LIS October Newsletter

Dear Lansing Lion Families,

As we welcome November, I find myself reflecting on how much there is to be thankful for at Lansing Intermediate School. Every day, I have the privilege of seeing students build friendships, overcome challenges, celebrate successes, and discover new things about themselves. These moments are what make our work so meaningful.

October was filled with wonderful opportunities to connect, celebrate, and make memories together! Our Parent-Teacher Conferences were a great success, and we appreciate the time families took to connect with teachers and discuss student learning. If you were unable to meet with your child's teacher, it is not too late! Please reach out to schedule a time to connect. We would love to share the learning and successes happening in your child's classroom.

Our Fun Run was an absolute blast! Students brought incredible energy and enthusiasm, and together, we surpassed our goal of raising $20,000! These funds support our PTA programs and the meaningful experiences that help students learn, thrive, and make lasting memories at school. Thank you to our families, staff, PTA, and supporters for making this event such a success. Your generosity makes a real difference for our students.

We also enjoyed our fall parties and Red Ribbon Spirit Week, which gave students and staff opportunities to celebrate together, show their school spirit, and promote healthy, drug-free choices. These experiences remind us that some of the most meaningful parts of school happen when we build connections, create memories, and learn together beyond our everyday classroom routines.

One of the things I appreciate most about our LIS community is the way we come together to support our students. Whether it is a family cheering on a child, a staff member offering encouragement, or a student choosing kindness when it matters most, these small moments make a big difference. A positive school culture doesn't happen by accident. It is built through the care, consistency, and commitment of the people who make up our school community.

As we move through November, I encourage our students to continue showing what it means to be a Lansing Lion by demonstrating perseverance, respect, integrity, diligence, and excellence. These qualities are not just things we talk about at school; they are habits we practice every day.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us and our staff. We are grateful to be part of your family's journey and proud of the wonderful things happening at LIS!

With appreciation and Lion Pride,

Mrs. Settles
Principal, Lansing Intermediate School

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S.T.E.M. Fairy Tale Family Night - November 5th

K-5 Students - Join us for an exciting evening of exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning at Lansing Elementary School! STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Students and families will have opportunities to participate in fun, interactive activities that encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. STEM night will take place November 5th from 5:30pm until 7:30pm at Lansing Elementary School. We look forward to seeing our LES and LIS Lions and families for an evening of learning and fun!

LIS will be closed November 23rd-27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving week. We are incredibly grateful for our amazing students, supportive families, and dedicated staff. Thank you for being part of our Lansing Lion family! We wish you a wonderful week filled with gratitude, joy, and time with those who matter most!

With Thankful Hearts,

Mrs. Settles and the Lansing Intermediate School Staff

5 - STEM night at LES 5:30-7:30

Please let the office know by 9am if your student will be absent.

Reporting an absence - Let your student's teacher know and do one of the following:

• Call 913-297-0990 and select option 1 to leave a message for attendance
• Email lisattendance@usd469.net
• Call 913-297-0990 and select the option 0 to speak with someone in the office
• Make a Parent Entered Request on Skyward. A Parent Entered Request on Skyward should be made for Full Day absences only.

All ride changes need to be made before 2:30pm daily. Ways to make ride changes:

• Call 913-297-0990 and select option 0 to speak with someone in the office
• Email your student's teacher
• Email devon.bresser@usd469.net or whitney.torres@usd469.net with the ride change

***Please do not leave ride change messages on the attendance line.***

Any absence that is not related to illness and will last more than 3 days will need to be approved by the school principal. Parents/Guardians will need to contact the school at least one week prior to the absence. Please reach out to Mrs. Settles at mechelle.settles@usd469.net if you know of an upcoming absence for your child. Not getting approval may result in your child's absences being unexcused.

Fall Into Healthy Habits And Embrace Autumn

Leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter and football is on!

Healthy tips to enjoy FALL:

Prioritize drinking water - and staying hydrated.

Nutritious seasonal eating - Fall offers many delicious seasonal produce like squash, pumpkins, apples, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts & dark leafy greens. Incorporating these nutrient rich foods into meals will support the immune system and overall health.

Get outside - and ENJOY the Fall weather. Fall Outdoor Activities:

• Jump into a pile of leaves
• Go apple picking at an orchard
• Take a nature hike & collect colorful leaves
• Visit a pumpkin patch & choose a pumpkin
• Go on a hayride
• Build a scarecrow
• Adventure through a corn maze
• Family game of flag or tag football
• Plant bulbs or fall flowers in a garden
• Scavenger hunt for acorns, pinecones & leaves

Wash hands routinely.

Change smoke alarm batteries.

Consider a flu shot - be prepared as cold & flu season tends to ramp up.

Have a FUN FALL!

