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.

Sadly, as many of you know, on Tuesday, September 17th, around 3 pm, while walking home from school, two of our students were shot. Thankfully, both students are recovering, and their prognosis is positive. We are all grateful for this outcome. But it is in moments like these that we as a community need to face some truths and hopefully move forward in a better and more constructive way.

When any act of violence impacts our schools, it brings up a large concern around safety for our students and staff. I understand this. As parents and family members, we hear of an event like this and immediately think about our safety and those of our loved ones. That is normal and human. When we are then inundated with news and social media about the event, stressing the victims were students and highlighting the location near one of our schools, it starts to create an imposing and negative narrative around our school district. In today's day and age, with such a heightened focus on school shootings and child endangerment, it is only natural for the press and the public to run with this story as part of a broader societal concern.

However, as a school district, we have to combat this reflex and create a new narrative about the actual state of affairs. First, we should acknowledge that our schools are some of the safest places to spend your day. The Lansing School District, probably more than any other district in mid-Michigan, has invested incredible resources to keep our staff and students safe. Not only does our district have a large Public Safety Department, supported by a director, supervisors, and officers, but our schools have safety cameras, secure doors and vestibules, bullet-resistant film on windows, fences, metal detectors, visitor ID screening, and a host of other protections to keep our Lansing families safe.

Though no safety system is foolproof, the protections that the Lansing School District affords our school community are second to none in Michigan. Along with physical protections, we as a district have ALICE training for emergencies, as well as the RAVE system for fast communication in the event of a safety issue. We also have an incredibly strong Office of School Culture, with a large, trained group of professionals in BTAM (Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management.) Again, we cannot promise 100% coverage, but the Lansing School District is as equipped and trained as any district in the state to keep our community safe. Sadly, in many of the events you have read about across the country, those school districts did not follow what our protocols would have called for.

Another issue about the shooting on Tuesday, is that it occurred on Allegan St, on the Westside. As you know, the school district owns a large plot of land that is part of the Riddle Elementary School complex, which also abuts Letts Community Center. The shooting happened on the street, not the school property. But it was certainly in the vicinity. However, when people describe the shooting as near a school, close to a school, or adjacent to the school, it causes the shooting to be linked to the school, even though the shooting had absolutely nothing to do with Riddle or Letts or the park. I do not fault the media for using landmarks to center an event, but we do need to understand that by doing so, it adds a different narrative to the incident.

At no time were any Riddle students in danger. Our students were safe inside the school, learning and playing. Our school leader, Dr. Nicole Beard, and our wonderful staff were able to continue the school's functioning. We put the school on a "Secure with Restricted Access," which means that we would keep our students in the building until the event in the neighborhood was evaluated. The restricted access was lifted by the time school was over so that our students could be dismissed. We adjusted our dismissal locations so that families and kids didn't have to go to the place where the event occurred. But again, the school was able to dismiss in a relatively regular manner.

I want to commend all of the staff who rushed to the school to support both the students who were injured as well as to support Riddle. Special thanks go to the Director of Public Safety, Dale Person; Principal of Sexton, Dan Boggan; Chief Operating Officer, Kristina Tokar; and Senior Director of Elementary Schools, Kim Johnson Ray. These four were able to assess the situation quickly and create a plan moving forward. With strong support from our school and district staff, we were able to limit any other issues.

When events like these occur, our first thoughts need to be with the victims. How can we support the two students who were seriously hurt. Then, we need to assess the situation so that we can make sure that we know what happened. Then, we must find ways to stop this from happening again.

That brings me to the last part of this newsletter. What can we do? At this time, we do not know for certain the cause of the shooting or the perpetrators. From what we have been told, the two students were just walking home, and people tried to rob them. Our two Sexton students were complete victims in this situation. Again, we have been told they did nothing wrong. Of course, we will leave the investigation to the police and any prosecution to the legal system. But if it turns out that what happened was just as reported, we have to think critically about how we can make the walk home from school through the streets of Lansing as safe as possible. Though it is not the school district's responsibility to patrol the community, we care so deeply about our students that we need to think about ways to be part of the solution.

Thus, my request today is for the community. If you are home during our dismissal times, please sit on your porch, pour a glass of lemonade, and just be present. Having "eyes on the street" impacts safety, and crime is much less likely to occur if many people are watching. Over the next few months, we will start reaching out to homeowners around our schools to inform them of our dismissal times and the most likely routes kids will take to walk home or to certain other locations. The stronger our relationship with the community, the safer we all will be. Hopefully, out of this tragedy will come a renewed sense of community and ownership, where we all take an active role in securing our neighborhoods for 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

The Lansing School District and Eastern High School would like to congratulate 2024 graduate Julian Deines, who has earned the prestigious Full Diploma from the International Baccalaureate (IB). In order to earn a Full Diploma from the IB, Julian completed a challenging two-year program of advanced study in English, Math, History and the Social Sciences, the Natural Sciences, World Languages, and the Arts.

