Yost Weekly Update: August 11, 2023

Hi, I am the new nurse here at Yost. I previously worked at Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City where I worked as a pediatric medical nurse. I look forward to meeting everyone as I get settled into my new position here!

Mr. B. was recognized as a Teacher of Excellence in June of last school year. He is so deserving!

Our PTO mission is to enhance & support the educational experience at Newton Yost Elementary, to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement, and to improve the environment at Newton Yost Elementary through volunteer and financial support.

This will be my fourth year dedicating my time to be a part of helping bring this mission to our Yostie Families.

I am looking forward to seeing what FUN we can create this year!! We have an outstanding group of volunteers who have provided their time, skills, and generosity to create lasting memories for our staff, students, and community as a whole.

We will continue our mission and always are in need of new faces with fresh ideas, please consider volunteering to help our school this year.

For many of us, it has provided a creative outlet to share our generous hearts and create lasting friendships. We welcome you to come along as much or a little as you can.

We have a variety of opportunities to get involved from counting receipts at home to board positions. Many families I have talked with share they may not have alot of money to donate but they have the time to volunteer, others share they have no time to help but will help financially, and all the in-between.

Whatever phase you are in at life, we are on a mission and would love for you to support our Yosties in any way possible.

Lauren Stegenga, parent of a third grader

Yost Elementary PTO President

Important Dates/Links:

MUM ORDERS:

Paper forms and online Orders due AUG 28

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/3b5be888-da60-4b72-9d06-b48c8c44d8d1

Sign up for Sept 21 Carline Pickup Time,

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60B0B45ABA62AA6FD0-50569182-mumsale

Sign up to Volunteer for Sept 21 pickup,

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60B0B45ABA62AA6FD0-50569830-volunteers

SPIRITWEAR ORDERS:

Orders Due back SEPT 6

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/80c18e1b-052a-4451-ad9e-32d6e44f7b72

STUDENT DIRECTORY/SURVEY sign up:

Add your student by AUG 30

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJrzuLscgjNuu6PYUeJ-NStvzxlXLwNnOD5xLaEJUXf4S2FA/viewform

SAVE THE DATE:

SEPT 10, 4:30 PM PTO MEETING

SEPT 26, 6 PM Family Nature Night with Izaak Walton & Partners

OCT 17, 5 PM Spooky Silly Safari Animals

Our Yost PTO and the greater Yost community are always so generous. This is just one closet of clothes that they have compiled for students and families that may need assistance or extras for Nurse Chrissy's office.

Doors Open- 7:10

Warning Bell- 7:27

School Begins- 7:30

Dismissal Begins- 2:15

Office Hours- 6:45-3:15

Please refer to the video for updated traffic patterns.

https://youtu.be/sVQEas2ZlOA

Yost has been designated as a Family Friendly School by the IDOE.

Congratulations to Bailly, Jackson, Liberty, Yost and Westchester for being recognized as 2023-24 PLTW Launch Distinguished Schools! PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs.

9/2 Labor Day (no school)

9/10 Yost PTO Meeting, 4:30

9/12 Yost Community Welcome Night, 5:30-7:00

9/21 Yost PTO Mum Pick-up

9/26 Yost PTO Izaak Walton Family Nature Night, 6:00-7:30

10/2 Yost Picture Day
10/17 Yost PTO Silly Safari Family Night

10/18 Quarter 1 Ends

10/24 & 10/25 Fall Break (no school)

Below is information regarding the universal screener for dyslexia. This link connects you to information from the IDOE.

In an effort to improve attendance which directly positively impacts student growth and achievement along with adhering to the new state law regarding attendance, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 282, Duneland School Corporation has developed a new Attendance Policy.

A few important changes:

• Parent/Guardian Verified Absence: This is a new category of student attendance. It is used when an absence does not meet the criteria to be considered "Excused" or "Unexcused." There will only be four (4) Parent/Guardian Verified absences allowed a semester. Additional absences called in by a parent or guardian not meeting the definition of "Excused" will be considered "Unexcused."
• Parents only have one (1) week to verify an absence or provide documentation for an "Excused" absence.
• A student who is absent from school for five (5) days within a ten (10) week period without the absences considered "Excused" will be deemed a student in need of truancy prevention.

1. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
2. Chronic absence appears to have doubled by the end of the 2021-22 school year. We estimate that it now affects nearly one out of three students (or 16 million vs. 8 million students in the 2018-19 school year).
3. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
4. By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
5. Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. Chronic absence is considered two days a month.
6. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances of graduating.
7. The most important thing to track is not just how many are missing school without an excuse but how many are missing so many days in excused and unexcused absences that academics are off track.
8. Missing one (1) day of school every two (2) weeks, adds up to almost a year and half of school from kindergarten to senior in high school.

Learn more about the Duneland Early Learning Classes at the the HUB. Click on the image below to enroll.

To make an appointment please call 219-763-8112. Let NorthShore know you are a Duneland School student or staff member and that you would like to make an appointment at the Duneland School Clinic located at the old CMS.

Below are lists for student success.

At the January 8th School Board meeting, the following school start and end times were approved for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Elementary (K-4) 7:30 – 2:20 (Doors open at 7:10)
• High School (9-12) 8:10 – 3:10
• Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 – 3:50

Email: jhuwig@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Domain/12
Location: 100 West Beam Street, Porter, IN, USA
Phone: 219.983.3640