Dear Lansing School District Community,

I hope that this newsletter finds you well. As always, it is a pleasure to be writing to you all.

What a nice day it is outside. As we settle into Fall and the heart of the first semester, it is times like these that I hope we all have a chance to go for a walk around the neighborhood, feel the sun against our skin, and embrace the slight breeze and warm, crisp air. We don't have to worry about air conditioning or heating; we don't have to worry about rain or snow. Hopefully the days of excessive heat are well behind us and the days of snow are well ahead of us. Now is the "just right" time. So please let us all enjoy.

It has also been a wonderful week for our schools. On Friday, I was privileged to attend the Everett vs Grand Ledge football game, which was also homecoming and the introduction of the new class of Everett Hall of Famers. It was a wonderful evening. The crowd was lively and supportive, the band played well, and the football team won. A community member said to me, as we were both leaning on the fence and taking it all in, "This feels great." I couldn't agree more. When a community is together, enjoying itself, celebrating homecoming and Hall of Fame inductions, and cheering on the team on the field, it does feel great. I hope everyone has a chance to attend a game, play, musical, music performance, or art show this year. The district has so many offerings, and I know that the students and the staff would love to see the community support them.

Additionally, this week, all three of our boys soccer teams won a tournament and a cup. Congratulations to Eastern for beating Olivet and winning the CAAC Consolation Cup, congratulations to Everett for beating Fowlerville and taking home the CAAC Copper Cup, and congratulations to Sexton for beating Eaton Rapids on penalty kicks to lift the CAAC Bronze Cup. Good luck to all three teams as they enter the District Playoffs. We are all very proud of your accomplishments this year.

And of course, thanks so much to all of you, our wonderful newsletter readers, for your incredible support of our district. Together, we will continue to do great things for the children of Lansing.

Benjamin Shuldiner, Superintendent

Lansing School District

The Lansing School District Newcomer Center, which has been serving families since the beginning of the school year, celebrated its official grand opening on September 30th! Our district has been committed to providing a welcoming and supportive experience for multilingual learners since the late 1950s, and this new building takes the next step in a holistic approach to supporting international students and their families as they adapt to their new environment—bringing dedicated educators and programming together under a single roof.

The 7,115-square-foot facility, formerly known as the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church, underwent significant renovations both inside and out before it welcomed students this year. Facility upgrades like new gutters and an HVAC system, as well as new doors and light fixtures, were topped off with a fresh coat of paint, all-new furniture, and vibrant vinyl wall clings. It is a site of practicality with a side of youthful exuberance.

The Newcomer Center is currently home to approximately 80 — and growing! — International students who come to Lansing from 72 countries speaking 55 unique languages. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to provide cutting-edge opportunities to our new community members and are so thankful for everyone’s support in this initiative. It takes a village, and our village just became a little more tight-knit.

The Lansing School District and Eastern High School would like to congratulate 2024 graduate Jefferson Crispin-Schnepp, who has earned the prestigious Full Diploma from the International Baccalaureate (IB). In order to earn a Full Diploma from the IB, Jefferson completed a challenging two-year program of advanced study in English, Math, History and the Social Sciences, the Natural Sciences, World Languages, and the Arts.

Our IB students don't just demonstrate excellence inside the four walls of the traditional classroom though. Every IB student takes a course called Theory of Knowledge, a wide-ranging class that explores the nature of truth and knowledge, and how it is created and studied in their academic subjects and the real world. Students also have the chance to explore their own curiosities in a 15-20 page Extended Essay on a topic entirely of their own choosing, with support and guidance offered by a one-on-one mentorship from a teacher. Jefferson studied the philosophical implications of Artificial Intelligence implants in the brain in his extended essay.

IB students also complete an organized reflective portfolio for their extra-curricular activities known as Creativity, Activity, and Service that helps them recognize and communicate their personal growth in these areas. Jefferson improved his creativity by designing and making chocolate truffles (yum!) and competing on Eastern’s Speech and Debate team.

The IB program offers students like Jefferson the chance to earn up to 32 college credits, received after successfully completing several timed essay and short answer tests and an independent project, research paper, science experiment, or artistic portfolio in each class.

We recognize the IB program might be a more unusual and challenging approach to preparing for college. Indeed, the Lansing School District offers the only IB program east of Grand Rapids and west of Ann Arbor. Students and families who are interested in becoming truly multi-lingual, thinking deeply instead of memorizing, and pursuing their own academic interests instead of being limited by a syllabus should contact Eastern High School for more information.

Completion of the new Willow School is on schedule for the fall of 2026. The campus-style design will accommodate students in grades K - 8 and will include features such as an open play field, playground areas, basketball courts, outside learning areas, and community spaces. The Lansing School District also prioritized sustainable energy solutions including solar and geothermal.

What is PCAC?

The Lansing School District Parent/Community Advisory Council is a district wide council consisting of parents, teachers, principals, and community members who come together on a monthly basis to discuss parents’ interests, concerns, and to share important district information.

Who Can Attend PCAC Meetings?

Any parent/guardian of a Lansing School District student as well as community leaders and citizens of the Greater Lansing Area that recognize the need for parental and community involvement in our children’s education.

Why Attend PCAC?

You will have the opportunity to provide important input to leaders in the Lansing School District.

When & Where Does PCAC Meet?

The 2024-25 PCAC meetings will be held every fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dr. Halik Center, 4200 Wainwright Ave. Lansing, MI 48911.

Our next PCAC meeting will be October 23rd where will will discuss Special Populations.

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Is your family in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing? If so, the F.O.R.T. Program may be able to assist. The Families Overcoming Rough Times (F.O.R.T.) Program assists Lansing School District students who are living in temporary or inadequate living situations.

If you have been displaced from your home due to:

• A house fire, mold, or red tag
  
• Safety concerns
  
• Loss of utilities (heat or electric)
  
• Foreclosure
  
• Eviction
  
• Being asked to leave

F.O.R.T. can help with:

• Connections to housing programs
  
• School enrollment within 24 hours
  
• Transportation to and from school
  
• Personal hygiene & school supplies
  
• Clothing, shoes, coats, etc.
  
• Fees for school-sponsored field trips
  
• Cap and gown for graduation
  
• Financial aid application assistance, and MORE!

Please make sure to log in to your ParentVue account and update information if necessary.

• You can access your ParentVue account by clicking here and logging in.
• If you need assistance creating a ParentVue account, reach out to your child's school.
  
• If you are having issues accessing your ParentVue account, please email technology@lansingschools.net.

We are now using ParentSquare for stakeholder communication. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each family, using the preferred email address and phone number listed in the family's ParentVue account.

If your family is not able to utilize ParentSquare, please email info@lansingschools.net.

October 10 — Information Study Session. | TBD

October 18 — PD Day - No School

October 23 — (PCAC) Parent Community Advisory Council | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

October 24 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

October 31 — Half Day - A.M. Elementary Only - Planning and Records

November 5 — Election Day - No School

November 7 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

November 14 — Information Study Session | TBD

November 20 — (PCAC) Parent Community Advisory Council | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

November 21 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

November 25-29 — Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 5 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

December 12 — Information Study Session. | TBD

December 19 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

December 23-27 & December 30 - January 3 — Winter Break - No School

January 9, 2025 – Annual Organizational Meeting | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

Did you know that you can subscribe to our calendars?

Visit www.lansingschools.net/district/calendars, select the school(s) whose calendar you would like to subscribe to, and tap the tiny calendar at the top right. For more detailed instructions, click here.