Julian and every IB student do not just demonstrate excellence inside the four walls of the traditional classroom. Every IB student takes a course called Theory of Knowledge, a wide-ranging class that explores the nature of truth and knowledge, and how it is created and studied in their academic subjects and the real world. Students also have the chance to explore their own curiosities in a 15-20 page Extended Essay on a topic entirely of their own choosing, with support and guidance offered by a one-on-one mentorship from a teacher. Julian explored the religious and political commentaries around the moralities of lying in one of his favorite novels, Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. IB students also complete an organized reflective portfolio for their extra-curricular activities known as Creativity, Activity, and Service that helps them recognize and communicate their personal growth in these areas. For example, Julian reflected on his personal growth as a teammate in swimming and volleyball and his leadership of Eastern’s Change-Makers club, which organizes student leaders around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The IB program offers students like Julian the chance to earn up to 32 college credits, received after successfully completing several timed essay and short answer tests and an independent project, research paper, science experiment, or artistic portfolio in each class.

We recognize the IB program might be a more unusual and challenging approach to preparing for college. Indeed, the Lansing School District offers the only IB program east of Grand Rapids and west of Ann Arbor. Students and families who are interested in becoming truly multi-lingual, thinking deeply instead of memorizing, and pursuing their own academic interests instead of being limited by a syllabus should contact Eastern High School for more information.

The overwhelming support of our families and community makes the construction of new learning spaces throughout our school district possible.

This week, we look at progress on the new Mt. Hope School, scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.

What is PCAC?

The Lansing School District Parent/Community Advisory Council is a district wide council consisting of parents, teachers, principals, and community members who come together on a monthly basis to discuss parents’ interests, concerns, and to share important district information.

Who Can Attend PCAC Meetings?

Any parent/guardian of a Lansing School District student as well as community leaders and citizens of the Greater Lansing Area that recognize the need for parental and community involvement in our children’s education.

Why Attend PCAC?

You will have the opportunity to provide important input to leaders in the Lansing School District.

When & Where Does PCAC Meet?

The 2024-25 PCAC meetings will be held every fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dr. Halik Center, 4200 Wainwright Ave. Lansing, MI 48911.

Our next PCAC meeting will be September 25th where will will discuss Caring for Our Schools: What’s New in Custodial, Maintenance and Groundskeeping.

The Lansing School District is committed to addressing inequities and promoting a sense of belonging for all students by implementing a comprehensive multicultural education curriculum. This initiative aims to create an inclusive learning environment where diverse histories and perspectives are celebrated, and all students feel affirmed. A key component of this effort is the formation of a Multicultural Education Committee, which will be responsible for developing and guiding the district's multicultural education plan.

The committee will work to ensure that the curriculum reflects the diversity of the student population and that teachers and staff are equipped to deliver a culturally responsive education. The committee will be chaired by Carlton Evans, Ruben Martinez and Jessica Benavides.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out this google form to be considered. We are looking forward to a year of great work with your assistance!

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is accepting nominations for the 25-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year until September 25, 2024. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents, coworkers, and school community members using their quick and easy online nomination form. Spread the word!

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!

Please make sure to log in to your ParentVue account and update information if necessary.

• You can access your ParentVue account by clicking here and logging in.
• If you need assistance creating a ParentVue account, reach out to your child's school.
  
• If you are having issues accessing your ParentVue account, please email technology@lansingschools.net.

We are now using ParentSquare for stakeholder communication. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each family, using the preferred email address and phone number listed in the family's ParentVue account.

If your family is not able to utilize ParentSquare, please email info@lansingschools.net.

September 25 — (PCAC) Parent Community Advisory Council | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

September 26 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern High School Cafeteria

September 27 — PD Day - No School

October 2 — Fall Count Day

October 3 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

October 18 — PD Day - No School

October 23 — (PCAC) Parent Community Advisory Council | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

October 24 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

October 31 — Half Day - A.M. Elementary Only - Planning and Records

November 5 — Election Day - No School

November 7 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

November 20 — (PCAC) Parent Community Advisory Council | 6:00 p.m. | 4200 Wainwright Ave.

November 21 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

November 25-29 — Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 5 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

December 19 — Regular Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | TBD

December 23-27 & December 30 - January 3 — Winter Break - No School

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.