DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
February 29, 2024 Vol. 58 No. 27
TODAY! Kindergarten Round-Up
ONLINE ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN for incoming Duneland Kindergarten students for the 2024-2025 School Year. Families are asked to complete online enrollment prior to attending Kindergarten Round-Up on Thursday, February 29, 2024. To get started please visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/440.
Last Chance to Nominate your Favorite DSC Teacher / Employee
VOTING ENDS...Monday, March 4 at 3:30 p.m.
Help the Duneland School Corporation celebrate the outstanding teachers and employees that make up this district. Each year, DSC conducts the Teacher and Employee of the Year Recognition Program with the mission of inspiring and celebrating those in the education industry. Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:
- Elementary Teacher- Grades K-6
- Secondary Teacher- Grades 7-12
- Employee of the Year- Classified Staff Employee
Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community may nominate DSC teachers and/or classified employees. There is no limit to the number of teachers or classified employees a person may nominate. Please complete a separate nomination form for each teacher and/or classified employee you wish to nominate. Click here to read the rules and to access the nomination forms
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
CHS Japanese Olympiad Team Wins State Championship
Above, left to right, Oliver Elliott-Halinski, Mitchell Miller, Dave Ruoff, Emily Ponce, Marissa Roe, Paxton Martinez, Brooklyn Guivas, Michael Izguerra, and Coach John Sparks.
Chesterton High School won the state championship in the second-year division, and placed third in the third-year division at the Japanese Olympiad of Indiana hosted at Ball State University in Muncie this past Saturday. CHS has now won the Japan Bowl/Japanese Olympiad state championship 23 times along with three national Japan Bowl championships and one national runner-up.
The Japanese Olympiad of Indiana is an academic competition for second, third. and fourth-year students with categories including speaking, culture, kanji characters, proverbs, listening, geography, history, and onomatopoeic expressions.
The CHS second-year team of Brooklyn Guivas, Michael Izguerra and Paxton Martinez defeated Carroll and Highland in the final round to win the state championship.
In the third-year division, the team of Marissa Roe, Emily Ponce and Dave Ruoff finished in third place behind Penn and Carroll in the final round.
Oliver Elliot-Halinski and Mitchell Miller turned in an excellent performance in the competitive fourth-year division. Carroll High School won the division, followed by Michigan City and Penn.
The CHS teams are coached by John Sparks and Akiko Tsugawa.
Liberty and Westchester Robotics
Westchester and Liberty Intermediate Schools competed at Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth, IN this past weekend in their final competition.
Most of the Liberty Intermediate teams achieved their highest scores of the season. LIS Team E qualified for the finals after finishing the qualification matches in 15th place. Team E, represented by Micheal Tarnow and Maverick Maupin (above right), advanced to the finals and their alliance placed 6th in the finals. LIS Teams A, D, E, and F finished qualification rounds in the top 25 teams for the day.
LIS
Drivers:CC Fryer, Michelle Holmgren, Mackenzie Nichols, Adam Anderson
LIS
Drivers: Hattie Hennigar, Michelle Holmgren, Maverick Maupin, Micheal Tarnow
Westchester Intermediate Teams B and E qualified for the finals after finishing the qualification matches in 9th and 10th place, respectively. They finished the day in 5th place.
WIS team D (at right) qualified for the finals after finishing the qualification matches in 3rd place. They finished in 3rd place.
WIS team A qualified for the finals after finishing the qualification matches in 2nd place. Unfortunately, they were defeated in the finals.
Congratulations to all Robotics participants on a GREAT season!
WIS Team A
WIS Teams B & E
CMS Robotics
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Duneland Winter Competition, Chesterton Middle School Team D won the Excellence Award. Team D members pictured above are Noah Hyde, Rosemary Hundt, Eva Solmos and Aiden Scobey. Excellence Award winners automatically qualify for the State of Indiana Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 23. For CMS Robotics, this is the first Excellence award of the 2023-2024 season.
Lucas Lauzon 6th at IHSAA State Finals
Congratulations to Lucas Lauzon on finishing 6th place at the IHSAA State Finals in One Meter Diving.
CHS Seniors selected for Japanese Speech Contest
Five Chesterton High School seniors, left to right, Summer Machnik, Nate Becker, Mike Schwab, Hailey Jalovecky, and Nicole Shinkle were selected as the final contestants to make a speech at the 38th Annual Japanese Speech Contest in Chicago sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan. The speech contest is for Japanese learners from elementary school to college levels from all the 10 states in the Midwest. The contest will be held on Saturday, March 23.
