DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Thursday, June 4, 2020 Vo. 54 No. 42
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Five Chesterton High School seniors named National Merit Scholars
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced over 3,300 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.
Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. An additional group of Scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2020 competition to about 4,100.
This year, 167 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 92 private and 75 public institutions located in 43 states and the District of Columbia. College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced today are a part of the distinguished group of about 7,600 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth over $30 million. Earlier this spring, NMSC announced winners of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships.
Those additional five Chesterton High School National Merit Scholarship winners announced on June 3, 2020 are:
Purdue University is a state-assisted university system with students on five campuses. Among the 25 largest colleges and universities in the nation, Purdue's West Lafayette campus enrollment exceeds 34,000. Undergraduate education at the West Lafayette campus is organized by academic schools: Agriculture; Consumer and Family Sciences; Education; Engineering; Liberal Arts; Management; Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences; Science; Technology; and Veterinary Medicine.
Calvin J Anders has received a college-sponsored University of Alabama National Merit Scholarship in the probable area of Aerospace Engineering.
The University of Alabama offers over 150 undergraduate and 85 graduate majors through 12 divisions. A resident student body of some 18,000 comes from across the nation and over 60 foreign countries. The university has many innovative learning programs, a Law Center, a School of Mines and Energy Development, a College of Engineering, and a College of Commerce and Business Administration. Student
activities center around some 300 organizations, including fraternal groups, student government, and service organizations.
Ryan J. Herr has received a college-sponsored Purdue University National Merit Scholarship in the area of Mechanical Engineering.
Purdue University is a state-assisted university system with students on five campuses. Among the 25 largest colleges and universities in the nation, Purdue's West Lafayette campus enrollment exceeds 34,000. Undergraduate education at the West Lafayette campus is
organized by academic schools: Agriculture; Consumer and Family Sciences; Education; Engineering; Liberal Arts; Management; Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences; Science; Technology; and Veterinary Medicine.
Reagan E. Morton has received a college-sponsored Purdue University National Merit Scholarship in the area of Publishing.
Purdue University is a state-assisted university system with students on five campuses. Among the 25 largest colleges and universities in the nation, Purdue's West Lafayette campus enrollment exceeds 34,000. Undergraduate education at the West Lafayette campus is
organized by academic schools: Agriculture; Consumer and Family Sciences; Education; Engineering; Liberal Arts; Management; Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences; Science; Technology; and Veterinary Medicine.
Xavier T. Pittman has received a college-sponsored Indiana University Bloomington National Merit Scholarship in the area of Business Management.
Indiana University Bloomington, one of America's great teaching and research universities, is known worldwide for outstanding programs in the arts, business, sciences, humanities, social sciences, education, journalism, informatics, nursing, optometry, public and environmental
affairs, health, physical education and recreation. Students bring diverse beliefs and backgrounds from all 50 states and 136 countries. Time Magazine has recognized IU as having excellent programs to help students' transition to college.
Two Brummitt Students Place in Essay Contest
Two Brummitt Elementary fourth grade students in Courtney Commers' class, Autumn Higgins and Leah Lewis have won first and second place, respectively, in an essay contest sponsored by the Porter County Sheriff's Department. The essay, based on "the importance of police in our community", was an eLearning assignment for all Brummmitt Elementary fourth graders. The first place winner received a gift card to ZAO Island and second place received a gift card to Dairy Queen. "We are very proud of our students, said Brummitt Principal Antonino Cammarata. Congratulations!
CHS Announces Class of 2020 Tentative Events
Possible CHS Senior Class of 2020 Events in July
The Chesterton High School (CHS) administration is working on tentative plans to hold three senior events set for July to celebrate the Class of 2020! Please read below for details of these tentative plans.
*CHS will not know the specifics of each of the events listed below or if is possible to hold any of them until officials know where Porter County stands on guidelines for large gatherings on July 4. These events will be dependent on what will be allowable per the Governor's orders. School officials will keep students and families informed about changes, details and updates for each of the events listed below. Families are cautioned not to make any plans that involve a cost for any of these events.
Class of 2020 5% Banquet*
Each year CHS celebrates the top 5% seniors based on their academic achievement. This is a special event where the top 5% seniors invite an educator, who was most influential in their lives, to attend the event with them.
Date: July 15, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: CHS
Class of 2020 Senior Banquet*
Each year CHS has a banquet for the senior class. This event is an opportunity to award senior superlatives and for seniors to say goodbye to their classmates. This event is being tentatively planned with some adjustments to assure that all students are safe. Due to the social distancing guidelines there will not be a dance at this event.
Date: July 17, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: CHS
Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony Plan*
The CHS administration is pleased to announce a tentative plan to hold a LIVE graduation ceremony for the class of 2020! We believe it is important to attempt to hold a live graduation ceremony for our students and community. This date is tentative, and again will depend on the Governor's orders for Porter County at the time of the event.
Date: Friday, July 24, 2020
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: CHS Football Stadium
Rain Date: Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Participants: Each student will be allowed to bring two (2) guests to the event. (Tickets will be given to students at a later date.)
The Graduation Ceremony will also be live streamed.
K - 8 Summer School Remote Learning Programs
CHS Remote Learning Summer Session I
Chesterton High School Summer School 2020.
Due to COVID-19, all summer school courses will be online for this year only. CHS Summer School 2020 is FREE for all students. Parents can enroll their student(s) in both sessions of summer school at one time.
