DuneNews

Chesterton High School hosted their annual Senior Honors Night in person on Monday May 17, 2021 in the Auditorium. Dozens of students were honored with a variety of awards and scholarships.

Receiving an award for Perfect Attendance Four Years was Megan Benzer.

Those students achieving Exemplary Attendance Four Years were: Sophia Arthur, Alexander Atrosh, Kaitlyn Carr, Frances Clancy, Devin Davaney, Anna Drescher, Samuel Haughtington, Nathan Keel, Gavin Layman, Nalani Malackowski, Mitchell McElfresh, Logan Sprengel, Daniel Vasquez and Samuel Wolters.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS were awarded to: Conner Mathis, Business; Aidan Moran, Business Technology; Mattea Sklut, English; Megan Benzer, Family and Consumer Science; Kyle Henry, Industrial Technology; Zoe Swanson, International Baccalaureate; World Language: Emma Adams, American Sign Language; Marina Weinberg, French; Roxanne Schwab, German; Hunter Stewart, Japanese; Frances Clancy, Spanish; Andrew Engel, Mathematica; Adam Stobbe, Music; Mallory Morrison, Physical Education; Olivia Kroeger, Science; Emily Loney, Social Studies; Hailey Wild, Special Education; and Allison Christian, Visual Arts.

Read the entire story and photos of this event at: Senior Honors Night 2021.

(Masks were removed momentarily in all of the photos below. DSC Photos by Bridget Martinson)

Recognized at Monday's Senior Honors Night were Military award winners, front, left to right, Cole Lee, Joshua Dennington, Jackson Fleming and Shae Hisaw. Back row, presenter CHS teacher Bob Martino. Absent from photo were Dylan Boland and Joshua Daniels (Duneland Schools photo by Bridget Martinson)

Among the Memorial Award winners at Monday’s CHS Senior Honors Night were, front, left to right, Bethany House, Ralph D. Ayers Memorial Award and Christel R. Helmchen GAPP Scholarship; Avary Gonzales and Kaitlyn Van Kley, JoAnn Goldman Memorial Award; Zoe Swanson, Field Station Cooperative Memorial Scholarship; Olivia Kroeger, Jackson Elementary Jacob Johnson Memorial Award; Katie Hansen, Kathryn Pokorny General Memorial Award; Kathryn Nevers, Kathryn Pokorny-Soccer Memorial Award; and Nicholas Biel, Mitchell A. Winey Memorial Scholarship; Back row, Presenters: Justin Martinson, Christel Helmchen GAPP Scholarship; Christy Jarka, Ralph D. Ayers Memorial Award; Ryan Parsons-Rozycki, JoAnn Goldman Memorial Award; Laurie Metz, Field Station Cooperative Memorial Scholarship; Robert Blumenthal, Jacob Johnson Scholarship and Kathryn Pokorny Scholarships; and Mark Babcock, Mitchell Winey Scholarship.

Honored at Monday evening’s Chesterton High School Senior Honor Night were recipients, front row, left to right, Sophia DeRuntz and Payton Disney; Barath Group scholarship award; Troy Feller, Barath Group Scholarship, Barney Family Scholarship and the Dunbar Family Scholarship; Katie Hansen Gavin Layman and David Manojlovic, Barath Group Scholarship; Danielle Plinovich, Dunbar Family Foundation and Olivia Renko, Porter-Starke Services Foundation. Back row, presenters Mary Nielsen, Barney Family; CHS Principal Brent Martinson; and Christy Jarka, Dunbar Family Foundation.

TOP PHOTO: Receiving 2021 Academic Rings at Monday evening’s Senior Honors night were front row, left to right, Isaac Bowser, Carter Casbon, Connor Casbon, Barrett Church, Jacob Ciesielski, Frances Clancy, Brianna Condes, Sophia DeRuntz, Ryan Donovan and Alicia Drewes. Back row, Andrew Engel, Jackson Fleming, Autumn Gilsinger, Avary Gonzales, Anna Guzek, Zoey Hanley, Katie Hansen, Hattie Hoham, John Koch, Olivia Kroeger, Amber Laughner, Gavin Layman, Elia Livovich and Emily Loney. Absent from photo is Lauren Bromley.

