DuneNews
Duneland School news for parents, students and teachers
Chesterton High School is proud to announce that senior Luke Sparks has been named a National Merit Finalist in the prestigious 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This distinguished honor places Luke among the top high school scholars in the nation, recognizing his exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and dedication to excellence.
The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, identifies and honors students who demonstrate outstanding potential for academic success. Luke was selected as a Finalist after advancing from the pool of Semifinalists, a distinction based on his exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT and a rigorous application process that includes academic records, leadership experience, and a personal essay.
Luke exemplifies the highest standards of academic achievement and character at Chesterton High School. We are incredibly proud of his dedication, hard work, and the bright future that lies ahead.
As a National Merit Finalist, Luke is now eligible for a variety of merit-based scholarships awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), colleges, universities, and corporate sponsors.
Please join us in congratulating Luke Sparks on this outstanding achievement!
Congratulation to CHS Senior Claire Demeter who won first place in the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution essay contest. Claire's essay entitled, "The Hero of Two Worlds - Marquis de Lafayette" was entered in this statewide contest.
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsors the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest and invites all high school students (9th through 12th grades) interested in the American Revolution to participate. The contest is open to all US Citizen and Legal Resident students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high schools in that same grade range.
To participate, students must submit an original 800 to 1,200 word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Each student’s essay is judged based upon its historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation.
The contest is conducted in three phases: the local chapter, state-level society, and national phases. The contest must be entered through an SAR chapter near the student’s residence. Duneland Chapter’s next contest will be held in the fall of 2025.
Westchester Middle School
Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Cassidy Hallock, Saniah Newcome, Arabella Purser, Melody Shapiro, and Coralei Zeilstra (right, pictured with her medal).
Gold medals awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Alexis Dees, Virginia Murray, Arabella Purser, Amiracle Slack, Nora Schultz, Melody Shapiro, and Lyla Szczudlak.
Chesterton High School
The following students won gold medals, and qualified for State with their vocal solo performance: Emmersyn Curran, Ryan Gray, Megan Hadenfelt, Sophia Higgins, Mara Huneryager, Mia Larimer (left, pictured with her medal), Sam Smith, Ella Taylor, Antonio Unpingco, and Aubree Williams.
Gold medals, and state qualification, awarded for vocal ensemble performances: Anthony Alvarez, Logan Arthur, Ava Bozak, Ayden Bozak, Ava Cunningham, Emmersyn Curran, Niyelli Estrada, Carson Foster, Ryan Gray, Sophia Higgins, Mara Huneryager Jordan Keefover, Lauren Kroft, Archer Lohman, Hannah Loving, Joseph Lucken, Karleigh Pawlyszyn, Garrett Richerson, Samuel Smith, Antonio Unpingco, Veronica Wilgocki.
Gold medals awarded for vocal solo performances: Ava Bozak, Isabelle Cain, Marian Cook, Annaliese Coppler, Anna Holmes, Lauren Kroft, Macey Mauke, Emily Ponce, Emmori Schott, and Emma Wahl.
This past Saturday, Westchester Middle School Robotics attended its third competition of the season in Plymouth, IN. This competition was a middle school only competition, so students were competing against students their own age vs. a blended high school and middle school teams. All of the WMS teams did a fantastic job competing and showed improvement. Team D made it all the way to the Semifinals which is one step away from the final round! Students will compete next at Crown Point on February 22.
Pictured at left, Team D: Lucas Blankenship (7) Daelyn Dolph (7). Absent from the photo was Elijah Haas and Dylan Johnson.
The Chesterton Athletics Department is excited to announce that veteran sports journalist Tom Keegan will be continuing to cover athletic events for the Chesterton High School as well as other district events for Duneland School Corporation.
Although the Chesterton Tribune has ceased publication, the Duneland community can still enjoy Tom’s exceptional sports coverage highlighting the achievements of the outstanding student-athletes at Chesterton High School and more through his new website.
“We are fortunate to have Tom continuing his storytelling right here in Chesterton,” said Chesterton High School AD, Jeff Hamstra. “His deep knowledge of sports and passion for showcasing student athletes make him an invaluable asset to our community.”
To read Tom Keegan’s latest stories, visit onwardtrojans.com and stay up-to-date with Chesterton Athletics and districtwide news.
https://www.onwardtrojans.com/
The CHS Applied Arts class is excited to exhibit cubism self-portraits at their upcoming "Outside the Box" gallery show. The exhibition will feature oil pastel drawings by 21 students celebrating uniqueness and diversity through creativity. The class is taught by CHS art teacher Colin May.