For more information and to register online visit this link: CHS Summer School
Questions about CHS Summer School can be directed to Assistant Principal Kristen Peterson at kpeterson@duneland.k12.in.us
Student Personal Property Pick-up and Curricular Material Return
- Elementary
- All K-4, curbside pickup:
- Tuesday, July 7th, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 8th, Noon - 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 9th from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
- Intermediate
- LIS & WIS – Building Open
- Wednesday, July 15th from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.;
- Thursday, July 16th from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- CMS
- Monday, July 13th
- 8th graders with last names beginning with letters A-L from Noon- 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 14th
- 8th graders with last names beginning with letters M-Z from Noon - 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 15th
- 7th graders with last names beginning with letters A-K from Noon - 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 16th
- 7th graders with last names beginning with letters L-Z from Noon - 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- CHS
- June 15th - 18th: Seniors are involved. All 12th grade students will be allowed to return all CHS materials and pickup their personal belongings on the following days and times:
- Monday, June 15th: Last name A-I (8:00 - 11:00 a.m., Noon - 3:00 p.m.)
- Tuesday, June 16th: Last name J-S (8:00 - 11:00 a.m., Noon - 3:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday, June 17th: Last name T-Z (8:00 - 11:00am, Noon - 3:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, June 18th: Students who cannot come on their scheduled time (3:00-7:00 p.m.)
- Students are asked to park in the front of the building and enter through door 1. All students will sign in upon arriving and sign out when departing. All students are to practice social distancing by staying 6 feet apart from each other and masks are encouraged but not required.
- July 6-10: Grades 9-11 (alphabet breakdown and times forthcoming)
- Students will enter the building to drop off materials and pick up personal belongings. All students will enter and exit door 1. Social Distancing stressed. Masks are optional but encouraged.
Strategic Plan
Recently, DSC released its Action Plans (charts) and three planning documents that helped inform the team during the process, with a request for the Duneland School community to provide feedback (affirmations, questions, concerns).
The Strategic Planning team appreciated the feedback received and will be making any necessary adjustments before making a recommendation to the school board at the June 8, 2020 meeting.
'Grab and Go' Meals for ALL Duneland School Students
Duneland Schools Child Nutrition and Wellness 'Grab and Go' meals are for ALL our Duneland School students.
Just as the Summer Feeding program is able to feed all children ages 18 and under, the 'Grab and Go' meal program that Duneland Schools is currently running is able to feed any Duneland School student regardless of their economic status. These meals have now been extended through July 31.
'Grab and Go' meals are distributed at Chesterton High School from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday through July 31. Meals consist of a lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day; except on Thursdays when families can pick up meals for both Thursday and Friday.
Vehicles will enter the CHS parking area through the entrance by the CHS Football Stadium. Follow signs to the distribution area and pull up to the curb for meal pick-up. Exit onto 1050 North.
Highlight on Duneland Support Staff: Custodians
Duneland Support Services include custodians, mechanical maintenance, grounds maintenance, and transportation, as well as Child Nutrition and Wellness. All of these teams continue to work in the summer months to prepare for the new school year.
Each week we will highlight one of these areas. These teams do everything from cleaning, mowing, performing maintenance on our buildings, repairing and maintaining vehicles, planning new bus routes, feeding students, ordering food and planning menus, as well as department development training.
This week will focus on DSC Custodial teams.
Duneland custodians are busy cleaning everything from top to bottom in each of our nine school buildings and other service locations. They are an integral part of the school corporation team. They help to keep the school and work environment clean for both students and staff members.
Summer duties include breaking down classrooms to perform deep cleaning and disinfecting. In addition to the classrooms, custodians are also cleaning large group areas such as locker rooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums, meeting areas, etc. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, these teams have focused on disinfecting and sanitizing everything for the safety of our students and staff members.
During the school year, these employees are cleaning and disinfecting their buildings daily while working alongside staff members and students. They also processing deliveries of supplies to the school, keep all the sidewalks clean and salted in the winter months, mow grassy areas between the school and the sidewalk, clean and maintain the cafeteria during lunch periods, perform set-up for school programs, etc.
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.
Grant Purchases New Technology for Students
Virtual Reality Technology Allows Students to Travel Around the World
Last year, Chesterton Middle School was awarded $7590 from the Library Services and Technology Act Grant, managed by the Indiana State Library. Funds granted for the 2019-2020 school year were used to purchase new group and 1:1 teacher and student-led Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies. Chesterton Middle School Media Specialist Mary Gish and Media Secretary Nadia Komp collaborated with 171 classes and multiple disciplines throughout this past school year using this technology. This technology allowed students the opportunity to travel around the world visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., Charles Dickens’ home in England, and Festivals Around the World. Pictured above, using the technology in the CMS Media Center are students, clockwise from left, Mike Schwab, Adrian Dooley, Brennan Olson and Nick Van Wagner.
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.
Give your 2020 Graduate the gift of a LIFETIME Alumni Association membership!
Looking for a gift for your 2020 CHS Graduate that will last a lifetime?
The Chesterton High School Alumni Association would like invite our current graduating seniors to join our group.
This year's 2020 graduates are being offered a special Lifetime membership for $50 from now through Sept. 30, 2020. These dues will help support the enhancement of the Duneland School CorporaÂtions' educational processes and scholarships for graduating seniors at Chesterton High School.
Help us to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance. This year we presented five of our 2020 CHS graduates with a $500 scholarship.
We also enshrine teachers, administration, support staff and graduates (alumni) into their respective "Halls of Fame" at an annual banquet held in May of each year.
Normally, a Lifetime membership is a one-time fee of $150.00 minus your age. (Example: $150.00 less your age of 60 years would equal dues of $90.00). So, take advantage of this great deal today and give a gift of membership!
CHS Alumni Association downloadable applications are available at Join TODAY
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 2020-2021 Calendar
The 2020-2021 Duneland School Corporation Calendar is available on our website. Click on the link above to open or visit our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us
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