BOTTOM PHOTO: Front, left to right, Nalani Malackowski, David Manojlovic, Conner Mathis, Peyton Martinson, Kathryn Nevers, Isabella Pinto, Danielle Plinovich, Sophia Raffin, Lillian Roberts, Ian Rutherford. Back row, Roxanne Schwab, Mattea Sklut, Adam Stobbe, Matthew Streeter, Zoe Swanson, Lindsey Tucker, Lauren Unruh, Kaitlyn Van Kley, Luke Vetroczky, Marina Weinberg and Abbey Wilcox. Absent from photo is Hunter Stewart and Sabrina Thomason.

Honored with the James and Betty Dye Foundation awards at Monday’s Chesterton High School Senior Honors Night were, front row, left to right, Carter Casbon, Connor Casbon, Brianna Condes, Sophia DeRuntz, Ryan Donovan, Troy Feller, Barbara Holsclaw, Luke Lombardini and Kathryn Nevers. Back row, Danielle Plinovich, Olivia Renko, Zoe Swanson, Greta Tilden, Kaitlyn Van Kley, Daniel Vear, Luke Vetroczky, Maggie Vrahoretis and presenter and CHS Principal Brent Martinson.

Receiving community awards at Monday’s Senior Honors Night were front, left to right, Luke Lombardini, Chesterton Lions Club, Manuzzi Family Scholarship and Chesterton-Porter Rotary Awards; William Rinker, Chesterton Lions Club; Sophia DeRuntz, Megan Koster and Olivia Kroeger, Delta Theta Tau; Zoe Swanson, Delta Theta Tau and Chesterton-Porter Rotary awards; Abigail Winland, Delta Theta Tau; and Gavin Layman and David Manojlovic, Elk Lodge 500 Most Valuable Student Award. Back row, presenters Barbara Wilson, Chesterton Lions Club; Jim Jeselnik, Chesterton-Porter Rotary; Ryan Parsons-Rozycki, Delta Theta Tau; recipient Peyton Martinson, Duneland Kiwanis Scholarship; presenter Chuck King, Duneland Kiwanis Club; recipient Nalani Malackowski, Chesterton-Porter Rotary; and presenter Robert McCasland, Elk Lodge 500.

Chesterton High School honored students at the annual Senior Honors Night on Monday. Receiving school community awards were, front, left to right, recipients Kathryn Nevers, Bailly PTO Scholarship, National Honors Society (NHS) and Wetchester Intermediate PTO Scholarships; Sophia DeRuntz, CHS Alumni Association and Duneland Teachers’; Troy Feller and Nalani Malackowski, CHS Alumni Association; Frances Clancy, Bethany House, Cordelia Armstrong, Duneland Teachers’; Sophia Arthur, Duneland Teachers’ and Peer Leader Scholarships; Zoe Swanson, Duneland Teachers’ and NHS; and Peyton Martinson, Yost Elementary PTO. Back row, presenters Jim Hall and Kathy Barbian, CHS Alumni Assoc.; Jack Neuliep, NHS; Dominee VonNostran, Duneland Teachers’; and Shawn Longacre, Westchester Intermediate PTO. Absent from photo is recipient Avary Gonzales, CHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

Receiving corporate and community awards at Monday’s Senior Honors Night were front, left to right, Adam Stobbe, Duneland United Churches Resale Scholarship; Olivia Kroeger, Kankakee Valley REMC, Kappa, Kappa, Kappa, and Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals; Sophia DeRuntz, Kankakee Valley REMC and Kappa, Kappa, Kappa; Katie Hansen, Kappa, Kappa, Kappa; Julia Larson, Lotus Reach Scholarship; and Mattea Sklut, Senderhauf Family IB Art Scholarship. Back row, presenters Michelle Senderhauf, Senderhauf Family IB Art; Marsha Jerome, Kappa Kappa Kappa; Ed Marks, Kankakee Valley REMC; and Marquita Culross, Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals.

Chesterton High School radio station WDSO-FM hosted its Annual WDSO Awards Night on Tuesday, May 18 at Val’s Famous Pizza and Grinders in Chesterton.

Nominations for awards were made by the membership of WDSO except for special awards. Most Outstanding Newscasters 2021 went to Nathan Bunning and Ethan Kroft, Most Outstanding DJ went to Charlie Byrd. Hamza Sahli & Emily Chisholm were awarded Most Dedicated Students. Senior Awards were presented to on-air DJ’s. Seniors: Drew Malapanes and Charlie Byrd.

Additional awards (certificates) to students in all grade levels:

Most Outstanding New Student: Abigail Gniadecki (9); Most Knowledgeable Student: Hamza Sahli (11); Most Improved News Caster: Kyle Casey (10); Best Afternoon Show: Evan Schmitt; Best Logs: Drew Malapanes (12); Most Funds Raised During Radio-thon: Hamza Sahli. Best Department was awarded to WDSO’s Music Department Directors Charlie Byrd and Ethan Kroft.

