WIS Weekly
September 13, 2021
A Message From Mr. Longacre
As you know, children generally enter puberty between the ages of 9 and 14. Around this time in their lives, they become more aware of changes to their bodies and the bodies of others, including body odor. Many students often feel self-conscious about sweating and smelling, but they can be reluctant to address the issue with an adult. Because Westchester strives to provide a positive environment for all students, we could use your help in reminding your child about the importance of healthy hygienic practices, including the use of deodorant.
Respectfully
Mr. Longacre
WIS Movie Night
Kona Ice
Fall NWEA
This Week at WIS
5th Grade
Language Arts
This week:
- Reading: We have reached the top of our Plot Mountain in the book Swindle. Our characters went on quite an adventure and still are struggling as our falling action takes place.
- Writing: We worked on the trait of Sentence Fluency.
- IRA: The book Crane Girl
Next Week:
- Reading: We will finish Swindle. We will compare the plot of the book to the plot of the Swindle movie. Character analysis will take place between the movie and the book.
- Writing: Trait of Word Choice
- IRA: We will begin the discussion over Conflict Resolution. Will our characters feel empathy? Book titles are: Desmond and the Very Mean Word and Thirty Minutes Over Oregon
Math
All 5th grade math students took the NWEA test this week. We then completed our first REAL WORLD MATH project: Market Math.
- We continue next week with lessons on exponents, powers of ten, multiplication patterns and finish with Quiz 3 on Friday.
Social Studies
- This week we began reading chapter 1, Ancient American Civilizations. The big question that we focus on while studying Ancient American civilizations is, "How does the environment shape how we live?" When we complete the chapter, students will answer an essay question on the test that relates to the big question.
Science
- Students continued to investigate using the scientific method. This week, the students conducted an experiment to see which brand of paper towel absorbed the most water (Bounty, generic store brand, school brand).
6th Grade
Students will be working with decimals for the next 3 weeks. Students will be comparing decimals, working on place value, and ordering them on a number line.
Language Arts
- Sixth grade students will continue to read and discuss their book club books. Groups are learning to share their understanding of the novel with group members. Classes are also navigating their way through Amplify and focusing on the details of specific moments in the works of Roald Dahl.
Social Studies
- O Canada....We have been continuing to learn about Canada's regions, provinces, and territories. Next week, we will assess students on a map of Canada and dive into the history.
Science
- We are beginning engineering design process in science. Last week, we built rubber band launchers to hit a specific target. This week we are using engineering design process to build catapults to hit a target. Both of these activities develop critical thinking skills and utilize STEM skills and techniques. We are also working on measurement skills utilizing electric balances, triple beam balances, graduated cylinders, rulers and protractors
Club Information
WIS B.I.O.N.I.C. Club
We are very excited to have the B.I.O.N.I.C. Club at WIS..
B.I.O.N.I.C. stands for Believe It or Not I Care. This club is for students who want to help others. Any student can join this club. The club helps others through different B.I.O.N.I.C. teams. There are 3 B.I.O.N.I.C. teams:
- The New Student Team - This team helps new students to feel welcome at WIS. The team members give the new students tours, help them at lunch, and answer any questions they may have. Students get paired with someone to help them out the first few days and then check in.
- The Loss Team - The Loss Team helps support those at WIS who are facing the recent death of a family member. The B.I.O.N.I.C. team knows that the following weeks after a death can be a tough time as the reality of the loss sets in. The Loss Team delivers goodies and a card to let the student or staff member know that WIS cares and is thinking about them.
- The Prevent Bullying by Just Saying H.I. Team - This team helps students when someone is being mean or bullying them. The team helps make WIS more welcoming. The H. stands for Help and the I stands for initiate contact. The team members are working to help educate the school about standing up to bullying to help it end.
The B.I.O.N.I.C. Club meets once a month on a Friday before school from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m and also does activities during the school day. Our first meeting will be Friday, September 17th at 7:30 a.m. If you would like to sign-up for the B.I.O.N.I.C. club, please fill out the Google Form. If you have any questions about this great club, please reach out to Mrs. Hurst.
