Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Lansing School District Community,

Happy New Year! I hope this newsletter finds you well. As always, it is a pleasure to be writing to you all. I can't believe school is back in session tomorrow. I hope all of you were able to take some time to rest and rejuvenate over these last two weeks. In order for all of us to be the best supporters of the district, we certainly need to allow ourselves space to reflect, plan, and just take a break. Creating vibrant and top-notch public education is difficult in the best of times. With the pandemic and staff shortages, bussing issues, and decades of disinvestment, we have been dealt an even tougher hand this year. This is why we all need to take care of ourselves and each other. Our work is so important. A little recuperation now allows us to be better tomorrow.

Now it is time to get ready for the year ahead. Let's hit the ground running tomorrow. Let's welcome everyone with open arms. Let's focus on the great work ahead. As we go back to school tomorrow and enter 2023, I urge you all to think about goals for the rest of the year. Are there things you want to accomplish this year? How are you going to hold yourself accountable? Do you have support, someone to help? What can we do these next few weeks to get focused and ready for the rest of the year? I am excited to see what these next six months before the end of the school year will bring. I can't wait to get back into schools and visit classrooms. Seeing in-person, our educators teach, and our students learn is one of the highlights of the job of a Superintendent.

And, as always, please reach out. I love hearing from all of you. If you have some goals you think are great, please feel free to share them with me. The more we share and work together, the better. Additionally, I am happy to be anyone's "accountability buddy." These next few weeks are crucial in setting the tone for the new year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any ideas about what we should do better or differently.

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

(L to R) Ron Stratton, Communications | Charlotte & Amanda Stratton, Cavanaugh STEAM

Whether it be for school or work, it isn't all too uncommon for several members of a family to spend their weekdays as part of the Lansing School District family. It is, however, a less common occurrence when the ENTIRE family is either attending school at or employed by the district. One of these rare occurrences is the Stratton family. Over the last couple of years, Charlotte, Amanda, and Ron have become a Lansing School District Family through and through.

After teaching at Abbott Nursery School for several years, Amanda came to be a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) teacher at Cavanaugh STEAM Elementary just over a year and a half ago. The arrangement is made that much sweeter by the fact that daughter Charlotte is a third grader at the school. Ron joined the Lansing School District family as a media producer after leaving the chaotic world of public broadcasting just over a year ago. All three have seamlessly blended into their respective environments and have quickly become well-liked by staff and students alike.

"It is not possible to sum up Amanda in just one sentence," says Cavanaugh GSRP Teacher Melanie Rickel. "She is simply amazing with the students, the parents, and the staff. I cannot envision working alongside a better teaching partner."

Charlotte began attending Cavanaugh in the fall of 2019 in Mrs. Pollie's Kindergarten class where Amanda served weekly as a parent volunteer. Mrs. Pollie remembers Charlotte as shy and quiet, but also very capable. Suffice it to say, she has grown over the past four years to the point where her current 3rd-grade teacher Mrs. Harrington says "Charlotte is not only an excellent student but a great friend to her classmates and one of Cavanaugh's top student citizens."

"The Stratton family is truly fully committed to the success of the Lansing School District," says Cavanaugh Principal Jeff Hager. "Ron has brought over a sound system and filmed video of our annual end-of-year 3rd-grade celebration. Amanda steps up to do whatever needs to be done at our school. For example, she is co-editor of our school yearbook this year. And Charlotte's smile and enthusiasm for school absolutely will melt your heart."

"Ron has been a great addition to the communications team," said Director of Communications John McGraw. " Talented, creative, and passionate, he was eager to help tell all the fantastic stories in the district as soon as he arrived.” Among other responsibilities, Ron runs the communication department's new production studio at the Hill Center where he produces high-quality videos and photos featuring district students and staff.

You may recall the Access 411 informational video that the district released in August. Well, Charlotte, Amanda, and Ron were the not-so-fictitious family that was featured! Of course, it's hard to escape occasionally being a go-to for stock footage and photos, when at least one member of the family always has a camera in hand.

We are so thankful for the Stratton family and look forward to all of the great things they will accomplish as part of our Lansing School District family.

• Eastern varsity basketball team defeats returning MHSAA state champions Williamston 52-46
  
• Sexton heavy weight wrestler Chris Manuel records 10th win to start the year 10-1
  
• All 3 high schools receive "good sports grant" of $2000.00 per school for athletics related equipment.
  
• Sexton varsity basketball team gets another CAAC white division league win
• Lansing swim team 2-0 having defeated Waverly 116-53 and swimmer Will Bales got his MISCA cut in the 100 Fly with a time of 58.07, meaning he's eligible to compete in the MISCA meet on February 11th!