Dear Westchester Middle School Families,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders as we move further into the month of April.

This Monday, students will be taking the ILearn practice test during first period. Please be sure your child comes to school with a fully charged iPad and a pair of headphones so they are prepared for the assessment.

We are also excited to announce that registration for the DSC 2025 Summer School programs will open on Monday, March 17. For your convenience, parents will now be able to register through Skyward Family Access. Please follow the links below for detailed registration instructions based on your child’s current grade level:

• Instructions for Grades K-7 – Registration open March 17 – April 15
• Instructions for Grades 8-12 – Registration open March 17 – May 2

In other exciting news, Westchester Middle School has been officially recognized as a Common Sense School by Common Sense, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology. We are proud of this recognition and remain committed to fostering responsible digital citizenship in our students.

Finally, we are looking forward to a fun treat next week—Kona Ice will be visiting on Friday, April 11! This is always a highlight for our students and a great way to celebrate the week.

Good luck to our students participating this weekend in the state competition for Science Olympiad. Students have worked so hard this year, and we can't wait to see all that they accomplish at this upcoming event. As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Have a great weekend!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Lauren Seiss, WMS Principal

Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Westchester Middle School as a Common Sense School.

Westchester Middle School has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate while preparing them for the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. With the right support, kids can take ownership of their digital lives, engage with real issues, and change their communities for the better. The recognition acknowledges our school's commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship.

"We applaud the faculty and staff of Westchester Middle School for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students' education," said Merve Lapus, vice president of education outreach and national partnerships at Common Sense Education. Westchester Middle School deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large."

Westchester Middle School has been using Common Sense Education's innovative and research-based digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and are grounded in the real issues students and teachers face. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships, and media literacy. The free K-12 curriculum is used in classrooms across all 50 states, in more than 80,000 schools by more than 1,00,000 educators.

"We're honored to be recognized as a Common Sense School," said Lauren Seiss. By preparing our students to use technology safely and responsibly, we are providing them an opportunity to build lifelong habits to help them succeed in a tech-driven world."

To learn more about the criteria Westchester Middle School met to become recognized as a Common Sense School, visit https://www.commonsense.org/education/recognition-schools.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has emphasized increasing student attendance to improve academic and long-term success. In Indiana, students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of school days, including excused and unexcused absences. Chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of school performance and graduation. Overall improvement in attendance has been noted throughout the state as we strive to reach pre-pandemic levels. This is important as statistical research has found that students who attend school regularly are 2.5 times more likely to graduate from high school. The Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) website is the IDOE’s new public platform, which assists parents in finding school and corporation data performance/progress reports, including attendance.

As part of our strategic plan, Duneland School Corporation (DSC) has prioritized a goal to establish positive conditions for learning. DSC has outlined four objectives in support of this goal:

1) To promote the physical and emotional health and safety of all students

2) To curate a culture and climate that provides a sense of belonging for all students

3) To prioritize academic engagement for all students

4) To build strong relationships for all students

We recognize that the objectives are contributing factors that support student attendance by providing learners with reinforcement of academic performance, work ethic and responsibility, social development, college and career opportunities, life skills development, and positive self-images through access to other, non-content-specific contextual information.

Tiers of support and communication are provided for students and families at the district, school, and classroom levels. Duneland’s established attendance goal is 94%, and principals have been communicating this with families throughout the school year via letters home, Skyward student access, and school newsletters. We strive to promote and celebrate students who meet this mark, also supporting those who do not achieve this goal with proper support and resources. Ultimately, we want to ensure our students are prepared for success in the classroom and beyond.

Parents can access the Indiana GPS website at this web address: https://indianagps.doe.in.gov/

Reminders:

• 48-Hour Attendance Policy for Call Off(s) - Parents/Guardians will have 48 hours to excuse their students absence, after which time it will be considered unexcused.

