Superintendent Newsletter

Dear Lansing School District Community,

I hope that this newsletter finds you well. As always, it is a pleasure to email you all.

What a great opening week! I was so happy to see so many of you on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I visited so many schools, I lost count. With now five opening days under my belt, I can absolutely say that this was the best. Not only did we open a brand-new school to our community, but we also had new playgrounds, new gymnasiums, new air conditioning, new educational equipment, and new curricula. We have more teachers and fewer subs, we have more support staff and fewer vacancies. There was a palpable difference in the energy around opening day this year. It was awesome. I really want to thank everyone for making the start of the year so great.

This weekend, we also hosted our first annual "Back-to-School 5K." It was a blast. Thank you so much to the over 200 participants and volunteers who came out on a wonderful Saturday morning to run, jog, or walk through the Westside/Sexton neighborhood. I saw so many students, families, and educators. We had elected officials, former board members, even a Sexton graduate from the '90s who came all the way from Indiana! Though I will admit that my right ankle is a little sore, it was more than worth it to be a part of our inaugural event. Hopefully I will be in better shape for next year 🙂

As I have written about before, setting up traditions, creating shared experiences for our community, and just being a part of something collectively produce a positive feeling around the district. Events like these can really help move our district forward. If you have ideas for other types of activities that we can support, please email me. I look forward to hearing from you.

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

A huge THANK YOU to the Lansing community for making our inaugural Back to School 5K such a success!

From runners and walkers to volunteers and sponsors, your support turned this first event into a true celebration of health, unity, and school spirit.

Proceeds from the run will directly benefit enrichment programs for Lansing School District students—arts, athletics, and more.

We’re grateful for your enthusiasm and can’t wait to see you at next year’s run!

Research consistently shows that students whose parents are actively engaged in their education perform better both academically and socially. When parents participate — whether through attending school events, staying connected with their child’s learning, or going above and beyond by joining their school's parent-teacher group — students are more motivated, achieve higher grades, and develop stronger confidence in their abilities.

The partnership between home and school sends a powerful message: education matters, and your child’s success is a shared priority. By working together, parents and educators create an environment where students feel supported, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.

If you haven't already, consider joining your school's PTO, PTA, or PTSA this year.

Click here to get started.

The first day of school carries a unique magic — a blend of nervous excitement and fresh possibility. New supplies, buzzing hallways, and even new or remodeled buildings set the stage for beginnings. Friendships, passions, and challenges await as classrooms become stages for new stories. Teachers share in the anticipation, ready to inspire and guide. More than routine, this day is a ritual of growth and resilience, balancing familiar traditions with unknown adventures. It symbolizes transformation, reminding us that learning is not just about gaining knowledge but about becoming — discovering who we are and our place in the world.

We thank all our families for a fantastic first week back to school.

If you currently have a district-issued gas card, please do not throw it away. This card will be used for the 2025-26 school year and will be reloaded as long as your child remains eligible. Keeping your current card will ensure a smooth transition and avoid any delays in receiving future funds.

REMINDER: CATA bus passes are waiting for students in their school's main office.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the transportation department at 517-755-3017.

Aug 29 — No School

Sept 01 — No School (Labor Day)

Sept 04 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Sept 08 — Universal Preschool First Day

Sept 18 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Sept 26 — No School (Professional Development Day)

Oct 01 — Fall Count Day

Oct 02 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Oct 17 — No School (Professional Development Day)

Oct 31 — End of First Marking Period

Oct 31 — End of First Marking Period | Half Day for elementary only

Nov 04 — Election Day (No School)

Nov 06 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Nov 20 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Nov 24 — No School (Professional Development Day)

Nov 24 — No School (Professional Development Day)

Nov 25-28 — Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Dec 04 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Dec 18 — Board of Education Meeting | 6:00 p.m. | 519 Kalamazoo St.

Dec 22 - Jan 2 — 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.