Photo Above: Left to right: Ethan Kroft (11, Co-Music Director), Nathan Bunning (11, News Director), Hamza Sahli (11, Co-Program Director ), Emily Chisholm (11, Promotions Director), Charlie Byrd (12 Co-Music Director ) and Drew Malapanes (12, Co-Program Director).

Photo at Right: Emcees for the night were Co-Program Directors Hamza Sahli and Drew Malapanes.

Chesterton High School will celebrate Graduating 2021 Seniors with a celebratory parade throughout the downtown on Tuesday, June 8 beginning at 4 p.m.

The Duneland community is invited to congratulate this year's Chesterton High School 2021 graduates along the parade route. Parade route is as follows: Exit CHS by the Football Stadium, north on 11th Street, east on Porter Avenue, north on 8th Street, east on Broadway, south on Calumet. The parade will end at the corner of Calumet and Porter Ave. where student cars may disperse.

Graduating seniors and their immediate family members only, may participate in this voluntary car parade through town. Students do not need to register to participate. Student/family cars will line up for the parade at 3:00 p.m. in the CHS Parking Lot. Seniors in their family car will enter the CHS campus from the Entrance on 1050 only, to organize into a parade line that will kickoff at 4 p.m.

Graduation plans for the Class of 2021 are now set! Detailed plans have been approved by the Porter County Health Department regarding the CHS Graduation Ceremony and have been sent home to senior families. This event is not open to the general public. Patrons attending must have a ticket and will use allotted tickets based on the color labeled by the Porter County Health Department at the time of the event.

Date: June 9, 2021 (June 10, 2021, in case of inclement weather)

Time: 7:00 p.m. ceremony

Where: CHS Football Stadium

Duration: 2 hours

Duneland School Corporation honored 26 retiring teachers and support staff for their years of service at a reception hosted at Chesterton High School Cafeteria on Thursday, May 20. Also recognized for their service to Duneland Schools were Porter County Education Services faculty and staff members. Retiring Duneland teachers and support staff have a combined total of 584 years of service at the end of this school year. The following retirees (listed in alphabetical order) honored were:

Diane’s highlight of working at Duneland Schools has been working with a fantastic support staff. “They are the bones of the buildings and keep things running as smooth as possible.” Although she has shared many funny moments with the current support staff, her fondest memories are from back in the day when she worked with Jane Bair, Joan Lowther and Noreen Hokanson. “I learned a lot from those lovely ladies.”

Diane is ready to pass the torch and move on to the next chapter of her life. She already has dates planned with her handsome grandsons (ages 6 & 3) at school grandparents’ day, sporting and music events.

When her husband decides to retire from their self storage business, they hope to move closer to their grandchildren. She also plans to spend time with family and friends staying up past 9:00 p.m. No alarm clocks for her.

Michele’s highlights of Duneland are working with the great administrators and teachers. She enjoyed getting to work with and know whole families through multiple children. She loved watching students step-up to support each other as well as having some wonderful and profound conversations over the years. Her plans during retirement include spending time with family and friends, and working in her church ministry. She is also hoping to take a trip to the Holy Land. And, after that, she will do anything she feels like doing.

Hilda has been privileged to share the delights of language and literature in thousands of discussions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. In classroom and hallway dramas scripted and otherwise, she and her students have learned from one another, often with laughter, sometimes with tears. As good educators know, the best lessons are seldom on the syllabus. Hilda plans to spend more time with her husband Mark on the Hil-Mar Farm. She plans to run workshops and coordinate events in a new classroom/performance space at Alley Kat's Curiosity Shoppe in Valpo, which means that her daughters, Kat and Elena, will be her bosses. When the world opens up again fully from COVID restrictions, she and Mark hope to visit their son Matt, who is studying in Paris.

Dawn is thankful for having had the freedom to build a strong choir program at the intermediate level. Her fondest memories have been directing standing room only spring concerts in the Westchester Intermediate Cafeteria with so many students who love to sing; and a supportive community for families, administrators, faculty and staff. She also loved having the opportunity to bring parents in during the school day to see the music students perform recorder concerts and musicals. She could not have done any of this without the support of her related arts team, Nicole Wilson and Cheryl Muller, and principals Tim McGinty and Shawn Longacre, as well as Tom Schnabel and the Music Department. It has been a blessing to teach more than half her career at WIS.

