The Weekly Update #4

The 2025-26 school year is right around the corner. I hope all of you have enjoyed the sunshine and a well-deserved summer break! Back by popular demand is the LCS Back to School webpage (click the link). Important information and resources about all things back to school, all in one spot!

Students are scheduled to begin the school year on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The 2025-26 LCS Calendar is posted on our website.

Transportation routes are posted on our Back-to-School webpage. If your student rides a bus to and/or from school, please take a minute to review the information. As the new school year begins, please remember to be patient with school bus drivers, especially during the first week. It can be a challenging time for everyone involved as drivers navigate new routes, adjust to different traffic patterns, and get to know the students they're transporting. Unexpected delays may occur as they work to ensure every child gets to and from school safely. Your patience and understanding can make a significant difference in helping to start the school year smoothly for both the drivers and the students.

Congratulations to Linden Elementary, Hyatt Elementary, Linden Middle School, and Linden High School for being named to the 2025 US News and World Report Best Schools, within their respective grade levels. This is the first year Linden has had more than one school building represented. Ranking criteria, depending on levels, includes performance and proficiency on state assessments, college readiness, graduation rate, student/teacher ratio, and etc. Thank you for making LCS a GREAT place for students!

Michigan School Meals has allowed all Michigan public schools across the state to

provide school meals at no cost to families for the past 2 school years.

Unfortunately, the 2025-2026 School Aid Budget has yet to be finalized. This

means that continued funding for free school meals cannot be guaranteed beyond

the current School Aid Budget, which ends on September 30, 2025.

We want you to be aware that there is a chance that school meals may not be

free as of October 1, 2025.

The program we operate for this school year will depend on the finalized state

budget, and the form we ask you to complete for meal and or educational benefits is

dependent upon the passage of universal free meals within the budget.

The form we had posted on the Linden Schools website (prior to August 11, 2025)

food service page and online in the Linden Meal Magic family portal (Education

Benefits Form) was applicable only if Michigan Schools Meals is included in the

State School Aid Budget.

If Michigan School Meals is no longer included in the State School Aid Budget, we

will have to return to the Free and Reduced Meal Application (currently named

Education and Nutrition Benefits Form). This form would determine if your

student(s) qualify for free or reduced meals, or pay full price for meals. Paper

copies of this form will be sent to all buildings before Open Houses.

Linden Schools is changing to the Education and Nutrition Benefits Form as it

will provide a seamless transition should that be necessary, and can be used for

either program.

If you have already filled out the Education Benefits Form either in the Family Portal

or from the Linden Community Schools website, we are asking you to also fill out

the Education and Nutrition Benefits Form.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

Linden Elementary, Hyatt Elementary, Central Elementary, Linden Middle School, and Linden High School have earned the 2025 MI Heart Safe School Award. The Heart Safe designation recognizes a school’s efforts to prevent sudden cardiac death of our students by preparing for cardiac emergencies. There were minimum criteria that had to be met in order to be considered for this designation. A written cardiac emergency response plan, A cardiac emergency response team with CPR/AED certification, minimum percentage of staff and coaches who are CPR/AED certified, meet the minimum number of cardiac emergency drills, accessible AEDs, and compliance with applicable MHSAA cardiac response policies. A huge thank you to Paige Weber and Danielle Loynes, LCS School Nurses, who championed Linden’s drive toward these designations.

Kelli is a 1996 graduate of Linden High School. Kelli received her undergraduate degree in CI Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. Kelli also holds an Ed Specialist degree in Administration with a focus on Special Education Directorship. Kelli began her teaching career in 2001 at Swartz Creek. From 2001 to 2017, Kelli wore many leadership hats for Swartz Creek, including PBIS Building Coach, Instructional Coach, Department Specialist, and Special Education Consultant. Since 2017, Kelli has been at the Genesee Intermediate School District as a Special Education Teacher Consultant. We are excited to bring Kelli back to Linden. We are looking forward to her leadership and guidance to help grow our district and foster a culture of continuous improvement across all grade levels.

In November 2020, the Linden community supported a $55 million bond initiative to (1) Enhance student safety and school security, (2) Expand and enhance the instructional environment, (3) Modernize, upgrade, and construct school facilities, and (4) Upgrade technology and technology infrastructure. We are currently in Phase 3, of a three-phase process.

This summer, Hyatt Elementary and Central Elementary were completely deconstructed and updated. Everything from new carpet, student furniture, STEM Labs and collaboration zones, HVAC systems, electrical upgrades, media center updates, instructional technology upgrades, new teacher stations, surveillance cameras, and secure vestibules for the new front offices.

We also completed the renovation to the north end of Hyatt Elementary, where our Early Childhood Center will be located. This included new classrooms, a playground for our early childhood students, a secure front office with door access controls, and safety and security upgrades.

What is a Sinking Fund?

A Sinking Fund is one option Michigan school districts have to fund projects and expenditures related to their facilities and equipment. School districts benefit from a sinking fund because it dedicates an annual amount of funds for approved uses. A Sinking Fund protects a community's school facility investment, and it allows for necessary facility repairs and renovations without using educational dollars, keeping these dollars in the classroom, supporting and enriching programs and opportunities for our students.

What is the difference between LCS's Sinking Fund and the LCS Bond Program?

In 2016, the Linden Community approved a ten (10) 1.3 mills Sinking Fund, which generates about $880,000.00 per year. The LCS Sinking Fund is approved to be used for (1) purchase of real estate for sites, (2) construction or repair of school buildings, and (4) other purposes authorized by law.

What has LCS used Sinking Fund dollars for?

• Stadium enhancements (turf, fencing, press box, etc)

• Expansion of LHS Student Parking Lot

• Administration Building update

• Hyatt ECC Playground Funding

• Hyatt Bus Loop and Parking Expansion

• Mechanical System Repairs and Replacement

• Roofing Repairs

• MPB Indoor Turf System

• New Fencing Bus Corral

• Baseball and Softball Field Renovations

• Running Track Resurfacing
• Parking Lot Painting
• Gym Floor Refinishing
• Filtered Water Fountain Installation
• Flooring Replacement
• Sewer Pump Station Rebuild
• LMS Automated Gate
• Kitchen Hood Fire System Replacements
• Classroom Wall Dividers
• MPB Wall Sign
• Pole LIght Repair and Replacement
• Concrete Replacement
• Fire Alarm Monitoring System for All Buildings
• LHS Front Entrance Plaza
• LMS Bus Entrance Sidewalk Replacement
• Fire Alarm Repairs
• Argentine Building A/C System Repairs
• Playground Equipment Repairs
• Hyatt Elementary Site Work (new bus loop)
• Early Childhood Center Playground Equipment (Hyatt Elementary)

Continuous communication is a goal of our district, and a part of the district's strategic plan. Having a dedicated District Facebook Page ,X following, @LindenSchools, and Instagram (@lindenschools) allows Linden Community Schools to communicate news, events, and updates on a larger scale. Jump on board and "like" our social media pages!