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.

Today I would like to highlight our wonderful Lansing Educational Assistants (LEA). On Wednesday, November 20th, we celebrated National Education Support Professionals Day. This day is dedicated to all our terrific education support professionals, who work tirelessly to help our students and schools. These great employees help our district in innumerable and invaluable ways. We are so proud of their work with and care for our education community.

Thank you, Education Support Professionals, and thank you Lansing Educational Assistants.

I also want to highlight the historic collective bargaining agreement that was approved on Thursday between the Board and LEA. This new contract is a strong show of respect and support that our LEA members deserve. Not only are there significant salary raises, but also monies for furthering education, as well as clarifying roles and responsibilities so we can keep up to date with current school needs. Both sides worked very well together to produce a thoughtful and modern contract that will help support our employees, students, and families for years to come.

I would like to personally thank President David Hockaday and the entire LEA bargaining team. I look forward to putting this new contract into use immediately. If anyone reading this newsletter is interested in joining the Lansing School District as an assistant, there is no better time than now. Please feel free to reach out to us if you are interested. We are always looking for great employees.

Lastly, I would like to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope that you all are able to spend some time with family and friends and are even able to take some time for yourself. You all deserve it. Because of Thanksgiving, I won't be writing to you next week. I look forward to resuming this newsletter on Sunday, Dec. 8th. Have a great two weeks.

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

Started as as a modest event by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing in 1984, Silver Bells in the City once enveloped Washington Square Mall in holiday spirit with 2,500 luminaries. There was a community sing led by the mayor back then too. It wasn't until the events third year that the State Tree was lit during the festivities.

Over the years the event has grown, adding more events and attractions including carriage rides and local venues open to the public free of charge. In 1997 the event saw a massive bump in attendance when organizers added the Electric Light Parade, which dazzled onlookers. The Electric Light Parade has since become a key part of the event, bringing mid-Michigan high school marching bands, businesses, and organizations together for an illuminated parade route around downtown Lansing. Eastern High School marching band joined the festivities Friday, donning lights over their standard (yet quite eye catching) uniforms, and on their instruments when appropriate.

Over the years the event organizers have changed, with Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority taking the reins in 2019, but the event has remained a cherished holiday season kickoff for thousands in the area. Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority promises to continue making the event all that it has been, and even more, for years to come.

We're so proud to be a part of such a wonderful city tradition!

The Lansing School District's annual Pathway to the Holiday event, a special tradition that celebrates community spirit and expresses our gratitude to the Lansing community provided 500 Thanksgiving meal packs to school district families.

In collaboration with SodexoMAGIC, Dean Transportation, ABM, LSEA, and several volunteers, turkeys and food items were delivered via school bus to doorsteps and made available for pick-up. We are deeply grateful for our school community.

From all of us at the Lansing School District, we wish you a warm and joyful Thanksgiving!

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First graders in both Gardner International and Pattengill Biotechnology Magnet schools recently learned how to write their name using hieroglyphs! This lesson is part of the Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts, for those who aren't familiar) curriculum being utilized by the Lansing School District for PreK to 5th grade students.

Amplify CKLA combines a multi-sensory approach to phonics with carefully sequenced texts that build content knowledge with a two fold goal of students learning to read AND reading to learn. Each day PreK to second grade students complete two lessons: one that builds foundational reading skills, and another that builds background knowledge. In just a few years these first graders will use this foundation to start to master the skill of reading from grades three to five.

What a fun way to learn the importance of writing, not just in present times, but even in ancient Egypt!

Cumberland Elementary families came together this week to celebrate their diverse cultures at the school's Cultural Night! They brought and shared culture-specific food and were able to play games, make crafts, listen to music, dance, and even play various cultural instruments!

It is so good to see our diverse families come together and celebrate one another.

We're already looking forward to the next Cultural Night!

A solar energy initiative to reduce energy costs, modernize facilities, and inspire environmental responsibility at 11 Lansing School District schools was celebrated this week. The initiative, supported by partnerships with Absolute Solar, EIS Solar, Lansing BWL, and Green Link Education, includes roof replacements and electrical upgrades.

Beyond the obvious benefit of cost savings, the project integrates sustainability into academic programs, fostering environmental stewardship and inspiring the next generation of innovators!

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.

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 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 17 — Family Roundtable | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

December 18 — Parent University | 6:00 p.m.| 2400 Pattengill Ave.

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 – Annual Organizational Meeting | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

January 12 — Information Study Session. | Eastern High School

January 20 — Martin Luther King JR Day - No School

January 21 — Family Roundtable | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

January 22 — High Schools Only - Half Day

January 23 — High Schools Only - Half Day

January 24 — All Schools - Half Day

January 29 — Parent University | 6:00 p.m.| 2400 Pattengill Ave.

January 29 — PCAC | 6:00 p.m.| 2400 Wainwright Ave.

January 31 — No School

February 14 — No School

February 17 — No School - President's Day

February 18 — Family Roundtable | 6:00 p.m. | 519 W. Kalamazoo St.

February 26 — Parent University | 6:00 p.m.| 2400 Pattengill Ave.

February 26 —PCAC | 6:00 p.m.| 2400 Wainwright Ave.

March 14 — 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.