• Parents who are picking up their child or dropping something off for their child must present a driver's license or state ID to our office staff in order to do so. Also, if a parent sends someone else to pick their student up or drop something off for them, they must not only present identification but must also be on the list in Skyward as a family or emergency contact.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

4/11 - Kona Ice during lunch

4/24 - 8th Grade Stem Field Trip

4/26 - Holocaust Museum Field Trip

5/6 - e-Learning Day

5/7 - NJHS Induction Ceremony

5/9 - Reality Store

5/13 - Incoming 7th gr./new families Parent Meeting

5/13 - Choir Concert in Gym B @ 7pm

5/19 - Band Spring Festival at 7pm @ CHS

5/21 - 8th Grade Award Ceremony in Gym B @ 6pm

5/22 - Orchestra Concert in Gym B @ 7pm

5/23 - 8th Grade Farewell Dance

5/29 - Last day for students

Upcoming ATHLETIC Dates to Remember:

4/21 - (A) Boys Track & Field vs. Thomas Jefferson at 5:00pm @ Thomas Jefferson

4/21 - (H) Girls Track & Field vs. Thomas Jefferson at 5:00pm @ WMS

4/24 - (H) Boys Track & Field vs. Col. Wheeler at 5:00pm @ WMS

4/24 - (A) Girls Track & Field vs. Col. Wheeler at 5:00pm @ Col. Wheeler

4/28 - (A) Boys Track & Field vs. Willowcreek at 5:00pm @ Willowcreek

4/28 - (H) Girls Track & Field vs. Willowcreek at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/1 - (A) Boys Track & Field vs. Hobart at 5:00pm @ Hobart MS

5/1 - (H) Girls Track & Field vs. Hobart at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/5 - (H) Boys Track & Field vs. Taft at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/5 - (A) Girls Track & Field vs. Taft at 5:00pm @ Taft

5/8 - (H) Boys Track & Field vs. Fegely at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/8 - (A) Girls Track & Field vs. Fegely at 5:00pm @ Fegely

5/10 - (A) 7/8 Boys & Girls Red Storm Relays at 9:00am @ Lincoln Junior High School

5/12 - (H) Girls Track & Field vs. Liberty at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/12 - (A) Boys Track & Field vs. Liberty at 5:00pm @ LMS

5/14 - Girls Track & Field Conference at 5:00pm @ WMS

5/15 - Boys Track & Field Conference at 5:00pm @ Crown Point

Join the Duneland Education Foundation for an enchanting evening of masquerade, silent auctions, and celebrating another year of giving.

The Duneland Education Foundation is the foremost philanthropic partner of the Duneland School Corporation. DEF grants and scholarships ensure ALL Duneland students have access to a high-quality, exceptional educational experience.

Help us recognize the professionals who keep our school libraries in working order. Celebrate National School Library Day on Friday, April 4.

Saturday March 22nd, 3 teams from WMS Robotics attended The Indiana State Robotics

Competition in Indianapolis. Only 24 teams qualified for State making them 3 of the top 24

teams in the state! All of the teams did a fantastic job competing with all 3 teams making it to

the round of 16 for finals. In the round of 16, Team A had a bye because of their high ranking

and alliance match up. Team B fought hard but lost to one of the top alliances 23-18. Team C

won their match 12-4 which moved them on to Quarter finals. During Quarter finals, Team A won

25-19 moving them to the semi finals which is one win away from qualifying from worlds. Team

C ended up losing to the number 1 alliance who won the entire competition 50-2. During the

Semi finals, Team A went head to head with the number 1 alliance. It was a tough match, all

coming down to who got the goals into negative. Team A fought hard, but lost to their opponent

40-0 due to the opponent putting all Team A’s goals into the negative corners. Missing Worlds

by one win.

To say these teams worked so hard and deserved to qualify for State is a huge understatement.

All 4 teams (1 did not qualify for State, missing it by 3 points) have worked tirelessly to do the

best they can. They never gave up and kept overcoming the hurdles they encountered.

On a gloomy and chilly Monday, a ray of brightness returned to the corner of Union Court and Fifth Street in Chesterton — Al the Crossing Guard.

Donning a cow’s head hat and armed with a stop sign in his right hand, Allen Novreske was there to spread cheer along with ensuring that children safely traversed Fifth Street to Bailly Elementary School.

His unique, jovial way of interacting with children, parents and passing motorists has made him a local legend.

The community almost lost him.

Novreske, 68, had been sidelined since Jan. 15 when he was downed by a wicked combination of a heart attack, congestive lung failure and pneumonia.

Struggling for his next breath, he nearly died on his living room couch that day. Novreske underwent a triple bypass operation and is still going through cardiac rehabilitation.

“I am not back to where I was, but I’m working on it. We’ll get back there,” Novreske said.With the return of students from spring break Monday, Novreske was in good enough shape to return.

