DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 49
Important Message from the Superintendent
DSC Families and Staff,
As we near the start of the 2020-21 school year, we are continuing to update the DSC Reentry Plan. Specifics on reopening will be determined and communicated next week by Wednesday, August 5th.
There have been a number of inquiries regarding student expectations in both an in-person and remote setting. We hope the guidance helps to answer questions and provide additional clarity.
Currently, 73% of DSC families have registered their student(s) for the upcoming school year with 73% percent opting for in-person learning and 27% percent choosing remote instruction. With such a high percentage of families preferring in-person instruction, DSC faculty and administration are compelled to work towards solutions to provide this environment for students. It goes without saying that this is a challenge in the midst of a pandemic. To that end, please review Porter County Health Department 2020-21 School Reopening Guidance relative to in-person learning experiences during the 2020-21 school year. In particular, please note two specific items (outlined below) in the guidance from the Health Department:
“Cases of COVID19 will happen in the schools. The schools will quickly work with the health department to identify close contacts of positive cases and allow for remote learning while the 14 day quarantine time is in place.”
“Because of the quarantine of close contacts, students should anticipate at least some time during the school year they will be out of the classroom for monitoring (isolation or quarantine).”
As we ready schools for in-person instruction, students, families and staff will need to be prepared for the possibility for intermittent closings and shutdowns that may only impact a classroom, grade-level or school. Students, families and staff may move into a remote setting (Level 4) at a moment’s notice. Should that occur, DSC will attempt to provide up to 2-weeks lead time when transitioning from a remote setting back into in-person learning (Level 3). In the event DSC receives guidance from the Porter County Health Department or Indiana State Health Department to suspend operations at a specific site, we will not look to close schools for months, 9-weeks or a semester at a time unless directed. As we prepare for reentry, it is paramount that students and staff stay home when they are not feeling well. Students and staff members should complete the DSC Self-Screening Guide each day. Please report symptoms and close contacts with your school as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. Chip Pettit
Superintendent of Schools
'Grab and Go' Meals - Summer Meals EXTENDED to Aug. 6
Duneland Schools Child Nutrition and Wellness 'Grab and Go' meals summer pickup has been extended! There will be additional pickups on the following dates:
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, July 30
Thursday, August 6
Meal pickup will 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.
CHS Trojan Charge Cancelled
Due to the difficulty in maintaining social distancing and the stage of the pandemic in Porter County, Chesterton High School has decided to cancel their freshmen orientation program, Trojan Charge, scheduled for August 3-6. The safety of our students is our number one priority each and everyday.
CHS will be releasing a virtual Trojan Charge for all incoming freshmen on Wednesday, August 5. All Freshmen are encouraged to view this when released to help them transition to CHS!
In addition, all incoming freshmen who still need to turn in their IPAD and receive a CHS issued device may do so anytime beginning August 3 thru August 6 between the hours of 8 a.m.-Noon. Please enter Door 1 to get your CHS school issued device!
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ALL CLASSES BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
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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
School Supplies Lists K-8
Daily Schedules and eLearning Days
Transportation Information
Health Services
2020-2021 School Handbooks
Breakfast and Hot Lunch Program
Duneland School Corporation 2020-2021 Calendar
Chesterton High School Class of 2020
Chesterton High School has released a Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony below:
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.
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