Her plans for retirement will be a work in progress. She will work part time in some capacity, hopefully in a position involving music. Ideally a church music job that includes directing kids and adults, giving private lessons, directing a choir somewhere or working a different type of job--one that she can leave at the door each day.

In her spare time she would love to just be able to travel to see friends and family, read all the books piled on her coffee table, continue prayer ministries and to take long walks and relax.

Susan has enjoyed interacting with her wonderful co-workers over and has loved the 30 smiling students each block nearly every day pre-COVID. Her highlights are the field trips to the criminal courts which included mock criminal trial and stock team investing, and she will never forget the DSC Dunes Day event. Her goals in retirement is to visit warm climates during the frigid winter months with her husband, to stay healthy, and to weed and plant flowers before June.

During her eight years at Chesterton Middle School, Mary was more than just a Media Specialist. Behind the scenes she organized and conducted book battles between Duneland and Valpo Schools, and organized CMS' Chess Club taking students them to regional and state levels. Mary also created an after-school robotics club which included building robots and drones. She co-sponsored the first LEGO league where students also competed at regional and state level. In her retirement, Mary hopes to spend more time with her family, travel and volunteer; and she is most looking forward to not setting an alarm clock.

Cynthia has seen many people come and go throughout the years, but she feels blessed to have stayed at Bailly Elementary for the majority of her career--Bailly has been her home. Throughout her years at Duneland, she has learned so much from her co-workers. Although she has witnessed many changes throughout the years, one factor remains the same, the children. All of whom were unique and special to her. She is grateful to have had some impact on each of their lives.

Cynthia plans on spending more time with her children as well as parents. Hopefully, she will get to travel the world with her sister. She is looking forward to a cup of coffee that doesn’t get cold, since she will have more time to sit and enjoy drinking it.

Cindy has enjoyed working with her Duneland and PCES colleagues. Being a co-teacher and collaborating on lessons has been rewarding. The biggest highlight of her time at Duneland has been the 27 years she spent as a sponsor of the Natural Helpers program at CHS. She co-lead over fifty retreats and helped hundreds of Duneland students learn interpersonal skills with the goal of creating a more-connected community at CHS. Through the organization she was able to work with members of the Duneland Exchange Club at their Youth Talent Show, and for the past ten years mentor students putting on the CHS Coffee House.

She and her husband live in a house that sits on 10 acres in Merrillville. They are looking forward to having time to focus on their house and yard. After COVID restrictions are lifted, they plan to travel to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu. They would also love to do some hiking and sightseeing in New Zealand.

Chris was instrumental in developing and teaching many science courses at Chesterton High School-including Biology, Biology ll, Zoology, Earth Science, Chemistry, Physiology and Anatomy, Project Lead the Way Human Body Systems as well as developing an advanced Zoology course.

Chris coached wrestling from 2002-2021. He had 55 state qualifiers, 5 state champs, and 5 runners-up during his tenure. His team placed second at state in 2017 and 2021 and he was instrumental in over 300 dual meet wins. In 2017, he was named the 4A Coach of the Year. Prior to wrestling he was a girls’ track long jump coach from 1999-2001 and had a state qualifier.

Chris plans to rest, enjoy his family, find a new species of insect and to rescue beagles when he retires.

Elaine began working at CMS in 2002 as an Instructional Aide when Jim Ton was the principal. She became the ECA Treasurer in 2006 and has remained in that position until her retirement. Her job is one that she has truly enjoyed and will miss. Her future plans are to eventually move back to Michigan where she was born and raised, so she can be around family and the place she calls "home". Elaine plans to travel, read, hike and ski. She is looking forward to sitting on the deck, overlooking the water. and enjoying life.

Pat has worked at four (4) different school systems throughout her career in education, but Duneland is the one that she is bittersweet to leave. She is excited about her future, but has enjoyed working at CHS and will miss all that have worked with her. Pat says she has developed friendships that will stay with her forever, found a new travel buddy and created many memories. Her new career will be as a "Granny Nanny." She is looking forward to enjoying time with her friends and family, traveling, and watching her grandchildren grow into amazing adults.

Dave said one of the greatest things from his years at Duneland is the amazing rapport he had with most of his students. He has heart felt letters and visits from many former students. He was honored as an influential teacher during a halftime ceremony at a football game. In 2020, the senior class asked him to perform the Graduation Commencement Speech. He has coached football, basketball and baseball and mentored many outstanding student athletes. He also won an Indiana football coaches award. In addition, he started the Duneland Wellness Program and was twice named a PCSAC Drug Prevention Award Winner. Dave will be moving to Raleigh, NC where he will be running his own company. In 6 more years, he hopes to retire full time and travel the country.