After serving at Bailly Elementary, Novreske moves down the street to Westchester Intermediate School, where’s worked the past two years. He returns for afternoon dismissals at the two schools.

During his time in recovery, Novreske was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community. There were meals, homemade cards and gifts, like the cow’s head hat he wore Monday morning.

“What’s up, Sam. It’s good to see you again,” Novreske said to the first student to cross Fifth Street.

“It’s good to see you, too,” Sam said as he bumped fists with Novreske. As he was leading Sam through the crosswalk, Novreske touched his hand again and told him to “have a great day.”

Novreske knew the names of all the children who came to the corner and he repeated the same greeting and sendoff.

In between, Novreske waved at every passing vehicle. To those who honked their horn, Novreske would point back. Some rolled down their window to yell out their good wishes.

The way that all started was when Novreske would wave to the school buses.

“Then I started waving to everybody because I didn’t know who was waving,” Novreske said.

“I found the adults like the waving. It brightens them up a little bit.”

The hat thing started when Al wore a silly hat every Friday. He soon had a whole collection of them. He always wears a camel hat on Wednesday, symbolizing “hump day”.

It isn’t all greetings and levity, though. Novreske said he can count 25 occasions when he had to pull a child away from an oncoming car. Novreske said he was even struck by a car once.

James McFadden accompanied his son Henry to the corner and stopped and talked with Novreske. McFadden, who works as a pharmacist at Northwest Health Porter, recalled how he visited Novreske when he was hospitalized.

“You’re a part of this community, Al,” McFadden said.

Another parent called out as he walked by Novreske: “You can’t keep a good man down.”

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. (Article from the April 2, 2025 issue of the Post Tribune)

Registration for DSC 2025 Summer School programs will open up on Monday, March 17. New this year is the ability for parents to register for summer school via the Skyward Family Access. For directions on how to register your child please follow the links below based on the current grade level of your student.

Instructions for Grades K-7 - Registration Open March 17 - April 15

Instructions for Grades 8-12 - Registration Open March 17 - May 2

Note: Students in grades 8-12 who are interested in taking PE should review the additional information on the Flex PE Credit and reduced diploma requirements prior to registering.

Grades PreK-7 Summer School will take place at Liberty Elementary School from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Session 1 Only. Grades 8-12 Summer School will take place at Chesterton High School from 7:30 a.m. - 12:55 pm for both Session 1 and 2.

Separate invitations will be provided for families interested in KinderCamp, our Pre Kindergarten Program.

Need Skyward Support? If you need support in registering for summer school within the Skyward Arena Scheduling please call your child’s school and the Skyward/Office Administrative Assistant can provide support.

Should you have any questions about summer school programming please contact the following:

Grades PreK-7 - Call the Department of Teaching & Learning at 219-983-3656

Grades 8-12 - Contact the CHS Counseling Office at 219-983-3730

Please call our main office at 219-983-3780 to report your student absent with in 48hours.

Attendance questions should be directed to Amanda Ray amray@duneland.k12.in.us

The Duneland School Corporation will continue to improve current facilities to enhance the student experience with the following capital improvements in 2025: playground replacements at Bailly, Brummitt, Jackson, and Liberty elementary schools and soccer stadium renovations and carpet replacement at Chesterton High School. This presentation below provides additional details on the scope of each project. Concept drawings and timelines regarding 2021-2025 capital improvement projects are available on the DSC website.

Westchester Middle School 7th grade Math students and Liberty Middle School 8th grade ELA students will be participating in the ILEARN Checkpoint pilot this year. Assessments will be condensed and focus on limited standards during each of the three checkpoints

A Common Sense School is an honor that recognizes efforts in teaching digital citizenship to young people and engaging the entire school community in this important discussion. All of the Duneland Schools currently teach digital citizenship and all five Duneland Elementary schools have received the 2024-2025 Common Sense Education recognition badge and their school media specialists are Common Sense Educators. This recognition acknowledges a school's commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship.

The DSC Child Nutrition Department is now utilizing NutriSlice as its new menus program. This app is available for iphone and android through your mobile app store. Parents can also access the full website for Duneland Schools on a computer via this NutriSlice link.

This app will allow parents and students to view the menus as well as the nutritional info for each items at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of food items being served at each of the schools.

Breakfast $1.60

Lunch $2.95

ATTENTION!!!

2024-2025 ALL ATHLETES MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE TO PARTICIPATE!