ONWARD TROJANS!
Duneland Student Artwork featured in 2024 Arts A Budding Exhibit
The 49th annual Porter County Arts-A-Budding student art exhibit will open on March 5 featuring the best artwork produced by students’ grades Kindergarten-8th in Porter County. Visual Art teachers from across Porter County have selected the top 11 pieces artwork done by their students during the past year. Hundreds of students’ art will be featured at this Best of Porter County Exhibit.
This exhibit may be visited from March 5-14, 2024 Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University Campus. A reception and awards presentation will be hosted for students and their families on Sunday, March 10 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University Campus.
Many talented young people have been recognized since ARTS-A-BUDDING began 49 years ago. It was started by Visual Arts teachers who wanted to honor students and encourage their creativity. This exhibit is organized annually through the volunteer efforts of these teachers and in cooperation with the Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University.
The 99 Duneland School students whose artwork was selected for the exhibit are:
Bailly Elementary:
Teacher: Anne Long
Axel Allshouse, Ezra Bobier, Liam Carlisle, Kayleigh Folliard, Morgen Hanna, Ruby Hiestand, Belluh Hudgins, Myah Mathiowdis-Davis, Emily Mercon, Cecilia Pol, Margaret Potrzebowski
Brummitt Elementary:
Teacher: Heather Connors
Layla Burdick, Nora Cotter, Addisyn Hamscher, Maddox Harris, Lily Kadar, Cameron Kretzmann, Sawyer Pocock, Anderson Ray Aguero, Annabelle Skurow, Jackson Thoma
Jackson Elementary:
Teacher: Sue Calkusic
Ian Mundt, Tucker McVicker, Trenton Hardsock, Averie Urban, Adelynne Dzugas, Lorelai Mitchell, Alivia Babbitt, Calvin Loew, Wyatt Mergl, Gabriella Edwards, Olivia Franco
Liberty Elementary:
Teacher: Aubrey Rose
Stephen Bareither, Killian Corder, Madison Curiel, Katherine Grgic, Hendrex Herrera, Anthony Johnson, Enzo Menconi, Ashlynn Wallen, Juliette Wegerich, Rowan Wellsand, Jocelyn Vargas
Yost Elementary:
Teacher: Jose Carrillo
Bexley Burkhart, Lily Christian, Cynthia Crots, Matthias Crots, Sam Ford, Delilah Lugo, Amelia McMahon, Madylyn Robb, Piper Rooney, Violet Ross, Charlotte Sandlin
Liberty Intermediate School:
Teacher: Brooke Sutter
Layla Adams, Sienna Caudillo, Charlotte Demsich, Parker Dudley, Isaac Higgins, Michelle Holmgren, Lily Huneryager, Nadeen Ibrahim, Joseph Maher, Lexi Tarin, Molly Rippel
Westchester Intermediate School:
Teacher: Paige Hart
Piper Adler, Allison Bryant, Marlo Colburn, Cian Duffie, Brenna Dunlap, Roxanna Frey, Sophia Hailey, Riya Patel, Victoria Rios, Olivia Vereb, Holly Smith
Chesterton Middle School:
Teachers: Jason Gast and Katherine Jones
Brittany Anderson, Alfonso Cortes, Tanner Glinski, Malakai Goodner, Rylee Juhasz, Thea Kirk, Alejandra Krause, Averie Kucala, Emery Ho, Brynn Law, Kameron Lutrick, Sophia Lugo, Charlotte Morgan, Layla Niewiadomski, Riley Nowicki, Milena Oresik, June Peterson, Audrey Roach, Ella Rone, Abby Roper, Katie Sim
State ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Results
Congratulations to Chesterton’s Gold-Winning State Competitors! Over the last few weekends, Band, Choir, and Orchestra students competed at the State ISSMA Solo & Ensemble contest to bring home Gold! Representing the Duneland School Corporation were CHS students under the direction of Matt Christensen, Jonathan Flodder, Brian Grenier, and Kristin Morris.
