Dear Westchester Middle School Parents,

This week our school proudly participated in National "Start with Hello" Week, joining schools across the country in promoting kindness, connection, and inclusion. Throughout the week, students engaged in activities that encouraged them to reach out to peers who may feel isolated and build a more welcoming environment.

As parents, you can support this effort at home by encouraging open conversations about the importance of inclusivity, modeling empathy in your own interactions, and reminding your children to continue practicing these positive behaviors every day. Together, we can extend the spirit of "Start with Hello" beyond the classroom and into our homes and community.

I want to remind you about a few upcoming dates. First, the end of the 1st Quarter is next Friday, October 18th. Students will be taking final exams in their classes over the next week or so. Additionally, Duneland schools will be closed for Fall Break on October 24-25.

WMS Student Council is hosting a Halloween Dance on Tuesday, Oct. 29th from 4-6pm. Tickets will be sold in the morning and during lunches for $5. Costumes will need to be school appropriate, no weapons, no masks, no gore, and no inflatable costumes are to be worn during the school day. Please email Laura O'Dell if you are interested in chaperoning the dance; lodell@duneland.k12.in.us. Volunteers will need to come in for a background check prior the dance.

Fall NWEA results are available for parents and students to view in Skyward. Click on the portfolio tab and then attachments.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Lauren Seiss, WMS Principal

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:

10/12 8th Gr. A Team Volleyball Invite at 9:00am @ WMS

10/15 (H) 7/8 A Team Volleyball vs. Fegely at 5:00pm @ WMS

10/16 8th Gr. A Team Conference

10/16 7th Gr. LPAC Tourney Round 1 at 5:00pm @ WMS

10/17 (A) Football vs. Thomas Jefferson at 5:30pm @ Thomas Jefferson MS

10/17 (H) 7th Gr. Volleyball Semis/Finals at 5:00pm @ WMS

10/17 (A) 8th Gr. Volleyball Semis/Finals at 5:00pm @ Thomas Jefferson MS

10/18 End of Grading Period

10/18 Kona Ice

10/21 Picture Retake Day

10/22 Football vs. LMS at 6:00pm @ CHS

10/24 & 10/25 NO SCHOOL Fall Break

A: Alamo

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

At recess on Friday, Oct. 18th we will have Kona Ice for sale. Cash only.

There will be no school for all Duneland School students on Thursday and Friday, October 24 & 25 for fall recess. Classes will resume on Monday, October 28.

The first grading period will end on Friday, Oct. 18 and report cards will be available on the Skyward Family Access Parent Portal on Tuesday, October 29 at 3 p.m. Parents have the option of printing out their student's report card. Parents needing access assistance to their Parent Portal on Skyward, should contact their child's school directly.

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

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

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

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.