WIS Weekly
September 12, 2022
January 9 , 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,
Westchester is in immediate need of two or three welcome volunteers to greet WIS students at our doors in the morning. Ideally, we are looking for support from 7:40 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. on days school is in session. The role would be to welcome our students with a “good morning” and assist or direct them when needed.
Training for the position will be provided by Mr. Longacre. If you would like to take a more active role at Westchester by assisting our school community for a few days each week, this volunteer position may be a perfect fit for you.
Please contact the WIS office (219-983-3710) or Mr. Longacre (slongacre@duneland.k12.in.us) if you are interested.
Respectfully,
Mr. Longacre
As always, please reach out to me anytime.
Counseling Opportunity
We are very excited to offer a grief group for our students and parents/guardians. We are partnering with the VNA Phoenix Center. The group will take place after school on Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. for 6 weeks. It will start on Thursday, February 2nd and run through March 9th. It is free. The sign up forms will be available next week. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hurst, school counselor at mhurst@duneland.k12.in.us or 219 983-3710 ext. 6103.
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.
A look into WIS classrooms...
5th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Last week as we started Quarter 3, we focused on nonfiction text strategies. Students practiced identifying and highlighting main ideas and supporting details from articles in their Storyworks magazines while we also engaged in conversations as we read our daily IRA stories.
These key elements of priority standard RN 2.2 will be a focus throughout this quarter:
I can identify the main ideas of a nonfiction text.
I can explain how key details support the main ideas in a nonfiction text.
I can summarize a nonfiction text using main ideas and key details.
- This week students will begin their third novel of the year, Hoot, a Newbery Medal winning novel by Carl Hiaasen. This story is a humorous adventure in which a group of children tries to save the habitat of a colony of owls from being bulldozed.
Math
Last week we worked with numerical and variable expressions and order of operations. We had a short quiz on Friday over these skills.
This week we will begin our long unit on fractions by reviewing some fraction basics including: equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, and how fractions work on a number line.
Coming up in the next few weeks: adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions
Social Studies
- Students studied the French and Indian War by reading the text, analyzing a video, and completing an escape room. Students are learning how the French and Indian War brought about the American Revolution.
Science
- It was great to have students back in class and ready to start the 3rd grading period! Last week, the students spent a few days practicing customary conversions. Starting this week, students will practice identifying physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
6th Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Sixth grade ELA students will focus on the following standards this week using primary texts from our Titanic collection:
- 6.RN.3.3
- B:) I can explain how the author’s perspective and purpose in a nonfiction text is conveyed
- 6.RN.2.2
- A) I can determine how a central idea develops over the course of a nonfiction text
- C) I can summarize a work of nonfiction
- The honors ELA students will continue to read their classic novel. Last week we analyzed quotations, this week will be poetry!
Math
This first week of 2023 included variables, constants, and equations. Students spent time working on pre-algebra skills. Students need to continue working on math vocabulary and multiplication/division math facts. On Friday, students took a common formative assessment over equations. A final assessment will be given during the week of January 9th.
Reminder: We have reached the midpoint of 6th grade. Backpacks need to be purged of old papers. Students need to check their supplies. Restock on pencils, red pens, erasers, and paper. Students also need to bring a fully charged iPad to school as well as their charger.
Social Studies
- This week students will learn about the rise, decline, and cultural achievements of Ancient Rome. We will also discuss the rise of feudalism and how it helped to establish order and security after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Science
- During the week of 1/9/23, in science, students will be learning about lunar and solar eclipses. Students will be using various forms of interactive technology to help learn about the solar and lunar eclipses. It is important that students bring their notebook, book, a pencil and colored pencils with them every class period because we will be utilizing them regularly for in class activities and assignments. Students will be gathering data in an organized format to help them with an upcoming project about various planets. Students will also have a cumulative quiz on Friday that covers all of the items that have been discussed in space thus far. They will be able to use their notes for this exam, so they need to make sure they have their notebook with them and have familiarized themselves with the space notes they have already taken. Items on the test include information about the moon, tides, rotation , revolution, and eclipses and how these concepts all interact with each other and the Earth.
Related Arts
- This week in music class, fifth grade students are learning about the instruments of the orchestra, and how the different instruments may be used in their musical compositions. Sixth grade students are reinforcing their rhythm skills and learning major and minor chords so they can use those elements in their composition projects.
Art
- Students in art class are exploring the art of Asia. This week we will continue working on creating Chinese and Japanese pagodas. Students will be introduced to water color paints and various techniques. Art students will apply these techniques to their pagoda drawings.
PE
- In PE this week, we will be finishing our basketball unit with half court games, test our arm strength with the Flexed Arm Hang Test, and play a teamwork game called Castle Ball.
Health
- Mrs. Karagiannakis's 5th grade SRT and Mrs. Masi's 6th grade SRT have started their health rotation. They will be in health class until January 19. They will not have SRT during that time, and may have a bit more homework. They will resume SRT on January 20.
Mark your calendar...
Jan.16th
No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan.23rd
No School - Teacher Work Day
Jan. 19th
Meeting until 4pm
Meet in Mrs. Schmiegel's room
Jan. 26th
ASL Club Meeting
Meet in the Maker's Space
Jan. 27th
Invites will be sent Friday, 1/13
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.
Recess Donations Needed
Due to our ongoing construction during the next couple of winter months, students will sometimes have limited choices for recess activities.
Here's how you can help: We are looking for a couple of Nintendo 64 gaming systems and controllers so that we may offer students the opportunity to participate in some friendly lunchtime competitions. Games are also welcome as long as they are kid-friendly titles (e.g. Mario-Kart, Mario Golf, Starfox, etc.).
If you have a N64 console, controller, or game in working condition that is no longer needed, please consider donating it by contacting WIS Library/Media (983-3710 ext. 6171). Thank you.
WIS PTO Fundraiser
Duneland Corporation Counseling has been planning outreach events to educate Duneland families about the growing mental health issues among students in the K-12 population. A workshop focusing on teenage mental health will be held on January 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the CHS cafeteria. The informational program is aimed at parents, guardians, educators, and concerned stakeholders. Presenters ask that parents and guardians refrain from bringing their students to the event as the content is directed toward caregivers and aims to provide support strategies for those who work with teens.
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/