CMS Friday Focus
Chesterton Middle School - May 7th Newsletter
Message from Mr. Hamacher
Good evening CMS families. This is Mike Hamacher, principal at Chesterton Middle School, with the Friday Focus.
In honor of Staff Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to thank the staff at CMS for all they do each and every day for the students at CMS. They have truly been heroes during these trying months of educating through the pandemic. I could not be more proud to serve the Duneland community alongside these wonderful professionals. Also, the staff is extremely grateful for the thoughtfulness and generosity showed by our CMS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) throughout the week. The PTO provided staff with all kinds of delicious goodies!
Chesterton Middle School continues to implement steps to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, language, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, social status, religion, or belief systems.
CMS is in the process of creating a Parent Ambassador Team. This team will meet periodically throughout the year to discuss school initiatives and happenings. More details will be forthcoming next week.
The CMS administration is meeting with students, parents, and staff to discuss the concerns about safety and inclusion. Meetings are ongoing.
The CMS Anti-Bullying Poster Competition is getting ready to solicit opinions from the community. I will be sharing a link next week asking for your vote, on the best entry, for both of the 7th and 8th grade submissions.
Thank you! Have a wonderful weekend!!!
School Safety
CMS has two full-time counselors. Mrs. Lamb is the 7th grade counselor. Her email address is dlamb@duneland.k12.in.us. Mrs. Herrod is the 8th grade counselor. Her email address is lherrod@duneland.k12.in.us.
CMS has a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). Officer Joe Christian of Chesterton Police Department is currently serving as SRO for CMS.
The CMS Tipline is up and functional for students and parents to use to notify school administrators about any social-emotional issue, safety issue, or any other concern. This voicemail will also be monitored regularly. The phone number for the CMS Tipline is 219-983-3765. In the case of an emergency and the need for immediate assistance, please call 9-1-1.
The CMS Tipbox has been installed in the hallway next to the cafeteria for students to anonymously notify guidance counselors of any type of social-emotional issue. The box will be monitored regularly. If there is a need for immediate help, the issue must be reported to the main office immediately.
I-Learn Testing Information
Students at Chesterton Middle School will take the ILEARN test, an Indiana state-wide summative assessment, in April and May. Please mark the dates on your calendar. Our hope is to have all of our students in attendance on testing days. Additionally, research shows that proper rest and a healthy breakfast help students focus. Please be sure that your children get ample rest the night before and eat breakfast. We provide free breakfast for students in the school cafeteria from 7:45-8:15 a.m. if needed. Thank you very much for your partnership in your child’s education.
Required Materials For Testing:
- Fully charged iPad
- iPad charger
- Earbuds / Headphones without Bluetooth capabilities
- Two #2 Pencils
Below is the testing schedule for Chesterton Middle School:
ILEARN Remote Learners Testing Schedule:
Wednesday, April 21st- 8:25-2:55 ELA ILEARN --Grades 7 & 8
Wednesday, April 28th- 8:25-2:55 Math ILEARN --Grades 7 & 8
Wednesday, May 12th- 8:25-12:30 Biology ILEARN—***only for 8th-grade students enrolled in the high school credit Biology Honors course
ILEARN In-Person Learners Testing Schedule:
ELA & Math ILEARN- April 6th -Practice Test-school wide, period 1 --Grades 7 & 8
ELA ILEARN- April 19th & 20th-testing will take place during English class –Grades 7 & 8
ELA ILEARN- April 22nd & 23rd -testing will take place school-wide, period 1 –Grades 7 & 8
Math ILEARN- April 29th-30th & May 3rd-testing will take place during Math class -Grades 7 & 8
Math ILEARN- May 4th- testing will take place school-wide, period 1
Biology ILEARN---------Only for 8th-grade students currently enrolled in Biology Honors---------
Biology ILEARN- May 6th - Practice Test- - during Biology class
Biology ILEARN- May 11th- period 1 with Biology teacher
2021 Summer School PE will be IN-PERSON!
DSC Remote/Virtual Learning Interest Survey (2021-2022)
Duneland Families,
The Duneland School Corporation (DSC) intends to be back to 5-day per week, in-person learning to begin the 2021-22 school year on August 11th. With that in mind, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many challenges for students, parents, teachers, and staff. One of the more challenging aspects of the pandemic has been delivering remote/virtual education opportunities for students. The DSC recognizes that virtual/remote instruction has worked better for some students than others. The DSC also recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic may change the way students/parents think about learning environment options moving forward.
