Superintendent Newsletter

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 the West Coast of Mexico. Last night, one of my best friends married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The guests were dressed in colorful, celebratory attire. The sun's rays shimmered on the water. The food was fresh and delicious. But the event's most important and wonderful attribute was the overwhelming love and generosity exuded by the bride, groom, their families, and friends.

In his speech, the groom's brother talked about his admiration for his sibling. He talked about how the groom was always his biggest supporter, how the groom always had his back, and how he was always his first phone call for good things and bad. That refrain of support and love carried over in speech after speech. The night continued with individual and group displays of care, affection, warmth, adoration, and humor. Stories and anecdotes were coupled with plenty of dancing and merriment.

As I took in this wonderful event, which I was honored to attend, it reinforced my own belief in how important it is for all of us in Lansing to look upon the world with positive intent and try to be everyone's biggest supporter. It shores up my belief that the best among us care about others, bolster others, champion others in ways little and big. At the table settings, we each received a handwritten note from the bride and groom telling us how important we were to them. How much they loved us and wanted the best for us. This was the icing on the cake of the entire experience, a tangible artifact of their succor for each of us.

In some small way, I hope that these weekly newsletters act as a succor to you all, showing in ways small and large the district's love and support of you, the Lansing community. Be it the highlighting of staff or students, volunteers, or programs. Be it our thanking of individuals and groups who help our district. I hope every newsletter serves as a card to at least one person, telling them how important they are to all of us.

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

Ella Gordon is an exceptional scholar-athlete at Everett High School, ranking among the top 10 in her class. She actively participates in various sports, including volleyball, swimming, and track, demonstrating her skills and passion for athletics. In addition to her athletic involvement, Ella is active in our school's community, participating in several clubs. Her dedication, hard work, and leadership make her a standout in our school community.

Emma Heedum is a fourth-grade teacher at North. She always goes above and beyond for the students and staff. She helps others when in need, volunteers for additional duties around the school, and ALWAYS has a smile on her face. She has built a model culture and climate within her classroom while embracing new initiatives; she is a leader who sets an example for all to follow!

Lansing School District art teachers would like you to join us in congratulating our student winners of the Ingham ISD Youth Art Contest. This competition is open to any student in Ingham County. This year, there were over 300 entries, with 65 chosen to be in the art exhibit. We are thrilled to announce that four Lansing School District elementary art students were honored with being chosen.

Congratulations go to Julian Ruiz, a second-grade student at Averill Elementary, for his painting Tree in Autumn; to Bao Vo, a third-grade student at Averill Elementary for his drawing Scissors with Shadow; to Nautica Garrett, a second-grade student at Cavanaugh STEAM Elementary for her painting Burning Bush; and to Yan’Quier Pruitt, a kindergartener at Cavanaugh STEAM Elementary for his painting ­Clouds with Shadows.

The exhibit is hosted by the Ingham Intermediate School District (ISD), Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center (LAG), Michigan Education Leadership Group (MELG), and Consumers Credit Union in Lansing. Framed student artwork is at the Lansing Art Gallery (300 S. Washington Square in downtown Lansing) through the end of April. Then, it will be displayed and viewed for one year at one of the buildings mentioned above.

Monday's solar eclipse was an out-of-this-world experience for students and staff alike! Students saw something that won't happen again for another 20 years, and our teachers maximized the learning experience. Wondering why some students wore paper plates behind their glasses? They added a very Mayan flair, but the intention was more utilitarian than anything: eclipse glasses are standardly sized, which doesn't account for our youngest viewers. Strings were tied to the sides of the paper plate, which students were able to decorate (or not) as they chose so the glasses wouldn't shift or fall off during viewing.

LEAF, Lansing Promise, and the Lansing School District are offering scholarships totaling $97,500 to graduating seniors enrolled in the Lansing School District! Scholarship money may be used for tuition, books, lab fees, technology (computer/laptop), and/or housing at all 4-year colleges and universities. The LEAF/Promise Scholarship Committee will consider students for scholarships unless otherwise stated in the information packet.

New for 2024: Lansing Promise recipients attending Lansing Community College will get a cash award to cover their college expenses not covered by the Promise Scholarship. All cash awards will be taxed and will require a W-9 submission.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

• Earned a 2.5 GPA
• Submit a personal statement
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendation
• Submit an acceptance letter from an accredited college, university, or post-secondary program
• Submit a complete LEAF Scholarship Application

APPLICATION IS DUE BY APRIL 19, 2024.

The Lansing Board of Water and Light's (BWL) 1st STEP gives high school seniors a PAID work-based learning experience, the opportunity to earn a scholarship, the ability to explore career paths in the utility industry, and more!

Students who meet the following eligibility criteria should consider applying for this amazing opportunity:

• High School senior whose permanent residence has service from BWL
• Age 17 by January 1
  
• Overall GPA of at least a 2.0
  
• Plans to live and work in the Greater Lansing Area
  
• Plans to pursue post-secondary education and training in skilled trades beyond high school
• Ability to work three hours during the school day
• Be drug-free
• Dependable Transportation (ability to get to work on time)
• Dependable and hardworking

Sound like something you're interested in?

Contact your school counselor or the BWL job placement coordinator at (517)702-6400

For more information, check out the accompanying documents below.

Make sure to fill out your transportation application as soon as you can — this ensures that you can get the transportation your child needs: whether it be a seat on the school bus, a gas card, or CATA card. At the jump, you will be able to get instructions for filling out the application and using gas cards as well as CATA maps.

Questions regarding transportation for the 2024-25 school year?

Call the Transportation Assistance Team at (517)755-3017.

As one of the most popular and successful video games of all time, Fortnite has been captivating the attention of our kids for the past seven years.

In this interactive session, Community Learning Center (CLC) Coordinator Luke Kane will guide parents through the metaverse of Fortnite. What is it, why is it so popular, and what are the positives and negatives? We will also play some Fortnite so parents can get a feel for what their kids spend so much of their time on.

Join us for some hands-on learning!

Wednesday, April 24, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Eva L. Evans Welcome Center

2400 Pattengill Ave. Lansing, MI 48910

April 18 — Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

April 24 — Parent Community Advisory Council Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

May 2 — Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

May 9 — Board Meeting - Information Study Session | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

May 10 — No School | PD Day

May 16 — Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

May 24 — Half Day (Elementary Schools)

May 27 — No School | Memorial Day

May 29— Parent Community Advisory Council Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

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.