Jack’s memories of Duneland begin with his career at the ‘Old” Chesterton High School and getting to meet and work with the “‘Old’ Guard’. Two highlights of his teaching tenure that he would like to share include moving a large cart between five classrooms during his first three years and the other was seeing his colleague Rich Kadish beat Chuck Craycraft in a putt-off to win the Corporation golf outing, causing Chuck to break his putter over his knee. His plans for retirement include woodworking, gardening, camping and honing-in on his cooking skills.

Tom said that his “Duneland highlight” is working with all the excellent fellow teachers, staff, and administrators he has gotten to know throughout his 22 years - noting it was the ‘Duneland Difference’. Tom has also enjoyed his coaching time. He coached girls’ track at Liberty MIddle School from 2000-2001, Boys’ Varsity Basketball from 1999-2002 and was head varsity boys basketball coach from 2002-2016.

His plans during retirement include more family time--especially loving and working with his eight (8) grandchildren.

Karen says she has had the privilege of working with many wonderful people who have become her friends. She will be moving to North Carolina to be near her children and grandchildren.

In addition to teaching, Stan has coached football, wrestling and track for 10 years. He had four undefeated seasons in football and had a 62-14-4 overall record, in addition to two track team conference championships. Stan has had an awesome time teaching in the Health and PE departments. He plans to have a His & Her Painting business with his wife and he loves to build decks. He plans to travel the United States, enjoy his 6 children and grandchildren and ride around in his '65 Mustang.

Vicki said that one her biggest highlights was in 2019 during the boys basketball sectionals. We beat Valpo, of which she is a graduate, and was given the opportunity to cut down the net. She has enjoyed working and meeting so many wonderful people in her 2 positions at CHS and the many friendships she has gained along the way. Her plans for retirement include being the head Manager at the Rhoda Farms Produce Stand. She will also be helping her son on the family farm. She looks forward to gardening, golfing and not getting up so early every morning.

Over his many years at Duneland Schools, Mark has appreciated working for a great boss--Greg Lindy. He has had a great crew working for him and to him they are the best!!! Mark can't wait to travel and continue his electrical business in his retirement.

Kim says she had the amazing opportunity to get to know many wonderful students and watch them grow and mature into fine young adults. She plans to enjoy time with family and friends, and to enjoy volunteering in the community.

Nikki's highlight at Duneland was working as a remediation aide. She enjoyed watching a student that was failing that after her help were able to pass and become a better student. The excitement they would have was contagious. Her plans for retirement are to make no plans. She wants to go or do anything at the spur of the moment.

Mike’s fondest memories are of the Brummitt/Duneland people, principals, teachers, staff, students and parents. He has loved the 4th grade activities including field trips to the Dunes Learning Center, the track meet, Ag Days, BookBowl/Spelling bee and the Run Club. He was also the head coach of boys’ tennis as well as assistant coach for girls’ tennis. In his retirement, he plans to travel, run and read. He will also hang out at the Dunes and Wrigley, go to IU basketball and football games, as well as spend time with friends, family, and the dog.

It’s Finally Your Turn!

All students 12 and older are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Even though students are at a lower risk for complications, this opportunity is now available to protect themselves and others around them.

Duneland School Corporation in partnership with the Porter County Health Department is planning a local vaccination clinic at Chesterton Middle School on May 24th from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Any student interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccination must pick up a consent form from the nurses office. These consent forms must be completed with parent consent and turned in no later than Friday, May 21.

Duneland School Corporation is excited to announce a new chapter in our history of excellence by expanding our curricular choice offerings to include a virtual K-12 program. Starting in the fall of 2021, we will be launching the Trojan Virtual Academy (TVA).

We recognize that most students find academic and social success best through in-person learning. Our commitment to these practices and programs remains unchanged. However, as we navigated 2020, we became increasingly aware of a growing number of students that thrive through alternative learning environments and specifically through online learning.

The TVA thus serves as a school choice option for families to maintain connection with Duneland Schools while selecting a learning option that they feel works best for their student(s).

For more information, please visit our Trojan Virtual Academy site for more information.

Families interested in enrolling their student in the Trojan Virtual Academy for Fall 2021 should complete an online application found on the Duneland School Corporation website. The application window will be open from May 14-June 4 with families being notified of final decisions by June 10.

