Building Lansing's Future!

Each week we will share district news and offerings.

Update from

Superintendent Shuldiner

Dear Lansing School District Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you all well. We have had an eventful and productive week in the Lansing School District. On Monday, we had a meeting with the City of Lansing and some energy experts about possibly building a solar farm to help the district with energy costs and become more environmentally friendly. On Tuesday, we had a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with all the principals to discuss what we are currently doing in our schools and what we can do in the future to make the district better. We dug deep into our test scores, survey results, and other qualitative and quantitative data. The more we hold ourselves accountable to student performance across all our schools, the better our entire district will be.

On Wednesday, we held both a Parent Community Advisory Council (PCAC) meeting at Everett and a meeting at Sexton about creating their new mascot. I was able to attend both and was so pleased to see how the community turned out to support the schools. I want to give a special thank you to all the families who attended our PCAC meeting. We discussed how the CATA bussing for high school students was progressing. We were able to hear from CATA and school officials, as well as listen to the families. PCAC meetings are wonderful ways for the community, especially families of students in the schools, to gather information, ask questions, and build community. If anyone reading this wants to attend the PCAC meeting, please click on the link below.

On Thursday and Friday, I was able to visit a total of five schools and see firsthand how our students and teachers are learning and leading. I love visiting our classrooms and speaking to our students, faculty, and administrators. The more I am in the schools, the better I can help support them.

I hope you are all able to enjoy some of this wonderful Fall weather.

I look forward to hearing from you all as we, together, make this district better.

Benjamin Shuldiner, Superintendent

Lansing School District

Parent Community Advisory Council (PCAC)

Meet Our Featured Student!

Dale Johnson

Riddle Elementary

Dale Johnson walks into Riddle every day ready to learn! Ms. Maddox, his 3rd grade teacher says “Dale is a highly intelligent student with a steadfast commitment to his education.” When asked about his favorite part of school, his face lit up as he said “I love Math and Science!” He couldn’t decide which was his favorite, he truly enjoys them both, so much.

Additionally, Dale holds himself in a very mature and respectful manner. He shows compassion for his classmates by helping those who are struggling and offers support to staff and visitors in our building. Last week, Dale helped out during the morning welcome with Ms. Angie, the Riddle Principal. As students entered the building, Dale held the door for his peers and greeted them with an infectious smile, wishing them all a great day. Ms. McCarthy recalls this to be a norm for Dale since she met him in Kindergarten. She says “Dale has an empathetic heart; I consistently see him reach out to peers and staff to be a helper. He is a leader.”

Dale's kind nature and drive to do what’s right is evident. When asked about this, Dale said “he does it because it’s good for the whole world. I think, if you do good things for people, you will get good things back!” Wise words for a young man. We are all exceptionally proud of Dale and honored to share his story!

We can’t wait to see all that he achieves!

Staff Feature of the Week

Keturah Bouyer

Dwight Rich School of the Arts

Keturah Bouyer or Mrs. K, as her Dwight Rich School of the Arts 3rd graders refer to her, is in her 5th year of teaching this year. A lifelong Lansing resident (Lansingite) she attended Lewton, Dwight Rich, and the great J.W. Sexton High School.

Her path to education was not a traditional one. She volunteered, subbed, and then transitioned into the classroom full-time. She has been married to her childhood friend, Coye Bouyer, who she met in 6th grade gym class (yes, at Dwight Rich) for almost 23 years. The pair has four beautiful children - all of whom attended or currently attend schools within the district. Sierra, 18 attends Liberty University; Seth, 15 is a 10th grader at Sexton; Cayla, 13 is an 8th grader at Sexton; and Coye II, 11 is a Mt. Hope 6th grader. Their family is rounded out by their rescue dog Callie.

Keturah is an advocate and champion of the Lansing School District and the city we call home and says it is a privilege to live where she works. Coye is a pastor at Kingdom Life Church. They both love making connections and building genuine friendships/relationships, so she looks forward to getting to know as many families as she can each year.

Deputy Superintendent of Special Populations and Programs

Featured on Conversations

If you haven't already, check out this week's episode of conversations where Bob Kolt of Kolt Communications has a conversation with Sergio Keck, our Deputy Superintendent of Special Populations and Programs.

To learn more about our special populations and the programs we have to service them, watch the video on our YouTube channel.

Don't forget to give us a follow.

As you already know, the district has implemented a new student identification card system. The Comprehensive Attendance, Administration, and Security System (CAASS for short) was introduced at the three high schools last winter, and rolled out districtwide at the end of the year.

The new ID system is robust, having many uses from tracking attendance, to admitting students to games and other special events, but it goes beyond that. It provides peace of mind for both students and staff. Enrolled students already have their enhanced IDs, and anyone who visits a district school will need to provide a state-issued ID which will be scanned prior to granting a temporary pass and access to the building.

Lansing State Journal's Mark Johnson covers this exciting news in more detail here.

Wexford Montessori Academy

Wexford Montessori Academy is an active resource on social media, sharing useful information, events, and student successes. Principal Liz Bishop posts a weekly school briefing, so if you're a member of the Wexford Wolfpack, head over to their page and give them a follow!

While you're there, make sure you congratulate A'Maryona who was "Caught Being Kind." We see you, A'Maryona, and we're so proud!

Congratulation to the Sexton Varsity Football team on their 56-0 victory over Eaton Rapids on Friday night. Senior running back John Douglas ran for 220 yards and 6 touchdowns.