Science Olympiad
Please click the button below to get more information and the application for our WIS Science Olympiad Team.
Duneland School Board Meeting on Monday, Sept. 13 moved to CHS Auditorium
PLEASE NOTE: This month's September 13 school board meeting of the Duneland School Corporation has been moved to Chesterton High School due to a facility conflict and to allow for more seating and social distancing at the event.
The Duneland School Board Meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Chesterton High School Auditorium, 2125 S 11th Street, in Chesterton. Please use Entrance 31.
Title I Night
Westchester Intermediate School is now a Schoolwide Title I school. With this in mind, we will be holding our annual Title I meeting for parents on Monday, September 27, 2021, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that each Title I School hold an annual Title I meeting for the purpose of: informing families of your schools participation
in Title I, explaining the requirements of Title I, and explaining the rights of parents/families to be involved.
We appreciate your attendance. Each student will choose a book from an abundance of books at the end of the presentation to add to his or her personal library at home.
Panorama Survey Parent Information
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.
Nurse Tina's Note
Dear Parent/Guardians,
Starting soon, Health Services at WIS will be conducting Vision and Hearing screenings. All 5th grade students and new incoming 6th grade students, according to Indiana Law are required to have their vision checked. Hearing testing will only be performed on 5th and 6th grade students that are new to Duneland School Corporation.
We are asking that if your student wears glasses that they have them on their person daily so that there will be no delay in getting their testing completed. If you have any questions, please contact WIS School Nurse, Tina Sosby, R.N. at 219-983-3710 or via email at
DSC COVID-19 Response Plan - Level Change
On Wednesday, Governor Holcomb released Executive Order 21-24 which directed the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to modify quarantine requirements for K-12 schools who mandate masks. The new guidelines indicate that when all individuals are masked, students and staff who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual do not need to be quarantined unless experiencing symptoms. Instead, close contacts will monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days while they continue to attend school.
Reducing the number of quarantines is essential to preserving 5-day per week, in-person learning and co- and extra-curricular activities during the pandemic. Since school started, over 450 students have been in quarantine (3,600+ days of missed school). At this pace, DSC will quarantine more than 4,800 students this year (38,000+ days of missed school).
In an effort to keep schools open and minimize learning disruptions related to mandated quarantine rules, the Duneland School Corporation will move to the “Quarantine Caution” level in the DSC COVID-19 Response Plan and require masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status for all students, staff and visitors, effective Tuesday, September 7, 2021. The goal will be to remove the mask requirement as soon as it is plausible to do so.
This change follows an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the school community and a significant increase in the number of students placed in quarantine. DSC schools are required to follow quarantine protocols established by the ISDH as outlined in the Governor’s executive order. By requiring masks, DSC looks to eliminate quarantines which will increase the likelihood of preserving 5-day per week, in-person learning and co- and extra-curricular activities during the pandemic.
Staff will provide students opportunities, as is allowed by state health protocols, to remove masks at appropriate times when eating, when 6-feet of social distancing is possible and while outdoors, as well as when participating in athletics.
The DSC COVID-19 Response Plan will remain a fluid document and can and will be changed as new information becomes available during the pandemic. DSC administration will continue to consult with Porter County Health Department, monitor active cases and adjust protocols as necessary.
NorthShore Clinic
Consent paperwork needs to be completed prior to an office visit. The paperwork is attached and can be completed prior to the visit to save time. If you choose this option, the consent paperwork needs to be on file beforehand. If returning paperwork via email, please send to: Shawn Kroft, skroft@northshorehealth.org.
Help us Nominate WIS Teachers of Excellence today!
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
WIS PTO
If you are interested in helping with the WIS PTO please visit our Facebook page to let us know. The Facebook page is also a great place to find out the happenings of the WIS PTO:
Job Opportunities in Duneland
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.
Westchester Intermediate School
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/
Twitter: @WIS_DSC