As we navigated 2020, we became increasingly aware of a growing number of students that thrive through alternative learning environments and specifically through online learning. The Trojan Virtual Academy is Duneland's school choice option for families to maintain connection with Duneland Schools while selecting a learning option that they feel works best for their student(s).

To learn more about the TVA please visit the Duneland School Corporation website and click the link under "Find it Fast" for Trojan Virtual Academy. On this page, parents can find links to handbooks, presentations, FAQs, and other related documents. The TVA Application is now available on the TVA Website.

We realize that families have many educational options for their children and we are honored that you continue to make Duneland School Corporation your education destination.

Do you have any no-longer-needed band or orchestra instruments cluttering up your house, closet, or basement? Now is the time to do some spring cleaning! We'd love to take the instrument off of your hands, clean it up, and find it a new home in the hands of a student in need.

The Chesterton Music Department is running a week-long Instrument Donation Drive, May 17 - 21, during school hours, to supplement our school-owned instrument inventory. https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/site/default.aspx...

Representative art work from students in grades K-8 will be on display at the Duneland School 2021 Art Exhibit hosted at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th Street in Chesterton, from May 6-26, 2021.

Duneland families can access our COVID-19 Support Center by visiting our website at www.duneland.k12.in.us and clicking on the COVID-19 INFO link at the top of our website. This link is also available on each of our school's websites in the same location.

Duneland School's Daily COVID-19 Risk Level is located on our COVID-19 INFO Home page along with many other helpful resources.

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). 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.

The DSC leadership, architects, and constructional management professionals have begun meeting with staff to discuss the next steps of the Long-Term Capital Improvement projects. Staff input sessions will take place prior to summer break and community forums will take place during the summer.

Community members may review the Long Term Capital Improvements information that will be continuously updated on the DSC website.

In-Person Classes

Registration closes May 26, 2021

Click here for more information

Classes Offered

Virtually or In-Person

Registration closes June 4, 2021

Click here for more information

ATTENTION PARENTS:

The Duneland School Corporation has made TWO (2) changes to the 2020-2021 DSC Calendar.

1. Since there are no elections scheduled in Porter County on Tuesday, May 4, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on May 4 has been moved to Wednesday, May 5.
2. In order to provide additional time for teachers to submit student grades, the eLearning day that was previously scheduled on Wednesday, June 2 has been moved to the last day of the school year for students on Friday, June 4.

Click on the above link or image for a downloadable PDF calendar.

The Chesterton-Porter Rotary will partner with Duneland School Corporation to give every fifth grade student in the district a booklet on the U.S. Constitution.

The idea of presenting each 5th grade student in the district with this booklet originally came from another Rotarian, Joseph Cofield of Naples, Florida. He and his committee have now been able to give one of these booklets to EVERY 5th grade student in the state of Florida.

Because of this, Chesterton Rotarian Jim Jeselnick presented the idea to fellow Rotarian and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chip Pettit. Dr. Pettit along with intermediate school principals and 5th grade teachers agreed that this would be a worthwhile reference tool for students to have now and in the future.

These booklets will be mailed home to all Duneland 5th grade students.

United Way of Porter County is responding to family hardships during these unprecedented times with assistance in a number of categories. Help is available in the areas of rent, mortgage and utility bills, eviction, and even homelessness. Please refer to the Housing Resources List from United Way for addresses, phone numbers, and weblinks listed on the First Contact list for further information regarding specific resources.

Meals continue to be free for all children through the end of this school year. Each week, parents will preorder online. Please visit our Child Nutrition Services for detailed information regarding meals and meal pickup sites. The links to the meal to go order forms are listed below for your convenience.

IN SCHOOL LEARNERS

Students who participate in the In-School Learning Model will be eligible for Free Breakfast and Free Lunch each day while in school. An order form will be available online to preorder 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch to be picked up on the Wednesday E-Learning day each week. Meals can be picked up between the hours of 9:30 am and 10:30 am each Wednesday. The form must be submitted online by 9 a.m. each Tuesday to receive meals. Click on link below.

Wednesday Meal To Go Order Form

FULLY REMOTE LEARNERS

Free Meal Pickup for Fully Remote Learners will consist of 5 breakfast and 5 lunch meals with instructions to be prepared at home and will be distributed once a week on Wednesdays between the hours of 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. (Child must be fully remote to receive the weekly meals.) An order form will be available online to preorder meals. The form must be submitted each week by Monday at 9 a.m. to receive meals. Click on link below.

