DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, May 14, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 39
'Grab and Go' Meals extended through June 30
Duneland Schools Child Nutrition and Wellness 'Grab and Go' meals for Duneland School students have been extended through June 30.
'Grab and Go' meals are distributed at Chesterton High School from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday through June 30. Meals consist of a lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day; except on Thursdays when families can pick up meals for both Thursday and Friday. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, there will no meals provided for students on Monday, May 25.
Vehicles will enter the CHS parking area through the entrance by the CHS Football Stadium. Follow signs to the distribution area and pull up to the curb for meal pick-up. Exit onto 1050 North.
DSC Strategic Plan Development - May 2020 Update
Please review a draft copy of Action Plans (charts) in the link below and three planning documents that helped inform the team during the process.
DSC asks the Duneland School community to provide feedback (affirmations, questions, concerns) to Melissa Jaeger, DSC Executive Assistant (mjaeger@duneland.k12.in.us), by Wednesday, May 20th. Action Plan teams will review feedback and make necessary adjustments before making a recommendation to the school board at the June 8th meeting.
UPDATED! Duneland Schools K-12 Student and Parent FAQs
Have questions about your child's education and learning process during the COVID-19 distance learning? Duneland Schools has prepared and updated this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on the website for your convenience. Visit K-12 Student and Parent FAQs
K - 8 Summer School Remote Learning Programs
Click on any of the links below to register your child for one of the Duneland Schools K - 8 remote learning summer school programs.
Click on the picture links below for more information and to register. Please register by May 20
Remote Learning Summer School Grades K - 5
Remote Learning High Ability Summer School Grades 1-4
Remote Learning Summer School Grades 6-8
Chesterton High School - Remote Learning Summer School
Chesterton High School is now accepting applications online for Summer School 2020.
Due to COVID-19, all summer school courses will be online for this year only. CHS Summer School 2020 is FREE for all students. Parents can enroll their student(s) in both sessions of summer school at one time.
For more information and to register online visit https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/46
Questions about CHS Summer School can be directed to Assistant Principal Kristen Peterson at kpeterson@duneland.k12.in.us
STUDENT ACHIEVMENTS
2020 National Merit Scholars Announced
Chesterton High School senior Gavin K. Dooley has received a National Merit $2500 Scholarship. This award is supported by National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.
Gavin plans to study mathematics at University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. He is the son of Joseph and Lesley Dooley of Westville.
Chesterton High School senior Gabriel P. Kroeger has received a National Merit $2500 Scholarship underwritten by Occidental Petroleum Corporation. Occidental Petroleum Corporation's two principal businesses consist of an oil and gas segment which explores for, develops, produces and markets crude oil and natural gas and a chemical segment which manufactures and markets basic chemicals, vinyls and performance chemicals.
Gabe plans to study computer science at the University of Alabama. He is the son of Paul and Kristin Kroeger of Chesterton.
Chesterton High School senior Aidan S. Li has received a National Merit $2500 Scholarship. This award is supported by National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.
Aidan plans to study software engineering at Miami University in Oxford, OH.
He is the son of Kenneth and Ginger Li of Chesterton.
CHS Alumni Association Announces Scholarship Winners
The Chesterton High School Alumni Association has selected five CHS senior scholarship winners for their first annual 2020 Scholarship program.
The Association had planned to give four $500 scholarships, but because the group had to the eliminate their annual banquet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to add an additional $500 student scholarship in lieu of the event.
The recipients of the first annual 2020 CHS Alumni Association scholarship are CHS seniors Paige Fowler, Hannah Grimes, Isabella Marchetti, Isabel Richey and Grace Whah.
"These students have worked hard and should be recognized for their determination,” said CHS Alumni Association President James Hall. “We are pleased to be able to help these students to defray the cost of their continuing education.”
In addition, these recipients will also receive a complimentary lifetime membership in the CHS Alumni Association.
Join the CHS Alumni Association!
Have you been thinking about joining the Chesterton High School Alumni Association, but just haven't gotten around to it? Would you like to help support the enhancement of the Duneland School Corporations' educational processes and scholarships for graduating seniors at Chesterton High School. Your dues in the organization and support of our fundraising efforts will help the group to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance.
Visit the Duneland School Corporation's website at this link: Download an application to join today.
DSC EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM 2020
The Duneland School Corporation is proud to announce the winners of the 2020 “Teacher of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” Recognition Program. The winners are:
ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Cris Petro - Liberty Intermediate School
Cris Petro, fifth grade teacher at Liberty Intermediate, has been teaching for the Duneland School Corporation (DSC) since 1996. She received her Bachelor's degree in science from St. Joseph's College in 1991 and her Master's in Education from Indiana Wesleyan in 2011.
She began her DSC career at Bailly Elementary School as a fifth grade teacher for four years before moving to the fourth grade where she taught for 18 years. In 2018, Cris transitioned to Liberty Intermediate School to be fifth grade teacher.
