WIS Weekly
September 12, 2022
January 2 , 2023
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!
A Message From Mr. Longacre...
Dear Families,
I hope the time over winter break has given you the opportunity to reflect on all the blessings in your life - your health, family, friends, loved ones, all the things you’ve worked hard for all year round, your career, and most importantly time.
Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. - Harvey Mackay
May this New Year bring happiness and joy in your life.
Respectfully,
Mr. Longacre
As always, please reach out to me anytime.
SCHOOL MEALS: No Longer FREE For ALL Students
- School meals are no longer free for all students during the 2022-2023 school year unless you qualify for free meals through the free or reduced-price meal benefit.*
- Please note: Parent/Guardians who owe money for their child(ren)’s meals, will receive an email each day with the amount owed. Those emails will be coming from the cafeteria computer software and will show up with Solana as the sender. Excessive negative balances can be turned over for collections.
Current Meal Prices:
Elementary/Intermediate Breakfast Price - $1.45
Elementary/Intermediate Lunch Price - $2.55
Middle/High Breakfast Price - $1.60
Middle/High lunch Price - $2.95
Parent/Guardian’s can also put money on their child’s meal account through the following link: MyPaymentsPlus
*To see if you qualify for free or reduced price meals you must fill out an application. Applications can be found on the DSC Child Nutrition webpage or by calling your child’s school.
eLearning Information for 2022-2023
eLearning Updates for 2022-2023
Please read and make yourself aware of the updated eLearning guidelines. The biggest change will be how lessons are coordinated on unscheduled eLearning days. On these days, students will take part in Google meet sessions with their teachers to receive face to face instruction. Teachers will post schedules by 9:00 A.M. on the eLearning day.
2022-2023 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
Welcome back to WIS Officer Joe
A look into WIS classrooms...
5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
This week marks the start of the 3rd Quarter and we are excited for all the upcoming topics to cover in Language Arts. Before break, we finished reading a beautiful IRA story, Ada’s Violin, and got to see news stories and videos about their “Recycled Orchestra” in Paraguay. All our students also had a chance to orally present their persuasive pet essays.
We will start off this week with a new batch of Storyworks articles and an IRA book a day to get back in the swing of things. Soon we will be starting a new novel!
Math
We finished the first semester with a quiz on Dividing Decimals and then had a “Math Day” on Friday. Students rotated to each math class and did an activity in that class.
January brings us to Order of Operations and then a LONG multi-part unit on Fractions. We will be adding and subtracting as well as multiplying and dividing fractions.
Social Studies
- Students will be studying the events that led to the American Revolution. We will be examining primary and secondary historical documents and completing hands-on activities throughout the unit. Be sure to ask your child what they are learning in social studies.
Science
- We have definitely developed our engineering skills! The students were given the challenge to create a zip line cart that would safely get our “elf” to the bottom! In order to win the challenge, the cart needed to reach the bottom in 5 seconds or less! We had so much fun!! Hopefully your student has enjoyed the challenges!
- The next unit we will start will be States of Matter!
6th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
This week 6th grade ELA students will focus on the following standards this week:
- 6.RN.3.3
- I can explain how the author’s perspective and purpose in a nonfiction text is conveyed
- 6.RN.2.2
- I can determine how a central idea develops over the course of a nonfiction text
- I can summarize a work of nonfiction
- Honors ELA students will continue their study of Robinson Crusoe.
Math
6th grade math students worked on algebraic expressions and equations. Students took a CFA just prior to break. Math students focused on solving for variables across all four operations. Students ended the week with a review of previously taught material through a Canvas choice board.
We hope everyone had a safe break and that students come back resolving to be ready to learn: having their books, pencils, charged iPads, and homework.
Social Studies
- This week students will read about current events in our Junior Scholastic subscription. They will begin with an article about three Ukrainian teens who share their firsthand accounts of Russia's attack on their country. In addition, students will learn how the First Amendment safeguards important individual liberties and how it applies to Americans' lives today. Later in the week, we will introduce ancient Rome. They will read and discuss the struggles between the patricians and plebeians, and how they shaped the government of Rome.
Science
- Welcome back. We hope everyone had a relaxing break. As we begin the 3rd quarter, we will continue our exploration of space. We will begin with the study of eclipses and tides. We will use interactive teaching tools like Nearpod to check for understanding. Students will be able to use the notes they take in class to take a quiz on Thursday or Friday (depending on their block).
WIS Holiday Week Recap
Mark your calendar...
Jan. 3rd
Classes resume from Winter Break
Jan. 6th
Report Cards accessible online at 3pm
Jan.16th
MLK - No School
Jan.23rd
Teacher Work Day - No School
Intramural Basketball Sign-Ups
We are pleased to offer our students an opportunity to play Intramural Basketball at WIS. Intramural Basketball will consist of ball handling, shooting drills, and, of course, playing basketball. We are planning to run our after-school program for girls Monday thru Thursday from January 30th to February 16th, from 3:15 P.M. - 4:15 P.M. The boys' program will practice on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 21st thru March 20th. Students will be picked up from door 8 on the north side of the building. Players will need to wear athletic clothing and athletic shoes to play.
If your child is interested in participating this year please complete the following form:
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Doolin at bdoolin@duneland.k12.in.us, regarding the boys' program, or Mrs. Guess at kguess@duneland.k12.in.us, regarding the girls' program. You may also call the school at (219) 983-3710.
Instructional Aide, Title I Paraprofessional, and Lunch/Recess Aide Needed
If you are looking for a position within the Duneland School Corporation, WIS in particular, please reach check out the link below. The positions noted above follow the DSC calendar and the school day. You can transport your children to school in the morning, home in the afternoon, and be available during all school breaks.
On Saturday, January 21, the Duneland Education Foundation is proud to host its 3rd Annual Trivia Night. The event will be from 5-9 p.m. at the Loyal Order of Moose 1623; 602 Broadway Avenue Chesterton, IN 46304. Click on the video below to learn more about the event.
Helpful Links
2022-2023 Duneland School Calendar
(REVISED 6/6/22)
Skyward
Class schedules, grades, bus routes, ILearn, and lots more!
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/