Remote Learner Weekly Meals To Go Order Form

CHS Internship Program for 2021-22 School Year

Chesterton High School is interested in establishing partnerships with Duneland businesses who would be willing to host a CHS student in an internship position for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. If you have a business or know of any businesses that would like to participate in the internship program, please contact Chris Roof at croof@duneland.k12.in.us or 219-983-3770.

The goal of the CHS Internship Program is to provide students with structured opportunities to understand the relevance between classroom learning and the work environment, while participating as productive employees/volunteers in a company or organization. These internship opportunities allow students to explore areas of personal and career interests, acquire the skills necessary to be successful employees, and to formulate goals and plans for their futures.

All of the Athletic Summer Camps can be found at the CHS Athletics website.

Football

• 2021 Little Trojan Football Camp
• CHS Football Skill Camp 2021
• CMS Spring Football Skills Camp
• Golf Outing: https://twitter.com/Chesterton_IN/status/1387159449526325254/photo/1

Boys Basketball

• K-1st Grade Camp: https://form.jotform.com/211095233526147
• 2nd-8th Grade Camp: https://form.jotform.com/210705578493159
• Golf Outing: https://form.jotform.com/211007893283152
• Golf Outing Sponsorship: https://form.jotform.com/211008618615147

Volleyball

• https://form.jotform.com/210825263018146

Girls Basketball

• Future Lady Trojans Basketball Camp Grades K-4th Online Registration, Camp Runs June 7th, 8th, & 9th
• Future Lady Trojans Basketball Camp Grades 5th-8th Online Registration, Camp Runs May 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
• Chesterton/Duneland AAU Summer League Online Registration Grades 6th-12th. Begins June 1st, 2 days a week through June 23rd

Boys and Girls Soccer

• https://form.jotform.com/211027447966157

Gymnastics

• https://chestertontrojans.com/summer-gymnastics-camp-2021/

Tennis

• https://sites.google.com/view/dunelandtennis/summer-camp
  

Chesterton Athletics has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows parents to complete and sign all necessary athletic forms for your student athletes. This includes enrollment, informational, medical, athletic, technology and other traditional forms you have filled out by hand in the past. The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice! FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.

https://chestertontrojans.com/2021/05/10/physical-information-final-forms-launch/

https://www.portercountysheriff.com/sheriffscamp

FORMAT: FOUR PERSON TEAM (18-Hole Scramble)

START TIME: 1pm-SHOTGUN START (registration begins at 11:30)

COST: $100 per person (includes cart, green fees, range balls, 2 beverage

tickets and All-American grill dinner)

AWARDS: Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Individual prizes will also be

awarded for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Auctions and raffles

will also take place.

All proceeds will benefit the Chesterton High School Football Program.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 2, 2021

NOTE: MONEY MUST BE RECEIVED BY DEADLINE: NON-REFUNDABLE

3 METHODS OF PAYMENt:

1. Check and registration form sent to:
   CHS Football Boosters
   Attn: Jeff Cunningham
   210 Sandpiper Drive
   Chesterton, IN 46304
   
   
2. Check and registration form dropped off to the CHS Athletic office.
3. Purchase online with EVENTBRITE (Registration form must also be turned in)

Duneland School Corporation has partnered with NorthShore Health Services to establish a school-based health clinic that is now located in Chesterton Middle School.

This partnership will provide 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:

Currently M, T, Th, and F from 8-3.

Summer Hours (beginning June 7): Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8-12

Beginning August 2, Monday-Friday 8-3

Call: 219-983-3776 x7020 to schedule an appointment

Pictured at right is nurse practitioner and Chesterton resident Shawn Kroft taking a student's blood pressure at the clinic.

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 Registered Nurses in Every School Building.

The Duneland School Corporation is fortunate to have a registered nurse in each of its school buildings. Only about 50 percent of schools nationwide have a full-time registered nurse for at least 30 hours per week and 18 percent do not have a nurse at all.*
A skilled school nurse can be a lifesaver for teachers. School nurses have medical training to deal with the physical and mental illnesses of students as well as the entire school population. School nurses are a vital part of the health of our schools and community.

* Taken from Building Strong Children: Why We Need Nurses in Schools, by Erin D. Maughan (www.aft.org/ae/spring2016/maughan)

For more operating referendum information, visit: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/367

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:

1. Open a new Freshservice ticket:
   1. AV number is typically located on a sticker on the back/bottom of the device
      1. Serial number is also acceptable
2. Open a Freshservice ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
   1. Please be sure to include email address, student or staff name, and a description of the problem
3. 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.