The DSC is investigating the interest level of students/parents in a tuition-free off-campus remote/virtual education program for students in grades K-12 for the 2021-22 school year. There are a number of implications to providing a virtual opportunity for students, not because of a crisis or pandemic, but because of demand from DSC families. It is clear the Indiana state legislature will continue to promote school choice and the concept of "dollars following the student" as the base component of the school funding formula. As a result, the DSC is compelled to examine different learning environment options based on market-driven factors with attention being given to the quality of instruction, curricular resources, social-emotional support, etc.
If there is interest, the DSC will attempt to develop a financially scalable model to support the wishes of students and parents. The first step in this process is to survey DSC families to gauge their interest in a virtual option for students that may be best served in a nontraditional learning environment. The tentative format of the program can be found at the link listed below.
Please take a few moments to complete this non-binding survey.
DSC 2020-2021 Calendar Changes
ATTENTION PARENTS:
The Duneland School Corporation has made TWO (2) changes to the 2020-2021 DSC Calendar.
- Since there are no elections scheduled in Porter County on Tuesday, May 4, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on May 4 will be moved to Wednesday, May 5.
- In order to provide time for teachers to submit student grades, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on Wednesday, June 2 will be moved to the last day of the school year for students on Friday, June 4.
CMS PTO
2020-2021 Yearbooks
There is still time to order a yearbook for your student! Follow the link to be directed to the Jostens website to place your order.
Yearbooks will all be ordered online, but will be distributed at school the last days of school.
Don't let your student be left out! Order today here.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL at CMS
CMS has begun integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum to meet the new Indiana state competencies. Research has shown that social-emotional learning interventions increase academic performance. Social-emotional learning is also important in helping students develop the skills employers are seeking in job candidates. SEL activities take place during a student's Health Class and SRT.
Click HERE to see what we will be doing each week!
SEL in Action
The 8th grade students are writing a poem based off of visual imagery from watching relaxing videos. The assignment directs them to a website that has a variety of calming videos, such as an aquarium or tropical beach. Students were to watch the video for at least five minutes both for a brain break and to immerse themselves in the calming atmosphere. Once done, students jotted down sounds, sights, etc. that made them feel relaxed. Students then used those words to write a poem that puts them back in that setting. The goal being producing a poem that has that same sense of relaxation and calm the videos produce. It also introduces students to a valuable stress releasing tool that they can use for future situations.
Parent and Student SEL Tips
Parents
We are in the midst of the heavy state testing sessions! We know that these testing situations can increase anxiety, and we are working hard to help our students remain calm in the testing environment. Check out the image below that includes tips on helping your student reduce testing anxiety.
Students
The student council members came up with this newsletter with helpful tips and tricks all by themselves!
Guidance Department
Feeling stressed? Need a break? Take a trip to CMS Virtual Mindfulness Room!
21st Century Scholar Program - the 21st Century Scholar Program provides Indiana income eligible students an opportunity for a college scholarship that covers tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 4 years.at an Indiana college or university. The program supports students and families to provide the tools for college, on time graduation and a start toward a successful career path. This scholarship is awarded annually and does not cover the cost of books and supplies. It also does not cover room and board but provides support and resources to help the scholar find ways to pay for these additional costs. Please visit Scholars.IN.gov/enroll for more information.
Student Services and Information (SSI) - Just a reminder that all students have access to the canvas course with one of the resources being the CMS guidance /counseling office. Parents who have set up Parent Observer accounts are able to receive information from the guidance/counseling office via canvas. Students can schedule appointments or email with his/her counselor through the canvas course.