As an educator, Cris has always been active in extracurricular clubs and activities with students. She is currently a robotics coach; Playwriting, Producing & Acting club sponsor; Camp Invention instructor; Special Education Resource Fair Committee member and Agency sponsor/volunteer; intramural volleyball assistant and Military Care Packages and Letters sponsor.
Her accomplishments include: Runner Up for the June Scobee Rodgers National Innovative Educator Award; a four-time 5% Club Honored Educator; and International Student Media Festival Coach -- State Champs in 2004 & 2005 and Judges' Favorite at Internationals in 2005.
SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Robert DeRuntz - Chesterton High School
Robert DeRuntz, Chesterton High School Social Studies teacher, has been teaching for Duneland Schools since 1995.
Bob studied European History and Law abroad in the Netherlands in 1992. In 1995, he received his Bachelor's degree in Education, History from Ball State University and a Master's degree in History in 2003 from Purdue University.
His accomplishments include an Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship in 2001 and 2014 and being selected as a 5% Club Honored Educator numerous times. For the past 20 years, Bob has traveled the U.S. with students in the Trail Bound program - a summer travel and learning experience for students to study our historic sites and hike our national parks.
Since 2003, he has constructed a living history Civil War encampment at CHS, through which 500 US History students are annually 'drafted' into the Union army. The Civil War Camp includes tents, equipment, period clothing, weapons and food cooked for the students over an open fire. This has become a CHS tradition that everyone looks forward to each year.
Bob has served as a member and a Building Representative of the Duneland Teachers Association for 25 years. For the past five years, he has served as the Chairman of Negotiations.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Nicole Moloney - Bailly Elementary School
Nicole Moloney has worked for Duneland Schools since 2010. She began her career at Duneland as a lunch and recess aide at Bailly Elementary School and in 2013 she transitioned to administrative assistant to the principal.
Prior to coming to Duneland Schools, she was a medical office administrator for Associates in Neurology, PC in Valparaiso for six years.
Nicole is a 1996 graduate of Chesterton High School.
2020 Teacher and Employee of the Year Sponsors
Each of the winners received a $500 monetary award from the following local sponsors:
McColly Real Estate (Paul Boyter) – Elementary Teacher of the Year
1st Source Bank – Secondary Teacher of the Year
Ellis Electric Inc. – Employee of the Year
In addition, a plaque honoring the winners will be on display at the Duneland School Corporation Administration Center.
To see the DuneNews Special Edition highlighting all of this year's finalists visit: https://www.smore.com/duf6x
CHS Announces Class of 2020 Tentative Events
Possible CHS Senior Class of 2020 Events in July
The Chesterton High School (CHS) administration is working on tentative plans to hold three senior events set for July to celebrate the Class of 2020! Please read below for details of these tentative plans.
In addition, if a student still wants to order a yearbook for the 2019-20 school year, they have until May 15. Follow this link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1073346/Chesterton-High-School/2020-Yearbook/2019071104361373390/CATALOG_SHOP/
*CHS will not know the specifics of each of the events listed below or if is possible to hold any of them until officials know where Porter County stands on guidelines for large gatherings on July 4. These events will be dependent on what will be allowable per the Governor's orders. School officials will keep students and families informed about changes, details and updates for each of the events listed below. Families are cautioned not to make any plans that involve a cost for any of these events.
Class of 2020 5% Banquet*
Each year CHS celebrates the top 5% seniors based on their academic achievement. This is a special event where the top 5% seniors invite an educator, who was most influential in their lives, to attend the event with them.
Date: July 15, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: CHS
Class of 2020 Senior Banquet*
Each year CHS has a banquet for the senior class. This event is an opportunity to award senior superlatives and for seniors to say goodbye to their classmates. This event is being tentatively planned with some adjustments to assure that all students are safe. Due to the social distancing guidelines there will not be a dance at this event.
Date: July 17, 2020
Time: 6 pm
Where: CHS
Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony Plan*
The CHS administration is pleased to announce a tentative plan to hold a LIVE graduation ceremony for the class of 2020! We believe it is important to attempt to hold a live graduation ceremony for our students and community. This date is tentative, and again will depend on the Governor's orders for Porter County at the time of the event.
Date: Friday, July 24, 2020
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: CHS Football Stadium
Rain Date: Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Participants: Each student will be allowed to bring two (2) guests to the event. (Tickets will be given to students at a later date.)
The Graduation Ceremony will also be live streamed.
Students Helping Others
Girls Rising Club Donates to Westchester Food Pantry
UPDATED Duneland Schools 2019-2020 Calendar
CHS Coffee House is Back!
Chesterton High School talented students and staff hosted a virtual Coffee House talent show last evening. Please watch the immense talent that is bursting at CHS! Click on the link below to view the prerecorded program.
Virtual Interactive Show for Duneland School Families
Franciscan Health and Safe Kids Northwest Indiana have partnered with Tim Hannig from The Pro Kids Show to deliver a live virtual interactive show (assembly) for Duneland School families. Tim has made a career out of bringing positive messages and joy to kids and families. He has performed for the Chicago White Sox, the Country Music Association and twice at The White House.
