DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, August 26, 2021 Vol. 56 No. 5
Evacuation Chair Training at Yost Elementary
COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies in the Duneland Schools
Since the start of the school year on August 11, DSC has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 in our schools. Information about case counts can be found by clicking on the COVID-19 Info page on the corporation website.
As we move through another school year during a pandemic, it is important to emphasize the mitigation efforts that are in place in DSC buildings.
Face Coverings (Schools): In accordance with CDC & ISDH guidance, DSC strongly encourages the use of face coverings in school buildings. Face coverings are recommended to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 from individuals who are within close proximity of one another. In addition, the use of face coverings reduces the number of quarantines when contact tracing measures are conducted since the guidelines allows tracers to use a 3-foot radius as opposed to a 6-foot radius when determining close contacts.
Face Coverings (bus): A Federal order requires all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings on school buses until further notice.
Staying Home When Sick: DSC students and staff members are strongly encouraged to self-screen before arriving at school/work each day. Students and employees exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms without being otherwise explained should stay home and consult their healthcare provider.
Social Distancing: DSC encourages social distancing when possible. Effective social distancing, especially when coupled with face covering usage, reduces the number of quarantines in the school setting.
Isolation and Quarantine: Indiana Executive Order 21-19 requires K-12 educational institutions to implement contact tracing measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by isolating those testing positive for COVID-19 and quarantining unvaccinated of close contacts.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 shall isolate, including exclusion from schools for at least 10 days following the onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic, at least 10 days from the date of collection of the positive test.
Asymptomatic individuals, unless fully vaccinated or recovered from a COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days, who are identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case shall quarantine for 10 days after the date of last exposure, following additional precautions for days 11-14.
Testing is recommended for all close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Close contacts who test positive, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, should be managed as a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Individuals who are fully vaccinated (i.e., two weeks have passed since final vaccination dose), are not required to quarantine if exposed. Fully vaccinated individuals who are exposed to a COVID-19 case should monitor for signs and symptoms, get tested on days 3-5 following exposure, and wear a mask for 14 days or until they receive a negative result. If symptoms develop, they should isolate and get tested.
Ventilation: DSC is increasing circulation of outdoor air as much as possible. MERV 13 air filters are being used in all applicable units and are replaced on a more frequent basis.
Cleaning and Disinfection: Frequent disinfecting of high-touch surfaces takes place on a regular basis. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol is available throughout DSC buildings.
Vaccination: DSC encourages all eligible individuals to consider a COVID-19 vaccination.
(Effective August 26, 2021)
To assist in keeping all students current with their schoolwork during exclusion, DSC will be implementing the following educational opportunities for students:
DSC students who have been placed in isolation or quarantine will have access to follow along with their teachers and course work while absent from school. Teachers may select to use either a live feed into their classroom, via Zoom or Google Meet, or with lessons that may include pre-recorded instruction via Canvas and/or YouTube as their strategy to keep students current with their education. Teachers will not take attendance for students who are participating from home. Students will be responsible for the work they miss if they don’t participate.
If students or parents have specific questions about the opportunities provided to them to remain current with their schoolwork, they should contact their teacher(s) and/or building principal.
COVID-19 Dashboard
The DSC administration has established a COVID-19 dashboard that can always be found on our COVID-19 Support Center webpage. The COVID-19 dashboard (below) will now be updated once per day with all active cases reported, and/or will include cases removed from active status (conclusion of the 10-day isolation period). Daily dashboard emails will not be sent to families and/or staff members this school year. Below is the COVID-19 Dashboard with the latest update available at time of this publication. Please visit the COVID-19 Support Center for the most up-to-date posting.
DSC COVID-19 Support Center
DSC Response Plan 2021-2022
Relocating: Used Paper Retriever at CHS
Labor Day Holiday
DSC Strategic Plan Timelines
DuneNews Distribution
The DuneNews is emailed each Thursday afternoon to all Duneland families through their school related email address. It is also posted on our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us/dune-news along with all archived issues; and on the DSC Facebook and Twitter. If you are not receiving your emailed issue of the DuneNews each week please email Bridget Martinson.
Skyward Family Access Quick Guide
Need some help in navigating your Skyward Parent Portal? Here is a Quick Guide with helpful videos attached to guide parents in familiarizing and utilizing Skyward.
Important Information Parents Need to Know
DSC 2021-2022 Calendar
The Revised 2021-2022 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at Resources > Documents and Forms
Maroon & Gold Calendar/Bell Schedules
Parent Observer Account
Parents are encouraged to set up their Canvas observer accounts to monitor their students' progress.