Student Achievements
Duneland Art Show
These honored students, along with their families and friends, are invited to an opening reception. There will be 2 receptions and times allotted for different grade levels to accommodate for Covid regulations. This will limit the amount of people in the gallery at the same time. If you have multiple students from the same family in the art show, please pick one of the times to attend. Duneland School Corporation Art Exhibit 2021 OPENING RECEPTION for Jackson Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Liberty Intermediate School, & Chesterton Middle School May 11, 2021 From 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Recommended times are as follows: K-2 6:00 - 6:30 3-4 6:30 - 7:00 5-6 7:00 - 7:30 7-8 7:30 - 8:00 At The Chesterton Art Center The Art Exhibit may be visited: May 6, 2021 – May 26, 2021 Monday-Friday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday-10:00am to 2:00pm, Sunday-Closed Munster Art show awards is Friday May 7 at 530. Link will be here https://www.southshoreartsonline.org/
Trojans of the Week
The Incredibles Team Trojan of the Week
The Guardians of the Galaxy Team Trojan of the Week
Jayden Cook works very hard in class and is very creative with his science projects. He is a very respectful and polite student.
The Justice League Team Trojan of the Week
The All Star Squadron Team Trojan of the Week
This week's All-Star award goes to Chloe Pablo! All of Chloe's teachers are grateful for the worker and student that Chloe is. They have noted her as being responsible who does what needs to be done to achieve high standards. Chloe is a hard worker who rises to the occasion set before her in order to succeed. She's an all-round All-Star! Congratulations, Chloe! Keep up the remarkable work! Chloe chose to not have her photo taken.
The Avengers Team Trojan of the Week
The Titans Team Trojan of the Week
The X-Men Teams Trojan of the Week
The Incredibles Team Trojan of the Week
Congratulations Robby!
Technical Support
NEW! After-Hours IT Support
Duneland School Corporation is happy to announce that we will now be offering after-hours technical support to our Duneland School community. Call 219-983-3759 Tuesday-Thursday until 7:00 PM.
Internet Access
Please click on the following link for information regarding help for accessing the internet from home. Internet Access for Duneland School Corporation Families
Upcoming Events
May 10
Tennis Match vs. Pierce 4:30 pm
Boys Track Meet - CMS 5:00 pm
Girls Track Meet- @ Hobart 4:30 pm
Spring Choir Concert- 7:00 pm Goldsborough Gym
May 11
Tennis Match vs. Michigan City 4:15 pm
May 12
E-Learning Day
May 13
Boys Track Conference - @ Crown Point 5:00 pm
Spring Orchestra Concert- 7:00 pm Chesterton High School
May 14
Girls Track Conference- @ Portage 5:00 pm
CMS Football Fall 2021
DSC Athletic Camps
Chesterton Girls Summer Basketball League
Spring Football Camp
2021 CMS Spring Football Skills Camp
WHAT: CMS Spring Football Skills camp is for students
interested in playing middle school football next fall.
WHO: Current 6th (W.I.S. - L.I.S. & St. Pat’s) and 7th Grade
Students that intend to play Middle School or Pop Warner football next year!
WHERE: The camp will take place on the CMS football field.
WHEN: Monday thru Thursday [May 17th, 18th, 19th 20th]: Camp will
begin promptly at 3:30 and ends at 5:15!
COST: FREE!!
Coaches: Varsity & Middle School Football Coaches will instruct both
offensive and defensive skill development drills intended to prepare individuals for competition in Football.
Equipment Pickup: Equipment [Shoulder Pads and Helmets] will be fitted on
Wednesday May 12th (7th Graders) and Thursday May 13th (6th
graders) prior to the beginning of camp. Plan to meet at the football locker
room on the south side of CMS near entrance #11. Equipment handout will
run from 4:30 – 6:00 (after track) on each of these days!
We’re looking forward to seeing our Future Trojan Football Players!
Questions / Registration: Mark Peterson
Head Football Coach
Chesterton High School
219-983-3730 Ext. 7249CHS Girls Soccer for Interested 8th Grade Girls Has Begun!