Middle School Physicals will need to be turned in to coaches or the athletic department, prior to open gym, tryouts, or practices in order to participate.

There are a total of 6 forms that need to be completed. The actual physical is completed by the Dr. and the rest of the forms are completed by the parent(s) and the student. Physicals will not be accepted if there are forms missing!

*Physical Checklist*

• Final Forms Online parent and student
• Physical Examination from the Dr.
• History Form (It is 2 pages)
• Consent and Release Certificate (Make sure insurance information is complete)
• Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
• Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Code of Conduct

Need to FIX your Skyward App?

Since the Skyward migration has been completed, the mobile app should automatically pull the new URL. Parents who are not getting the new URL, should remove the current account from the Skyward app and add the account back.

You can verify that the app is using the new URL by performing the following steps in the app:
1. Accounts--Edit
2. Click District. Review the URL under "Connection will be attempted using:"

You can delete the existing connection by performing the following steps in the app:
1. Accounts--Edit
2. Delete

DSC's new Skyward uses the following link: https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedudunelandscin/seplog01.w

Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Earbuds, & Earphones Usage:

7th and 8th grade students are not allowed to use their personal communication devices (cell phones and smart watches) during the instructional day. Items used for communication should be stored in lockers to be kept safe throughout the day. If students need to contact a parent/guardian during the day, they are welcome to do so from the office. Classrooms also have phone access. Similarly, students are not permitted to wear personal earbuds with bluetooth capabilities attached to their phones (e.g. Air Pods, etc.). Students will need to use their school-issued iPad earphones for Exact Path lessons and select ILEARN testing sessions. The only time audio ear pieces are permitted are for teacher-assigned classwork and medically-approved needs.

iPad Use

• iPads are the property of Duneland Schools. Students should keep the devices in operable condition.
• Students should refrain from downloading apps, pics, etc. that are not permitted under school and/or corporation policy.
  
• Students are required to bring their charged iPads to class. Middle school curriculum is designed to utilize iPads for lessons and enrichment activities.

CONTACTING IT SUPPORT

Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:

1. Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
   
2. Log into IncidentIQ and submit a request duneland.incidentIQ.com

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 at a low cost 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

ParentSquare, the new communication platform, allows parents and guardians in DSC to receive all of their communications from the district, schools, classrooms and school activity groups in one unified app and service.

Duneland School Corporation has adopted ParentSquare as its new communication platform for the 2025-2026 school year and will begin inviting DSC families to verify their accounts over the next few months before launching in June.

ParentSquare is a communication platform designed for schools to connect with students’ families and keep them informed. It’s used by K–12 schools and districts to streamline messaging - such as announcements, attendance notifications, event reminders, one-on-one messages, and more - into a single, user-friendly interface. This decision has followed careful consideration of the needs of our school community as well as laws and regulations surrounding student data privacy. ParentSquare will help us to centralize messages and announcements to improve engagement with our students’ parents and guardians.

By unifying multiple tools into one communications app and service, ParentSquare provides a seamless experience for parents and staff. Parents will be able to keep track of news, activities and events from all their children’s schools in one place.

DSC hopes that ParentSquare’s intuitive, two-way platform will foster greater communication and family involvement. With ParentSquare, parents can enjoy photos posted by teachers, fill out forms and permission slips, sign up for parent-teacher conferences, check grades and attendance, and much more. School staff and parents can engage in both one-to-one and group messaging with real-time language translation.

“Effective school-to-home communication has never been more important, which is why Duneland School Corporation adopted the ParentSquare communication platform. We’re looking forward to reaching 100% of our families no matter where they are, unifying all our communications tools, and adopting a more eco-friendly approach by reducing the amount of paper used to send important communications,” said Bridget Martinson, DSC director of Public Relations/Marketing.

DSC’s partnership with ParentSquare will enable stronger engagement between school and home, and help empower everyone within the school community to stay connected and informed. For more information on ParentSquare, please visit www.parentsquare.com.

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

WE WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE THE BUS HOME WITH FRIENDS THAT DO NOT SHARE THE THE SAME DESIGNATED BUS ROUTE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE UTMOST CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OUR STUDENTS.

n the Fall of 2023, a strategic planning team was formed to review and update the current four-year strategic plan into a five-year plan that will be used to guide the Corporation from 2024-2028. The new Strategic Plan will guide DSC for the next five years in the areas of Student Achievement, Safety & Operations, People & Culture, and Finance & Facilities.