Dear Families,

As we settle further into the school year, we are proud to see students building friendships, learning new skills, and developing confidence in themselves.

Support Available: As a reminder, we are here to support students and families. Whether a student needs help navigating school, managing emotions, building friendships, or simply has someone they would like to talk to, we are always happy to help.

• Jennifer Doby - School Social Worker/Counselor

• Jennifer.doby@usd469.net

• Genesis Mitchell - School Counselor

• Genesis.mitchell@usd469.net

Counseling Lessons: This month lessons have been about counselor introductions and bullying prevention. Our next lesson will be about conflict resolution. Thank you to our students and families for your flexibility and support with wearing orange and the date change to participate in Unity Day this year.

Kindness Club: Our Kindness Club members celebrated Unity Day by creating messages of kindness at our entrances using sidewalk chalk. It was great to see their thoughtfulness and excitement to spread kind messages to our students. Please see the included pictures for a few examples.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

Warmly,

LIS Counseling Team

5th grade had a wonderful day today celebrating our Fall Parties. Students figured out math mysteries, worked on graphing, reader theaters, and writing specific directions to carve a pumpkin.

Mrs. Rothmeyer's class completed a science lesson. It was an experiment on taste. Mrs. Martin's class is working on completing a Mystery Science lesson - How do the fish feed the trees.

In Social Studies, students have continued to learn about Native Americans and have moved on to Colonies.

We are well on our way to reading The Island of the Blue Dolphins. Students write short summaries over every chapter and also work on Text Structure skills. We often attempt to read 2 chapters a day, but if the class had their choice, we would read much more.

Math has us busy with multiplying and dividing decimals. Continuous practice on division and multiplication has been a goal that we strive for.

Our 5th grade program is coming up quickly. Next week our classes will begin practicing together to get ready for the big show!

Reading Strategies

Our school Site Council is a group of families, staff, and community members who work together with school leadership to support the success of students and the school as a whole. The council provides an opportunity to share ideas, perspectives, and feedback, discuss school needs and priorities, and work collaboratively to strengthen the school community.

Serving on the Site Council gives families and community members a voice in supporting the direction and continued growth of the school. If you are interested in joining our Site Council, please complete the form attached to this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjo5_0SuzyQ9qLLJKGXnRiPZ0U77BZlmbGsPELvqnd9zgJZA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Our Teammates Mentoring Program continues to grow. This nationally recognized program is available at Lansing Intermediate School (and soon expanding to LMS), providing an opportunity for our community to make a direct and positive impact on the lives of students.

The Teammates Mentoring Program matches students with caring adult mentors who commit to meeting with them regularly, providing guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. Research has shown that mentoring relationships contribute to improved academic performance, better attendance, and higher levels of self-confidence in students. By becoming a mentor, you can help shape the future of our youth and contribute to a stronger community.

We Need You!

Lansing School District is seeking dedicated volunteers to serve as mentors. If you have a passion for supporting young learners and are willing to commit to regular mentorship sessions, we encourage you to apply. The application process ensures a safe and effective program, including background checks and training for all volunteers.

Get Involved Today

Visit the Teammates Mentoring Program website to learn more about the program’s mission, success stories, and the steps to become a mentor. To apply, complete the online application form provided on the website. Once your application is reviewed, our team will reach out with the next steps, including mentor training and match assignments.

Sharon Burns

Director of Communications and Marketing

Lansing USD 469

At Lansing Intermediate School, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. With a large number of students arriving and departing each day, we appreciate your partnership in following these procedures to create a safe, organized, and efficient experience for all students and families.

Our goal is simple: ensure every Lansing Lion arrives and leaves school safely each day. By establishing consistent routines, following traffic procedures, and working together, we can provide a positive start and finish to every student’s day.

Morning Arrival Procedures

• Morning Supervision Begins at 8:00 a.m. with the exception of Thursday Late Starts: Please do not drop your child off before this time as students will not have access to the building and will not be supervised by LIS staff.
• Thursdays beginning August 20th supervision will begin at 9:00 a.m. Thank you for helping us ensure students arrive safely when supervision is available.

• Student Designated Drop-Off Area: Drop-off is located on the East side of the building off Ida Street. Please do not drop off in the bus lanes or drive through the bus lanes to exit the parking as this can impede buses and create safety concerns.

• Follow the Established Traffic Pattern: Please follow the traffic route outlined on the parking lot map and follow directions from LIS staff members supervising arrival. These procedures are designed to keep vehicles moving safely and efficiently.

• Students Exit on the Passenger Side: Whenever possible, students should exit vehicles on the passenger side closest to the sidewalk. This helps reduce movement through traffic and provides a safer transition into the building.
• Pull Forward in the Drop-Off Line: If you plan to wait in the car with your child, and not immediately drop off, please pull forward as far as you can to prevent traffic backing up to Ida Street. Maximizing the available space also helps keep the line moving and reduces wait times for all families.

