Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Lansing School District Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. As always, it is a pleasure to be writing to you all. I wanted to talk with you this week about our surveys. Hopefully, everyone reading this newsletter (if you are a student in grades 6-12, a staff member, or a parent/guardian of a currently enrolled student) has received a link to our survey. If not, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or the office.

In order to be the best district we can be, we need to hear from the folks we are supposed to be serving. Your voice is incredibly important in shaping the future of the district. For far too long, decisions have been made centrally rather than taking into account all the wonderful and diverse ideas and experiences of our constituents. But we can only know your experiences and thoughts if you tell them to us.

This is why we are so happy to have this survey. Though it might feel pretty long, it gives us lots of great information. If there is a question you don't want to answer, that's ok. You can skip any question you want. The most important thing is that we can hear from you in a codified, anonymous, and formal way that then can be used to make meaningful decisions to move the district forward.

There are three important "promises" a good district must make in terms of community voice: 1) we promise to ask you what you think, 2) we promise to make public what you think, and 3) we promise to act on what you think. However, we need as many people to fill out the surveys as possible, in order to get the most robust picture of the district. Already, the response is awesome. We have more than 3,600 surveys filled out. But because we think this is so important and want more responses, we have extended the deadline until May 26th, this Friday. I want you all to know that your voice matters. If you want to say great things about the district or tell us how bad a job we are doing, that is ok. Your experience and thoughts are valid. I am thrilled with the progress we are making as a district, but I also know we have a long way to go. But that path and our focus should be directed by the people we work for -- YOU!

I can't wait to see the results, not because I think they are going to be awesome, but because I think they will highlight where we are doing well and where we need to focus. So please, be honest, be thoughtful, and fill out those surveys. If you have any questions about the surveys, do not hesitate to reach out. It is our hope to have results within a few weeks from the end of the survey window.

Thank you so much for all of your incredible support of our district. Together, we will do great things for the children of Lansing.

Benjamin Shuldiner, Superintendent

Lansing School District

We have extended the deadline to May 26!

Students, check with your teachers about taking your survey.

Staff and families, check your email for the survey link.

Superintendent Shuldiner has prepared a message about this important data-collection effort.

Aubry Jackson is a fourth grader and member of the safety patrol at Reo Elementary School who was recently nominated as safety of the year! Her duties as a safety include making sure students are using the playground equipment safely at lunch recess, monitoring student behavior at the front door of the school during dismissal, and leading students to their busses.

On the playground, she makes sure that everyone is following recess rules and being safe on the equipment. At the bus stop, she is responsible for displaying a sign that says, “WALK” and “SLOW” and makes sure students walk to the busses in an orderly fashion with no pushing and shoving. She directs the preschoolers and the kindergarteners to enter the bus first. Once on the bus, she checks to see that every student is sitting and that the aisles are clear.

Aubry takes her role as a safety very seriously, warning students when they are being unsafe during her shift. After several warnings, she notifies the advisor if a student continues with unsafe behavior. Aubry is a leader who her peers look up to. She receives their respect because they see how seriously she takes her job as a safety. The school principal, her teacher, and other adults have all been impressed by how seriously she takes her role as a safety, and what an outstanding job she does.

Aubry is very responsible. She asks good questions and makes sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to do. When she is unavailable to do her job because of a previous commitment, she makes sure another safety is able to fill in for her. Aubry has never been late and is always where she needs to be. She remembers her responsibilities without reminders.

Aubry loves being a safety, when she has completed her duties, she asks other safeties if she can help them. Moreover, she looks for additional opportunities to help others, such as tutoring kindergarten students and her classmates — specifically in math. Aubry also volunteers time in her community by cutting her neighbor’s yard during the summer months and shoveling snow during the winter months.

We are proud of Aubry for her accomplishments and look forward to all that is to come for this young role model!

David Gonzales has been a part of the Lansing School District through Sodexo since 2020. He is currently a custodian at the Don Johnson Fieldhouse and is responsible for the overall maintenance and upkeep of this historic space. David does an amazing job maintaining this legendary facility as a showplace for the Lansing School District! He takes great pride in always having the facility looking its best for students, staff, and community visitors. Maintaining the Fieldhouse is a huge undertaking, but David has gone above and beyond — becoming a highly-valued partner with the new Student Development Program!

