DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, October 20, 2022 Vol. 57 No. 12
STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Bailly Celebrates Respectful Leaders
Bailly Elementary students are taught three school-wide expectations: to be respectful, responsible, and safe. Each quarter, the whole school focuses on one particular trait. Quarter 1 focused on Respect - each teacher had the opportunity to select one or two Respectful Leaders. These are students who consistently treat others with kindness, follow the directions of teachers and staff members, and set a positive example for their peers. Congratulations to these students for their leadership!
- Not all students were present at the time of the photos.-
Students Celebrate Home Completion
Chesterton High School students enrolled in the Building and Trades program are celebrating the completion of their home project located at 1724 Tower Street in Chesterton, known locally as Crocker, after one year of the construction process.
Building began on the home project with junior and senior students in the 2021-2022 program. “We started this house as a collaboration with Brian Lewandoski, owner of A-1 Construction, who has been instrumental in providing the funding for the project,” said CHS Teacher Kevin Ortiz. In addition to funding the project, A-1 Construction makes a donation to CHS Building Trades after the house sells and that money goes toward purchasing tools and other necessities for the program.
The students started building the almost 1,100-square-foot home and 700-square-foot detached garage from the ground up in early October 2021. Students worked on the house during class periods in the morning and afternoon under the direction of Ortiz.
The Building Trades program is funded through the Porter County Career and Technical Education (PCCTE) under the direction of Audra Peterson. This year’s class currently has 34 students in its morning and afternoon class periods. Students who take this class learn all phases of the home construction process including: footings and foundations, framing the structure, roofing, insulating, drywall, minor electrical and plumbing, siding, painting, cabinetry, flooring, interior doors and trim, and landscaping.
“The experience I’ve gained in this program gives me a better opportunity to join the electricians union after I graduate,” said Joel Huijon, second year senior. Ortiz said that approximately 75% of the students that take this class go on to enter local unions such as carpenters, electricians, and operators. Others enter the residential home construction market in some capacity.
“All of the students participated in this project, the experience they get here will help them to enter the work force with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.” Ortiz said. Aside from framing the house and garage, and all the interior work, students were able to install metal roofing, landscape the property and put brick pavers between the house and the garage.
“I’ve only been in the program for a year, it's been a great experience and I can’t wait to learn more,” said first year senior Brady DeLong.
Now that construction of this home is complete, this year’s CHS classes will begin working on a new housing project on the adjacent lot in Crocker which should be close to completion by the end of the school year.
CHS Speech & Debate Recognition
The Chesterton High School Speech and Debate team has earned significant recognition from the National Speech and Debate Association. CHS has been named one of the Top 100 schools for the 2021-2022 school year. CHS ranked 58 out of more than 3000 schools nationwide. Due to the number of students involved in the program and the degrees they have earned through competition, leadership and service, CHS was named on of the top programs in the nation. This is the most prestigious membership awards the Association can bestow upon a school.
Students earn Honor Society points and degrees based on participation, which contribute to a school's strength points. CHS has also earned membership in the Association's prestigious 400 Club based on 404 or more strength points earned last year. This Club Award is remarkable because it demonstrates outstanding commitment to teaching students essential life skills - including communication, research, listening, writing, and organization.
Congratulations to the CHS Speech and Debate team members and coaches!
DSC Annual Winter Card Contest
DSC Announces Winter Card Contest for Grades K-8
The Duneland School Corporation will again host a Winter Card Contest for Duneland School students in grades K-8. Contest submissions are due on Friday, November 11. Winners from each grade level will be notified and invited to the Dec. 5 school board meeting to be recognized and awarded. Eligibility and rules for the contest are listed under district announcements on the Duneland website and are posted in the district’s newsletter DuneNews. All submissions are due to their respective school’s main office on or before the end of the school day on Nov. 11.
Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31
The National Family Partnership sponsored Red Ribbon Week, scheduled October 23-31, is the nation's largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign. In an effort to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities, several of the Duneland Schools are participating in this year’s National Red Ribbon Week Theme, Celebrate Life, Live Drug Free, by scheduling activities/events at their schools. This theme is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free!
CMS to Host Annual Veterans Day Program
CHS FALL MUSICAL - Nov. 17, 18, & 19
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium, 2125 S 11th Street in Chesterton. The amazing cast consists of 50 high school students, and a Children's Choir made-up of over 60 Duneland School students in grades 1- 8.
Based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis, “Joseph is sold as a slave by his brothers because of his ability to explain people's dreams. When the Pharaoh calls on him to break down a dream, Joseph predicts a famine and is made the Pharaoh's second hand man. When the famine hits, Joseph's brothers come to him for relief and have to pass a test to prove they've changed before he'll forgive them… A truly timeless Old Testament tale, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to a multitude of musical genres, spanning from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock and roll.”
