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.

On November 11th, we celebrated Veterans Day. For the last two years, I have written a note about this very important national holiday, and again, I would like to commemorate this occasion. Sadly, like in the previous newsletters, the world remains at war, with both soldiers and civilians dying across the planet, and we continue to have gun violence, shootings, and deaths in our own community. So, rather than shift my comments to another topic or another focus, I want to let my words stand for another year. Though I know that little to nothing I write in these emails will be noted or remembered, I do hope that, even for a moment, these thoughts can resonate with all of you. For as long as I am Superintendent and for as long as the world is at war, I will continue to leave you with these sentiments.

Previously, I wrote a note about both of my grandfathers, who served during WWII. I also included a discussion of the history of the holiday and a desire for peace in our world. Sadly, I think my words from the last two years are even more important now. With wars raging on multiple continents and causing the death of thousands of lives, I want to place these paragraphs from two years ago in this space again. I hope that for as long as I am Superintendent, I can remember Veteran's Day with you all and the memories of my family members and yours who served our country throughout history.

"Both my grandfathers served in WWII, one in the Army, the other in the Navy. One stayed stateside; the other served in the Pacific Asian Theater. Both served humbly and proudly without expecting accolades or honorariums, but I will give them nonetheless. Thank you to Joseph Florentine and Bernie Shuldiner, and thank you to all our veterans for their service to our country. As with all things, it is important that we acknowledge the people who make things possible.

But I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the original holiday was actually a celebration of peace. At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice was signed to end WWI ostensibly. The precursor to a formal treaty, an armistice, is an agreement to stop fighting, stop shooting, and stop killing. On November 11th, 1918, millions of people around the world poured into the streets to commemorate the end of the worst bloodshed the world had ever seen up to that point. I hope that we, today in 2024, can remember that idea. There is far too much fighting in this world, too much shooting, and too much killing. Let us think of an armistice for our time and our community. A Lansing without fighting, without shooting, and without killing. I ask that we all remember the veterans who served but that we also think about how we can remember the original celebration of peace. Remember the Book of Isaiah and the Analects of Confucius; both suggest that we beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks and take implements of destruction and turn them into tools of prosperity."

I hope this still resonates with you all, as it does for me. I hope that the week ahead is good to you all.

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

Graduation rates at the Lansing School District were 62.1% when Superintendent Shuldiner came aboard in 2021, and rose to 86.91% in just three short years. When your school district shows a nearly 25% improvement in graduation rates, people tend to take notice, and our district was recently featured by District Administrator as a success story for the huge gain.

Junior Board is a long-standing tradition in the Lansing School District. As the official voice of the student body, the Junior Board is responsible for communicating with and acting as a liaison to the district's Board of Eduction.

At the end of every school year, the Junior Board elects officers who are responsible for facilitating and setting the agenda for future meetings.

I am Jesus Gonzalez-Torres, and I am a senior at Everett High School. I love to make art and music during school. Also, I run cross country, swim, and play baseball, but my main passion is mixed martial arts.

My plans for next year are to go to college and study electrical engineering at a Michigan university. The Junior Board is the student voice from school to administration. Its members’ youth defines it the best.

Hello! My name is Washington Dejesus Sampaio-Mayer, I am a 16 year old junior at Eastern High School. I am also the current Vice President of the Junior Board. I also participate in many other activities, such as varsity soccer, basketball, and varsity track. I am also a full IB Diploma Programme student.

I am very busy, as you can see, but I always find time to spend with my friends and family. Some other activities I enjoy include, baking, playing video games, watching movies, and hanging out with other people. I am very happy to be in the Junior Board. I think it’s very important that students have a say in district matters, and I am honored that I was selected to represent my peers.

Hello my name is Jaleeyah, Junior Board Treasurer, and a 9th grade student at Everett High School. On some days I like chilling in my room, crocheting or listening to music and I even like drawing.

I like playing sports such as basketball, football, soccer, track, and volleyball. I like k-pop groups, dancing and singing and making new friends.

My name is Lola Flores, and I’m a 10th grader at Eastern High School. I love playing soccer and listening to music. Being part of the Junior Board is important to me because it offers the chance to join a community, learn new things, meet new people, and enjoy unique experiences.

These opportunities have greatly influenced who I am and who I aspire to be. Although I’m still unsure about what I want to do after high school, my involvement with after school activities, including Junior Board, are helping shape my future.

The Lansing School District's Equine Center for Learning is excited to partner with Frankie’s Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade to offer a FREE after-school program for 7–12th grade students in the Lansing School District!

This program runs during the school year on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM -7:00 PM.

Space is limited, apply today!

Join representatives from MSUFCU and the Lansing School District at Don Johnson Fieldhouse for an exciting evening of food, games, music, and giveaways, all while learning more about the Lansing SAVE program.

If your student attends, they'll receive a bonus $15 deposited into their Lansing SAVE account for college, career training, and other post-secondary education savings!

November 20, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912

To attend, you must REGISTER!

Check out the newsletter from the Lansing School District's Native American Program.

App Features

• Track the real-time location of your child’s bus
  
• Reduce wait times: get notified when the bus is near or the schedule has changed
• Know when your child arrives at school or home

1. Download Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com
   
2. Click the “Sign Up” button
   
3. Enter school district code 29845 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
   
4. Complete the “User Profile” box
   
5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number. You must add “LSD_” to the beginning of your student’s ID during initial sign up. For example, if your student’s ID is 12345, you should enter LSD_12345 into the app.
6. Click to confirm you are registering for your school district
   
7. Complete the registration by clicking “Activate My Account” in the verification email
   

What is Here Comes the Bus and why might you need it?

Here Comes the Bus is an easy-to-use website and app that enables you to see the location of your student’s school bus on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. You know when the bus is near your stop or has arrived at the school.

How does it work?

Here Comes the Bus uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and track a student’s school bus. It is powered by software from CalAmp. The location of the school bus can be seen on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

How do you sign up?

Access to the application requires a district-specific code (29845), the student’s last name, and student ID*. Only students enrolled in transportation are available in the app.

*You must add “LSD_” to the beginning of your student’s ID during initial sign up. For example, if your student’s ID is 12345, you should enter LSD_12345 into the app.

Is the information private and secure?

Here Comes the Bus uses HTTPS, just like a bank or online store, which means that all communications between your web browser and the site are encrypted and secure.

How much does it cost?

Here Comes the Bus is available at no cost to families and participation is optional.

What is the difference between the app and website to track your student’s school bus?

The main difference is how you access the data. The look and feel are different on the mobile device for on-the-go use. You can use mobile and tablet apps anywhere you can use a mobile device.

What is the Buspass icon in the app and how do I use it?

“Buspass” is an additional service provided by CalAmp; for our families, "Buspass" will be an inactive icon in the app.

Will my student’s Access 411 One Card scans appear in Here Comes The Bus?

Unfortunately, your student’s card scans will not appear in the Here Come The Bus application. Here Comes The Bus is intended to provide school bus tracking only.

What should parents do if they have questions or problems using the app?

The Transportation Department and Transportation Technology Support teams will be happy to answer questions and resolve any issues. Please contact the Transportation Technology Support team at (517) 319-8360 and follow the prompts for Here Comes the Bus support.

Deadline is November 22, 2024!

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!

November 21 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern High School

November 25-29 — Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 5 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern High School

December 12 — Information Study Session. | Eastern High School

December 19 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern High School

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.