BAND
Band soloists who achieved a Gold with Distinction are: Lydia Comfort (Alto Sax), Rowen Love (Multi-Tenor), Katie Newbanks (Flute & Piccolo)
Band student soloists who achieved Gold are: CJ Adent (Trumpet), Jenna Bircher (Baritone Sax), Makayla Erickson (Flute), Liam Gray (French Horn), Will Liles (Alto Sax), and Archer Lohman (Bassoon).
Band student soloists who achieved Silver are: Nicholas Shade (Trumpet).
Livovich Trio earned a Silver: Liam Gray, Michael Livovich, and Nate Pace.
A Perfect Score!
The CHS Clarinet Choir had a Gold with Distinction winning performance: Sarah Bennett, Holly Decker, Abigail Elliott, Matthew Haubold, Kelsey Mason, Caroline Mills, Madelyn Street, Mary Toms, and Abby Vidt.
Mallet Trio
earned Gold with Distinction: Lillian Hardwick, Cece Post, and Aubree Williams
Low Brass Quartet
achieved a Gold with Distinction rating: Sam Ames, Jayden Hughes, Mike Schwab, and Dri White.
CHOIR
Julia Dietrich, CHS Senior, earned a perfect Gold with Distinction for a Vocal Solo.
Archer Lohman, CHS Junior, achieved Gold with Distinction for a Vocal Solo.
ORCHESTRA
Our Orchestra student soloists who earned a Gold rating are: Adrian Dooley (Cello), Mackenzie Griffith (Violin), Sam Smith (String Bass), Hailey Jalovecky (Violin), and Madeline Jakel (Violin).
Kooper Sutherland’s Violin solo earned a Gold rating with Distinction.
The Adcock Trio
earned a Gold rating with Distinction for their string trio. L-R, Adrian Dooley, Gage Adcock, Hailey Jalovecky
Advanced Orchestra Large Strings Ensemble
performed “Telemann Concerto in D”, and earned Gold with Distinction: Emmalise Adcock, Gage Adcock, Rebecca Adcock, Madison Buckley, Olivia Callaway, Claire Demeter, Elayna Doede, Adrian Dooley, Madeline Jakel, Hailey Jalovecky, Ira Kashyap, Chloe McGowan, Shea Ogle, Chloe Pablo, Isabella Ray, Sam Smith, and Kooper Sutherland.
IN APPRECIATION
Child Nutrition Appreciation
Help us celebrate National Nutrition Month and our DSC Child Nutrition staff beginning on March 1. Take this time to thank our Child Nutrition Associates for all they do in keeping our students nourished.
INSPIRE | ENGAGE | EMPOWER
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...
Exceptional Learners 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.
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
Duneland Early Learning HUB
This Week at the HUB
At Music and Motion on Monday, we sang songs about transportation vehicles. We danced with rocket ships, rode a train and played tambourines while driving a car. Music and Motion is on Monday’s at 9:30, 10:30 and 12:00. We have a Tiny Trojan Music and Motion class on Monday’s at 8:45.
During Trojan Tykes Tuesday, we read Freight Train by Donald Crews and participated in train stations. Trojan Tykes is a family story time and centers on Tuesday’s at 9:00, 10:00 and 12:00.
Mini-Movers is on Wednesday’s from 9:00-9:30 in our HUB gym. The children visited the LOVE centers in the gym and participated in an obstacle course. The centers were walking on the balance beam, throwing scarves, walking through the tunnel, up the ramp and down the stairs and hopscotch jumping with their feet in and out.
During Kinder Kids, we did calendar, read If You Give a Moose and Muffin and were involved in stations covering math, art, reading, phonics 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 if you are 4-5 years old for Kinder Kids.
Young Explorers is every Thursday from 11:00-11:30 outside at the Chesterton Park shelter. We will always have our nature based class as long as it FEELS like 25 degrees or more. We read Going on a Bear Hunt and created binoculars. We searched for bears around the playground and shelter with our binoculars.
This Friday, we have HUB in the NeighborHOOD at the Sunset Hill Farm for Meet the Animals. Meet the animals starts at 10:00 by the farm animals. Pack a lunch for a HUB community picnic and playtime on their new playground.
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 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.
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.).
SUNDAY, March 3
MS Cheerleader and Lifter Clinic
Wondering what high school cheer is all about? CHS Cheer is excited to offer a clinic for current Middle School students!! Sign up today for the Cheerleader and Lifter Middle School Clinic on Sunday, March 3 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the CHS Field House. Click the image below to learn more and sign up...
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, February 5, 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