The Bright Side
June 2023
Congratulations Class of 2023 Graduates!
Congratulations to the Lansing School District Class of 2023!
We are so proud of you and your accomplishments!
On Sunday, June 4, Lansing School District students, families, and staff gathered at the Lansing Center to celebrate the graduation of our 2023 seniors! Three distinct and captivating ceremonies were held to recognize the students from each of our high schools: Eastern, Everett, and Sexton. Teachers, families, and friends alike celebrated the work that the graduates have put toward earning their degrees.
During the ceremonies, honored speakers reflected on their high school experience. Valedictorian and Junior Board President Naomi Johnson and Salutatorian Cer Hliang addressed the crowd during Everett's ceremony. During Sexton’s ceremony, Valedictorian Jeffery Stych (who finished his high school career early at 16!) and Salutatorian Nicolas Yang gave inspirational remarks. From Eastern, Valedictorian Aenet Anthony and Salutatorian Pray Meh spoke to the crowd.
“We have all traveled unique paths to reach graduation and we stand united in our shared accomplishment,” said Eastern Valedictorian Aenet Anthony. “We have been pushed to our limits, tested in ways we could have never imagined, and faced adversity head-on. But through it all, we have emerged stronger, more resilient, and more prepared to tackle life’s challenges. We have learned that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor and that the true measure of success lies in our ability to adapt, persevere, and make a meaningful impact on those around us.“
“I am so proud of all our recent graduates,” said Superintendent Ben Shuldiner. “Our Lansing School District students are so resilient; they have persevered through so many obstacles throughout the past few years.” The amount of talent graduating from our high schools is incredible, and we are all SO proud of the Class of 2023.
Our graduates have the capacity to do brilliant things with their lives — there is no doubt in our minds that they will! Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
The district celebrated the graduation of 65 Adult Education students on June 7! Six students achieved English proficiency, 59 students earned their GED, and three achieved English proficiency as well as their GED! No greater testament to the importance of education exists than the accounts of those who have had a non-traditional path. Speeches from August Doerr, Malinda Brown, Amber Delisle, Michael Kelly, and Vanessa Pliego Gonzalez shared themes of resilience and determination, as well as the importance of education and having the right supports in your life.
"I want to start by reading to you the American Psychological Association's definition of resilience: The process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult and challenging life experiences. To me this program is a symbol of resilience," said Doerr. She was 14 years old, and halfway through her 8th-grade year with straight A's when the pandemic hit. Mental health issues she had been dealing with were pushed to unbearable levels and she was in and out of treatment. Falling behind in her studies, she had only three credits going into her junior year.
Doerr thought she had ruined her life and made a mistake that could never be fixed until she found salvation in the Michigan Works building on Cedar St. amongst a class of like-minded individuals and a small group of adults that would soon become her support system. "You are allowed to fall down, and there will always be someone there to help you get back up," said Doerr who will be starting at LCC this fall with a major in psychology. "This program has changed my life and I cannot put into words how much I appreciate this group of people and the wonderful work they do. Thank you for showing me what the word resilient really means."
"If there is anyone here who hasn't earned their GED or high school diploma, or you know anyone in that situation, please, just do it, don't hesitate, just do it," said Brown of her experience. "I'm standing here today to say that if I can do it, so can you. As graduates, we believed in ourselves even when no one else did, we knew we owed it to ourselves, and we did it."
"I am a prime example of why you should never give up," said Delisle was out of school for 13 years before graduating. "It's never too late to complete something you want in life. You're never too old. For those of you who are still struggling as young adults or even someone older like me, please don't give up, don't rush it, when you feel the time is right, just go for it."
"My name is Michael Kelly and I am indomitable. I learned that word when I was studying for my GED test. I got my GED last year at the age of 45 years old. I am the father of 13 kids, that's 11 boys and two girls. I dropped out of school when I was 14 and over 30 years later I got my GED," said Kelly. "I got on the wrong side of the law and when I got sentenced to jail I wanted to do everything I could to better myself and better my family. Having the ability to work on your GED in jail is an amazing opportunity and it has helped a lot of people better their lives."
Kelly credits earning his GED with giving him more self-confidence, the ability to reach out for help, and the opportunity to help others. He is thrilled to continue his education and has been accepted into the engineering program at LCC and will start this fall! Kelly urged the audience not to be scared to change their people, places or things and surround themselves with people who support them.
"I have both improved my English and have been able to study for the GED exam," said Gonzalez. "It seemed like a huge challenge at first, but like everything about my journey from Mexico to here, I was not afraid of the challenge. Having a high school education in the United States will open up many more opportunities for me." Gonzalez reminds you that if you can dream it, you can do it and that it's okay to make mistakes because we are not perfect.
Congratulations to our Adult Education graduates! Your perseverance, grit, and will are a testament to your hard work and dedication. The Lansing School District is proud to have you as graduates and cannot wait to see how you impact the world around you.
Special thanks to Adam Dominion for working at the Lansing School District print shop!
Congratulations to Student Winners of the Ingham ISD Youth Art Contest!
Justice, Taylor, Jada, Pieper, Emily, Analeigh, Jameson, Dakota, Brenden, and Alex
Lansing School District art teachers would like you to join us in saying congratulations to our student winners of the Ingham ISD Youth Art Contest. This competition is open to any student in Ingham County. This year there were over 250 entries with 50 chosen to be in the art exhibit. We are thrilled to announce ten Lansing School District art students were honored by being chosen.
