Nick Bustos, Lacei Kuckuck, Alec Soblotne, and Lilly Linsemeyer) and Team D (Mackenzie Dees, Hannah Welch, Jeremy Canfield, Christian Keene, and Benjamin Knopse) making it all the way to the final round. Team C (Aryaman Agashe, Logan Soohey, Brennan Olson, and Ryan Postnelic) won the top skills award for the league putting them in a good position to earn a slot to the Indiana State Robotics Tournament in three weeks. Team B also won the Judges award Friday and improved on their skills score giving them a chance to earn a slot at state as well. Team A (Mason Barendsen, Mike Banwetz, Ira Kashyap, and Jo Parlock) and Team B both made their first appearance in the Finals.
21408A at the competition field with Mason Barendson and Jo Parlock pictured
21408 B and D at the competition field with Nick Bustos, Hanna Welch, Mackenzie Dees, and Alec Soblonte pictured.
ONWARD TROJANS!
DEF donates for Solar Eclipse Glasses
Duneland Education Foundation has generously donated $2,500 to help fund the purchase of eclipse glasses for all Duneland School students! On April 8, Indiana will experience a solar eclipse and the district is delighted that all Duneland Students will get the opportunity to view this spectacular event! Liberty Intermediate students trying out the glasses are Liam Good, Alex Lopez, Brooklyn Moskalick and Lily Huneryager
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
Child Nutrition Appreciation
Help us celebrate National Nutrition Month and our DSC Child Nutrition staff beginning on March 1. Please take this time to thank our Child Nutrition Associates for all they do in keeping our students nourished.
VOTE EVERY DAY for CHS as Best Public High School!
Help VOTE Chesterton High School 'Best Public High School' for the 2nd year in a row. Voting opens today. Participants may vote one time daily in each category today through March 24. Click on the image below of this link to vote: https://nwitimes.com/.../best-of-the-region-ballot-2024/…
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024!!
Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of your graduation legacy.
Pre-order Chesterton High School exclusive graduation shirts with all of the class of 2024 graduates' names on the back!! The perfect way to commemorate this milestone!!! Shirts, flower bouquets and other graduation merch will be available for purchase and pick up the day of the graduation!!
Mark Your Calendar...
COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR - April 24
DSC Summer School 2024
Duneland School Corporation is announcing the 2024 Summer School Dates. Summer school will consist of two sessions with Session 1 from June 10-28 and Session 2 from July 8-26. Session 1 will host classes for students in grades PreK-12 while Session 2 is only for students currently in grades 8-12.
Students currently in grades K-7 will have access to courses in Reading and Math. Students in grades 8-12 will have courses in Physical Education, Government, Economics, Health, as well as the ability to retake courses not passed during the school year. KinderCamp, for incoming Kindergarteners, and the 1-4 High Ability Summer School will also be offered.
Interested families should look for applications for summer school in the coming weeks with enrollment opening in March.
2024-2025 School Start & End Times
At the January 8th School Board meeting, the following school start and end times were approved for the 2024-2025 school year.
The new daily schedule for the 2024-2025 school year will be:
- Elementary (K-4) 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
- High School (9-12) 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
- Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Middle School Football 2024 Callout Meeting
Choral Recruitment!
Attention all current Duneland School 5th, 6th and 7th graders! Do you love to sing? Do you want to be a part of a community of singers to grow your voice, develop lasting friendships and just have fun? You belong in choir! Registration for next year's 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs is happening now! Click on the following link (must use a valid Duneland student account to access) to register to be a part of these amazing groups: http://tinyurl.com/3uffxu77.
DSC Band and Orchestra Recruitment!
Join Band! Beginning Band Sign-Ups for Next Year's 6th Grade Band Are Underway Now! Visit our Join Band! Website for more info! - https://sites.google.com/.../chesterton-bands/join-band
JOIN 5th Grade Orchestra!
Calling all 4th Graders! It's time to Sign-Up for Next Year's 5th Grade Orchestra! Visit our Website to learn more! - https://sites.google.com/.../chestertonorchestras/join-orchestra
2024-2025 IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 6 & 12
Students entering 6th grade require additional immunizations by the State of Indiana. Required immunizations are as follows:
Tdap: Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine
MCV4: Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
A student that is 11 years old is eligible to receive these vaccines.
Students entering 12th grade are required to have an additional immunization by the State of Indiana. Required immunization is as follows:
MCV4: Meningococcal Vaccine
A student that is 16 years old is eligible to receive the meningococcal vaccination (2nd dose)
Porter County Health Department: 219-759-8239 (Portage office) or 219-465-3525 (Valparaiso office). Please contact the health department or doctor’s office to schedule.
Any questions please contact the school nurse at your student’s respective school.
Duneland Early Learning HUB
This Week at the HUB
Monday, we enjoyed our rocketship, train and car rides for our transportation Music and Motion. We used tambourines, instruments and bubbles in our music classes this week. Music and Motion is on Monday’s at 9:30, 10:30 and 12:00. We also have a Tiny Trojan Music and Motion class on Monday’s at 8:45. Beep, beep, beep everyone!
At Trojan Tykes Tuesday, we sang songs about vehicles and read My Car. The families participated in transportation areas including, play-doh, traffic light creation, cars, puzzles and the water table. Trojan Tykes is a family story time and centers on Tuesday’s at 9:00, 10:00 and 12:00.
During Mini-Movers Wednesday, the children visited stations in the gym and participated in an obstacle course. The centers focused on the following gross motor skills, walking, climbing, balancing and throwing. The kiddos also participated in a cool down activity. Mini-Movers is on Wednesday’s from 9:00-9:30 in the HUB gym.
