DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, August 6, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 50
Reopening Schools: Message from the Superintendent
DSC Families and Staff,
Yesterday, messaging (link to letter from the Superintendent) was sent announcing the delay of the beginning of the school year to Tuesday, August 25. In that messaging, the possibility of a hybrid solution was proposed. I would like to clarify that if we opt for a hybrid plan as the mode for our in-person instruction model, it will not impact those who have requested the full remote model. The remote model will be offered during Levels 2 & 3 regardless of how our in-person instruction is structured.
Thank you
Dr. Chip Pettit
Superintendent of Schools
Reopening Timeline
- AUGUST 5:
Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit announces to DSC families and staff that he plans to recommend to delay school year to Tuesday, Aug. 25 - AUGUST 7:
Families are asked to register students for in-person or remote learning by the end of the day on Friday, August 7. This will allow for staffing assignments and class balancing to occur before students return to school. - AUGUST 10:
Recommendation to Delay School Year to Tuesday, Aug. 25
Duneland School Corporation (DSC) administration will submit a recommendation to the school board for approval at the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Monday, August 10 to delay the start of the school year to Tuesday, August 25 either in Level 3 or 4. - AUGUST 18:
A final LEVEL determination will be made and announced to DSC families and staff. - AUGUST 25:
School to begin either in Virtual/Remote Learning Model (Level 4), or Virtual/Remote and In-Person Hybrid* model (Level 3) based on LEVEL determination made on August 18.
*Hybrid Model: Some students would be in the building while others would participate in virtual learning. These groupings would spend equal amounts of time learning in the school building and at home in Canvas.
DSC COVID-19 Support Center
Duneland Schools Honor Additional Teacher Retirees
Don Justak - Westchester Intermediate School 6th grade Teacher (47 years at DSC)
In addition to his teaching, Don enjoyed coaching track, cross country and basketball at WMS and CMS in past years. He also coached track and JV/Varsity basketball at CHS.
Don express that he loved teaching Social Studies and Science. He also served as the department science chair and sponsored the school newspaper.
He is currently enjoying his retirement with his wife of 52 years, his children and his six grandchildren.
Karla Allmon - Chesterton High School Math Teacher (26 years at DSC)
Karla expressed that 'Duneland has been one of the most amazing places to work.' She feels lucky to have had such amazing co-workers and supportive work teams and expressed that she could not have asked for a better place to end her teaching career.
Although she hasn't quite accepted the fact that she is now retired, she plans to spend more time with her 10-month old grandchild, family and friends. She is looking forward to sight-seeing and enjoying everything with her husband when he joins her in retirement next year.
'Grab and Go' Meals - EXTENDED Until School Begins
Duneland Schools Child Nutrition and Wellness 'Grab and Go' meal pickup for Duneland School students will continue until the school year begins.
Meal pickup will continue to be available each Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Curbside pickup will take place at CHS in the back of the building. Enter from 11th St., follow the drive around back just past the tennis courts and line up along the curb.
The 'Grab and Go' meal program that Duneland Schools is currently conducting is able to feed any Duneland School student regardless of their economic status.
As part of the Registration process this year, each family will be asked to select an instructional model (in-person or remote) for their student(s).
PLEASE NOTE: If you are having issues with the online registration process, please contact your student's school.
GRADES K-6 OPEN HOUSES
Kindergarten Kick Off Days and Times
Kindergaren Kick Off Presentation Topics:
Additional Open House Info:
Elementary and Intermediate
- Will have digital open houses prior to the start of school: Pre-recorded video that includes a message from the principal, counselor, teachers, etc. virtual tour of building, etc. (Will also be posted on each school’s web page for future viewing)
- Principals will send video to families via Skylert as part of their weekly messaging on August 7 or 10, 2020.
- In-person open houses will be held during August through September;
- For families new to Duneland (or for any families requesting), principals will work with school staff to coordinate device distribution, as well as to arrange tours of the buildings.
Chesterton Middle School Welcome Back
Reentry Plan 2020-2021
Important Information for Parents
Student Expectations for 2020-2021
Health Services
2020-2021 School Handbooks
Breakfast and Hot Lunch Program
School Supplies Lists K-8
Transportation Information
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 this Comcast link
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 this Frontier link
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 new Freshservice ticket:
- 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.
Device Repair
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 Schools Spirit Store
Did you know that Duneland Schools has an online Spirit Wear Store where you can buy your Duneland spirit wear?
Purchase your CMS/CHS student P.E./Strength Training uniforms (shorts and t-shirts) online and arrange to have them delivered to your home or pick up at the store.
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.
Duneland School Corporation
Inspire | Engage | Empower
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