Each of the nine
schools in the Duneland School Corporation were named among the 104 schools
receiving the 2017 Indiana Gold Star School Counseling Awards from the State
Department of Education this morning.
Chesterton High
School retained its designation having been the one Duneland School named in
the 2016 recipients. Meanwhile, the other eight schools -- Bailly
Elementary, Brummitt Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Liberty Elementary,
Yost Elementary, Liberty Intermediate, Westchester Intermediate and
Chesterton Middle School -- all received the gold star for the first time.
The Gold Star
designation signifies the school counselor-led steering team has met
specific criteria identified for the development of a comprehensive school
counseling model.
To receive the
award, schools undergo a rigorous process to raise student achievement and
improve overall student success by creating local school-community advisory
groups that review student data, set specific student goals, and commit to
maximizing the time and skills of the school counselor.
Duneland
Superintendent of Schools Ginger Bolinger told the Chesterton Tribune
that the administration is grateful for the support that the Duneland School
Board has given to counseling programs and its comprehensive standards.
“We’re certainly
happy about the recognition from the state but we are more excited for our
counseling programs continuing their excellent service in all our
buildings,” Bolinger said. “Our board recognizes school counseling and how
important it is for our children.”
Created in 2004,
the Gold Star designation has been awarded to nearly 300 Indiana elementary,
middle and high schools.
“Receiving the Gold
Star designation is evidence of the collaboration it takes among educators
and staff for students to be successful,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick,
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a statement released this
morning.
“I want to
recognize and commend these schools for understanding the tremendous impact
school counselors and school and community members have in helping our
students become fully prepared for life beyond high school,” McCormick
added.
A total of 104
Indiana schools received the 2017 designation, of which 22 renewed their
Gold Star status. The official award presentation will take place in
November at the Indiana School Counselor Association fall conference.
Other Porter County
schools receiving the gold star are Boone Grove High School and Wheeler High
School.