DSC - Device Repair Form

Duneland School Corporation now offers after-hours technical support to our Duneland School families. If you have any issues that require technical support you can call 219-983-3759, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 7 PM.

After-hours IT Support hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - until 7:00 p.m.
Call: 219-983-3759

Do you have a safety or security concern at Duneland that you'd like to make us aware of? Please contact us by email or phone (contact information), or Use our Anonymous Tip Line

Kenneth J. Allen Law Group supports Northwest Indiana teachers who go above and beyond for their students and honors them for their outstanding contributions to education. To learn more about the educators who are Teachers of Excellence or if you know of someone who should be recognized as a Teacher of Excellence, please nominate him or her by following this link.

View DSC Teachers of Excellence on our website.

Congratulations to Liberty Intermediate fifth grade teacher Cris Petro for being selected as a May 2021 Teacher of Excellence.

This calendar of events is subject to change

Thursday, May 20, 2021

7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair

4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals

4:30 p.m. CHS Boys V TR-Portage

4:30 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf-H-Sand Creek CC

4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SB-Portage

5 p.m. CHS Boys Fr Bsb-Munster-H

Friday, May 21, 2021

7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair

4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals

4:30 p.m. CHS Girls JV/V SB-Munster

7 p.m. CHS Choral Spring Revue - CHS Auditorium

Saturday, May 22, 2021

TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Sectionals

10 a.m. CHS Boys JV Bsb-Viking Invite-TJMS Bsb Field

10 a.m. CHS Boys V Bsb-Columbus North-Carmel

1 p.m. Unified Track & Field Sectionals-Valpo

2 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb-Carmel

11 a.m. CHS Boys V Golf LC/CHS Boys Golf Invite-Lake Central

2 p.m. (Grades 6-12) Band Spring Concert - CHS Stadium (Rain Date-Tues, 5/25 after 5pm)

Monday, May 24, 2021

7:30- 3:30 p.m CMS Bookfair

5 p.m. CHS Girls V Softball-Valpo

7 p.m. CHS Music Department Awards - CHS Cafeteria

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

CMS (B/C/O) Elementary Tour (VIRTUAL EVENT)

TBA LIS Field Day

TBD Girls V TN Regionals-

7:30- 3:30 p.m. CMS Bookfair

4 p.m. CHS Boys V Golf-Crown Pt/Lake Central-H

7 p.m. WIS Orchestra Spring Concert-WIS Gymnasium

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

TBD Girls V TN Regionals-

5 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb Sectionals Valpo vs Portage-H

Thursday, May 27, 2021

4:30 p.m. CHS Girls V SB-Sectional Semifinal-Crown Pt.

5 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb Sectional-Hobart vs. Andrean-H

5 p.m. Boys V TR Regionals-Crown Pt.

7 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb Sectional-Lowell vs. Crown Pt.-H

Friday, May 28, 2021

5 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb Sectionals-H

6 p.m. CHS Girls V SB Sectional Championship-Crown Pt.

7 p.m. CHS Boys V Bsb Sectional-H

Saturday, May 29, 2021

TBD CHS Boys V Bsb Sectional Make-up Day-H

TBD CHS Girls V TN-IHSAA Semi-State-TBD (A)

TBD Unified Track & Field Regionals-TBD (A)

Monday, May 31, 2021

NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

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.

Thinking about joining the Chesterton High School Alumni Association, but just haven't gotten around to it? Are you wondering why you should join this newly formed organization?

COVID-19 has limited our fundraising efforts this past year, so the Chesterton High School Alumni Association would like to offer an opportunity to former alumni, present and past faculty and staff members of the Duneland Schools to join the Association for only $50 for a Lifetime charter membership. This limited special membership opportunity will be available from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022.

The CHS Alumni Association was formed to help support the enhancement of the Duneland School Corporation’s educational processes and scholarships for graduating seniors at Chesterton High School. Your dues in the organization will help the group to continue to grow and present more and more of our graduates college assistance. We will also enshrine teachers, administration, support staff and graduates (alumni) into their respective ''Halls of Fame”. Just recently the Alumni Association inducted three retirees into the Hall of Fame - Becky Dunbar, support staff member; James Cavallo, teacher; and Garry Nallenweg, administrator. Read more...

If you are on a planning committee for your Chesterton High School reunion, please email us with reunion information so that we can include it on the DSC Website. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to contact you by phone.

For additional information on the currently planned reunions visit the website link above.

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