Kinder Kids participated in calendar, we read If You Give A Pig A Pancake and were engaged in centers covering art, phonics, math and writing. Kinder Kids is for 4-5 year olds that will attend Kindergarten during the 2024-2025 school year. Come join us from 9:00-10:30 on Thursday’s, if you have a 4-5 year old.
At Young Explorers, we read Owl Moon, went on an owl hunt and created a paper bag owl craft. Young Explorers is every Thursday from 11:00-11:30 outside at the Chesterton Park shelter. We always have our nature based class as long as it FEELS like 25 degrees or more.
This Friday, we have Trojan Time here in our classroom and multipurpose room. Families can visit and play from 11:00-1:00, get a tour or receive resources from our staff.
Do not forget that most mornings and afternoons, we have Open Gym from 9:00-10:00 and 12:30-1:30.
If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB. Check us out at our DSC website.
IMPORTANT PARENT RESOURCES
INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION 2023-2024 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
eLearning Guidelines
Guidelines for Students 2023-2024 School Year
Follow the links below by grade level to find the appropriate Unplanned (Virtual - Synchronous) eLearning Day Plan for your student.
Please note the update to the 5-6 Synchronous Plan for Liberty Intermediate School only.
Nutrislice App / MENUS
The DSC Child Nutrition Department is now utilizing NutriSlice as its new menus program. This app is available for iphone and android through your mobile app store. Parents can also access the full website for Duneland Schools on a computer via this NutriSlice link.
This app will allow parents and students to view the menus as well as the nutritional info for each items at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of food items being served at each of the schools.
NEW! DSC 2024-2025 Calendar
The new 2024-2025 Duneland School Corporation Calendar has been adopted by the Duneland School Board of Trustees. Click the link above to see all the date for next school year.
DSC 2023-2024 Calendar
The Revised 2023-2024 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at Resources > Documents and Forms
CHS Maroon & Gold Calendar/Bell Schedules
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
CONTACTING IT SUPPORT
Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:
- Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- Log into IncidentIQ and submit a request duneland.incidentIQ.com
CHS Athletic Tickets 2023-2024
ACTIVITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
The Duneland Schools share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in and outside of school on a special page on our website. These available opportunities are offered by not-for-profit partnerships and organizations within our school district boundaries and local communities. Follow this link to Community Opportunities.
Want your event/activity/camp posted on this page? Submit a request by email with the flyer/information to the Duneland Schools Administrative Center to ahicks@duneland.k12.in.us and bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us.
DSC SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS / CAMPS / ACTIVITIES
For more information on ALL the current Camps being offered at CHS visit Athletic Camps/Events on the CHS Athletics webpage.
District Art Show
Representative artwork from students in grades K-12 will be on display at the Corporation's annual exhibit at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th Street in Chesterton. The exhibits will be open to the public without cost during Gallery hours (weekdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.).
The first exhibit on March 5-13 will feature artwork of students in grades 9-12. An opening reception will be hosted at the Center on Tuesday, March 5 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The second exhibit on March 16 - 30 will feature the artwork of students in grades K-8. An opening reception will be hosted for grades K-8 at the Center on Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
MS Athlete Development Camp
Click the image below to register.
AUDITION Entries Due March 1!
CHS Alumni Association
Upcoming Fundraiser for CHS Student Scholarships...
Help the CHS Alumni Association's special event to raise money for the student scholarship program. Breakfast is $10/per person and is available for dine-in or carry-out. Purchase tickets in advance online at: https://swipesimple.com/links/lnk_a2b6cf07
If you are unable to join us on Saturday, April 6, please consider a donation to the scholarship fund:
CLASS of 1974 - 50 year Reunion
The CHS Class of 1974 will host a 50-year reunion on Friday, June 21 beginning at 5 p.m. at Gelsosomos Pizzeria, 371 Indian Boundary #8, Chesterton. A second event will be hosted on Saturday, June 22 beginning at 6 p.m. at the SPA (reservations and prepayment required), 333 N Mineral Spring Rd., Porter, IN.
Members of the Class of 1974 can follow this LINK to update their information and RSVP for this event.
'SAY SOMETHING' Tip Line for Grades 5-12
The Duneland School Corporation has adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for all grade 5-12 schools this year. The link to the Say Something Tip Line can be found on the DSC website, on the middle and high school websites, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.
Tip Line for Grades K-4
The established Anonymous Safe Schools Tip Line for students in grades K-4 will remain the same. The link to this tip line for Grade 5-12 can be found on the DSC website, each DSC elementary school website, and on the DSC Safety and Security page located under Programs and Services.
DuneNews
The district newsletter, DuneNews, is published each Thursday afternoon throughout the school year. Each weekly issue can be found on our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us/dune-news along with archived issues for review.
Not receiving school communications?
The district and schools send out weekly communications. Parents that are not receiving weekly communications should contact their respective school Main Office or email Bridget Martinson at bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us
LONG-TERM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Yost Campus
Bailly Campus
Brummitt Campus
Jackson Campus
Liberty Elem. Campus
LIS Campus
WIS Campus
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, March 4, school board members and the public were updated by Chris Muvceski of The Skillman Corporation on the work that has been completed in the last four weeks at each of the current worksites, as well as what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
The most current information regarding the DSC Long-Term Capital Improvement projects, such as current concept drawings, information and preliminary timelines, are available on the DSC website. The information on the website will be continuously updated as we move forward with the process.
Community members may review the current Long-Term Capital Improvements information that will be continuously updated on the DSC website.
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Store where you can buy your Duneland all school spirit wear? Apparel for all ages, stadium seats, accessories and more. CHECK IT OUT!
NorthShore Clinic for All DSC Students
Duneland School Corporation
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