David has provided tangible assistance, support, and encouragement to student participants and staff alike and he is always willing to lend a hand wherever he is needed! He often helps with student registration, mealtime, and ensures a peaceful, positive space for everyone. David engages with students and always treats them with kindness and respect. His his calm, pleasant demeanor makes him a wonderful role model for our students. Throughout the day he demonstrates a solid work ethic while still finding time to support students and staff in the program!

His favorite part of the Student Development Program is connecting with people — students and staff alike. He loves being a part of the team! When not at work, David enjoys reading, writing, and cooking with his family. David is an essential member of the Student Development Program — we are grateful for the beautiful space he maintains and the relationships he has formed with our student athletes!

On Wednesday, Lansing School District's Federally funded STAR (School Transformation Accelerates Results) Grant program, in partnership with The Urban Assembly (UA) held a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Showcase at Attwood New Tech. This first-time event drew the attention of not only district teaching staff, administrators, support specialists, and students, but also teaching staff from neighboring districts, as well as representatives from Urban Assembly and Aperture Education!

The UA has been utilizing innovative tools and programs to help with the implementation, support, and strengthening of SEL in our STAR schools (Attwood, Mt. Hope, North, Sheridan Rd., Pattengill, Gardner, Dwight Rich, Everett, Eastern (UA only). They also provide coaching, data-informed systems, and professional development to administrators and staff alike.

During the event, attendees were able to observe a pep rally at the school, which highlighted student and staff success while incorporating team building — allowing students to see staff in a more fun environment. Students competed in a "minute to win it" game, and many students were recognized and received prizes as part of Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (CRPBIS) rewards. Guests were also able to visit Ms. Purdy and Ms. Donnelly’s respective classrooms to observe circles, which are a part of school-wide expectations, and provide a safe space where everyone’s voice can be respectfully heard. During circles, students listen for understanding, INSTEAD of responding, with the sharing of perspectives and stories bringing learning and trust to the forefront.

Mrs. Bills (AP, Gardner) moderated a staff panel that consisted of, Mr. Beard (AP, Pattengill), Mrs. Apostle (Reading Interventionist, Gardner), Ms. Robins (Counselor, Eastern), Ms. Paris (Math/Science, Attwood), Mr. Davis (Dean of Students, Attwood), and Mr. Wilson (AP, Dwight Rich). There was also a student panel featuring Davontae (Pattengill, 4th), Giselle (Eastern, 12th), Sanyla (Dwight Rich, 4th), Ornella (Attwood, 6th), and Brisia (Gardner, 6th) where they tackled questions like “what would you say to someone who says SEL is not important?” The students agreed that if they have too much on their minds, or are dealing with anger, stress, or anxiety they cannot focus on tests, or studies and will zone out. They also turned the question around, asking them what their community looks like, because, if kids don't learn to manage their emotions, then how will community turn out once they become adults?

“It was wonderful to see the passion coming through as staff spoke, hearing from the staff who are doing the work with our students was powerful,” said Brandy Jones, STAR Grant Supervisor. “To hear the impact of what SEL has done in some of our student's lives renewed my faith in continuing to do the work that is often overlooked because it doesn't fit into "academics," Jones continued, “we are in the business of developing young people and as educators, we cannot continue to overlook this critical piece if we want to see our students thrive: SEL brings humanity back to education.”

To read more, including some quotes from students, check out the coverage from WILX

Also: stay tuned for the SEL Nations Video debut!

Sexton High School is proud to announce another exposure dream come true for their J-Dubb students!!! Who would have known that from the meeeting of the minds would come a J-Dubb HBCU (Historically Black College Or University) tour? Sexton High School, of course.

Thanks to the help of Justin Sheehan (Lansing Promise), Kellie Dean (Dean Transportation), and Dr. Eric Thomas (The Eric Thomas Foundation), 40 J-Dubbs recently boarded a charter bus and headed south to visit Kentucky State University, Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College!

Celebrate kindness, friendship, and unity from June 1 - August 5

with Capital Area District Libraries' Summer Reading Challenge!

Visit cadl.org/summer for more information and to sign up!