Ticket prices are as follows: $10 for Adults, $8 for Students and Seniors, $5 for Elementary Students. Tickets can be purchased online only at Showtix4u.com
CHS Madrigal Dinners
The Chesterton High School Music Department will present its 50th Annual Madrigal Dinners on December 2, 3, and 4 in the CHS Cafeteria. All seats are reserved, and tickets will be on sale for $35 per person. Ticket sales will be online only and begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 5. Ticket sales will be held until no tickets remain or Friday, December 2, whichever comes first. There will be no exchanges or refunds. To purchase tickets, visit www.showtix4u.com
Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 2 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM; Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
The CHS Cafeteria will be transformed into a “Greate Hall” complete with Elizabethan settings and costumes for “Ye Olde Madrigal Christmas Feasts.” The Madrigal is set in the 16th Century and represents the traditions of the Christmas season through spoken and musical offerings. The cast of approximately 100 CHS music students dressed in medieval costume sing, play, juggle, amuse and serve throughout each of the six performances. The students and their directors, Vince Arizzi, Matt Christensen, Jonathan Flodder, Brian Grenier, Kristin Morris, and Laura Alonzo work each year to present a quality performance.
Included in the Madrigal along with the music and drama is a complete dinner. The dinner includes a relish tray, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, wassail, rolls, and dessert. A gluten free plate or vegetarian plate including dessert will be available with your request at the time of ticket purchase. The meal is prepared each year by the Chesterton Child Nutrition staff.
Speech & Debate Variety Show
The Chesterton High School Speech & Debate students will host their annual Variety Show on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door and $5 in presale (sold my member of Speech and Debate).
The Variety Show, a sketch comedy and talent show, will be a Halloween-themed event and costumes are encouraged for those who attend. Members of Speech and Debate write and perform the comedy sketches and the talent contest is open to all CHS students. Members from the audience will be chosen to judge the talent contest.
WDSO Relocates Transmitter
Earlier this week, WDSO’s Radio transmitter was relocated from atop the Chesterton Middle School, where it’s been since 1976, to its new location at the intersection of Tremont and Route 20. The new antenna will be raised to 367 feet high and have a broadcasting power of 190 Watts. The coverage is roughly the same, but shifted slightly to the east, along with the tower. The project was managed by Duneland School’s Special Service Director Greg Lindy, with the help of Radio Frequency Consultant Larry Langford.
WDSO remains a fully operational FCC compliant FM station. WDSO’s reach extends to some areas of Hammond to New Buffalo.
Fall Break Oct. 20 & 21
Student Progress Reports
The first grading period ended on Friday, Oct. 7 and report cards are available on the Skyward Family Access Parent Portal. Parents have the option of printing out their student's report card. Parents needing access assistance to their Parent Portal on Skyward, should contact their child's school directly.
NEW! Duneland School 2023-2024 Calendar
Planning ahead? The Duneland School Board approved the 2023-2024 Calendar at the October 10 meeting. Click on the image to download a PDF of this calendar.
Duneland Early Learning HUB
The Porter County CTE Early Childhood Education class (pictured above) came to visit the HUB last week. These students were out and about visiting day cares and early childhood programs as they explore early childhood as a career. We had fun showing them what we do at the HUB, reflecting on early childhood practices and answering questions. We hope to see these young students in the early childhood profession in the years to come!
Next week begins Quarter 2 at the HUB! We will be at the CHS HALL-o-ween and Downtown trick or treat events 10/27 and 10/28! Come visit us! We are still taking candy and non-candy donations for these events. Items can be dropped off to the HUB/Door 9 (CMS) through 10/26. Have a great fall break!
Check us out at https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/earlylearninghub!
2022-2023 eLearning Guidelines
Guidelines for Students 2022-2023 School Year
Follow the links below by grade level to find the appropriate Unplanned (Virtual - Synchronous) eLearning Day Plan for your student.
School Picture Retakes
Duneland School Picture Retake Dates
PICTURE RETAKES:
Brummitt Elementary - Thursday, Oct. 27
Chesterton HS - Friday, October 28
Chesterton MS - Friday, November 4
Liberty Elementary - Monday, November 7
Westchester Intermediate - Wednesday, November 9 (Revised date)
Liberty Intermediate - Tuesday, November 15
Bailly Elementary - Thursday, November 17
Jackson Elementary - Thursday, November 17
Yost Elementary - Tuesday, November 29
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
Click on the images below for more information on these camps and activities for students in our community.