Tie Dye Flowers
Heart's A Glow
by Emily Barrera Castro
Galaxy
Congratulations to Riddle kindergartener Justice Lindsey, for her oil pastel Evergreen Tree; Cavanaugh first grader Taylor Rich, for his oil pastel Evergreen Trees; Gardner kindergartener Jayda Yang for her Self-Portrait Collage; to Forest View first grader Pieper Grams for her Self-Portrait Collage; Lewton second grader Emily Barrera Castro for her Hearts A Glow; to Lewton fifth grader Analeigh Garza for her Pileated Woodpecker; Kendon third grader Jameson Matthews for Cardinal; Beekman tenth grader Dakota Ried for his work I See Beauty in the Darkness; and Beekman 12+ students Brenden Loomis and Alex Torres for their respective artworks Galaxy; and Tie-Dye Flowers.
Pileated Woodpecker
Evergreen Tree
Cardinal
The exhibit is hosted by the Ingham Intermediate School District (Ingham ISD), Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center (LAG), and Michigan Education Leadership Group (MELG). Student artwork is on display and can be viewed for one year at Michigan Education Leadership Group, 1001 Centennial Way in Lansing.
Self-Portrait Collage
I See Beauty in the Darkness
Self-Portrait Collage
Summer Camps Are Full at Ebersole and Filling Up at the Equine Center
The Lansing School District is ready for summer with a wide variety of fun activities to keep students learning and engaged. The Ebersole Center and Equine Center are hosting a range of summer camps for many different student age groups, each with their own fun themes.
The Ebersole Center is a barrier-free residential environmental education center and youth camp in Wayland Michigan situated between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. The center is owned by the Lansing School District and welcomes nearly 3,000 Lansing campers each year. Ebersole recently received an 80-acre gift of land from their foundation valued at nearly $1 million, dramatically increasing both the size of the center and the diversity of the land. The property includes forests, wetlands, a pond, and now farm property along with overnight accommodations for students, a conference center, and many incredible outdoor learning spaces. Ebersole staff are thrilled for the return of programs like the “Backyard Olympics” for younger campers and scheduled band camps for grades 9-12.
“Our camps are nearly full. I think that just goes to show how enthusiastic people are for all our Ebersole programs,” said Benjamin Botwinski, Director of the Ebersole Center.
The Equine Center has seen similar success with summer enrollment. Their campers will engage with ten full-sized horses, three miniature horses, and two miniature donkeys. Camp programs include “Medieval Adventures,” where students will journey through time to visit Vikings, knights, pirates, and even mythical creatures while learning about horses and the roles they have played in our history and culture. Also available is the "Unicorns and Rainbows" day camp where students will explore colors, art, horse costumes, and creative thinking.
Ebersole Camps and the Unicorns and Rainbows camp are full.
Available Equine Center summer programming can be found here.
We're Growing Our Own!
The Lansing School District was recently awarded a nearly $1 million state grant to support its “Grow Your Own” teacher development program. This money was granted to Michigan by the federal government as part of COVID relief funds and is primarily intended to assist teachers or substitute teachers in becoming certified in a specialized area of teaching. The program will also look to recruit current Lansing students that express an interest in becoming a teacher in the district in the future.
“This grant is specifically targeted at helping Lansing teachers and people who want to qualify to become certified Lansing School District teachers,” said Superintendent Shuldiner. “There are many specialized areas of teaching that require state certification. This grant will be a fantastic tool in helping recruit, attract, and create certified teachers who want to be here working in our Lansing schools with the kids they know in the school district they love.”
Certifications in teaching areas like special education, art, math, physical education, and many other specializations are required by the State of Michigan. The Grow Your Own program will allow nominated candidates to gain the necessary credentials to become certified teachers through a partnership with Central Michigan University.
There will be multiple ways to become involved in the teacher development program. A candidate may be recommended by a district teacher, building leader, or administrator. The Candidate Recommendation Form is currently in the revision process but will become available soon.
“This grant allows the Lansing School District to cultivate the careers and abilities of future teachers too,” said Alyssa Stepter McKay, Ed.D. an Urban Fellow for the Lansing School District. “With a pathway from high school to a teaching certification, it will allow us to combat the teaching shortage with people who have a genuine love for the students, schools, and community.”
Stay tuned for more information!
Celebrating the End of the 2022-23 School Year
Across the district, celebratory events were held to acknowledge student success, achievement, and the completion of another wonderful school year. Whether you are a graduate of the class of 2023 and your last day was May 26, or your last day of school was today, there wasn't a single grade that didn't get to partake in something special (or, even more likely, a full day of celebrations).
There were classroom-specific celebrations like the one Ms. Demaray held for her third graders that included snacks, dancing, and yearbook signing. There were whole-grade specific celebrations like Eastern's Annual Senior breakfast, held before their senior awards ceremony on May 30th bringing seniors and their families together over breakfast to celebrate their accomplishments. There were whole-building celebrations, like Wexford Montessori Academy's end-of-the-year carnival, Reo Elementary's parade, and ice cream celebration, and Gardner International Magnets "clap out" for its eighth graders (and retirees!).
The underlying message is the same at all celebrations across the district: We are SO proud of our Lansing School District students — and staff! Thank you for spending your year with us. If you graduated or are retiring, we know that you will go into the world and do great things. If you're coming back next year, we'll be waiting with open arms.
The Lansing School District wishes you a safe and happy summer!
Don't Sleep On Summer Learning
Don't forget, the Lansing School District offers a fantastic selection of summer programming. Stay tuned to your email, your school's Facebook page, the district website or Facebook page for learning opportunities throughout the summer!