Zoom meetings are Spring fitness workouts. You will need to dress athletically including shoes. They will be Mondays & Thursdays from 3:30-4:30
Zoom Meeting Link or copy and paste the following link in your browser...
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83884296986?pwd=aVh1M25WVmVzSTk1aUlFRUhuOWZQQT09
Zoom info is as follows:
Mondays - 3:30-4:30
Meeting ID: 838 8429 6986
Passcode: CHSgirls
Thursdays - 3:30-4:30
Meeting ID: 894 3898 4846
Passcode: CHSgirls
Remind Instructions for Girls Soccer Group below
7th Grade Boys Track
CHS Volleyball Summer Camp
Chesterton High School will host a Summer Volleyball Camp in the CHS Main Gym from May 24-27 for the following grades:
Grades 4th-6th (fall 2021): 4:30-6 PM
Grades 7th & 8th (fall 2021): 6-8PM
Follow this link to sign up for summer camp: https://form.jotform.com/210825263018146
For more information contact amber.mccaw@gmail.com
Athletic Events
Effective Wednesday February 10th Porter County has moved into the “Yellow” status. Chesterton Middle School will continue to remain at 25% capacity for home athletic events until further notice . The Porter County Health Department has implemented the following measures for K-12 athletic events to help slow the spread:
- There will be no concessions.
- No food or drinks will be allowed for spectators in the gym
- Masks are required at all times.
- Social distancing between groups of spectators is required at all times.
More information will be forthcoming as we continue to receive guidance from local and state authorities. Thank you!
Assessment
Indiana Department of Education
Health & Wellness
Please continue to notify the school if your child or family member tests positive to covid 19. When school resumes please notify the school if your student is symptomatic (Student Daily Screening Tool ) or is a close contact to a positive case. You can call the building at 983-3776 (x 4) or email the school nurse at mkirchner@duneland.k12.in.us with details or questions.
Department News
English
Seventh Grade Honors English classes are working on The Giver novel and completing several different multiple intelligence tasks with the story. One example was annotating the author's biography and posting a discussion on 3 pieces of information students learned about the author. Another example that students completed, was the creation of their perfect learning environments. They drew one with a pencil, and then duplicated it and added color. Students had to state which version they liked better and reasons why. They could use technology or opt to draw by hand.
Students in both Honors and English 7 brainstormed and wrote a short prompt on what their perfect worlds would look like. Teachers wrote the topics on the board, and as they read The Giver, they will learn whether their community within the text is truly a utopian or a dystopian society.
8th grade Honors English is wrapping up the 100 SAT Words unit with our comprehensive test tomorrow. We will continue working through the 10 sentence patterns in our Sentence Diagramming unit. We are also starting our last novel study of the year. We are about to immerse ourselves in 1960's culture as we begin reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
8th grade is reading “The Outsiders”. Students in Mrs. Becker’s English class have worked together to make a paper mural of the “Greasers” in the book.
Math
Science
Social Studies
8th grade US History classes are studying the causes and effects of the Civil War.
Mrs. Bullock's 7th grade students learned how to use chopsticks during our East Asia unit. (See photos below)
Teaching and Learning from the Media Center - Q4 Reading Challenge
Quarter Four (Q4) Reading Challenge is all about award-winning books. You must read four award winners, of your choice to complete the challenge. Fill out the Google Form as you complete a book. Read more about the challenge on the library website.
Reading a wide variety of literature is an Indiana State Standard 7.RL.1 and 8.RL.1
Clubs
Open Acceptance Club
Art Club
Trojan Times- Student Newspaper
CLICK BELOW FOR THE LATEST EDITION OF TROJAN TIMES
Do you fancy yourself a journalist? The Trojan Times meets every Tuesday 8:00 - 8:25 am in Mr. Tudor's room. You must have a permission slip on file prior to attending. If you are interested contact Mr. Tudor.