Parent Meeting for Marine Bio Trip for Grades 9-12
For 16 years, the Chesterton High School Marine Biology program has conducted a summer SCUBA diving trip to Key Largo, FL under the direction of CHS teachers Dan Paff and Adam Schultz.
A special opportunity to participate in this program is now being offered to all current CHS students in grades 9-12. The dates for the 2023 summer program are Tuesday, June 20 - Saturday, June 24.
Trick or Treat at CHS
Chesterton High School Student Government will host their annual Trick or Treat event at the school on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m. Please use Chesterton High School Entrance #1. This event is for students in grades K-6. Entry per family is $10.00* (please bring a canned/non-perishable item to be donated to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry.
Chesterton Dance Football Kiddie Camp
Come out to the first ever Chesterton Dance Team Football Kiddie Camp on October 14! Dancers will learn a routine that will be performed at the CHS Varsity Football Game...
More student opportunities...
The goal of the Duneland School Corporation district school newsletters is to inform students, parents and the school community about school-related information.
This year, the Duneland Schools will share information that pertains to opportunities our students may be interested in outside of school on a special page on our website. These available opportunities are offered by not-for-profit partnerships and organizations within our school district boundaries and local communities. Follow this link to Community Opportunities.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR PARENTS
2022-2023 Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools
Please review the DSC Procedures for Delaying/Closing Schools in case of inclement weather.
DSC 2022-2023 Calendar
The REVISED 2022-2023 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
Looking for dates for NEXT school year? Here is the NEW DSC calendar for 2023-2024
CHS 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
LONG-TERM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Yost Campus
Liberty Campus
Westchester Campus
At the DSC School Board meeting on Monday, October 10, school board members and the public were updated by Scott Cherry of The Skillman Corporation on the work that has been completed in the last 4 weeks at each of the current worksites, as well as what will be happening in the upcoming weeks.
The most current information regarding the DSC Long-Term Capital Improvement projects, such as current concept drawings, information and preliminary timelines, are available on the DSC website. The information on the website will be continuously updated as we move forward with the process.
Community members may review the current Long-Term Capital Improvements information that will be continuously updated on the DSC website.
DSC Strategic Plan
The Duneland School Corporation Strategic Plan provides the focus and alignment for the school district over the next 3-4 year. These timelines were revised as of June 2022 to reflect the necessary adjustments to the plan.
Chesterton High School Class of 2012 - 10 Year Reunion
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
7 p.m. - Midnight
Moose Lodge, 602 Broadway Ave., Chesterton, IN
Looking forward to bringing the Class of 2012 back together! Join us at the Moose Lodge for fun and reminiscing.
Facebook Event link for more updates: https://facebook.com/events/s/2012-class-reunion/272780384952154/
Fee: $10 a person
Food and drink: Cash beverages, hot dogs, midnight snack at 9 p.m.
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. 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
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
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.
NorthShore Clinic for DSC Students
Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services and has established a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.
This partnership provides access to healthcare for ALL Duneland School students.
Some of the services include:
- Strep Throat
- Ear Infections
- Immunizations
- Sports Physicals
- Treatment for pink eye
- Rashes
- Behavioral health services and referrals
Duneland parents interested in using the school-based clinic for their child will need to have a signed consent form on file. Consent forms are available from your Duneland school nurse or can be obtained at the NorthShore clinic where the visit is scheduled.
Currently Open:
Mondays and Thursdays - 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Tuesdays and Fridays - 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesdays - 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
(Closed on school holidays)
Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment
601 W Morgan Avenue
Enter using CMS Door #7
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.
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
OCTOBER REFERENDUM SPOTLIGHT
Above, CHS IB students working in the Community Garden
On May 7, 2019, residents living in the Duneland School Corporation boundaries voted to continue a twenty-two cents ($0.22) tax levy originally approved in 2012, for the purposes of maintaining the current educational and operational programs of the Duneland School Corporation. This general operating referendum will expire in 2026. Each month, the DuneNews will highlight a different initiative or program being funded by referendum dollars. The Duneland School Corporation thanks the community for their support, and in turn, pledges to be innovative and responsible stewards. This month, DSC highlights our International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP).
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a challenging two-year program for juniors and seniors that focuses on an internationally-minded education. In congruence with other CHS courses, students take a combination of six IB classes, along with a “core” that involves an extended essay, a Theory of Knowledge course, and a service learning component called CAS, which stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. DP graduates boast higher rates of acceptance to universities across the nation. As well, due to the comprehensive skill development DP students encounter, they are better able to adjust to the rigors of university coursework compared to their non-DP counterparts.
For more referendum information, visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367
CMS/CHS Student PE/Strength Training Uniforms
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.
Duneland School Corporation
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