This show, hosted by Franciscan Health, will air on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. Everyone experiences the show at the same time online and accesses the show via a live weblink. Franciscan Health will also include child safety information and infection prevention tips. The information will be presented in a fun and engaging way. The program is best suited for elementary and middle school students.
Get all the details here:
http://timhannigentertainment.populr.me/porter-county-family-show-may-20-6pm
Student Device Updates for DSC Families
As Duneland School Corporation (DSC) prepares a variety of instructional plans for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond, the intent of this message is to provide clarity on our current 1:1 device plan and provide insight into how DSC may transition into a sustainable long-term model over the next couple of years. This summer, students will keep their current learning device (iPad or PC) for continued use during the 2020-2021 school year (see chart at the end of this document organized by current grade level). Current filtering practices and security software will remain active over the summer.
DSC will continue to implement and expand best practices in face-to-face learning, remote learning, blended learning, and online course content development. As we move forward, DSC will be working to increase our understanding of personalized learning for students while ensuring equity for all students when it comes to accessing content, resources, and learning opportunities whether in person, remotely, or in a hybrid way.
Reliable learning devices will be crucial for our continued development and equitable access for all students. With that in mind, DSC intends to allow students to keep devices year round in 2020 and beyond. This is likely to impact family decisions on purchasing a computer for student use at home, in addition to a computer issued by DSC. While students will still be able to bring a device from home to school, they will be required to always have their DSC issued device in their possession while on campus.
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, DSC will include a device protection plan as part of student fees to aid families in guaranteeing needed access. This protection plan is expected to be in the $20 range depending on the device. At the end of the 2020-21 school year, devices purchased when DSC implemented the 1:1 initiative will have reached their end of life. At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, most students will receive new tablets or PCs. Over the next year, DSC will be exploring different sustainable long-term funding models for student devices. DSC will also continue to re-examine curricular resources at all grade levels and courses to best support student achievement while keeping costs reasonable for families.
Thank you for supporting your child's learning needs now and into the future.
Student Device Plan - Summer 2020
Grade Level in 2019-2020
Kindergarten
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 1st grade
1st grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 2nd grade
2nd grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 3rd grade
3rd grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 4th grade
4th grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 5th grade
5th grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 6th grade
6th grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 7th grade
7th grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- Students will use the same device in 8th grade
8th grade
- Students will keep their iPad over the summer
- As 8th graders enter 9th grade for the 2020-2021 school year, students will be required to return their iPad in order to receive their new CHS device. Information will be sent out over the summer.
9th, 10th, 11th grade
- Students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade will keep their Duneland Windows device over the summer.
- Students that have been issued a Chromebook will be required to return the device at the start of the 2020-21 school year to be replaced with a Windows device.
- Students that have never been issued a device will be given a Windows device for summer school or at the start of the 2020-21 school year.
12th grade
- Students that have a Duneland student device will be required to return the device. Students and parents will receive communication regarding device return.
Assistance for Families in Need
Club Connect: The Duneland Boys and Girls Club has available resources for Club members and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information visit https://www.bgcgreaternwi.org/club-connect/
Geminus Community Partners program, part of Regional Health Systems, has limited funds available to assist families who have been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This funding can assist with rent, utilities, baby needs, food, etc. for our families in Porter County.
Those in need may call the 24hr hotline at 888-357-4264. Someone will return the call during regular working hours.
Internet Connectivity
Families without internet due to financial hardship have access to programs from two local providers.
Comcast Internet Essentials:
Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Internet Essentials program from Comcast.
This program offers internet for as low as $9.95 per month.
Additional options and services are also available
More information is available at: https://www.internetessentials.com/
Frontier Lifeline Program:
Families that qualify for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and other programs may also qualify for the Lifeline Program from Frontier.
More information is available at: https://frontier.com/resources/discountprograms/lifeline-program
Contacting IT Support
The Duneland School Corporation IT department is committed to making this extended eLearning period as successful as possible. To get your problems solved as fast as possible:
- Open a Freshservice ticket here: https://duneland.freshservice.com/support/tickets/new
- AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
- Serial number is also acceptable
- 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
- Due to the closure, the IT Support hotline is not operational. Please use the above methods to contact the DSC IT Department.
It is understandable that there may be issues that cannot be resolved remotely. If you have a device that has sustained physical damage (i.e. cracked screen, broken keyboard), please fill out the form below. A drive-up IT service station will be opening up soon. After submitting the form, a member of the IT department will contact you to schedule your service appointment.
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
The 2020-2021 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us
Child Nutrition Services
To check out our school lunch menus click here
Not familiar with our Child Nutrition Services account payments and charging policy? Click here to view it now.
Have you read this month's publication of Nutrition Nuggets? This publication, a parent's guide to food and fitness for a healthy child, is available free on our Child Nutrition Services webpage.