Celebrating Women
Chesterton High School students recently attended the Duneland Chamber sponsored “Hatta Girl” tea ‘celebrating women and the many hats we wear. The women’s tea featured a panel of female speakers who shared their insights and experiences, how they manage the many hats their wear, and how it contributes to their successes. Nominated student leaders attending the event with CHS Assistant Principal Judy Malasto were front row, left to right, Jordyn Soffa, Amber Heilmann, Bryn Jackson and Emily Coleman. Back row, Brinley Fowler, Judy Malasto, Violet Needham, Katelyn Balakir and Katie Craig, along with Duneland School Superintendent Dr. Ginger Bolinger who also attended the event.
Liberty Intermediate Drug-Free Essay and Poster Contest Winners
Liberty Intermediate School sponsored a drug-free essay and poster contest during Red Ribbon Week last week. Pictured are essay winners, front row, left to right, Charlee Mackeigan, Michael Zielinski, Trevor Arlington, Gabby Serrano, and Ava Kontos; and back row, poster winners Jazalyn Hooks, Isabelle Connors, Sydney Morris, Brandon Ross and Amber Lohman.
Tree Honoring Dr. Bolinger
Superintendent Dr. Ginger Bolinger was invited to Westchester Intermediate (WIS) to learn more about the school’s media and the wide range of programs that support reading and understanding in the content areas through the Media Center. As a culminating library activity to a unit which included a discussion about the book, When a Tree Was Growing, WIS honored Dr. Bolinger's arrival to WIS and the Corporation with the planting of a white flowering dogwood tree on the school grounds. Taking part in the dedication was left to right, Media Specialist Paul Napier, Miranda Beiswanger, Luke Hansen, Teacher Becky Holmen, Braeden Head, Nathan McBride, Nicholas Christian, Gavin Weiler, Dr. Bolinger and Richard Jegen. A certificate commemorating the event and signed by Principal Shawn Longacre and the attendees was also presented to Dr. Bolinger.
CHS Hall-oween Event
Chesterton High School Student Government hosted its annual Hall-oween event on Monday evening. This fun event for the community is a safe way for sixth graders and younger children to go trick or treating for goodies. Pictured begging for goodies from CHS Girls’ Soccer team members Kara Maggio (12), Sarah Harmon (11) and Kenedy Olson (9) is Brummitt third grader Lily Matuska and her fifth grade brother Jonah of Westchester Intermediate along with their mother Jen.
Veterans Day Essay Winners
Liberty Intermediate School hosted its annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday morning at the school. This year’s program included four essay winners, left to right, with Principal Greg Guernsey; Lydia Comfort (6), Jacob Parker (6), Alyssa Kettle (5), Isabelle Carney (5); along with Art Teacher Natalie Loden who also served as the Veterans Day program coordinator.
Red Ribbon Week Presentation
During Red Ribbon Week, Lt. Joe Christian from the Chesterton Police Department and Sgt. Matt Edwards from the Porter County Sheriffs Department presented a drug-free program to students at Brummitt Elementary School. Lt. Christian talked to the students about the importance of leading a successful drug-free life. Sgt. Edwards brought along his dog, Joker, and gave a demonstration showing how Joker helps locate illegal drugs with the help of is keen sense of smell. Brummitt students pictured are, left to right, Finn Smith (3), Claire Swistek (3), Brooklynn Jones (1), Mason Bobin (1), Lt. Christian, Annabella Arguelles (2), Jalena Chatman (4), Ellis Lee (2), and Ethan Hack (4), and Sgt. Edwards with Joker.
Mentor Teachers Trained
Duneland School Corporation recently graduated its Fourth Cohort from mentor teacher training. In 2008, Duneland was granted status to conduct its own mentor-training program and has since then certified over 50 teachers. Trained mentors are assigned to beginning teachers to assist with the transition to teaching and Duneland expectations in the first two years of employment. The Duneland Mentor Training Academy Class of 2017 consists of left to right, Kayla Arizzi, Marquita White, Lindsay Trout, Angela Karagiannakis, Tami Pullins, Kim Tumbas, Phylicia Barth, Stacy Vesling, Cheryl Marrs, Candi Kautz, Gena Roberts, Sandy Campbell, Katie Masi and Cris Petro. Not pictured is Traci Urban.
Liberty Elementary Buddy Bench
As a community service project through the Duneland Family YMCA, Lindsay Trout’s second graders collected 400 lbs. of plastic lids last school year. The lids were used to make a bench that students can sit on the Liberty Elementary school playground. The students chose to dedicate the bench to Rusty Schultz, a classmate that passed away from pediatric cancer. Pictured with the bench are this year’s third graders that collected lids last school year as second graders in Trout’s class. Front row, left to right, Kendra Arvidson, Esther Baker, Caprie Wilson, Clayton Maynard, Anna Holmes, Evan Cherep, Sidney Santana, Emmori Schott, Wyatt Lambersie, Hailey Morrison, Emma Dobson, Ethan Gonzales, Tyler Dhaemers, Crosby Moore, Ryan Nix, Amelia Jimenez, Olivia Milton. Back row, community sponsor James Trout; teacher Lindsay Trout; Jane Delligati of the Duneland Family YMCA. Absent from the photo is Brooke Russell and community sponsors Chris and Tara Dhaemers.