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 hope you enjoyed the first week back from break. I was able to visit schools and meet with some wonderful Lansing School District folks. It was great to be in the district talking to students, educators, and families. Though I enjoyed the two weeks with no school, I was really excited to get back to it. As we all know, we have lots of work ahead in order to create the school district we want. Thank you for coming back with smiles on your faces and love in your heart. We are all pushing forward together.

I also hope that all of you reading this today are warm and safe. The winter weather is certainly upon us. Please don't hesitate to reach out if anyone is struggling with heat or other concerns during these storms. As a school district, we have many connections to utility companies, food, and shelter. In all cases, especially in an emergency, please know that the school district is here to help support you. Your health, safety, and welfare are important to us. Compassion and care are as important to the functioning of a school district as test scores.

And what better way to segue into a discussion about Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. than talking about compassion and care. As we all know, tomorrow is MLK Day. As I said last year: "No words that I write can describe the importance of MLK. Nothing I type in this newsletter will signify the honor and gratitude we should feel as a nation to recognize his work."

Of course, I still feel that way, but discussing his work personally and for our community is immensely important. Last year, I talked about how both my father and grandfather attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom as part of their local chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and witnessed firsthand Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech. Hearing his words on that day was immensely important to my family, as it strengthened their resolve to continue to fight to support our country as it battled injustice. Last year, I focused on how that event was an incredible example of bringing people together for a common purpose and how we in Lansing should try to answer Dr. King's question from 1957:

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"

Now, a year later, the question remains: what are you doing for others? This year, I want to flip that question around and ask: can the school district be more welcoming to your service? Can the school district do more so that you can volunteer with us? Last year, I asked you all to help support the school district; many of you have taken up that challenge. Our school district has more community programs than we have had in years. We have more volunteers and non-profits working in our schools. But, for those of you who have not taken up this clarion call of action, rather than chastise, I ask, what can the school district do to help you help us? For years, our doors have been closed; I know that. For years, it has been hard to help the school district. But now we are trying to open them. How can we be more open so that more people in the community can help answer Dr. King's question?

I know that each and every one of you reading this newsletter wants the best for our district, but sometimes, the district makes it hard for you to help get us there. Please let us know what we can do to help you help our children.

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

In addition to being an acclaimed Civil Rights lawyer and former Supreme Court Justice, Thoroughgood "Thurgood" Marshall is best known for emerging as the victorious lawyer in the milestone Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case, which brought an end to school segregation in the United States.

"The measure of a country's greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis," he once said. Recently, students were asked by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid Michigan to reflect on that quote and provide a thoughtful essay about it for a chance at a scholarship (Seniors in the Class of 2024) or monetary award (6-11th graders).

This year, two students from Eastern High School will be walking away with prizes.

Alina Phan, senior, will be walking out of the celebration tomorrow with one of two $5,000 first-place scholarship awards that she can put towards obtaining her kinesiology degree from Michigan State University! Her heartfelt essay was backed up by her experience as a first-generation Asian-American whose journey isn't only about her success but also about creating a path for her younger siblings. Way to go, Alina!

Rahma Mussa, junior, took home first place in the 6th- 11th grade category. Her essay used the quote to praise New Zealand's response to the 2019 Christchurch Mosque Shootings, which claimed 51 Muslim lives at two locations. Mussa praised Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her policy change and her empathy. Says Mussa, "The symbolism of Ms. Ardern wearing a headscarf and engaging in traditional mourning practices go beyond cultural boundaries, illustrating that in times of crisis, New Zealand's greatness lies in unity and inclusivity."

Congratulations to both for their dedication to furthering their education and their thoughtful essays that show great empathy and understanding.

Prentice (PJ) Smith Jr. has been a Lansing Learning Hub student for two years. In the last several weeks, he has completed an impressive SIX classes toward graduation — skyrocketing his achievement. PJ has been a valuable addition to the student body at the Hub, and we are so thankful to have him here.

We look forward to seeing the great things he will accomplish in the future!

When Gina Summerfield first began attending Gier Park, she did so as a parent, dropping off her two students. However, in the summer of 2022, she began working in the district as a noon assistant, helping to provide support for Gier Park's amazing student body. In that role, Miss Gina worked tirelessly to cultivate a desire for students to be their best selves and become engaged learners.

Ms. Gina is so good at this that she convinced herself to go back to school and get her high school diploma. She didn't stop there, though — weeks after completing her high school diploma, she enrolled herself in college, where she is currently working on her degree. Once she finishes college, she intends to teach her own class someday.

Miss Gina's story is a great example of how important it is always to be ready — and willing — to learn. Way to go, Ms. Gina — you are a true inspiration!

Girls from the Eastern, Everett, and Sexton wrestling teams recently competed in the DeWitt Girls Wrestling Tournament. Members from each school earned gold medal honors during the tournament, and continue to improve as the season progresses.

Congratulations!

Olivia Delacruz (Eastern) — 1st place

Ayana Kelly (Sexton) — 3rd place

Yadira Sandouval-Santoya (Everett) — 1st place (11-0 overall season record!)

Kloey Weeks (Sexton) — 1st place

Check out Sport Psychology Solutions' interview with Kloey Weeks:

Register here to get started on your Winter Reading Challenge.

Reach 60 points to get a cool bookmark! Complete 240 additional points and get your choice of a full-size candy bar OR a pack of gum. Once you have earned 300 points, you will also be entered into a raffle for one of four $25 Meijer gift cards!

January 15 — No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 16 — FREE Immunization Event | 1:30 - 4 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

January 17 — Half Day (High Schools Only)

January 18 — Half Day (High Schools Only)

January 18 — Board Meeting | 6 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo Ave.

January 19 — Half Day (End of First Semester | All Grades)

January 24 — Parent Community Advisory Council | 6-8 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

January 26 — No School (PD Day)

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.