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.

Today, I am writing to you from sunny Santa Barbara, California. One of my close friends got married yesterday in a beautiful ceremony held in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Sitting there with family and close friends reminded me yet again how important it is to "show up." Flying all the way to California for 48 hours, arriving back to DTW at midnight tonight, and then driving another 90 minutes back home to Lansing feels pretty daunting, especially knowing the week ahead. However, I know how much my friends appreciated that I was there. But more importantly, I know how much I appreciated being there. The comradery and good times I participated in are worth the lack of sleep. It is worth the late-night drive and the jet lag. Showing up is part of the thrill of life and part of being a friend.

I thought of this idea of showing up repeatedly over the last few weeks. It is the start of school. We have braved hot weather and storms; we have dealt with school and district issues. But through it all, we show up, and we continue to show up. Our students show up, our staff show up, and our families show up. This is what makes a community: showing up for our friends and family.

As the school year continues, I would like to challenge you all to find one way to show up for something that maybe you haven't done so in the past or haven't done so in a long time. When was the last time you went to a high school football game, volleyball, or soccer game? When was the last time you visited your child's school just to say hi or to volunteer? When was the last time you donated, even $5 to the PTA or the school or district? When was the last time you called an old friend from the district and reminisced? When was the last time you wrote an email to say thank you to your kid's teacher, principal, bus driver, or coach? There are a million small ways to "show up" for our school district. They all take effort, but the reward for both you and the district is much greater.

Feel free to let me know other ways you would like the community to show up or how you would like to show up for the community. As you know, I love hearing from you all. This year, I really look forward to increased engagement throughout our wonderful district.

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

The Lansing School District is committed to addressing inequities and promoting a sense of belonging for all students by implementing a comprehensive multicultural education curriculum. This initiative aims to create an inclusive learning environment where diverse histories and perspectives are celebrated, and all students feel affirmed. A key component of this effort is the formation of a Multicultural Education Committee, which will be responsible for developing and guiding the district's multicultural education plan.

The committee will work to ensure that the curriculum reflects the diversity of the student population and that teachers and staff are equipped to deliver a culturally responsive education. The committee will be chaired by Carlton Evans, Ruben Martinez and Jessica Benavides.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out this google form to be considered. We are looking forward to a year of great work with your assistance!

When you head to the polls to vote on November 5th — and you should — your "I voted" sticker might just have been designed by Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins, a fifth grader at Lansing School District's Post Oak Academy! Ketelyn's design was one of more than 480 submitted by Michigan

residents when the Secretary of State's Office announced the “I Voted” sticker contest in May as a way of increasing voter engagement. It was one of three winners for the elementary and middle school category.

The design, featuring a person saluting a flag with a smiley face next to it, reads "I'm cool, I voted" and will be available for election clerks to order for the November election. "Every Michigan voter should walk out of the polls with pride, knowing that their voice has been heard," said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson "Now, we can share that pride in our democracy with a sticker designed by some of our state's talented and creative artists."

Congratulations, Katelyn! We can't wait to get out and get one of your stickers in a couple of months!

Director Ben Botwinski and the staff at The Ebersole Environmental Education Center hosted Lansing Technical High School faculty, staff, and guests over the summer for a planning retreat, and the experience could not have been better. "They were warm, welcoming, helpful, and professional from the time we first contacted them to the time we drove away!" said Lansing Tech Principal Anthony Greenburg.

The elder wildcats spent three days and two nights at camp focusing on strengthening the Lansing Tech team while working on curriculum integration between Career Technical Education (CTE) and core subjects, the school's Culturally Responsible Positive Behavioral Supports (CRPBIS) plans, career readiness skills curriculum, and a few other important topics. Thanks to Botwinski and the Ebersole team, they also got to throw in a bit of fun.

"The facilities and grounds were wonderful, and Melinda's food was great – and there was plenty of it! And, oh, those homemade donuts!" reminisced Greenburg. "We can't wait to get back to Ebersole to stroll the grounds, hop in the kayaks, have another bonfire, and get some more work done."

If you're new to the district, the Ebersole Environmental Education Center is a four-season, barrier-free residential environmental education center and youth camp owned and operated by the Lansing School District in Wayland, Michigan (approximately 75 miles west of Lansing). With 238 acres of undisturbed natural beauty, the center boasts exceptional biodiversity and is an amazing resource when teaching students about the natural world. On the property, visitors can explore five miles of trails (more than two of which are accessible!), pick from over 100 bunk beds, participate in 51 activities (and growing), and enjoy learning how to (safely) enjoy a 14-acre private lake!

We are actively seeking family members to participate in this school year's Family Roundtable hosted by Superintendent Shuldiner. This is an opportunity to share feedback, and concerns, and discuss topics of interest with the district's administrative team.

Whether you're a new follower or you've been following Gardner International Magnet School on Facebook for a while, you will notice that a major theme on the page is "I can..." These statements correlate to appropriate grade-level educational standards (core goals and objectives). They are a testament to our unwavering commitment to student success and our ability to teach them in a way they can more easily understand through accessible language.

This simplified language helps students identify and explain what is expected of them and helps them be more accountable and responsible in their learning.

By the end of their first full week back at school, scientists in Mrs. Kruger's science class can "draw a specimen observed under a microscope at different magnifications, showing details and scale appropriate to each magnification level." Check it out!

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is accepting nominations for the 25-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year until September 25, 2024. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents, coworkers, and school community members using their quick and easy online nomination form. Spread the word!

Every year we partner with Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) to make sure our students have access to a CADL library card. Through the Student Success Initiative (SSI), all students will receive a free CADL SSI library card — no matter where they live!

With this library card, your student gains easy access to all educational and entertainment options available at CADL's 13 branches, the mobile library, and online collections.

Having a Student Success account requires the release of directory information to CADL. Any parent/guardian who does NOT want their student to have an account can opt-out by filling out and returning the below form to their child's school by September 26th.

Take advantage of Talkspace online therapy FREE. Click here to get started.

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!

If you have questions about transportation for the coming school year, call (517)755-3017 or email tat@lansingschools.net. We will work with you to make all possible transportation arrangements for the coming school year.

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.

You should have received an email with an invite to authenticate your ParentSquare account.

Please make sure to access that email and activate your account if you haven't already.

If you didn't receive this communication, please email info@lansingschools.net.

September 9 — Universal PreSchool (First Day)

September 12 — Board Meeting - Information Study Session | 6:00 p.m. | Sexton Cafeteria

September 26 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

September 27 — PD Day - No School

October 2 — Fall Count Day

October 3 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

October 18 — PD Day - No School

October 24 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

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. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

November 21 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

November 25-29 — Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 5 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

December 19 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

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

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.