Helpful Information for All Families

Documents and Forms

Childcare Transfer Request Form 2026-2027

Please complete this form to request an interdistrict school transfer due to the location of your childcare provider.

Election to Attend Form - Instructions

Please read these instructions before completing the Election to Attend form.

This form may be used in a situation of divorce or separation. If at least one parent resides within the Duneland School Corporation (DSC) attendance boundaries, the parents may elect to have their student(s) enroll in DSC.

Please note: This form, along with the required residency verification documents, must be submitted before the first day of May each school year.

Daily Schedule for Schools

The following opening and closing times have been established for each building for the 2026-2027 school year:

Elementary (K-4) 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Developmental Preschool (DPK) - AM Session: 7:45 - 10:15 a.m. PM Session: 11:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
High School (9-12) 8:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Intermediate/Middle (5-8) 8:50 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.

e-Learning Days 2026-2027

All Duneland students will have eLearning on the following Election Days: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 and Tuesday, May 4, 2027.

Transportation and CHS Parking Permits

Transportation

Duneland students who live outside the established walking boundaries of their respective schools may be bused to and from school. Bus routes for registered Duneland students will be available on or about Friday, August 7 via the Skyward Parent Portal . Please check the Skyward Parent Portal the day before school starts for any updates and changes to busing information and visit the Transportation Department page for additional information.

CHS Parking Permits

Students are encouraged to use the school buses, to carpool, and to drive only when essential. Students allowed to drive must present their current driver’s license and completed registration form in order to purchase a parking permit. A parent's signature is required on the permit registration form. Parking permits are FREE. Students may pick up a CHS Parking Permit Registration Form in the CHS Main Office.

Items for Student Success

Following the passage of recent legislation on textbooks/curriculum materials, Duneland will not be collecting textbook and instructional supply fees for the upcoming school year. Instead, funding for these items will come from state reimbursement and local school funds. This includes textbook, software, and hardware costs as well as other items required for educating our students.

DSC is now providing Items for Student Success documents to answer your questions and offer recommendations so that families can prepare for the first days of school. Please check out the links to information below for your student’s needs:

PreK Items for Student Success

K-4 Items for Student Success

5-6 Items for Student Success

7-8 Items for Student Success

9-12 Items for Student Success

Breakfast & Hot Lunch Program

2026-2027 School Year

The school meals program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Duneland School Corporation will process free or reduced-price meal benefit applications for those students who apply and are approved. Those students not qualifying for free or reduced-price meals will be charged the paid meal price for breakfast and/or lunch.

When available, meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year will be posted on the DSC Child Nutrition website.

NutriSlice Link

Click on Link to View School Menus and Nutritional Information

School Open-Houses

CHS Freshmen Orientation

TROJAN CHARGE, a Freshmen orientation program, will be hosted on Wednesday, Aug. 5 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Chesterton High School. The day will be filled with activities to get incoming Freshmen acclimated to CHS. Students will also get an opportunity to meet upperclassmen, sign up for clubs, have a CHS lunch, open their lockers, and walk their school schedule.

Back-to-School Open Houses

Back-to-School Open Houses are hosted at each child’s respective school building. Families may use this opportunity to visit the student's classroom, learn important information about the upcoming school year, and meet the student’s teacher. Look for information closer to each event from the respective buildings for details.

ELEMENTARY GRADES K-4
(at respective buildings)
Tuesday, August, 11, 2026
4:00-5:30 p.m.

INTERMEDIATE GRADES 5-6
(at respective buildings)
Monday, August, 10, 2026
4:00-5:30 p.m.

MIDDLE GRADES 7-8
(at respective buildings)
Monday, August, 10, 2026
6:00-7:30 p.m.

CHESTERTON HIGH SCHOOL 9-12
2125 S 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time TBD

CHESTERTON HIGH SCHOOL
INCOMING 9TH GRADE ORIENTATION
(TROJAN CHARGE)
2125 S 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

DEVELOPMENTAL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
AM Developmental Preschool - Tuesday, August 25, 2026 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
PM Developmental Preschool - Tuesday, August 25, 2026 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
First Day of Classes for Developmental Preschool : Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

NORTHWEST INDIANA ONLINE SCHOOL (NWIOS) K-12
(All students must complete annual onboarding to complete enrollment in the online school option):

NWIOS ONBOARDING SESSIONS (for new and returning families)
VIRTUAL onboarding (K -5) Families
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 ·1:00 - 2:00 pm Time zone: Central - America/Chicago
Google Meet joining info - Video call link: https://meet.google.com/kfw-kmwb-gbd

VIRTUAL onboarding (6-12) Families (for new and returning families)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 · 3:00 - 4:00 PM Time zone: Central - America/Chicago
Google Meet joining info - Video call link: https://meet.google.com/owe-gqzi-uso

VIRTUAL onboarding (6-12) Families
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 · 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Time zone: Central - America/Chicago
Google Meet joining info - Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qzg-jbjk-tpe

IN-PERSON ONBOARDING SESSIONS on Thursday, August 13, 2026
Location: 601 Morgan Avenue; Door 9 (south side of the building)
K-12 Families 9:00 am - 10:00 am
K -12 Families 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

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