Parents can click this link to view how to set up their Parent Observer Account
Link to the Canvas Log In
Daily Schedules
2021-2022 School Handbooks
Safe School - TIP LINE
Child Nutrition: 2021-2022 School Meals (FREE)
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted a waiver to allow ALL children under the age of 18 to continue to receive FREE school meals during the 2021-2022 school year. Read more...
Transportation Information
Health Services
SCHOOL MENUS/MEALS
*SCHOOL MEALS UPDATE*
Due to ongoing effects of the COVID Pandemic, many industries are suffering from labor shortages which is causing disruptions and shortages in the food chain. At present, Duneland School's Child Nutrition Department is experiencing unprecendented food order shortages causing many last minute changes to the breakfast and lunch menus. In an effort to communicate these changes to families in a timely manner, we ask that you please check this website daily for any changes to the menu.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these setbacks!
Visit the DSC Child Nutrition page
SCHOOL PICTURE INFORMATION
Student Fall Pictures for Grades K-8
BR. Sept. 15
JA Sept. 30
LES Sept. 23
YO Sept. 23
LIS Sept. 9
WIS Sept. 9
CMS Sept 3
CHS (See info listed below)
Trojan Virtual Academy (TVA) Oct. 4 from 2-6 p.m.
CHS Student Fall Pictures August 27
School Pictures at CHS for grades 9-12 on August 26 & 27 from 7:30AM - 3:15PM
English classes (or SRT or before/after school if you are absent in your English class)
There are NO separate senior photos.
LINK TO ORDER PHOTOS:
Chesterton HS, Web Link:
2021 Hall of Fame Nominations
The Chesterton Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2021 Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff Hall of Fame. Plans are to honor recipients at an annual Alumni Association Dinner Banquet in May 2022.
“Many accomplished and dedicated individuals are not necessarily in the public eye; they are the unsung heroes and quiet warriors among us impacting students and staff every day,” said Jim Hall, CHS Alumni president. “The 2021 recognition committee invites alumni, community members, parents and others throughout the Duneland community to submit their nominations.”
Please consider nominating a candidate for Alumnus, Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff based on the following qualities:
Excellence
Leadership
Respect
Exceptional Contributions
Citizenship
Giving Back
Collaboration
Courageous Acts
Advocacy
The CHS Alumni Association is accepting nominations for 2021 year through Wednesday, December 15 at 3 p.m. Those that wish to submit one nominee for each category must use separate nomination forms.
Nomination forms will also be available for pick up at the Duneland School Corporation Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Completed nominations may be submitted electronically to CHSalumniassociation@duneland.k12.in.us; by mailing to CHS Alumni Association,
PO Box 1063, Chesterton, IN 46304; or by dropping off the at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton.
Link to fillable nomination form (Just fill-out and print)
Link to Printable form
DSC Now Hiring..
The Duneland School Corporation is seeking candidates for the following positions:
CHILD NUTRITION
Child Nutrition associates provide nutrition services to students and staff. Benefit-eligible positions available. Apply online at Click to apply online
TRANSPORTATION
Duneland School Corporation Transportation positions (Bus Drivers, Sub Bus Drivers) require eligible persons to operate all school vehicles or (Sub Bus Aides) to assist in the transportation of all special students needing additional attention. These positions are highly responsible roles in transporting and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Transportation personnel interact with individuals both inside and outside of the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
CUSTODIAL
Duneland School Corporation Custodians are required to clean and sanitize all corporation facilities. This position has a highly responsible role in providing custodial services and dealing with students and staff on a regular basis. Custodians interact with individuals both inside and outside the corporation and therefore, must have the ability to present a professional and organized image at all times. Custodians may be required to work in other Duneland School Corporation facilities. Benefit-eligible positions available. Click to apply online
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Seeking substitute teachers for all grade levels. To apply for a substitute teaching position, please apply in person at the Duneland Administration Center, 601 W Morgan Ave. in Chesterton to complete an application.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten of Duneland
Ready, Set, Kindergarten is a program developed by Parents as Teachers of Porter County to provide school readiness skills to children who have had limited preschool experiences. RSK Duneland is being offered at all elementary schools within DSC.
RSK is a free kindergarten readiness class held once a week inside the elementary schools.
Please email rskclassroom@gmail.com for more information to enroll.
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 hybrid and remote learning models 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
- Please use the above best methods to contact the DSC IT Department.
Device Repair
In some cases there will 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. After submitting the form, a member of the IT department will contact you to schedule your service appointment.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
District Events are available on the Duneland School website at www.duneland.k12.in.us. Click on CALENDAR at the top of the page for a month by month calendar. You can even customize the calendar to see events for the schools your students attend.
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.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Duneland Boys & Girls Club Volleyball
Duneland YMCA hosts Girls on the Run for Grades 3-5
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