Reader's Club & Table Top Games
- Meetings are every Monday, in the Media Center from 3-4:00
- New members are alwasy welcome
- See Mrs. Gish or Ms. Graupner for more information
CMS Student Services and Information (SSI) Canvas course - Be sure to check out the video announcements for CMS students. Here you will find information about clubs, sports, events, birthdays, and more. Information is updated weekly.
Chesterton Middle School
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/15
Location: 651 West Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chestertonmiddleschool
Twitter: @CMS_Trojans
From Around the District
Housing Resources
School Meals TO GO! - Beginning on Jan. 6, 2021
Meals to Go changes beginning 1/6/2021
Meals will continue to be free for all children through the end of the school year. Beginning January 6, 2021 there will no longer be daily meal pickup. Meal pickup will be as follows:
IN SCHOOL LEARNERS
Students who participate in the In-School Hybrid Model will be eligible for Free Breakfast and Free Lunch each day while in school. An order form will be available online to preorder 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch to be picked up on the Wednesday E-Learning day each week. Meals can be picked up between the hours of 9:30am and 10:30am each Wednesday. The form must be submitted online by 9am each Tuesday to receive meals.
Wednesday Meal To Go Order Form
FULLY REMOTE LEARNERS
Free Meal Pickup for Fully Remote Learners will consist of 5 breakfast and 5 lunch meals with instructions to be prepared at home and will be distributed once a week on Wednesdays between the hours of 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. (Child must be fully remote to receive the weekly meals.) An order form will be available online to preorder meals. The form must be submitted each week by Monday at 9am to receive meals.
Remote Learner Weekly Meals To Go Order Form
Yost Elementary - 100 W. Beam St., Porter
Enter the parking area from Beam St. Go left down the hill. Stay left of cones and follow the drive around to the back of the building for meal pick up at the Food Service Entrance.
Chesterton High School - 2125 S. 11th Street
Enter the parking area from 11th Street by the Football Stadium and follow signage to the back of the building for pickup.
- Please pick up meals for all children in the household at one location.
- If you will be picking up meals for a child with food allergies, please contact the Child Nutrition Director, Tammy Watkins, at 219-983-3700 for detailed information.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of a cancellation of activities/programs on a Wednesday due to inclement weather, meal distribution will be conducted the following day, Thursday.
If picking up meals for a child with food allergies, please contact the Child Nutrition Director, Tammy Watkins, at 219-983-3700 for detailed information.
Visit this link to see the Remote Meal Menu with Heating Instructions
NorthShore Health Services
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services to establish a school-based health clinic that will be located in Chesterton Middle School. Please see the attached document for additional information and access to the consent form. Anyone interested in using the school-based clinic for their child will need to have a signed consent form on file. Please return all consent forms to Mrs. Kirchner, CMS school nurse, in the CMS clinic. NorthShore Health Consent Form
CHS Seeking Local Businesses for 2021-2022 Student Internship Program
Chesterton High School is interested in establishing partnerships with Duneland businesses who would be willing to host a CHS student in an internship position for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. If you have a business or know of any businesses that would like to participate in the internship program, please contact Chris Roof at croof@duneland.k12.in.us or 219-983-3770.
The goal of the CHS Internship Program is to provide students with structured opportunities to understand the relevance between classroom learning and the work environment while participating as productive employees/volunteers in a company or organization. These internship opportunities allow students to explore areas of personal and career interests, acquire the skills necessary to be successful employees, and to formulate goals and plans for their futures.
Help prepare CHS students for life after high school while they are still in high school
For more info view the CHS Internship FlyerCelebrate Your Favorite Duneland School Teacher- Teachers of Excellence
Kenneth J. Allen Law Group supports Northwest Indiana teachers who go above and beyond for their students and honors them for their outstanding contributions to education. To learn more about the educators who are Teachers of Excellence or if you know of someone who should be recognized as a Teacher of Excellence, please nominate him or her by following this link.
Summer Camp at Sunset Hill
Hoping to get out in the fresh air and do something fun this summer? Read more about Porter County Parks and Recreation's Camp Funset at Sunset Hill Farm Park. The Camp Funset application is available on their website.