Afternoon Dismissal Procedures

• The same procedures for arrival apply also apply to dismissal
• Establish a Consistent Routine: We ask that students consistently travel the same way each day (car rider or bus rider) whenever possible. Establishing predictable routines helps students feel confident and allows staff members to learn dismissal procedures, making dismissal safer and more efficient.
• Dismissal Begins at 3:23 p.m
• Right Turn Only When Exiting the Parking Lot: All vehicles exiting the Lansing Intermediate School parking lot must make a right-hand turn onto Ida Street. Left turns cause traffic to back up and cars are tempted to swerve around backed up traffic creating a dangerous situation for everyone involved.
• Pull Forward as Directed: Please pull forward as far as possible in the car rider line before your child enters your vehicle. This allows us to maximize space and keep traffic moving efficiently.
• Follow Staff Directions and Traffic Patterns: Staff members are present throughout dismissal to assist families and maintain a safe process. Please follow their directions and the designated traffic flow at all times.

Safety Reminders for All Families

• Drive Slowly and Stay Alert: Our parking lot is a busy place with students, families, buses, and staff members moving throughout the area. Please remain patient, attentive, and cautious while driving on school property.
• Keep Fire Lanes and Bus Areas Clear: Fire lanes and bus zones must remain open at all times to provide access for emergency vehicles and school transportation.
• Use Designated Crosswalks: Families walking to and from school should use designated crossing areas and follow the directions of crossing guards and staff members.
• Building Access and Visitor Check-In: For the safety and security of all students and staff, all adults entering the building are required to check in through the front office. Please have a valid photo ID available when arriving at school. This process allows us to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at Lansing Intermediate School.
• Avoid Parking Lot Congestion: Please do not stop for extended periods of time within the traffic flow. Keeping vehicles moving helps all families get through arrival and dismissal safely and efficiently.
• Be Patient During the First Few Weeks: The beginning of the school year is a time when students, families, and staff are learning routines. Wait times may be longer during the first several days. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work together to establish safe and efficient procedures.
• Remain Calm and Courteous: Please remain calm, patient, and courteous with our staff and students throughout the arrival and dismissal process. Our team will be working diligently each day to provide a safe, organized, and efficient experience for every family. Your cooperation and positive partnership help us create a welcoming environment for all Lansing Lions.

Thank you for your partnership in making Lansing Intermediate School a safe, welcoming, and organized place for every student. Arrival and dismissal are important parts of the school day, and your cooperation makes a significant difference. Reach out to school staff if there are issues you see that need to be addressed. We are always looking to make drop off and pick up more efficient and streamlined.

Cell phone use is not allowed at LIS during school hours. Research shows schools that allow cell phone usage during school have higher rates of disciplinary action, bullying (especially cyberbullying), and violations of privacy. In addition, use of personal electronics correlates to lower student academic achievement. We want to give our students the best environment to succeed as learners and grow as future citizens.

If you need to get a message to your child, please contact the office and we can make sure your message is passed along to them. Violations of the cell phone policy may result in a discipline referral for inappropriate use of technology.

Thank you for doing your part to help foster a strong learning environment at LIS!

For for information click the link below:

https://www.usd469.net/page/student-personal-electronic-devices

We're excited for the community to come out and support our band, cheerleaders, and teams on game nights. We have a few reminders for home games:

• All elementary and middle school students enter the game with an adult and sit with that adult throughout the game. Please do not drop your child off at a district event without supervision as they will not be allowed to enter.
• Student performances are the focus of the event. No one should be on the practice football field, soccer fields, or other areas away from the stadium.
• Please do not bring balls, frisbees, or other items to the game.
• Students cannot enter the stadium from the tailgate area.
• Spectators who are disruptive will be asked to leave

Thank you,

Alan Penrose

Principal, LHS

PTA Dashboard 2026-2027 - Google Drive - Central place for PTA information

Lansing PTA K-5 Official: Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Welcome! We are supporting K-5th Grade Students & Staff. Our goal is building community, creating fun, and making a difference! Stay connected with us here!

https://linktr.ee/LansingPTA

Parent-Teacher-Association Contact Information:

Email - LansingPTA.K5@gmail.com

Instagram -@lansing469pta

Facebook - @lansing469pta

Website: https://www.usd469.net/o/usis
Location: 509 Ida Street, Lansing, KS, USA
Phone: (913) 297-0990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisusd469

Lansing USD 469 does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or any other legally protected classification in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Marty Kobza, Superintendent

200 East Mary Street, Lansing, KS 66043

913-727-1100

marty.kobza@usd469.net

For further information on non-discrimination, visit the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or call 800-421-3481.

Click here for full Notice of Nondiscrimination.