The show will be hosted at The Das' Gallery (Country Inn & Suites, 2020 Laporte Ave. Valparaiso, IN) through February 2025.
Come check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB!
The Duneland School Corporation Early Learning HUB is proud to be the first birth to school initiative in Porter County. The HUB is a place for caregivers and their children to learn, play and grow together.
The HUB is learning about feeling, Valentine’s Day, community and more with our HUB families for February. If you have children ages 0-5, come join in the fun M-F at the HUB. Check out this FREE program at our DSC website.
https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/programs-services/duneland-early-learning-hub
Discover Duneland School Corporation’s Trojan Learning Center
Located within the Duneland School Corporation,
the Trojan Learning Center (TLC) offers a wealth of learning opportunities for
young children and their families. Here is what we offer:
- Duneland Early Learning HUB is a FREE Birth-to-School program for children from 0-5 and their caregivers. Check out the Duneland Early Learning HUB for more information.
- Duneland School Corporation provides preschool options for children ages 3-5 for children with developmental delays and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Operated by our community partner, the Duneland Family YMCA, also has two additional preschool rooms.
All of the preschool classrooms utilize a proven curriculum that help children grow their social skills and emotional well-being. The TLC ensures each child has a fun and supportive learning experience. Additionally, all preschool students participate in engaging and enjoyable activities together!
Exceptional Learning Instructional Aide Positions Available
Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? Interested in a fulfilling and rewarding position with no required evening or weekend work? Looking to enjoy the same summer and holiday schedule as your kids? The primary responsibilities of Exceptional Learning (EXL) Instructional Aides range from sharing smiles, making connections, building confidence, encouraging learning, supporting students with instruction in & out of the classroom, and assisting children with self help & self management skills.
DSC is currently searching for select individuals to serve as EXL Instructional Aides. Available positions can start at $19.00, $17.00 or $15.00 per hour. Opportunities exist at elementary, intermediate and secondary levels and can:
- be full-time/benefit-eligible
- be part-time and follow the student school day
- involve sharing the day with a single student
- involve engaging with multiple learners in a classroom setting
Emergency School Closing Procedures
As we approach the winter season, please review the procedures for school closings and/or delays that may occur due to inclement weather. See DSC Unplanned Synchonous eLearning Day Schedules below.
eLearning - Unplanned Synchonous Schedules
If students are asked not report to school due to emergency weather conditions; students will participate in an unplanned inclement weather eLearning day (virtual-synchronous-see Guidelines for Students)
Students will take part in Google Meet sessions with their teachers to receive face-to-face instruction. Teachers will post schedules by 9:00 A.M. Please click on the link above for more information.
NEW! SKYWARD Family Access Portal
Link to Skyward Family Access Portal
DSC 2024 -2025 Calendar
2025-2026 DSC Calendar
The Duneland School Corporation School Board of Trustees approved next school year's 2025-2026 district calendar
CHS Maroon & Gold Calendar/Bell Schedules
Parent Observer Account
Parents are encouraged to set up their Canvas observer accounts to monitor their students' progress. Parents can click this link to view how to set up their Parent Observer Account
Link to the Canvas Log In
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
NEW!! DSC K-4 Anonymous Safety Reporting Form
K-4 Anonymous Safety Reporting Form
The DSC Child Nutrition Department utilizes NutriSlice as its 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 menu item at any of the Duneland Schools. This program will be developed further incorporating images of the actual food items being served at each of the Duneland schools.
Menus will be posted on Thursday, Aug. 1
DSC Strategic Plan 2024-2028 Update
In 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 Board of School Trustees for the Duneland School Corporation approved the new DSC Strategic Plan at its December 4, 2023 regular meeting. The plan will guide DSC for the next five years in the areas of Student Achievement, Safety & Operations, People & Culture, and Finance & Facilities.
These timelines were revised as of December 2024 to reflect necessary adjustments to the plan and to ensure the continued success and growth of our educational community.
Click this link to view the new 2024-2028 Strategic Plan
CONTACTING IT SUPPORT
Contact the Duneland School Corporation IT department via one of these methods:
- Open a IncidentIQ ticket by sending an email to: helpdesk@duneland.k12.in.us
- 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
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