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.

Tomorrow, April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will occur across parts of the country. We in Lansing will have a special treat, being able to experience more than 96% of totality. The next time the continental United States will be able to see a solar eclipse will be August 23, 2044. And even then, it will only be visible in a few states, none of which are Michigan.

Days like tomorrow are wonderful. They are awe-inspiring, a cosmic dance between the moon, the sun, and the earth. In one sense, events like this make us feel so small, a tiny speck of stardust traveling through a tremendous void, looking up at billion-year-old balls of gas and rocks. At the same time, events like this remind us of how special we are, the only planet in the known universe with living, breathing, sentient creatures who can comprehend and acknowledge the world beyond our feet.

This is why we will and should use tomorrow as a special day of learning. A day when our students and our staff will be able to experience this synchronicity together. As a district, we have bought enough glasses for everyone. We have lessons available at different grade levels and for different types of learners. We have both a Department of Health and Wellness and a Department of Instruction prepared for tomorrow's event, keeping safety and learning at the forefront of the day.

I have read of other districts closing because of the fear that children might look directly at the sun and hurt themselves. I have heard of schools shutting for the day as a precaution against traffic jams. Let's be honest: if kids had the day off from school, they are probably even more likely to stare at the sun without taking appropriate precautions. Instead, we, as a school district, are embracing this day for what it is: a special occurrence abundant with educational opportunities.

However, I want to reinforce the most important safety rules. Please do not look directly at the sun, even when the eclipse is occurring, without approved solar eclipse equipment. Always use protective eyewear or special viewing tools. Looking at the sun can cause permanent eye damage. We want you all to be able to experience the next solar eclipse.

Here is a link to NASA's solar eclipse safety precautions.

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's school or the Department of Health and Wellness.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe solar eclipse experience.

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

Unified Sports teams are invaluable to our district. They promote inclusivity by providing opportunities for students with and without disabilities to participate in sports together, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. These teams break down barriers and challenge stereotypes, creating a more inclusive and understanding school environment. They also offer valuable lessons in empathy, cooperation, and sportsmanship, enriching the overall educational experience for everyone involved.

Everett High School's Unified Champions recently traveled to Cavanaugh Elementary School to impart another lesson on the preschool to third-grade classrooms: the importance of reading! The Everett students read stories of inclusion and shared the inclusion pledge with Cavanaugh students. They had a great time reading and including them in the #InclusionRevolution!

Whether it's cleaning up spills, maintaining the grounds, or simply offering a friendly smile and helping hand, Teevan consistently exceeds expectations. His work is essential to our school community, and we are incredibly grateful for his contributions. Teevan, thank you for all that you do to make our school a better place!

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.

Anyone who has one knows that periods aren't exactly fun, especially when it comes time to purchase new menstrual products ($20+ a month, just for being female?!). Fortunately, the Lansing School District was included in a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) pilot program to distribute feminine hygiene products to eligible students!

With this program, the MDE hopes to "help alleviate financial hardships, break down inequities, and meet the needs of our most vulnerable students including those who are homeless or who are living below the poverty line." The program also seeks to "reduce the stigma and shame that can surround maturation and menstruation." The ultimate goal is to improve our students' health and well-being — improving their ability to attend school and fully participate in and concentrate on their learning.

Students can pick up their first round of 20 FREE products from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on April 10 at the Dr. Richard J. Halik Professional Development Center (4200 Wainwright Ave)! After the event, visit your school's health clinic once a month for 20 more free products!

Special thanks to the MDE for using us as a pilot district, and to our Department of Culture and Climate for making this happen!

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

April 11 — Half Day for High Schools (State Testing)

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.

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.